Dirt Bikes!

PB_SurfRider · 05-05-2008, 12:56 PM

So,

I took a dirt bike riding class this weekend. This was the first time I'd ever been on a dirt bike, and it was super fun.

The class I was in was tailored for street bike riders with no dirt experience. It started out very much like MSF (instructors had taught MSF before). There was a brief introduction to mounting a dirt bike (as compared to a street bike), and a short exercise in getting used to the friction zone. Within 10 minutes, we were already doing drills that were geared toward being an active rider with the bike and doing seated turns and slow-speed maneuvering. After that, we went into standing turns and slow-speed maneuvering. Once that was all done, we went on a series of trail rides, each of which added a new element/skill (uphills, downhills, weaving climbs, dealing with ruts, etc). It was about 5 hours long, including instruction and trail rides.

The coolest part about that is...

The lessons I learned in that class have really translated into dramatic improvements for me back on the street. My slow-speed maneuvering has improved by leaps and bounds. Not only am I far more confident, but I feel more actively involved with the bike instead of just being on it. My turning radius is much smaller than before. U-turns and figure 8s are tight and effortless instead of stress-inducing. My lines have gotten better, and I am much better at looking through turns and really making use of the magic of going where I look.

I just wanted to share this with the other new riders, along with a suggestion to try it out. My love of motorcycles just doubled this weekend.

stevo_x · 05-05-2008, 01:20 PM

Was this the dirtbike class held by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation? Did they give you the bike to ride?

PB_SurfRider · 05-05-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo_x

Was this the dirtbike class held by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation? Did they give you the bike to ride?

It did not have an official association with MSF. The instructors had taught MSF before though. They provided bikes and all gear, and it cost $180. Pretty good deal!

stevo_x · 05-05-2008, 01:26 PM

I wish they did that around here! Nothing of sort, at least I dont think so.

rg-one · 05-05-2008, 01:31 PM

Which one did you do? I'm in OC and have looked into this, I found 2 places, but one of them didn't even return my email and their schedule was from last year so maybe they're defunct.

Sounds fun!

PB_SurfRider · 05-05-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rg-one

Which one did you do? I'm in OC and have looked into this, I found 2 places, but one of them didn't even return my email and their schedule was from last year so maybe they're defunct.

Sounds fun!

Don't be scared by the early 90s style home page. It's a quality operation.

Coach2Ride

rg-one · 05-05-2008, 01:46 PM

Thanks

rockjunkie · 05-05-2008, 02:51 PM

I rode dirt bikes first. Honestly I can't imagine starting on a street bike. You learn so much about traction and weight transfer on dirt, and that knowledge is invaluable.

metalrat · 05-05-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockjunkie

I rode dirt bikes first. Honestly I can't imagine starting on a street bike. You learn so much about traction and weight transfer on dirt, and that knowledge is invaluable.

+1

On slow speed wet/gravel etc. I instinctivly go to the rear brake.
Yet on 98% of my street riding is all front brake.
Just evaluate the situation and respond.
Have the tires break loose and not panic.

Not to mention... Dirt bikes are a blast.
When I'm on my dual sport... I'm always
looking for a dirt bike "shortcut".

ImpulsePainter · 05-06-2008, 12:05 AM

I'm really biased, but I like track riding a bunch more than trail. Suppose it's just personal taste, there's sure a lot of intense trail riding. Just went to Moab, UT and surrounding area's, gave me a whole lot of respect for trail riders, that stuff isn't easy! There's a cool forum that's like SBN, thumpertalk.com/forum. They got sections on trail technique, track technique, specific bikes, etc. Have fun! (as with street riding, wearing all the gear really pays off)

ajd187 · 05-06-2008, 09:03 AM

I ride my dirtbike on the weekend. It was actually sort of the reason I got into street bikes. I live in the suburbs and there is no riding nearby. But I can just pull the street bike out of my garage.

Dirtbikes force good habits because if you don't do basic things rights you'll usually end up on your ass. Then when you get back on the street you do those things due to muscle memory. I would suggest a dirtbike to anyone who can afford it and has a place to ride it.