Five Essential Dirt Bike Skills and Tips

[@directgrover]

As always amazing advice! After riding street bikes for almost 20 years i'm absolutely loving dirt riding! thanks guys!

[@craigfinnegan8534]

Overall there are two simple keys for riding adventure motorcycles off-road - get lots of experience and swap street tires for serious dual-sport tires. (Get Continental TKC-80s. Their traction on the street and their longevity are uncompromised by their badass treads). Here are some basic off-road skills… • Favor the rear brake except in emergencies, in which case try your best to straighten the front wheel first before using the front brake and rear brake together. Using the front brake tends to make the front tire knife into the dirt surface and trip the bike up. • Similarly, keep the wheels straight when turning from asphalt to dirt, ideally making the turn completely on the asphalt part and entering the dirt surface at a 90° angle. If you enter the dirt at a shallower angle, treat it like a curve and counterbalance (see below). • Know when to be aggressive on the throttle and when to be gentle on it (sometimes the best defense is a good offense, other times overconfidence will hurt). Speed and momentum are crucial on the softer stuff, but too much will backfire and destabilize the bike. You have to develop a feel for exactly how much throttle by practicing on different surfaces. • Ride standing up in rougher terrain. That makes all the difference because it lowers the bike's center of gravity and makes it more maneuverable. Remember to keep your knees slightly bent to allow your legs to flex, and lean slightly forward on straight sections, more forward the steeper any climbs get. On downhills, reverse that and keep your butt rearwards. • When encountering a road with ruts, either stay inside the ruts or outside the ruts. The problem is continually going back and forth in and out of a rut, making it an edge trap, which can throw the bike down. If the rut is so narrow that your tires are continually hitting against the sides of the rut, that's an edge trap, so only ride outside of that rut. • When riding on softer stuff, shift your weight rearwards to give the rear tire more bite - that also has the advantage of making the front tire "ski" more, creating less drag and making it less likely to trip you. • Counterbalance generously on curves, getting your hips outside the lean and weight on the outside pegs. You should be one gear lower for the speed - that discourages swinging wide and gives you more engine braking if you encounter a surprise around the bend. Your outside leg will be mostly bent, the inside leg mostly straight. Know that you can always make your turn sharper by leaning further (I usually like to just straighten out my lower side arm for that). • When going over mounds, you need to use finesse on the throttle, going from aggressive to gentle at just the right moment heading up, then be relaxed and confident while finessing the rear brake as you go down the other side. Like with everything else, you get better at it with practice. • When encountering hard obstacles you can't maneuver around, (with your butt off the seat and legs flexed), as the front tire gets to the obstacle, hit the throttle a little as you pull up on the handlebars while leaning slightly rearwards (as if to wheelie but not actually doing so) then pogo-stick the rear suspension as the obstacle reaches your rear tire. Practice that in an empty parking lot with a piece of two-by-four. And here's a good video if you ever get seriously stuck... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYrJY5yLjpmdkJo

[@yea885]

Thanks brodie Real helpful

[@kennethvernonprivate]

Love, love, love.......Thanks Brake! Stay well, all the best from CANADA!

[@BrakeMagazine]

Will do! Thanks! All the best from wales!

[@g02n2]

Brilliant! and don't blame the bike! (if I had these tyres, those footpegs ...). Best advice ever, and you just slipped it in at the end.

[@sonnyodare9338]

Very true, however I’ve blamed the tyres lots of times “these tyres are sh*t” “I hate these f*cking tyres” but at the end of the day I’m the person who chose and fitted those tyres so it’s still my fault.

[@breakM]

Thanks for these vids. I ride CRF250L on and off road. Have no riding buddies more skilled then me, and some MTB background plus vids like this is whats making me a half decent rookie and safer rider. Also got MX boots due to your vid because of remote areas where I go usually alone, hated both them and you for first few rides, now they are awesome, feels not only safer for riding but also like dogs and snakes can only brake their teeth on it. Keep up the advices.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Hey! Thanks for watching. Maybe you can encourage your buddies to get better too! Glad you like the video! We'll keep on making videos for as long as people want them!

[@royhaggard4459]

Best tutorial of required skills to become a competent rider.... Great job!

[@Bastard01g]

That last "self critical" part you told was gold. I have many friends, who blame it on the bike but they ride so fkin passive. And ofcourse ego gets in the way of doing many things right.

[@BrakeMagazine]

🤣🤣 Sure does. 😁

[@endurooutsider7889]

@@BrakeMagazine I blame my back tire for having no grip what I do wrong? 0,3bar mitas terra force dobule green

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@endurooutsider7889 are you riding rocky or slipper hard enduro?

[@endurooutsider7889]

@@BrakeMagazine for know i riding fields and moody trails sometimes gravel rouds I'm new to hard enduro but I've been riding bikes before

[@richardsapper6167]

Hi Guys having done the Portugal trip with you have bought a 2019 FE 250 also to keep my skills up for next years trip which is a bit spooky. Looking forward to the Adv Lite project. Keep the videos coming. Stay safe ride safe. Say hi to the gang😀

[@rfk76]

Good video! please continue off-road basics tips, thanks!

[@BrakeMagazine]

We will!

[@sonnyodare9338]

Best tips, ride with people who are better than you. If you don’t know anyone better, find people. The bike community is awesome, as long as you go places where other people ride I’m sure most people will let u tag along. That’s how I met my riding buddies and it’s fair to say I’ve learnt a lot from them and had more fun riding with them too.

[@debroyprasenjit]

Brilliant video! Thanks for churning out great content.

[@BrakeMagazine]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching 😁😁

[@Lucas-dr6ho]

Once I forgot to switch the gear and I accidentally did a 10 meter wheelie when I started the bike so yeh make sure your on the right gear guys

[@aliennetwork08]

Ya that’s always in the back of my mind before ever letting go of the clutch

[@kennyjohnson8770]

One of the best instructional videos I’ve seen for sure thanks guys!!!!

[@HeddleTown]

Great job man and I gave you thumbs up for some solid tips! I know what you mean by weighting the pegs and bars that kind of goes hand in hand with 'leaning' the bike one way or the other but if your actually coasting in a straight line sitting and you pull on the left bar the bike actually goes to the right and vice versa for the other side give it a go! ;)

[@BrakeMagazine]

Exactly!

[@ZsoltBoda]

one of your best videos so far, thx

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thank you!

[@henryroscoe2464]

Some time ago, I asked for tuition on how to change gear, up and down, whilst standing on the pegs. I was assured this would be coming very soon, but alas it’s now about a year ago and I am still struggling. Have I missed some videos? If not, just a repeat appeal, PLEASEEEEE can we have some video instruction for gear changing while standing? Always great videos Llel. Ride safe, Dave from Sunny Scarborough.

[@dawoudjoufcaranguian5319]

I'm vertically challenge but this is a great help mate. Have a good day!

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad it helped!

[@GR-332]

Great explanations and attention to detail in your tuition, thanks.

[@WADZUP]

Really enjoyed these tips & your explanations. Van BC Canada watching!

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad you enjoy them! Thanks for watching 😁

[@paulstander4012]

Great tips thanks!do you use a higher seat in the video?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Yes 😁

[@s7ok3d54]

Why would they put such a big seat on there if you weren't ment to sit on it?

[@BrakeMagazine]

🤣🤣 You are! It's big so you can use all of it 😁

[@s7ok3d54]

@@BrakeMagazine lucky my fat ass can use it all at once, that's gotta be good for something?

[@jozsefwicha3459]

Please talk about SUSPENSION setup. How to adjust clickers and turns.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Okay! We will do it down the line :)

[@Davidsfoodreview]

I’ve raced fourwheelers for a while and have gotten pretty good at it. So naturally it’s time I try dirt bikes. Any tips before my first harescramble?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Don't ride in dust. It's a really quick way to hospital.

[@iron-brigade]

awesome thanks - I'm new to dirtbikes - I'm gonna do the one foot weight drill the next time I ride!!

[@BrakeMagazine]

It's really good for understanding the balance! Thanks for watching 😀

[@jdhsingi]

Great information...thanks for sharing...

[@BrakeMagazine]

You're welcome dude!

[@johncopetti1253]

Yeah! Spot on mate. Keep up the geat work. Cheers

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks!

[@rajivghanekar907]

great video with practical tips. Thank you

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cameron4817]

those boots are awesome i have a pair myself i just struggle to change gears 1:43

[@andrewandlm]

Adv light bike? Let's not get this one nicked. Seriously, great vid 👍

[@BrakeMagazine]

Trying pretty hard to not let that happen!

[@serafinfleischer]

Great video, quality instructions

[@enduroisland4202]

Nice video

[@acebladesyt7823]

i just got my first dirtbike it’s the frp50 it’s so fun to ride

[@khowdyshell6606]

Bluhhtee pess pauwkit! Jaully ged vid!

[@Brianmoto49]

Well done...well explained

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad you liked it

[@Lucas-dr6ho]

I could stand up right off the bat and it was pretty rough terrain

[@markverge807]

Recently traded in my old f800gsa for a new 2019 701 enduro .... relearning how to ride off-road .....thanks for the great vids One question, thoughts on knee braces?

[@BrakeMagazine]

You're welcome! My thoughts are yes, they're good but try some on in a shop. There a lot and an they're all different. Make sure they're medically certified. It's worth noting they take some getting used to. I never got comfy in them and don't wear them but most of our group do. 🙂

[@flashpointbravo]

I know you didn’t ask me, but I’d say knee braces are an absolute must. Especially with that heavy bike. I spent 2 years on a 690 enduro riding as many black diamond trails as I could find so I’m familiar with trying to support a heavy bike in awkward positions with compromised foot placement. I wear Leatt X frames but wear what feels best to you.

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@flashpointbravo plus one on the X-Frames.

[@IsaacJohnston]

Makes me want to go riding with you dude

[@BrakeMagazine]

I'd love that bro!

[@Dylans503]

You guys aren't gay at all

[@Problem-mattic]

I have a question, so when I'm riding do I mostly use my pegs to lean the bike, or do I use my hands? When I ride I usually lean the bike with my hands (and they get tired quickly) and keep my body straight. I feel like I get arm pump very quickly. I'm coming from 4 wheelers so managing lean is new to me. So my real question boils down to; do I mostly weight the pegs to lean and grip the tank (staying parallel with the bike) or do I keep conditioning my hands?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Feet man, all through the feet. I have a video coming about this in a month or so :)

[@Tweb42]

Did you put a re map on with the exhaust or is it fine on the stock map?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Great question. At the moment we've just bolted it on and the difference was really good. We're gonna looking into the remap once we're allowed to ride again 😁😁

[@justsomeguy17199]

Crashed my PW 50 a few days ago, wish I would have found this video earlier

[@oksanakostenko4666]

bruh

[@BrakeMagazine]

This made my day 🤣🤣

[@neelchat594]

Loved it. Can you please do a video about slow speed dirt bike drills to practise until we can ride freely again? Thanks.

[@HeddleTown]

I cover this in depth in my Riding Lesson Series Ep 1 as well, this is a great channel too! :)

[@neelchat594]

@@HeddleTown thank you so much, will check it out ASAP!

[@roberthertz6634]

Good ADVISE.

[@jeffjeffington5739]

When u say weight the handlebar do u mean push down or counter steer?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Kinda. The direction of the push is slightly different because your body position is different. Counter steering is a tool to get the bike to lean, but it’s not the only tool to do that. If you push down on a bar at slower speeds the bike will lean very quickly because of the leverage and it lets you be in a much much better body position and be subtler with your inputs. If you’ve been brought up on only counter steering on the road, you have to kinda let go of the black and white thinking of that technique a bit 😊

[@apriwjaya._1891]

Hi bro how tall are you?? Can I use this bike with my height 5'11 Ft?? please answer 🙏🙏

[@BrakeMagazine]

Of course. I'm 6ft 2.

[@bottleaire2082]

If I am 50yo, started at 4yo, raced enduros, motocross, and TT, and have a 34" inseam despite being only 5' 9", can I say I have been stretching my frog legs out with my butt back and arms stretched for 46yrs w/out catching crap? I always take exception to that "never."

[@danielbecerra669]

Lets jus say ridin a dirt bike way more complicated than I had intially thought..😅

[@kentuckyjustice1408]

How do you feel about Steg Pegs for newer riders?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Complex question! Firstly I don't have any experience using them. However, I generally think the answer lies in why you want them. Understanding what the product is for and making sure that the reason you want them isn't to solve a problem in your riding. The best examples are pivot pegs and bar risers. Both create more problems than they solve because they are misused. If you use bar risers on a dirt bike and you're under 188 cm, you're probably try to solve a technique problem with a product. So if you want steg pegs to to help you hang on in the whoops and sand and your body position and movement isn't the problem the go for it. If you want them because your struggling to keep balance I'd suggest a few drills. Hope that helps!

[@kentuckyjustice1408]

@@BrakeMagazine EXCELLENT response. My personal issue is hip problems that keep me from leg-gripping the bike like I should. It's strictly a personal handicap. I thought about Steg Pegs because strapping my legs to the bike with binders just isn't feasible. 😊

[@BrakeMagazine]

I mean, I'd say depending on what your riding is leg gripping isn't essential. It helps when you're trying to stop the bike moving around but you can learn to ride well without using it much. However, I really don't see a problem with them.

[@kentuckyjustice1408]

@@BrakeMagazine I appreciate your response. Thanks.

[@tieoneon1614]

@@kentuckyjustice1408 i just got the big ones, the Desert Kings cuz they they stick out farther than the regular ones. Best thing they do is get rid of the arm pump and arthritis in hands when stand up riding. It feels like your legs below the knees are part of the bike. Fast desert or climbing in the mnts it makes a big difference, for me. U will feel you leg muscles sore, but its better than back and hands!

[@choomah3937]

Tip that I got from a army bloke is to scan the road up and down for obstacles

[@BrakeMagazine]

The enemy*

[@Sport-ns5lk]

Great info, I’m getting ready to buy a dirt bike after 30 year hiatus, I’m 6’3/200#, any suggestions?

[@BrakeMagazine]

A 350 four stroke. KTM/HUSKY/GASGAS or Beta. I am 6'2 and 200 and I own one. Great all rounder.

[@madcanic9632]

grib bike with legs, grippy tank pads are dope

[@kevinsolo7064]

Awesome....awesome....👍 btw how do we shift gears while riding standing? Thanks

[@BrakeMagazine]

Move your foot off the footpeg. Some people hook under, some people catch the edge of their boot but you've gotta move your foot. Practice leant against a wall to see what I mean 🙂

[@aliennetwork08]

Thanks for another vid 👍

[@RE3PER]

I got into bikes when I was 11 I had a ts-125 I now at 14 have a Husqvarna te-410e

[@SergeRobichaud-oq9wu]

thanks, well understood.

[@crizalfn8414]

im 16 and i am 109 pounds and i just got a 125 2 stroke, that shit is heavy

[@BrakeMagazine]

You got some bulking out to do. Keep riding and it won't be heavy for long! What 125 did you get?

[@serfdogg]

So keep the KLR ? It's my fault for buying it?

[@christopherbattle9733]

Great video

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaelsupple6081]

Yet another great set of tips! Thanks !

[@MXUnion]

Great vid!

[@take5th]

It’s all true! Now, do it when there is milliseconds between moves.

[@davidflajsman6527]

does the balance transfer from mountain biking?

[@aaronovski9949]

Fo sho

[@eggxit5418]

This is good.

[@itakeyouthere]

Im not meaning to negatively point this out but you had mentioned the opposite. have you heard of weighting your outside foot peg on a corner .

[@earth-2-ethan]

He talks about counter balancing on corners in this vid, maybe watch the vid?

[@jeffestrada6857]

Thank you 👍

[@eretemio]

Thanks great video!!

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad you liked it!

[@sameenakausar1020]

Thanks a lot for the tips !! :-)

[@TomTomMarchy]

Most beginners don’t have 1. Suspension set for them 2. Worn/Bald tires and break pads 3. Loose worn chain and sprockets These few things are tremendously important when getting a feel for dirtbiking. Never blame the bike but it definitely helps to have a mostly tight bike. If the bike feels sketch you’re gonna ride sketch

[@BrakeMagazine]

1000%

[@oprxghost]

I was always naturally good at all the things required to ride, balance, good throttle control, clutch control etc. once I started paying attention to those things I think I got worse bc then I was over thinking it instead of letting It just be second nature

[@BrakeMagazine]

Give it time. Making changes does slow you down. It took me a long time to make those little tweaks to my technique but over time they've definitely left my riding in a better place. :)

[@stanleykania7184]

It all comes to you, just ride

[@stonedape8437]

And the next step is to sell your bike and get a two stroke

[@6GEARPINNED]

AHAHHAHA yes

[@rrrigbyyy]

#fourstrokessuck

[@felixmacwylie7039]

Just bought a 2021 KTM 250 XC TPI so fantastic.

[@autismion]

wish they had decent gas mileage for long enduro rides

[@beauderr9455]

First is to get a dirtbike

[@rustykrys888]

I was riding lots in the spring I started to get good then all of a sudden I was driving the same trail and I felt all over the place. I thought I was doing something wrong for a couple months. Then all of a sudden I find a bad wheel bearing. And by bad I mean all the balls were gone and just the inner and outer races were left. Explains why I was falling side to side so much. Lol.

[@zeQHCF]

"The learning curve can be pretty steep without some sound advice...'? Skip this video than ;-)

[@BrakeMagazine]

🤣🤣

[@tieoneon1614]

I use my ass as a keel weight, LOL. Swing it over the rear when riding sand, swing it to the opposite side when stand up cornering. However i have never seen anybody sit so far on the tank when enduro riding? Mayb im doing it wrong, but it works for me

[@BrakeMagazine]

Really?

[@DavidReason-ko5kx]

This is my first road kzbin.infoUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and I have taken it out a handful of times and so far it is exceeding all of my expectations. I didn’t want to break the bank on a first bike and the herd is a great option for getting a fast bike with reliable components. I plan on riding this bike for many years to come. Thank you Sava!

[@norfolk4stroke686]

I have stood so much this summer that I don't even think about it anymore. check out my videos and see.

[@ED-on8to]

Tipp number 1 has to be: Get training lessons!

[@BrakeMagazine]

If you can afford them I totally agree.

[@ED-on8to]

Brake Magazine Buy a less priced dirtbike.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Also agree 🤣

[@Envi400]

YA DOG SO RADICALLL

[@brandonturner3467]

Bruh he sitting on the tank thats not comfortable or accurate

[@RichLaffertyRacing]

uhhh yeah it is if u want front wheel tractioin....wheres your tip channel bud

[@rrrigbyyy]

Actually it’s a good sitting position, he’s not directly on it but directly behind it. When going through corners this will give you way more traction and help you not crash. Maybe focus on a different sport that you’re better at!

[@1991enduro]

@@RichLaffertyRacing yeh I don't it for traction and to keep the front end down ahaha there always one donut

[@aztigjoel3453]

Poru Salita F

[@outdoors1248]

Need to lose some weight buddy. Imagine what you’d be able to do then

[@BrakeMagazine]

Nice 👌

[@cheetah694]

Are you kidding me? Sometimes you need to sit far back, for better acceleration or when riding in sand to unload the front wheel. What recipe for a disaster are you talking about, just curious? And you never sit as far forward as you showed in your video, not even in turns, that's way too close. Putting too much weight on the front will send you over the bars in no time, especially in sand. Generally you're much safer staying too far back than too far forward.

[@BrakeMagazine]

If you say so.

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Aleks, have you actually ridden the Dakar??? Much as having an opinion on KZbin is an absolute right (chuckles wildly) sometimes you need to know who and what you’re talking about. I’ll leave it at that for now 👍🏻👍🏻. Safe riding (whichever way you choose...)

[@cheetah694]

@@PhilbyFavourites You don't have to ride the Dakar to know how to ride in sand. As to your question, I haven't ridden the Dakar and not going to.

[@sillydillydokieo]

@@cheetah694 I scrolled all the way through the comments and at the very end, you posted almost the exact same thing I was gonna say about sand, which I ride all the time. Dunes and talcum powder sand desert riding requires sitting as far back as possible sometimes.

[@customs112]

Dirt bikes have big lovely seats? bullshit

[@BrakeMagazine]

Okay, just long then? 🤣

[@henryroscoe2464]

Some time ago, I asked for tuition on how to change gear, up and down, whilst standing on the pegs. I was assured this would be coming very soon, but alas it’s now about a year ago and I am still struggling. Have I missed some videos? If not, just a repeat appeal, PLEASEEEEE can we have some video instruction for gear changing while standing? Always great videos Llel. Ride safe, Dave from Sunny Scarborough.

[@bjs001001]

Good info. Thanks for sharing.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks for watching!