Top 10 Dirt Bike Riding Tips for Offroad and Enduro Dirt Bikes - Stop Sucking!

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Want to be a better dirt bike rider? I have ten tips for you here. Keep in mind that these are in no particular order of importance. These tips are not the only things that you need to worry about, but they will all help, that I am sure of.
1. Stand up on the pegs - be in attack position - when it’s gnarly, steep, or rocky... stand up!
2. Weigh the outside peg of a turn
3. Look ahead! Keep your eyes up!
4. Carry more momentum
5. Bike Setup - bars, controls, and sag
6. Cover the clutch and brake - only one or two fingers
7. Don’t Skid the rear wheel - and don’t always clutch when braking
8. Point toes in - and position the pegs on the balls of your feet
9. Don’t clutch when shifting
10. Sit on the tank!
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[@jaydb07]

I’m 60 and awaiting delivery of my first ever dirt bike. Been watching videos to learn basics. Your videos are by far the best. Articulate. No hype or idiocy. Just awesome. Thank you. No other video said you can shift without clutching! Great!

[@usethenoodle]

I'm pushing 67 and I just took delivery of a new Husqvarna FE350S. I replaced my old well worn Yamaha XT-250. I started riding dirt on a mini bike at 12. I did have some time off over the years but picked it back up in earnest in 2011. Here's the deal. Be sure you spend some time on cardio and strength training. Build up your fitness and loose your body fat. I eat KETO. I went from 183 to 146. It's a very demanding sport. Obviously, start out with easy trails and progress as you learn. But the new bikes are sprung for a roughly 180-185 pound human. That includes your gear. If you weigh more than that, you'll need to change the spring/s to accommodate more weight. Otherwise the suspension will not work properly. Diet and fitness are just as important as the bike and it's setup. Proper body weight and cardiovascular fitness is the best defense against aging and will go far in injury prevention when you biff off into the pucker bushes. Also, get knee, elbow and chest protection and wear it. You will as we say "eat it" now and again. Even the best riders eat it. Congratulations for having a pair large enough to try dirt at 60. Join a club too. That will ensure you get out frequently. Ride with people you trust and who are better than you, but will temper the rides to your ability but gently push your skills safely. It's a fun time and the people who do it are for the most part like minded, and super fun to hang out with, camp out with and you'll make many new friends. Have a great time!!!!

[@dani1980pin]

Inspiring :D I'm taking Offroad / Dirt / Enduro classes. Can't wait to get my Dirt Bike :D

[@jongross3329]

How's it going?

[@jaydb07]

@@magiccitysoundhilarious

[@elcincero321]

Remember downshift with no clutch, up you need a little bit

[@SoilworkZA01]

Stand up, look up and open up 👍🏻👍🏻

[@diarmuidoc9427]

Well said! 👍

[@diandeklerk9512]

Nicely said

[@ryanrugaber3329]

@@diandeklerk9512 ko

[@DA2THFA1RY]

11. Send it

[@Ebone93]

Hahaha

[@marnov.dmerwe8904]

Sennnndddd itttttt

[@HazelTheHusky69420]

Lol true

[@neuchigen]

Turn it up to tip #11!

[@tomnekuda3818]

You are touching all the points that riders generally have to learn the hard way. Good video.

[@musschootski]

Thanks Kyle for the vids. This one particularly useful for a new, aging, beginner rider.

[@SamAndrew27]

8:10, more speed/momentum going up difficult/rocky hills, absolutely TRUE!!

[@calvingaudette]

I ride a heavy bike. I need to wait for the 2 stroke ktms to go all the way up the hills first or i'd run into them with the momentum i need to get to the top.

[@youcanbesmartaskhow3857]

One of the best tips he gave before he even started counting them, was ride with guys who are better [more experienced] than you and do what they do. Great tips all around Thanks we are watching in 2020 quarantine!!

[@jbraz8]

That was extremely informative I can't wait to introduce these techniques into my riding. Pretty stoked right now I'm picking up a Husqvarna te300 in the next couple days!

[@JohnSmith-dj5gf]

I’m just getting back into off-road riding after 30 years riding on the street. These tips were very helpful and articulated what I was in the process of relearning. Thanks!

[@posterlion]

1) Stand up (use your legs to grip the motorcycle so you don't need too much tension on the handlebars), 2) look far ahead (observe obstacles and plan your route), 3) keep momentum to the level required for the route, 4) Keep one or two fingers on clutch and front brake (This is really important for reaction time), 5) Find the best way to use the rear break swiftly and efficiently, Don't lock up the rear brake, learn to use the break so you don't need to pull the clutch (learn to down shift at the same time and you can let the engine do most of the work), 6) Don't point your toes out, an obstacle can rip your leg off and you off the bike (also, don't point your toes down, your foot could get ripped off, 7) Stay on the balls of your feet for most operations, This allows you you squeeze the motorcycle with your legs and provides better steering control, There are exceptions maybe a very long high jump. 8) Learn to shift up and down without the clutch. It's much faster and provides better results when in go fast mode. This technique is more than 44 years old. I know for a fact. (FYI, you don't need a clutch to shift a manual in a car either). 9) Sit on the tank when preparing to corner, this unloads the rear suspension and loads the front suspension, making your front brake bite harder before flicking the bike into the desired line. It also help the rear wheel to drift out so you can apply throttle quicker and use the rear wheel to steer the bike, at which point you might want to slide off the tank a bit to add extra bite to the rear. 10) I guess I missed it or deemed it unnecessary. :) sorry about that!

[@lowriderST24]

I'm afraid to shift without the clutch. I have my first dirt bike and it's old and I don't want to break it.

[@beanstalk72]

Good tips for sure. Here's another one - get in shape BEFORE riding your dirt bike. I know I feel so much better when I'm down a few pounds and not sucking as much wind. That translates, at least for me, in to a more enjoyable riding experience.

[@all4andmore]

I’ve been riding for a couple of years and wow I wish I had seen This when I started. Best video and set of tips I’ve seen. Thank you so much!

[@chrishackworth7759]

Kyle thanks for the tips!! I’ve been trying a few of these the last few times riding and have noticed a huge difference!! Thank you!

[@peterpannifer1958]

Thanks so much for doing this video Kyle. Your explanations and demonstrations have given me greater insight to riding better and safer offroad. Have had road bikes previously so learning the ropes and feel of offroad biking. Your explanations and demonstrations have been insightful and helpful, the best I've watched and listened to. Certainly going to improve my skills and enjoyment. Thanks heaps.

[@frdtrkguy7169]

A bunch of great tips all in one vid. Thanks! I plan to share this with my kids to reinforce what Ive been teaching them.

[@Inacoma989]

This was a great video. I've been riding street for quite a few years and just bought my first dirt bike and I've picked up so many great tips. Thanks very much!

[@number1726]

Great video man.. I really enjoyed it.. And im definitely going to try out these tips.. Thank you

[@brandon6712]

This was a great video! A couple of my buddies who've been riding for a while gave me some similar tips out on the trails, but you went in to more detail and explained the "why". I appreciate instructional videos like this one!

[@vanillagorilla8197]

Always solid content....thank you

[@lummoxoverlandadventures1072]

Thanks dude! I've been riding street for 20 years and I just picked up a wr450f. Just took it out yesterday and the struggle was real. I was doing pretty much everything wrong. I've watched/listened to this video 5 times while I'm working. Going to pick up some elbow pads lol and going to put your tips to use. Thanks again.

[@94SexyStang]

Yep, been riding street 10 years, dirt is a Whole different game....my balance and Throttle/Clutch work are amazing, coming from 160hp bikes, but it's just "traction" and jumping over Logs that is tricky to adapt to......riding street, it feels SO weird being High up, and aiming FOR logs.....or potholes knowing you can soak them up now.

[@markjacobs6294]

I've been riding for 45 years and picked up a few things new. Maybe my YZ400 wouldn't have hurt me in the early 80s had the internet been around. Thanks for making this vid.

[@Thumpermad]

Great stuff mate I've been riding Dirtbikes since the early 70s and have been doing what you say for years and it takes years of experience to master a Dirtbike and lots of patience and good advice cheers and thanks for sharing

[@shivaillusions]

Clear, concise, well presented and really helpful. Thanks

[@peterpan5035]

Great explanation for common known tips, so this makes it much more understandable and memorable. Thanks!

[@jasongonder7957]

I've been on bikes my whole life but I'm brand new to dirt bikes (bought my first just over a week ago). Entered into my first hare scramble at a week into it. The tip about shifting and braking would have been a life saver. I can't wait to give it a shot.

[@ConTheDon187]

I gotta say all this info is spot on, I just started dirt biking 2 weeks to be exact, I bmxed for 10+yrs though, bought a 2019 wr250fx and my first day was a challenge at first but towards the end of the day with all this advice given to me from my brother and his buddy I really started riding way better, luckily I live in the mountains and can practice a bit in my yard (not too much cause there's always those pesky neighbors that like to call the cops) but I went from dropping my bike in easy situations, to riding the expert trails the next weekend with my brother and his friends that have been riding since they were kids (they're 30yrs old now) so they're really really good. One thing they really wanted to nail into my head was slipping the clutch in really steep hill climbs while balancing it with throttle control so you don't bog the bike down and kill it or like you were saying lose momentum. It's crazy stuff, but with the right knowledge and understanding of the physics of riding you can get really far really fast. The rocky hill climbs with loose softball and up size rocks everywhere and the single track with one way to go and no other is when you really need to pay attention ahead of you, as far as possible. And riding on rocks in the rain you also wants to maintain momentum so when you hit rocks and your tire slides you keep going rather than get knocked around and put your foot down and then drop the bike. My brother and his friends are crazy though, so they have taken me into the gnarliest stuff and just explained all of this stuff to me so I had no choice but to just go for it! I'm not the type of person to just turn around and go back either which is the mindset you need for dirt biking. And don't worry about hurting your bike! It'll ruin your fun. I'd also suggest the cycra probends to protect your levers if you're a noob like me.

[@TomGlander]

Great tips. Thank you. The key tip for me was using clutch to modulate power to the wheel. Makes lots of sense!

[@GravityFinance]

Awesome video and great tips! I just picked up a dirt bike after not having one for 6+ years so this will definitely help.

[@Kawinj]

Great video! I can whole heartedly back you up especially on the part about keeping you toes pointed in on the bike as well as your knees that tend to fly open when navigating more technical sections. Out here in the northeast we have an abundance of tight rocky single track track that snakes through the trees and even when lugging at low speeds to navigate, unknowingly leaving a foot or knee out can be the difference between ending your day with a stop for a beer and a burger, or a trip to the hospital to mend a twisted up ankle or knee. It happens fast, and healing time for these type injuries can take a long time. Especially when you're old like me!

[@jarimo97]

really appreciate all the good stuff you put together in this awesome channel Kyle!

[@yolo2225]

You do the best tutorials ever, very clear and easy to understand. Thank you! Will help me out a lot 👍🏼

[@jonbusby3881]

Very good video, I watch a lot to learn more. You’ve done a great job. I’m older and want to put these tips into practice. Thank you.

[@the_mad_ratter]

9:30 - thankyou! I'm sharing this to my friends. I'm 6ft6 and pretty new to offroading. I got myself an AJP PR3 - not the best choice with its low seat height ahaha - and I've been telling them I need risers (new to offroading, not new to biking), but they tell me I don't. When I'm stood up the bars are about 2" lower than I want them to be (tested standing on the bike on a paddock stand), but other than that I can't fault the bike at all, it's nice and light - always a bonus. I've watched a few of your videos now, but it's given me the urge to go out and ride (yep, we're in lockdown, nope I'm not going mad because my back yard is a woods which is pretty secluded and this PR3 has a quiet exhaust :D), so I'll have to watch more later :P Sub'd.

[@regentsrealestate8025]

AWESOME Tips,, Ive been riding for so long,, just about everything is second nature.. Its difficult to actually put words to all of it... Great Job! SPOT ON! (Although I do have Bar risers LOL (strictly for comfort)) Keep making great videos!

[@jessehoolihan3862]

if youre racing hard and rebuilding your bike regularly, id agree you might not want to use the clutch, but if youre an average joe, you most definitely need to use the clutch. I've rebuild multiple bikes from people trying to power shift without the clutch and they end up destroying second gear and bending shift rods.

[@mortenbecker-eriksen4665]

No problem with gearing up. Down is another matter.

[@socaladventuresdavidt2557]

I went riding Sunday 6-30-19 I was riding on the street and was downshifting with out the clutch on accident and I'm guessing was at perfect RPM

[@robsinHL]

I never used the clutch on my 500 exc unless I was putting it in first.

[@jessehoolihan3862]

Over my 4 years in a motorcycle dealership, I rebuilt over 30 transmissions due to clutches shifting. Primarily destroying second gear, you can do whatever youd like, but as a technician I can't condone it. Best of luck to you guys.

[@theway4989]

@Jesse Hoolihan Right there with you brother! As most watching this type channel (beginner tips vid), if you want your clutch to last, use the lever.. Now if your able to match engine/wheel speed with precision, one could more safely (for the clutch), not use lever while at speed.. Its a great skill to have (manipulating clutch lever) riding offroad for a multitude of reasons, but if ur that 1% who gets paid to bang gears, this video/comments arent for you.. Keep Riding!

[@patrickfarrell7598]

Awesome video Kyle! Id love to see more videos like this! Possibly make some "riding tip" videos while on the trail. Thanx Kyle!

[@jonnoMoto]

All good stuff. I see the same 2 issues when people are struggling: sitting down and not carrying momentum.

[@RadAdventureDude]

Those are two points you can always work on at any level of riding!

[@ryanmcintosh1923]

Love the custom clutch lever, something happened to mine haha, great tips man keep it up!!

[@ajaychawla7735]

Dude you have so many good tips, thank you for doing this video!

[@gusgiesel]

I'm a solid intermediate rider and I picked up several tips from this video. Great stuff! Thanks for the videos!

[@bobmcgrath1272]

Very sensible and clearly explained tips, agree with everything he says. Whenever I talk with someone who is brand new to riding in the dirt...I always say "Remember the 3 Ups". 1: Stand Up 2: Elbows Up 3: Look Up That's easy for them to digest before going into more detail, as per the video, on each point. Good work.

[@eyedrz]

This is probably the best single tip video out there. Thank you for making this newbie a more confident rider.

[@TheCaffeinatedOrganist]

You’re a great instructor. Enjoying your channel and appreciate all the great info.

[@strongocho]

As a streetbike guy thinking of getting into dirtbikes this summer, there were a lot of good tips on here than I would have screwed up if I just hopped on a bike and sent it lol. Awesome video.

[@bg147]

I will have to stand more. Being short 5'6"- 5'7" makes things so much more difficult... or it saps me of confidence and I keep dropping the bike. I am constantly fighting the bike, exhausting myself to the point of heat stroke in the past. Plus, looking down at the ruts is another area of improvement. It is amazing how little tips make a monumental difference. I recall riding in the sand once... deep sand, it was impossible, and my brother told me to keep my weight back and don't look down at the wheel. I tore it up after that.

[@reillyarmstrong9515]

bg147 I’m short to. Makes things difficult.

[@TheIntrovertSpeaks]

Lovin' the drone footage you incorporate in your videos. Rock on!

[@pgomes007]

Awesome tips m8 great great video not a dirt bike rider but an f800gs rider I think most of what you saying here also applies to heavier bikes like mine specially as mine got the fuel tank on the back and weight distribution is key Offroad also momentum super important on more beefy bikes as when you loose it you drop in traction straight after thanks for all advice very useful

[@RichLaffertyRacing]

Rich Lafferty ? Hey I know him. Great video.. thanks for props sir.. if ever in Jersey hit me up for a free school

[@mdbonde3484]

Great video. I didn’t know about the shifting aspect and the other tips were good too will have to watch again

[@matti8894]

I find grabbing the seat with my knees really helps with arm pump.

[@TheVinny337]

Great vid!! Thanks for posting

[@dudzsedano7564]

You make a pretty good riding instructor! Thanks for helpful tips!

[@lonniedomnitz1720]

Thanks for making this content! Just getting started and needed to know all of these tips.

[@peterv1806]

Great info, extremely well presented. Thank you sharing.

[@bigskycrane6950]

The tip about taking more speed into difficult terrain has helped me so much. Thanks

[@TheJumpn]

ive been working on most of these lately. practice, practice, practice.

[@kuladeeluxe]

Very useful tips Kyle...I guess I'll hold out on the risers. Really makes me want left hand braking

[@andrewpeno8259]

Great tips , in a easy to understand presentation , even for a beginner, Thanks

[@davidwilson4901]

Great help thank you, went out for first time today loved it

[@dixoncider7256]

Great tips. Keep up the good work.

[@techi3075]

Great tips. Cool you mentioned Rich. Love those NJ Lafferty boys. Jack SR, their dad helped me a lot with enduros back in the late 90s, early 2000s.

[@rannienapay]

Tnx bro for ur tips and advice.have a nice day.

[@rafaelserna2194]

great video & tips! of all of them, to keep my right foot sitting on the balls is the hardest one to get.... I always tend to have the tip of my foot right above the brake

[@lachlanmac9668]

Great tips. I expected dirt bike riding to be different from street but it's more different than I realized. Best things I've done so far is start out on the "green" easy trails and subscribe to this. Thanks mate.

[@carlosdias1940]

Well done! Great video! So much to learn!

[@doughowe5792]

Also quick footnote: Danny Hamel was a wonderful human being! I was fortunate enough to call him my friend, but he was everyones friend again a most wonderful human being. He was probably the best desert racer of all time. He also probably sat 70% of the time when he was riding and racing. (But his bike was setup for his riding style) So you really have to do what works best for what gives you the most confidence what feels right for you? Again just sayin.

[@captainpegs0740]

It seems to take a ton of upper body strength to maintain body position while standing while accelerating and then to light braking.

[@christoszo4007]

Really nice video, thanks a lot for sharing

[@DollyAndFamilyGetOutAndRide]

Great video, and wonderful tips. Thank you

[@nhbruteforce0853]

Thanks for the tips I'll use them to ride my ttr 110

[@XxemoX4lifex]

Great tips. I'm a pretty small lady, just bought my first dirt bike to learn on. It's a brand new crf125FB and I'm fairly comfortable with just scooting around in first now, but I want to be a good rider and be able to tackle some nice trails! I'm going to continue taking it easy well into and after the "break in" period with that first oil change. So I'm learning slower more technical maneuvers. It's pretty easy to get a bike to highway speeds and cruise, trails and slow tactical riding is where I'd argue most of the talent is at anyways. Thank you for videos like this

[@Marc-hp3ne]

Thank you. This was awesome!

[@parv100]

Awesome vid. Some great advice there !!!

[@hobidolap]

Thanks. Other than a liitle confused with feet and meters it was great pointers...

[@juul5070]

Thanks for the tips it is realy helping me and my riding skils

[@apuetz19]

Great vid. I do prefer to use more ankle to brake as i use my rear brake to turn and slide. Overall great tips!

[@calebmathias9281]

Thanks for the tips they will help me a lot

[@hollanwells1879]

Love the content Kyle, I watch a lot of your stuff and it’s really helped me learn to ride!!

[@yero7348]

Thank you very much ! Great tips !

[@ikingbeasti]

I like the sharp look into the camera after the last word of each tip

[@DM-qp7do]

Awesome video bro! Thank you.

[@jakemcgregor7290]

So clear and helpful, thanks for making great content.

[@250txc]

This guy is very good, it both his ideas and delivery... For the younger riders, these ~simple tips will go a long, long way to dirt bike riding When us older-guys were riding, no computers or net exist, only magazines at best ....So, information like that was not readily available and it was not till I was ~50 yrs old before I knew these small things that will make you a safer and ~faster rider ....

[@richieford3176]

Tip 4 , momentum is everything, not revving it pinned, just steady momentum , top tip Kyle 🇬🇧👍🏼

[@jimbrown563]

As far as I'm concerned, the rear brake is only good for 2 things, 1) As a back-up emergency brake, and, 2) When having to decend a very slow steep incline, (your butt should be as far back as possible). There's not enough weight on the rear wheel to do any detectable slowing of the bike, you should spend a serious amount of time learning how to use the front brake EXCLUSIVELY, especially in turns, when you get good at this, you can almost go all the way around the turn with the rear wheel IN THE AIR, or at least so lightly loaded that the slightest touch of the rear brake will lock the wheel, which will result in less control. If you really need to kick the rear end out to make a turn, do it with the throttle. As soon as you stop braking you are going to need instant acceleration, if you just had the rear wheel locked, there will always be a delay in power delivery, but if the power is already on, a simple shift of weight to the rear wheel is all that is required to blast you out of the corner

[@brandonnewman1018]

The back brake is almost better than front. I use back brake for the harder stops while front brake just to slow down.

[@jimbrown563]

@@brandonnewman1018 You're obviously a newbie to motorcycles. You should do more listening and less talking. I'll make you look silly in a race. Re-read my post and try it.

[@woodybeastin]

@@jimbrown563 way to make yourself look like a tool lmao. sit down old man and stfu

[@jamacado2142]

Thanks Kyle, ur like the knowledgable uncle of the dirtbike community

[@monton5440]

hahahahha :)

[@canaidiannightferret]

Thanks for the tips Kyle.

[@shredderdad6995]

great info. I am new to dirt bikes. (trail riding) love your channel. God bless.

[@sargil100]

Sitting here at 6'4". So I need risers, I've always wanted to buy them but never have. They are ordered now. Thanks

[@urbanbandit1]

Thanks for this info it means a lot to newbie riders like me more power & God bless 🙏

[@maurikunnas]

Thx dude! Really good tips and tricks! Great performace and notice that you are speaking with experience ;)

[@dylangrieveable]

Thanks for explaining; helpful info

[@Palacios29]

Tnx for the info , it really help me a lot ,

[@jeffestrada6857]

Thanks for the great information greatly appreciated 👍

[@chrishahn285]

Good information, liked an subscribed. Only thing I disagree with is clutchless shifting. I could understand if it came down to making or breaking a race, but disagree from a longevity standpoint.

[@brysonlabar]

Awsome Tips - Thanks Kyle!

[@tobyalain]

I had been riding since i was in second grade and never really looked up tips on trail riding, which is strange considering im 15. Anyway im really glad i found this and cant wait to apply these next time im ride!

[@fernandoturra8793]

Awesome tips, Kyle!

[@greenfirefly26]

Hello. My name is Green. I am from Cambodia. I learn so much from your video. Thanks so much Kyle. I hope I can meet you in person one day and appreciate how much your videos have been helping me.

[@verdonrocksphotography3510]

great great tips, thank you, V!