Top 5 Dirt Bike Cornering Mistakes & Tips to Correct Them

[@rmatvmc]

Do you have a favorite practice tip or drill to help with cornering technique?

[@benfairhall5331]

Rocky Mountain ATV MC just a basic figure 8 track is always a good one! Plus point your front toes towards the axle seems to help!

[@believe8263]

Good job Chase.

[@iandaniel4633]

Rocky Mountain ATV MC try making a rut in a figure 8 and just keep ripping it til it gets deeper and deeper. Really helps with your balance

[@AndrewBoundy]

My newly titanuim-plated left collarbone asks - "why didn't you tell me this 10 days ago" :-)

[@rmatvmc]

Sorry! What happened? -Chase

[@AndrewBoundy]

@@rmatvmc low side left turn. Not sure if it was my neckbrace or just the impact. Broke into 5 pieces. Poor technique and rear tire. Your head tip (to elbow) is a big one as I believe I was dipping into it. Thanks for the video & knowledge as always!

[@rmatvmc]

Andrew Boundy dang, that’s a bummer. Heal up!!

[@SKUNKPROOF]

Ouch

[@davegriffiths2256]

Same sentiment today 🚑

[@thanedavis1273]

My two additions. Lean the bike over before you enter the rut. Yes, I used to enter ruts with the bike straight up. And apply throttle all the way through the turn. Yes, I used to try to coast all the way through a turn.

[@j-mx8021]

Thanks alot for the tips👍👍👍👍

[@sooperdan]

My son is in his 2nd year of racing superminis on his crf150rb , I never rode motocross so I love watching your very helpful videos to help my son get faster, it's working, keep up the great videos...

[@take5th]

I always have a hard time judging entry speed and end up overusing the throttle or chopping throttle or missing the rut. This helped clarify what I need to practice from all the noise that builds up when trying to figure it all out myself while riding. Thanks

[@evracer]

Another tip to limit engine braking is to not close the throttle all the way, keep it cracked just a little bit. Part of your compression braking is the engine pulling vacuum on the throttle plate. Cracking the throttle won't make the bike accelerate, but it will limit compression braking. Old circle track racer tip to allow the car to roll into the corner.

[@gingerhill4523]

Thank You! You just reminded me of Everything that I forgot in my 27 YEARS off the Bike... That's Right 27 Years... Back in the late 70's Early 80's I was Pretty Fast even made it to the Pro's. But since I came back the biggest thing has been my cornering speed... I need a practice day now!!! There are a few comments on this that are good too... Crap... I Hope this doesn't get me bumped back up to Expert ;-) ... Thanks Again, I'm gonna watch this and Kris' video a FEW times.... Moto On! Braaaaap....

[@randydevoe4803]

Two bits of conflicting advice I remember from racing in the 80’s and doing Gary Bailey school a couple times... 1. You can’t fast until you do it correctly slowly. 2. You don’t know how fast you can hit that turn until the speed makes you crash. Basically, repeat the steps of cornering Speed in, brake, off brake lean in give gas and clutch, look upward, elbows high, hit throttle early as you can...... Once you have repeated the steps 100s of times slow then hit it wide open... if you don’t crash then that’s how fast you can go!

[@ianbruce9960]

You guys always pumping out the great content. Keep it up! We need the help

[@Butchersbikes31]

Man! Good video, the hardest thing for me is panic braking sometimes when I come in too fast, and then also the head tilt thing! I never noticed I did that until this video!

[@Thumpermad]

I like the head upright tip it helps a lot looking forward as well it's the same with Surfing you look ahead down the wave it really helps .... 👍

[@tcasper_271]

One thing that helps me is to keep my hips rotated out a bit and not have a hunch back. Keep your shoulders tall and you have much more control 👍🏼

[@FirstGendodgegarage]

💯

[@Bikes4Eddie]

Useful video. What I like is the fact that you give us the way to practice to avoid our common mistakes.

[@jeanlavallee2887]

I love this video, watched it many times.

[@JMKGarage]

Thanks for sharing these tips. Look forward to putting them to practice this weekend.

[@JMKGarage]

Well they helped, but I definitely need to re-watch and put to test again next weekend. Do you have a video for improving jumps? (Speed, body position entering, during, and landing, landing throttle, landing angle, on the downslope to target your land)… I’m a new track rider myself. Really making progress on the jumps, but still need to clean them up.

[@wyattzalneraitis6607]

Also look into where your going don’t look at the wheel, fender, or ground in front of you look out of the corner i have a bad habbjt of looking down but I broke it and it makes a huge difference

[@chloemx7534]

Will for sure try these tips next time I go out. I’m a beginner and just went into a race last weekend. I’ve been asking some riders for advice on how to improve and now just need to try them next time I go out

[@rmatvmc]

Good luck!

[@GT4JB]

Great Video guys! This sis definitely a weak spot in riding. I wuss out in the corners( ruts or no ruts) Cant wait to try it this week at the track.

[@Regan_Tatham]

7:00 since I ride an 85 I still think its best to go down to second so that I'm still in the power band at the exit.

[@jeanlavallee2887]

Well explained I love this video. Thanks for the help!!!

[@Factory928AC]

Oooooo ima Try this next track ride . U said a lot of things that I do wrong

[@keale22]

Rippin!!!!💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 killa video! Appreciate the tips!

[@lukawala]

Also don’t look at the front wheel, look at corner exit

[@rmatvmc]

Yep! Look to where you want to be.

[@sexatica]

such a big difference and you would not even know

[@Alex_Janito23]

Personally its scary cause if the front tire goes up over the top youre goin over. Like i have before. And leaning that far feels funky cause of the bikes weight. I went from riding a kx65 when i was like 10 to buying a 250 when im 20 and its a blast no doubt but my mountain bike habits are so strong to try to overcome

[@chipper442]

The King, MC dipped his head to the inside, and made it work, that’s part of the reason he’s the King.....LONG LIVE THE KING!

[@andyb3735]

Jeez man, I wish I saw your video a bit earlier. The lower gears do exhaust the living hell out of me. I was thinking to try and eliminate 1st at all and just from 2nd up. Like and sub.

[@meds4all]

As I'm teaching my boys to ride, right now we have flat corners I have built any berms yet. I tell and work with them to get their heal line up with the front axle. This has kept them from dabbing. Right now for the way the course flows I'm really trying to get them to keep their feet on the pegs and keep their butts up (just enough so they're on the seat but not all their bodyweight on the seat) so as they come in through and out the corner they are squeezing and moving their weight for the best traction and drive out a corner. If anyone thinks I'm teaching a bad habbitn by all means let me. I didn't have a dirt until 10 months. 23 year of sportbikes on the street and track days. The 2 riding types definitely are two completely different riding disciplines. None of them want to race but they do want to ride faster and harder.

[@streetrider11]

Would be awesome if you guys did some tips for trail riding.

[@rmatvmc]

That's on our list!

[@michaeldecarlo1502]

I have to say the video was perfect thank u

[@TheWhiskyExplorer]

Enjoying these and your product reviews. Very helpful. Thanks 👊🏻

[@stevebillow395]

Dude you explain everything so well. Sopt on

[@rmatvmc]

Thanks, Steve!

[@chrispayne1029]

Great Video 👏👌🏻👍

[@Mudmowerdiesel]

Awesome video thank you

[@jamesflynn931]

Great video mate

[@brodyrichard263]

"Let's say it's a left or a right hander" lol that made me laugh...good tips here actually I agree with all of these 100%

[@masterofdisaster7427]

Thanks for the info. sure can use it.

[@jaimejones7473]

good tips!

[@aeror115]

Great tips 🤘

[@JudgeScot]

No razors in the paddock?

[@someonethatwatchesyoutube2953]

Great tips!

[@bengarcia7558]

Today was my first day trying to corner and I’m missing my right peg and the brake side it went well but ran into sunflowers a couple times due to not braking in time but eventually got it

[@3Monkey250]

Any tips about grabbing the clutch in the corner ? I find myself with a bad habit of constantly being on and off the clutch in ruts

[@unrighteoussouls1246]

Depends if you are on a 450 or 250. On a 450 you don't need to use the clutch unless it's a tight enough corner that you'll stall without the clutch. On a 250 use the clutch to keep your rpm high for coming out of the corner and let the clutch out smoothly when exiting the corner. In almost all corners Never fully compress your clutch while you are in the corner bc you always want your rear tire to have traction. That's how I was taught atleast. Be interesting to see if he has a different point of view

[@VariteZ]

I thought using the clutch in corners pops u up causing ur bike to be unsettled

[@3Monkey250]

I ride a Yz250f

[@VariteZ]

I ride a kx250f but I’m like 140 5’7

[@rmatvmc]

unrighteous souls it’s alright to use your clutch if you need to. On a smaller bike like a 250 or maybe a 125, you may need to keep the RMPs up to pull through if it’s deep or accelerate out. But having good entry speed and being smooth is always best. If you’re using the clutch a lot, it may be you need more entrance speed. Just practice next time you ride and see if you can improve! -chase

[@alstar300]

Another great video guys. At what point do you get back on the throttle? I roll the throttle at the Apex but it looks like faster guys are back on way before.

[@joeschmidt6597]

It’s not that fast guys are necessarily on the gas hard before exiting a corner or before hitting the apex, they’re just carrying so much speed and momentum it seems like they are, even if they just blip the throttle before exiting. Momentum is the name of the game and your throttle response will thank you for it.

[@jakan756]

Do you use the clutch when cornering. And is it same tecnic on 2 and 4 stroke?

[@rmatvmc]

It depends on the corner and the bike. On a 450, I try not to use to clutch as much as possible. I can have a single clutch last me 60 hours. But on a 250, I have to use it a little more to keep the power higher in the RPM to pull me out of corners. Technique will be the same for a two stroke, just depends on how many CCs and the corner, whether it's a long sweeper or tight. - Chase

[@jakan756]

@@rmatvmc THANK YOU SIR

[@wyattzalneraitis6607]

Sometimes the standing to late is bad but a lot of times you need to stand up a lot and sit down about 1/4 into the turn if there’s no breaking bunps

[@hollywhite3542]

I have a question for smaller bikes. I ride a KX 100 because I am new to riding. In the corners do you still suggest 3rd?

[@rmatvmc]

For tighter corners, you'll definitely want to be in second or first. On long sweeping corners you could be in third. Every corner will be a little different and you just need to use what gear works best for you. - Chase

[@Kiddsworld66]

You also need to work on pointing your foot towards your fender in that rut. It will help tremendously with balance

[@TheBackpackingSailor]

one mistake ive made, not on the track it was riding to the gas station, my lean/speed ratio was off. i wasnt going fast enough for as far as i was leaning (i was doing some mxgp leaning lol) and when you dont go fast enough, you make the turn wide because your speed and angle, the bike "slips" i almost got hit by on coming traffic

[@pkake1319]

131, the best number. My off road number for the 4 years i raced.

[@daleintampa]

Do you counter steer at all or do you turn your bars toward the turn ?

[@rmatvmc]

Turns are always about leaning. You never turn your bars in a turn.

[@dinglesdingler1211]

4:16...I cant think anything else besides a right or left hander...

[@mrcolorful4571]

what kx model you used in this video? its body looks good

[@rmatvmc]

It's a 2019 KX450

[@borntwice4724]

Can you guys go to Cahuilla Creek Motocross and do a how to video?

[@rmatvmc]

We'd love to go there! Maybe next time we come down we can make a trip over that way. I've only ridden there once many years ago. - Chase

[@fazerider3092]

The trails I'm at dont have any ruts. It's just a bunch of trails that I guess I could make some ruts on my 450

[@ryanbarker4422]

Tight turns you can use the back break and clutche roost out.

[@ryanbarker4422]

Set up two tires 💯 foot apart and do figure eights and make 3 different ruts.

[@jurgenbuntinx1]

the thing in my country is i only have lommel mxgp track to practice and guess what its FULL throttle cornering and this isnt doable as a beginner

[@garethwalker9414]

I make so many of these mistakes but im slowly getting better and faster! Slowly 😂 🤙👍

[@liammccann342]

I was crashing 4/5 times in the berms, as soon as I stiffened my rear shock i didn’t fall once on that day

[@jdc8352]

Here's a tip. Burn 5 gallons a day 👍

[@Yodumeee]

I go for 6 or 9 gallons

[@reddevil331]

Does this apply to 2 strokes?

[@tristangladis7637]

So I crashed yesterday and it was because my bars were going left and right while going fast on a straight. How could I have this not happen again? Any tips ?

[@codycoombs9361]

Raise your forks in your tripleclamps

[@rmatvmc]

There are many things that can cause headshake. First things first, be sure your over the front of the bike with good form and puting weight of front. Many riders lean way back off the bike thinking it will help with headshake, but this can unload the front and make it too light and less stable. You can also tighten up your steering stem nut, and like Tristan Gladis said, you can put your forks flush with your triple clamps. See if these tips help - Chase

[@MXUnion]

Thanks!

[@2wheel-channel]

Niceeee mann cool 🤙🤙🤙

[@captainamerica9353]

This should probably be titled "MX Bike" or "Enduro racing" mistakes - I'm looking for trail riding tips. But I'm sure this is good advice.

[@DADSGETNDOWN]

This good video from the MX Factory says a little different on sitting down and when. What do you think ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5aXimCvdrSmr7s And their basic rut video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJSXgWCof9J4h8k

[@rmatvmc]

He sits down just as he's entering the corner. The corner he's in doesn't have any big braking bumps so there is no reason not to sit down before entering. Every corner is going to be a little different and sometimes what works for one rider might bot be the best for another.

[@jdc8352]

I ♥️ turn tracks 👍

[@dabeefemus]

Not bad however, my opinion is you missed two more critical points. 1. Weighting the outside peg 2. Steering with your rear wheel/power on. Just my opinion. (I am an ex pro mx'er but way before your time)

[@Jorgem1010]

Didn’t this change? Now it’s stay up?

[@NOorah-oj8gt]

3rd gear? Not so much for a 250 2stroke..

[@iwannebergjh7876]

when i go ride i am riding from 8:00 to 6:00 with no rest

[@kawikawi3945]

I don’t find these true honestly, you can’t really sit down to late. When you’re cornering or going through ruts you want to weight the outside peg almost to where you’re hovering over the seat so the suspension can do the work through bumps. And for your leg point your big toe towards the bike so that you’re squeezing the tank without thinking about it. Another thing about shifting a gear I don’t agree with because that’s all clutch control. If you have that problem practice corners with out the clutch. Riders especially novic riders get clutch happen and rely on it a bit much. Something I’ve come to find out as I mature as a rider. My recommendation is practice no breaks in corners. You learn that just because you come in slower doesn’t mean you’re going to be slower around the corner

[@thehuntersheritage1]

Why does chase always say we’ll see ya ok the trails he rides on a track 99% of the time

[@jasonrees6012]

How about fatter guys on 250's ?

[@rmatvmc]

Define fatter.

[@drakethesnake470]

I nail ruts in 5th gear

[@andybrooks4070]

let your leg drag behind the bike, its give you better stability

[@rmatvmc]

Perfect! Thanks for the tip

[@SKUNKPROOF]

1.going too slow 2.going too slow 3.going too slow 4.going t......

[@zachkirk2497]

number 1 mistake: ride a 4 stroke

[@jimwil6972]

Build the wall 👍

[@joshuaclark7953]

Who disliked this video 😂

[@ssoulssurfer]

Tomac tilts his head... just sayin

[@rmatvmc]

He's also going mach speed. If I could go as fast as him I'd probably tilt my head more too haha. - Chase

[@wddub9075]

“Exspecially”

[@drewjonespdx]

I’ll never understand how so many say expecially instead of “especially”

[@Sanesaint1]

Keep your legs tight against the bike when you need to. Get two paper plates put them at your knees to practice,see how good you do or paper

[@rmatvmc]

Thanks for checking out the video and giving us that training tip!

[@tomfemling5140]

My advice.....if your thinking this much your going too slow

[@marcusbevz6500]

Tom Femling haha seriously

[@HobbitHomes263]

How odd that an outfit named "Rciky Mountain" never posts videos about riding ROcky Mountain trails.

[@ML-lg4ky]

Taking advice from a guy who takes his advice from someone else....

[@rmatvmc]

Yep, just like Adam Cianciarulo or Cameron Mcadoo take advice from Nick Whey, or Garrett Marchbanks does from Ivan Tadesco. Almost every rider, even the top guys, will tell you that they learned techniques from other riders. - Chase