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

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@eyedrz]

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

[@TheJumpn]

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

[@stampydragon2739]

I'm a mechanic and I have to say please don't shift with out using clutch unless you have an aftermarket rekluse clutch or other aftermarket slipper clutches yes there continues mesh but that's how bikes have been for a very long time you need to use at least a little clutch because otherwise it can damage the couch basket and disks you don't have to fully disengaged the couch but you should still use it partially I had a customer on a 2020 ktm listen to this guy and now I'm having to replace his entire clutch assembly

[@kevinm.n.5158]

Yeah but that's a KTM

[@albertptran]

I'd say this video is more valuable than the bike reviews

[@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 ....

[@lifeisgood4519]

Goodness this content is PURE GOLD!!! 🙏🏻

[@DA2THFA1RY]

11. Send it

[@Ebone93]

Hahaha

[@marnov.dmerwe8904]

Sennnndddd itttttt

[@HazelTheHusky69420]

Lol true

[@neuchigen]

Turn it up to tip #11!

[@ryanhammerel2654]

Have to disagree with not clutching to shift. Yes, they are constant mesh but if you don't clutch you are slamming the dog ears on the gears as the shift forks engage the next gear. The gear teeth between the gear pairs on the input shaft and output shaft are constant mesh but not the dog ears that mesh to engage a gear with the input shaft. Not clutching to shift will ware down your dog ears faster. Lots of videos out there showing this.

[@dementedspirit1359]

Ryan Hammerel shifting without clutching is fine, you dont do it while the engine is under a load. It takes practice and timing to do. Only time i clutch when shifting is when im downshifting multiple gears. There are videos that explain and back up what im saying too. What you are doing is going to wear out your clutch and or make it slip. Just to add something else- most if not almost all pro riders shift without clutching. It takes timing but its just fine, when the motor is under load tou will HAVE TO clutch to allow it to shift

[@Dtay630]

Actually thats not true. Kyle is right. the throttle part doesn't need to happen. what is happening is all the gears inside a dirt bike are spinning at the same speed when shifting(constant mesh transmission) it puts as much stress on the gears as letting go of the clutch real fast would. the tranny is much like a double clutch system in super cars where they have a gear when you pull the paddle sifter it in-gauges an idler gear that gets the next gear up to the same speed before letting go of the paddle sifter to shift to the next gear. thats why they shift so fast. but dirt bikes keep all the gears spinning at the same speed. when your decelerating and you down shift if you pull in the clutch you start free wheeling and loose balance and your inertia that keeps you up right. that tension on your chain helps you balance.

[@ryanhammerel2654]

Here's a good 3 part video where he actually shows you how the internals work. Not just some dude going through gears without clutching saying "see, it works so it's fine." What all 3 parts. Geared Bikes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2TSfoCNar1_aKM

[@Dtay630]

i know exactly how it works. its just like a double clutch just different system. im not saying it doesnt hurt the gears but it doesnt hurt them anymore then it would shifting without the clutch. if you ask any race team they say the same thing. i talked with the motor builder from pro circuit about it he said the hardest thing it is on is the clutch gear on the back of the basket. outside of the case half. i have about 300 hours on a bike shifting with out the clutch and had no issues. including 9 100 mile desert races.

[@dementedspirit1359]

Chris Brewer yeah i agree lol they always on new machines. However i said that to make the point that saying if a pro rider does it, that it must be an "ok" or "correct" thing to do. Trying to explain that is a pain lol. Be good and safe out there.

[@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!

[@nuthintoprove]

Best tip I've ever got was from Jeremy McGrath. Bend at the waist, try to keep your boots vertical. weight the INSIDE peg with all your weight, let the bike flop to the inside, center your mouth over the outside grip and bend the outside knee forward and grab a handfull. This is how he road all fast bumpy sweepers. I weighted the outside peg for 30 years, because everybody said to, it sucks!

[@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.

[@curveo1]

Kyle, you're the best. My friend just bought a new KTM 250 XC-F and I made his watch this.

[@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.

[@dirtbikesicehockey4788]

Thanks for the tips. I'm sure even guys like myself who have been riding since the '80s can appreciate your advice.

[@austinturner5818]

Dirt Bikes & Ice Hockey hey I have a question I'm about 5 foot 10 and 220 pounds would a 250 or a 450 be better suited for me given that I have minimal riding experience

[@dirtbikesicehockey4788]

In general, I would go with a 250 either a 2 stroke or 4 stroke. Where you ride, what kind of riding and/or your experience should help in your final decision. If you have friends with different bikes see if you can ride them.

[@austinturner5818]

Dirt Bikes & Ice Hockey definitely leaning towards a four stroke because I don't feel like mixing fuel and I want better fuel economy and as far as the train I'm on is in mid to North Georgia so it's really hilly and a lot of clay type of dirt. So between the four stroke 250 and the 450 I was really wondering what would be best for my weight because I am heavier than the average rider

[@dirtbikesicehockey4788]

Austin Turner I will still go with a 250 or even a 350. I do here the new RMX450 is set up perfect for new to intermidiate riders. I think most MX 450s would be too much bike and you won't be happy. Again, I'm not sure if you are going new or used. One of my friends is 6' 2" and over 250lbs and he has an older husky 250 2 stroke and he has no problems in some of our hillier sections we ride. I know it's not the Appalachians but he has no problems. Ever think of a Beta 3 stroke with oil injection? Just a thought. You should be happy with a 250 4 stroke.👍

[@austinturner5818]

Dirt Bikes & Ice Hockey thanks

[@haydenw6585]

Tip number 11 buy a old trials bike and polish up existing skills then learn new skills to transfer to your enduro bike

[@joemoyle7867]

Hayden W Mate of mine does that. Has an old beat up yz125 to learn and practice on. Then transfers those to his yz250

[@ThatMotorsportGuy]

Tip number 12, buy any old clapped out air cooled 4 stroke above 150ccs. Tip number 13, take tips 1-12 and register for a local hare scramble/enduro race.

[@jenbrown4879]

Absolutely!

[@bayanalhussein8368]

@@joemoyle7867 have n4ñbi2jee 7uu87uuuurjjjjnkhhhh

[@Bananahammock88]

Tip 12: buy a beginners bike, such as a cr500 or kx500 to learn on.

[@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.

[@mountaindirtbikingwithjere3370]

I bought a dirt bike couple of weeks ago and because I come from mountain biking some of these tips seem natural to me. But on my first rides I was sitting down too much and I don't know why is that because you don't sit down while going hard on mtb either. It just feels like you dont have to stand up because that 300mm of suspension travel has your back on a dirt bike :D But then one of my friends told me to just stand up and now everything is much easier!

[@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!

[@250txc]

MO (momentum) is very necessary lots2x of the time... Very good tips ... Most will help on track and trails...

[@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.

[@shivaillusions]

Clear, concise, well presented and really helpful. Thanks

[@asroundingnoper3850]

10 thumbs up, 2 Honda trail bikes...mountain trail weekends fun fun fun Everytime......

[@RadAdventureDude]

Mountain trail weekends are the joy of life! I Agree!

[@davidreid5739]

Great to see your clutch lever end cut off. I've done it for years and now I don't feel so guilty about this mod. This is not a common tip and until now I've felt unpopular. Keep up your tips. They're great.

[@Milan.tolbert]

Can't pass tech inspection at any race with a cut lever

[@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

[@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.

[@riverbanks943]

I let one of my buddies ride my bike 1 time. I was following his jeep and he ask to take my bike down a slick rock hill. He used to race so I let him. He has a problem locking the front brake. When the front brake locked he slid and just like you said. That tire turned easily and he broke my clutch lever off and ended my day of riding

[@nicolomerelli7539]

Broooo, these are so many good advise, thanks from italy

[@fusec6326]

Right on, you have some nice trials over there? Hello from California

[@mraycgz]

The only thing I disagree with it bar risers. Some of us are tall with long waist and not so long arms. I’m 6’2” tall and 32” pants are too long. Without risers I’m hunched over without the ability to be straight up when standing. A little bar rise allows me to ride Linder. It’s pretty situational but I wouldn’t be afraid to use them if you are aware of why you’re using them and what the negatives can be.

[@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.

[@hollyburton1957]

don’t need the clutch to shift 🤯 Thank You!!!

[@patrickfarrell7598]

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

[@woodsrider117]

Show us these techniques riding in a race and riding

Why do you not believe these techniques work? It doesn't matter if its a race or just riding by yourself everything he said was spot on,

[@MorrisOutdoors98]

@ think he just means in a riding video doing this, labeling when/how to apply the techniques

[@jarimo97]

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

[@vanillagorilla8197]

Always solid content....thank you

[@mdbonde3484]

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

[@number1726]

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

[@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

[@davidb9323]

Make sure to torque your front sprocket if it has a screw and disk. Easy to forget after doing new chain and sprockets....

[@raymcdougal3099]

Great video Kyle!!!

[@brandonj9974]

Awesome tips. I gotta work on some of my bad habits. Thanks yo

[@davidwilson4901]

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

[@lukep3822]

“Trust me do not use bar risers” me uhhhh I have those. “Unless your 6,4” my 6,5 ass. Oh okay I’m good

[@dudzsedano7564]

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

[@ryanjspinks]

Great Yamaha music flag behind you.....the Yamaha Motor logo is different 🤠

[@urbanbandit1]

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

[@peterv1806]

Great info, extremely well presented. Thank you sharing.

[@brysonlabar]

Awsome Tips - Thanks Kyle!

[@juul5070]

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

[@ryanmcintosh1923]

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

[@nick_401]

My buddy keeps telling me all these tips when riding together, but I won't listen. Maybe hearing it from someone else will help :) thanks!

[@hollanwells1879]

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

[@ikonoklass]

Awesome information!

[@carlosdias1940]

Well done! Great video! So much to learn!

[@motomc6962]

weigh 190lbs but keeping the stock spring and am 6 foot 6 so might look into bar risers

[@hobidolap]

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

[@nhbruteforce0853]

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

[@DollyAndFamilyGetOutAndRide]

Great video, and wonderful tips. Thank you

[@doughowe5792]

Hey I was just watching your video. Your top 10 things to make you a better rider. What you said was correct about standing for the most part, but the important thing that you forgot to mention is when you stand you lower the center of gravity to the footpegs. Which lowers and reduces unsprung weight which puts your weight closer to the ground. So your bike is free to move underneath you and will stay more centered and follows the ground better. So as you said standing in the attack position with your knees locked against the tank gives you the ability to actually steer the bike with your trunk you're dorsal. Just sayin.

[@m-h1269]

No, no. Standing does not lower your center of gravity to the footpegs, it actually puts it higher. Your center of gravity is the center point of mass or weight on an object/person. Because you are higher up, your mass follows. Standing up helps because of inertia, basically a taller object is easier to balance than a shorter one, which you can demonstrate by trying to vertically balance a pole on your hand and then a pen.

[@sawomirlesniewski4448]

Thank you! Very userul for my level :)

[@crazyshaq1995]

Stand up in attack position with your toes on the peg, squeeze your knees into the tank, and hold your head up and look the direction you wanna go

[@vicwiseman6038]

I am 6' 3" and I ride a 2011 Triumph Tiger 800XC. Can't imagine riding without bar risers. My back would kill me and I probably wouldn't be able to stand up.

[@aftaflash]

Chillin near your bike, finger naturally goes on the clutch. Haha

[@griffinhine9226]

It's just like am I subbed to this guy

[@oxfood]

Thank you! Awesome.

[@furnitureguy6125]

I'm 49 and thinking of buying my first enduro for trail riding. Am I crazy??

[@Jabooty_Williams]

I'm 4 years old and am buying my first practice bike. Got a kx450f. Im ready to dump the hell out of that clutch

[@pendejo312]

James 😂😂

[@peterorro883]

56

[@Kawinj]

I hope you got that bike FG! Im fifty and still hitting the trails. I just don't "attack" as hard as I used to.

[@Thundercat68]

Us guys from the 70’s too 👍🏻

[@shawnray4873]

Ty for the tips bro

[@FeArhsma21]

Great video, I have also been riding bike's a long time well sense i was in diapers in the mid to late 80's / 90's I have an old 81 ATC 250R. My Dad bought in 86 when I was born so more 90's I guess then 80's, but i was still in diapers. That ATC Dad says has scary power LOL I love it! Also thanks for all the tips, they all make sense. That old 81 still run's also, btw i really like the bike in the video that KTM is SICK...

[@Marc-hp3ne]

Thank you. This was awesome!

[@TheVinny337]

Great vid!! Thanks for posting

[@rossyoung7902]

Great tips Kyle

[@robertbotta6536]

As good as it gets. Thanks bro.

[@mrdirtbike1581]

Thank you so much for the tips

[@ReymartTvTheCreator]

My dream bike 🙏🙏🙏

[@morganbitol6019]

im also a rider but not a motocrosser.. i only use my xr150 for service just like going home..

[@yero7348]

Thank you very much ! Great tips !

[@jonlamming5412]

Really great advice!

[@horia9044]

As a 6'3 guy that never ridden before what bike shoud i start looking for? I was thinking a ktm 250/300 exc

[@SamAndrew27]

Good tips, thanks!

[@andrescubillos958]

Gracias amigo 👍🏼 thank you friend

[@adrianhall210]

Hey Kyle, I’m a Newbie to the sport from Canada and you have the best channel , I’m learning a ton of stuff from you. I will be emailing you, I have a few questions for you. Thanks man. Adrian Hall.

[@TheManCaveMetalFab2580]

Did you take off the knob on the end of your clutch lever or did it break off?????

[@SteveSmith-mc6ob]

bar risers: I am 6'5" tall and weigh 235 pounds. I found that I am out of position when I stand with stock bars on my KLX300R. throughts?

[@Blackwhite-on4fq]

So I don’t need to press in clutch while shifting up or down......so the clutch is only use for starting the bike.

[@victor-emmanuel7485]

Awesome video as usual Kyle! Btw, where did you get that Yamaha flag/banner? I have been looking around for them, the dealers I went to so far did not sell them.

[@enlightenedidiot9552]

eBay...

[@ClapFN]

Hey man, can I start riding and taking lessons for dirt biking? I don't know how to start and I'm only 14. Help?

[@bobwhite23236]

If you are in the Virginia area I offer dirt bike lessons--go to dirtbikebootcamp.com for inof

[@brodybenotti8592]

go to a Honda msf dirt bike school

[@KnockoutR6]

Amazing vid

[@benjaminofuasia9236]

Ok so I literally am 6 foot 4 and riding normal bars is pretty awkward (2000 yz250 smoker) should I try bar risers? For reference my legs are the long part so I'm TALL tall

[@funbiz99]

Nice video thanks

[@walterkersting1362]

Off road bikes should have height adjustments on the fly and suspension lockout on demand.

[@revmatch2648]

Is that raising the foot off the pegs thing to get at the rear brake because of the boots? I use high top hiking boots so I am able to lock the rear most of the time with my ankle still on the pegs, do those style boots limit that much movement?