11 Dirt Bike Riding Tips for Newbies

New to dirt bike riding? It can be quite overwhelming, with so many techniques to learn, tracks and trails to ride, safety precautions to think about, and all the other info available on the web. How about you start with our list of 11 tips? You'll go from a newbie to a competent rider in no time.

Buying Your First Dirt Bike

Don’t start with the wrong bike

When choosing the right dirt bike, it’s not just about how big or powerful it is. You have to pick a bike that suits you. And as a beginner, 450cc is way too much. Even some experienced riders find this too powerful.

A good rule of thumb is to start with riding a 250cc or below. As you improve your riding and become more comfortable, then you can switch to a more powerful dirt bike.

Adjust your suspension

Before taking your new bike home to your garage, have the suspension adjusted first. It will give you a better, consistent and smooth riding experience. And as a beginner, you don’t have to tinker with the suspension and other parts yourself. For now, practice the basics on a well-adjusted bike.

Choose quality gear

When it comes to protective gear, don’t settle for less. They may seem expensive at first, but you’re buying protection, comfort and longevity. Go for cheap, and you get what you pay for.

For example, cheaper helmets won’t have the proper ventilation you need for a long ride. They may have “vents” designed on their exterior, but they are most likely not functional, blocked from the inside. And more importantly, a cheap helmet will not give you the best technology and specification to protect you. A good helmet can give you protection and comfort.

You’ll also want to buy good-quality boots. Don’t go for a cheap pair, as those may be too stiff for comfortable, safe riding.

Buy good riding gear from the start. It’s for your safety and it’s better for your wallet in the long run too. Choosing cheap might save you a few bucks in the beginning, but you’ll likely buy better, pricier gear after a few rides, causing you to spend more.

Learning to Ride

Riding a dirt bike is not like riding a bicycle

This is the first thing you might need to know, because riding your dirt bike like you do a bicycle will give you a terrible first riding experience.

Riding a bike allows you to keep your butt on the seat at all times. Comfy, right? In dirt bikes, however, that can lead to a crash. Standing up on your dirt bike most of the time will not only help you get a better view of what's ahead of you, but it can also help give you the balance you need.

Here's a quick tip on how to sit on your dirt bike properly:

Don't sit too far back on your dirt bike.
Grip your dirt bike with your knees. This way, you can use your leg strength to tilt and turn your dirt bike.
Don't place all your weight on your butt. Place your weight on the foot pegs while slightly sitting up with your back straight.

Take dirt bike riding lessons

Even if you're only riding for fun, it's still best to join a dirt bike riding school or get a one-on-one lesson to help you learn and master your dirt bike skills safely and quickly. The best way to do this is to join a club. You'll be surprised with the help they can give you with just a few hours of training and coaching.

Learn to use the brakes properly

Before you go out riding, you should know how to use your brakes first and be comfortable with them. Using the front brakes is much easier and safer, but using your rear brakes gently is also recommended. Practice using brakes in an open, flat area until you get used to it.

Train where your eyes are looking

For beginners, it's common to ride with tunnel vision. Meaning, where they look is where their handlebars also go. This is a big no. You need to train yourself to be aware of what’s ahead of you, what's on your left and right, and if there are other dirt bikes near you.

Take it slow

Getting your hands on your new dirt bike can be exciting, we know. But don't just grip it and rip it, especially if it's your first time. Take it easy on your first few rides and try to get used to the power your dirt bike has when you twist the throttle.

As with the brakes, find a place to practice first. It could be an open area or an old dirt road.

Creating Good Habits

Learn basic dirt bike maintenance

Owning a dirt bike means you’re also responsible for its maintenance. You’ll need to learn how to clean the air filter, how to check and adjust tyre pressure, how to charge your battery, how to change oil and other maintenance checks. If you’d rather leave the more technical jobs to a trusted mechanic, that’s fine too. Just make sure to bring your bike to the shop every year.

Before every ride, make sure you go through this pre-ride checklist. Save the downloadable image to your phone now so that you can access it anytime. You can also have it printed and stored in your garage.

Learning basic dirt bike maintenance will help you save money and time.

Find a dirt bike buddy

You probably already have a mate whom you plan to ride with, but if not, find some. You will meet a lot of fun and cool people in the dirt bike community who can help you with the basics of dirt bike riding and finding the perfect spot to ride your dirt bike.

Having a dirt bike buddy can also help make riding a regular thing. And when you ride regularly, then you’ll become a better rider faster.

Make it fun, not troublesome

Dirt bike riding is a sport for many people and a hobby for others. As a hobby, it’s a fun way to clear the mind, to challenge and improve yourself, to get to the flow state and to have a unique perspective. So, make it as enjoyable as possible. That’s probably why you wanted to try dirt bike riding in the first place—to have fun.

So for our last tip: remove barriers. If you need to load your bike onto your truck and secure it with so many straps every time you’re going for a ride (and it takes close to an hour before you can get out of your driveway), it might be too much of a hassle to make riding a regular thing. You’re going to dread that process and are likely to cancel your plans.

So, try to make the whole process short and easy. Create a system that you won’t hate. For example, a dirt bike trailer might work better for you, instead of the constant loading and unloading.

And that’s about it. As a beginner, here are other articles that you might find helpful:

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