Off Road Riding Tips

Nothing is more exhilarating than taking your bike off-road. Destination Powersports wants you and your family to have the most fun on your off-road motorcycles as you can, and be safe at the same time. Follow our tips below and you'll be sure to have a blast no matter where your ride takes you. Visit us today in Punta Gorda, Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida!

Eyes Up

Any time you ride a motorcycle it's important to keep your eyes up, but when you're offroad it's even more important. While your bike will readily follow the road if you glance to the side when riding on pavement, a slick dirt track will try and take control from you and send you sliding off in the wrong direction.

Speed

Managing your speed is critical when you ride. Entering a muddy turn when you're zipping along will zip you right off trail, so keep your eyes open, watch for places where you'll need to throttle back, and think ahead.

Forward Momentum

If you're starting down a steep dip in the trail, make sure you've got speed to get you up the other side. If you lose your momentum, all the torque in the world won't help you climb up a slimy slope.

Confidence is Key

If you hesitate when you're riding, you'll crash. Enter a maneuver with confidence, and you've got a much better chance of coming out the other side clean and upright. That being said, know your limits, and don't attempt anything you don't feel you can handle.

Standing / Sitting

If you're planning on having your butt on the seat the whole time you ride, you should probably stick to the blacktop. When you're riding off road, stand over bumps and moguls and let your legs absorb the shock of the terrain, and make sure you're planted in the seat for a turn so your back wheel can get more grip on the terrain.

Stay Centered.

Your balance will depend in some part on the bike you're riding, but in general, when you stand you'll want to lean slightly forward, and when sitting, slide up on the seat. This centers your mass on the bike and allows the tires to get the best traction.

Stay Flexible

If you lock up your joints, whether it's your knees or elbows, you're in for a tough day after. Allow yourself to relax just enough that your body keeps the bike headed the direction you want, without locking up and jarring against the impacts from the trail.

Steer with your Back Tire

When you're in a low traction environment, action in your handlebars is going to do little to change your direction, and leaning can send your bike out from beneath you. Learn to position your back tire to drive you the direction you want to go and you can maintain control when things get soupy.

Braking

Offroad, you're going to rely mostly on your rear brake. If you get in the habit of using your front brake it won't be long before you get a head over handlebars view of your bike. The front brake should primarily be applied when riding downhill when your rear brake isn't providing enough grip.

Rest Breaks

Anyone who says that off road riding isn't a physical sport hasn't spent a day on the trail. You're going to get bumped around, strain your muscles, and put your reflexes to the test. All of this can really wear you down, so stop once and awhile and take a breather, wipe the sweat out of your eyes, drink some water, and recharge for the next section of trail.

Remember, don't exhaust yourself while you're riding, take rest breaks, steer with your rear tire, maintain forward momentum, and keep your eyes up. Destination Powersports is your home for off-road bikes and off-road riding tips. Visit our dealership in Punta Gorda, Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida and check out our selection of motorcycles for sale and hit us up for more riding tips and tricks!