Do you want to feel the wind while running at great speed? Want to feel the bike vibrate beneath you as you face fear? Before getting on a dirt bike, there are fundamental lessons to learn and key elements to remember.
Steps
Step 1. Know that dirt bikes have two types of engines:
four-stroke and two-stroke. Two-stroke engines perform a complete cycle, in fact “two-stroke”. In the first phase, a mixture of air and gasoline is injected and compressed; in the second phase the mixture is ignited, the engine executes the movement and the cylinder is emptied. The cylinder empties the combustion gases that remain after the petrol explosion. Engines of this type need a mixture of oil and petrol and tend to be noisier and more powerful than four-stroke ones. A four-stroke engine, similarly, works in four stages to complete one cycle in each cylinder. In the first phase the fuel and air are injected, in the second it is compressed, in the third there is the explosion of the fuel and the movement of the engine and in the fourth the cylinder is emptied. Unlike two-stroke engines, there are two separate tanks: one for petrol and the other for oil. Four-stroke engines are less noisy and less powerful. For beginners we recommend a 4-stroke 125cc engine or a 2-stroke 50cc engine.
Step 2. Learn to start the motorcycle
Before driving it, check the position of the clutch, accelerator, gear lever, starter, rear and front brake.
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When you get into the saddle, sit at the front as possible. Before starting the motorcycle, make sure it is in neutral. The neutral gear position is below the second and slightly above the first (some bikes may be slightly different). Put the first by moving the gear lever completely down and then lightly tap upwards with the tip of your foot to put it in neutral. Move the bike back and forth: if it moves freely then it is in neutral.
Ride a Dirt Bike (the Basics) Step 2Bullet1 -
At this point you can start the bike with the pedal. It can be a difficult operation at first, but once learned, it will no longer be the case. Put your foot on the pedal, jump around and push it down.
Ride a Dirt Bike (the Basics) Step 2Bullet2 - Now that the engine is running, pull the clutch and put it in first. You will notice that you have inserted it correctly because the bike will have a small jolt forward (also in this case each bike is different). Remember not to release the clutch without throttling, or the bike will stall.
Step 3. Be careful when you leave
With the bike in first gear, you must slowly release the clutch and accelerate at the same time. When in motion, let go of the clutch lever completely. Don't worry if the engine stalls on the first few attempts. At first you have to get used to dosing the gas and you have to understand where the clutch "releases".
Step 4. Shift into second gear
Now that the bike is moving, when you realize it can't travel faster than it already does and feel the engine at top revs, decelerate slightly, pull the clutch and raise the gear lever to second. At this point you can release the clutch and give the gas. Warning: you don't have to release the clutch and throttle slowly as when starting from a stop. Repeat the same process to change the next gears.
Step 5. Remember that the process is the same to “get out” of gear
Release the accelerator a little, pull the clutch and lower the gear lever. NEVER keep the throttle open while changing; you would rev the engine and ruin the transmission. Sometimes the gearbox can slip into neutral instead of first. You realize it because the bike slows down, goes by inertia and the accelerator has no effect. If this happens, pull the clutch and push the shift lever down again.
Step 6. Learn to slow down and stop properly
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If you want to slow down, change gears, release the accelerator and brake with the front or rear brake or both.
Ride a Dirt Bike (the Basics) Step 6Bullet1 - If you are about to come to a complete stop, put the car in first gear and keep the clutch and brake pulled; this way the motorcycle will not stall. When you are ready to go, gently release the clutch and give it some gas.
Step 7. Learn to move around corners
When you head towards a curve, bend towards the inside of it, choose a trajectory and shift your weight on the external platform. To avoid losing control of the vehicle, choose a trajectory that you can manage and stick to it. Put pressure on the outer foot plate, this way you have more traction. During the curve, the outer elbow must remain upwards and the inner leg open towards the curve. Extend the inside leg towards the fender; if you lose control of the bike, or take the corner too tight, you can easily put your foot on the ground and push yourself upwards.
Step 8. Train on dirt
Motocross bikes are made to be ridden on rough terrain thanks to their high frame. Depending on where you are riding, it is likely that you will be standing on the footrests 95% of the time. When you walk along bumps or bumps, your legs and arms must cushion the blows so that the impact is not too hard.
Advice
- Do you want to know how to get out of jumps correctly? Do a search online, there are many articles about it.
- Before buying or riding a dirt bike, learn how it works and how to fix any faults.
- NEVER ride a dirt bike without wearing protective gear. You must put on the helmet, mask, gloves, sternum, knee pads, etc.
- When you read "CC" you mean the abbreviation for "Cubic Centimeters".
