Dirt Bikes

Motorcycles turn three ways. This applies to both street and dirt riding. Of course, the bike must be moving forward for the rider to balance and stay upright on both wheels. The rider should be moving fast enough to have his or her feet on the footrests in order to initiate a turn. The first way a motorcycle turns is by steering the handlebars left or right. The next way to turn is by leaning the bike left or right. The third way a motorcycle turns is to brake slide or power slide the rear wheel from side to side.

Street riders have a completely different style of riding to corner a motorcycle than dirt riders. Cornering technique and rider body position vary drastically between the two types of riding, due mostly to ground surface and conditions. Street riders have 100% traction on pavement if there’s no road debris and (weather) conditions are dry. Dirt bike riders have many low traction dirt surfaces to navigate through while riding; like slick dirt fire roads, slippery single track trails, power robbing deep sand, and more. For our purpose, we’ll discuss dirt cornering methods and style. This is not about motocross style turns. Street and motocross cornering need further coverage and each deserve separate explanation. This is about steering through flat slippery dry ground with little or no traction.

Of the three ways a motorcycle turns leaning is the most common. Steering the handlebars left or right is minute compared to the inward lean a rider must make to get the bike to turn. On flat dirt surfaces there is little traction for knobby wheels to grab onto and keep the bike from sliding out from underneath the rider. There is a technique called counterbalancing that can prevent a rider from low-siding the bike. This makes the turn “stick” as many dirt riders say. Counterbalancing is the rider’s position that places body weight opposite of the lean (into a turn). This is true whether a rider turns left or right, leans forward for up hills or rearward for down hills.

Sitting Turns
While sitting and entering a flat turn a rider must carry out 4 practices to maximize traction.
1) Dirt bikes need weight on the front wheel to turn, so the lower body must move to the front of the seat close to the fuel tank.
2) In a left turn the lower body/hips must shift to the right side corner of the seat. For right turns shift weight to the left.
3) The rider must keep his or her outside (of the turn) elbow bent and pointed up. This helps align the spine with hips that counter weight the lean.
4) Also, look ahead and all the way through the turn. This is necessary in order to turn smoothly and continue riding a good line towards the next turn or obstacle.

Standing Turns
While standing and entering a flat turn a rider must do 4 things to maximize traction. But first, why stand while dirt bike riding? While standing, a rider can absorb bumps and jumps with slightly bent arms and legs. The center of gravity lowers to the foot pegs for better bike maneuverability. Plus, the rider can see further ahead because his or her presence is taller.
1) Dirt bikes need weight on the front wheel to turn. Rider’s stand directly above their foot pegs in a comfortable position with knees slightly bent. This position will not strain the lower back. A rider can journey for several hours holding his or her body weight on the legs, and not in the arms or upper body. Riders know if they are forward enough on the bike when, looking directly down, they can see the front number plate.
2) While standing for a left turn the lower body/hips must shift to the right side of the bike, weighting the outside foot peg. For right turns, shift body weight to the left.
3) Also, while standing and turning the rider must still keep his or her outside elbow bent and pointed up. This again helps align the spine to the hips that are counter weighing the lean.
4) Continue to look ahead and through the turn.

Before dirt bike cornering skills start to feel natural, a lot of practice is required. These new techniques are somewhat odd and challenging, but necessary to safely turn a dirt bike. After a rider develops confidence on dirt the real fun begins. The more techniques a rider develops the better the rides become.