| Author | Message | ||
     Jlnance |
Ok, I've never ridden a dirt bike. How does one go around a corner in the dirt? My current approach is "very slowly," but I'm sure there are better ways. I'm not sure that the MSF look-press-lean-roll method is applicable when you're not on asphault. I thought asking would be better than trying something that turned out to be wrong.  | ||
| Dr_greg |
Depends on the dirt, but you want to be as forward on the saddle as possible, brake early, weight the outside peg and get back on the gas as soon as possible. Elbows up. The more "aggressive" you become the better you will feel and the better you will ride. Takes lots of practice. I've dabbled in dirt riding (current ride is Kawasaki KLX300) and IMHO there is lots more technique required to be a competent dirt rider; partly due to the variation in terrain. I'm sure others here have much more experience and better riding tips. The dirt is the place to begin learning riding (er, not on a 12X, though); my four boys all started on dirt bikes. Much more forgiving for learning the margins of traction, etc. If you're interested, good used dirt bikes can be found for not much money, and you'll have a ball! | ||
| Redne_dab |
Maybe take the MSF dirt class? | ||
| Jackbequick |
Good a good way to get a feel for dirt riding is to find a large fairly flat area and ride two or three real big (100-150 foot) circle or oval on it. Then start accelerating slowly while keeping your front wheel more or less following the same track. Try it keeping both feet on the pegs if you can. If that freaks you and it feels better, you can try it with your left foot off the peg, leg straight, and foot poised up and barely touching. Sliding your foot is not a good idea unless your boot is flat soled and the ground is pretty smooth. As you increase speed you'll find the back end starting to come out and around and you'll instinctively cross the bars to the right to stabilize it. From there on, more power is more cross steer and more speed. It becomes pretty instinctive. Its a good feeling and you'll soon find you can steer big 360's in a crossed up power slide. The major danger is in snapping the throttle closed because you think you are going to lose it. That will high side you if the back tire quits sliding and hooks up when the bars are very crossed. Roll on and roll off smoothly. Its best if you can do it on a bike where scratching it up in a lowside won't ruin your day. Lowsides are much easier on equipment and riders. If you can find an area with nicely graded fire roads, forest service, or farm roads they can be a lot of fun. Especially in foothills or mountains. Jack | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Jackb- I used to do that stuff on my 750 Hondas on cement. Just lay it over and get that back wheel smoking a donut and then power slide out of it. Haven't tried that in 20 some years. Can't imagine doing that with my Harley and never did. Once I get more familiar with the Buell I might have to refamiliarize my hooligan self again. | ||
| Jackbequick |
Craig - I never did that on pavement except by accident and it was terrifying when that happened. But I loved getting sideways on a good fire road. That all started on '58 Triumph Thunderbird and was a lot more fun later on a number of enduro bikes. I played with the M2 a little (a very little!) on a pea gravel road last summer and it felt like it could do a little of it but I did not like the top heavy feel and all the noise the gravel was making on the frame and fenders. I think I've outgrown that kind of stuff. Jack | ||
| Retired_cop |
As an ex motocrosser and long time dirt rider/racer, the ULY is a lot of fun on a dirt or gravel road since it delivers power smoothly and slides very predictably. It also helps to have the experience and confidence(insanity) to pitch that big thing over and gas it around a corner. | ||
| Jim_sb |
I've slid both tires on the Uly on wet pavement; I thought the bike was stable throughout. I've also slid them on the dirt but am reluctant to get overly aggressive because of the limited steering lock and grip available. I think the Uly is fun on gravel roads and fire roads as long as you don't push beyond the bike's abilities. As for dirt riding, get a good book on dirt riding techniques and read it. Or better yet take a class. Dirt riding is different from street riding and requires far more from the rider for aggressive, competent riding (IMHO). I think, due to the bike's weight and tires it would always be wise to use caution in terms of corner entry speeds and be wary of hard braking going into corners in the dirt. I think the main thing riding the Uly off road is to stay balanced on top of the bike, weight the outside peg, don't pitch it too far over, etc. Just my 2 cents... Regards, Jim in Santa Barbara |
