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The dirt on off-road riding: How is it different from riding on concrete?

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No harm in starting them young, especially if it makes them safer riders. PHOTO BY GILBERT CHAO.

We have to admit: off-road riding scares the hell out of us asphalt lovers.

Yet, most motorcycle riding coaches would argue that learning to ride off-road will make you a better rider on the road. Many circuit racers regularly train in the dirt to hone their skill on the tarmac.

If you learn how to keep your rubber side down on uneven surfaces with limited traction, the flat, grippy concrete won’t be much of a challenge.

If you’re an on-road rider and would like to test your mettle in the dirt, remember these three key differences between on-road and off-road riding, as shared by Motorcycle Riding School Philippines head coach Mel Aquino.

Riding posture

When riding on a road bike, you sit upright with your elbows either slightly forward or resting on your sides.

When riding a dirt bike, though, your elbows should be raised and flared outward with your hands turned slightly downward. This way, you will have more leverage when controlling the handlebar and your arms could also serve as additional shock absorbers on rough terrain.

The point of contact on the pegs should also be the balls of your feet instead of the arches. This is to avoid accidentally stepping on the rear brake or the shifter, as dirt riding boots are so bulky and protective that they limit sensitivity and feedback.

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On a dirt bike, you also sit directly above the foot pegs to keep the center mass in the middle. This may require the rider to sit closer to the handlebar and bend the knees at an acute angle.

On extremely rough terrain, the rider may have to stand on the pegs and rely on his or her leg muscles to serve as extra shock absorbers (just like with his or her arms). Such a posture makes it easier for the rider to do so.

Cornering

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There are three cornering techniques when riding a motorcycle:

  • Lean with – As the name suggests, the rider leans with the motorcycle when turning, which is often used when riding on the street.
  • Lean in – This is done by shifting the rider’s weight as he or she leans into the corner. The intention is to minimize the bank angle of the motorcycle and maximize traction since the tires’ contact patch is the widest when the bike is upright. This is recommended when taking a corner at speed, such as in circuit racing.
  • Lean out – Also known as counterbalancing, you do this by keeping your position upright as you tilt the bike in the direction of the turn. This enables the rider to make quick directional changes, but it is only recommended when making low-speed turns. Counterbalancing is used almost exclusively when riding off-road, as this technique requires less weight transfer and keeps the bike stable.

Braking

You use your brakes sparingly in the dirt to not compromise traction.

Anti-lock brakes also don’t work well in off-road riding as it makes the braking distance longer. The best way to slow down your bike is to use the engine brake.

Be sure to shift your weight towards the rear when decelerating so you won’t go flying over the handlebar.

With these in mind, would you consider hitting the trails or the track to get down and dirty?

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Source: The dirt on off-road riding: How is it different from riding on concrete?

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