The most important part is to choose a bike you’re comfortable with. Some people prefer smaller, lighter bikes, while others are more comfortable on heavier ones. You can successfully learn with either option. If possible, try out different bikes to find one you’re comfortable riding. Many dealerships will let you take test rides if you ask, although this policy varies from place to place for liability reasons. Motocross bikes are the lightest type available. They’re designed for speed instead of handling, so stay away from them until you have more experience.
The 4-stroke engines tend to last a little longer than 2-stroke engines but are more expensive to repair due to the number of parts. A good starting point is a 125cc 4-stroke engine. If you still wish to go with a more powerful bike right away, look for a 50cc 2-stroke engine.
Purchase elbow and knee guards as well as a chest protector. These are must-haves to reduce the risk of serious injuries. A neck brace is helpful, but you don’t truly need it unless you plan on doing jumps or riding dangerous tracks. Braces are bulky, but they protect you against spinal injuries.
The color of the foot peg and front brake pedal vary from bike to bike. Yours may be red, blue, or silver. Regardless of the color, the pedal stands out so you can always reach it.
Working the clutch and throttle at the same time is important, so make sure you know where they are. You’re much more likely to hurt yourself if you try riding before you identify them.
To shift into first gear, you press your foot down on the shifter. Shift from first gear to neutral by pulling the shifter up halfway. It will click a little bit. To shift into second gear and up to fifth gear, pull the shifter up repeatedly. It will click audibly each time.
If you wish to ride your bike in city streets, you need to upgrade it according to your local laws and get a permit from the government. You can also purchase hybrid bikes that work on both streets and dirt trails. Be respectful of other people, whether they are fellow riders or people walking on the trails. Always equip your bike with a spark arrestor to avoid forest fires. Many laws around the world make this mandatory. You may also need a silencer to follow sound regulations.
This sitting position is best for long, smooth sections of terrain. Use it to conserve your energy for tougher sections. The best way to master this basic riding form is on a parked bike with the engine off.
When you do this correctly, you will be able to shift your weight backwards, forwards, and side to side to compensate for uneven ground. Standing up can be difficult at first and gets tiring. Keep practicing so you can handle long stretches of rough terrain safely.
Many beginners are taught to hold onto the throttle with all of their fingers, then reach out to the levers as needed. This can stop you from accidentally operating the clutch or brake. The 2-finger grip is very useful to master, but you can stick with an alternative grip if you feel more comfortable doing so.
Fixating on dangerous objects, like logs and corners, increases your chances of hitting them. You may think you’re preparing to handle these obstacles, but you end up guiding your bike straight towards them.
If your bike doesn’t have a switch or button, it may have a key slot. Place your key in the slot, then turn it to the on position. Once you turn your battery on, all of the lights should activate.
On some bikes, you pull the choke by flipping a switch located underneath the battery. If you have used your bike earlier in the day, you don’t need to pull the choke.
Bikes for kids often do not have a clutch. Instead of using the clutch, you shift the bike into neutral.
This method works the same way for a child’s bike, except it puts the bike automatically into neutral. Rock the bike back and forth. If it moves freely without locking up, you’re in neutral.
Many modern bikes have a button that starts the engine electronically. Press it to turn the bike on.
On a children’s bike, you will need to lift the gear shifter up to transition from neutral to first gear. Do this when you’re ready to move the bike. Hold onto the clutch! If you let go, the bike will stall. Similarly, if you pull the throttle back too fast, the bike will shoot up and loop out. To perfect this motion, you can practice it in the air before you drive.
Aim on turning the throttle about ⅓ of the way back once you have completely let go of the clutch. Keep a hand on the throttle at all times, but never panic. Some riders freeze up when they get too fast. Stay loose to keep control of the bike.
Remember that adult dirt bikes go as high as fifth gear, so you may need to do this a few times. There is no display telling you what gear you are in, so you have to listen and get a feel for how the bike operates to know when to shift. The same rules apply when slowing down, except you push the gear shifter down.
Using the clutch prevents the bike from stalling as it slows. You can also tap the handbrake to slow the bike, but avoid relying on it. Many beginners make the mistake of squeezing it hard. Since it operates the front wheel, the bike comes to a sudden halt, but you keep going over the handlebars.
Stick your elbows out so they are parallel to the handlebars. This will give you more control over the bike. Putting your foot down also allows you to steady the bike in case you take the corner too sharply.
Try different types of terrain to improve your driving. Sand dunes feel different than dirt hills, and each type of terrain requires different skills. Find out where you like driving!
