How to Master Off-Roading a Dual Sport

One of the greatest motorcycles you can own has to be a dual-sport. You get the best of both worlds; riding it on the paved roads and going off the pathways and tackling the roads less traveled. A dual-sport motorcycle can be intimidating because the experience you face is not the same as the one you deal with on the roads. You are out in the middle of nowhere and you must know what to do in certain situations. Here are our tips on how to master off-roading on a dual-sport motorcycle.

Choose the Right Dual-Sport Bike:

Before you decide to go off-roading, you must first pick the right dual-sport bike based on the riding you will be doing. The more aggressive the off-road riding, the smaller and more dirt-oriented the dual-sport motorcycle should be. If you are a beginner at off-road riding, we also recommend you begin with a smaller bike so you can earn the basics and get comfortable with the bike and off-road terrain. Once you get comfortable riding, you can upgrade to a bigger bike.

Pre-Ride Planning:

In order to master off-roading on a dual-sport motorcycle, you must know where you are going to go. We recommend that you plan your route and make sure you understand the difficulty of the terrain. You do not want to go on an off-road location without knowing the terrain because it can be either too easy or too difficult for your liking. Be familiar with the location you are going to ride in because you do not want to get lost during your ride. Also, make sure to check the weather conditions because you might have to reschedule your trip if bad weather is approaching.

Insider Tip: Make sure to share your location with someone that is not going on the ride with you. That way someone will be able to locate you in case of an emergency.

Bike Prep and Maintenance:

Before you even think about going on an off-roading adventure, you must make sure your bike is prepped. Make sure everything is working properly and it has the required oil for the ride because you do not want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere. If you get stranded off-roading, there is a high chance cell phone reception will not work so it is highly recommended that your bike be prepped before you head out on the ride.

Insider Tip: Aside from having your bike prepped, we recommended you be prepared with basic tools and parts so you can fix the issue yourself (if possible).

Stand Up:

The best way to ride a bike off-road is to stand up on your bike because most of your weight will be on your feet rather than on the seat. Standing up when riding will give you a better vision on what is further ahead and you will have better control of the bike and how it moves beneath you. Standing up will also help you pinch the tank with your lower legs and knees and keep your legs bent; they make great shock absorbers.

Keep Two Fingers Over the Clutch and Brake:

Having throttle and clutch control is extremely important when riding off-road. We recommend that you cover the clutch with one or two fingers so you can react quickly to changing situations. It takes way too long to move your hand from the handlebar to the clutch so it is better to maintain your fingers there at all times for a faster reaction. You will be able to prevent an accident in case something pops out at you.

Speed Up and Lean Back in Tough Terrain:

If you are in pretty deep terrain, you will have more stability if you apply some speed. The gyroscopic force of the wheels will keep you upright, momentum will carry you over or through tough terrain. Moving your weight backward will add traction to the rear wheel. This will take the weight off the front wheel allowing it to deflect and ride over the difficult terrain that it’s hitting. This will come in handy if you are unfamiliar with the terrain and are having a difficult time getting across.

Push the Bike Down to Turn:

If you want to make a turn when off-roading, you want to make sure you push your bike down as far to the side as possible. Your bike must be at a lean angle while you maintain your body upright. By pushing the bike down, the knobs will be used on the dirt tires and will allow you to control the slides when riding.

Keep Your Eyes Up:

One of the most important aspects of off-roading has to be your vision. Your vision affects everything from tension and body positioning to steering and traction management, and ultimately having a great time. It is important that you maintain your sight up and focus on where you want your bike to go instead of the ground. If you continuously stare at the ground, you will not have enough time to react in case something comes up ahead. Your body will follow your head and the bike will follow that.

Conclusion:

Owning a dual-sport motorcycle can be intimidating because you want to use your motorcycle for its intended purpose, but you are not sure where to start. Taking your dual-sport motorcycle on an off-roading adventure can be an experience of a lifetime if you are well prepared for it. Make sure the bike is well-prepped and you are familiar with the route you will be taking before you take off. If you follow all the tips we have provided above, you will master off-roading in your dual-sport motorcycle and will have the greatest off-road adventures.

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