Dirt Bike riding tips & tricks

[Tonkaman]

The front tire was even easier than the rears! It was, dare I say, even... enjoyable??

I call B.S. This is total blasphemy...

 

[rholbrook]

I call B.S. This is total blasphemy...

Derek, there is a system to this. It is actually very easy to change if you know the right technique. I pulled the paddles off of 4 rims a month or so ago and had the regular nobby back on all four within 30 minutes.

 

[Tonkaman]

I'm such a baby when it comes to tires. I'd rather buy new knobbies just so they swap em got free, hell that's why I run bibs front and rear now!

 

[Vonski]

Your not going to find a class that cheap again

I couldn't emphasize this very statement more!

 

[Greg]

Thought this was worth sharing, setting your fork height based on what kind of riding you'll be doing. I knew fork height made a difference, but didn't realize it was this drastic.

[video=youtube;LvBss_e59GE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvBss_e59GE&list=FL5KSO7Z20x8BgOJijZF85aA[/video]

 

[jeeper]

I've been watching dirt wise videos.. Watsy has 'crazy eyes'!

 

[jentzschman]

I will have to look at this come riding season. I can't wait to ride again!

 

[jeeper]

I've been watching dirt wise videos.. Watsy has 'crazy eyes'!

I think this is why he is so good! He's got one one on the front tire, and one eye up the trail! Ha ha!

 

[Vonski]

Thought this was worth sharing, setting your fork height based on what kind of riding you'll be doing. I knew fork height made a difference, but didn't realize it was this drastic.

I totally missed this... anyway, in relation to the clamps, make sure you don't over-torque the bolts! People do this all the time and it doesn't take much to affect the movement of the internals. Use a torque wrench and don't use any Loctite, just re-check them often.

 

[Greg]

I totally missed this... anyway, in relation to the clamps, make sure you don't over-torque the bolts! People do this all the time and it doesn't take much to affect the movement of the internals. Use a torque wrench and don't use any Loctite, just re-check them often.

They actually go over that in the video... made me think twice about having the torque wrench handy! Good info, none the less.

 

[Vonski]

They actually go over that in the video... made me think twice about having the torque wrench handy! Good info, none the less.

Ha! I stopped watching right after watching him use the t-handle. My bad...

 

[Greg]

Another log crossing video, except parallel! Very neat, looks easy to master too...

[video=youtube;OsNaBO78Y1Y]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsNaBO78Y1Y[/video]

 

[jeeper]

Seems easier than a straight on approach.

 

[Greg]

Seems easier than a straight on approach.

I don't know, straight on is less effort... IF you get it right.

 

[Moabxjeeper]

I got some advice for everyone; Don't ride extremely rocky hard-pack with the same tire pressure/suspension settings that you ride motocross with. I didn't ever wreck but it hurts to sit today..

 

[jeeper]

4 stroke question: I see guys all the time that start their bikes and keep their hand at the back of the exhaust. Why? The only thing I can figure is to gage engine/exhaust temp. Seems silly.

 

[Tonkaman]

4 stroke question: I see guys all the time that start their bikes and keep their hand at the back of the exhaust. Why? The only thing I can figure is to gage engine/exhaust temp. Seems silly.

Because it sounds like a helicopter hovering overhead and that makes us cool

 

[jeeper]

Rider position question: I've been working on standing while riding. I am getting better at leaning forward, and gripping with my legs. According to watsy, you should stand while climbing hills.
While climbing rocky, rough, long, steep climbs I can't stand. I lose control of the bike. I am hanging on to the bars so hard I can't run the controls right.
What do you guys do?

 

[Tonkaman]

Rider position question: I've been working on standing while riding. I am getting better at leaning forward, and gripping with my legs. According to watsy, you should stand while climbing hills.
While climbing rocky, rough, long, steep climbs I can't stand. I lose control of the bike. I am hanging on to the bars so hard I can't run the controls right.
What do you guys do?

I find flailing my legs all over the place really intimidates the mountain, and it lets me by

 

[djgardner]

If you are holding on so tight with your hands then you aren't doing it right. You do have to hold yourself on the bike with your hands and arms more on hills than flat ground, but you still shouldn't have a death grip on the bars, and you should still squeeze the bike with your legs so they help you stay on the bike.

It's hard to do, and takes a lot of practice and balance (or confidence in your balance...particularly if it's slow, it makes your doubt your balancing ability and temps you to sit down and take your feet of the pegs) but once you get it down, gnarly up hills lose their intimidation factor.