A very exciting way to enjoy motorcycles is dirt bike riding.
Riders who enjoy off road riding use a specialised form of motorcycle called a dirt bike. These dirt bikes are ideal in the way they allow you to enjoy off road travel.
Since dirt biking involves mainly travel off the seal, these bikes are designed with some special components and features. They have a considerable amount of ground clearance and this means that the distance between the bottom of the frame and the trail is much greater than on a road machine.
The frames on dirt bikes are narrower, lighter and stronger than other bikes. This makes them travel over rough roads and tracks with ease. The tires are specially designed, they grip very well off road, but treat them with care on smooth road surfaces especially in the wet. In fact if you ride a dirt bike on the road for long periods a spare set of road tires is a very good idea.
Dirt bikes take a lot of rough handling so the suspension needs to be very robust to take it. The suspension is not only strong but has a long travel to help it absorb impacts from the track surface plus any jumps the rider makes on the machine. Most machines have a large mono shock at the back to provide strength where needed. Look at some of the freestyle performers and watch the punishment that their bikes take, their machines are a lot more sophisticated than the average dirt bike but the same principals apply.
Whether you choose a two stroke or four stroke motor is a matter of personal choice. Like most things in life they both have advantages and disadvantages. Two stroke motors are lighter and often have more power higher in the rev range. Four stroke motors on the other hand are heavier, read more robust. They also have more low down power or torque which is an advantage in really rough conditions. Which one to buy?, well some people say that a two stroke is better for new riders and then they can graduate to a four stroke later as their experience increases.
Dirt bike riding is extreme fun and it is as safe or dangerous as you like to make it. There are training schools dotted around the country, that would be more than pleased to train you in good off road techniques. If you think you are really going to spend some time on more challenging terrain they are worth spending your hard earned cash on. Some offer a short courses (3 or 4 hours) which will get you started and heading in the right direction, which I would recommend to most new riders.
Lastly we come to clothing. I strongly suggest, as a minimum get yourself a well ventilated off road helmet which will allow you to wear goggles if things turn dusty or very wet. Good gloves are also very important and will protect your hands when you take that inevitable fall. If your planning to go over rough terrain at high speed, knee, elbow and shoulder pads are highly recommended. It all may seem a bit overkill but you will be glad you did when you hit the ground.
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