Are you someone who primarily rides on paved streets but is interested in off-road riding? If so, seasoned adventure riding instructor Bret Tkacs has some valuable advice for you. Tkacs, who is comfortable and familiar with riding on paved roads, shares a video where he provides guidance for first-time adventure riders like us.
One of the first things Tkacs mentions is that off-road riding often involves gravel roads. These roads may have tracks left by four-wheeled vehicles, making the surface more solid and packed compared to the loose stuff in the middle. However, regardless of the surface, it will still feel different from riding on a smooth, paved road. Therefore, it’s essential for street riders like us to get accustomed to how the bike feels on such surfaces.
Speed Up
Tkacs points out that riding too slow due to fear and unfamiliarity with the terrain can actually be detrimental to the bike’s stability. He suggests that dual sport bikes are happier and more stable when ridden within the 25-to-35 mile per hour speed range, rather than at speeds between five to 15 miles per hour. While slow speeds may seem tempting for beginners, they don’t contribute to a better riding experience. Tkacs reminds himself and us that going too slow won’t help improve our off-road skills.
During my experience riding Honda’s XR150L dual sport bike earlier in 2023, another journalist advised me with a simple yet effective phrase: “when in doubt, throttle out.” This advice may sound straightforward, but it proved to be helpful on multiple occasions. It’s important to find the right balance and avoid both excessive speed and excessive slowness.
Body Positioning and Attitude Count
While body positioning and attitude are important both on and off road, they differ slightly in off-road riding. Tkacs indicates that during your first off-road experience, it’s perfectly fine to sit down on the bike. Standing up on the foot pegs can be helpful in controlling the bike, but it’s not necessary if you’re still learning. The initial focus should be on adapting to how the bike moves and feels beneath you.
Body positioning becomes crucial in off-road riding. Unlike street riding where you lean and counterbalance in a specific way, off-road riding requires you to move the bike beneath you while keeping your body perpendicular to the ground. It may feel strange initially to push the bike away from you, but with practice, it will become more natural.
It’s completely normal to feel frustrated and angry while trying to learn something new. However, just like in street riding, having a negative mindset during off-road riding can lead to unfavorable outcomes. If you’re not in the right mindset, it’s best to take a break, relax, and refuel. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself; remember that off-road riding is meant to be enjoyable.
Other Important Notes
Tkacs also provides information on appropriate gear for off-road riding and highlights the most common injuries. Collarbone, rib, and foot/ankle injuries are among the most frequent. To avoid rib injuries, Tkacs advises adjusting body positioning and avoiding the habit of holding your arms as you would on a street bike.
When it comes to protecting your feet and ankles, choosing boots with good ankle protection and stiff soles is crucial. While motocross boots offer the highest level of protection, a solid pair of adventure touring boots is the minimum requirement. Speaking from personal experience, spraining an ankle due to insufficient ankle protection in street boots is something I strongly discourage.