Off pavement skills practice?

[mirage]

I'd really like to make full use of my Stroms potential but have absolutely ZERO experience off the pavement.

How does one learn the techniques and tricks of riding on gravel and dirt w/out totally trashing the bike?

Does anyone want to volunteer to host a workshop and series of outings in the PDX outlaying areas to help us noobies learn how to safely ride our steeds on fire roads, etc...?

One of my goals behind getting Denny (my strom's name) was that he could take me up to the trail heads I like to backpack from. I'm anxious to learn from other experienced riders how riding on loose gravel/dirt differs from pavement (braking, riding position, stearing, ???).

I'll be at the Breakfast club this week (St. Patricks Day), maybe we can put this on the "ajenda".

Thanks,

Mirage...

[mojokim]

See if you have an MSF dirt bike school in your area. I rode dirt bikes for 10+ years and still learned a ton of good techniques.. Here in OH it was only $50 and they supplied the bikes.

[Nighthawk22]

Mirage:
I like that idea. I checked on the Team Oregon website, no mention of an off-road class. Sent an e-mail. Bet there is something out there.

[mirage]

I checked with them too, nothing listed.

Just going out with those who feel able to teach noobs is fine with me. I'll bring it up tomorrow at the B-Club.

Mirage...

[Raevyn]

Well I can give you some pointers. As I learned to ride in the desert of So Cal were almost all the roads became dirt or gravel after a few miles out.

First thing is you will want to use your back brake more then the front. Its easier to handle a back tire sliding out on you then a front. As there is not as much traction locking the brakes are much easier to do. If you do lock up the front tire what will most likely happen is the wheel will kick to the side. Which ever side has the most stoping power or is even a little bit turned to start with. Granted I have never had a bike with duel front brakes before so I cant claim to know if one side stops better or not.

Next when you are riding you will want to watch the road alot more then on pavement. You will be able to see small potholes so you can steer around them and between them better. In this area is also the deepest mud and tire track you want to avoid. So you will be all over the road in some places.

When you come to a washboard section of the road you will want to stand on the pegs some. Let your legs add some extra suspention for your body. Trust me you dont want to take the beating.

If you are riding with a buddy. ( Recommended ) Watch your take offs. You will kick up alot of dust and rocks if you gun it off the start line. Then your buddy feels obligated to return the favor for you at the next stop. ( Broken Headlight from that one )

Something else to keep in mind. Unless you ( and your Buddy ) really know the road keep the speeds down. Its not always a race. Plus with the rain and winds we have here what was a clear path last week could be washed out or a fallen tree around the next bend.

Now that the tips have been given Riding on the dirt can be loads of fun. rooster tails, donuts, rear wheel skids plus many other fun things. But I really have to recomend that you have at least the skip plate on the bike before you do any hard core stuff. Bottem out just once and you will with you had it. If it does not tear something off it could punch a hole in something. ( oil pan ) These bike are heavy. So dropping them is not a fun thing to do when you are out in the middle of nowhere.

Hope these tips help. Anyone please feel free to correct anything they feel is wrong. These are just tips I picked up when I started to ride.

[Mr. Fisherman]

2007 Pacific Northwest Adventure Rally - Menlo, WA - 9~12 AUG 2007

http://www.pnwgsrally.com/register.php

Sounds like this is right up your proverbial alley...

See you in the morning...

[Mr. Fisherman]

Well since that one sold out... Come to Reno with us and do this one for free...

John, I was thinking....I know, I know http://vstrom.info/forum/forum_images/smilies/eek.gif . If you know of a large flat dirt area we could do some quick lessons, just on the basics. I am an msf rider coach and dirt bike coach, It wouldn't be a big deal to make that part of your event and then we could head out on a dirt ride and try to put some new skills to work. It would actually be allot of fun for me to do that and maybe we could help some others to become a little more comfortable on the dirt. Let me know...

...Reese, putting your "MSF", "dirt" and "good people" skills to use would be a real bonus for all. .....and What you suggest in the way of some hands on lessons is exactly what we hope to do. We have others with strong dirt skills that can be great help as well.

In the coming months we'll start investigating the best ways to do this ....and see what the interest is. IMO, for anyone that is even the slightest bit dirt-curious, it would be a shame not to pick up a few tips and experiment under good supervision.

Thanks for offering your expertise!...

From this page...

http://11109.rapidforum.com/topic=119973444599&search=&startid=2

I think I'll have to try this while I am down there...

[chris swann]

when it gets a bit rough dont hold on so tight,let the bike take you like you were on a horse,and on dirt corners initiate the slip your self with throttle and body language ,dont fight the loose feeling go with it,relax and enjoy the drift ,enter the corner tight and allow room too skip across the dirt on the exit so you dont go wide.if you encounter an unexpected dip or bump at the last second move your weight too the rear and off the seat and apply some gas.practice by going down hills slowly useing only the front brake so you learn to regulate it .the best way too learn is to get a little dirt bike and go fall down a whole bunch then it will become second nature

[Nighthawk22]

Sounds like we could work a trip to Brown's Camp after "Breakfast" one of these times. That would be fun (after I put my crashbars and skidplate on).