Ever dreamt of tearing up the dirt like Jonny Walker? Riding on tarmac is different to traversing trails. Getting out into the wilds of the UK with a trail riding motorcycle is easier than you might think. It’s exhilarating and it’ll make you sweat as you master your machine and the trail you take it down. Our beginner trail riding tips will help you make the most of your experience and have more fun while you’re at it!
Whether you’re a complete novice or a seasoned road rider who’s been bitten with the trail riding bug, our beginner trail riding tips are for you. Steep inclines and muddy, rutted tracks need a different approach to riding on paved roads. Read on to get the low down on the high adventure of UK trail riding.
Is trail riding safe for beginners?
Like so many other adrenaline sports, the level of safety depends on how you approach it. Choosing trails that suit your skill level is just as important as having all the right trail riding safety gear.
It’s wise to ride with someone who’s more experienced on your first few trail rides. Even better, book a trail riding day for tailored tuition and carefully selected tracks. It’s the best way to ensure you have a great day while learning how to ride off-road like a pro!
How to start trail riding
Getting started with trail riding needs a little thought. The size and power of your trail motorcycle, wearing essential safety gear to protect yourself, and carrying the right licence for off-road riding are key considerations. Let’s take a closer look at each.
Choosing the right trail riding motorcycle
The same power to weight ratios for your UK motorcycle licence applies to trail riding too. Green lanes are public roads and governed by the same licence rules. So you’ll need to stay within the limits of your motorcycle licence level when choosing your trail riding machine.
The motorcycle you choose for trails has to be different from a road motorcycle because of the surfaces you’re riding on. Tyres on a trail motorcycle are narrower and knobblier. They provide better traction and help you push through rutted tracks, dirt, rocks and mud with ease. Trail riding motorcycles have higher hydraulic suspension to allow the wheels free movement over rough terrain. And the frame is different; lighter, narrower frames make for easier handling.
The best off-road riding gear
One of our top beginner trail riding tips is to assemble the essential protective gear for riding off-road. Your safety should always come first. There’s a LOT of safety gear out there. If you decide to make off-road riding a regular activity, you should acquire all the kit you need to be 100% safe if you fall. To get started, make sure you have:
- A dirt bike helmet Different to a road-riding helmet, trail riding helmets have better ventilation, extended chin guards, and open faces for fitting goggles.
- Trail riding goggles Protecting your peepers is essential when you’re kicking up dust and mud on a dirt bike! There’s a huge range of goggles to choose from. Lenses with UV protection, anti-fog technology, coloured tints and scratch resistant treatments are all options to consider. Our best advice is to choose a pair that are comfortable, impact resistant an fit snugly in the face opening of your helmet.
- Tough boots It’s not only your feet and toes that need protection, your ankles and shins also need it. So get long boots with toughened sections at the toes and shins that fit well. Our top beginner trail riding tips for buying boots is to try them on before you buy and ensure toes and ankles are supported well.
- Trail riding gloves Your hands bear the brunt of any debris kicked up from the motorbike in front of you or overhanging branches and vines on your trail. Protect them with a sturdy pair of well-ventilated gloves. They’ll also improve your grip on tough rides that make you sweat!
- Body armour Protection for your back, neck and chest is super important when riding off-road. Even coming off at low speeds can be treacherous. Preferences for body armour vary between riders. We recommend trying it on to make sure it fits and assessing your comfort and manoeuvrability before making a purchase.
Your licence to ride off-road
We’ve already touched on this, so we won’t labour the point. Off-road trails through the UK, also known as green lanes and BOATs, are considered as public highways. They’re governed by the same motorcycle licensing laws as other public roads. That means you must have a valid motorcycle licence for the trail riding motorcycle you’re riding when you go off roading. You’ll need to carry it with you too – just as you would on-road.
Essential riding techniques
Trail riding techniques are different to road riding, but there is some crossover with skills. Trail riding can improve your road riding as you’ll become better at handling your machine on loose surfaces. Ruts, puddles and bumps are all part of trail riding and can also help you better manage unexpected road hazards of a similar nature.
Body position
Rider position for trail riding is a lot different to road riding. Follow our beginner trail riding tips to get to grips with off roading faster and with more enjoyment!
- Keep your eyes ahead Most riders have a natural tendency to look at the trail just ahead of their front tyre. Instead of falling into this trap, keep your head up and your eye on the trail ahead.
- Stand up and squeeze Most of the time, you’ll need to be standing on your pegs, squeezing the bike with your knees and leaning forward at roughly 45° as you take on the trail. This makes you more agile and adaptable to the rough terrain and uses your ankles and knees as additional shock absorbers. This position means you’ll be less sore after your ride. You’ll need to engage core muscles and have the strength to keep up this position.
- Elbows up, shoulders relaxed, back straight Keeping your arms high and loose gives you more control over the bike because you’ll be more flexible. It also reduces tension in your body for a more enjoyable ride. A straight back improves balance and reduces fatigue.
Throttle control
Smooth and steady is crucial for taking off-road trails on a motorcycle. Getting acquainted with your clutch is important. Learning excellent clutch control will help beginner trail riders as much as experienced road riders
- Take it easy When you’re a beginner trail rider, it helps to practise riding in a straight line as slowly as possible. It’s the start of developing smooth throttle control.
- Remember your body positioning Standing on your footpegs with knees hugging the bike helps with balance, manoeuvring your trail bike and absorbing impact from the bumps of the trail beneath you.
- Keep it smooth Gradual throttle inputs will keep you steady on the trail and make it easier to control your machine. Use the palm of your hand for this instead of gripping tightly.
- Use your clutch Engaging the clutch cuts power to the back wheel. This is an excellent technique for slowing down, making sharp turns or simply as an emergency cut to power if things get hairy.
Three beginner trail riding tips for braking
Trail riding bike brakes have different effects when engaged. The front brake is great for slowing down, the back is useful for stabilising the bike. Using both together will slow you down safely with more stability.
- Check your position When using brakes, move your weight back, stretch your arms to allow this and drop your heels on their pegs.
- Just one finger at the front Keep a light touch with the front brake. Remember you can also slow down by engaging your clutch. Two fingers on the front brake makes it easy to go too hard on it.
- Back braking Your back brake helps to stop your wheels slipping and stabilises the motorbike. Use brakes sparingly when cornering so you don’t lose momentum.
Cornering skills
Taking corners on rough trails is a lot of fun. It also develops skills you can transfer to road riding. Like most things, practice makes perfect.
- Lean in Balance your weight over the middle of the bike as you lean into turns. Keep your head up and eyes looking forward to the trail ahead. Your arms should be loose, back straight and outside foot anchored to the peg.
- Smooth throttle control Power through turns with smooth throttle control, easing back on your use of the clutch.
- Practice Different turns and terrains need slightly different approaches, so keep practising to build your cornering skills
Ready to put this theory into action?
Beginner trail riding tips are best when they’re put into practice. That’s where the fun is. It’s also where you’ll begin building muscle memory. When it comes to motorcycling, nothing beats real-life, practical experience. Join us for a trail riding taster session, or book a level 1, 2 or 3 trail riding day to enjoy the best ride of your life. We can’t wait to get mucky with you!
