[Thebigreed]

Just got done with my Motorcycle classes and license recently, but I've never touched a dirt bike.

What would I have to know before I can start riding one on trails?

 

[Y2K]

For one get your ass off the seat and use your legs for added suspension on big bumps.

 

[IBTJn]

Yea, you want to get your butt off the seat and allow your legs to help act as shock absorbers as mentioned...at least on the rough terrain. It might also be helpful to simply ride the bike on gravel roads for awhile first to get used to the gearing, throttling, and clutch friction zone of the particular bike you are on. Other than that, just go do it.

Good luck.

Larry

 

[Y2K]

I'd just add to get yourself some good protective gear before you crash not after, in particular besides the obvious helmet at a minimum a good pair of off roading boots is a must have
IMHO.

 

[Thebigreed]

I'd just add to get yourself some good protective gear before you crash not after, in particular besides the obvious helmet at a minimum a good pair of off roading boots is a must have
IMHO.

Thanks again guys.

would you ever recommend a thick leather jacket for starting off on gravel roads, and then moving up to padded gear before there's a real danger of knocking knees and elbows on big rocks?

 

[Y2K]

Thanks again guys.

would you ever recommend a thick leather jacket for starting off on gravel roads, and then moving up to padded gear before there's a real danger of knocking knees and elbows on big rocks?

There's always a real danger of knocking knees and elbows on big rocks among other things.
Maybe even more so for a noob but it's the nature of off roading to be thrown off once in a while, of course the more experienced you get the faster you go so the harder the crashes tend to be but the fact is you'll probably crash soon enough so it's never too soon to have some gear on.
Being you're here in the PAC NW the trails are particularly full of perils compared to a lot of other places.
By the way some of the worst crashes I've had were on gravel roads, gravel can be a lot more tricky than it looks especially in the corners.

 

[Thebigreed]

There's always a real danger of knocking knees and elbows on big rocks among other things.
Maybe even more so for a noob but it's the nature of off roading to be thrown off once in a while, of course the more experienced you get the faster you go so the harder the crashes tend to be but the fact is you'll probably crash soon enough so it's never too soon to have some gear on.
Being you're here in the PAC NW the trails are particularly full of perils compared to a lot of other places.
By the way some of the worst crashes I've had were on gravel roads, gravel can be a lot more tricky than it looks especially in the corners.

I day dream of riding in my local grass soccer field... but that's probably illegal.