Tips for Riding a Street Bike Off-Road

When I ride, I like to stay on the road and avoid dirt, rocks and gravel. This is true for me since I ride a street bike, and I think most of my friends avoid off-roading in their street bikes. But, sometimes, I want to get somewhere quickly, or I have to meet one of my fellow riders who lives off a dirt road in the countryside. So, sometimes I take it in the dirt, and I would recommend you follow these four tips if you take your bike off the road.

First and foremost, when I am riding on a dirt road, I have a lot of confidence as I maintain my bike well. I know that my chain is on well, and I know I don’t have any issues with my tires. I also know that my suspension is in good order, so I can ride down the road without fear. This does not mean I tear down the gravel or dirt. In fact, I take it easy, but I know that my motorcycle is in great shape, so I don’t have much worry.

When on a dirt or gravel road, especially a rather rough one, you need to take it easy. While it may seem like a fun time if you rev up your engine and fly down the road, you are in for trouble if you go too fast. Yes, you can probably get away with it, but you are going to throw dust everywhere and put more wear and tear on your ride, for no real reason. So, instead, go slow, watch out for big holes, and make sure you listen to your motorcycle.

You must, however, watch out for ruts while you are on the road. If you hit a couple of them on your way, even if you are going 10 miles per hour, you are in for a problem. Luckily, if you are going slowly and you scan well ahead, you can see every rut in the road, and you can make your move before it is too late. Remember, while on a dirt road, the last thing you want to do is move your motorcycle quickly.

Finally, as mentioned, you need to scan the area and watch what you are doing. To get a better feel for everything, you should try to remain quiet and turn off your radio. By having the radio off, you can hear everything, and you can make sure that you are not kicking up too much gravel or causing any havoc on your bike. At the first sound of a bad noise, slow down and make sure that your bike is okay, and you should adjust your riding accordingly.

While I don’t prefer riding on dirt or gravel roads with my street bike, sometimes it’s hard to avoid. However, with these four simple tips, you can stay safe and make sure that you don’t damage your motorcycle while going off-road for a bit.