Never ridden in the dirt before - Help me be less stupid.

[MensaDropout]

I've been riding for almost 20 years... cruisers, sport bikes, standards. But, never taken anything off the asphalt, or had a bike that I'd even want to try it with. Now I do!

I bought the S10 thinking it'd be an awesome do-everything everyday bike that could eat up the horrible country roads I have around here. But, seeing as I'm in the country, and this bike is made for it, I'd like to do some trail riding and expand my skills. But, sliding around on 600lbs of bike scares the hell out of me.

Any suggestions on good resources to learn the basics? Books, websites, videos, etc.? I'd never suggest someone get their feet wet on a 1200cc, 580lb, bike - but, since I've got it...

Thanks!

 

[dcstrom]

Plenty of stuff if you Google "adventure riding skills" but for a good free introduction try this
http://www.bestrestproducts.com/c-169-how-to-ride-off-road.aspx

 

[MensaDropout]

Plenty of stuff if you Google "adventure riding skills" but for a good free introduction try this
http://www.bestrestproducts.com/c-169-how-to-ride-off-road.aspx

Thanks. Looks like a great place to start... Just sent it to my kindle.

 

[coastie]

I'd say read up and go practice. Start slow, stay on groomed dirt roads. Get use to the motorcycle moving around underneath you. The Tenere is very capable, and is happy being ridden like a tractor off-road, but can also be ridden like a dirt bike, but I don't recommend riding your $14k, 600lbs motorcycle like that without a good bit of practice.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[~TABASCO~]

Spend time off road, start slow, have fun and just practice. Myself on this bike I like to stand up and stay loose on the bike. You can practice valuable skills out in a grass field going slow and having fun. You then will find yourself going over the passes in Colorado at 13000 feet. .
Lots of good you-tube aswell. Don't be scared to lay the bike over. If you havent picked up your bike, you might do that exersize out in the field. Just have fun !

 

[advswede1981]

Honestly, if you're looking for dirt bike riding, spend a whole lot less on something a whole lot lighter, like a DRZ400. Now... if you got the money to spend on repairs and medical bills and don't care what your bike will looks like at the end of the day, have at it

Sounds like you got good instincts. Trust them and avoid the hype!

 

[squarebore]

My honest suggestion would be to buy a cheap dirt bike to go and learn on. If it is light and cheap and can drop it and not kill yourself and also not worry about the bike. I always thought all riders should start this way.

 

[Philistine]

My honest suggestion would be to buy a cheap dirt bike to go and learn on. If it is light and cheap and can drop it and not kill yourself and also not worry about the bike. I always thought all riders should start this way.

Have to agree, I have been riding dirt bikes for 35 years and the thought of dropping my S10 off road scares the crap out of me, the difference between a dirt bike and a road bike is you can drop a dirt bike, then pick it up, have a laugh about it, then ride away, 261 kg is a hole lot of bike to be lying underneath, having said all that, I do a lot of gravel roads on my bike and I have taken it of road a few times, the biggest problem I have found is the lack of ground clearance on it, that has caused me a few scary moments. Do what i do and have a dirt bike and a S10 then you have it all covered. ::26::

 

[Chequeneglia]

My honest suggestion would be to buy a cheap dirt bike to go and learn on. If it is light and cheap and can drop it and not kill yourself and also not worry about the bike. I always thought all riders should start this way.

::026::

this is the best to learn and get skills

 

[bloodline]

My honest suggestion would be to buy a cheap dirt bike to go and learn on. If it is light and cheap and can drop it and not kill yourself and also not worry about the bike. I always thought all riders should start this way.

Yep.

Go small and light and already scratched to hell.

 

[bloodline]

and buy plenty of pads...

You WILL fall.

 

[snakebitten]

First, I am so pro (for) riding this Beast off-road. I truly believe that is what sets this bike apart in this confusing genre of Big ADV bikes. It's really really good at it, for a bike that is also so good at hauling you and your "stuff" for 1000's of road miles to get you there.

But,

It is NOT the bike to actually learn on. Oh hell no.

I saw first hand the disappointment and shattered ideals of a few folks that came to the Tenere Rally in Ouray for their FIRST off-road experience. I admired their courage and willingness to experience world class ADVenture riding. But they quickly found out it does require some skills that only can be acquired with experience. And falling down IS unavoidably part of the acquisition of said skills.

I just don't want to see another fella get derailed of his ADV dreams because he skipped an ingredient or 2 in the proper recipe.

Take your time and follow the steps properly. The payoff is SO worth it. I believe almost anyone can get there. But I also believe very few can get away with skipping over the natural process.

Buy the Tenere AND a throw down dirt toy. Ride em both. It will make sense quicker than you think.

 

[bloodline]

Offroad riding will also make you a better street rider.

When a slide happens on pavement, you won't panic, you'll just react.

I'd argue that every rider should learn on dirt and then move to the highway.

 

[Tallgears]

Aside from buying a real dirt bike and getting lots of practice....

I found this website and ordered a couple DVD's from them and it was great help to me when learning. You can apply the skills discussed in the videos to any bike you ride off-road, and it presents some great drills to practice on your own time.

http://www.dualsportriding.com/

I have the Dual sport riding techniques and the advanced dual sport riding techniques DVD's and frequently re-watch them just to get the concepts straight in my head if I've got a big trip coming up. I can't remember how many times I've struggled with something and then was able to self correct what I was doing wrong because of techniques I remembered had been covered in these videos.

I'm also a big fan of 'classroom' instruction and would highly recommend looking into the beginner and intermediate classes offered by a school such as Adventure Riders International. They are a travelling school that does weekend instruction classes that you take on your bike at off road parks across the country. Check their long term schedules and try to find a location near you! I've taken the beginner and intermediate classes with these guys and their instruction is top notch. Do not be apprehensive about needing very much experience before signing up either. I had several people in my class who had never really ridden in the dirt before taking the beginner coarse and it allowed them to create good habits right from the start. I'll be going back to take the advanced course next time they are in Texas for sure!

www.adventureridersinternational.com

I'm not affiliated with either of these companies, I'm just a very happy student hoping to share the ways I've been able to grow into this adventure riding genre. We can't all be pro bike riders like Snakebitten, but these two links have greatly helped me along my way to trying to hang with guys like him.

Also - Put some sort of off-road tire on! K60's, TKC80s, Kendas.. there are lots of great options available for our bike and this forum has plenty of info about most all of them.

 

[snakebitten]

TallGears,
You have ridden with me. Shame on you. You know better.

The good Lord was in a playful mood the day he whipped up my DNA. Threw in a big helping of courage, but then left out the called for brains and finesse. I hope it's been entertaining for him.
It's surely kept a few extra guardian angels busy.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I have to agree with what has been said. You will be doing yourself a huge favor to get a small street legal dirt worthy bike. I suspect that may be a groaner..."I don't want to buy another bike." I know, but if you buy an old one you'll find it very inexpensive. Use it, beat it, most importantly...learn on it. Then sell it in the fall for the same money. You're not likely to lose anything other than gas money, insurance money, and a little skin from scrapped knees and elbows. You'll gain confidence off pavement, bike handling skills that would be extremely difficult to learn on a Tenere, and an urge to grin every time you see a bike getting dirty. It's worth the investment in you.

Whatever you learn on, do learn to get comfortable riding while standing up. You can even start practicing that skill on the pavement. Do it a lot. That one skill will do wonders for your comfort off pavement. Sitting on the seat you'll often get an uneasy feeling as the backend wallows around slipping a small amount from side to side. When you stand up that uneasy feeling goes away. You will feel much more stable when standing.

Good luck. Off pavement riding a great joy in life. If there is anyway to swing it, do yourself a great service and temporarily buy a small dual sport.

 

[HoebSTer]

Plenty of stuff if you Google "adventure riding skills" but for a good free introduction try this
http://www.bestrestproducts.com/c-169-how-to-ride-off-road.aspx

oh sure, is this how you did it Trevor? Then just hop on the bike and drive straight for two years honing the skills you just read about? I guess that is one way of doing it. HA!!!

Welcome to the OP and good questions. Good link from DCSTrom (Trevor) for your reading pleasure. The bike can give you good control if you use the electronics on this, such as TC1, TC2 to let the bike give you a chance on how the tail end can start to spin, then suddenly catch. TC2 will give you more spin. It has amazed me in TC2 when you can get on throttle really hard, it starts to spin, then comes right back in line and corrects itself. Read the material first though, or a good riding class is good.

Jeff

 

[bloodline]

Can't say I agree with learning on a bike like a drz or most street legal options.

They aren't cheap, most are still very heavy, and most of them just plain suck for true off-road riding.

I'd suggest a 125 motocross bike, a kdx 200, or the like.

Hot 4 strokes are tough to restart when they've been laying on the ground for a bit...

In recent years, I've had a wr450, a yz125, 2- yz 250's and right now a ktm 200. Of that bunch, I learned more and enjoyed riding the 125 the most.

Would I want to ride any of those down gravel roads for miles and miles, no. A drz or the like would be better for that. The S10 is better for that.

Trail riding is where the little bikes shine. Places you rarely even hit 3rd gear, that's the most fun to me.

So many skills to learn there.

My ktm 200 is tagged. Never use it where I need the tag though. Thought I would. I'd trade it for a yz, any day.

 

[snakebitten]

All makes sense blood. But remember, most of this advice is simply about experiencing non-tarmac motorcycle behavior. Far less about long term ownership or perfectly matching up with a specific off-road mission.

I figure someone in the OP's position could benefit from any of the machines you list.

I had suggested a "throw down". DR350? CR230 or 150? Cheap cheap cheap.

If he discovers he actually likes dirt bikes too, (and it's likely) then his second dirt bike will matter more.

I'd love one those KTM 300's. Just looks like a hoot.

 

[arjayes]

I found this very informative:

Rampart Rider DVD -- RawHyde Adventure's Off-Road Riding Clinic, Colorado

Surprised this is even on YouTube, but it made me want to do a weekend with RawHyde so maybe that explains it. Looks like a blast, with some cool and knowledgeable dudes. The guys (ok, and gals) on this forum who have been riding off-road for decades may feel otherwise, but I don't have that background and learned a lot. Gave me some great ideas for what I should practicing.