Things Every Dirt Bike Owner Should Know
So you’ve got your very own dirt bike — great! But with great dirt bikes come great responsibility. If you’re going to get the most out of your bike and stay safe while doing it, then you’ll need to keep a few things in mind. Here are the things that every dirt bike owner should know.
How to ride safely (and when not to ride)
Dirt bikes are thrilling things, but they can be dangerous. Tragically, dirt bike accidents kill hundreds of people every year. Many more are injured.
That’s why it’s so important to know how to ride safely. A safe ride begins with the right gear. You’ll need a helmet that fits snugly, long pants and long sleeves, gloves, boots, and tough protective materials and padding all over. Dirt bike crashes aren’t always avoidable, and you need to be sure that you get through any accident as safely as possible.
You should also be careful about your speed and steering. Map out courses before you ride, and follow best practices to avoid running into unexpected encounters with other bikers. And be careful in bad weather — these are dirt bikes, not mud bikes. Depending on the conditions, it may be a good idea to skip the day’s plans and stay safe to ride another day.
A mechanic
OK, so this isn’t a “thing” you should know — it’s more of a “who.” But few things that you do for your bike will be more important than your regular trip to a mechanic who specializes in dirt bikes.
You should choose a trusted and certified mechanics who knows your type of bike well. Even if you have a knack for caring for your own bike, don’t neglect regular visits to the pros. Develop a good relationship with your mechanic and trust him or her to tell you when it’s time to perform regular maintenance or repair an issue. Act on the mechanic’s advice, and act fast — problems will only get worse if they’re neglected, and issues with a dirt bike can be reasons for real safety concerns.
Parts matter
A lot of things make your dirt bike work. Some are obvious, like dirt bike tires. Some are a bit more technical, such as dirt bike sprockets. But all of them matter, and all of them need to be cared for and, if need be, replaced.
When you take your dirt bike to your trusted mechanic, you’ll have to pay for parts and labor when you get things fixed up. Don’t go for the cheapest part every time. Instead, focus on brand-name parts and reliable, long-term solutions. Not only will the fix last longer, but you’ll also be helping out the rest of your bike — a bike’s parts rely on one another, and a weak link can do damage to the healthy parts.
Bike have limits
Beginning dirt bikers can make simple mistakes — mistakes that have dangerous consequences. As a dirt bike owner, you should strive to learn more and practice to become a better rider. And, at every stage of your riding journey, you should know what you can and cannot do.
Knowing the limits of your riding skills is just as important as, if not more important than, those skills themselves. Being overly ambitious could put you in an extremely dangerous situation. Ride in a way that shows you’re conscious of your own skill set, and don’t put yourself into dangerous situations that you’re not ready to handle. Knowing all about dirt bikes won’t keep you safe unless you know yourself, too!
