Throttling up a motorcycle on the highway is an activity any rider can do with ease. However, taming the off-road tracks is not everyone’s cup of tea
On a smooth highway stretch, any rider can go past the triple-digit mark or make sudden manoeuvres to overtake other vehicles. However, taming the off-road terrains is not every cup of tea. In fact, you can call yourself an excellent rider only if you know how to function adequately over slush and dunes. Therefore, for rookie motorcycle riders, we have listed some tips for off-road ridings.
What is the importance of this article?
Given how long motorcycle trips have become a trend in India, several rookie motorcycle riders are frequently going on road trips. While most of them stay on tarmac, a few daring ones are hitting the off-road trails, which is commendable but also a dangerous act. Therefore, through this article, we wish to educate them.
Look where you want to go
This is the most basic rule several people forget. Since there are no roads or markings in the hills or deserts, most of the rookie riders focus on where their front tyre is going rather than looking upfront. However, one should focus on the line they want to follow. Just like tackling a speed breaker, your head will analyse the path and your body will automatically sync up with the head’s calculation.
Stand up, lean back and forth
To tackle poor terrains, it is crucial to stand on the foot pegs of the motorcycle because it lowers the centre of gravity, which makes moving the motorcycle easy. When riding fast through sand or slush, lean back and allow the rear tyre to create more traction. However, while taking a turn, move forward and through your body weight on the handlebars. Doing this will allow the motorcycle to slide easily. Not to forget, while turning, do not touch the front brake.
Turn right to turn left
Remember Doctor Hudson’s advice to Lightning McQueen in the movie Cars by Disney? Turn right to turn left! On fast turns, put more of your weight on the outside peg and shift your body too towards the outside. Only the weight of your hands should be on the inside to turn the motorcycle in that direction. In short, the unorthodox posture creates a counterweight that helps the motorcycle turn quickly in a small radius.
