Off-road riding has quickly become my favorite release for a variety of reasons. My only regret getting into dirt bike riding is that I waited 20 years to get started! Here are the top 8 reasons you should get into dirt biking. Have a friend or family member who is on the fence about it? Send this post their way and give them the nudge to start dirt biking now...
#1. FREEDOM
The freedom associated with off-road riding is second to none. For those of you that are speed freaks and get a kick out of going fast, dirt biking is great because in most cases the speed is no longer limited by law but by the terrain you are riding on and how good of a rider you are. This creates an unsatisfiable sensation to continue improving your skills, tweaking your bike to make it more compliant with the terrain, and getting faster. Being in control of how quickly you get from point A to point B is an awesome privilege.
For people that enjoy a bit of a slower pace, dirt biking offers that in the form of wilderness riding. Very little tops spending a day out in the wilderness on a dirt bike taking in the sights, sounds, and natural beauty the earth has to offer. In addition, charting new routes and finding new terrain is extremely fun and fulfilling.
#2. MENTAL BENEFITS
No matter how much stress or how many bad things are happening in my life the instant I get on my dirt bike and immerse myself in riding it all goes away. Riding dirt bikes is a stress reliever for me, a reset button, and a tool I use to keep my cognitive function sharp. Visually referencing objects as you are moving, feeling what the bike is doing underneath you, coordinating hand/foot movements with accelerating/decelerating tasks, and listening to the engine for additional clues that will optimize the traction at any given instant take up a huge amount of brain capacity. While I’m on the bike even the most pressing issues have no way of getting into my head and by the time I get off I feel mentally refreshed. It’s total meditation for the motorhead.
#3. PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Contrary to what some people may believe, riding a dirt bike is a mighty fine workout. Even a half hour ride on the track or trail can leave you feeling sore the next day. My favorite part about the physical aspect of riding a dirt bike is that in order to ride properly you have to get a full body workout whether you expect it or not. Muscles that you forgot you even have end up getting utilized, your core is strengthened, and the end result is a well rounded body. In addition to muscular improvements from riding your heart rate is elevated during the ride and your cardiovascular system gets a good workout as well.
#4. DIRT BIKES ARE VERSATILE
Very few motorcycles can be ridden year round. If you are like me, having a bike that is four-season ready is a big deal. Dirt bikes are arguably the most versatile type of motorcycle on the planet. When one season ends a new one begins. Adapting my bike from the summer woods riding it was set up for to a fun ice riding machine was a worthwhile investment that lengthened my riding season and sent the fun factor through the roof during the winter months. I no longer hate the winter and actually look forward to putting the studded tires on the bike for countless hours of ice riding fun.
Even if you put the bike away for the winter, transitioning across disciplines just to give something new a try is easy and doesn’t take too much effort. Going from MX track to trail is a breeze. Good luck setting up a cruiser for a track day, it’s impossible. With dirt bikes you can go from one riding medium to another with ease, ensuring more riding time year round no matter what the situation.
No matter how much stress or how many bad things are happening in my life the instant I get on my dirt bike and immerse myself in riding it all goes away. Riding dirt bikes is a stress reliever for me, a reset button, and a tool I use to keep my cognitive function sharp. Visually referencing objects as you are moving, feeling what the bike is doing underneath you, coordinating hand/foot movements with accelerating/decelerating tasks, and listening to the engine for additional clues that will optimize the traction at any given instant take up a huge amount of brain capacity. While I’m on the bike even the most pressing issues have no way of getting into my head and by the time I get off I feel mentally refreshed. It’s total meditation for the motorhead.
#3. PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Contrary to what some people may believe, riding a dirt bike is a mighty fine workout. Even a half hour ride on the track or trail can leave you feeling sore the next day. My favorite part about the physical aspect of riding a dirt bike is that in order to ride properly you have to get a full body workout whether you expect it or not. Muscles that you forgot you even have end up getting utilized, your core is strengthened, and the end result is a well rounded body. In addition to muscular improvements from riding your heart rate is elevated during the ride and your cardiovascular system gets a good workout as well.
#4. DIRT BIKES ARE VERSATILE
Very few motorcycles can be ridden year round. If you are like me, having a bike that is four-season ready is a big deal. Dirt bikes are arguably the most versatile type of motorcycle on the planet. When one season ends a new one begins. Adapting my bike from the summer woods riding it was set up for to a fun ice riding machine was a worthwhile investment that lengthened my riding season and sent the fun factor through the roof during the winter months. I no longer hate the winter and actually look forward to putting the studded tires on the bike for countless hours of ice riding fun.
Even if you put the bike away for the winter, transitioning across disciplines just to give something new a try is easy and doesn’t take too much effort. Going from MX track to trail is a breeze. Good luck setting up a cruiser for a track day, it’s impossible. With dirt bikes you can go from one riding medium to another with ease, ensuring more riding time year round no matter what the situation.
#5. THE PEOPLE
I have met almost all of my closest friends through two-wheeled experiences. There is something unexplainable about two-wheeled communities, whether dirt bike or motorcycle-based, that makes being part of them amazing. Perhaps it’s the camaraderie or common interests shared, the willingness of strangers to loan a tool or part at an event, or the willingness of riders to try and help one another improve. This community is awesome and there is little better than sharing riding experiences amongst friends.
#6. BUILDING FAMILY STRENGTH AND VALUES
Beginning to ride dirt bikes on an individual level is one thing, but the greatness of the sport is increased ten fold when you are able to get the entire family involved. There aren’t many sports which can simultaneously improve a parent’s ability to be a good parent, for a child to learn countless life lessons, and for a family to strengthen their relationship with one another. Getting dad, mom, and the kids out on the bikes together for valuable riding and family time is amazing and deserves a post in and of itself.
#7. ENHANCED STREET RIDING SKILLS
The increased awareness of your surroundings, the feel you have on the dirt bike, and control you have will all transfer over to riding on the street. Riding dirt bikes makes you a much better street rider. Whether you enjoy twisty country roads, commute to work, or partake in track days - the skills learned on the dirt will help you out in huge ways on the street. Remember the last time you hit a patch of sand and you tensed up? Those moments will become less scary and easier to deal with once you learn how to deal with less than ideal traction and wheel slippage while riding a dirt bike.
#8. INCREASED LEARNING SKILLS
Taking up a new hobby will inevitably lead to a period of rapid learning. From those first few rides where you start to understand how the bike works to learning about the various maintenance tasks involved, you will learn a substantial amount about the sport and yourself. The best part is that most skills learned transfer over to everyday life and can be utilized on personal and professional level.
So take the leap into trying dirt biking if you haven't already. Next week we will discuss where to ride, what resources you can use to find spots to ride near you, and how to approach challenges when it comes to finding a riding location- so stay tuned!
I have met almost all of my closest friends through two-wheeled experiences. There is something unexplainable about two-wheeled communities, whether dirt bike or motorcycle-based, that makes being part of them amazing. Perhaps it’s the camaraderie or common interests shared, the willingness of strangers to loan a tool or part at an event, or the willingness of riders to try and help one another improve. This community is awesome and there is little better than sharing riding experiences amongst friends.
#6. BUILDING FAMILY STRENGTH AND VALUES
Beginning to ride dirt bikes on an individual level is one thing, but the greatness of the sport is increased ten fold when you are able to get the entire family involved. There aren’t many sports which can simultaneously improve a parent’s ability to be a good parent, for a child to learn countless life lessons, and for a family to strengthen their relationship with one another. Getting dad, mom, and the kids out on the bikes together for valuable riding and family time is amazing and deserves a post in and of itself.
#7. ENHANCED STREET RIDING SKILLS
The increased awareness of your surroundings, the feel you have on the dirt bike, and control you have will all transfer over to riding on the street. Riding dirt bikes makes you a much better street rider. Whether you enjoy twisty country roads, commute to work, or partake in track days - the skills learned on the dirt will help you out in huge ways on the street. Remember the last time you hit a patch of sand and you tensed up? Those moments will become less scary and easier to deal with once you learn how to deal with less than ideal traction and wheel slippage while riding a dirt bike.
#8. INCREASED LEARNING SKILLS
Taking up a new hobby will inevitably lead to a period of rapid learning. From those first few rides where you start to understand how the bike works to learning about the various maintenance tasks involved, you will learn a substantial amount about the sport and yourself. The best part is that most skills learned transfer over to everyday life and can be utilized on personal and professional level.
So take the leap into trying dirt biking if you haven't already. Next week we will discuss where to ride, what resources you can use to find spots to ride near you, and how to approach challenges when it comes to finding a riding location- so stay tuned!
RSS Feed