When riding off-road, the bike’s movements can be unpredictable. Isolating yourself from the bike is a crucial skill for maintaining control and preventing fatigue. Ideally, the bike should be able to move, and your body should be able to move, but your head should stay steady, just look at a bird or prey when it is hunting.
Here’s why it matters:
Suspension Management:
Off-road terrain varies from rocks to sand, tree roots, and mud. Your bike’s suspension needs to absorb these shocks.
By staying loose and relaxed, especially in your upper body, you allow the suspension to work effectively. Don’t fight the bike; let it move naturally.
Standing on the Pegs:
Enhanced Vision: Standing allows for better forward vision, enabling you to plot your path through tricky sections and anticipate obstacles.
Control and Movement: By standing, you free up the bike to move underneath you, while still maintaining control through your feet and hands. This flexibility is crucial for navigating rough terrain.
Shock Absorption: Your legs act as additional shock absorbers, insulating you from heavy jolts as the bike encounters bumps and uneven surfaces.
Weight Distribution: You can shift your weight forward or backward, depending on whether you’re riding uphill or downhill.
Improved Grip: When turning or riding on slippery surfaces, weighting the outside foot peg and pushing your knee into the tank provides better grip.
Balance: Slow-speed balance is easier when standing, as you can adjust your body weight to stabilize the bike.
Posture when the going gets tough, get that bum off the seat.
Keep your legs bent and use your knees to grip the bike
Keep your arms bent with a loose grip on the bars
Your head should be directly above the bars
By staying loose above the knees you are Isolating your upper body from the bike’s movements and minimizing the effects of the terrain on both the bike and you.
Reduce Fatigue: There is an adage among the rallying fraternity. "Sit when you can, but stand when you have to".
Off-road riding often involves long hours on the bike. Standing isolates you from the bike’s vibrations and jolts but uses a lot more energy.
On smooth dirt roads, sitting down is perfectly acceptable. It conserves energy and doesn’t significantly affect the bike’s behavior.
Sitting allows you to relax and maintain a stable position when the terrain is less challenging.
When you’re less fatigued, you can focus better, react faster, and enjoy the ride without wearing yourself out
Remember, practice these techniques, customize your bike setup, and stay aware of your surroundings. Off-road riding becomes more enjoyable when you master the art of isolation.
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