Off-road riding demands some adjustments to the environment, your gear, and your skillset too. With these tips, you can avoid getting bogged down.
In the mud, you need to conserve momentum. Keep the bike as upright as possible and never slow to a stop. Don’t be afraid of wheelspin as long as you’re still moving—your rear tire may spinning at 35 mph
(56 kph) when the bike is only moving at a crawl, but hey, if you’re still mobile, that’s all that counts.
Short-shift your bike to run it in a higher gear. Your riding position will probably be neutral or a little farther back, and you’ll probably sit down more than when riding in sand. To slow down, don’t use your brakes, or just use the rear.
Look for the high, dry (or drier) line. Mud riding is all about finding and using traction. Stay out of ruts, and maintain your balance on the bike.
Mud riding uses a lot of gas and power. Even when it's soaking wet out, your bike can easily overheat in deep, thick mud, so watch your engine temperature. Just like when riding in sand, look as far ahead as you can, and stay on the gas.
Off-road riding demands some adjustments to the environment, your gear, and your skillset too. With these tips, you can avoid getting bogged down.
In the mud, you need to conserve momentum. Keep the bike as upright as possible and never slow to a stop. Don’t be afraid of wheelspin as long as you’re still moving—your rear tire may spinning at 35 mph
(56 kph) when the bike is only moving at a crawl, but hey, if you’re still mobile, that’s all that counts.
Short-shift your bike to run it in a higher gear. Your riding position will probably be neutral or a little farther back, and you’ll probably sit down more than when riding in sand. To slow down, don’t use your brakes, or just use the rear.
Look for the high, dry (or drier) line. Mud riding is all about finding and using traction. Stay out of ruts, and maintain your balance on the bike.
Mud riding uses a lot of gas and power. Even when it's soaking wet out, your bike can easily overheat in deep, thick mud, so watch your engine temperature. Just like when riding in sand, look as far ahead as you can, and stay on the gas.