Back

Dirt Bike Safety Tips

May. 8 2020 Safety By ___

Share

For anyone who craves adventure and excitement, riding a dirt bike is the perfect way to get your blood pumping and your heart racing. Dirt bikes are thrilling machines that can handle pretty much any type of terrain, with some models capable of riding on paved roads just as well as they ride over dirt paths and muddy areas.

But if you’re interested in buying a dirt bike, then it only makes sense to concern yourself with safety. Riding a dirt bike is not without its risks, which is why we here at Cowboy Powersports in Beaumont, Texas, have drawn up some of our top dirt bike safety tips for you.

Dress For The Crash

There’s a saying for extreme sports riding that goes, “Dress for the crash and not the ride.” While this might sound a bit morbid, there is truth to it. Your attire should serve to protect your body from a possible collision. 

You’ll want to wear a well-fitting helmet that’s DOT-rated and designed for extreme sports riding, such as a motocross helmet. If your helmet lacks eye protection in the form of a face mask, then you should wear goggles.

The rest of your attire should serve to protect your skin from abrasions and provide some padding over your joints. A thick jacket and pants made from sturdy material are good options, or a one-piece riding suit with strategic padding over your street clothes will also work. Wear ankle boots with good tread and tuck the laces in. Don some riding gloves with good grip to protect your hands. 

Stay Within Your Limits

The thing about extreme sports is that people often try to overdo it, whether that means riding for longer than they can truly stand or performing stunts that are beyond their current capabilities. Whether you’re a novice or an expert rider, it’s important to stay within your own limits and know what you can and cannot do. Don’t try to impress other people by attempting to tackle more difficult types of terrain or more challenging maneuvers. Know when to take a break by listening to your body.

Remain Focused & Alert

Because riding a dirt bike means dealing with unpredictable conditions and unexpected obstacles, it’s imperative that you remain focused and alert for your ride. To this end, you’ll want to avoid riding when tired or ill, as your reaction time will be slowed. You should also avoid drinking and drug usage, as these substances will impair your focus, reaction time and sense of self-preservation. Talk to your doctor if you take prescription medications or have health conditions that may make dirt bikes too dangerous for you. Always scan the way ahead to make sure that you’re aware of what to expect.

Minimize Risks

Finally, you’ll want to ensure that you’re doing everything you possibly can to minimize the risks inherent to riding a dirt bike. Here are a few things you can do:

  • Don’t ride in adverse weather, as this can prove to be too much of a challenge. You never know when you could slide out on snow or ice or puddles.
  • Stay off paved roads, unless you have a special hybrid dirt bike that can handle them.
  • Try not to ride at night or in dim lighting conditions, since you won’t be able to spot obstacles as well.
  • Never ride alone! You should bring at least one friend with you so that they can assist you if you become injured or your bike is damaged.

We hope this guide proves helpful to you in learning how to operate your dirt bike safely. Visit our dealership in Beaumont today to take a look at our full selection of new and used dirt bikes for sale. Cowboy Powersports proudly serves the cities of Lake Charles, Pasadena and Baytown, Texas.