Safety Tips for Dirt Bike Riding

This was an impromptu speech had to present to the class after 5 minutes of research time as part of my internal speaking assessment in Grade 10.

Riding through the woods on a dirt bike may be one of life’s greatest pleasures, but it can also be dangerous and at times even fatal if you're not careful about - how you ride and how you prepare. Ensuring your safety on an off-road motorcycle means making sure you know to operate your bike, doing some safety inspections before you ride, and wearing the proper safety gear. In some US states, you'll be required to take a training course before you ride on public lands, in others there are no such requirements. However it's still a good idea for bikers to train, prepare and take precautions as follows :

1. Wear a helmet that fits snug on your head. No matter what your level of expertise is, collisions and falls do happen, and a helmet protects your most precious commodity your brain. Look for a helmet with the "DOT" label on it, indicating it's been crafted to US Department of Transportation standards.

2. Wear long pants and shirts, close-toed shoes, and gloves at the very least. Knee, shoulder, and chest pads would be even better. Make sure none of your clothing is loose or ill-fitting, as it could interfere when you’re riding. If your helmet doesn't have its own eye protection or face shield, wear a pair of goggles

3. Read the owner's manual for your bike, all the way from the cover to the last page. If you don't have the owner's manual for the bike you're riding, check the manufacturer's website where you will most likely find a pdf copy of the same.

4. Take a safety course to learn proper bike handling, steering, stopping and general maintenance of the bike. Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles or Parks and Recreation Department is a good place to start off, to find motorcycle and dirt bike safety courses. You may have private off-road motorcycle training programs in your area or access to the "Dirt Bike School" courses offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

5. Avoid riding on the road unless you're going to cross a road to get to another trail. Your dirt bike is not meant for streets, roads, and highways, as it may not have the proper lighting or safety features to do so.

6. Choose a bike that is the right size for you, so that you'll stay in control of the bike at all times. Riding a bike that is too large or even too small may mean that it's harder to control the brakes and steer the bike. Your state may not have any regulations about the size and type of bike you're allowed to ride, but generally, you should be able to reach all the controls.

7. Inspect the bike before every ride. Check its tire pressure to make sure the tires are properly inflated. Test the brakes to make sure they're working. Give all other controls a quick test to make sure they're in working condition and not loose or broken. If so, get the bike repaired before riding.

8. Ride in control at all times, avoid riding in conditions and terrains that seem beyond your abilities or pose a risk. These include muck, standing water, snow, rain, and steep hills - which in fact may not be appropriate for any rider.