Advice: Preparing for your first trailride

Riding a motorcycle for the first time is intimidating, but riding off-road is a whole different experience. Whether you’re a new rider looking to purchase an off-road bike, or you’re an experienced rider who is bored of tarmac, trailriding offers a way to escape the daily grind and fast-track your motorcycle skills.

But the world of dirt bike riding is vast and complex, and we don’t recommend jumping head first into it without proper research and preparation. From a beginner’s perspective, here are a few things you should consider before you head out on your first off-road adventure.

Choosing the right bike

When you are starting out off-road there is plenty you’ll need to invest in – starting with a bike. There are loads of expensive and high-performance machines out there, but beginners needn’t worry about them for now.

I’ve been riding the Kawasaki KLX230, and it is great option for beginners. With a bargain price tag of $5999, I’m not worried about the scratches and dings that inevitably come with learning to ride off-road. The Kawasaki KLX230 allows you ride to your local trail and zip around in the dirt for a few hours.

That said, spirited riders might soon find its limits, with power and suspension that isn’t designed for more challenging terrain. But as a first trail bike, it is an affordable and sensible choice that will give you something to ride on the tarmac and in the dirt.

Wear the right gear

At the risk of sounding like your mother, make sure you wear the right safety gear. The bush is full of nasty objects, obstacles and creatures that can cause you harm. T-shirts and shorts are a big no-no. If you come off your bike (which you probably will at some stage), you don’t want your limbs exposed to jagged rocks, logs, sticks etc.

A specially designed jersey and pants combination is recommended, as is armour, which can come in a variety of designs from a chest plate, to a full suit. An good quality adventure or enduro jacket will give you extra padding too.

Make sure you get yourself a decent pair of motocross boots. A good quality pair will support your ankles and keep your feet protected in falls, and from stray objects while you ride. A good pair of gloves, a set of knee braces or guards, and motocross goggles are also essential. And we shouldn’t have to mention it, but don’t forget your helmet!

Pack the essentials

Riding off-road is dangerous, and often you can find yourself far from help. Always pack essential first aid items when you head out on a ride. Get yourself a decent backpack – a motorcycle-specific hydration pack is a good choice. I usually pack some band-aids, bandages and Panadol, but you can pick up a compact first-aid kit relatively cheap.

You should never hit the trails by yourself. You could be left stranded without fuel or severely injured, with no way of seeking assistance. Take a few mates with you – they could save your life.

Always take a mobile phone, plenty of water and a few snacks with you. A GPS and locator beacon are also great to have, but these are generally pretty expensive. Also ensure you research your riding location, and make sure you’re legally allowed to ride there. You don’t want to end up in trouble with the authorities.

And pick trails that are suited to your level of experience. Off-road riding is more difficult than you might imagine. Many new off-road riders are often caught out on terrain that is well above their skill level. Stick to the easy stuff and you’ll have more fun.

Don’t forget to fuel up

It might sound simple, but even the most experienced riders have been left stranded in the bush with an empty fuel tank. It is imperative you fuel your bike to the brim before you leave. There are no petrol stations in the bush, and often the only solution is to leave your pride and joy on its own while you go seek fuel or someone to tow you out.

Trailbikes generally have smaller fuel capacities, so if you’re planning a longer ride, it’s worth considering carrying some extra fuel, or maybe even looking at a larger aftermarket fuel tank. Many off-road bikes also don’t have fuel gauges, so you might need to test your bikes fuel range, and make calculations on how far you can travel on a tank.

Be sure to take a mobile phone and plenty of drinking water in case you do run out of fuel in a remote location.

And finally…

Have fun! It is what it’s all about after all, isn’t it? Make sure you ride within your limits, and be sensible. Showing off and challenging yourself is great, but what’s the point if you can’t make it home in one piece at the end of the day?