Articles

A key dirt bike riding skill is correctly cornering. After all, you are not going to ride simply in a straight line, stop, rotate your dirt bike, then ride a straight path back to your home. That would be a lackluster riding experience! 

But before you can tackle winding trails and explore side trails off of the route, you will need to know how to successfully turn on your dirt bike. We've created the following beginner's guide to help you learn this crucial skill. If you have any questions or want to explore dirt bikes for sale, head over to Southern Illinois Motorsports. Our dealership is based in Carbondale, Illinois. We also proudly serve those in Murphysboro and Marion, IL, as well as St. Louis, Missouri.

Dirt bikes are designed to conquer sharp turns at fast speeds. Just watch any motocross competition to see impressive cornering in action! But new riders need to build their skillset up to the level of their model's performance potential before they try out any crazy turning. By mastering the basics, you can build up muscle memory and get to your dirt bike's full capacity much faster. Plus, it'll save you energy since you'll be working with your dirt bike rather than fighting against it.

1. Stay Alert

As you ride, stay aware of your surroundings. New riders will need to be on the lookout for bumps and grills. Advanced riders can cruise right over these, but newbies will want to avoid them or be extra cautious in going over them.

2. Look Ahead

It's natural to want to focus on your front wheels, but it's better to look ahead at the place you want to go. Your body, and your dirt bike, will naturally follow in the direction that your focus is pointed.

3. Pick the Entry Line

When you are getting to turn, you will need to pick your entry line into the corner. You may want to go wide if there are obstacles on the main path, such as brake bumps.

4. Handle the Corner Smoothly

As you approach the corner, you will want to begin braking. Usually, you will be in the standing position. When you begin going through the corner, transfer your body weight to the front of the dirt bike. Keep your elbows high and squeeze your legs. As you lean into the corner, raise your inside leg up and forward with your toes pointed. This will help keep your heel from catching in the dirt.

5. Use the Right Gear

Pick a gear that gets you smooth power as you go through the corner. When you accelerate out of the turn, you will want to employ steady throttle control and work the clutch. Get power to the ground but without the rear wheel losing grip.

6. Upgrade to Cornering While Standing

You'll want to devote plenty of practice to seated cornering. But once you master the basics, you can move onto turning while in the central standing position. It'll come in handy on trails where you'll be standing often. Plus, turning while in the standing position is great for saving energy and pushing through corners even faster. As you go into a turn, you'll want to lean into the corner and put more weight on the inside leg. For example, as you take a right corner, put more weight on your right foot.

We hope you found this beginner's cornering guide useful. If you want more advice or want to shop dirt bikes for sale, visit the experts at Southern Illinois Motorsports. We can assist you with whatever you need, from helping you find OEM parts to giving riding advice. Our dealership is based in Carbondale, Illinois. We also serve those in St. Louis, Missouri, and Murphysboro and Marion, Illinois. Stop by and visit our dealership today.