Dirt Bike Safety
As any powersports enthusiast knows, a dirt bike is made for tearing up the muddiest and dirtiest terrain, giving you the ideal combination of off-roading and motorcycle riding in one fierce beast of a machine. But this sport, as thrilling as it is, comes with some inherent risks, so it’s vital for you to be a proactive and responsible rider to keep yourself and others around you safe.
Here are the best dirt bike safety tips for you to follow so that you return from all your off-roading adventures in one piece, recommended by the staff here at Maxey’s Motorsports in OKC!
Dress For A Crash
When you gear up for a ride, you’re not dressing for the ride itself. You’re dressing to protect yourself in the event of a crash. It’s more likely that you will get into an accident on a dirt bike than when riding or driving other vehicles, which is why protecting yourself is so important.
Your first priority is to protect your head. For this, you’ll need a well-fitting helmet with a high crash test rating that’s DOT-rated. Never try to wear a half-helmet or a bicycle helmet on a dirt bike, and don’t wear a helmet that’s been through a crash or is more than five years old. When shopping for the right helmet, make sure that it’s comfortable so you won’t mind wearing it or become distracted by a poor fit.
Your next priority is eye protection. Many helmets come with a full face mask, but if yours lacks this, you’ll need to invest in a pair of safety goggles. Dirt, debris, pebbles, bugs and sand can otherwise get in your eyes and blind you, causing you to lose control of your bike.
Your third priority is to protect your skin. While you might want to wear a T-shirt and Bermuda shorts in the humid Oklahoma summers, this isn’t the best practice in terms of safety because too much of your skin will be exposed. Road rash is extremely painful, and scrapes will inevitably happen as you ride past brush and branches .You’ll also do yourself a favor by protecting your skin from sun damage.
Wear breathable clothing in lightweight materials and consider investing in a riding suit. Protect your hands and improve your grip with a pair of riding gloves, and wear sturdy closed-toe boots that protect you at least to your ankles.
Know Your Limits
Sometimes, people get too excited and they try to push themselves past the point of fatigue. This is dangerous when operating any vehicle or participating in any sport, but it’s a particularly poor decision on a dirt bike. Don’t try to operate a bike that’s beyond your experience level, either, and never attempt a trail that you’ll struggle to conquer. Build your skills up slowly with time. Make sure you’re taking breaks as you ride, too, so you can rest your mind and body and drink water, particularly if it’s hot outside.
Minimize Your Risk
There’s no getting around it: riding a dirt bike is a risky sport. However, there are several things you can do aside from the above suggestions to further reduce your risk of an accident.
Don’t ride in adverse weather conditions. Even if you’ve planned the perfect ride, you should delay or cancel it if snow, rain or high winds are in the forecast. Don’t ride at night, either. Good visibility is essential to your well-being. If you do happen to get caught in bad weather, you’ll need to decide whether to try to get to safety, contact someone to come find you, or stay put until conditions improve.
Avoid riding on pavement. Your dirt bike isn’t made to handle asphalt, so it’s not built with the necessary safety features or proper lighting. Generally, accidents happen when collisions occur, so if you’re not riding on roads, you’re not likely to hit another vehicle.
Never ride alone! You might feel intrepid enough to attempt this, but you never know what could happen. If you suffer an injury or a bike breakdown and can’t get back to safety, having at least one other person with you ensures that someone can go for help or assist you. Also, it’s just more fun to ride with an equally adventurous friend!
Still in search of the perfect dirt bike? Visit our dealership in Oklahoma City to check out our selection. Maxey’s Motorsports proudly serves all our customers in Edmond, Shawnee and Tulsa, OK.