Improving Street Motorcycle Skills by Off-Roading

Cross-training is not a new concept; many athletes find themselves trying different sports to improve their overall performance. For example, have you ever heard of football players doing ballet to improve their footwork? If you enjoy street riding, it might be worthwhile to give off-roading a try to improve your skills on the road!

Learn Faster

Many professionals and enthusiasts will claim that off-road riding can elevate your skills more quickly than street riding can. Dirt bikes are lightweight, smaller, and easier to handle, meaning you can gain confidence quickly. It can be easier to practice sharp turning, accelerating, braking, and situational awareness on a trail as well. Practicing the basics on a more responsive bike will help you learn much faster. 

This format is great for beginners, especially as they learn to control the bike. Cross-training is also great for advanced riders to fine-tune their skills and transfer what’s learned to the streets!

Test Your Ability in a Safer Setting

It’s important for riders to know their limits, but the only way to find your limit is to push them! Off-road riding is designed for rough terrain, so the bikes are built to handle extremes and crashes. Dirt bikes tend to have better overall safety features and taking a fall on dirt is a lot better than pavement. 

Another reason off-roading can be a safer environment is the reduced number of other drivers and pedestrians. You have a lot more open space and flexibility to perfect your braking, speed, and turns. Use the knowledge you gain in this setting to ride better and more safely on the road. 

Build Endurance and Awareness

Riding on trails requires sharp awareness of your surroundings, particularly the terrain you’re facing. The ground will be uneven, unpredictable, and reactive, so you have to know what’s ahead. The obstacles you encounter on the trail will enhance your ability to stay focused on your environment, which is crucial for street riding. 

Along with building acute awareness, you’ll also improve your endurance. Of course all riding styles are physical, but the varied terrain will require a different approach. Your muscles will be more engaged and you’ll need to monitor your breathing more. Many riders find themselves needing to stand and squat as they ride the trails, so street riding will feel like a breeze!

There are many clear reasons to use off-road motorcycles to improve your skill level. Our team at Maxey’s Motorsports, located in Oklahoma City, OK, is here to be a resource for you. We proudly offer test rides, servicing, and financing options for our customers surrounding Tulsa and Edmond.