Do Dirtbike riders make better road riders?

[pete376403]

This is a curious thread. I was thinking about the topic while watching the racing at Paeroa. I think it was the Formula 3's where there were motards racing. The blokes riding them were clearly ex-dirtbike riders (hanging the inside foot out through the corners!!) riding them like a dirt bike (with slicks)- but despite all this, they came in 1 and 2, pipping race preped zxr400's

Now, I dunno WHAT to make of that. A motard ridden like a dirtbike beats a road bike ridden like a trackbike on the road.. I mean what the *&^#????

My understanding of dirt bike riders sticking the inside leg out and forward in the corners has nothing to do with propping the bike up so much as getting as much weight forward as possible, to help the front end stick and turn. I've not ridden a really modern dirt bike but I would expect that the weight bias is rearward, so any weight they can shift to the front would be a help. Comments from experienced dirt riders?

[phil_elvey]

Do road bike riders make better road riders? Definately, no question.
I believe the reason I have been able to ride road bikes for three years (so far) and have yet to break a bone is greatly attributed to my dirt riding experience.

Those motard riders are unreal!! Do they carry more speed through the corners to beat the road guys? I know for skills such as karting I was always told (and it worked well) that the less you slide the faster you go (more drive out of the corner etc.). These guys appear to shred that theory into a cloud of ex-slick!!

[NordieBoy]

Those motard riders are unreal!! Do they carry more speed through the corners to beat the road guys? I know for skills such as karting I was always told (and it worked well) that the less you slide the faster you go (more drive out of the corner etc.). These guys appear to shred that theory into a cloud of ex-slick!!

They are taking squaring off the corner to new heights.
The sliding in means the bike is already pointing out of the corner and ready to power out much earlier than possible using a normal line.

The foot out is mainly for weight transfer.

[Kickaha]

My understanding of dirt bike riders sticking the inside leg out and forward in the corners has nothing to do with propping the bike up so much as getting as much weight forward as possible, to help the front end stick and turn. I've not ridden a really modern dirt bike but I would expect that the weight bias is rearward, so any weight they can shift to the front would be a help. Comments from experienced dirt riders?

Trailriding I put my leg out to stop myself going down if I lose it and have saved my self a few offs,I also get my weight as far forward as I can as my bike tends to push the front.

Trailriding has certainly helped with my track riding with slides not really bothering me as much and developing the ability to correct them,all the dirt bike guys who I have seen come out and road race seem to get on the pace faster than road riders and normally always are first off the line.

As far as roadriding goes it really only helped my gravel road riding,as I generaly don't bother slowing down much for gravel on my road bike any more.

[Motu]

My understanding of dirt bike riders sticking the inside leg out and forward in the corners has nothing to do with propping the bike up so much as getting as much weight forward as possible, to help the front end stick and turn. I've not ridden a really modern dirt bike but I would expect that the weight bias is rearward, so any weight they can shift to the front would be a help. Comments from experienced dirt riders?

A modern dirt bike has a seat going all the to the steering head - and they use it.I like to get as far forward as I can and a modern sports bike frustrates me when I smack my crutch into the tank.

[Deano]

A modern dirt bike has a seat going all the to the steering head - and they use it.I like to get as far forward as I can and a modern sports bike frustrates me when I smack my crutch into the tank.

Only frustration there Motu, or excruciating pain as well ?

[Oscar]

How do the vast majority of MotoGP riders hone their skills?
Where did Kenny Roberts, Wayne Rainey, Mick Doohan, Simon Crafar, Aaron Slight, Eddie Lawson and Kevin Schwantz get their start?
What is the key component of the Kenny Roberts Riding School in Espana?

Dirt riding.

[DEATH_INC.]

My understanding of dirt bike riders sticking the inside leg out and forward in the corners has nothing to do with propping the bike up so much as getting as much weight forward as possible, to help the front end stick and turn. I've not ridden a really modern dirt bike but I would expect that the weight bias is rearward, so any weight they can shift to the front would be a help. Comments from experienced dirt riders?

This is a common misconception,the only reason you put your foot out is so it doesn't get ripped off the peg when you're cranked over,especially in ruts,berms ect.You hold it up and forward so it doesn't hit the ground,as this makes the bike stand up.......
I'm sure the years of dirt riding has helped my road riding no end,just being comfortable with the bike moving around,knowing what to do when losing traction(braking,cornering and accelerating),being able to feel what the bikes doing and I believe it sharpens your reflexes much more than riding on the road too.

[wkid_one]

A modern dirt bike has a seat going all the to the steering head - and they use it.I like to get as far forward as I can and a modern sports bike frustrates me when I smack my crutch into the tank.

That reminds me of the first time I rode the VTR and shut the throttle coming in to a corner in 2nd gear - fair bought tears to my eyes that did.....

I have ridden a bit of dirt lately - and besides my increased propensity to part company with the bike on a seemingly regular basis (hard to believe I know) - it is great fun. Interesting to translate the 'benefits' to the road tho. It does get you use to a loose rear end when the bike is exiting a corner......now if only I could learn how to ride over diesel without falling off, or better still, just not ride over it.

[Oscar]

That reminds me of the first time I rode the VTR and shut the throttle coming in to a corner in 2nd gear - fair bought tears to my eyes that did.....

I have ridden a bit of dirt lately - and besides my increased propensity to part company with the bike on a seemingly regular basis (hard to believe I know) - it is great fun. Interesting to translate the 'benefits' to the road tho. It does get you use to a loose rear end when the bike is exiting a corner......now if only I could learn how to ride over diesel without falling off, or better still, just not ride over it.

My first reaction to a VTR was that it felt like a BIG ole XR. Shit, any bike that wheelies that easy is gonna impress the shit outa a crusty dirt rider like me...


The best part of dirt riding is the ability to take things right to the edge without risking life and limb (and bank account) - braking and changing direction at the limit of adhesion, that sorta thing.

[Timber020]

Im a firm believer that dirt riding improves your road riding, its been proven over and over again-Oscars list of top racers who have come from a dirt background is just the tip of the iceberg.

Dirtbikes may not teach you how to cope with usual traffic but it does help in holding everything together when the crap happens as on dirtbikes it happens alot more often with less severe consequences. Less panic reactions, more experience finding lines OUT of trouble when other things are flooding your sences (ie that Pajero that just pulled out or the log down on the firebreak at 130kmph) and being better at pulling wheelies.
On the other hand I dont think that road riding will bring as much to dirtbikes. Oh and dirtbikers do have that annoying foot out habit which is a great way to break a leg without falling off the bike!

Reading books can help you be a better rider if you apply what you read, the twist of the wrist series applied to my riding pulled 2 seconds off my laptimes in a month.

You dont have to believe dirtbike riding improves riding but I think the proof is there. Just ask Slight, Roberts, Crafer or Doohan

[Motu]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the fitness required - after riding a trial on sunday I am sore all over,legs,back,shoulders,arms and hands....and it's not because I'm old and out of shape,even over 20yrs ago I was like this for days after a trial.I can ride on the road all day and just get a sore arse.

Our trial was held at the Mercer MX track and having a blat on parts of the track was too tempting to pass up,not the best on a trials bike with short suspn travel and 3psi in the tyres - but it's soon obvious that riding MX takes huge upper body strength,MX is one of the most physicaly demanding sports in the world.I think this is one of the reasons a lot of the top road racers spend so much time on dirt bikes,to build and maintain that upper body strength.

[Jackrat]

I read that MX riders are way out in front the most fit of anysports players.
Maybe a few days in the dirt would help the AK worriers.

[DEATH_INC.]

Yeh,when I MXed I ran 10 k's in about 35-40 mins everyday,but after a day racing I basically used to pass out for the night.It's a tough game orright....

[denill]

Yeah, I recall some time ago, when Graham Noyce was the top of the pile MXer (that long ago) when he submitted to a fitness level test programme that included sports people from many different disciplines and he was only headed off by a soccer player.

Also (Quote) My understanding of dirt bike riders sticking the inside leg out and forward in the corners has nothing to do with propping the bike up (Un-Quote)
That is a fact. Don't really know why, but I seem to recall it being likened to a counterweight. But it really works.
There is the added benefit of getting the leg out of the way during cornering.

Was fortunate to get an adventure ride on a KTM 400LC4 on the weekend (that was a blast) and I was consciously applying the technique after having read your comments, and yeah, it certainly helps...... Well at the relatively slow speed I was going at??