If you want to change from a dirt bike to a road bike, this is for you. Learn more about what to expect when changing from riding a road bike to a dirt bike, including tips on how to prepare for your first ride.

What to Expect When Switching to a Dirt Bike

Sounds easy enough, right? Just get off one bike, onto the other, and away you go. How difficult could it be? While it isn't so difficult that people don't do it, there are just a few things to keep in mind before you get on a dirt bike and either cause yourself an injury or cause yourself the embarrassment. To help you out, Ace Hi Oil has a few tips to share.

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That wasn't a typo - it's so that you don't breeze past this first tip. Read the manual! It is nobody's favorite task, but the truth is that an owner's manual is the best place to find information about any new vehicle you're riding and how to safely operate it.

Get the Right Gear

You won't need to go out and buy all new gear, but you will need to keep a few things in mind when choosing which of your road bike safety gear to wear.

• Most road bike helmets don't accommodate the use of goggles. Given that dirtbikes have the word dirt in the title, it's likely to expect some.
• As you'll read below, you can expect to be more physically active while riding a dirt bike. Make sure your safety gear has room for a lot of movement.
• Your current riding gloves are probably perfectly matched for you to reach your levers and handles, but they might not work for a dirt bike control set up.

Steady as She Goes!

Now that you're read up and have the right safety gear, it's time to get started on the actual riding. The first thing that you're going to notice is that you need to pay close attention to the ground you're on before deciding how much to pull the throttle. Unlike the road, each time you stop in the middle of a track, you're dealing with different terrain. It isn't anything that will stop you from riding, but it's worth just slowing it down at the start until you get accustomed to how well the bike grips on different types of terrain. When it comes time for maintenance, make sure you're using the best products in both your bikes. Give Ace Hi Oil a call at (888) 459-9958 and ask about which engine lubricant is best suited to your rides.

Don't Fall Over

You're about to find out that this is easier said than done on a dirt bike. Instead of a solid road where you can comfortably sit and relax (to a degree) when you're on a dirt bike, the ground you're riding on is constantly changing, and rarely in your favor. This makes it difficult for new dirt bike riders to stay upright as they attempt to ride in a familiar sitting position. The trick to staying upright, spend more time standing on your pegs with your knees bent. This will give you better agility when navigating rough tracks.

It's Time to Start Thinking About Your Future

Well, maybe not your life future, but definitely the gears you're going to need ahead. Where a road bike rider would usually see few gear changes once they reach cruising speed, a dirt bike rider needs to be constantly scanning for upcoming turns and tricks where they'll need to have a certain gear ready for torque. It isn't rocket science, it just takes practice and some focus while riding. Start by riding around the same corner a few times to get a feel for how your bike performs and what gears work best.

Maintenance

No clever one liner with this one - it's all about business. If you like spending time tinkering with your road bike, then you're going to love a dirt bike. If you don't...this section isn't going to be your favorite. The perfect example would be your air filter. While a road bike rider might be used to changing it every six months, or maybe every three, a dirt bike rider would consider cleaning or swapping it out after each ride or two. While the maintenance isn't exorbitant, it is worth knowing that dirt bike owners can expect to spend more time maintaining their ride and keeping it clean to avoid corrosion and body damage.

Dirt or Road Bike, It Can Benefit From a Synthetic Oil Change in Grapevine

It doesn't matter how well you ride it, or how often you clean it, if you're using low-quality products when you service it, you're not doing your bike or its performance and lifespan any good. Before you start your new off-road adventures, give Ace Hi Oil a call at (888) 459-9958 and find out which motor oil is right for your bike, whether it's your road bike or your dirt bike.