Adventure riding may be a multi-day trip across the country, over different terrain and regions, or even a morning outing in the nearest trails. Depending on the kind of riding you do, and the purpose, experienced riders will have gained some valuable skills, but if you're starting out on two-wheeled adventures, some tips always come in handy. From choosing the right bike for yourself, and the purpose, working on your technique, on different types of terrain, it's always better to work on individual skills. Ultimately, there's no replacement for practice and some real-world training. But these tips will help get you started on any off-road adventure, big or small.
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Always choose the bike depending on you skills and how easy or difficult it will be manage. Getting a burly, full-size adventure bike may not be a good idea if you have beginner level skills. Smaller adventure bikes like the KTM 250 Adventure or Hero XPulse 200 offer an un-intimidating platform to start adventure riding with, while bikes like the Royal Enfield Himalayan are more comfortable for longer touring duties. However, experienced riders may feel the need for some more performance and comfort. Choose wisely, and take the kerb weight of the bike into consideration. A lighter bike is always better, compared to a more powerful, but heavy middleweight adventure bike.
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Always invest in the right riding gear for your two-wheeled adventure. A good quality helmet, full riding gear, including jacket, gloves, riding pants and good boots are essential kit for an enjoyable adventure. Choosing the right jacket is also essential; a mesh jacket works best on warm days, but may not be the ideal choice for cold days, and high-altitude adventures. Track boots may offer very good protection for your feet, but adventure boots will offer better grip and more versatility, including comfort for walking around, when off the bike.
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Using the right body position is essential for your two-wheeled adventure. For covering long hours on tarmac, it's best to sit in a relaxed position, and be alert. But when the road ends, and off-road sections begin, it's a good idea to start practicing how to ride off-road while standing up on the pegs. Stand up, lock the knees, point toes inwards, look straight ahead and you are good to go. This will come with practice, including changing gears, and using the rear brake. While standing up and riding, use the legs to steer the bike, and not grip the handlebars tightly. Upper body should be loose and relaxed.
Always look ahead where you want to go. Avoid target fixation and looking down at the front wheel. Where you look is what will determine almost every aspect of your ride experience, from steering, traction and ultimately, just having a good time. As with road or track riding, the thumb rule is: look where you want to go! That means looking up ahead, and not having your gaze fixated on the front tyre. So, keep your head up, look as far ahead as possible in the direction where you want to go. Looking down at the front wheel is almost a sure shot recipe of getting tensed up and not being able to respond properly when you do hit an obstacle, and take a tumble.
Learn how to use engine braking, and do never pull in the clutch before braking. Always practice panic braking, both on tarmac and on off-road terrain, to determine how your bike behaves, when you do need to slam the brakes, hard! Understanding how to use each brake independently, together, and along with engine braking will go a long way in making your two-wheeled adventure a fun and enjoyable experience.
