Is Off-Road Motorcycling For You?

Is off-road motorcycling difficult to get into?

Off-road motorcycling can look confusing from the outside. Different bikes, different disciplines, specialist equipment and experienced riders can make it seem like a sport you needed to grow up around.

That isn’t necessarily the case.

We visited Kingdom Offroad in Fife to meet riders of different ages and experience levels and find out how they got started, why they ride and what newcomers can expect.

The biggest thing that becomes obvious is that there isn’t one typical off-road rider. Some people start as children, others find the sport much later, and not everyone has any interest in racing.

Which type of off-road riding is right for you?

“Off-road motorcycling” covers several very different types of riding.

Trials is focused on balance, control and technical riding over obstacles. Speed is far less important than accuracy, making it very different from most forms of motorcycle competition.

Enduro generally involves longer periods of riding across natural terrain, with everything from club events and practice days through to timed competition.

Motocross takes place on purpose-built closed circuits, with jumps, corners and multiple riders competing on track.

Adventure riding can offer another route towards riding away from normal roads, usually with larger road-legal motorcycles and a different emphasis from competition-based off-road sport.

You don’t need to decide which discipline is for you before you have even ridden a bike. Trying different types of riding is often the best way to discover what you actually enjoy.

Do you need your own off-road motorcycle?

The cost of buying a motorcycle, riding kit and everything needed to transport it can make getting started seem like a big commitment.

But you don’t necessarily need to buy everything before your first ride.

Training centres and coaching providers can offer a much easier introduction, particularly where motorcycles and riding equipment are available as part of the experience.

That gives you a chance to try off-road motorcycling properly before spending thousands of pounds on a bike and equipment.

If you enjoy it, you can then start looking at which type of motorcycle suits the riding you want to do.

Start somewhere designed for beginners

For a new rider, where you start matters.

An organised venue gives you suitable ground to learn on, people around you who understand the sport and help when you need it.

Good coaching can also make the first few hours on a motorcycle considerably easier.

Basic skills such as body position, throttle and clutch control, braking, balance and looking ahead carry across almost every type of off-road riding.

Getting those basics right early can make riding more enjoyable and give you the confidence to progress rather than simply trying to work everything out yourself.

BRAAP Scotland has a dedicated Off-Road Motorcycle Training in Scotland guide for riders looking for coaching and beginner-friendly places to start.

Where can you legally ride an off-road motorcycle in Scotland?

This is one of the most important questions for anyone considering buying an off-road motorcycle.

Owning a dirt bike does not automatically give you the right to ride it on forestry tracks, hills, paths or other land.

The easiest route into the sport is through legitimate tracks, training centres, motorcycle clubs and organised events where permission to ride is already in place.

It also introduces you to the people already involved in the sport, which can make finding future riding opportunities much easier.

For riders particularly interested in trials, BRAAP Scotland also has guides covering Trials Riding in Scotland and Where to Ride Trials in Scotland.

We’re continuing to build similar resources across enduro, motocross, trials and wider Scottish off-road motorcycling.

Do you have to race?

No.

Competition is a big part of off-road motorcycle sport, but it isn’t the only reason people ride.

Some riders want to race and improve their results. Others enjoy practice days, coaching sessions or simply spending a day riding with friends.

For younger riders, organised motorcycle sport can provide a pathway from beginner sessions and club events through to national and international competition.

For everyone else, there is nothing wrong with riding simply because you enjoy it.

Is off-road motorcycling for you?

There isn’t a single type of person who belongs in off-road motorcycling.

Different ages, different backgrounds, different abilities and different reasons for riding are all part of the sport.

You don’t need to be particularly fast, and you don’t need to arrive knowing what you’re doing.

The easiest way to find out whether off-road motorcycling is for you is to try it in the right environment.

Find a legitimate venue, book a beginner session or some coaching, and see what you think.

You might discover that the part of motorcycling that looked the most intimidating from the outside is considerably more accessible once you actually give it a go.