Who doesn’t love the rush of adrenaline that pumps through our veins as we ride our motorcycles? While speed will always have a special place in our hearts, we’d like to go against the grain and suggest that there’s another thing you might be missing, dirt.
Yes, the image that comes to your mind is exactly the dirt we’re talking about. Don’t worry. We’re not suggesting that you bring your spotless motorcycle in the middle of nowhere and start off-roading. There’s a motorcycle built exactly for that.
That’s what we’re here to talk about. In this article, we’ll let you in on what you need to ride a dirt bike. Of course, we want to make sure that you’re fully equipped for the activity. Are you ready? Put your motorcycle on full throttle as we quench your undying need for dirt!
Dirt Bike Gear
It’s no secret that due to the nature of dirt biking, injuries are just around the corner. Don’t worry. You can prevent this from happening if you are fully equipped for the activity. That said, we’ve listed down some of the most important items you need for dirt biking.
Armor and Jersey
A dirt bike jersey is necessary to protect your skin. With the physical activity involved in dirt biking, a small mistake can result in scratches, or getting dirt on your skin may cause irritations.
A jersey is not enough to fully protect you, though. That’s why lightweight armor underneath the jersey to protect your spine and vital organs are also important.
Boots and Gloves
Motocross boots, aside from protecting your feet’ skin, also fit perfectly to maintain your ankles’ alignment. They will prevent you from getting injured when landing after a high jump.
On the other hand, a pair of gloves to prevent abrasions when gripping the throttle handle also improves your efficiency.
Camera
We can guarantee you that you would love rewatching your exciting experience, and that can only be possible if you can capture your jumps, slides, and drifts with a camera. Some cameras can be mounted on the helmet, but if you want to see your entire body and bike in action, you may want to research some of the best drones manufactured in the U.S. that allow you to mount your camera on them and follow you while you ride.
Knee Braces and Elbow Guards
Aside from the dirt bike suspension, your joints also receive vibrations and shocks while riding, jumping, and landing. Hence, you’re going to need to wear knee braces and elbow guards. These pieces of equipment reinforce your joints, that is, even if you fall.
Dirt Bike Helmet
Arguably the most important protective gear you need to wear in dirt biking is a dirt bike helmet. This type of helmet is built specifically for dirt biking since the other types don’t provide much protection from the elements involved in dirt biking.
Goggles
Since you’re running on dirt, it’s not unusual for debris and dust to fly off into the air. You need to make sure that these don’t get to your eyes, or your safety will be compromised. Dirt bike goggles fit right in front of the helmet, as long as you pick the right size.
The Health Benefits of Dirt Biking
Dirt biking is what many people consider an extreme sport. Don’t let this be the sole reason why you would turn your back on it, though. The benefits of dirt biking are actually quite extreme as well, and we can assure you that it’s totally worth it.
Some of the most notable health benefits of dirt biking are:
Strength Boost
Riding a motorcycle means sitting down and letting only your hands and feet do the job. Dirt biking is an exception to this.
Operating a dirt bike on rough terrain includes lots of twists and turns, even to the point of lifting the vehicle. As such, you get plenty of exercises that further boosts your overall strength.
Better Endurance
For the same reason we stated above, endurance is also targeted by this activity. The development of your muscles and the heightened heart rate provides the same amount of exercise you get when improving your endurance in the gym. Of course, with the bonus of the thrill and excitement this sport provides.
Stress Reliever
Since dirt biking is an extreme sport, it makes for a great avenue in relieving you of stress. If you feel like your anxiety and loneliness are rising, dirt biking helps prevent that by promoting your body’s endorphin secretion.
Overall, dirt biking is not just great for your physical health but your mental health as well.
Dirt biking is one of those sports that offers physical development and mental health improvement. Just make sure that you know what it takes to be completely safe on the racetrack, and being fully equipped is your best guarantee.