How To Corner On A Dirt Bike 

(Last Updated On: March 17, 2023)

In this article, we will discuss how to corner on a dirt bike. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned rider, knowing how to corner on a dirt bike can help you stay safe and improve your riding skills. In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on how to corner on a dirt bike, so you can hit the trails with confidence.

Learning how to corner on a dirt bike is one of the most important skills you can acquire as a motocross rider. When done correctly, it can help you maintain control of your motorcycle through even the roughest terrain. 

But when done wrong, it can lead to dangerous crashes. In this blog post, we’ll explore the proper technique for how to corner on a dirt bike. You should read some motocross cornering tips on a dirt bike.

We all know that feeling when we nail a corner in motocross. It’s magical when everything comes together and we come out to clean and fast on the other side. But what about when it doesn’t go so well? When we find ourselves fighting the bike and coming out the other side covered in dirt and feel like we’ve just been run over by a truck?

If you’re struggling with cornering, don’t worry – you’re not alone. This is a common issue that many riders face, but there are a few things you can do to fix it. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to corner on a dirt bike and make those turns feel easy.

Table of Contents

Types of cornering

One of the key skills you need to master when riding a dirt bike is cornering. By getting your technique right, you can quickly learn how to corner on a dirt bike.

When riding a dirt bike off-road, it is common to encounter a variety of corners. Some corners may be sharper than others, some may be looser, and some may be muddier. Each kind of cornering technique happens to be effective in a special kind of situation. And if you don’t follow proper technique while cornering on a dirt bike, you can be injured. you can see some of the dangers of dirt bikes in my article ”dirt bike dangers

Stand-up cornering

How to corner on a dirt bike
How to corner on a dirt bike

Standup cornering is a technique used by motocross and mountain bike riders to take their weight off the bike and float above the seat while they maneuver the bike around a corner. This allows the rider to maintain control of the bike while cornering at high speeds.

Standup cornering is a difficult technique to master, but it can be a great asset to any rider who wants to be able to corner at high speeds without losing control of their bike.

When you’re ready to start cornering, you’ll need to do is balance your body in the air, and your hands on the handlebars. Once you’re in the air, you’ll want to keep your body as close to the bike as possible. This will help you keep your balance and make it easier to control the bike. 

Flat corners

Flat corners
How to corner on a dirt bike

Flat corners can be tough because there’s no dirt for the tires to grab to keep the wheels from sliding out. The best way to handle flat corners is by gently easing off the throttle and using the brakes to slow the bike down. This will help the tires to find some grip and keep the car from sliding.

Flat corners on hard-pack dirt bike trails are not the place to try and make up speed. The bike will just slide out from under you. Instead, slow down even more and be extra cautious when cornering on the hard pack.

The trick to riding a bike on flat corners is to lean your bike while keeping your balance intact. Here’s how to do it:

Approach the corner at a moderate speed. Lean your bike into the turn. Keep your weight balanced between the two wheels. Ride through the turn and exit at a moderate speed.

With a little practice, you’ll be able to ride through flat corners like a pro. Just remember to keep your balance and lean your bike into the turn.

Rutted corners 

Rutted corners 
How to corner on a dirt bike

Rutted track corners can be a rider’s worst nightmare. Uneven track corners can cause a rider to lose control of their bike, which can lead to serious injury or even death.

Try to stay in the middle of the track. This will help you avoid the ruts that can form on the edges of the track. If you do find yourself in a rut, try to gently rock your bike back and forth to get out. Don’t try to power your way out. 

Maneuvering a dirt bike can be tricky, but with a little practice, you’ll be conquered ruts in no time. When approaching a rut, be sure to brake before you hit it. This will help you maintain control of the bike. Once you’re in the rut, don’t try to power out of it. Instead, use the clutch and throttle to maneuver steadily until you’re out of the rut and back on level ground.

Bermed corners 

Bermed corners 
How to corner on a dirt bike
Image source – Google | Image by mtbr.com

Berm corners are often used in mountain biking and BMX racing. They allow you to hit the corner faster than a flat corner because you have more traction on the berm corner. This is because the berm corner forces you to lean into the turn, which gives you more contact with the ground and therefore more traction.

Berm corners are one of the most common obstacles you’ll encounter while riding off-road. A berm is simply a mound of dirt or sand that’s been piled up, and most berms are created by other riders passing through the same area. 

When approaching a bermed corner, there are a few different techniques you can use to safely cross it. The most important thing is to maintain your speed and keep your bike stable.

One technique is to approach the corner at an angle, then lean your bike into the berm as you turn. This will help you keep your balance and maintain your speed. Another technique is to ride up the berm itself. This can be tricky, but if you do it right, it can help you make a smoother turn.

Fast corners

When you ride a dirt bike, you need to be able to take corners quickly and safely. The best way to do this is to lean your body into the turn. This will help you keep your balance and keep the bike from sliding out from underneath you.

While many cornering techniques are relatively safe, the fast, sweeping corners are probably one of the most dangerous kinds. This is because it can easily lead to an accident if not done correctly.

First, you need to enter the turn slowly so that you can assess the situation and make sure you’re taking the best line. Once you’re on the turn, you can pick up the pace and lean your body into it. And finally, as you exit the turn, you need to be smooth with your throttle so that you don’t lose traction and slide out.

If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to take corners quickly and safely on your dirt bike.

Slow corners

Sometimes you don’t know what’s coming ahead or how the track will treat you as you turn. In these cases, it is better to slow down your dirt bike. 

As seen, taking corners slowly on a dirt bike can be beneficial in several ways. By slowing down when approaching a corner, you give yourself more time to react to what lies ahead. This can help you avoid danger and stay safe. So next time you’re out on the track, remember to take it slow and stay safe.

Sharp corners

If you’re going at speed on a dirt bike and you have to turn sharply, you may be in two minds about what to do. On the one hand, you could brake and turn sharply, which could help you make the turn. 

On the other hand, you could keep going straight and try to make the turn without braking. 

So, what should you do? The answer depends on the situation you’re in. If you think you can make the turn without braking, then go for it. However, if you’re not sure, it’s probably best to brake and turn sharply. This way, you can avoid crashing and maintain control of the bike.

Tips for cornering on a dirt bike 

Now, you know all kinds of cornering. Let’s have a look at some of the tips for how to corner on a dirt bike.

Keep your body balanced

You need to keep your body balanced while cornering on a dirt bike, you’ll need to use your body weight to your advantage. You can do this by leaning into the turn and using your outside leg to help support your body weight. 

Additionally, you’ll want to keep your upper body relaxed and your head up so that you can see where you’re going. By following these tips, you’ll be able to corner like a pro on any dirt bike.

Head up and looked ahead

When you’re cornering on a dirt bike, it’s important to keep your head up and look ahead. This will help you stay balanced and in control of the bike. If you look down or to the side, you risk losing your balance and tipping over. So keep your head up, look ahead, and enjoy the ride!

Slow down before you turn

When cornering on a dirt bike, it is important to slow down before you turn. This will help you keep your balance and avoid crashing. To slow down, you can use the front or rear brake. The front brake is more effective, but it is also more likely to cause you to skid. The rear brake is not as effective, but it is less likely to cause you to skid.

If you need to slow down quickly, you can use both brakes at the same time. However, this is more likely to cause you to skid. If you start to skid, you can release the brakes and let the bike slow down on its own.

Throttles and brakes

Cornering on a dirt bike can be a tricky business. But if you use the throttle and brakes correctly, you can make it through corners with ease. Here’s a quick rundown of how to use throttles and brakes while cornering on a dirt bike.

When you’re approaching a corner, you’ll want to start by using the brakes. This will help you slow down and approach the corner at a safe speed. As you’re slowing down, you’ll also want to start opening up the throttle. This will help you maintain control of the bike as you go through the corner.

Once you’re in the corner, you’ll want to keep the bike at a steady speed. This means using both the throttle and the brakes at the same time. Keep the bike balanced and don’t make any sudden movements.

Final thoughts on how to corner on a dirt bike

In conclusion, there are many different types of corners that you may encounter while riding a dirt bike. Some of the most common are bermed, flat, and rutted corners. To safely and effectively corner on a dirt bike, you must first identify the type of corner you are approaching. Once you have identified the type of corner, you can then use the appropriate technique to safely cross it.

I hope you enjoyed this article. This article has taken a look at how to corner on a dirt bike. If you have any questions about how to corner on a dirt bike, please leave a comment below.

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