The Essential Tips All Beginner ADV Riders Need

Ready to ditch the tarmac and experience your first off-road adventure? We’re all big fans of ADV riding here at Adventure Moto - new trails, off-the-beaten-path places and the joy of discovery, you just can’t beat it. But hitting the trails unprepared is one of the worst things a beginner ADV rider can do. Even if you’re a seasoned road rider, adventure riding is a different beast altogether. So if you’re keen to conquer every terrain, here are our top tips to get you started.

You’ll Need New Adventure Riding Gear

First things first: the gear. If you’ve already got decent street gear, you don’t need to rush out and buy a whole new wardrobe just yet. However, there are a few essentials you’ll need for ADV riding. Invest in the best quality helmet, jacket, pants and goggles you can afford - our mates at Klim have some epic options. And don’t forget some less bulky gloves - you’ll be working that clutch and brake lever a lot more off-road, so movement is key. Proper gear not only keeps you safe but protects you from the elements. Look for a lightweight, breathable and waterproof kit that allows for freedom of movement.

Rule For Your New Bike: Start Small

When you go to pick a bike, start small. Big bikes are hard to master and won’t teach you the fundamentals. When you’re off-roading, traction becomes a whole new ball game and a lot of what you know about clutch, throttle, braking and body position goes out the window. These are the core principles you need to master to truly enjoy the dirt and doing this on a bigger bike isn’t easy. Dropping your bike is also a common occurrence when you’re on the trails and you don’t want to be wrestling a 200kg machine all day. So smaller is better.

Choosing Your Ride: Adventure, Dual Sport or Dirt Bike?

It’s good to know the difference between riding styles and the bikes that go with them. Adventure riding blends on and off-road rides, often using larger bikes that are capable on dirt - these are the big, heavy ones like the BMW GS850 or Triumph Tiger 900. Dual sport riding is the opposite, these bikes are more dirt-oriented but still perform well enough on paved roads. They’re smaller, lighter and have a higher clearance, think the Ducati Desert X or Suzuki DR650. Dirt biking on the other hand is all about off-road riding - forest trails, singletracks, deserts - these aren’t made for tarmac.

Which one’s for you? For beginners, lighter is definitely better. Even if you’re not planning on tackling anything wild at the start, a lighter bike is easier to manoeuvre and more forgiving. The skills you learn on these will easily translate to a bigger ADV bike when you’re ready.

Body Position: The Key To Control

Start with the basics: practice standing while riding, braking and shifting. Learning to stand on your pegs - or ‘saddling’ - is a game-changer. It’s not just about saving your butt, it’s essential for efficient steering on dirt roads. Consider taking an adventure riding class (or two) to learn the proper techniques for gripping the tank, holding the bike and maintaining good posture while standing. There are plenty of courses available and they’ll teach you everything you need to know, including tackling different terrains.

Plan Your Adventure

Yes, we all want to be an adventurer, but it’s important to have a rough itinerary so you know what you’re doing and people know where you are. Choose a route that matches your skill level in terms of distance and terrain. Always check the weather forecast - rain or strong winds can quickly turn a fun ride into a slippery nightmare.

Always Be Prepared

When you’re off-roading it’s crucial to pack essential items like a tyre repair kit, multi-tool kit, first-aid kit and plenty of water - riding is thirsty work! Learning basic bike maintenance is also vital. Anything can go wrong when you’re out in the sticks and help might not be readily available. Our YouTube channel has loads of helpful videos.

All of us here at Adventure Moto are well-versed in the saddle, but we also all started somewhere. If you need some advice or want to chat about getting started, visit us in-store. Our team is keen to help you kick off your new adventure.