Dirt Rider Magazine Homepage
Get Adobe Flash player

Threading Trees With A Dirt Bike - Pro Riding Secrets

With Shane Watts
By Shane Watts
Photography by Michael Demaree
Threading Trees Slow Down
In the approach to these trees... 
   
  read full caption
Threading Trees Slow Down
In the approach to these trees I slow down a little earlier than usual so I am at the right speed to be able to gas it and use the last bump as a small jump
Threading Trees Moving Forward
Once the front wheel leaves... 
   
  read full caption
Threading Trees Moving Forward
Once the front wheel leaves the ground, I turn the bar to the left, providing more gap between the end of my bar and the trees. Notice that my body is leaned slightly to the right and the bike to the left. As I'm moving forward, toward the trees, the right side of the bar is now slightly closer to the trees than the left, but the right-side bar also has enough gap widthwise to not hit a tree trunk
Threading Trees Precise Timing
With precise timing, as the... 
   
  read full caption
Threading Trees Precise Timing
With precise timing, as the right-side bar passes the right tree, I will begin leaning the bike to the right, counteracting this movement by moving my upper body in the opposite direction. This will gain clearance for the bike from the left-side tree. It's important to continue gripping the motorcycle with your knees, and to be aware that the rear wheel of the bike doesn't swing out far enough to hit the base of the left tree.
Threading Trees Rear Wheel First
I land rear-wheel first with... 
   
  read full caption
Threading Trees Rear Wheel First
I land rear-wheel first with the power on to keep the front wheel light and tracking straight in these sandy conditions. The same basic technique can be used on flat-approach situations by doing a wheelie instead of a jump.

Bookmark and Share This Article

Article Comments

No one has commented on this article yet. Why not be the first to leave a comment?

Post a Comment -  Must be registered

User Name
Password
 
Not Registered? Signup Here
Comment
(1024 character limit)
Honda Ridgeline Research
Honda Ridgeline Get all the information you need on the new Honda Ridgeline. Compare the Ridgeline with other submodels and find all you need for your car buying needs. It has a trade in value of $24,548.00 which should come in handy when you go to shop for your next car. You also might want to research the Ford F250 and the Suzuki Equator.
 
EnduroCross Up Close - Factory Bikes
You've seen EX bikes bang, slam, bounce and fly, but what makes 'em tick?... more
 
 
2009 Long Haul Roundup
How long are these bikes going to last?... more
 
DB Studios presents the first footage of Doug Henry riding again
Ripping around on his hand controlled YZ450F... more
 
 
 
World's fastest indoor off-road motorcycle racer, KTM's Taddy Blazusiak, could be 50K richer on Sat.
'09 GEICO EnduroCross champ Blazusiak, the GEICO Triple Crown of EnduroCross and FIFTY THOUSAND... more