Many people purchase a dirt bike or a jeep in the hopes to finally take it off the road. Taking the beaten path instead of the paved road is an enjoyable experience in itself. There are both beginner tracks and tracks made for masters of offroading too. That being said, even the beginner roads can prove to be tedious at times. This is because of the many variables in charge of how your vehicle performs. This means your offroading experience can either be a memorable event or a nightmare.
In a way, improving your offroading skills is much like gardening. Nurturing your plants and actively taking care of them is similar to refining your driving skills. Both take practice and a set amount of effort to do. The difference is in one scenario you get a perfect garden and in the other a perfect set of skills. The art of offroading is one where your personal skills matter just as much as your vehicle. Below are several factors to consider and improve before going offroading.
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Mentally Preparing Yourself
Source: popularmechanics.com
A common mistake is to get right into the action and begin your offroading journey. This is a recipe for disaster and often results in losing interest midway. This means that the individual lacks the interest and motivation for the experience before it starts. To mitigate this, planning ahead and mentally preparing yourself is needed.
Plan ahead by researching the various external factors related to offroading. This can translate to the specifics of the trail you are taking. The terrain division and what the surface mostly consists of. Other things to keep in mind are the predicted weather of that day. Offroading on a day where it rains leads to tougher terrain navigation. Finally, make sure to notify friends and loved ones of when you are leaving and coming back.
Equipment You Need
The best thing to do is to prepare a list of items and equipment you will need for the journey. Subdivisions of the type of equipment can also be helpful. Throughout the ride, equipment regarding safety may be needed. Here are a few examples.
Food And Water
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The general rule is to carry more food than you think you will need. This means if you are planning to carry a water bottle, carry two. Bringing snacks such as chocolate bars is also recommended as they are easy to store. Just make sure to bring an ample amount of food and drinks. You may end up needing them for longer than you anticipate.
Emergency Vehicle Exit
For some dangerous scenarios, you may need to get out of your vehicle. In scenarios such as those, cutting your seat belt or breaking glass may be necessary too. To prepare for this, it is handy to carry a pocket knife or a dedicated seat belt breaker. This is to help you get out of the vehicle as fast as possible. Make safety your number one priority and plan beforehand.
First Aid Kit
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Carrying a first aid kit is mandatory for almost all offroading escapades. These kits help you patch up small wounds and reduce blood loss. They can be the difference between life or death in some situations too. Another important piece of equipment to carry is a fire extinguisher. Think of it as the first aid kit for your vehicle. It prevents fire from spreading and further damaging the vehicle or you.
Knowing Your Vehicle
The most important thing to do to prepare for your offroading experience is to learn your vehicle. Whether you are driving a dirt bike or rugged jeep, you need to know the ins and outs of it. This is an extremely important step in your offroading journey. Learning about your vehicle is key to controlling it on all kinds of terrain. While most vehicles nowadays are made with durability in mind, they can still get badly damaged. Robotics and techniques such as plastic molding have streamlined production. Despite those innovations, caring for your vehicle and focusing on the specifics is still necessary.
Jeep Functions
Source: motortrend.com
If you are driving a jeep then you need to pay attention to all the offroading functions. This includes traction control, four-wheel drive, and locking differentials. These are all functions designed to help you in offroading scenarios. That means, using them in the wrong way can also hinder your driving. Make sure to find the best possible setup for your vehicle. One that ensures the most traction while balancing power and flexibility.
Biking Skill
When it comes to your motorbike, your skills matter significantly. Practice is key here and it is necessary to practice on uphill roads beforehand. Bikes are flexible and can usually be turned easily. Avoid rapid turns as they can make you lose balance and fall over. Instead, focus on driving slowly and taking turns at a slower rate. Practice slow turning in parking lots via tight U-Turns.
Conclusion
When it comes to off-roading, speeding through the track is not a good idea. The best way to tackle harder tracks is to drive at a slower rate. Push for power when driving uphill and slow down naturally downhill. Your vehicle is also bound to get some scratches because of irregular rocks on the track. It is important to carry extra equipment such as wheel and motorbike parts. A reliable part supplier such as sunwayautoparts.com is recommended. Make sure to prepare and practice lots beforehand. Good luck on an exhilarating off-road drive.
