Motorcycle Riding School/ Riding rocks

Hello,
Where I teach my motorcycle riding schools is mostly sand, but I have taught private motorcycle lessons in the rocks.
In my motorcycle training and racing I prefer riding in the rocks. Mostly because its more challenging. So lets discuss some
rock riding tips. One of the most important things is line selection. Coming into a rock garden (group of rocks) try and
pick a line that does not have any big wholes that can swallow your front or rear wheel and hurt forward momentum. Pick a line
with over bigger rocks to hold you up from the gaps between rocks. Most people look for gaps between rocks but this is tough
because you could hit your chain guide and derail your chain, or hit your rear brake rotor and bend it, which will mess up
your braking. Also you want to enter the rock garden in a gear higher than you normally would so you can carry momentum
rather than a low gear and be fighting wheel spin. I like to stand through a rock garden just because I feel I can control
motorcycle better by weighting the pegs as needed to negotiate the rocks. For some sitting is more comfortable and a loss in
balance means you can just dab your foot. Always keep a finger on the clutch just in case you get into trouble you can just
pull it in to regain control.

As mentioned before keeping your knees tight against the motorcycle will also help you feel in better control
and you can have more of a relaxed grip on the handlebars. Suspension is also a variable that is key to riding well in
rocky conditions. You want your suspension on the softer side and your rebound adjusted a little faster.Be sure that
you check your sag in your shock. If after making
adjustments to your suspension clickers your bike still feels unsafe in the rocks than a suspension tuner may be in order.
There are many great suspension tuners out there, and I use Factory Connection.

Remember to be smooth and use throttle control and proper gear selection.Always pick a line with no wholes and
be sure to look ahead to be ready for anything the trail may throw at you. For more on motorcycle course, or a
motorcycle safety please go to www.rlafferty.com