How well you corner can determine whether you win or lose at the tracks. The mastery of different types of turns is one thing that all pros have in common, and for newer riders learning a variety of techniques for cornering will help you excel no matter where you ride. One particularly challenging type of corners is off camber turns, and learning to take them like a pro will help you improve your skills as a rider as well as save valuable seconds on the track.
Taking an off camber turn can feel like the ground is falling out from under you which may be unsettling when you are new to dirt bike riding. Don’t worry, we’ve got a few tips to help you master this kind of terrain.
Always Look Ahead
When you are tackling a new track or new terrain, you never know what your next obstacle will be. A camber turn can sneak up on you if you don’t have your eye out for them, so make sure you are carefully analyzing every new turn you approach. If you approach a camber turn with the speed of any other turn, you’ll likely find yourself losing control.
Take It Slow
Taking it slow is common advice when you are just learning a new technique or trick, but even if you are an experienced rider it’s the best way to approach off camber turns. If you hit the turn too fast the momentum of your bike will want to drag you down the slope, which is not what you want. Taking it slow will allow you more control of your dirt bike, so you will be more successful in this technique.
Body Position, Body Position, Body Position
I feel like a broken record here, but body position is vital in nearly every technique you perform on a dirt bike. When you take off camber turns, you want to focus your body weight on the outside foot peg while keeping your torso straight up. This helps the bike lean over at the proper angle to maintain maximum traction which keeps you in control and prevents you from slipping.
Hold Off on the Throttle
If you throttle on a camber turn as you would on any other turn, you’ll lose your back end down the slope. Instead you want to roll through the whole turn. Begin by braking sooner than you normally would, and allow yourself to roll into the turn. Only throttle at the end when you feel traction on both the front and back tires.
Mastering camber turns will help you reduce your track time and have more fun on the trails. They are not an uncommon obstacle, so learning how to make it through without slipping will make your riding experience a whole lot easier.
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