Great advice regards instruction on Sand (good for off road riding in general) The guys I learned from weren't the best teachers ... they'd say ... just slide back on the seat and GAS IT! :help smilie: Scary for a first time Baja rider.

Problem is ... this method gets you going 70 MPH quickly on a 600cc ... when the inevitable crash happens ... not good at that speed.


Typical Baja Sand track. The wind plays important part, high wind can blow MORE sand into track. Race trucks going 100 mph blow sand OUT of the track.
Rain makes it much easier.

Sand riding is about VISION most of all. Looking WAY out ahead is important. Next: stay balanced on the bike, standing a "must do". Maintain a lower gear where you can rev out of deeper or softer sand when required. Moving fore and aft on the bike is also important to getting through tough sections, Whoops, turns or ruts. Dry Summer sand is much harder to ride than damp sand after rain or sand in early AM.

I've ridden thousands of miles of Sand in Baja ... and it requires me re-learning then re-adjusting technique on every trip. After a day riding and struggling ... I'm much better off and things just get easier as you go. Correct tires also important, especially the front. No street or 50/50 tires will do. Knobbies only.

But I'll never ride sand at 80 mph like the Dakar heroes do. Crash results can be devastating ... and where we ride we have NO Helicopter or support of any kind.