Getting Into Off-Road Motorbiking: From First Trail to Lifelong Passion

If you’ve ever looked at a dusty trail winding through the hills and felt the urge to ride off into the unknown, you already understand the magic of off-road motorbiking. It’s not just a sport — it’s a mix of freedom, skill, adrenaline, and mindfulness that few other hobbies offer.

In the first part of this series, we explored why off-road riding is a fun, challenging, and rewarding adventure for people of all ages. Now it’s time to talk about how to get started — the mindset, the gear, the first trails, and how to grow into this lifestyle without burning out or breaking the bank.

Step 1: Start With the Right Mindset

Offroad riding demands focus, humility, and a deep respect for the terrain — and your limits. You will fall. You will struggle. And that’s the beauty of it.

Whether you’re 20 or 60, what matters is how open you are to learning. Ego has no place on a trail. The riders who progress fastest are the ones who stay curious, cautious, and humble. Especially in the beginning, less throttle and more patience go a long way.

Step 2: Choose Your First Offroad Bike

You don’t need a race-prepped enduro machine to start enjoying dirt. In fact, simpler and lighter is often better for beginners.

Great entry-level or dual-purpose bikes include:

• Honda CRF250L / 300L – forgiving and reliable

• Yamaha WR250 / Tenere 700 – smooth performance

• KTM 390 Adventure / EXC 250 – more advanced, but nimble

• Beta Alp 200 – small, simple, and surprisingly capable

• Royal Enfield Himalayan – great for slower, scenic trails

  
  

If you’re just getting started, lighter bikes (<150kg wet) are much easier to learn on, especially when you’re picking them up... repeatedly. You can also use our motorbikes for a fraction of the price and use them well prepare, with petrol, etc. And at the end we will put them back to new for you!

Step 3: Find Beginner-Friendly Trails

Start with wide, dry, well-used paths — ideally with a mix of dirt, gravel, and shallow climbs.

Good places to look:

• Forest access roads

• Agricultural back roads

• Fire trails or old logging roads

• Beginner segments of known offroad routes (like TET — Trans Euro Trail)

Apps like Wikiloc, TET website, or Rever can help you discover trails near Lisbon or beyond. Make sure you check local regulations — not all tracks are legally open to motor vehicles.

Step 4: Essential Gear for Riding Safe and Smart

Unlike 4x4 driving, falling is part of learning on a motorbike. Proper gear isn’t optional — it’s your second skin.

Must-haves:

• Helmet (offroad or dual-sport)

• Goggles or visor

• MX or ADV gloves

• Jersey and pants (with elbow, shoulder, knee and hip protection)

• Offroad boots (protect your ankles and shins!)

• Hydration pack (riding while dehydrated is dangerous)

• Toolkit + tire repair kit + air pump

• First aid kit

• Phone with GPS and emergency contact options

  
  

Start with protection over performance. A good helmet and boots are better investments than any bike upgrade in the early stages. You can also use ours, with the best models and brands for a fraction of the price.

Step 5: Learn Basic Offroad Techniques

Offroad riding is very different from street riding — it's physical, dynamic, and often counterintuitive.

Here are some fundamentals to practice:

• Body position: Stand up on the pegs, elbows out, knees loose

• Throttle control: Smooth input prevents skids and stalls

• Look ahead: Not at the ground — scan the terrain

• Weight shifting: Lean the bike, not your body

• Braking: Use both brakes, but master rear brake modulation

• Turning on dirt: Learn to slide the rear with control (eventually!)

  
  

If possible, join a beginner training course. In Portugal, places like Offroad Center Bianchi

Prata offer excellent instruction tailored for all skill levels.

Step 6: Connect With the Riding Community

One of the fastest ways to improve — and have more fun — is to ride with others. Whether it’s a group ride, a skills clinic, or an overnight trail trip, being part of a community helps you grow faster, safer, and with a lot more laughs.

Look for:

• Facebook groups (like “Off-Road Portugal” or “TET Portugal”)

• Local enduro clubs and adventure rider meetups

• TET riders forums (with GPS routes, ride reports, and advice)

  
  

Don’t be afraid to ask dumb questions — we all started there. And nothing builds camaraderie like helping each other lift bikes out of ditches.

Step 7: Plan Your Progression

Once you’ve done a few rides and gained confidence, think about how you want to grow in the sport.

You might:

• Try multi-day adventure routes (like the Portuguese section of the TET)

• Learn navigation skills for off-grid rides

• Tackle enduro-style trails with technical sections

• Enter friendly offroad rallies or skills challenges

• Explore trails abroad (Spain, Morocco, Balkans)

  
  

Each level adds layers to your abilities, mindset, and enjoyment. And you'll get to know yourself in ways few other hobbies allow.

Final Thoughts: Two Wheels, Endless Paths

Offroad motorbiking isn’t just about machines or mud — it’s about growth, resilience, and connection. Every trail teaches something. Every fall humbles you. And every summit rewards you with a sense of achievement that’s hard to describe but easy to get addicted to.

Whether you’re chasing adventure, freedom, or just a new way to clear your head, the offroad world is waiting — one dusty path at a time.

So gear up, stand tall on the pegs, and ride into the unknown. The journey is just beginning.