The MSF Dirtbike School

My 9 year old son has enjoyed the video; often discussing how he applies the video tips with his riding (CRF70).

I have over 25 years experience riding dirt bikes, but when it was time to teach my 10 year old I realized that I had never taught anyone. Rather than just having him jump on and ride, I used this DVD to help me put together the basics that I may take for granted that everyone knows; braking, steering, obstacles,etc. I spent an hour or so doing some vey basic manuvers with him from the video that really got him statrted on the right track. I would recommend this dvd for the first time rider - young or old.

Never seen a motorcycle... Never ridden a bicycle... Need five minutes of instruction on mounting or dismounting a bike... Then this is a video for you. Just when I thought intution was completely and painstakingly explained prior to developing riding skills, the video ended.

This DVD is great if you have never, ever ridden a motorbike before. However, if you have some experience and are looking for a DVD that can give you a bit more assistance with getting down the basics of riding such as braking, cornering and so, this is not it. While the DVD does cover these things in some small way, the vast majority of the hour long presentation is spent on things like getting on and off the bike, learning the controls, getting the bike moving and so on. Good for a complete novice but not for anyone who has ridden for more than a day.

This DVD is for beginners only and is labelled and sold as such. The "lessons" included practically mirror the MSF course for street bikes including learning how to use a clutch by focusing on "the friction point", etc. It shows you where all the controls are located and how things work. They focus on protective equipment, and there are various interview spots with leading MX racers such as Ricky C and others. I think the main use for something like this should be so that more experienced riders remember all the basics to cover when they are teaching someone else how to ride. I would never expect that a true beginner would go out and buy their first bike ever, go home and watch this, and be able to ride a bike without the aid and assistance of another experienced rider/instructor. There was one particular item that I thought was either just flat out wrong or at least misleading and that was when the instructor was telling the riders to place the balls of their feet on the pegs. Maybe that's new thinking and I'm just behind the times, but the majority of folks I know place the peg right in the arch of their foot, right in front of the heel. This allows you to operate the brake and shift lever. You could not do either if you placed the balls of your feet on the pegs. Aside from that minor glitch, I thought most of the advice was sound, and this would be a good tool for watching with beginners or young kids. Just remember that like the road course, it doesn't really teach you to ride in the real world, only how to operate the controls and how to negotiate a parking lot.

Everybody has to start somewhere and if you didn't grow up around motorcycles this is a good start. It cover's all the basics and would help someone going out to look at bikes at a dealership or who wants an overview of what skills are required to operate a bike. The drills are the standard for learning control. The tape won't replace a hands-on rider course, but is way better than nothing or having a try buddy teach you how to ride. Learning to ride on dirt is the best way to learn about tractionand avoids the biggest dangers to new riders, the distraction and IMPACT of traffic!!!! It's better to have a few scuffs and bruises than to get totally ERASED! The survival skills you learn in dirt are all transferable to the street. One last thing - buy a Dual Sport Bike which will work on easy to moderate trails and is street legal - you will never regret it. One error that stands out, as previously mentioned by another reviewer. Do NOT stand on the balls of your feet on the foot pegs. Pegs should be in the arch of the foot, allowing use of brake and shift lever.

I gave it a 5 star rating as an inexpensive beginner'S DVD. My son, 11 years old at the time, watched it before going to the Dirtbike School. For relatively little money, it helped him feel more comfortable at the school and get more out of it. I recommend it for: -Kids learning to ride dirtbikes -Parents teaching kids to ride dirtbikes -Anyone learning to ride a motorcycle -Street bike riders thinking about riding in the dirt For someone who's been riding dirtbikes a while, Dirt Wise with Shane Watts is a better choice.

The DVD is appropriate only for absoulute beginners, not just on dirt but on a motorcycle. Most of the time of the feature is spent on such simple basics as getting on or off bikes. Towards the end it does talk about some of the dirt riding tips such as why and when should one stand and ride, weight distribution, etc. Wouldnt recommend for anyone who already has bike riding experience and definitely not for people who already do some basic dirt riding as it add no real value to those for sure.

Great DVD for beginners. Girlfriend was just starting out she got some great tips.