A big part of what we do is getting first-timers riding, so this page is written for the person who has never sat on a dirt bike and is slightly worried about admitting it. You do not need experience, you do not need a licence, and you do not need to pretend otherwise when you book. Telling us it is your first time is the single most useful thing you can do — it changes which bike we hand you.

Which bike you should take

The Honda CRF125F is the easiest bike we rent. It is a lightweight 125cc four-stroke, low enough to get both feet down, and the power comes on so gently that it is difficult to frighten yourself. It suits youth riders from around ten upward and adults who want something genuinely forgiving.

The Honda CRF250F is the next step. Still a smooth four-stroke, still forgiving, but with enough power that an all-day desert ride does not feel like work. If you are a reasonably confident athlete and you plan to ride more than once, start here.

What you should not start on is a two-stroke. The GASGAS, Husqvarna and KTM machines in our fleet are excellent and they will make a first-timer miserable. The power arrives suddenly and unforgivingly. We will tell you this if you try to book one.

Or skip the clutch entirely

The electric bikes remove the hardest part of learning. The Sur-Ron Light Bee X and Rawr Mantis Mini have no clutch and no gears — twist and go, nothing to stall, nothing to think about except where you are pointing. Several ride modes mean we can set one conservatively for a first ride and turn it up later. For a lot of people this is the better first experience, and it is quiet enough that a group can talk to each other.

Where to go on day one

Warner Valley. Wide, forgiving open desert with no audience and nothing you have to commit to. It is where we send new riders, and it is a far better first ride than Sand Hollow.

Sand Hollow is the famous one, and you will want to go there eventually, but the dunes punish hesitation and the weekend crowds do not help. If you do go, stay on the open red sand two-track for the first hour and leave the dune bowls alone.

The three mistakes everyone makes

Sitting down. Stand on the pegs over rough ground and let your knees do the work. Sitting transmits everything straight into your spine.

Death-gripping the bars. Loose hands, elbows out. The bike is more stable than you think and it will settle itself if you stop fighting it.

Looking at the front wheel. Look where you want to go, not at the obstacle you are worried about. You will go where you look, which cuts both ways.

What to wear

A helmet is not optional, and if you did not bring one, take one of ours. Moto boots are the item people skip and then regret — trainers give you nothing between your foot and a footpeg. Long sleeves, long trousers, and sunglasses or goggles. We rent helmets, boots and a pants-and-jersey set, individually or as a bundle.

Riding with children or a mixed group

The CRF125F suits younger riders, and riders under eighteen need a parent or guardian to sign the waiver. If your group ranges from a nervous first-timer to somebody who raced as a teenager, call us on (385) 236-8086 rather than guessing from the booking form — we will spread the right bikes across the group so nobody is bored and nobody is terrified.

Booking

Pick your dates above and the site shows what is free. Mention that you are new in the booking, and we will have the right machine and a proper briefing ready when you arrive.

Related pages

The full dirt bike fleet and our clutch-free electric bikes. Where to go: Sand Hollow, St. George, or near Zion. What it costs: prices.