The Best Drills To Improve Your riding Skills

So you’ve got the bike, the guts, and a thirst for dirt. That’s a solid start.

But let’s be real—ripping through trails without solid technique is like driving with one eye shut. You might get by for a while, but sooner or later, that gap jump or slick downhill is going to humble you.

What separates the smooth from the sketchy is more than mileage. It’s about knowing how to sharpen your skills and learning how to move with the bike, not just on it.

Every rider hits that point where muscle memory starts to matter more than horsepower. You want control, flow, and just the right amount of confidence. That’s where the right drills come into play.

We’re not talking about basic warmups or a few laps around the lot. We mean dialed-in practice that actually pushes your riding to the next level.

The good news? You don’t need a pro setup or a new suspension kit to get there. What you do need is focus, repetition, and the right approach and that’s what we’re about to unpack.

How To Improve Your Motocross Skills Quickly

Let’s get into the good stuff. Building real riding skills starts with simple, repeatable drills that actually teach your body what to do without thinking twice. This isn’t about flashy moves or high-speed showboating. It’s about control, timing, and getting the basics dialed in fast.

Start with throttle and clutch coordination. These two have to work in sync, or your ride turns choppy in a hurry. Find a flat spot with plenty of room and ease into it. Roll on the throttle slowly as you release the clutch, feeling out how the power kicks in. The smoother this becomes, the more natural every shift and launch will feel. Think of it like learning to drive stick—awkward at first, but once it clicks, it’s automatic.

After that, turn your focus to cornering technique.

Most beginner riders lean too far or stare straight at the problem. That’s a fast track to losing balance.

Instead, train your eyes ahead of the turn. Look where you want to go, not at the rut in your way. Shift your weight toward the outside peg, and plant your inside foot forward, ready to catch a slip if needed.

Start on flat ground, then mix in a sloped surface to keep things interesting. Practicing in different conditions builds confidence and keeps your reaction time sharp.

Now let’s talk braking. Most people grab the brakes like they’re yanking a fire alarm. Don’t do that.

Instead, practice straight-line stops with steady pressure. Squeeze the front brake with control while pressing lightly on the rear. This balances your momentum and keeps the bike from diving forward.

Once you’ve got the feel for it, layer in engine braking by downshifting smoothly as you slow down. This not only saves your brakes, but it also gives you a better sense of control when the trail gets technical.

Stacking these drills together gives you more than muscle memory. You’re building instinct. And instinct is what keeps you planted when everything around you starts to shake. These aren’t just warmups—they’re the backbone of any rider who wants to move beyond beginner level without picking up bad habits along the way.

Enduro Bike Training Drills To Improve Your Skills

Now that your fundamentals are taking shape, it’s time to sharpen the edges. Enduro riding isn't just about speed or guts. It’s about precision, quick reactions, and knowing how to keep control when everything around you is working against it. That kind of skill doesn’t show up overnight, but the right drills can speed things up.

If you're aiming to level up your riding, focus your training time on the following drills:

Figure-Eight Drills

Helps develop balance in tight turns and improves throttle control. Start wide, then tighten the circles as you get more comfortable.

Weave Drill

Great for obstacle avoidance and reaction timing. Set up cones and weave at moderate speed, learning to adjust quickly without losing flow.

Hill Climbs and Descents

Builds confidence on vertical terrain. Practice throttle control on the way up and braking technique on the way down.

Stop-and-Go Starts on Inclines

Trains clutch control under pressure. Start and stop mid-hill to mimic trail blockages and test your ability to recover without stalling.

Each of these drills targets a different piece of the puzzle, but they all lead to one result: better control in unpredictable conditions. You’re not just learning isolated moves here. You’re building habits that kick in automatically when things get technical.

Take figure eights; it’s not just a cornering exercise. It teaches you how to shift your weight, adjust your throttle, and use brake pressure smoothly. This practice carries straight into trail scenarios, especially when terrain tightens or turns off-camber.

The weave drill might look simple on flat ground, but once you take that same skill into rocky singletrack or tight woods, it pays off. You’ll find yourself dodging roots, angled logs, or trail debris without hesitation.

As for hills, don’t just blast up and hope for the best. Dial in your starts and stops mid-climb, because those pauses matter. Practicing restarts on inclines makes a huge difference when you’re stuck behind another rider or rerouting your line.

Drills like these don't just improve your technique. They fine-tune how you think on the bike. And once your mind and body sync up, the trail opens up in ways that feel a whole lot more natural—and a lot more fun.

Advanced Drills for Competitive Edge

Once the basics feel second nature, it's time to push further. At this level, you’re not just riding—you’re calculating, adjusting, and reacting faster than the terrain can surprise you. To gain a competitive edge, you need drills that don’t just test your skills but stretch them.

These are the kinds of exercises that separate steady riders from race-ready ones:

Pivot Turns

Help sharpen control in tight spaces. This drill teaches you to shift your weight, lean into the turn, and spin the bike cleanly around the inside peg without losing momentum.

Jump and Land Practice

Builds confidence on jumps. Work on takeoffs, balance in the air, and smooth landings. Focus on syncing throttle input and body position mid-flight and on impact.

Quick-Shift Maneuvers

Train your reflexes for unexpected changes. Practice rapid downshifts and controlled braking when faced with sudden turns, obstacles, or elevation shifts.

Rhythm Section Drills

Improve timing and flow. Use a series of small jumps or bumps to dial in your throttle rhythm and landing consistency under pressure.

What makes these drills important isn’t just how technical they are; it’s how they prepare you for chaos. Take the pivot turn. It demands control at low speeds and precision during weight shifts. Mastering it gives you the confidence to thread through tight woods or sneak past competitors in close quarters.

Jumping drills also go beyond airtime. You're not just practicing to fly; you're learning how to land with purpose. Controlled landings reduce fatigue, boost your line choice, and keep you moving efficiently through rhythm sections or uneven terrain.

Quick-shift work is pure decision-making under stress. If a rider cuts across your line or a deep rut appears out of nowhere, you’ll need to react instantly. These drills build that reflex and teach you how to manage gear changes without stalling your momentum.

Rhythm sections are where timing either wins the lap or throws it away. Hitting each section with a consistent pace and clean form keeps you smooth, not sketchy. The more natural this technique becomes, the less you have to think about each move.

Refining these advanced techniques means you’re not just surviving the course—you’re reading it, adapting to it, and riding it like it was built for you. And that’s where the real edge kicks in.

Fine-Tune Your Bike Before a Training Session at Get Dirty Dirt Bikes

Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, putting in the work, and knowing when to get the right support. These advanced training drills sharpen your instincts, push your limits, and give you the confidence to handle whatever the trail throws at you. But none of that matters if your bike isn’t keeping up.

At Get Dirty Dirt Bikes, based in Morongo Valley, California, we specialize in optimizing bikes for serious riders.

Whether it's dialing in your suspension or adjusting throttle response, our team knows how to set your machine up for maximum performance. The details matter, especially when every second and every shift count.

If you need help fine-tuning your bike for your training sessions, please give us a call!

Call us at 760-327-0747 or email dave@getdirtydirtbikes.com.

Let’s make sure your bike matches your ambition. We’re here to help you train smarter, ride harder, and stay ahead—one turn, jump, and pivot at a time.