Level 1 Rider

Novice Level

TERRAIN FOR LEVEL 1 RIDERS

Gravel roads, well maintained and could include poorly maintained paved roads

Moderate wash boards

Freshly-graded road 1” deep

Slight steepness of hills with slight turns at entrance and/or exists

Shallow water crossings, less than 2”

Overall changing surfaces but good for cars, may have some embedded rock

SKILLS NEEDED FOR LEVEL 1 RIDERS

Comfortable doing harder stops on low traction surfaces using both brakes (speeds of 12-18 mph)

Traction control and comfortable with bike moving around on 1” deep gravel roads

Ability to control bike while cornering on moderate wash boards

When cornering, understanding that using outside peg helps maintain traction

When cornering, understanding that using good body position helps maintain traction and control the bike

Good throttle control assists with overall bike control

Comfortable riding at 20-25 MPH on Level 1 terrain

Level 3 Rider

Intermediate Level

TERRAIN FOR LEVEL 3 RIDERS

Rutted 2-track/narrower, less maintained forest roads

More rocks/shale, and obstacles like logs less than 6”

Steeper hills with hair pin turns at the entrance and/or exists 

Standing water/larger mud puddles less than 6”

Water crossings less than 6” deep that may have a muddy or loose base

Moderate sand/silt levels (less than 6”), and narrower ruts (not much more than a tire width)

More hazards to maneuver around but still possible line choices

Hills have rock embedded, still can pick a line fairly easily

Some moderate off camber terrain

SKILLS NEEDED FOR LEVEL 3 RIDERS

Confident doing harder stops at higher speeds on low traction surfaces (speeds of 24-30 mph)

Comfortable moving around bike, loosely, including dabs

Ability to minimize turning radius for U-turns or close quarters (within 16’)

Ability to turn a bike around on a 2-track road

Very good at line selection, ability to put the bike where you want it

Confidence with bikes capability, lofting bike over 6” obstacles such as rocks, ruts, logs

For steep descents, ability to toggle between clutch and both brakes to control speed and avoid front wheel locking

Fine throttle and clutch control (no wheel spin, especially for steep ascents)

Ability to turn the bike around on a hill

Comfortable riding at 35-40 MPH on Level 1 terrain

Level 5 Rider

Expert Level

TERRAIN FOR LEVEL 5 RIDERS

Hard to pick a line, terrain best for dirt bikes

Larger amounts of loose shale, deep gravel greater than 6”, rocks greater than 6”

Lots of varied obstacles greater than 6”

Water crossings greater than 9” deep and/or extremely fast flowing

Combination of steep hills, hair pin turns, loose/large rocks/debris, ledges greater than 6”, slippery surfaces, overall varied obstacles, etc.

SKILLS NEEDED FOR LEVEL 5 RIDERS

Confident doing harder stops at higher speeds on low traction surfaces (speeds of 40-50 mph)

Proficient at power slides

Lots of time with practicing skills/seat time/experience with level 4 and below on varied terrain. 

Taking lower-level skills and making them harder by going slower, turning tighter, using one hand, etc.

We are not proficient at anything until we have put in 10,000 hours and have applied proper techniques.

Comfortable riding at 45-50 MPH on Level 1 terrain

Note: You are taking a HUGE risk if riding at higher speeds than 50 MPH on loose terrain. You need to consider your TOTAL STOPPING DISTANCE! At 50 MPH and on PAVEMENT, it will take you approximately 225-300 feet to get stopped. That is about 15-20 car lengths (ave. car length being 15 feet). Now, add the fact that you don’t have the traction you would on PAVEMENT. Total stopping distance will be even more. We need to be managing our speeds in order to manage the risks of having a collision with wildlife, oncoming roadway users, and sudden changes in road conditions, etc.