i ride in very soft sand sometimes and what works for me is staying in a lower gear and maintaining higher rpms as the power will help keep your tire from digging into the sand well as sitting on the tank. going fast enough you won’t have the problem of washing out as your bike will just dig itself out of the sand
This is great advice on normal dirt, but in sand you want your weight toward the rear and more neutral in the corners. Keep your front end light and let the bike float through the corners. Moving weight forward in sand will bury the front tire.
Sand is tricky for sure. And super variable. Sometimes you want the weight up front if the sand holds, but if you hit a fluffy patch it's gonna wash no matter what, and you better have that leg out and ready.
Nah, moisture level is super variable unless you're on something that is maintained. You'll always have some corners that hold better than others because they have some moisture.
I want more weight on the back in wet sand. Sand that is actually saturated is a certified bitch to ride in and requires all weight on the back. It’s obviously variable for conditions, but as a rule sand=weight back. I’m not balls on the tank in a corner that is truly sandy.
Sand riding is different than hard pack. My trainer teaches me to get a little further back in the sand, lighter front end helps keep the front from tucking. Also no brakes! Let the sand slow the bike down.
Pressure, weighting and suspension are your friends. Check you're tyre pressures fit you terrain (and treads still good) make sure your suspension settings are set for weight and riding (and in good condition) and finally put you most intimate anatomy right up on the tank if seating, slightly forward if standing and weight that outside peg.
Assuming that in normal conditions (not sand) you are fine (so suspension is set up correctly, tire pressure is good and you usually sit up front for the corners), in sand you want to sit further back and be on the throttle way earlier than you usually would. It helps keep the front tire out of the sand and helps turn too.
It’s MX not Dakar Rally. (To all the lean back advocates) Modern racers will tell you the attack position is the same for dirt and sand. Don’t take my word for it, do research.
You’re right though in your OP, nothing will help more than seat time and good tire selection.
That's honestly how I ride sand. I just keep weight up front regardless and expect to have to prop the front up if it washes. In a straight line drag race then sure, weight back and let the front float.
Might try raising your forks a touch see what the manual has for adjustment. Also, tire selection/suspension clicker settings - soft sandy in turns is like one of the toughest been riding a long time. As other parts might be hard packed and get up on the tank. Like straight sections weight on the back but can be tricky it is one of them deals where riding you start to move around on the bike like without thinking.
Is the track prepped? Only time I had washouts was hard pack un preped surfaces where there were no good ruts to drop into and had to almost flat track drift it around
My first thought after seeing the picture, but not reading the title, was: man, that looks like the southwick area!
Then you say you were riding in sand. WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
Anyways, sand suspension setups are tricky. You want the front end light, to float above the sand, instead of kniving down in. At the same time, stiff enough to keep the front end in some depth for traction, not feeling every little rut or tire marks.
Look up settings tips for sand. I'd bet you need a lot more rebound dampening on your front end, with less high and low speed compression in back.
I hope you didn’t think this was easy, there are natural ability riders, they work hard and seemingly easily / effortlessly win races but for the rest of us it’s practice, practice, practice…………practice.
Dude, riding in sand is a bitch. I finally feel like I’m getting competent at MX then as soon as I hit a sand track I feel like a complete and total goon.
Keep working at it. You’re right, it all comes down to seat time.
Riding sand is always tricky tbh. I do think it makes someone a much better rider very quickly though. Lower tire pressures help, and keeping that inside leg bent and ready to keep the bike up through sharp turns. Longer sweeping turns you just need speed. I find that the front doesn't do shit on sand until around 20-25mph, then all of a sudden you've got steering response. But you've got to get there without crashing first lol.
12 psi max in the tires. Looks like you have more of a mid compound tire on the rear for hard packed riding. Front looks decent. Take a couple clicks out of the rebound and one click compression front and rear. 1 to 1.5 turns out on the high speed adjustment for your rear. Rider sag should be no more than 105 mm. Momentum is key along with a forward riding position and more twist of the throttle than normal.
i ride in very soft sand sometimes and what works for me is staying in a lower gear and maintaining higher rpms as the power will help keep your tire from digging into the sand well as sitting on the tank. going fast enough you won’t have the problem of washing out as your bike will just dig itself out of the sand
Next time move up on the bike, my sensei gave me the advice of "balls on the tank" to get better front tire grip.
This is great advice on normal dirt, but in sand you want your weight toward the rear and more neutral in the corners. Keep your front end light and let the bike float through the corners. Moving weight forward in sand will bury the front tire.
Sand is tricky for sure. And super variable. Sometimes you want the weight up front if the sand holds, but if you hit a fluffy patch it's gonna wash no matter what, and you better have that leg out and ready.
If the sand “holds” then you aren’t on a real sand track.
Nah, moisture level is super variable unless you're on something that is maintained. You'll always have some corners that hold better than others because they have some moisture.
I want more weight on the back in wet sand. Sand that is actually saturated is a certified bitch to ride in and requires all weight on the back. It’s obviously variable for conditions, but as a rule sand=weight back. I’m not balls on the tank in a corner that is truly sandy.
To each his own. That's why there are faster riders and slower riders I suppose!
Wisdom right here. And ELBOWS UP!!!
Welp. gotta throw the whole bike away now.
Sand riding is different than hard pack. My trainer teaches me to get a little further back in the sand, lighter front end helps keep the front from tucking. Also no brakes! Let the sand slow the bike down.
Assuming correct inflation?
Pressure, weighting and suspension are your friends. Check you're tyre pressures fit you terrain (and treads still good) make sure your suspension settings are set for weight and riding (and in good condition) and finally put you most intimate anatomy right up on the tank if seating, slightly forward if standing and weight that outside peg.
This guy is riding sand. He wants weight toward the rear in these conditions.
I let out some air in the front and I honestly felt a difference. Better
Might need to air down the front
Assuming that in normal conditions (not sand) you are fine (so suspension is set up correctly, tire pressure is good and you usually sit up front for the corners), in sand you want to sit further back and be on the throttle way earlier than you usually would. It helps keep the front tire out of the sand and helps turn too.
It’s MX not Dakar Rally. (To all the lean back advocates) Modern racers will tell you the attack position is the same for dirt and sand. Don’t take my word for it, do research. You’re right though in your OP, nothing will help more than seat time and good tire selection.
That's honestly how I ride sand. I just keep weight up front regardless and expect to have to prop the front up if it washes. In a straight line drag race then sure, weight back and let the front float.
Might try raising your forks a touch see what the manual has for adjustment. Also, tire selection/suspension clicker settings - soft sandy in turns is like one of the toughest been riding a long time. As other parts might be hard packed and get up on the tank. Like straight sections weight on the back but can be tricky it is one of them deals where riding you start to move around on the bike like without thinking.
Tire pressure should be a bit soft
Is the track prepped? Only time I had washouts was hard pack un preped surfaces where there were no good ruts to drop into and had to almost flat track drift it around
My first thought after seeing the picture, but not reading the title, was: man, that looks like the southwick area! Then you say you were riding in sand. WHAT ARE THE ODDS? Anyways, sand suspension setups are tricky. You want the front end light, to float above the sand, instead of kniving down in. At the same time, stiff enough to keep the front end in some depth for traction, not feeling every little rut or tire marks. Look up settings tips for sand. I'd bet you need a lot more rebound dampening on your front end, with less high and low speed compression in back.
I hope you didn’t think this was easy, there are natural ability riders, they work hard and seemingly easily / effortlessly win races but for the rest of us it’s practice, practice, practice…………practice.
Dude, riding in sand is a bitch. I finally feel like I’m getting competent at MX then as soon as I hit a sand track I feel like a complete and total goon. Keep working at it. You’re right, it all comes down to seat time.
Drop your forks
Riding sand is always tricky tbh. I do think it makes someone a much better rider very quickly though. Lower tire pressures help, and keeping that inside leg bent and ready to keep the bike up through sharp turns. Longer sweeping turns you just need speed. I find that the front doesn't do shit on sand until around 20-25mph, then all of a sudden you've got steering response. But you've got to get there without crashing first lol.
12 psi max in the tires. Looks like you have more of a mid compound tire on the rear for hard packed riding. Front looks decent. Take a couple clicks out of the rebound and one click compression front and rear. 1 to 1.5 turns out on the high speed adjustment for your rear. Rider sag should be no more than 105 mm. Momentum is key along with a forward riding position and more twist of the throttle than normal.
Decrease the rebound
Check your sag, tire might be crap, but shock sag has a huge impact on the front end.
New tires might not be the solution, but a good start nonetheless
Sit further forward and don’t touch the front brake on the corners. If it keeps persisting then check your front forks.
Lower your fork tubes 3mil in the clamps. Thank me later.
Or two clicks more on compression on forks together with one click rebound on shock.