How to Do a Burnout on a Dirt Bike?

how to burn out on dirt bike

Do you want to know about burnout – one of the most iconic skills associated with dirt bikes? Then, you are at the right place. In this article, we’ll give you a step-by-step approach to burnout on a motorcycle. 

Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a passionate dirt bike enthusiast, executing a successful burnout can elevate your riding experience to new exciting levels. However, it is crucial to approach this maneuver with caution and prioritize safety above all else.

Burnout, also named peeling out, is an easy stunt in which you’ve to spin the wheels of your dirt bike. You’ll have to keep the bike’s frame stationary throughout the spinning. By burning, you can create a cloud of smoke to impress your friends for fun. But it can damage the rear tire over time. 

We’ll help you to do a burnout on a dirt bike, take a firm stance, engage the clutch, and rev up the engine. When ready to start, put the bike in first gear and release the clutch. 

Why do people do burnout? Burnout can be a lot of fun if you know how to do it. Many people do burnout:

● To show off their skills.

● To warm up the tires. 

● To release some steam.

This article will teach you how to do a burnout on a dirt bike.

So, please stick with us and learn about this thrilling stunt to impress everyone around you. 

How to Do a Burnout on a Dirt Bike(Step-by-Step Guide)

American Aaron Colton is one of the world’s most recognized street freestyle motorbike riders. He shared his tips & tricks to make it easier for beginners to learn motorcycle or dirt bike burnout techniques.

Let’s delve into the basic 9-steps to do a burnout on a dirt bike: 

1. Stand Without Putting Pressure On the Tires

Choose a flat, open area with enough space to perform the burnout safely. Avoid public roads, pedestrian areas, or surfaces that may be damaged easily.

Stand over the dirt bike upright with both feet flat on the ground. Standing over the bike prevents the tires from gaining traction and puts the least weight and pressure on the bike. If the tires have too much traction, the bike will move forward, leading to an accident. 

burnout on dirt bike

2. Start the Dirt Bike and Keep It in Neutral Gear

After setting up your position, it’s time to turn the key in the ignition ON and start up the engine. Ensure to keep the bike in neutral gear. The engine is started, so wait for the dirt bike to warm up. The warm-up is essential for burnout. Check the temperature gauge after a few minutes. If the dial is at the halfway point, it tells the engine is warmed up. 

● Keep the engine in neutral gear until it warms up.

● Allow the engine to warm up for at least 5 minutes before you do a burnout.

Warning:

Never try to do a burnout with a cold engine. It can gain much traction and cause the bike to lurch forward suddenly. It was ultimately causing an accident. 

3. Pull the Clutch Lever

Most dirt bikes have a clutch with a lever on the left hand of the handlebars. So tightly grab the clutch lever by using all four fingers. It’ll help to pull the clutch backward towards the handlebars.

However, if your dirt bike has the clutch on the right handlebar, you must keep a tight grip, engage it with 4 of your fingers, and repeat the same process. 

dirt bike coach

4. Lean Forward & Hold the Front Brake

Put your body weight forward by leaning your upper body towards the handlebars while keeping your arms slightly bent. This helps transfer weight to the front of the bike. Use your right hand to apply pressure to the front brake lever gradually. 

Put the brake and revive the engine throttle by holding the front brake with your right middle finger. The middle finger is best to pull back the lever for the brake and use the rest of your hand to work the throttle.

However, press the brake lever with your left middle finger if your dirt bike’s throttle is on the left side.

5. Shift the Dirt Bike into First Gear

Put the dirt bike into first gear. You must use your foot to click the gear shift pedal so the bike shifts into first gear. You must keep the clutch engaged with your left hand so the dirt bike avoids shifting into gear yet.

6. Rev Up the Engine Close to the Red Line on the Gauge

In this step, you must hasten the engine by revving it up. Using the right hand, he revives the engine and twists the throttle. The gauge meter has a red line on the top. While revving up the engine, keep an eye on the arrow until it reaches a point of 75% close to the red line.

Simultaneously, you must look at the RPM (repetitions per minute) gauge and check whether the arrow has reached the point near the red line. Start revving up the engine at a slow pace. 

Moreover, you have to warm up the engine before putting it into gear so that the tire can rotate at high speed to obtain some traction.

dirt bike

7. Slightly Bend Your Posture to Put All of The Weight Off of the Rear Tire

It would be best to stand upright and stable, laying your feet flat on the ground. Now lean forward a little to ensure that all of the weight is off the rear tire.

You can’t put much weight over the rear tire. It’ll help you put the least pressure over the rear tire.

8. Release the Clutch

Now to do the burnout, you have to release the clutch. Don’t ease off the clutch to disengage it. Instead, let it release by withdrawing all your fingers from the lever within a moment. 

Afterward, the bike’s engine will shift into the first gear. With this, the rear tire will begin to rotate and spin rapidly. Thus resulting in burnout or peeling out. 

Tip: 

It would help if you held a burnout for a minute to create a cloud of smoke. Avoid keeping the burnout longer, as it can damage the rear tire. 

9. Reengage the Clutch and Release the Throttle to End the Burnout

The last step will require you to utilize your left hand to drag the lever to reengage the clutch. It’ll pull the engine out of first gear and make it neutral. You must roll back the throttle with the right hand but keep the brake engaged the whole time. The rear tire will come to a cease, and your dirt bike will not accelerate forward.

● Never release the brake until the tire has completely stopped spinning.

Once the spinning is over, the burnout ends too! Finally, your fingers can taste freedom because they will no longer have to press the brakes.

Tips to Keep You Safe While Doing a Burnout on Your Dirt Bike

Since burnout is a stunt, you must maintain safety precautions to get comfortable. So don’t injure yourself while doing a burnout on a dirt bike.

Here’re a few tips to keep you safe while doing a burnout on your dirt bike:

1. Wear the Right Gear

Always wear appropriate safety gear, including a DOT-approved helmet, goggles or a full-face shield, gloves, boots, long pants, and a durable jacket. This gear helps protect you from potential injuries in a fall or accident.

2. Look Around Before Starts

Stay aware of your surroundings while performing a burnout. Look for obstacles, other riders, or potential hazards that may risk your safety. This will help you in avoiding accidents with pedestrians. We recommend you choose crowded free lanes.

3. Don’t do it if You’re a Newbie.

This stunt is only for experienced riders– beginners are not advised to try this one. There are risks involved with doing so. It’s best to practice in a controlled environment under the supervision of an experienced rider or instructor. 

4. Keep Your Headlights ‘On’

You must keep the bike’s headlight on while performing burnouts because it’s illegal in some states to do a burnout without headlights. 

5. Away Your Body

Keep your body away from the exhaust system to avoid burn. 

6. Maintain Control

Always maintain control of the bike during burnout. Keep a firm grip on the handlebars, distribute your weight evenly, and use your body and foot positioning to balance the bike. Be prepared for the bike to lurch forward slightly during the burnout.

7. Use Fresh, High-Quality Tires

Old or worn tires will also not grip the ground, making it more challenging to do a burnout.

8. Practice on a Smooth Surface

A smooth surface will help to prevent the tires from slipping.

9. Be Careful Not to Overheat Your Brakes

If you hold the brake for too long, the brakes will start to overheat and could fail.

Common Mistakes While Doing a Burnout on a Dirt Bike

When performing a burnout on a dirt bike, being aware of common mistakes riders may make is crucial. By understanding these mistakes, you can take proactive measures to avoid them. Here’re some common mistakes to watch out for:

● Applying excessive throttle

One of the most common mistakes is applying too much throttle too quickly. It can cause the rear wheel to spin uncontrollably and the bike to lurch forward, potentially leading to a loss of control.

● Releasing the clutch too abruptly

Releasing the clutch lever too quickly can result in a sudden power transfer to the rear wheel, causing the bike to jerk forward and potentially lose balance. Gradually release the clutch to maintain control during the burnout.

danger of dirt bike

● Inadequate use of the rear brake

Insufficient use of the rear brake can make it difficult to maintain a controlled burnout. Properly engage the rear brake to lock the rear wheel and control the spin of the tire.

● Incorrect body positioning

Poor body positioning can affect balance and control. Leaning too far back or not distributing weight evenly can lead to instability during burnout. Maintain a centered and balanced body position with a slight forward lean.

how to sit on dirt bike

● Lack of protective gear

It is a significant mistake to wear proper protective gear. Always wear a helmet, goggles, gloves, boots, and appropriate riding attire to minimize the risk of injury.

● Performing burnouts in inappropriate locations

Conducting burnouts in public areas, roads, or places with pedestrian traffic is dangerous and illegal. Always choose a suitable location, such as a designated dirt bike track or private property, where burnouts are permitted.

● Not assessing the traction conditions

Failing to consider the traction conditions can lead to unstable burnouts. Assess the surface on which you perform the burnout to ensure sufficient grip and adjust your technique accordingly.

● Attempting burnouts beyond skill level

Pushing beyond your skill level can be dangerous. Start with shorter burnouts and gradually increase their duration and intensity as you gain more experience and confidence.

● Ignoring bike maintenance

Neglecting regular maintenance and inspecting your dirt bike can lead to mechanical failures during burnout. Ensure your bike has properly inflated tires, functional brakes, and well-maintained components.

● Lack of awareness of surroundings

Failing to be aware of your surroundings can lead to collisions or accidents. Always be mindful of other riders, pedestrians, obstacles, or potential hazards in your vicinity.

Conclusion

Best of luck for doing this excellent stunt! From our step-by-step guide, you can impress and surprise your friends by creating a big cloud of smoke. It can be done by spinning your dirt bike’s rear tire. Let us know in the comments section below if you have more questions. 

If you’re not sweating while riding, it’s not worth it!

Sharing is caring!

FAQs

Are burnouts bad for your dirt bike?

When done properly, burnouts are unlikely to cause significant damage to your dirt bike. However, they can accelerate tire wear, strain the clutch, lead to overheating, and stress the transmission and drivetrain. Practicing moderation, performing regular maintenance, and prioritizing safety while enjoying the thrill of burnout is important.

What gear should you start a burnout in?

When starting a burnout on a dirt bike, it is generally recommended to begin in first gear. Starting in the first gear provides sufficient power and torque to initiate burnout. However, the specific gear selection can vary depending on the bike’s force and the desired effect. 

Can I do a burnout on any motorcycle?

Burnouts can generally be performed on most motorcycles, but the ease and effectiveness vary based on the bike’s power, weight distribution, and tire grip. Consider your motorcycle’s characteristics and limitations, prioritize safety, and practice in a controlled environment.

How to do a rolling burnout on a dirt bike?

To do a rolling burnout on a dirt bike:

● Find a safe location.

● Ride at a moderate speed.

● Apply rear brake pressure.

● Increase the throttle and release the clutch gradually.

● Control the burnout using the throttle and brake.

● Release the rear brake to end the burnout and continue riding safely.

Leave a Reply