I've been riding street for over 35 years. In a cross country trip a couple years ago I ran into a couple young men in a small Utah town riding the TAT... After talking with them I had a new bucket list item. But then I knew I'd need to learn some new skills and chance my riding style significantly.
I started with the intermediate class and it was freaking AWESOME!! I learned so much and gained a crazy amount of confidence. Not only with the dirt bike but also with skills that carried over to street riding. I will be going back a few more times over the next couple years ago when I head out on my big adventure in 2020 I can do it with confidence.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!
-Jennifer P. 52 / Castle Rock
"As Max's father, I must say Max really enjoyed his training day. It would be a gross understatement to say Max had such a great time because he loved every moment. We are searching now for a bike, which will likely be a Honda like the one he rode. Thanks again to you and Jason for making a remarkable day for Max. Kevin"
-Max W. 13 / Shoreline
As a seasoned street rider, with 20+ yrs exp, riding everything from imports to Harleys, I figured there wasn't a whole lot of curriculum that would apply to me.... Boy was I wrong!!! I hired Mr. Jason Sherman to take me out on a private lesson. Wow, was I ever grateful. To Begin, Mr. Sherman was polite, professional, great at communicating and demonstration, and an all around pleasure to ride with. It amazed me, through his instruction, how much different the dirt from the street really is. In every exercise he was very thorough and helpful. He even helped me fine tune some of the control aspects of the Honda CRF 450x to fit me personally. From beginning to end, I had fun, and most importantly, learned valuable skills to keep the ride safe. I have already booked a follow up appointment for my next lesson! Thank you very much Dirt First and Mr. Jason Sherman.
-JD S. 40 / Marysville, WA
Thanks to the guys from DirtFirst for bringing their amazing training to the Tourtech Rally. The course was perfectly balanced between verbal instruction and drills to instill great riding skills for us adventure riders on bigger bikes. When I went on my first major ride the next day, I could still hear Whitney and Jason's instructions and encouragement in my head for an awesome and safe ride. Check it out!
-Garth B. 53 / Vancouver, B.C.
Gary, Jason and Whitney were so professional on teaching us the bunch of Dirty Girls ADV! I had concern riding offroad again since I have crashed and fractured my ankle, but during their class and even after the class, I could feel my confidence back and wanted to try more challenge terrains. Indeed, their class offered and led my skill improved, and I am thankful to be able to take their class! I will be planning to take another advanced class next year for sure.
-Kumi / Snohomish
If you’re a street rider and need more confidence and applicable skills to get more from your road rides, then consider getting dirty in one of these classes.
Not only will you hear plenty of relevant 80s references, like a VH1 flashback show, but you’ll be perched atop dirt bike seats as comfortable as an Olympic gymnastic balance beam. You’ll learn about “V Traction” techniques and proper elbow placement while your thighs burn as you push through practice drills and (thankfully) short, but fun trail rides.
You’ll soon discover almost everything you knew about riding a street bike is null and void if you want to ride in the dirt. However, don’t turn in your cruiser or sport bike just yet. The skills you learn are fully transferable back to your street ride and will also be handy if you decide to pursue more dirt riding.
Allow co-owner Jason to delight you with his tremendous depth and breadth of riding knowledge and real-world (ah, an 80s reference) experience. He’s demanding and detailed, yet incredibly supportive and very safety-minded…kinda like your grandmother with a mustache.
I recommend anyone looking to improve themselves to try a class with this group, especially if you like ballroom dancing. It’s an inside, but useful, reference so you’ll have to take the class to find our more.
-Matt S. 52 / Bremerton, WA
Probably have 100K miles on BMW plus several K on other bikes. Proves that any on with some mechanical skills can ride mostly on pavement, in a straight line, and fast. Switch to dirt and the game changes. A little late in life maybe to learn off road but I chose well. Jason of DBST did a fine job of keeping me on track and my head AND body in the game. Great demeanor, patience and skills. Even picked up my bike on a trail ride when the vegetation pulled me off the track : >}. I learned a lot. especially to practice practice on a lighter bike before taking my R1200GS on single track. I intend to be back to glean more confidence and skills. Thanks Jason.
-Dave 71 / Puyallup WA
Hey guys, quick shout out after the Desert 100 class. Over the top instruction and communication. Ran the the 50 mile event on Sunday after the class. As fatigue sets in, the technical points taught, became the things I could rely on in all conditions. Great class, great job.
-Roger Z. 60 / Desert 100
Jason worked with me and my work schedule to get me out for a private lesson. Upon arriving he took the time to find out where I was at with my riding and where I want to go in the in the near future with it. Not only did he coach me through techniques and drills but explained the body mechanics of how the bike should respond to me and I should respond to the bike. He left me with awesome things to practice and how I can add challenges to the drills as I progress.🕺 Thanks Jason!
-Chad C. 38 / Leavenworth
I've been riding street for about 10 years and my wife for about 4. We didn't pretend to know anything about riding in dirt before this class and we learned a great deal! Focus on fundamentals and body positioning made all the difference in feeling confident and capable on a dirtbike. What a perfect way to celebrate my birthday and walk away with some very valuable skills - I'll be back! Thank you very much Jason!!!!
-Gabe A. 29 / Kent, WA
I recently purchased an adventure bike and was looking for an introduction to off-road riding, I participated in the level 2 class this past weekend in Marysville. I have ridden a road bike on and off for a handful of years but had never even sat on a dirt bike before this class.
The lead instructor was Jason and the second instructor was David, both exceptional riders and great teachers. Jason taught the level two class, made up of 7 or 8 students of all different shapes, sizes and abilities. The class and all of the lessons were useful to each and everyone of us. Each of us tested our abilities and I think we all felt greatly improved by the end of the class albeit each a little humbled.
Off road riding is difficult and this class showed me how little I knew of it. I hope to be able to practice riding over the next 6 months or a year and then take level two again to further improve and add to the skills I am building.
Jason as a teacher was extremely likeable and while demanding of the students, was always there to applaud and reinforce the students as they succeeded and/or improved.
I rented the bike from them, which I would highly recommend, they have a variety of sizes of bikes and made sure to have everyone on an appropriately sized machine. The bike they assigned me was in great shape and clearly well taken care of.
Overall, I am very satisfied with the class and thought both Jason and David were great instructors, I'd be happy and lucky to take another class with either of them and will definitely be returning to Dirt Bike Safety Training in the future for more lessons.
-Keith M. 40 / Seattle, WA
I took the beginners class with a couple of girlfriends just for fun and as something I’ve always wanted to learn. We were very apprehensive in the beginning, but Whitney was patient and encouraging. It was a fun and positive learning experience (which is all I really hoped for), and I am looking to schedule my next class as soon as possible! Next time with my kids after we purchase bikes of our own!
-Cristiana C. 39 / North Bend
I took a private lesson with their instructor, Jason, yesterday. I have never ridden a dirt bike before and am not the best version of myself in group class scenarios (I'm sort of shy person). Jason was so kind and generous with me during our lesson. He got me so much further along in terms of my skills and riding ability in a few hours than I thought would be possible, while also being patient and flexible with his teaching method. There's no question I was humbled by some of my own limitations, but Jason identified them and made it a point to not skip over them but help me focus to get better at them. By the end of the class, I even got to ride on a trail beyond him, which seemed far beyond my reach when I first got there. Highly recommend! Can't wait to go back!
-Tyler J. 33 / Snohomish, WA
I took the ADV bike safety class a few months ago and have made an earnest effort to put the skills I learned into practice since that time.
I decided to post this testimonial because I'm earnestly astonished that my off-road abilities have improved so drastically after just 1 day of education and application of proper off-road technique. Today, I'm safely conquering terrain that would have sent me flying off my bike previously, haha!
1 caveat: the class is physically demanding, and it's a full day. Be prepared.
I'm looking forward to signing up for the next class in the series!
-Jake M. 49 / Tigard, OR
Hi Jason and Whitney! I took your level 2 class on 4/29, and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. Though I had ridden on the street for 30 years, I had never been off-road. I was leaving for an 1,100-mile motorcycle tour in Morocco two days after the Dirt First class, and knew it would include about 10% off-road riding, so I hoped your course would at least give me the basics to be able to participate fully in the tour. Well, it did much more than that. I was not only able to do the entire trip confidently, I even was able to give a fellow novice off-road rider a few tips on how to navigate turns while seated or standing, side hills, and so on! I am so grateful for the expertise that you imparted, and I am 100% sure that it made the difference for me to be able to experience all of what the tour had to offer. In fact, there were several times where I simply could not have continued the tour, had I not had the skills that I acquired at Dirt First. I hope to be back soon for more practice with you, and thank you again for the great day! Best, Ben
-Ben M. 47 / Washington
Thank you Lisa and Jason.
I learned a ton and have lot’s to work on. It was a worthwhile class and your teaching skills are great, especially the “Carlton Dance”.
Thank for a great weekend.
Matt
-Matthew W. /