NOMADAS SKILLS RATING GUIDE
Knowing your level is your ticket to having an epic adventure where you feel comfy and will be grouped with similar riders.
Now, put your ego aside and be brutally honest about your rating. Remember, we all start as beginners, eating dirt and that’s awesome.
LEVEL ZERO
Dirt biking interests me. I’m stoked to learn but have never ridden any type of motorcycle before. I’m a total newbie to two-wheels. Teach me the ways!
LEVEL ONE
I know how to ride a motorcycle but don’t have off-road experience OR I have a bit of off-road experience but prefer riding ATV trails and double tracks.
I’m not super confident with all the controls
I stall frequently
I find corners a challenge to navigate and they surprise me
Hills are tough
I have no idea what single track means
I could use help with my riding skills
LEVEL TWO
I’ve been off-roading and get out a few times each year. I want to know how to control the bike better. I’m pretty spent after a few hours of riding.
Terrain:
Prefer off-road ATV trails and double-track
Want to build skills for rocky, root-filled, tight-cornered, tree-lined, sandy, and hilly terrains
Finding single-track challenging but exciting
Obstacles:
Can roll over smaller obstacles
Struggle with obstacles larger than 6 inches
Difficulty getting unstuck without help
Speed:
Uncomfortable at higher speeds (4th gear +) on roads and double track
Prefer staying below 4th gear
Comfortable in 1st gear (sometimes 2nd) on single track
Bike Skills:
Can operate controls, but moments of wildness occur
Improving clutch skills but tend to stall in corners
Experimenting with standing on pegs, but lose proper form in tricky terrain
Cornering:
Improving cornering skills
Frequent stalls and tip-overs
Hills:
Hills feel challenging but worth attempting
Struggle with clutch, throttle, brake control, and body positioning on climbs and descents
Descending on hills can be iffy, preferring sitting for better control and a slower pace
Shifting:
Tendency to look right in front of the bike instead of ahead which makes it hard to know what’s coming
LEVEL THREE
I absolutely love riding and get out as much as I can. I know I can keep improving but I’m totally sold — love it! I’m cool with 2-4 hour trail rides. I might even try C-Class racing! Woo!
Terrain:
Working on skills and confidence for varied terrains: rocks, roots, tight corners, trees, sand, hills, tighter turns, quick shifting, and whoops
Prefer mellow single track, finding it challenging yet enjoyable
Obstacles:
Negotiates smaller obstacles, but not always gracefully
Struggle to get unstuck without assistance
Learning to lift the front wheel on command, though it feels intimidating
Speed:
Comfortable at higher speeds (4th gear +) on roads and double track
Like higher speeds on single track (2-3rd gear)
Bike Skills:
Successfully operates all controls consistently
Improving clutch control for better bike handling
Stands on pegs most of the time, occasionally losing proper form in challenging terrain
Cornering:
Cornering skills are a work in progress, with occasional stalls
Hills:
Hills are becoming less intimidating
Struggles with clutch, throttle, brake control, and body positioning on climbs and descents
Descending on hills can be iffy, focusing on brake control and body positioning
Shifting:
Tries to look ahead but often reverts to focusing on the bike
LEVEL FOUR
I ride all the time. I’m addicted. I’m riding every weekend and on vacay. I can do 4+ hour rides in the mountains and am thinking about B Class racing.
Terrain:
Single track is best, though sidehills are a challenge.
Obstacles:
Obstacles are easier but still intimidate me.
Mastering lifting the front wheel on command for roots, rocks, and downed trees
Speed:
Comfortable at higher speeds (5th gear +) on roads and double track
Handles higher speeds on single track (2-3rd gear)
Bike Skills:
Improved clutch control and gaining confidence
Occasionally spin the rear tire but working on it
Strong body positioning, often standing and sitting when needed
Hills:
Shifts gears fluidly during climbs, mastering body movement for traction
Climbing is usually successful, tackling technical elements when necessary
Comfortable with speed on descents, considering steeper descents as "fun"
Cornering:
Understand effective cornering techniques
Developing timing for smoother cornering
Shifting:
Looks ahead, improving consistency
Sets up for turns and obstacles by selecting appropriate gear and approach speed
LEVEL FIVE
I absolutely love riding and get out as much as I can. I know I can keep improving but I’m totally sold — love it! I’m down for 6+ hour rides in the mountains and won’t get too winded. I really love racing
Terrain:
Can ride comfortably on any terrain. The more technical the better.
Speed:
Handles higher speeds (5th gear +) on roads, double track, and single track (3rd gear +)
Bike Skills:
Seamlessly uses throttle and clutch for power and control
Comfortable standing or sitting for traction
Hills:
Shifts gears fluidly during climbs, mastering body movement for traction
Navigates technical elements on hills effortlessly
Handles variable traction conditions during climbs
Cornering:
Consistent timing and coordination in all types of corners
Leans through corners with confidence and accelerates through exits
Shifting:
Consistently looks ahead and sets up for hills, turns, and obstacles
LEVEL SIX
Dirt Biking is literally my life (and my job)! I can ride the most technical terrain imaginable, hit all the jumps, turns, climbs, and descents with confidence. I race pro regularly. I’m kind of a bad ass.
