Pavement riding, and off-road riding skills may in some ways be related, but in others are fundamentally different.

When riding bike on pavement, I seldom stand on footpegs, butt off saddle, for maneuverability. For off road that may be more common.

None the less, improved throttle / balance / steering control may benefit a rider, no matter what the environment.

Have you ever tried the -figure 8 between the curbs- exercise?

There's a thread about it (for road riders) here:

http://www.xt225.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=64167&page=1

Have you ever tried this?

- Keeping both feet on foot pegs
- keeping hands and feet off brakes
- remaining seated
- at about 5 MPH ride a figure 8 pattern on a segment of pavement where it is safe to do so (private driveway, tennis court), within confines of where the curbs would be on a one lane each way roadway.

I had to do this maneuver when I was a teen, to get my MC license.

But I'd been out of motorcycling for a while, and wanted to brush up my skills.
Over a 3 or 4 day period, 10 or 15 minutes per day, I've experimented with / practiced this maneuver.

Last night I succeeded in doing ten consecutive figure 8's, without clutching, braking, or removing either boot from a footpeg.

I've already noticed an improvement in my road riding skills (stop signs) as a result.

But now I'm curious. Is there some similar exercise for basic off-road riding?

Any tips on how to get ready?

PS:

Anyone that's planning to load up their mule with lots of gear, and go on a journey, I strongly suggest they check the inflation pressure in their tires, and insure that it's at the pressure recommended in the manual (not the maximums listed on the tire!) for such loads (rider + passenger, plus gear).
Then practice riding the loaded bike on the kind of terrain you expect on the journey.
This exercise can pay big dividends later.

Enjoy the ride!

I took the tape measure out to the practice site.
It measures 19' 11" wide.

I measured the roadway in front of my house. That measures 21' 4". So there is some variation.

note:
_
8 might be possible. I'm not there yet (w/ an XT 250).
-

Instead, the practice pattern I ride is |8|, the easier challenge.

20', boots on footpegs, no clutch; good practice.
If you can do a dozen consecutive figure 8's without removing boot from peg, and without clutching, you're good to go.