Dirt Bike Holidayswith theMX-Academy

Dirt bike holidays need no riding experience. At the MX-Academy in Switzerland children start at four on their own track, adults learn on a beginners’ track, and the Honda, helmet and boots are waiting for you on site.

Children from 4, adults up to 74Wednesday and Saturday in Switzerland1-hour taster mainly for kids 4 to 6Zurich Airport around 39 min

Motocross trip to Switzerland MX-Academy Dubai

Dirt bike holidays for beginners: a young woman on a red and white Honda rides a dirt path between earth banks

Dirt bike holidays for people who have never ridden

In English, an off-road motorcycle is often simply called a dirt bike. For teenagers and adults at the MX-Academy that means a Honda CRF250, a competition bike of around 100 kg and 40 hp that behaves very differently from a road motorcycle. This is why coaching is compulsory for every first-timer, even for people who already ride on the road.

That may sound serious, yet the majority of guests arrive without ever having ridden one. The day starts with a detailed theory session, then you ride on a beginners’ track in small steps, and after a single day most newcomers can put the basic techniques into practice. Nobody needs a driving licence, because the training ground in Schlatt TG is private land.

Dirt bike holiday packages: three riders on red Honda bikes take sandy bends marked with orange cones

Course day or guided tour: picking the right format

When you compare dirt bike vacations, look at the format first. A guided tour covers distance on trails and is most fun once you can already control the bike. A course day stays on a training ground: coaches explain each step, riders are split into groups by ability, and each track matches a level, from the kids’ track to one for riders who master all the basics.

In Switzerland the choice is simpler: off approved grounds, enduro riding is not permitted anywhere in the country, so every MX-Academy course takes place on its own approved site. If your holiday should include both formats, learn the basics on a course day first and keep dirt bike tours abroad for later, for example in the desert of Dubai.

Course day: theory, coaching and a track that matches your level
Guided tour: distance and scenery, best once you control the bike
Children: their own track, with an instructor riding alongside beginners

Dirt bike vacations: three riders on red motocross bikes follow a curving dirt track beside green woods

Dirt bike holidays with children from the age of four

Children can start at four. They ride on a separate kids’ track, and for the very first laps there are small automatic bikes without a clutch lever.With young beginners an instructor rides alongside until the child can handle the bike alone; later, keen kids can learn to use the clutch on a geared bike. The Honda range for children runs from the CRF50 to the CRF150.

For a first try, the 1-hour taster session is aimed mainly at kids aged 4 to 6 and costs €179 (CHF 165); it takes place only every second Wednesday. Parents can ride as well, and families with four or more riders can ask for a family discount. Smaller bikes and smaller protective gear are also available for women who need them. On a full course day, children and adults are at the same place, each on the track that suits them, so nobody in the family has to wait at home.

Dirt bike holidays with kids: two young children with small red Honda bikes raise their fists on a gravel track

Dirt bike holiday packages: what to rent and what to bring

Everything heavy can stay at home. The MX-Academy rents out Honda CRF bikes in all sizes and replaces them with new ones every year. Boots, gloves and a helmet with goggles, as well as knee guards and a chest protector, are there for every rider, from small children to XXL. You only pack long trousers, sturdy shoes and something dry to change into. A Saturday with bike and gear costs €444 (CHF 410), a Wednesday €390 (CHF 360); all prices on this page are non-binding.

From registration to the last lap, expect a day of six to eight hours: you sign in, follow the theory and get fitted with gear before you ride. Track time is 4 hours on Saturdays and 3.5 hours on Wednesdays, including breaks and instruction. Every date is published in the calendar of events of the MX-Academy, and that is also where you book.

After the basics: dirt bike vacations in the desert

Once the basics feel natural, the desert of Dubai is a tempting next step. The MX-Academy advises preparing in Switzerland before you ride freely in the sand. MX-Academy Dubai then takes you out on a date of your choice; the Emirates are around six hours away from Switzerland by air.

Dirt bike riding in Dubai and the desert ride are described in detail on the website of the school in the Emirates. You can book the MX package or organise hotel and flight on your own and just tell the team which days you would like to ride.

Dirt bike tours abroad: a rider in full gear raises one arm on orange desert sand, another bike and rocky hills behind

FAQ: Dirt Bike Holidays

Are dirt bike holidays suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. Most guests have never sat on a dirt bike before.First-timers get compulsory coaching and start on a beginners’ track after a detailed theory session.

From what age can children ride a dirt bike at the MX-Academy?

From the age of four. Children ride on a separate kids’ track, and with beginners an instructor rides alongside until the child can handle the bike.

What is the difference between a dirt bike and a motocross bike?

Dirt bike is the general English term for an off-road motorcycle. A motocross bike is one type, built for closed off-road tracks; at the MX-Academy you ride Honda CRF motocross bikes.

Do I need my own gear for dirt bike vacations?

No. You can hire the bike and the protective gear on site, in children’s sizes up to XXL. Your own luggage only needs long trousers, sturdy shoes and spare clothes.

Where can I ride a dirt bike in the desert?

With MX-Academy Dubai on a date of your choice, around six hours by plane from Switzerland. The MX-Academy recommends preparing in Switzerland first.