Frequently Asked Questions

The basic DBO kit was designed to make obstacles that appeal to riders of all ability levels.  The 1 tier high obstacle is perfect for new riders and doesn’t require the front tire to be lifted. It can be rolled over but does allow the rider just learning a target for lifting the front tire to work on timing and position.  The 2 tier high obstacle is great for advancing riders who want a bit more challenge to dial in their slow, controlled, small wheelie.  It also is a good starting point to work on more advanced techniques like double blips.  The 3 tier high obstacle is more challenging and requires solid technique.  It provides a great size for all types of obstacle skills but is not so high that the exit has to be made in a wheelie position on a standard, full size dirt bike.

Because the DBO standard kit easily makes obstacles of various difficulties, a rider can use it that is of any ability level from beginner to advanced.  As a rider becomes proficient at one size obstacle, they can build the next bigger size obstacle and keep growing their skills. 

Heck yah.  The clutch control, balance, and timing integral to all the techniques worked on using the DBO obstacles (see basic configuration and variations in the Gallery videos)  are the foundation for off-road dirt bike riding.  Practicing these skills is the fastest way to becoming a better rider.  

The DBO kit and method for making obstacles is the first and only one person, easily reconfigurable and easily movable system for making dirt bike obstacles!!  We developed this product because we wanted this for our own yard and couldn’t find it.  It had to be something that 1 person could setup, change around, and move.  Yes, we need to cut our grass too, so moving obstacle elements to a storage area was key.  This is all done with 3 foot long, used railroad tie logs (7”x9” cross section) that the user procures locally and our kit of brackets & straps to assemble the logs into obstacles.  It’s easy and fun.  See the use instructions and setup videos for more details.

The DBO kit of heavy duty welded steel brackets and Tight-N-Tough straps is essential for making the obstacles work.  It’s critically important that the groupings of tie logs act as one, integrated unit secure to the ground.  The Anchor Brackets keep the obstacle from sliding along the ground when impacted.  The Shear Brackets keep each tier of a multi tear obstacle from sliding apart when impacted.  The Tight-N-Tough straps firmly hold the grouping of logs together.  By using individual tie logs, the obstacle system is reconfigurable and movable by 1 person.  By using the DBO kit of brackets and straps, these individual logs are transformed into a solid obstacle capable of being impacted by the mass of a motorcycle with rider.

The (2) Anchor Brackets are 3 dimensional parts welded from ¼” thick steel plate.  The total dimensions for each bracket is about 7.5” x 4” x 4”.  The bracket is coated in a durable, heavy duty truck bed type liner material.  The (4) Sheer brackets are 2 dimensional parts welded from ¼” thick steel plate.  The total dimensions for each bracket is about 10” x 2.75”.  The bracket is coated in a durable, heavy duty truck bed liner type coating.  The (2) Tight-N-Tough ratchet straps are 1” X 10’ long heavy duty straps with a 3,000 pound breaking strength (500 pound working strength).  The individual railroad tie logs (procured and cut by you locally) are 3’ long with a 7” x 9” cross section.  Each of these tie logs weighs about 55 pounds.

Setup of the DBO obstacles are easy and fun.  Please see the downloadable PDF Use Instructions that are at the end of the How To Build page on this site.  As soon as the snow melts and we can get back to riding, we will also post full setup videos that show each obstacle being built.

Setup of the obstacles are as easy and quick as stacking the railroad tie logs.  You are just adding some brackets and straps along the way but these are just placed accordingly (see instructions) as you stack the logs.  Working at a leisurely pace, obstacles can all be built in under 15 minutes.

It would be cost prohibitive for us to ship railroad ties to you.  Fortunately, most home depots in the USA carry used 9’ long railroad ties.  In areas where Home Depot does not, you can find used railroad ties sold at various other landscaping supply centers.  At the time of this writing in 2022, Home Depot was charging about $22 per used 9’ long railroad tie.  You find them typically stacked outside the store.  You pay inside but ask for assistance in loading your truck or trailer.  You need 3 of the 9’ long railroad ties in reasonably fair condition.  Avoid splits that go through the entire tie at either end as you will be cutting the tie into 3 pieces (chainsaw or circular saw work best) and you don’t want split ends falling apart.  If concerned, it may be easiest to just buy a 4th railroad tie and have extra logs.  In the end, you will need 9 tie logs (3’ long) to build obstacles with.

DBO steel brackets, when used as intended, are warrantied for life against defects in material & workmanship that render them unfit for their designed purpose.  Please know that while these brackets are made of extremely tough ¼” steel, you still may eventually incur small bends in the brackets.  This is normal and doesn’t impede the function and can be bent back out on a bench vice if you desire.  Also, you will abrade and wear away the coating on the brackets.  This is normal and does not impede the brackets function and is not a warranty item.  Please realize these are not cosmetic parts but are welded, structural elements.  The ratchet straps are considered a wear item and will, based on use conditions and user care, have a limited life.  These straps have no warranty and you will need to sooner or later replace them with your own ratchet straps of similar size/strength or procure replacement straps from us.  If you have a warranty concern, please contact us for next steps.

The answer to this depends on your comfort level with space around you as you ride your dirt bike over things.  How much space do you like clear around you (and as a run up) when you are trail riding and come to an obstacle?  Some people want lots of space in case things go wrong.  Others are confident in more confined spaces.  You will have to judge this based on your own comfort level.  I can say that my backyard space is about 35’ x 70’ and that feels very spacious to me for riding over the obstacles and doing the obstacle variations shown in our videos.

We currently are only shipping in the USA.  Our goal is to keep kits on the shelf and ship them out within 1-2 days of receiving an order.  If demand or supply chain challenges occur, this timeframe could get extended and we will do everything we can to communicate order status and timing.

Any dirt bike will generally work with DBO made obstacles.  If you are comfortable riding the bike on trails and having to overcome obstacles out riding, then it would be the same with a DBO made obstacles.  This generally means a motorcycle made for dirt riding, in good working condition, with tires meant for use in off road conditions.  That’s it.    

Only you can decide when you have mastered something well enough to move on to the next challenge.  Please be careful in making this decision and don’t move too fast in going to harder obstacles.  The goal is not to get to a 3 tier obstacle as quickly as you can.  The goal is to build the skills to make you a better rider and this is done with practice and repetition using all the various techniques shown in our videos.  Be careful and take your progression at a modest pace and enjoy the journey!

Yes, you can use “kickers” to help you raise your front end to get up on an obstacle.  This is especially useful when going to a new height.  A kicker is something you use in front of the obstacle to help compress your suspension and spring up onto the obstacle.  It can be a rock or a free tie log or something similar placed out in front of the obstacle.  Do some google searching and you will find people showing the use of kickers for dirt biking.  On the back side of the obstacle, you can also add some exit height to make landing the front end easier as you exit an obstacle.  This may be especially useful when moving to a tier 3 obstacle.  This back side exit ramp can be a hillside that you move the obstacle near or some free tie logs or something similar.  

Yes, another benefit of used RR ties is that they are treated for a life in the outdoors.  As such, they are meant to be outside in the weather for many, many years of use.  The steel brackets and ratchet straps are also designed to handle exposure to the elements.  It’s expected these DBO kit parts will be outside for extended periods while the obstacles are setup and generally being used.  However, it is advised that for prolonged periods when obstacles are not in use (for example, the entire winter season) that the brackets and straps be stored indoors.  This is easy to do and will reduce the exposure to rain and sun.