I grew up green with envy watching the young kids with dirt bikes tear up the trails and fields. They taught me some of the basics of riding a motorcycle. Unfortunately, I had parents who felt dirt bikes, motorcycles, and ATVs were worse than the anti-christ so I was unable to obtain one, even with my own money. This was back in the 80’s and up until the mid 90’s. Now, all those trails and fields are developed and if you do find some place to ride, chances are you are trespassing and don’t even know it.
Dirt riding experience does help. But nothing beats real world experience in the streets. Dirt riding and street riding are kinda like apples and oranges. Different hazards, different bikes, different environments.
But I do look back at those kids that had the dirt bikes. They had brand new/like new bikes/quads that were purchased with their parent’s money. I got tired of hearing about their “powerband” and which bike they wanted their parents to buy them next. They were less than grateful for what they had and were spoiled little brats.