A Beginners Guide To Motocross Racing
So you think you want to give motocross a go, huh? Great idea, motocross is a fun, healthy (and at times painful!) sport that continues to grow in popularity all over the world.
In this article I'll guide you through some do's and don'ts to help you get organised and on the start line for your very first race.
Choosing A Bike
If you're just starting out in the sport then there's no need for you to have the latest and greatest bike. Apart from the fact that initially you won't be able to ride a brand new motocross bike to its full potential anyway, there's also the consideration that in the event you decide the sport is not for you then you'll have quite an expensive toy sitting in your garage that you have no use for.
Be realistic about deciding whether a bike would suit you, it can be difficult to decide on a model when you haven't got a whole lot of riding experience but try to find something that is more user friendly ie. smaller engine capacity and preferably unmodified so that the bike is easier to ride.
Look for a bike that seems well maintained, if you don't have much mechanical knowledge then see if you can enlist the help of a friend who has some experience with bikes to come with you when you go to look at a prospective purchase. Check for obvious oil leaks, worn wheel bearings, any indications that the bike has done a lot of work and may not have been well maintained.
The end of your local race season and also new model changeover time can be a good time to go bike hunting, racers will be updating for next season with newer bikes so there should be plenty around for sale. Check your local classifieds and bike dealers, internet based motorbike sales sites are a great place to look as well.
Riding Gear
The same rule about not needing the latest and greatest applies to riding gear as well, the only item I really would stress that you buy new is your helmet. In that case, spend as much as you can afford on a helmet, your head is one of your most precious bits!
The rest of your gear can be bought secondhand, most motocross clubs have a newsletter that will have a classifieds section selling riding gear and various bits and pieces as well as secondhand bikes, again check your local classifieds and the usual places like Ebay etc.
Secondhand gear is a really good idea for kids, even if they decide they love racing bikes they grow that quick that you'll find yourself constantly getting your wallet out to upgrade their gear.
After getting a helmet the order of priority would probably be goggles, boots, knee guards, gloves, chest/elbow protectors then riding pants and a jersey.
Joining A Club And Practise Riding
OK, you're all kitted out and you've found the motocross bike of your dreams (or at least one you can afford!), now you need to go riding. Find the local motocross club in your area and join up, they'll be able to tell you when practise ride days are and also other important information like how to go about getting a race licence and some other technical details that you need to look into before you race.
When you're practising riding, build up your confidence gradually. Spend time mastering the very basics of riding and then work your way up to riding at speed and tackling some of the more difficult obstacles on the track.
Watch experienced riders, take notice of how they ride sections of the track that may be causing you trouble. The most important thing is to take your time, yes you need to push yourself a little to improve but if you are feeling uncomfortable with the way you're riding and you have a decent crash it may take quite a while before you get your confidence back. This also applies to the pushy parents I see yelling at their kids, if they're not having fun what's the point of them doing it?
Absorb as much information about riding techniques as you can and then apply them yourself when you're out practising. In no time you'll find yourself improving and growing more confident and comfortable. As fun as motocross is, it still can be a dangerous sport so be careful.
Your First Race
Right, your technique is razor sharp and you're feeling pretty fast, it's time to put it all to the test. Club meetings are a great way to start off racing, they're low pressure and pretty casual and there are usually plenty of club members who will do what they can to make first time racers feel welcome.
Get to the meeting nice and early, sign up and have a look around. If it's at your home track then you will know the layout pretty well from all those practise laps. Attend the pre-race riders briefing and get ready for practise. Practise shouldn't be a race, take your time and have a good look at the track and then put on some pace and do a couple of laps at a speed close to what you would race at.
Once the race program has commenced, wander up and have a look at how the starts are run, take notice of the procedure so you will know what to expect when your race is up. Keep an eye on the race order and get up to the start line with plenty of time to spare before your race. Here in Australia the most common ways to decide who starts from which gate is done by a random draw, usually a numbered peg out of a bucket.
Choose which gate you want to start from and then get into position, put your bike in gear when the 30 second board is up, load the bike up against the front brake (a technique where you apply the front brake and partially release the clutch until the bike is pushing against the brake) when the 5 second board is up and when the gate drops you're away!
Motocross racing is a great sport but it can be quite daunting when you first start, just remember to go at your own pace initially and build your confidence and above all have fun! About The Author
Andrew Fratantaro is a clubman motocross racer from Geelong, Australia. His web site is dedicated to providing an organised resource of motocross tips and techniques as well as photo galleries, video downloads, bike and gear reviews and all kinds of info.
Take a look at his site Motocross 101. |
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