Motocross is fantastic. It’s cool. It’s challenging. We actually want to call it “sensational”. But motocross is also a very different kind of motorsport than you might be used to. Would you like to get started with this cool sport? Better late than never! Here are 7 things you need to know before you start riding motocross.
Better late than never, as they say. Yes, motocross is easiest if you start as a small child. But you can also take up this sport as an adult. It does require a fair amount of perseverance, though. So prepare yourself well! And take advantage of these 7 tips.
Good posture is half the battle. It makes riding a lot easier. If you are new to motocross and come from a discipline such as racing on a race bike, the posture required for motocross may take some getting used to. But remember: knees against the bike, elbows out.
By pressing your knees against the bike – you can press quite firmly – you will be more stable on the bike. If you are thrown back in your seat, you can better absorb this with your legs. This helps to prevent a “whisky throttle” situation.
And don’t forget your elbows! Some motocross riders do this more than others. But if you keep your elbows out, you will have more stability in your upper body. You can absorb more by keeping your arms flexible. So don’t keep them stiff and tense like a pit bull, but relax while pushing your elbows out.
Are you looking at your front wheel? Then there’s a good chance you’ll go that way too. In other words, a classic case of “over the handlebars”. In fact, the technique of where to look is an essential part of your riding skills in any type of motorsport.
Make sure you keep looking ahead. Look where you want to go. That will ensure that in nine out of ten cases, you’ll go that way too.
Don’t be stubborn. Don’t just go for second-hand. Put safety first and buy good motocross boots. Your legs are vulnerable when riding dirt bikes. They sometimes fly backwards unintentionally and take a beating when you put your foot down. But don’t forget about kick starting the bike.
Maybe you ride a luxurious dirt bike with a start button. But if you ride a 125 or a slightly older 250 4-stroke, chances are you’ll have to kick-start it. And believe us: you only want to do that with good motocross boots. Getting a kick back while kicking with trainers on can end very badly. A kick back like that can break your lower leg in two if you’re not careful. So just buy good motocross boots and save yourself the trouble.
It may be an investment you would rather not make, as it can be expensive. However, if you already have sensitive knees, good knee protectors or even knee braces can provide a lot of support and prevent unnecessary discomfort. Especially if you plan to ride a lot or even race, it is wise to look into this.
It feels extremely unnatural to many people. But are you in doubt? Open the throttle. Motocross can be difficult to learn if you start at a later age. Especially if you have always ridden a motorbike on the road. On the road, you tend to close the throttle in difficult situations. In motocross, you don’t want to do that. Not sure? Opening up the throttle almost always makes it easier, lighter, or more enjoyable to get through the situation. Speed is really your friend off-road.
Getting started with motocross brings lots of new and exciting things. Jumping is one of them! Have you built up enough confidence and are you ready to jump? Then remember: better too far than not far enough. Jumping can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially when you’re just starting out with motocross. But it’s better to over jump than to come up short. Please take our word for it. So, as we said before, open up that throttle.
Whether you are just starting with motocross or are already an experienced veteran who no longer rides every week, motocross is exhausting. So make sure you get plenty of rest. It is better to ride three high-quality sessions than five sessions where you are wobbling around like a wet sandwich.
When you’re exhausted, riding becomes more difficult and the chance of making mistakes increases. An unnecessary mistake due to fatigue can end badly if you have an unfortunate tumble in the sand. So make sure you rest in time.
Do you sometimes think, ‘If only I had known that earlier…’? Then we can shake your hand. And so we compiled this list of ‘7 things you should know before you start riding motocross’. From handy goodies to technical tips, they make life easier as a beginner motocross rider. Would you like to know more about starting motocross at a more mature age? Then enjoy our article “Starting with motocross in your 30s. What to expect?”
