A look inside A Racer’s life this far has been about trials and tribulations that I have gone through as an individual throughout my racing career. This blog post is going to shed some insight on how to race or just ride motocross. This is a guide for beginners and all of the basics someone needs to know to launch a career in motocross.
First things first, you have to know what kind of dirt bike you want to ride. There are many different manufacturers to choose from including Kawasaki, Honda, KTM, Suzuki and Yamaha. I will be bias and say that Kawasaki is the best, but any of these manufactures are excellent choices. The next step is to find what size of motorcycle that fits you the best. If you are a young teenager reading this post, I recommend you ride an 85cc or a “supermini.” These bikes are small, but extremely powerful motorcycles that will be excellent for riding or racing.
Now that you have your motorcycle, it is time to find the right gear set. I prefer Troy Lee Design gear and helmets. I was sponsored by Troy Lee over the years and their gear is by far the best I have ever worn. Another excellent helmet brand is Bell Helmets. They have a few different styles of helmets to best suit any rider. The most important part of any gear set in my opinion is finding the right boots. Boots have saved my ankles from many potential breaks and sprains and it is crucial that you find the right boots that suit you. My personal preference is the Fox Instincts racing boot. Other great brands are “Alpinestars”, “CIDI’s” and “Thor.” Finding the right boot for you could save you a trip to the hospital. Finally, another important aspect of riding gear are knee braces. Many individuals do not wear knee braces because they are expensive, but most of those individuals have had multiple knee surgeries as well. The only time I did not wear my knee braces riding I tore my ACL, MCL and LCL and it ended my season. For this reason, I am a huge advocate for good knee braces. “Alpinestar” makes an excellent knee brace, but my personal preference for knee braces are POD knee braces.
Now, you have your motorcycle and all of your gear, so it is time to hit the track. If you are a beginner I recommend riding in an open field before you try to go out on a racetrack with other riders. The main thing that you should practice is throttle control and how to properly use the clutch. One of the main mistake’s beginners make is not having a sense of throttle control. When you do not have control of the throttle and clutch it can be dangerous and the term “whiskey throttle” is where an individual gets too far back on the motorcycle, which causes them to roll the throttle all the way on which causes a loss of control. Understanding your motorcycle and having complete control will not only make you a better rider, but it will also keep you as safe as you can.
Motocross is a grueling and dangerous sport and it is not for everyone. A motorcycle is a toy, but it is a very dangerous toy that needs to be respected. Always wear your gear when you ride, even if you are just cruising around in the back yard because the results could be detrimental. This is the absolute basics for riding motocross, and you should seek out a professional to give you lessons and to help you understand the motorcycle better. In doing this, it will make you a better rider an potentially, a great racer.
Inside a Racers Life 