A Beginner’s Guide to Motorcross

There’s nothing like a day at the Motocross races. An exciting and invigorating sport to watch, fans have been enjoying Motocross for decades. If you’re interested in learning more– or even picking the sport up for yourself– read on for a brief introduction.

What Is Motocross?

The word Motocross is a hybrid of two different words– motorcycle and cross country. This is an apt name for the sport, as it is essentially racing dirt bikes. Motocross began in the early 1900s, although the sport– and the bikes– have evolved a great deal since then. What started as biking time trials in the UK has become an international phenomenon with rough terrain, jumps, and some of the fastest dirt bikes out there.

One surprising thing about Motocross is that it’s a much more physical sport than it may seem. Riding the bike over jumps and hairpin curves all takes a great deal of physical fitness and ability.

What’s The Difference Between Motocross And Regular Dirt Biking?

Motocross involves racing. The goal of a Motocross race is to finish the course as fast as possible, preferably before everyone else. The goal of a regular ride on a dirt bike, however, is usually just to conquer a course and have fun, maybe while going fast. Racing is not usually a part of normal dirt biking, and, in fact, can be quite dangerous on a non-closed course.

Tips For Riding

If you’ve decided to start Motocross racing, there are a few helpful things to know prior to jumping on the bike.

You’ll likely encounter whoops, which are a series of small bumps in the terrain. The key to tackling whoops is to aim for the very center of each bump, trying to ride along the tops. If you dip too much, you risk losing control of the rear of your bike. Riding over just the tips of the bumps help stabilize the bike and prevents the rear wheel from buckling excessively.

Another tip is to start small on the jumps and get comfortable prior to real racing. It takes a decent amount of skill and strength to successfully land a jump, and you don’t want to be overconfident or wipe out mid-race.

Practice can help you avoid mistakes in jumps, as well as better master the art of riding. Before you start racing, be sure to get in a few practice runs on your bike to get a feel for how it rides.

Staying Safe

Proper safety gear is key to staying safe in a Motocross race. Riders are recommended to wear full-face helmets, as well as knee and elbow braces, riding jackets, riding pants, boots, goggles, and gloves. Each of these items is recommended for each and every ride.

Just as important as wearing the right gear, is having the right attitude. Don’t attempt jumps that you aren’t confident in, and don’t ride faster than your experience level allows. In short, don’t push yourself too much– when you’re new, it’s better to stay within your comfort zone and experiment from there.

Wrap Up

The sport of Motocross has been around for so long for a good reason. It’s fun to watch, and even more fun to race. If you’re thinking about getting into the sport, don’t hesitate– grab a cheap bike, some safety gear, and start learning to ride. The sooner you master the basics, the sooner you can hit the course and race!