Motocross is arguably the most popular form of off-road motorized sports. And despite how it may appear from the outside, it is organized. You just have to be on the inside to truly appreciate the system. It's a big family and one that's always looking to add members regardless of age or ability. So if you ride but don't race, consider the benefits of motocross and give it a shot. After all, it's a great way to meet with fellow moto-junkies (who may just become lifelong friends) and will undoubtedly fill you with competition-charged adrenaline. If you've never been to a race but love the idea of hitting the track on your dirt bike, check out these tips and you'll have a head start on the learning curve that is motocross.
What About A Bike
Motocross is definitely model-specific when it comes to bikes. Every major manufacturer commits a large portion of its time and money to developing its best machines for the motocross market. If you're riding an off-road-specific enduro bike or even if you're between bikes at the moment, racing motocross can still become a reality. Some racing series have classes designed for off-road bikes. Sometimes called sportsmen or enduro, these classes invite the headlight-and-spark-arrestor crowd to tackle the motocross track with their soft-suspended off-road bikes. If your local series has this class, it's a great place to begin. Usually, the class is pretty empty so you won't have to worry about too much bumping around. If you don't have a bike or the races in your area don't support sportsmen classes, you still have some options. The boom in four-stroke popularity has a lot of advantages for the serious racer. For someone who is looking to get into the sport without spending lots of money, the benefits are stellar. The value of used two-stroke motocross bikes has taken a dive. This means you can pick up a nearly new and still-competitive 250 or 125 for less than ever. Check your local newspaper classifieds or the bulletin boards at local motocross shops and you'll find plenty of cheap two-strokes for your new MX hobby.
Leave Your Bike At Home
When viewed from the outside, motocross can be overwhelming. Especially since everyone doing it seems to have secret schedules and rituals they're not telling you about. Almost all racers who have been racing MX for a while have a sort of internal clock to remind them of when practice is, how long races last and when they should clean and lube their chain...among other things. One of the best ways to start your MX hobby is to go to a race and leave your bike at home. It's best if you know someone who races-this way he or she can show you around. Without worrying about participating, you'll be free to observe the ritual and get an idea about what's going on. This is also your free trip to ask questions. And there aren't any stupid ones. Any time you don't understand something, just ask. The motocross community is an inclusive, welcoming group. Get to the track and begin snooping around.
Go Shopping
We can guarantee at least one person at your local motorcycle dealer races or has raced motocross. That is, of course, if your local shop sells motocross bikes and/or accessories. As with a lot of things, your relationship with those working at your favorite dealership or hop-up shop can be invaluable. For instance, want to know if a track on the other side of the state is worth driving to? Ask your shop. If the shop guys don't know, they can usually find someone who does. Want to find out what class (if any) your headlight-equipped trailbike is eligible for? Ask your shop (I'm sure they'd love the invitation to sell you a motocrosser!). The motocross shop is the original Internet search engine. Ask a question and you'll usually be directed to an answer. Next to hitting the racetrack, the motocross shop is the best source of moto-information.
Do Some Research
Does the race event you're entering have a club affiliation? Is membership required? If not, is there a discount or some other benefit that might make it worth joining anyway? Will this race be part of a series of races? If so, does the series require or make some form of membership worthwhile? What classes are racing? How long are the motos? What classes are you eligible for? These usually are split by machine size or age, sometimes both. Do your research when you're watching your first few races or nosing around your local shop. The information you learn before you race will help you be more prepared as you enter the racing world.
Practice
If you've never ridden on a motocross track or your track time is very limited, you're going to want to bust out some laps before tackling a race. First, this is going to give your arms, legs and back an idea of the complete flogging you'll put it through. If you don't practice MX, your body is going to be violently surprised about a lap into your first race. Second, you'll get used to riding your bike around people close enough to touch. The thing about MX is there are a lot of people around a lot of the time. And predicting when and what they're going to do is not only necessary for safety but also comes in handy when you begin passing slower riders. The key is to get in situations that mimic races and learn how to deal with the congestion of a motocross track. Last-this is going to give you an idea of how fast you are and, therefore, what class you should enter-find a local track and put in a few good practice days before you sign up to race.
Include Friends And Family
One of the best reasons to race motocross is so you can talk about your race immediately after racing it. It's called benchracing, and once you've done it you'll be hooked. Everything is more fun with a friend (why do you think there are so many people racing?). So grab a riding buddy and hit your first race together. Or make it a family affair and get sisters, brothers, moms and dads involved. You wouldn't ride off-road alone. So why do it at the track? Besides, if you find yourself cruising around at the back of the pack, you'll enjoy the company of a familiar bike to roost around with. Don't forget the all-important bragging rights. You're not going to win your first race. But you might beat your buddy or sibling, and some good-natured boasting is a fine substitute for a trophy (plus it doesn't collect dust).