Extreme Sports : Motocross

 Learning to Ride Motocross

     So, you want to get started in motocross?  This article will, hopefully, answer some questions you might have or at least inspire you to get out there and make some new friends to support your motocross hobby.

     First off let’s talk about safety.

One of the greatest things you can do is to protect yourself when you’re on the bike.  Make sure your gear fits properly.  Poor fitting gear can be a big hindrance, because you’re focusing more on what’s on your body and how uncomfortable it is than on the road and the machine.  So, make sure when you buy gear you get the sizing down.  Don’t be shy to ask your motocross vendor about sizing, better to have a healthy satisfied customer than one in a full-body cast.

And while you’re out sizing up gear and getting the proper fit, don’t be afraid to splurge on some decent earplugs.  Riding can be noisy.  From the wind zipping by to the sound of the bike, and although a lot of helmets promise a quiet, smooth ride, you’re still going to need some earplugs to play it safe.

When buying protective gear a helmet is an absolute.  Get one that meets or exceeds Snell and DOT-certification.  That means they’ve been subjected to a number of tests and came out still looking like a helmet and not something you’d get at IHOP covered in whip cream and strawberries.  You’ll want one that fits well on your head too.  Heads come in different sizes (helmet sizing is determined by the distance around your head in centimeters.  Measure the circumference of your head just above your eyebrows to determine your correct helmet size) so it doesn’t come as a surprise that helmets do, too.

Next you’ll want a jacket, gloves, and boots.  Protect your hands and fingers and your body from flying debris.  And if you do get into a spill (and you will eventually) the jacket and gloves can prevent nasty scrapes and bruises.  Fox Racing has a complete line of protective gear and Alpinestars manufactures great boots.  

If you’re starting out, take it slow.  And by slow I mean both speed and time wise.  You don’t have to hop on the bike and become Billy and Wyatt from Easy Rider overnight.  Start up a love affair with your bike.  Get to know the controls.  Sit on it.  Take it out for short spins.  Learn what the bike can do and can’t do.  In a Zen way become one with the bike.  And don’t forget to look around for motorcycle riding courses, you can find those by asking either at your local police department or the colleges in the area. 

Some tracks, run by organizations (like the MRA), are open for practice runs for those wanting to get their feet wet.  You can find these organizations by either talking to your local motocross dealer, trying a Google search, or letting your fingers do the walking the old fashioned way—by using the Yellow pages.  Either way it’s a good practice to network and talk to your fellow enthusiasts to find out where the best places to practice are.  Remember: There are no stupid questions, well unless it’s the question never asked.

Which comes to this, before you purchase a bike (either new or used) do your research.  Find out what you want in a bike, do some comparison shopping and ask a lot of questions like:

How often do you clean the bike’s air filter?  The correct answer is after one or two rides.  Don’t let someone tell you it doesn’t matter, it does.  You want good air filter maintenance or otherwise you’ll be looking at more costly repairs down the road. 

Next we move on to transmission oil.  Change that every two to four rides to keep a healthy clutch and trans.  And if the bike is a four-strike make sure you change it every 250-500 miles because the oil not only lubricates the engine but the transmission, and if you’re not changing it based on the previously mentioned mile guidelines you’re going to shorten the lives of those important parts.

Find out the brand and type of oil filter your bike uses as well as transmission lube. I cannot stress how important it is to take care of the fluids in your bike to extend its life and the pleasure of your rides. So when buying a bike be sure you engage the seller or dealer about these things. See how much they know about the care of the product they’re selling, because their erudition or lack of knowledge is going to tell you a whole lot about the product they’re trying to peddle on you. 

But back to the oil, or the bike’s blood.  Play it real safe by bringing a narrow strip of white construction paper with you.  You’re going to use this to test the coloration of the oil in the bike (do this is you’re buying the bike second hand).  You want the paper to come out as tan as George Hamilton’s skin.  Tan means the transmission oil is in good shape.  If it comes out black that means the oil hasn’t been changed often or at all.  If it comes out white or creamy (think mushroom soup) there’s a water pump seal leak.  And gray coloration might mean the bike has aluminum clutch plates which can contaminate the transmission oil—that isn’t necessarily bad, but keep it in mind.

Here are some more mechanical things to look out for when purchasing a bike. Get on and bounce up and down on the seat.  This will help you determine if there’s any suspension problems because loud squeaking or the suspension on the bike sticks means it’ll cost you some dough, a lot of dough, in the near future. And speaking of other sounds to listen for are there any metallic “rings” or “slapping”?  Those sounds equate piston and/or cylinder issues.

Oh and while you’re checking the oil color, check out the forks and rear shock for seepage, because replacing those seals can help put someone’s kid through college based on labor cost alone. If the fork tubes are dented or have any sign of damage they’re going to end up fouling your seals.

Check the flywheel/magneto arrangement.  It should be bone dry.  If you detect water the cover has been leaking and rust can or has set in.  If you see oil there could be problems with the crankshaft seal which has to be replaced and will also set you back a good chunk of cash . . . and wouldn’t you prefer using that cash for something else?

And the last fluid check you should do is . . . look into the radiator (assuming the bike you’re buying is water cooled).  The fluid should be green.  Green equates good, because if it’s any color other than green it has never been changed and there would be internal blockages of the radiator passages and that means the bike is losing its cooling capacity.  However, if you uncap and see no fluid, time to start asking more questions like: Why is there no fluid?

Anyway, I hope this helps enlighten you a bit in your search for buying a bike, picking out equipment and just finding a suitable place to ride, or at least makes you think of those things.  In closing, just remember to play it safe, take it slow and enjoy it as much as you can.  A little bit of care can go a long way to the health of both your bike and you.     Happy racing!

The Best Books and DVDs for Learning Motocross

DVD: Dust to Glory - This is a terrific documentary on the Baja 1000 mile race that takes place in Baja California, Mexico.

DVD: On Any Sunday - One of the classics on motocross. Must See!