Getting into Motocross

[Bucky]

Evenin'

I'm currently a road rider (passed my DAS in 2009) and I'd like to give motocross a try.
I'm a complete newbie when it comes to offroad.

Anyone know from experience how much I could expect a year to cost me? License fee, training/practice sessions, race entries etc?

Looking to the car (B) licence towing laws;

[Kradmelder]

[Bucky]

[Irn-Bru]

I've no idea about motocross but maybe start with green laning first if you have zero experience. Definitely one of those off road experience days as well and do the other various courses.
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[drzsta]

Don't expect it to be cheap. I mean, what racing is?

Obviously on things like gear and bike you can make savings depending on what products you buy.



Once you factor in ACU/AMCA licence, Club membership, Fuel for bike + car/Van each day, tyres , entry fees, practice days (£25 quid here!) and all the gear for you and bike it's quite a big initial hit.

Just start riding and see how you get on. I think you will be understand about your thoughts of racing being slightly premature when you go to a practice track for the first time.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Why not enter some enduro practice days etc. to begin with. Should give you a flavour and you don't need to piss around with a license etc.

Far less intimidating for a first timer than a full fat MX track too IMO.
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[G]

I've you've not ridden off-road at all, even if you've ridden mountain bikes, I'll give good odds that the first time you 'try' on a dirt bike you'll near soil yourself.
For me it was certainly a 'w t f.... why is everything squirming', kinda thing. I soon got used to it, but I'd certainly start gentle.

I'd suggest going for a road legal 2 stroke enduro bike to start with - these can handle a motocross track ok, but also let you ride on greenlanes as well as enduro tracks - the bikes tend to be more 'friendly' than a full-on motocross bike.

[Kradmelder]

Try looking at these. the tips may help.


Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaXVZBy3UB0

Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvOjk01HiG0

Part 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAofQwSKaU0


Since your off road will probably be more muddy than sandy, what can you do for mud:

Lower tyre pressure

in mud puddles generally try to keep in a ditch /deeper section because if you are on the side of it you are in any case going to slide into it, and probably lose the front wheel


balance and smooth momentum are the key because your tyres have very little traction, especially laterally. You need to stay above them, not let them slide out from under you. easier to balance standing than sitting. Smooth momentum is important because you want your wheels to roll, not slide. A sliding wheel has no traction. The ideal is to just roll through with just enough throttle to keep you moving, without the rear spinning too much. The bigger the bike the more difficult because any mistake is punished faster and harder. Steep slopes, side slopes and off camber turns multiply the difficulty even further.

The advantage of a bigger bike is you can put it in 2nd gear and no throttle. They have enough torque to keep the bike moving at a very constant slow speed. In 2nd any throttle input is a lot lighter than if its in 1st gear.

When riding off camber turns and side slopes, keep most of your weight on the downhill side peg.


Dont move body or speed from the start of the mud to the end of it. So enter at the speed you want to exit, not fast at all, just slow and constant. Slower allows you to correct small imbalances slowly, so that you don't destabilise the bike. Just ride slow and steady, no acceleration or deceleration or braking. Build speed with experience. Don't move your feet or hands or head or anything. No sudden or big movements. Acceleration is the worst. If you have to change direction just press down on the pegs, but don't move your feet on the pegs.

Aim for the exit and enter dead on, 90 degrees. But if the mud takes you on a curve , go with it to some extent and gently steer towards the exit with your feet, without making any sudden corrections. Let the bike follow its own path.

Wet mud is less problematic. Just go through the centre of the wet parts ( unless its too deep ), as the bike will want to slide to the deepest part anyway . It's usually more slippery on the grass verges than dead centre through the puddles.

Drying mud is actually more of a problem , as it sticks clogs the tyres and you lose traction

Be ready for a sudden dip where your front might fall in. Body weight bit more to the rear, not to much weight on the front. Feather your clutch and maybe a bit more power than is needed but don't transfer the power to your wheel (clutch control). If your wheel suddenly dips you need to transfer a bit more power via the clutch/wheel this will allow you to maintain momentum and ride out of a hole in the mud that you cannot see. Body needs to move backwards.

Just accept your bike will behave like a drunken hippo and want to waddle. And you don't enrage a drunken hippo and try tell it where to go. You gently ride it and very subtle encouragement with your feet. Its not a road bike where you have full traction and throw your weight around.
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[Bucky]

Thanks for the info guys!

Managed to get myself a place at the Motorcycle Off-Road Experience in June ( https://www.rideoffroad.co.uk/ )
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"You know, they say that, the wheel is the greatest invention ever. But I think it's probably the second wheel, because . . .
Have you ever seen a guy on a unicycle?..."

[1cyl]

Pit bike. (CR70 style is better if your an adult. M2R140 etc)

3 years and I'm still trying to master the basics of dirt .

Although i'm now about to build what I hope to be a 20+hp 180cc engine for my CR70 style road goer which I hope to get mastered in both dirt and sm trim by the end of the summer

I've had some minor sand/gravel/mud encounters on my smc and im surprised my arse didn't leave bite marks in the seat every time!!
(of course it would be different if it had knobbly on it )

Think I'll continue climbing the dirt ladder one hp at a time. This would be my advice to anyone coming from asphalt + do some wrist and forearm exercises

Lookin to be on a 250 by 2015
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Chase my Witch up, Catch my Snitch up.
The SMC | The Pit | Stable

[djr]

[Steptron]

If you live in the UK the main organisation is the AMCA (Amateur Motorcycle Association), they do have a website but I don't know if I can post a link in here, if you search for the AMCA on the internet they are easy to find.

On their website there is a heading in their main navigation at the top of the website that reads "Want To Start", from here you can find out exactly how to join, what the costs are or there is a link halfway down their home page for Joining Motocross? this too will take you to the information you are looking for.

You can also find your local club and what meetings are on near you and when. I love motox myself and have family members that race, as long as you don't mind a few bumps, bruises and maybe the odd broken bone or two it is a great sport to get into.

Don't be affraid to go down to your local meeting as everyone is really friendly, take a walk around the pits (where the riders park and tinker with their bikes) they wont mind you asking questions as they love talking about motox, you may also find whilst walking around the pits that some riders are selling some second hand equipment which is a great way to get started without paying though the nose.

Hope this helps and have fun!!
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Steptron - https://www.dsbs.co.uk/driving-lessons-in-shrewsbury - QUALITY TRAINING = FEWER LESSONS + BETTER NEW DRIVERS

[JP7]