Motocross Gear Guide For Beginners
Motorcross is the most exciting sport in the world. It is the best mix of extreme sports. It is an extreme sport where you ride through extreme terrain with a motorcycle. It pumps up your adrenaline to the extreme and leaves you drained of it too.
Most bikes have a transmission, a chain or belt drive, and a gas or electric engine. You will never need to change the oil in a bike. The gas will be where you put your foot. There will be electricals, battery and ignition switches. The frame tubes are generally made of steel or aluminum. You will also need to mount a suspension in front to make your ride more comfortable.
The main function of a Motocross bike is to take you on a rough ride. The suspension on a motocross is very soft. There is no protection from the rocks, leaves, and stumps. The rocky terrains can scrape or even bend your tire rim. If you are not extra-cautious, all that damage can be yours.
The best part of motocross is that it gives you a chance to face all the challenges yourself. You will have to manage the bike, the weather, and your body. If you manage to go in a safe direction, you have won half the battle. Your riding skills are the key to a successful motocross.
This sport can be extremely dangerous. It has some of the highest rates of injuries than other sports.
A [High Quality!] Helmet
A helmet and face mask are the most important pieces of gear you can buy, as they’re the only equipment that covers your potentially vulnerable head and face. Eric “Buddy” Antunez, a former pro racer, said the one thing he was most thankful for in any crash was his helmet. He suffered a compound fracture in his wrist; his helmet broke his fall after he dropped over the bars, sparing him from being hit by the ground-pounding impact that would come with natural fall. Without the helmet, his damage would have been infinitely worse.
According to “Pit Dick” Thomas, “The helmet should fit snug around your head. It should be worn so that, if it falls off, it should land with the front of the helmet touching the ground.” Some of the styles also work as ear protectors.
Another important piece of gear is the face mask. “When riding in the woods, a face shield in necessary,” Kelly “Pit Bull” Matchett said. The top-of-the-line models feature ear flaps that can be rolled up and secured with Velcro for higher-end aerodynamics.
Protective Boots
There are various kinds of boots on the market. Leather boots are incredibly popular, and they have the benefit of being comfortable to wear in hot weather. The only drawback to a leather boot is that they “break” in. That means that, as you wear them and start to move around in them, they will conform to the shape of your foot. They will become more comfortable and start to feel better the more you wear them.
The hard boots used for racing have a little more give in the ankle area, making them more comfortable than the leather boots. They will loosen up after a few uses, but will probably lose a little feel because they will conform to the shape of your foot.
You can find all of these boots and more at your local motorcycle store. Finding the right one is as simple as trying the boots on and seeing which one feels the best. Before you buy, make sure that you try on the boots with the correct socks. You want to have enough room for your toes to wiggle, but at the same time, you don’t want to feel the rubbing from the sock itself.
MX Goggles
From a practical standpoint, motocross goggles are an important piece of gear. A good motocross glove or gauntlet will fit snugly, leaving no room for air to pass through. If there’s air space in a gauntlet, it will create a vacuum when the gauntlet gets wet, making it difficult to remove and creating a risk of stuck fingers.
This is just as true for goggles. Goggles that have too much space around the eyes can allow fog or water to form between the shield and the rider’s face. This can obscure vision or seep into eyes and create a full-blown flood.
MX goggles come in a variety of styles and colors. You can even coordinate with your helmet paint job if you want to look like a motorcycle racers.
Some motocross goggles are designed to also accommodate helmets that feature built-in tear-offs.
Gloves, Jersey and Pants
If you have purchased a brand new motocross helmet (which you should have), your helmet will likely come equipped with gloves, pants, and a jersey. However, as you progress through motocross gear, you will want to purchase your own gear.
While you are purchasing those items, it is important to remember the following tips. The first, to save money, is to purchase gear on sale.
Chances are you don’t really need to be out fitting yourself in a full motocross suit, but you will want an under-layer of clothing to stay warm and comfortable. For the most part, that means you will want to purchase a pair of motocross pants and a jersey. Many companies also carry mittens, which are great for winter riding, and other cooling items for when the weather is hot.
Body Armor
Among the different protective gear, the chest protector is perhaps the most important piece of body armor for a motocross racer. This is mainly because the chest protector’s primary function is to protect the rider’s chest and heart.
Given the frequency with which crashes occur for motocross competitors, the chest protector’s importance becomes clear. The chest protector aids the protection provided by the motocross trousers, and some models of chest protectors are actually made of mostly textile materials.
Because there are both off-road, and on-road models of the chest protector, there are some differences in the design of the protectors. Off-road chest protectors use more rigid materials to offer more protection against hard impacts. On-road chest protectors, on the other hand, use more flexible materials.
One more thing to take into account is that chest protectors made for off-road riding will generally be a bit bigger and bulkier than the ones made for on-road riding. This is because off-road riding is more hazardous than on-road riding, and it makes sense to try and avoid a potential concussion as much as possible.
Elbow & Knee Protection
What are the Unique Features of Motocross Gear?
The protective gear that has evolved over the years in motocross is the result of several years of experience and a constant search for new technologies for the highest safety standards. The combination of the two still has a long way to go and with the constant development of new materials, it’s a process that will never be complete.
The gear that motocross riders wear has become standard in all types of motorcycle riding, but still provides its own unique features that differentiate it from other types of motorcycle riding. The biggest difference that motocross protective gear provides is shock absorption.
Typical motorcycle gear is inadequate against the impact and movement forces experienced in motocross. Most motocross gear is made with high-tech materials that are capable of absorbing the impact of the big jumps and hard landings that every rider experiences during every motocross race.
Another unique feature of motocross protective gear is the full face helmet. The most popular helmet on the market is the half helmet. This is designed for general all-around motorcycle riding.
Motocross usually means jumps and at times you can be found jumping three times the height of your bike. A half helmet leaves you vulnerable to windburn and even pain from the wind blowing over your face every time you jump.
A Bag For Your Gear
You probably already know to wear a helmet and boots when you go motocrossing, but there are a few other important things you want to bring with you as well. Here are just a few things to bring along with your helmet to make your motocross riding experience that much better.
A Bag for Your Gear
You’ll want a durable, lightweight bag for your motocross gear. Some bags have a special compartment for your helmet, some have one for your boots, and some bags have compartments for everything. You want a bag like this because it protects your stuff while you’re riding and it keeps things organized.
A Water Bottle
You likely won’t be able to see water through your dust goggles for much of your motocross adventure (that’s what the helmet is for), so make sure you take along a water bottle with you. It’s always good to have water nearby because you never know when you’ll need it.
Non-Essential Motocross Gear List
Now that you have a basic fundamentals handle on how to prance and pose on a 250cc or 450cc dirtbike, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty of racing.
There are all kinds of cool ways to modify and hone your track-riding skills, but before you bother with any of that, you’ll want to make sure you have the proper gear and protective equipment.
Yes, like most extreme sports, crashes into metal barriers and bone-breaking is relatively common. You will reduce your risk of serious injury by taking the proper precautions before getting out on the track.
Whether it’s tearing up your weekly motocross association Class 6 race at the local fairgrounds, or testing yourself at the next round of the Supercross series, you need to be wearing gear that has been designed and tested for fast-speed impacts.
#1 – Helmet Camera
#2 – Kidney Belt
The kidney belt looks quite similar to a waist belt, until you realize that it actually protects both your kidneys, not your waist. If you get thrown from the bike, the force of impact is likely to hit you in the sides of your body. You see, the torso takes the brunt of the blow. The belt is designed to take the kick out of the shock, protecting your kidneys. This gives you a better chance at avoiding permanent damage to them. It’s a matter of protecting the organs you need to stay alive first.
It’s also important to note that kidney/kidney belt is a piece of safety gear that is/is not required by every race out there. Most of the time, it’s a matter of personal preference as to whether you want to wear one or not. However, if you’re just getting into the sport and aren’t sure about how things work, be sure to have your gear checked out by an expert. It could mean the difference between a full recovery and waiting a few years for your organs to repair themselves when you crash.
#3 – Knee Braces
— Do They Work?
Knee braces are a popular piece of equipment for those who are serious about motocross.
The knee is a dynamic joint – it’s meant to bend in many different ways.
You don’t want it to lock in any one position. That’s why a motocross knee brace can help – it keeps your knee joint flexible and strong.
Knee braces usually fit over a neoprene leg sleeve. The brace contains two lockable hinges that allow you to bend your knee. A high-quality brace should allow you to straighten your leg when it’s locked; lower-quality braces let your leg fold during the straightened position.
The knee is a complex joint that involves more than just the kneecap. If there’s damage to the tibia or femur – your shinbone or thigh bone – a knee brace can help keep the complex knee joint stable while you walk around and ride.
#4 – Motocross Compression Gear
Choosing a Motocross Bike
Motocross riders love turning a bike into a piece of “warrior art.” To this end, you’ll commonly see a motocross bike with a lot of bling.
You can even get different colors on your handlebars and a paint job that makes your bike look like a Transformer. Anything goes when it comes to making your bike look cooler, but you can also have a lot of fun with your bike by choosing something fun and bright, like a tie-died bike, without going over the top.
Color might not be as important to you as having a bike that you love to ride. This is fine … your bike will get a lot of attention no matter what color you choose.
Size is important with motocross bikes, and this is something to pay attention to when you’re looking for the right bike. You don’t want a bike that is too big or too small for you because either will make your ride uncomfortable.
The seat sits extremely low on a motocross bike, and this is something to keep in mind when you’re choosing a bike. Make sure that you can sit on the bike comfortably. Some companies sell motocross bikes made specifically for shorter people so that they too can ride comfortably.
2 Stroke or 4 Stroke?
As a beginner, it can be hard to choose between a 2 stroke and a 4 stroke dirt bike. The first thing to consider is what type of riding do you intend to do?
2 stroke (gas) engines tend to be the lighter and cheaper of the two. They are usually suited to motocross and enduro riders, with a good amount of power.
4 strokes heavy duty, industrial strength power plants that are more suited to trail riding, dirt flat trackers, and desert racing.
2 stroke:
- Cheaper to buy than 4 stroke dirt bikes
- Lighter in weight
- Generally has a lot more horsepower than a 4 stroke
- Starts easier than a 4 stroke and requires less maintenance
- The cheapest way to get started in the sport of dirt biking
- Adjustments must be made to the carburetor more frequently than a 4 stroke
- 2 strokes are generally louder than a 4 stroke
- 2 stroke dirt bikes have the potential to foul a sparkplug
- Fuel consumption that can exceed 4 stroke
Where To Find Motocross Bikes For Sale
If you want to get started in motocross, you first need to ensure that you have yourself a motocross bike. You will also need a helmet, boots, leather suit and a helmet. All these can be obtained from your local bike shop.
There are so many local bike shops around. The trick is finding good motocross bikes for sale at a bargain price. You want bike that is cheap and comes from a reputable brand.
You can find good deals on motocross bikes at your local bike shop. They’ll let you know if a motocross bike is good quality.
That’s not the only place you can get a good deal on motocross bikes for sale.
You can also find good quality bikes at auctions. You’ll find bikes that people don’t want and cheap motocross bikes for sale.
However, you need to make sure that the bike is in good shape or fixed up before buying the motocross bike. You’ll also want to try to bargain over the price so that you can get a cheap motocross bike.
There are other places you can find cheap motocross bikes for sale. You can go to auctions online.
Where To Ride & Race Motocross
Racing motocross is not a cheap hobby, or even just a one time thing. If you truly want to take part in this sport you have to be committed. Not only do you have to be committed to your riding but you also have to be committed financially speaking.
There are a lot of expenses that come with this hobby. The following are a few of the basic things that you will have to have if you want to become serious about motocross.
Motocross Gear
Motocross boots
Motocross boots are more expensive than regular boots. They also take longer to break in. The quality of the boot will depend on your style of riding.
A good helmet
A good helmet should be properly strapped down. It should also have the right amount of ventilation. Some helmets are even equipped with forward and side ports. Helmets are required for all riders, nothing is worse than heading out of the gate and having your helmet fall off. It goes without saying that safety should be a number one priority when riding.
MX apparel
The way your clothing fits is very important. Clothing that is too loose can lead to you becoming flustered on the track. Loose clothing can also affect your aerodynamics and in turn your speed. You will want to have clothing that fits nicely while not being too tight and restricting your range of motion.
Where To Practice – Motocross Track Locators
Imagine being able to ride your dirt bike just about anywhere. Imagine being able to practice your riding skills whenever you want.
Well, there is a way to get a little closer to that dream while you are still learning.
All you have to do to begin practicing your motocross riding skills at your very own backyard is to find a motocross track locator.
Yes, these do exist. And you don’t have to spend any money to use it, although you may be asked to contribute something small like money to help with maintenance.
There are hundreds of places you can practice your dirt biking skills. These motocross track locators are located in areas that were once used for other types of races.
Everything has changed in these areas, except for the many motocross tracks that people still use for practicing. Some will let you ride for free while others may charge a small fee for maintenance.
If you don’t have anything else to do during the weekend, then you can always try riding a motocross track locator with your friends.
It will definitely be fun. Big trees surrounded the track so you can see the trail the whole time that you are going around it. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you just might be able to have a tire change in the middle of the forest.
Where To Race Motocross
Motocross is a popular form of motor sport that involves racing motorcycles over off-road terrain or closed-circuit racetracks using specially adapted dirt bikes. As of 2014, the sport was administered by the Fürster Union of International Motocross Federations (FIM) and the International Amateur Motocross Federation (FIMA). It is very popular in South America and Europe, and is growing in popularity in the United States.
Motocross bikes have different characteristics than those used on paved roads. The bikes have low-pressure tires for traction on loose surfaces, long suspension travel for riding obstacles, and disk brakes and powerful engines for increased strength and performance.
Motocross racing is broken down into multiple categories, depending on skill level and the rider’s age. Youth racers ages 7-17 compete in the AMA/FA Youth National. Youth riders ages 12-16 also compete in the Youth C-D class.
Beginners ages 18 and up race in the C-D class. The classes are further broken down into sub-classes that determine the skill level of the riders.
Learning To Ride Motocross (Fast)
Riding a motorcycle has always been the dream of many people, but not everyone gets the chance to learn how to ride one correctly. Motorcycles are very different from normal cars in the way they handle and ride, and can be much more dangerous if misused. Learning how to ride a motorcycle the right way takes time and training, as well as a high level of concentration and mental fortitude.
Motocross is the more extreme version of learning how to ride a motorcycle, and comes with its own set of risks. Since you’re riding a very powerful machine on a large field, the risks are even higher. The good news is that if you follow a few steps, you will greatly increase your chances of learning how to ride a Motocross bike quickly and without injury. Let’s see what these are.
Find a Safe Place to Practice
First of all, you need a safe place to practice your riding skills. Don’t go out and practice on a real Motocross course until you learn the basics. You’ll only risk hurting yourself and the bike. Instead, find a grass field to practice on. Even though the bike can go faster on the grass, the added difficulty of keeping control of the motorcycle will allow you to improve faster.
Arm Pump
This is probably one of the biggest enemies for beginners in motocross. It’s easy to say that it’s a big part of improving your skills, though.
Slowness in the press (from the ground) and loss of power in the full extension (while airborne) are the main culprits for that.
Arm pump is, in fact, a decrease in blood supply to your arms that causes them to tire quickly. That’s why, the lack of power also causes less acceleration and so forth. This is a common problem for intermediate riders, so it’s something that you have to be aware of.
The best ways to get rid of this problem are:
Swimming
Warmup is a must. You have to train your arms so that they can handle the pressure and pain.
Arm pump symptoms are as follows:
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Pain to the bones of the arms and hands
- Chest pain
- Stabbing side effects
Useful exercises are the following:
- Shoulder presses
- Bent-arm pullovers
- Overhand pulls
- Bent-over rows
- Squats
Professional Motocross Rider’s Top Riding Tips (In Video)
Motocross (MX) or moto (as it is commonly known) is one of the most exhilarating and extreme sports ever, combining extreme skill and raw power with extreme danger and high speeds.
The sport is popular all over the world, from local races and championship events, to X-Games events and international events, such as the Olympics.
The sport can be fun and rewarding and it can be extremely dangerous, which is why it is important that you complete a beginners course before attempting this sport.
Even though many associations have put in place beginner safety practices, it is still important to learn as much as you can about the sport before you ride a motorcycle in your local area.
What are the steps to becoming a motocross racer?
To become a motocross racer, you will need to decide what type of bike you want to ride, whether it is an off-road bike or an FG bike.
You will also need to choose between the two wheeled bikes and the four wheeled bikes, such as quads.
You can start off riding different machines to see which one you like the best.
Once you have decided on what type of bike you would like to ride, you can then choose where you want to practice the sport, whether it is on a dry lake bed, through a forest or in a dirt bike trail.
Motocross Bike Security
A great place to secure your bikes is to the frame. This is a secure place to lock the bike and is recommended by most bike insurance companies. You can take off the chain on your brake lever and use that to lock your bike. You can also tie both tires together to secure your bike. This method is not as strongest.
#1 – An Alarm
If you live in an area where warning sirens are not part of the regular routine, you may want to invest in a siren that is easy to hear indoors and outdoors.
These sirens will not only alert you, but also your neighbors. This could be a life-saving feature if fire or some other emergency is imminent. However, a white noise machine or other sound-masking machine could also work in place of a siren.
Also, keep a sharp knife handy for cutting clothing and ropes. This could make the difference in being a helpless victim or an active participant.
#2 – Alarmed Disc Lock
It is important to invest in these from the start because it will double your bikes security.
The Alarmed Disc Lock has a voltage sensor which detects when a thief tries to cut the lock to get your motorcycle. It blasts a 120dB alarm – making it very difficult for a thief to get away with your beloved bike.
The Alarmed Disc Lock comes with a warning sign that will alert possible thieves. When removed, it resets the alarm.There is an adjustable bracket, so you can move it to any angle you want to make sure it is directly on the disc.
This disc lock has Military Grade Cut Resistant Locking Material. It is very strong and durable. This is an advised security item for anyone riding a sportbike.
Some people opt for a long cable with a combination on each end.
It would be pretty difficult to cut this as it is 2.5mm in thickness – making it next to impossible for someone to cut through.
There have been a few cases where the bike has been lifted and dragged but it still did not fall.
#3 – Ground Anchor & Chain
The chain is an essential part of any motocross track. It’s placed around the track in order to provide a surface for the motocross riders to ride on. Without it, they’d fall into a hole (or worse, an abyss). It is also used to secure a motocross rider’s safety helmet, as well as securing the safety line). If you ask any motocross rider, they will tell you that they spend a lot of time on the grounds getting a feel for the chain and learning to ride around the track. When you’re trying to learn these things, you’ll need to buy a good ground anchor and chain.
These ground anchors are often free-standing at the middle of the track and are relatively heavy. They are designed to withstand the force of a motocross rider slamming into them and stopping hard. The ground anchors are placed so that they reset the rider if they hit the ground hard, meaning that they keep the rider upright and moving on to the next section of track. The most important thing about ground anchors is that they are consistent, meaning that they don’t give way when you lean into them with full force. If they do, you could fall down and get seriously hurt.
#4 – Keep Out Of Sight
One thing is always for sure when it comes to off-road bikes: they will be more stable and easier to ride if you stay close to the ground. Practice your steering without a rider, and make at least part of your new route through the sand.
You should also always have something on hand to wipe the brake and clutch levers clean to prevent seizing up in the heat. Water and sand contain lots more grit than you might think.
Because your motorcycle will be heavier and more difficult to manage, there are things you should do before you go out. Make sure your tires are fully filled and properly aired up.
You should also make sure that you have spare gas and a few tools along with you. The extra fuel is a must, but the tools could be used for other necessary bike repair.
The first thing you need to do to prepare your bike for off-roading is to understand what is potentially hazardous.
There will be all kinds of obstacles in your path, and you are likely going to wipe out when you try to navigate your bike over them. You know what is hazardous, but there is not much you can do to change it.
Bridges, hills, and trails are going to be more difficult in the sand, but you will get better at it the more you practice.
Try not to take it too fast at first, and remember to be prepared for the unexpected. Avoid sand dunes.
#5 – Remove Your Wheels
You can check your tire pressure by screwing a tire pressure gauge onto your valve stem.
A good tire pressure will feel soft to the touch but not uncomfortable.
It should also provide a solid rubber feel to the tire. If you are riding on new tires, be aware that the first couple of rides will get the tires warmed up and pliable, which will increase your tire pressure by a few pounds.
Size matters when it comes to air pressure. The general rule of thumb is to use a pressure that is four to five pounds higher than your tire’s maximum PSI rating.
Most modern tires are marked with their maximum pressure rating. If you have “older” tires or tires that are not from a reputable brand, it is a good idea to check with a local shop or reputable online seller to get the right information before considering a tire replacement.
Getting a new tire will also give you an upper hand in building your best bike. Choose a tire that has large knobs on the sides that are angled to help in cornering. Make sure that you get one with a knob that comes in handy in the braking section.
Tires are the most common wear and tear items on a motocross bike. That means you have to change the tires periodically and carefully.
Bike Maintenance
Keeping Your Bike On The Road
No matter how skilled you are, there is no beating the thrill of hitting the trails on two wheels. However, before you can take to the dirt, you’ll need to buy a new dirt bike. Here is a guide to help you choose the best bike for you.
WHAT TYPE OF BIKES ARE THERE?
There are generally two types of dirt bike: off-road and motocross bikes.
Off-Road: When you start looking for new dirt bikes, you’ll notice that there are far more options for off-road bikes than there are for motocross.
If you want to tackle the trails, the first thing you’ll need to decide is the type of bike.
The Factors You’ll Need To Consider:
Cross Country
Cross country bikes are great for riding across country, hence the name. However, they also work best on trails, which is an important feature if you’ll be riding on the trails.
Enduro Bike
Enduro bikes work best in situations where you will be competing against other riders. They are not as fast as cross country bikes, but you can ride further. They are also more comfortable than some other bikes due to the full suspension and more upright riding position.
Changing Oil & Oil Filters
Fuel, coolant and oil are the three most important fluids in your engine. Oil keeps your engine running smoothly, so you want to change it regularly. If you run your engine low on oil, it can burn, which will lead to a disaster—sometimes a huge one.
When to Change the Oil and Oil Filter
You should change your oil and filter about every 3,000 miles. A good rule of thumb when considering whether your bike needs a new oil change is if the oil is darker than honey or smells burnt, it’s probably time for a change. Incidentally, the intervals at which to change your oil depends on the kind of oil you’re using. For example, you should change 5W-30 synthetic oil every 4,000 miles if you’re using a synthetic type.
What You’Ll Need
You might be tempted to skimp on these tools and supplies, but you’re likely to have a hard time without them. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A torque wrench that goes up to 70 in-lb
- A gallon or so of your usual oil
- A new oil filter
- Extra washers in case you lose any
- A ratchet and socket set
Cables – Lubrication And Cleaning
The cables are part of the bike and must be well-serviced. For this, a wire brush or metal brush is needed to remove any dirt from the casing.
Then spray the pieces of the cables with WD-40 before assembly. For maintenance, you must use a special fluid called “motorcycle lubricants.”
Don’t use a lubricant for machinery or machine parts. It can make the cables sticky and prevent them from working properly. If these lubricants are applied, the cables will require a polish with steel wool or abrasive cleaning.
To lubricate the rear brake cable adjuster, you will need a thin wire (around 5mm in diameter) and a small spool of cotton thread. The thread you use must be as thin as a piece of spaghetti, and you must use a thick thread for the front brake cable adjuster.
Chain & Sprocket Maintenance
You know how important it is to maintain all the moving parts of your bike. Chains, sprockets, and pulleys all take a beating.
A little routine maintenance will ensure that your bike is reliable and safe for you to ride.
One of the most important parts to inspect when doing general maintenance on a chain is to make sure that the chain is tight.
If the chain is loose, it can cause problems later and even drive the sprockets out of alignment. There’s a method for tightening or loosening your chain, but it can be kind of hard to do if you’ve never done it before.
You’ll need a chain tensioner. It can be expensive to buy, so you may want to get creative if you can’t afford one.
For starters, if the size of the chain you have is the same as the sprockets, you can probably do it yourself.
If your chain is too loose, you’ll know you can’t do it yourself if the job is too hard or impossible for you to do. It’s not worth your time and effort if it’s not going to work.
Maintaining Your Air Filter
Air filters are an integral part of any four-stroke machine. When you hook up the air filter assembly to a bike, or other equipment, it enables the air to pass through the air filter, giving the air a smoother flow. This smoother flow will greatly improve the performance of the machine, whether it’s a bike, an ATV, or a car. An air filter will capture any dirt, dust, or other particles that are in the air in your line of travel and lead them to the air box so they can be removed. These air boxes have a filter, and the filter will trap and hold these particles. As the filter gets filled with dirt, it will need to be cleaned out regularly. When the filter is in need of cleaning, it will begin to slow down your machine. Even worse, your machine fuel will begin to plug up the filter, and this will affect its performance.
Spokes
A traditional bike has only one set of spokes per rim. You can recognize a spoke wheel from the little space between the hub and the rim.
Since you’re most likely interested in getting an off-road bike, you should pay special attention to the spoke count. These bikes are often designed to be particularly off-road friendly and offer a smooth and comfortable ride. Keep in mind that they also stand up to serious abuse and can be used on any terrain.
Wheels with higher spoke counts tend to be lighter and sturdier. They are an excellent choice for off-road riding. At the same time, they are also a bit softer than their single-spoked counterparts, which makes them more susceptible to damage. A quick recommendation: pick a higher spoke count for the rear wheel.
Topping Up Coolant
Make sure that the cooling system is working the way it should be before you take your bike out for a session.
If the engine gets too hot and the coolant level goes down, the engine will start overheating. When that happens, the safety cut-off valve will reduce the power in the engine, so that the engine does not burn out.
When looking at the bike, you can tell if the coolant is leaking because it will stain the engine block. It will also leak at the radiator and possibly at the hoses.
If the water is not leaking out, check the coolant level. Start the motor and let it run until it gets warm. Then, while the engine is running, put some drops of water in the radiator. Once you notice that the bubbles stop, you will know when the water level has reached the top.
If the water level is lower, add more coolant. Some coolants need the right amount of water, but it is not recommended that you add coolant unless you have run out.
The Best Motocross Websites & YouTube Channels
Websites
Best Motocross Videos & YouTube Channels
YouTube is absolutely jammed with a variety of motocross and supercross videos, and frankly, it may be a bit overwhelming to wade through all of the noise to find the best motocross videos. Also, it’s hard to know where to start when it comes to picking a motocross YouTuber to follow.
I did some looking around and felt that all of these guys were some of the more popular out there, and they do a great job of showcasing the world of motocross.
MXUP
Kyle Hanagan (AKA MXUP) is a insanely popular motocross YouTuber with over 916,000 subscribers. This dude is serious about motocross and his videos are spot on. He is a very talented rider, and he’s also one of the few guys who uses a GoPro to film his videos.
MajorCrud251
MajorCrud251 is a little different than the rest, though his channel is also extremely popular with over 143,000 subscribers. You’ll notice that his videos are a bit shorter than most others. This guy is going to focus more on how to go faster and become a better rider.
What’s Next?
If you’re reading this, it means that you’re probably already aware that there is a thriving motocross community out there. It’s a vibrant culture with some great people involved. It’s a place where you can meet some of the most interesting people you’ve ever met, as well as learn about a sport that will thrill you.
But, what do you do now? Well, now you must learn about motocross history. The truth of the matter is, knowing about the history of the sport will help you get to know your fellow riders. It will also broaden your perspective on the sport, which is incredibly important.
And, of course, it will help you understand it by giving you the answers to many of the questions you may have about it.
If you’re a complete beginner, you’re likely feeling a little overwhelmed. You’ve read articles like this one, and you know enough to pursue the sport. But, what’s next?