The Fundamentals of Motocross

The sport of motocross is one that has grown immensely in popularity during the 21st century and is always seeing new growth amongst its participants.

If you are looking to get better at this high intensity, demanding sport, mastering the fundamentals is key to taking your skills to the next level.

From how to properly sit on the bike, distributing weight on turns, to mastering how to utilize the throttle to get the most out of your bike, here are a few simple tips to focus on to improve your overall skills on the dirt bike.

Speed Control

One of the most important things to improving your riding ability is properly mastering your speed throughout different sections of the track.

Use of the clutch is one of the most important elements to focus on. Knowing how to use the clutch is the first thing to learn. While you have to use it to down shift when driving a car, you don't have to use this same practice when on a dirt bike.

Instead of down shifting into a turn, simply using your brakes a little will get the job done and still gives you the ability to get back up to speed sooner coming out of the turn.

It is also important to be aware of the scenarios in which you use your brakes. While you want to use it slightly when going into turns, you only want to use it when you have both tires on the ground. If you are going off a slight jump or through some bumps, be sure to stay off of the brake as it can cause your rear wheel to stick or bounce around and easily launch you off the bike.

Body Control

Arguably the most important element to master when riding a dirt bike, having proper body control is key to being successful on either the trail or the race track.

One of the first things to focus on is where your torso is located while the bike is moving. Make sure you are not sitting up straight or even leaning back on your dirt bike. Instead, you should be slightly leaned out over the handlebars and crouching a bit. This position will provide you with better leverage on the body of the bike so you can better control it through turns and bumps.

Another key element to focus on is keeping your elbows out and away from your torso. This position will provide you with better balance on the bike and give you better angles to manoeuvre and turn the bike when you need to.

Stay Alert

One of the final things to focus on it staying aware of your surroundings so you can react to things as quickly as possible. Don't focus on the track or trail directly ahead of you. Instead, focus on the area far out in front so you can see things develop or approaching you so you can assess the situation in a safe and reasonable time frame.

Follow these simple tips and tricks and you will be well on your way to mastering the dirt bike.