5 replies to this topic

[Haveprideinwhatyouride TT Member]

Hi im brand new to riding and have a kx250f. I think this is to much for me and I want to get into mx, can you guys give me some tips? Should I just spend this summer riding around my yard or should i start mid-end of the summer at my local track? Thanks.

[Misterkyle TT Newbie]

Howdy. im pretty new to riding myself (4 months) and started mx 2 months ago. I finish in the middle of the beginner class as i have only done 3 races. Anyways i found once  you can operate the controls without even thinking, you are ready for to try it out on the track. it all depends if you are a quick learner tho. i had about 15 hours on a bike before i started mx

[J_WR2fitty TT Gold Member]

misterkyle, ur beginner class must be pretty bad if you just started riding (and only 15hrs EVER on a bike before a race), and finished mid-pack, lol. No offense..just sayin, around here...I see guys in the "beginner" (ie C) classes doing jumps the B guys do (damn sandbaggers).

To the OP...i would ride around a field long enough to get the controls figured out, etc. After that, just go to some practice days. Just remember if you hear someone comin up on you, dont panic and try to get out of the way...just hold your line until they get by. Abrupt line changes, especially with someone flyin up next to ya, doesnt end well sometimes. Other then that, just go out there, have fun, if ya fall...oh well. We all fall at some point, some harder than others! Try to learn from the falls.

Do yourself a favor. Look up "checking sag", and the method to do this. I always recommend people make sure the suspension is right or at least close for them. It makes the bike handle the way it should. I learned this lesson myself when I hated a bike I had...re-spring, voila...i liked it a lot more. Point of that is, you will struggle enough out there early on....why put yourself at an immediate disadvantage with a bike thats not set up for you.

Finally, TRY to stay relaxed out there, and remember to use your legs (squeeeze). You will be amazed how tiring track riding is to your arms/upper body, when you fail to use your legs nearly enough. Not to mention, it gives you a lot more control of the bike.

Edited by J_WR2fitty, 15 June 2013 - 06:27 PM.

[Muaythaicameron TT Member]

Get safety gear of course... Know the bike and how everything works. Watch some experienced guys at the track. Find a riding partner if possible at your skill level, helps so much! Set goals for yourself. Don't be a superman but don't be a wuss! Have fun! That's what it's all about anyways, you aren't doing it for money so don't risk it to get the biscuit!

[cgirouard423 TT Silver Member]

Don't push your self into something you're not ready for. Don't second guess yourself with anything. If you fell you're not 100% comfortable on the bike then definitely don't go race. Ride around your house for a bit, then once you fell comfortable enough go out to the local track on a practice day. Then pretty much ride practice days until you're ready to race. This may take a few practice sessions or if you're like me take almost a whole summer. Last July I started riding tracks and then didn't race until this May (remember winter off in Maine).

Pretty much just don't push yourself too much, that's how you'll get hurt. Good luck!

[michigan400 TT Platinum Member]

Gotta walk before you run. Get comfy with basic bike control 1st, then start trying some more difficult (rougher than a yard) terrain. You'll know when your ready. Riding with other people who are close, but still faster than you, will expedite things a bit. It's motivation to push a little in an effort to keep up plus you'll have friends there to help you if you take a hard digger.