I am new to racing this year and each race i have progressively got better but i found my weak spot to be in tight sections and turning.  I was wondering if anyone has any good drills to practice turning and and riding in those tight sections.

Figure 8s.....Number 1 training tool for cornering!

Figure 8s are great. As are grass tracks.  In tight woods and trees, be sure to aim at base of the outside tree and turn away at last second. This will allow the bars to thread themselves between the tight trees. Also cut your bars down to 30" or narrower.  I prefer 29.5" myself.  I run mini bars. Bark busters are a must.

Dwight_Rudder, on 29 July 2012 - 10:37 PM, said:

i just picked up a mini set for my kx80...eyeballed them up against the 250f...wondered about cables and such? no issues?

If installing on a full sized bike the bars are slightly taller but they are also narrower so there is usually no issue with cables and all controls fit unlike some full sized bars that are cut down too much.

Also practice break (rear) sliding on smooth dirt. I find this style helps In some sections, not all but there are times it works but its a slightly more advanced tec. As DR said above is a great tec and you will be amazed how close you can get to the inside corner tree after some practice.

If you have trouble with turning on hills, one thing I've done is find a drainage ditch somewhere, or some other kind of wide open hill that has at least some measure of steepness to it..  Then ride in circles on it (or fig. 8 if there is room).  You get to practice uphill turns and downhill turns, and you can get comfortable with leaning away from the hill (mental hangup for a lot of people).

jqueen, on 03 August 2012 - 07:04 AM, said:

Good tip.