Dirt Bikes
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
Andrew Green
What’s so good about dirt bike racing?
The adrenalin is flowing, heart beat racing and blood pumping;
the dirt bike racing is about to begin. As far as adrenalin
fuelled sports go, you don’t get much more action packed than
dirt bike racing. It’s fast, and to coin a well-used phrase,
it’s furious. People from age 4 to age 64 love the thrill and
regularly take part in dirt bike racing.
What should I consider when dirt bike racing?
First and foremost, you should consider your safety. The very
nature of dirt bike racing as a sport means it’s dangerous and
it’s even more dangerous if you don’t take it seriously. Any
reputable dirt bake track won’t let you on if you don’t have a
helmet, goggles, a jersey, pants, chest protector and in some
cases a neck protector. You should always pick gear that fits
because if it doesn’t fit it isn’t safe.
Dirt bike riders don’t appreciate people who ride recklessly,
and if you are a reckless rider you will undoubtedly get an ear
bashing for your dangerous behavior and quite possibly kicked
off the track. Dirt biking is one of the most dangerous sports
in the world, but taking it seriously and following all the
proper safety rules will help you make the most of it.
The bike also plays a serious part (obviously) and when you are
selecting a dirt bike either for yourself or for your children
you should always make sure that the rider can sit on the bike
with their feet touching the floor and legs bent slightly. If
the bike is too big there is no way you can have full control
and the same can be said if it’s too small.
Also, consider how practiced you are. The more experienced you
become as a rider the better you become. Don’t try getting air
of incredible heights until you really know what you are doing.
Beginners should be happy with a foot or two of air; the riders
you see on TV who are climbing up to ten feet have been riding
for years and years to be able to do that.
As a beginner you will probably find a line you are happy with
and stick to it. While this is unlikely to win you any big
races, it will give you chance to hone your skills and gain
confidence. Once you’re a bit more experienced you will be able
to take different lines to overtake people and win races.
Dirt bike racing is not something you can just throw yourself
into. It takes plenty of practice to become any good and you
should never try anything you aren’t confident with. If you
stick to this and find yourself a reputable track then you
won’t go far wrong.
Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/
for lots of information about dirt biking.
Posted in Dirt Bikes
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
Andrew Green
There are a great many attributes that make for a good dirt
bike rider and the best dirt bike riders are those who can
combine the skills it takes. One of the most important things
you need to become one of the few good dirt bike riders is the
right temperament. You need to combine confidence with
humility. That is, you need the confidence to be brave and take
a different line; otherwise you won’t be overtaking the leading
riders but you also need to be careful not to become over
confident. Over confidence invariably leads to rash decisions
and reckless riding and eventually dirt bike accidents. It’s a
fine line, but it’s a line you need to riding on to be
successful.
Skills dirt bikers need to master.
Apart from having the right attitude to racing you obviously
need the riding skills that set you apart from the rest of the
pack. Balance, agility and a very good knowledge of racing
lines. A very good tip is to walk the track before you race it;
this will give you a valuable insight into the racing line and
the jumps on the track. As an extension of this, it is also
very helpful if you can see a couple of riders on the track so
you can learn from their mistakes and also learn from what they
do well. Combine all of this and you will have gained a good
track knowledge and an insight into what will serve you well
when you’re racing.
Practice sessions provide you with an exceptional opportunity
to learn a few more tips and tricks of the course. Not every
course is the same and not every starting gate is the same.
Wait for the other racers to start so you have a little room
and have a couple of practice goes at the start. Work out the
gear and line you need to take out of the gates. It might just
give you that all important lead from the very start.
Use the first lap of your practice session to ride around at a
reasonable pace, but not too fast; everything will look a lot
different from the back of your bike that it did when you were
walked the track earlier. Don’t just look at the line you are
riding, have a good look around, see if there are better lines
to follow and work out the best lines for the jumps.
Hit the first corner well and you can set yourself up for the
rest of the race. Getting a good kick from the gates can put
you in a strong position that will see you near the front few
riders. Once you’ve beaten the start, you need to make sure you
can hold on to your strong position and don’t throw it away by
getting caught up in the fray that always surrounds.
About The Author: Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/ ,
for lots of information about dirt biking.
Posted in Dirt Bikes
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
By Dr. Patrick J. Cohn
On the start line, you were so confident that day, you believed
no one could race with you. On the track, racing felt effortless
and smooth. You were in the flow on every jump, bump, and turn.
Your rhythm was perfect in the whoops. Every section of the track
was executed just as you saw in your mind. Your mind was so
immersed into racing each section–one at a time–that you were
oblivious to other racers. Today you were not checking to see who
was behind you. Your motorcycle responded with ease to every
thought—it felt like an extension of you. The feeling of being in
complete control of yourself and your emotions was awesome. It
was so fun to race the track just as you have envisioned in your
mind. Only after the moto did you realize that you raced the moto
of your life and found an elusive state of peak performance
called “the zone”.
Nothing is more exciting for athletes than performing in the
zone. The zone is a peak performance state in which the mental,
physical, and strategic parts of racing come together at once.
When racing in the zone and going fast with ease, motocross is
fun, immensely satisfying, and feels second nature. To get into a
zone state, you must be focused on the task, very self-confident,
race with trust and composure, and be decisive with your race
plan. In this article, I will discuss the mindset of racers when
in the peak performance zone.
“You can have a good bike and have all the talent in the world,
but if you don’t believe in yourself and know that you can win,
you will have a hard time at the races.” –Ricky Carmichael
Confidence is the first mental tool to entering the zone. You
cannot race your best without a high level of self-confidence.
You know the confident type—the James Stewarts of the Motocross
world who have a total conviction and belief in their ability.
Most racer’s confidence comes from success and winning, but how
will you get onto the podium if you do not first believe you can
win? Too many racers doubt their ability to race up front right
at the wrong time. I teach racers to take responsibility for
their confidence by fueling their confidence and teaching them
how to battle those malicious doubts that pop into a racer’s mind
at the wrong time.
“I try to visualize the entire race beforehand. As the actual
races gets closer at hand, I start to focus more specifically on
the start.” –Rick Johnson
The second mental tool to getting into the zone is your ability
focus the mind in the present moment, the so-called here and now.
Most racers can concentrate, but may not focus on the right
areas. Racing the track one section at a time and not getting
ahead of yourself is the foundation of a zone focus. You can’t
make yourself get in the zone, but you can train your mind to
focus on the right areas so you are dialed in when the gate
drops. In addition, coping with distractions are part of racing.
The racer who learns how to ignore the distractions and focus on
the task will beat most racers who get distracted.
The third mental tool to entering the zone is a racer’s ability
to get into a “flow” on race day. Ricky Carmichael has a great
work ethic and trains hard, but to win he must be able to rely on
his training and get into a rhythm on race day. Some racers ruin
their rhythm by trying too hard or forcing it on race day. The
ability to perform effortlessly and trust your instincts is the
foundation for getting into a zone state. My motocross students
call this feeling as being “in the flow,” “in a rhythm,” “just
reacting,” or “automatic.” You must be able to trust your
practice and ability on race day do you can “just do it” and
react to the track.
“Don’t try to blast your way around the track. Find a nice pace
and stay with it. Relax. When you are nervous, your arms tend to
pump up.” –Jeremy McGrath
In pressure situations or in national events, the tendency is to
tighten up, try too hard, and not trust you ability. Focusing too
much on clutch release or body position for example upsets the
natural rhythm and flow of riding because you are consciously
forcing it and not letting it happen. This bogs down timing and
throws off your natural rhythm. The purpose of practice is to
make it feel reflexive when you perform on the track. When you
race, let your instincts, built on a ton of practice, take over.
The fourth mental tool is composure. When performing in the zone,
racers feel very much in control of themselves and thus their
performance. Sports require a balanced emotional level. The key
is to be excited to race but not over excited, intense but not
too intense, ready to race, but not overanxious to race, and feel
challenged but not anxious. Feeling pumped and excited can help
you race better, but fear and anxiety ruin your mindset. I help
my students find the balance between feeling excited and being
over excited.
“Only race because you love it. Race because you can express
yourself. Race because it’s the most fun thing you can do!”
–Rick Johnson
Lastly, you have to have fun with your racing to get into the
zone. How could racing not be fun you ask? One way is if you put
too much pressure on yourself to win or get on the podium.
Another way is if you feel expectations from others such as your
parents or manufacturers to win. These can cause fear, trying too
hard, doubt, and tension, all mental breakdowns that will prevent
you from entering the zone. Approach each moto like a fun game
because you love the feeling of hitting that jump just right or
hauling around a corner and you will be more likely to find your
flow on race day.
Dr. Patrick J. Cohn is sports psychology expert and
world-renowned mental game coach who works with athletes in all
sports including national level Motocross racers, NASCAR drivers,
and CART teams. For more information on his mental game coaching
programs and developing a championship mindset, visit
http://www.peaksports.com or call 888-742-7225.
Posted in Dirt Bikes
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
Andrew Green
What are mountain dirt bikes?
Mountain dirt bikes are basically dirt bikes for use in
climbing and descending rocky and grassy mountains. They can be
motor or peddle models and it is up to you which you go for. The
motor versions are quite different in design and look to other
dirt bikes because of the use they are designed and built
specifically for.
How do mountain dirt bikes differ from other dirt bikes?
Specifically, the frame is a lot higher than on a standard dirt
bike in order that you get more ground clearance; the extra
ground clearance will help you avoid mud build-ups, rocks and
other such debris when traversing a mountain or hill. The
frames themselves are also much more sturdy so if you do happen
to clip a rock or something similar they are unlikely to just
snap in half and will provide you and your bike with more
protection. The brakes are stronger, making it possible to stop
your bike rolling down the hill or off a rock and they usually
come with both rear and front suspension to make the trickier
terrain associated with mountain riding easier to handle. The
suspension also makes the ride a lot more comfortable because
you will face a number of bumps and sometimes some quite manic
descents down the mountain.
Generally speaking a mountain dirt bike is much more rugged and
rough than a normal dirt bike because of the beating and
battering it will take during it’s life.
What else should I know about my mountain dirt bike?
If you own or are considering purchasing a mountain dirt bike
you should know that you can’t purchase normal dirt bike parts
and expect them to do an equally good job on your mountain dirt
bike. They simply aren’t designed for the same purpose. Yes,
it’s true that a dirt bike is built to withstand quite a
battering and a beating but it’s also designed for riding
around a dirt track. However, a mountain dirt bike is designed
to be ridden over mountains and through rocky, grassy and muddy
terrains. The tires are such that they can withstand all of
these terrains as is the rest of your bike. The suspension,
brakes and frames are quite different when compared to other
types of dirt bikes so you should be careful when buying parts
or repairing your bike.
About The Author: Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/ ,
for lots of information about dirt biking
Posted in Dirt Bikes
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
Andrew Green
What are mini dirt bikes?
As the name suggests, mini dirt bikes are basically small dirt
bikes. They have quite a lot less power than a standard dirt
bike but appear virtually the same. Costing much less than a
full size, full power dirt bike they are perfect for your
budding Motocrosser and becoming very popular with children of
all ages.
How do mini dirt bikes differ from standard dirt bikes?
Apart from the fact that they are normally designed to carry
only ten stone in weight and are much smaller than a normal
dirt bike, a mini dirt bike has a lot less power; normally
around a 47cc two-stroke engine. They obviously have all the
working parts and are designed as well as a 250cc, and because
they weigh less and carry less it is still possible to get a
quite impressive 70kph out of them.
The petrol tank is much smaller holding only around 1 litre of
petrol and seat height ranges from 500 to 600 mm off the
ground. They have full shock suspension and brakes and are
perfectly safe to drive as long as a reasonable amount of care
and safety is used.
Are mini dirt bikes really safe?
As with any motor powered bike, or car for that matter, there
is an element of danger involved and proper safety measures
should be taken into consideration especially if you are buying
one for your child. It is advised not to let pre teens ride a
mini dirt bike because they can still do considerable speed and
offer little in protection in the event of a crash.
A helmet and safety suit should be worn an at all times when
riding a mini dirt bike, and riding without these is dangerous
and fool hardy. As long as you pay close attention to the
safety of the rider, though, mini dirt bikes are incredibly
good fun and a really good way to get the adrenalin pumping.
How much do mini dirt bikes cost?
The bike itself is comparatively inexpensive, when compared to
a full size dirt bike, and you can expect to pay anywhere
between £150 and £300 (roughly $300 and $600) depending on the
make, model and specifications you require. You also need to
buy a strong helmet and protective clothing if you want to take
this seriously and safely. These can vary dramatically in price
dependant on whether you want the outfit to match the bike,
whether you buy a well-known brand and whether you buy new or
used.
Obviously you have to pay for petrol but this is next to
nothing because a two-stroke 47cc engine will literally run for
miles on a litre of petrol. Apart from that, repairs or new
parts are really the only other price you need to take into
consideration and again, these are relatively inexpensive.
About The Author: Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/ ,
for lots of information about dirt biking.
Posted in Dirt Bikes
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
Andrew Green
Who needs to consider dirt bike safety?
Dirt bike safety is something that absolutely every rider and
possible rider must consider before getting on a bike every
time. The massive rise in popularity of dirt bikes, ATVs and
motocross bikes has meant that is now possible to do courses in
dirt bike safety, and if you are a new rider considering taking
up the sport or you are looking into it for your children then
you should seriously consider taking part in one of these
courses. Dirt biking can be a very dangerous sport for the
ill-prepared and those who have no regard for safety. It’s not
only your own safety that you’re messing with but the safety of
everyone else on or near you when riding.
The danger associated with dirt biking is hardly surprising.
Dirt bikes are powerful machines and when you consider jumping
ten feet into the air, if you’re not wearing the proper helmet
and your bike kicks out you have very little or no protection
for your head.
What are the important aspects of dirt bike safety?
The most important thing to consider is getting the right
equipment. Only the most haphazard of tracks will let you ride
without the proper safe equipment; this equipment consists of a
helmet to protect your head, a jersey to protect your torso,
trousers for your legs and boots for your feet and ankles. If
these clothes don’t have the proper padding or are made on
inferior quality material you are running a very high risk of
seriously injuring yourself.
You must also make sure that the clothes fit properly, not only
for comfort but to ensure that loose clothing doesn’t flap
around and get caught in wheels, engine parts or pull at your
handle bars. A snug fitting helmet that isn’t too tight and
isn’t too loose will offer the best protection and be the most
comfortable.
What else apart from clothing?
You should regularly check your bike to make sure that it’s in
good working order and that none of the parts are likely to
break. While in some cases a broken part may lead to loss of
power, in other much more serious cases it can lead to a loss
of braking or a loss of steering and this can have dire
consequences if you’re traveling at massive speed.
The obvious parts to check are the brakes, the steering and the
suspension (a ten foot drop with no suspension is going to cause
you to crumple on impact.) and many race organizers will want
your bike thoroughly checked and even tested before you are
allowed to compete.
About The Author: Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/
for lots of information about dirt biking.
Posted in Dirt Bikes
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
Andrew Green
Safety before looking cool. Always wear a dirt bike helmet.
Let’s face it, everyone wants to look the part when they’re out
on their dirt bike, but it’s difficult to look cool when your
head is split open. Dirt bike helmets are singly the most
important factor you should consider when buying your
protective gear for dirt biking. Don’t get me wrong though
because boots, a jersey and proper pants are all exceptionally
important items but the helmet is the one that stops you
killing yourself in a crash. There are quite a few things to
consider when looking to buy any helmet, but especially your
first one; it’s quite a momentous occasion and you want to make
sure you do it right.
What should I consider when buying dirt bike helmets?
The first thing you have to consider is that you are going to
wear a helmet every time you go dirt bike racing. There should
be absolutely no exception to this. If you’re looking to buy
your first helmet it can seem quite a daunting task. You’ve
probably looked on the Internet and seen one that you think
looks good, safe and is reasonably priced. My first word of
warning though, is not to buy dirt bike helmets without seeing
it and preferably trying it on first, but at the very least you
should go and try some helmets on in your local store. You can
get a good idea for what size fits well and take this knowledge
away with you. Besides it’s always easier to try a little
haggling if you’re in your local bike shop than on the other
end of the Internet.
Do dirt bike helmets have to cost a fortune?
You shouldn’t scrimp on the price you pay for your helmet just
because it’s cheap. You need to find a strong and safe helmet
that fits snugly. Then consider the price. Buying a tested
helmet is always best, in America you’re looking for SNELL or
DOT certified helmets. This means they have been professionally
tested and proven to be safe enough to wear.
That said, just because they’re safe doesn’t necessarily mean
they have to be expensive and for under £50 or $100 you can get
a good looking, safe and certified helmet. It won’t stop you
falling off your bike and landing on your head, but it will be
the difference between getting up and not getting up after your
crash.
Where can I buy dirt bike helmets?
There are plenty of places you can buy dirt bike helmets. Many
people will only buy from their local store because you build
up a good relationship, or simply because the helmet came as a
sweetener when you bought your bike, but there are also plenty
of options online too. As long as you know the right size to
buy there is no reason why you can’t buy a perfectly good,
certified dirt bike helmet over the Internet.
Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/
for lots of information about dirt biking.
Posted in Dirt Bikes
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
Andrew Green
Do I have to face dirt bike jumps?
If you ever want to ride on a motocross track you are going to
have to learn to beat the dirt bike jumps. At first they are a
very daunting affair, and riding at them with any pace seems
almost suicidal but to get anywhere in dirt bike racing you
need to face them and you need to beat them otherwise you won’t
get anywhere and you won’t have any success. When you first
start dirt bike racing you’ll be lucky to get a couple or feet
of air and stay upright when you land, but this will all change
when you have a little experience and a little knowledge behind
you. The only real trick to being any good over dirt bike jumps
is to practice and keep practicing.
The best way to beat dirt bike jumps.
It’s true that there are no quick fixes to beat dirt bike jumps
and the real key to success is to practice and keep practicing.
However, there are some basic guidelines that will increase you
chance of success and it is these guidelines you should be
practicing.
Firstly, you posture should be that of a standing up position
but crouched slightly and gripping the bike with your legs; if
you don’t grip with your legs you and the bike are likely to
become separated and this will ensure that you can land
relatively comfortably in a sitting position. It also stops the
bike from kicking out sideways if you hit a bump on the way up
the ramp.
As you approach the ramp you should know pretty much exactly
where you want to be on the up ramp; finding the line on the
ramp and keeping an even throttle all the way up. Again, this
will mean less chance of the bike jumping if you hit a bump or
a rock.
If you want to land with your bike upright and you on the seat,
then when you’ve got air you need to be looking where you’re
going to land and amend your bike position accordingly so if
you’re landing on the flat lift your handle bars before you hit
the ground; this way your back wheel will make contact first and
will take most of the pressure of the landing. If, however, you
are landing on the down slope then you need your bike to be at
the same angle as the slope. To alter your bike’s position, you
can either rev while in the air which will drop the rear of your
bike or you can let up on the clutch and apply the rear brakes
giving the opposite effect.
The second before you land get straight onto your clutch, the
revs will help your rear suspension take the blow and will give
you good acceleration on landing. One of the hardest things
about dirt bike jumps is having the confidence to pull it off.
If you’re confident then you’ll stand more chance of doing
everything as well as you can so practice and practice hard;
don’t get too carried away at first though, just take it at
your own pace.
Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/
for lots of information about dirt biking.
Posted in Dirt Bikes
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
Andrew Green
Can you get dirt bikes for kids?
Dirt biking has become a more popular and much more accessible
pastime than it once was. The bikes, parts and accessories have
become much cheaper and because of the increase in participants
there are gradually more and more tracks to give it a go. It is
true that dirt biking is one of the more dangerous sports you
can take up and if you are already an avid dirt biker who
hasn’t hit the dust yet, it’s almost guaranteed you will at
some point.
That said, many of the accidents are through a lack of care or
simply because the biker is inexperienced. There is no
substitute for time on the track, and if you’re one of many
considering the option of dirt bikes for kids then starting
them young and keeping a close eye on them is a definite
advantage.
Dirt bikes for kids are widely available now; 47cc dirt bikes
becoming very popular. Basically, they look exact replicas of
the real sized thing but have a smaller engine and lower frame.
A mini-moto can safely hold up to about 10 stone in weight.
Are dirt bikes for kids safe?
As long as the bike is treated with respect and the kids have
somebody responsible watching over them there is no reason why
dirt bikes for kids can’t be just as safe as dirt bikes for
adults. Taking attention to buying the proper gear and a bike
in good condition will go along way to ensuring the experience
is as safe as possible.
Also, be sure to go to a well managed track will offer a little
added security. If the track is in good condition and managed on
a regular basis there will be less accident black spots where
unpredictable and often dangerous accidents can happen. Don’t,
though, let your kids race around a track with older riders as
this will undoubtedly lead to trouble.
Everything else about dirt bikes for kids.
Dirt bikes for kids are a relatively affordable pastime for
your kids. The bike itself will cost around £200 or $400, and
the same again for good quality and safe equipment. With a 5
litre tank dirt bikes for kids will go for miles and miles
before you need to refill the petrol tank. Apart from these
costs there isn’t very much else you need to worry about except
paying for the use of a track.
Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/
for lots of information about dirt biking.
Posted in Dirt Bikes
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
Andrew Green
Is there any way I can avoid dirt bike accidents?
The quick answer to this questions is no, you will inevitably
have a dirt bike accident during your time as a dirt bike
racer. It’s simply a matter of time, however you should be able
to limit the number and severity of your accidents by the way
you ride and the attitude you have when you’re on the back of
your bike.
Does attitude really play a part in reducing dirt bike
accidents?
Absolutely, but there’s a fine line that you need to be on, and
riding on either side of the line can result in an accident. If
you have little or no confidence then you are probably going to
crash, albeit at low speed but even low speed accidents can
hurt; especially if you are hit by someone who isn’t doing such
a low speed. A lack of confidence usually tends to mean a lack
of practice so practice somewhere very quiet and gain as much
confidence as you can in both your ability and your bike’s
behavior.
On the other flip side of the coin, though, you can be too
confident and become reckless and dangerous. This will probably
lead to more dangerous accidents for you and possibly other
riders around you. The trick here is to be confident but not
too cocky when it comes to your riding.
Knowledge is power, even concerning dirt bike accidents.
The more you know all the factors involved in your dirt bike
racing the more chance you have of dirt bike racing being a fun
and less dangerous sport. Get to know your bike’s abilities,
your own abilities and as much as you can about the course
before you start trying to break any records or win any races.
This is where the fine line comes into it. If you’re racing a
track blind you still need to have the confidence to get out
there and ride fast enough to make an impact. If possible walk
around the track before and see what you’re up against, even
better watch some riders practicing and see what they’re doing;
where they’re going wrong and where they’re doing well.
Dirt bike accidents can hurt like hell and do damage to you and
your bike. If you know enough about your bike and your track and
you have the right level of confidence then there is no reason
why you shouldn’t be able to race for years with only a few
less serious accidents; but do bear in mind that accidents are
basically a part and parcel of dirt bike racing and they will
happen to you eventually.
About The Author: Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/ ,
for lots of information about dirt biking.
Posted in Motorcycle Articles, Dirt Bikes
|
