Entertaining and thrilling are two words that come to mind when you think about professional dirt riding. You need to be passionate about dirt bike racing and have a strong drive to succeed, just as with other challenging endeavors.
The experts know that practice makes the difference between a great racer and an ordinary racer, therefore you need to put in countless hours to improve. Dirt bike riders must endure stress on the course because they are competitive and love to win.
So, how do you become a dirt bike racer? You need to get familiar with dirt bikes first, and the best way to do so is to start with lower-class bikes like 50 cc or 125 cc. Once you get a dirt bike, you will have to find a dirt bike track where you can hone your skills. Getting a motocross coach is a great way to improve your skills.
As a result, you will need to practice functioning under stress. Here are the 9 steps to becoming a dirt bike racer:
Table of Contents
1. Get a BMX or Mountain Bike and Learn to Ride It
Most bikers all over the globe start off by training on a BMX or a mountain bike. With a BMX, you may learn several crucial abilities, such as bouncing and group riding, turning, raw power, aggression, and leaping.
You may start freestyling on the BMX in a parking lot, skate park, or even in front of your house after putting up your bike and safety equipment. Several bike riders will often be present in skate parks to demonstrate fundamental skills.
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You are able to progress all the way up to the larger ramps by starting with the smaller ones. The fundamentals of BMX riding include bunny hopping, manuals, and pump ramps.
Find some riding companions and ride the mountain bike on some terrain. Based on your abilities, you may select from a variety of obstacles, such as damp roots, loose boulders, water pools, and deep sand. Your ability to brake will improve on a mountain bike.
Applying brakes properly requires sound reasoning, especially while traveling downhill. Furthermore, you will learn practical shifting skills that will be helpful when you get a dirt bike.
You will discover that mountain bikers frequently fall, therefore you must understand how to reduce your own injury.
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2. Purchase a Dirt Bike and Learn How to Ride It
Given the wide variety of makes and models now on the market, purchasing a dirt bike is not going to be an easy endeavor. Used dirt bikes are frequently the preferred option for beginners because of the inevitable level of wear and tear that comes with learning the fundamentals of a new activity.
Used motorcycles are an extra way to save money, with prices ranging from $400 to $2500. Over $2000 is required to purchase a brand-new dirt bike, and premium models can cost as much as $10,000. Play bikes are designed for novices because it is not advisable to start off with the quickest versions that are currently on the market.
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Trail bikes are the most common type of motorbike used by dirt bikers since they are designed to handle the challenging terrain that they ride on. Motocross bikes are fantastic for achieving high speeds and performing really well.
You have successfully prepared your dirt bike to be ridden in the open air; the next step is to educate yourself on how to ride it.
Because there is more to it than just sitting or standing when on a dirt bike, finding the proper position is one of the more challenging aspects of riding one of these vehicles.
Note: When you are going around corners, you will rely heavily on your feet as landing gear. The lowering of one foot promotes the maintenance of a balanced distribution of weight. You are going to need to educate yourself on how to operate the clutch, the throttle, and the brakes, as well as how to shift gears, move along, and slow down.
3. Invest in Appropriate Equipment; A High-Quality Helmet and Boots
You are going to need to bring along a helmet, and it is recommended that it be of a high grade. Polycarbonate, fiberglass, and carbon fiber are the three materials that are most frequently used in the production of dirt bike helmets.
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The material should have adequate rigidity, but it shouldn’t be so rigid that it makes energy management more difficult.
Helmets come equipped with a mouthpiece that helps to facilitate the flow of air within the head.
Choose a motorbike helmet that carries the DOT certification and comes from a well-known manufacturer. The cheek and liner pads of a good helmet should be detachable so that they may be removed and washed when they become dirty or sweaty.
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In addition to the helmet, you should wear a good pair of goggles to protect your eyes from things like dirt, sand, and rain. Mirrored, transparent, or colored lenses are all acceptable for use, but the most important thing is that they provide adequate visibility.
It is important that the gloves you wear are durable enough to withstand the consistent friction that occurs when working with levers and grips. Choose ones that have a palm made of leather if you can. To ensure that you have a pleasant experience while out on the trail, selecting a quality jersey is of the utmost importance.
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They are often constructed using lightweight materials, which allows them to be thin, light, and long-lasting all at the same time.
Jerseys designed to be worn in warm weather typically feature mesh venting to allow for a sufficient amount of airflow throughout the garment. Jerseys designed for wear in cold weather often have a fleece lining for added insulation.
The elbow pads on the jerseys provide additional protection, as does the additional switching on the seams of the jerseys. A knee brace may usually be accommodated in the design of dirt riding pants, and these pants should also provide protection and comfort.
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A good pair of riding boots will shield you from injuries such as broken ankles and feet as well as cuts to the shins.
Note: In the event of an accident, high-end options come equipped with built-in metal plates that prevent the feet from bending. The additional protective gear consists of padding, chest protectors, and neck restraints, among other things.
4. Train Your Dirt Bike Skills Frequently
Bring your bike, equipment, and yourself to a real track at this point. Analyze your surroundings to see if there is a path nearby. In recent years, regions surrounding race tracks have been subjected to an increased number of general complaints as well as complaints regarding noise pollution.
The majority of track venues will typically enforce stringent rules regarding the use of their facilities. The best places to hold these events are well-established circuits because they will have a variety of course configurations to cater to participants of varying ability levels.
Once you have started going to the track of your selection, it is important to maintain a consistent visitation schedule so that you may maintain a consistent learning curve.
Going to tracks gives you the opportunity to meet and talk with other riders, from whom you can pick up useful hints and information.
5. Consult a Motocross Coach to Improve
The best dirt bike racers put a significant amount of effort into their training. In order to provide their pupils with a comprehensive learning experience, effective coaches need to be actively involved in the sport in some capacity.
Note: Furthermore, a competent rider does not necessarily make an outstanding instructor in all cases. A good coach does not need to be out in the races every day, but they should be researching other courses and riders to augment the knowledge that they already have.
It is essential to select a competent coach because you don’t want an incompetent instructor to waste your time by providing you with instructions that are not necessary.
Not only can a coach call attention to your blunders, but they will also assist you in organizing your practice time. A coach not only monitors a rider’s times but also instructs them in the various strategies that are utilized by professionals in the sport.
Tip: If you are unsure of how or where to begin your search for a coach, you may want to consider contacting motocross training schools in your area. It is important to have professional training since the correct instructor can have a significant impact on your performance style, accuracy, and self-belief.
To become a pro, you need to put in the work not only in terms of your physical conditioning but also in your mental preparations. As you go from novice to expert to pro status in motocross, the tracks that are available at motocross schools will become increasingly vital to you.
6. Training Routine
There is not a set fitness routine that all competitors and riders adhere to. The body type, ambitions, and injuries of a dirt bike racer are taken into consideration while designing a training program for the rider.
Riding a dirt bike requires significant muscular effort as well as a high level of physical coordination. While riding frequently is the best method to stay in shape, it’s unrealistic to expect to race every day, so you’ll need to find other ways to stay in shape for riding.
The ability to deal with the forearm pump is the most important aspect in determining how well you ride. Your strength and endurance will be significantly affected while you are constantly shifting gears, braking, and applying throttle.
As a result, your workout routine has to incorporate a significant amount of exercises that utilize kettlebells, dumbbells, and deadlifts.
Your grip strength will be evaluated based on the timed tests. Squats with a heavy load and other exercises that focus on the obliques and abs will be beneficial to your core. When it comes to designing a workout schedule, your worst enemy is a regimen that is too strict.
Include a wide range of sports and activities in your routine, such as swimming, gymnastics, running, and jumping. By stretching, you will shorten the time it takes to heal from injuries and increase both your flexibility and your range of motion.
The development of your muscle strength needs to be the primary focus of your workouts. The power of today’s motorcycles is so great that you will spend the majority of your riding time just attempting to keep your grasp on the bike.
In dirt bike riding, nutrition is another extremely crucial component. As a result of the rigorous exercise requirements of the sport, your needs for carbohydrates will be greater than those of the typical individual. Your diet ought to consist primarily of high–protein and high–fat foods.
Reduce the amount of processed food you eat and try adding vitamin pills to your daily routine. Your immune system will improve along with your energy levels, stamina, and mental clarity if you eat well and follow a healthy diet.
7. Obtain Your Professional Racing License From The AMA
It is necessary to become a member of the American Motorcycle Association in order to be eligible for participation in professional racing competitions. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) provides clear criteria in order to make racing safer and more equitable. In addition to this, it offers financial assistance to regional tournaments and continues to fight for the rights of motorcyclists at the national level.
Note: After you have joined the group, it is a good idea to download the organization’s rules for competition and carefully consider them. You will be aware of the nationally-certified classes in which you are eligible to compete, as well as how to adjust your bike so that it meets the requirements to be used in competition.
Although AMA-chartered organizers frequently host tournaments with a focus on the local community, the majority of riders compete in the AMA’s official classes.
8. Sign Up for a Health Insurance Plan
As a dirt bike rider, if you do not have insurance, you run the risk of being unable to pay the steep costs associated with hospitalization and rehabilitation in the event that you are involved in an accident.
Because most standard insurance providers shy away from high-risk activities, you will have to look for the assistance of an organization that specializes in providing insurance for niche markets.
Your homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover dirt bikes; therefore, you will need to purchase separate coverage for them.
Standard insurance covers both property damage and bodily injury liability, protecting others from financial hardship in the event that they are injured as a result of being struck by your vehicle.
This basic level of protection can be had for as little as $99 per year. In the event that a rider or passenger has an injury while riding, a medical payments policy will pay for their necessary medical treatment.
The claim can be filed no matter who was at blame for the rider, and it can function as supplemental coverage for the rider once they have reached the upper limit of their health insurance.
In the event that the bike is stolen or damaged in a natural disaster such as a flood or fire, comprehensive coverage will either replace the bike or pay for the necessary repairs.
You will require a plan that can accommodate air ambulance insurance if you ride in distant places. This cover is essential.
9. Practice Makes It Perfect
You need to put in a lot of work in the gym if you want to prevent feeling overwhelmed on the track. The amount of effort that professional riders put in sets them apart from riders of more ordinary ability. When it comes to finding the time to get out on track, there will be a number of sacrifices that need to be made.
Tip: Concentrate on mastering a single ability and executing the necessary drills to do so. Some of the talents include braking, cornering, leaping, and throttle control. Drills are activities that athletes perform repeatedly in order to hone a certain skill until it becomes instinctive to them.
The wide variety of riding situations that are normal in motocross means that fitness and training are required for progress, particularly for novice riders.
You will need to maintain your level of fitness from one competition to the next, and given that no two competitions are the same, you will have to put in as much practice time as you can. Riding is the most effective form of exercise since it engages all of the necessary muscles at once.
You’ll be ready for whatever comes your way if you put in the time to train in a variety of climates. Riding in the rain, for instance, involves a completely new set of obstacles due to the fact that the landings become slick and the fact that you need to keep traction.
You can improve your riding skills by riding alongside riders who are more experienced than you are. Sign up for a competition in your area so that you may put the knowledge and experience you’ve gained along the way to the test.
Concluding
The sport of riding a dirt bike can be entertaining, but only if it is done correctly.
To get started, you can get accustomed to riding a mountain bike or a BMX and master some fundamental riding drills. Riding a dirt bike introduces an entirely new set of obstacles. As with any other rigorous activity, you need to safeguard your body by using protective gear.
Bike racers will attest to the fact that you will have numerous falls, resulting in scrapes, bruises, and possibly even broken bones. Investing in safety gear like neck braces, protective boots, helmets, gloves, and goggles can help reduce the severity of the injuries sustained.
It is recommended that you become familiar with the local motocross culture as it is customary for bike racers to begin their careers competing at local tracks and competitions. In order to compete in racing events sanctioned by the AMA, you are required to have a pro racing license.
Consider purchasing an all-inclusive insurance policy that will protect not just you but also your motorcycle and any third parties involved. You should get as much riding experience as you can and seek the advice of riders with more expertise.