How to get started Freestyle Motocross dirtbike riding
Posted on May 26, 2008
Filed Under Freestyle Motocross |
Freestyle Motocross Dirtbike selection
Choosing the right bike is very important but don’t fall under the misconception that you should get a 250 2 stroke. The truth is any modern dirtbike in good condition is capable of a beginner FMX.
Freestyle Motocross Dirtbike setup
If your just starting out in FMX don’t make the mistake of cutting your plastics until you are at the point of doing the tricks that require the cuts. All you will acheive is getting more water and dirt where its not supposed to get to on your dirtbike, not to mention you. You won ‘t look good amongst the seasoned FMX’ers either. Concentrate on the position of your handlebars, levers shift and brake pedals. Also make sure you set up your suspension and sag. Your bike should be set up comfortably just for you so you don’t have to think about where things are. Once you start practicing some basic tricks and before you try it on a ramp, make sure you have all your gear on and things like boot clips won’t get caught on your levers and the like.
Riding skills
If you don’t have any or very little experience riding a dirtbike then attend some riding schools and practice at your local motocross or supercross track. Don’t even think about FMX until you are confident at jumping and have gained enough experience in that you can perform slight corrections to the position of you and your bike mid air.
Freestyle Takeoff Ramps
Never attempt to build your own, it is dangerous in a very uncool way, if you get it wrong you could be seriously injured. The angle, length and bracing of the ramp is very important. Your best bet is to buy a ramp made by a professional.
Freestyle Landing Ramps
Again seek professional assistance as the landing ramp is critical. As a rough guide a landing should be 40-50 long, 11-15 feet tall, 10-14 feet wide at the top and 20-24 feet wide at the bottom. If using a dirt landing ramp make sure it is solid, do not try to use crates or similiar hollow object to build up the bulk of the ramp. Make sure you have at least a 6 feet flat buffer at the top of the ramp in case you come up short.
First Time Jumping
Remember ramps are different to dirt jumps, to safely start jumping, push the ramp right up to the landing. With the ramp positioned up to the landing it should be like a step up. If the ramp is higher than the landing then the landing needs to be higher. Hit the ramp in second or third gear, using just enough power to cruize up the ramp and plop onto the landing. Once you are confident and start landing in the same spot every time you can start pushing the ramp back in 3-5 foot increments. Once you get to the 40-45 feet mark and you are landing in the same spot every time you can start thinking about doing some basic tricks.
Beginner Freestyle Motocross Tricks
Never attempt any freestyle motocross trick until you are jumping confidently and landing the bike in the same position every time. Not most of the time, or some of the time or except for one or two times, do not attemp any freestyle tricks until you and your bike are landing in the same position every time.
To start with try doing a one footer, do them smoothly and try it with each leg one at a time, once you have that down try doing no footers. Make sure you keep your hands on the bars though for now. These basic FMX tricks will help you learn how to control your bike in the air.
The next trick to try is the Fender Kiss, start off by jumping and trying to put your face to the front fender, be aware that the change in body position will alter the flight path of the bike. As you get the hang of doing it start to bring the front fender to you as you put your face to it.
Now your ready for the one hander, stay loose as you hit the ramp, when you are confortable being your hand off the bar a little bit, gradually as you repeat the jump over and over move your hand further away from the bars until you can put your hand on the side of your helmet and hold it briefly.
So now your ready to set some foundations for tricks like the Cliffhanger, Jackhammer, Cordova and Stripper. Remember this is only some prep work, you will not be doing the above tricks for a while yet. As you near the peak of the ramp start to bring your feet up, until you touch the handlebars with your feet, this is called the ankle hook.
Moving forward to your first well known FMX trick
The first real FMX trick you should consider is the heel clicker. You don’t need to be as flexible as you may think. To safely learn this start by tying down your bike on a truck or trailer so it will not move and you can move around on the bike.
- Make sure you have all your normal riding gear on and stand on the pegs as if you are riding.
- Jump off the pegs and do a no footer.
- Continue this until you feel loose and can do a no footer and then bring your feet back to the pegs.
- Try to bring your feet up over the bars, continue to do this until you can touch your heels together.
- Once you can do this and are confident you can start trying this over a jump.
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I found your site on faves.com bookmarking site.. I like it ..gave it a fave for you..ill be checking back later
Do you know the names or websites of a good riding school ?