What Track Features Cause the Most Injuries?

Lack of technique and talent

This pic requires a disclaimer. It was a pro only section of the track at the "Texas pro challenge" . Definitely a big jump but it was not very technical in 2015, long run up with a huge landing area, looked like it was just a wfo jump. Much tougher in 2014 when the face was new and rutted up pretty good. The only big injury they have had on this jump to my knowledge was a broken femur because the guys kx250f motor let go on the approach to the jump. He landed on the flat ground before the landing.

Definitely not safe for all skill levels though

After spending every weekend at tracks around LA, TX, and MS I'd say braking bumps.


Also at the pro level look at Tomac and Mcelrath's (sp?) crashes in the last couple of seasons.

I've had 4 real injuries. Ironically at the same track and all within a few hundred feet of each other. One was a cross rut in the mud on a jump, one was me and another guy coming together in front of everyone right after the start, one was getting my foot caught doing a nac nac and the last was blowing up on the face of a jump. None were really the tracks fault.

There are no track features that cause more injuries than another. It's up to the rider to determine what they feel is safe or unsafe and then adjust their riding accordingly. I've crashed every which way you can imagine. They were all my own fault. Do crazy things sometimes happen? Of course they do, but that's moto. If you're out there on the track with Billy Beginner and Marky Mini-rider, take that in to consideration and use caution when passing them. Using your head and thinking while your on the track will eliminate a lot of injuries.

down here in socal its the massive gaps and even bigger (120+ lipped out beat to hell faces).. and then the second is probably unprepped tracks or tracks that get a little water turn into black ice type surfaces.. i dont race out here anymore due to mortages and shit.. but i cant count how many times people wad it on practice days due to poor conditions or huge gaps that you need to be a damn good rider to hit..

its like most of the tracks out here have been getting dedicated to the pro's.. and off topic but track populations have dropped dramatically compared to the early 2000's.. the pro tracks in the 2000's are now considered vet tracks.. i think with more power and tech the track designers figure they need to cater to the top 20% of our sport.. when only 1% of us clowns will go pro.

I cringe every time I see a stupid step on, step off on any track.

They add nothing except an extreme technical aspect because they have to be hit at a certain speed, and there is a heavy price for amateurs that get impatient.

Because forward speed is so fast it is ugly if they come up short in the last part.

Any SX style obstacles. Man made hoops and peaked triple landings come to mind. Beyond those things poorly maintained jump faces and folks riding over their heads.

Being unfit!

Every one of my many many many injuries is due to me getting tired and making a mistake trying to maintain a fast lap.

When a big jump is placed in a section of track that is high speed, thus allowing inexperienced riders enough momentum to attempt a jump above their skill level. Big jumps should have a technical section that you need to hit clean to allow you the speed to attempt the jump. With that said 4 strokes make this much harder because they are so damn fast!

In my limited experience the ground was a factor most of the time. A fence, another bike or sometimes a rubber band starting gate was the culprit.

^this X100, also hardpack with dry, loose marbley dirt on top.

Good point. Theres a big difference between...
"Damn if I hold it on I could clear that" (with lots of time to contemplate before hitting the brakes)
OR
"How the fuck do you get over that!?"

haha