First time going on track

FuseMX21
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Hello,

This weekend it's gonna be my first time on a motocross track.
I haven't drove any motorcycles till i bought my dirtbike a couple of months ago.
Since then i have drove flat terrain for a couple of hours to get used to the bike / shifting.

Now, since this weekend its finally going to happen, going to a track with jumps & other people.. are there experienced riders here that could give me some tips on how to take this up or should i just go with my own flow?

i'm a very over encouraged guy, meaning i will probably try to jump way too early & crash or something.

Basically what my question is: Do you have any tips & tricks for me, as a first timer on a track?

Thank you alot.
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50dippin
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5/13/2020 11:27pm


Ride within your limits, ride the vet or beginner track, hold your line and stay safe.
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FuseMX21
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5/14/2020 12:26am
50dippin wrote:
[embed][/embed] Ride within your limits, ride the vet or beginner track, hold your line and stay safe.


Ride within your limits, ride the vet or beginner track, hold your line and stay safe.
Theres only 1 track, but its pretty beginner friendly, just some singles & table tops, no big jumps or whatsoever.
kb228
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5/14/2020 1:57am
Hold your line and focus on riding in the ripped and watered dirt. Its way different than what youre used to.
2
cwel11
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5/14/2020 2:05am
As said above most importantly hold your line! If you don’t there’s a good chance you’re going to get hurt or hurt someone else. Also do not rush it, you will not be able to go do what you see other people doing. It takes time. Don’t focus on the jumps, get your corners dialed first. Also buy the very best gear you can afford especially helmet and boots.
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The Shop

EngIceDave
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Merritt Island, FL, USA
5/14/2020 4:33am
Hold your line. Don't try to "get out of the way" for anyone, I guarantee you'll move the wrong way.

Just have fun. Don't pressure yourself to jump anything. Let things come to you in your own time
2
imoto34
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5/14/2020 4:44am
Experienced riders are used to new guys so just ignore them. Some may blow past you inches away so just focus on you. Dont look back when you hear someone. When you roll over a jump, keep it straight and dont wonder left or right.

Have fun, make sure you stretch. Welcome to a very addictive sport.

And if you are using a triangle stand, please dont kick it to where a truck can run over it while your on the track. Cant even count the tires I have had to replace over that!
2
FuseMX21
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5/14/2020 5:56am
imoto34 wrote:
Experienced riders are used to new guys so just ignore them. Some may blow past you inches away so just focus on you. Dont look back...
Experienced riders are used to new guys so just ignore them. Some may blow past you inches away so just focus on you. Dont look back when you hear someone. When you roll over a jump, keep it straight and dont wonder left or right.

Have fun, make sure you stretch. Welcome to a very addictive sport.

And if you are using a triangle stand, please dont kick it to where a truck can run over it while your on the track. Cant even count the tires I have had to replace over that!
Thanks, this makes me feel better too, i'm very nervous.
i have been told alot of tips by now, looking forward is a main one & when falling behind a blind jump, getting away fast is another one..

i use a normal foot lift under the engine block type of stand.

i will try my best to keep it straight yes & hold my line, i have alot of karting experience, so i'm used to other people on track, but motocross is gonna be something wayy different. i'm probably gonna be addicted yes, but not at first i think, cause the first few rides is gonna be a alot of learning.

Thanks alot for the tips.
2
FuseMX21
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5/14/2020 5:57am
kb228 wrote:
Hold your line and focus on riding in the ripped and watered dirt. Its way different than what youre used to.
The track where i'm going is pretty packed down dirt, No deep corners & probably pretty dry because of the weather.
blockhead17
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5/14/2020 6:03am
Don’t be nervous or intimidated, faster guys will just go past you and not even notice you.. do your own thing and don’t worry about anyone else.
Most important.. HAVE FUN!!! Enjoy 😊
1
FuseMX21
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5/14/2020 6:12am
Don’t be nervous or intimidated, faster guys will just go past you and not even notice you.. do your own thing and don’t worry about anyone...
Don’t be nervous or intimidated, faster guys will just go past you and not even notice you.. do your own thing and don’t worry about anyone else.
Most important.. HAVE FUN!!! Enjoy 😊
Thanks, that makes me feel better Smile
I will have fun, been waiting a long time to go out on track.

i'm also going with my brother in law & father in law, who have been in motocross for a looong time. they help me out alot.
2
bh
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5/14/2020 6:50am
Biggest thing is to hold your line and be aware of your surroundings. if you have a rough time just know it will get much better. Try to do your ride the way you know how to and shake the nerves. Because if you go out there nervous you will not have fun and probably crash.

Have fun though. I was also a late bloomer, biggest thing I had to tell myself was that it just takes time. I told myself that the other riders weren’t any better or worse than I was they just had more time on the bike.
Brandon_Lake
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5/14/2020 6:55am Edited Date/Time 5/14/2020 12:44pm
Maintain your speed when going over jumps. The guy behind you might anticipate you’ll be clear of the jump when they hit it.
soggy
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5/14/2020 7:00am
try to ride the track when the fewest people are on it. at my local tracks that's usually in the afternoon. nothing more intimidating then hopping on a track for the first time with 30+ other guys. it will be easier for you to pick up on things if you dont have tons of other riders around you.
FuseMX21
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5/14/2020 7:04am
soggy wrote:
try to ride the track when the fewest people are on it. at my local tracks that's usually in the afternoon. nothing more intimidating then hopping...
try to ride the track when the fewest people are on it. at my local tracks that's usually in the afternoon. nothing more intimidating then hopping on a track for the first time with 30+ other guys. it will be easier for you to pick up on things if you dont have tons of other riders around you.
Well, i'm Lucky in this situation.
Track has a maximum of 10 riders at the moment because of Corona, thats a big track with very few people.
So that will be all fine Smile
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soggy
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5/14/2020 7:05am
FuseMX21 wrote:
Well, i'm Lucky in this situation. Track has a maximum of 10 riders at the moment because of Corona, thats a big track with very few...
Well, i'm Lucky in this situation.
Track has a maximum of 10 riders at the moment because of Corona, thats a big track with very few people.
So that will be all fine Smile
thats perfect! you'll have a blast
kawi_guy07
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5/14/2020 7:16am
Just realize that nobody cares how fast or slow you are. Nobody is really paying attention to you. The only thing that people shake their head at is seeing someone visibly riding over their head. So just take your time, hold your line, and have fun.
3
5/14/2020 7:28am
first few times i went on a big track after I started riding I was not good at looking forward. You need to remember to do that because what happened to me was ruts, turns and jumps would come up on me so fast and Id have to make all sorts of adjustments. It wore me out and it took like two weeks for me to be able to spin more than 5 laps without being exhausted from having to fuck around instead of knowing what was coming
Falcon
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5/14/2020 7:38am
I'll add to what others have said: hold your line. This means, don't zig zag all over the track. Faster riders will have no problem avoiding you as long as they can tell where you are going. If you enter a turn on the left, stay to the left, and if you enter on the right, stay to the right. If at some point you want to change lines, a quick glance over your shoulder in the same direction you want to go is acceptable, but otherwise do as others above have said and always look forward.
Falcon
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5/14/2020 7:41am
PS: in case you don't know, a "line" refers to a path down the track, not an actual line drawn there. There are lots of different lines all over the track. Different riders will take different lines. Watch one corner for a while and you'll see what I mean.
gt80rider
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5/14/2020 7:45am
You are all good and will have a blast.........

hold your line........ don't cut the track in a dangerous fashion..... if you aren't jumping a section stay out of the middle... protect Yourself at all times......

looking forward to hearing your injury report...... have fun!
1
FuseMX21
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5/14/2020 7:54am
gt80rider wrote:
You are all good and will have a blast......... hold your line........ don't cut the track in a dangerous fashion..... if you aren't jumping a section...
You are all good and will have a blast.........

hold your line........ don't cut the track in a dangerous fashion..... if you aren't jumping a section stay out of the middle... protect Yourself at all times......

looking forward to hearing your injury report...... have fun!
Lmao, my brother in law actually asked me what colour of cast i want around my future broken bodypart.
1
blockhead17
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5/14/2020 8:34am
Also you will hear people behind you all the time..
don’t try to get out of the way, don’t worry if you are blocking them etc just focus on yourself. If they are faster than you they will simply pass you..
I remember I used to hear someone screaming up behind me it was intimidating.
But now I’m the faster guy I just want slower people to just do their thing and not worry about me.
1
jessdr1
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5/14/2020 9:09am
I don't know what you guys think about that but I think Earplugs is a good way to stay focus on your line and not worry about what is going on behind you. Yet you can still hear other bikes around you.

I ride with earplugs all the time and it help me alot. I'm not sure for a beginner tho.
1
StevieTimes
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5/14/2020 9:15am
Don't go off the jumps with the engine revved high; there is no room left for panic revving then.

Try to be consistent with the throttle going off jumps. Chopping it just before/during takeoff could be bad (back end wants to come over the front).

Set your speed, be consistent with the throttle, and jump smooth. Keep doing that over and over and over until it becomes mechanical.

Highflier
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5/14/2020 2:08pm Edited Date/Time 5/14/2020 2:09pm
Lot of good advice already mentioned above.

Best advice for learning to jump is slowly increase how far you jump, don't just go for it.
That can get you hurt then you may quit.
Just going for it, you don't really learn bike control when jumping.

Think I saw on an old moto skills tape long ago that a good way to learn to jump is find a SMALL double jump and practice coming up short, jumping it right and over jumping so you can get a feel for the speed and timing.
And how things feel when you do it right and wrong.

SMALL DOUBLE!

Good Luck!
spimx
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5/14/2020 2:26pm
Send it¡!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5/14/2020 2:45pm Edited Date/Time 5/14/2020 2:51pm
Upon arrival, don’t go directly to the track. Sit and watch the other riders, and figure out who’s the fastest guy on the track. Then get on the track and idle around and wait for the fast guy to come by. When he passes you, pin it and latch onto him. Don’t worry about how sketchy and out of control you feel, that’s normal. The main thing is DO NOT let him get away from you! Stick to his rear tire like glue. You’ll learn a lot, and by the end of the day you should easily be the 2nd fastest guy on the track. Maybe even the fastest if you wait around until #1 goes home for the day.





Kidding aside... just take it easy, be safe and HAVE FUN!
2
Mossy
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5/14/2020 3:05pm
Don't go off the jumps with the engine revved high; there is no room left for panic revving then. Try to be consistent with the throttle...
Don't go off the jumps with the engine revved high; there is no room left for panic revving then.

Try to be consistent with the throttle going off jumps. Chopping it just before/during takeoff could be bad (back end wants to come over the front).

Set your speed, be consistent with the throttle, and jump smooth. Keep doing that over and over and over until it becomes mechanical.

I’ll second this big time. Something I had a massive problem with was chopping the throttle on jumps. I still am working on not doing this and it’s typically when you’re kind of not fully committing to a jump so you don’t have enough speed, and at the last second on the face of the jump you blip the throttle.

It’ll kick your back end out and you better land on the throttle and if it didn’t kick your back end out too far you’ll straighten out. But when jumping things, be smooth with the throttle. Smooth throttle control will get you over every time. Blipping on the face of the jumps will just spin your rear tire and kick your side ways making you have a bad crash possibly Pinch

Good luck and stay safe. I was a late bloomer as well with this stuff, and I’m looking to start racing after this Covid stuff calms down. I’m sure a lot of cool people will be at the track. The hardest part about it for me was going to the track. Once you get there, you’re in Cool and addicted Smile
brocster
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Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
5/14/2020 9:11pm
Don’t just blast on to the track. Find a gap between riders and get in there. When wanting to exit, set yourself up ahead of time on the side you will be exiting. Someone rolling slow with their hand up means safe to pass, rolling rider is typically farthest/opposite from the “main line”. It’s a kind gesture to let others know you are aware and not going cut over on them.
Sierra Ranger
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5/15/2020 12:02am
Maintain your speed when going over jumps. The guy behind you might anticipate you’ll be clear of the jump when they hit it.
As our first-time rider sails confidently over the first double jump he encounters on the track his first time around, he'll smile to himself at the wisdom he gained from the Vital MX forum. "Otherwise, I would have let off," he thought to himself. Woohoo
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