Posts
4
Joined
11/22/2009
Location
CA
Edited Date/Time
1/24/2012 7:39pm
Hoping some of you veterans will be able to shed some light on a few questions. I'll try to keep this short and sweet. As the title says, I'm looking to get into motocross but I'm a little unsure as to how to go about the first getting into the sport.
First off, I'm 17. I don't currently own my own bike, nor do I have any experience riding. I was wondering if motocross lessons and classes rent bikes, or do you need to bring you own? Also on that note, what exactly do these lessons/courses offer generally? Are they like lessons for other things like.. skating where you'd have a lesson maybe once a week for a certain period of time, or are they more a one day thing to show you the basics?
Secondly, I live in southern Ontario. Brampton to be specific. Motocross doesn't seem to be a big around here, so I've been having trouble finding any local tracks/trails or places that offer lessons. That could very well be because I'm looking in all the wrong places. If possible, would someone be able to recommend a site that would have information about tracks/trails and ideally lessons in my area? Or better yet, is anyone from or familiar with my area and able to recommend a specific place?
Finally, as I stated I do not own a bike, but do plan to buy one in the future, sooner if I'm not able to rent a bike at a track/trail. So basically, I'd like to know what kind of bike would be best for me. I'm a big guy, 6'4, just shy of 6'5 and about ~220 pounds. Naturally, I'd like the price to be reasonable for a firs time bike. Doesn't need to be anything amazing, I don't plan on winning any pro races anytime soon.
Thanks in advance for the responses.
First off, I'm 17. I don't currently own my own bike, nor do I have any experience riding. I was wondering if motocross lessons and classes rent bikes, or do you need to bring you own? Also on that note, what exactly do these lessons/courses offer generally? Are they like lessons for other things like.. skating where you'd have a lesson maybe once a week for a certain period of time, or are they more a one day thing to show you the basics?
Secondly, I live in southern Ontario. Brampton to be specific. Motocross doesn't seem to be a big around here, so I've been having trouble finding any local tracks/trails or places that offer lessons. That could very well be because I'm looking in all the wrong places. If possible, would someone be able to recommend a site that would have information about tracks/trails and ideally lessons in my area? Or better yet, is anyone from or familiar with my area and able to recommend a specific place?
Finally, as I stated I do not own a bike, but do plan to buy one in the future, sooner if I'm not able to rent a bike at a track/trail. So basically, I'd like to know what kind of bike would be best for me. I'm a big guy, 6'4, just shy of 6'5 and about ~220 pounds. Naturally, I'd like the price to be reasonable for a firs time bike. Doesn't need to be anything amazing, I don't plan on winning any pro races anytime soon.
Thanks in advance for the responses.
http://www.motoparkracing.com/
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If not,even though you are a bigger guy,you might want to start off small with a play bike that has very little power(something you can throw around and not hurt your self on) .
My advice would be an older 125 or maybe even a 250F (something for under $1000.00)
However, do not buy cheap gear,make sure you get the best helmet you can afford. Try to find places to ride by the water that are more sandy (softer ground).
Take your time and learn about the bike and spend time at local tracks watching.
And seriously...make sure you have good medical insurance .
Also do you have any friends that ride?
If you do, itll be a little easier to learn the basics. A little while before I got my first bike, I had a friend who raced teach me basic things like clutch, throttle control and shifting on a smaller bike in an open field. I was about 12-13 at the time. Then when I got my first bike at 14, I was able to master those things on my 125 fairly quickly. I rode that around a farm for a few months, and then graduated to a beginner style track. After riding that for a little bit I worked my way to a full-scale track.
The riding schools are a good idea, but they are mainly a one-two day type thing. Just make sure you pick one that is geared for beginning riders. You need to provide your own bike for the ones down here. It looks like you may have a place up there that has bike rentals, though, looking at Chilis post.
http://www.thumpertalk.com/...heretoride.php?f=357
Theres a link for riding areas in Ontario (youll need to sign up to view it).
Spend extra money to look cool is useless if you cant ride..
Spend the money and buy quality safety gear, primarily helmet, boots and neck protection.
For the most part, gloves, pants and jersey is fit and fashion, no real protection.
Chest/back protector is a matter of choice and feel. I never felt comfortable in one.
Second, do not go out looking to "bust big" or be RC
Speed is acquired over time. Skills are acquired over time.
Let the speed come to you, do not chase after it.
NEVER ride alone. ALWAYS have a riding buddy or friend go with you to the track.
Notice I have not mentioned the bike, because right now it doesn't matter. You will not be able to tell the difference between one or the other.
My suggestion to you is to base your purchase decision on which local dealer caters to the off-road market and stocks a good selection of parts for MX bikes...OEM parts like clutches, cables, plastic and such.
If that dealership is a Honda shop, buy a Honda, if Kawasaki, buy Kawasaki.
Because as a noob, you're going to be buying parts and you're going to need some guidance, and that shop catering to off-road can offer that needed advice.
Pit Row
He's Canadian. He's covered. No further insurance necessary unless he's heading south of the border.
Although recommending a 2-stroke 125 and quality gear is great advice.
I definitely don't want to come across rude though. Bobby, I'm sure you see a ton of guys thinking they can just "pick up motocross" with no real idea of what they're getting into. I came here to get advice from all you guys who've been around the block a few times. Getting advice from a veteran here would be the same as getting it from him at a track, no? I got some pretty good advice from a lot of knowledgeable guys pretty quick here, including advice on locating local tracks which I will be contacting, and I'll go from there, once winter passes I suppose. Doesn't seem like it was a bad idea to me.
But like I said, I mean no disrespect. Thanks again for the advice gentlemen.
Kidding of course, and welcome to the club, both here and mx in general. Please ignore bobbym, he's a bitter old man but he means well.......well....sometimes.
When I say around here, you will have to drive an hour or so.
There is the OCMC,.... They are in Pickering, about 45 minutes east of you.
http://www.ocmc-racing.ca/
They have beginer classes and the track is very forgiving. It's all table tops, so if you are not ready to jump them, you can roll them.
For the more advanced rider, you can join MMRS.
http://www.mmrs.ca/
MMRS uses about 5-6 different tracks, and mixes them up through out the summer.
MMRS has everything from novice to Experts, mini's and even quads. Awesome tracks too!!!
And then there is the CMRC.
http://www.cmrcracing.com/
i wouldnt bother with this one right now if you are just getting started, it's a much more serious series and even the novice class is pretty fast. (very fast for a beginer)
There are a couple more....but IMO they suck...... the ones I listed are the best ones with the best people. We (well my son) race at all of these, and MMRS is our fav.
Get your self a good bike. I would recomend you get a good used 250F (im a Kawasaki guy, so I will say KX250F) but they are all good. Get a good set of boots(Gaerne SG10 ), good helmet(arai or shoei), chest protector (Thor) and maybe a neck brace(Leatt Club).
Good Luck
http://www.burntriveroffroad.com/
Burnt river is always open even during the week. It's usually pretty quiet during the week. The track is very easy and safe. $26 for the entire day of riding. You can just show up here and ride. No membership or anything, and you dont have to show up to race, you can just ride the track at your own pace. So i would recomend you start here.
It is a bit of a drive though...probably about 2 hours or so from you.
Where do you go to school? Are you planning on attending college? Hopefully you are...
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