Posts
329
Joined
1/21/2017
Location
IN
US
Edited Date/Time
6/30/2020 11:27am
I've been an MX only rider for the last 10 years, and I'm looking to race a few sprint enduro off-road events in the area just to try something new. Anyone on here have advice for a strictly moto guy looking to compete in sprint enduro races? Bike setup, tire psi, riding technique, etc... Thanks.
Don't care what anyone says, trees move
- Bounce on the pegs. Use your feet to steer.
- Pace yourself
- gear your moto bike up multiple teeth
- turn your moto suspension rebound all the way in
The Shop
They're tricky like that
I was wondering what the hell you meant. Now I get it. Yes, they do!
Pit Row
- Dont overshoot corners (it just adds time and distance) and be on the gas earlier powering out of them.
- ALWAYS be forcing and driving yourself to be looking farther forward. Trust in your decision that you already made and let you body and hands handle the spot you are "at" and while your eyes and mind are still focusing on the coming trail.
The more I rode over the years the more I understood this.
Enjoy the view!
And some people just have not common sense at all.... If you have nobody behind you, and all of a sudden you find someone in your back, is because you are in a different race... Get out now.
I am no fast by any means... I am middle pack and I usually get lapped by the fastest guys, I am the first to get aside and left someone who is clearly faster go ahead
Honestly 99% of the guys out there are amazing and very aware of their surroundings. Most of the time it's the chodes riding a 1989 cr 125 wearing denim jeans, wife beater and wolverine work boots who dont get out of the way. Sometimes when you're lapping them for the 3rd-4th time you'll get lucky and they'll be sitting alongside the trail having a cigarette break.
I went from moto to off road in 1980. Still loving the freedom of riding most the day instead of sitting around waiting on motos, ambulance runs, etc.
My tips in no particular order....
- keep your toes up and feet on the pegs. Rocks/stumps/roots will break your feet/knees.
- bark busters are a God send. They save levers and hands from trauma.
- adjust your brakes/clutch so you can use one finger (always on the lever) to instantly actuate.
- ride in a semi crouch, attack position
- ride as smooth as possible. Slower smooth is way faster than overshooting, stalling, restarting.
- Trees do move into your way. But not out of. A 2" sapling tree feels like it is made of 4130 thick wall tubing.
- Wear knee and shoulder amour. Brush a shoulder against a tree on the inside of a corner once and you'll get it.
- Don't over do all the gear and protection. You'll go faster, light and agile, than you do geared up for every possibility.
Have fun. Off road/track, in a sense, is like getting to ride a 2-5 hour moto. Without the do-or-injury type jumps. 52 years after first swinging a leg over a motorcycle at age 13, I'm still loving to be on a dirt bike. Photo is last week on a friends trails.
Number one thing above all else, bike setup, gearing, bars etc. pace yourself. You will gas out if you don’t ride a fast but controlled pace.
Remember the basics like grip the bike with your legs. Don’t hold the bars too tight. Balls of the feet. You’d be amazed how much body position keeps you up in weird situations off road.
Ride a gear up if you can. You’re not looking for wheel speed and spinning everywhere. Crank those clickers out as far as you can likely, fill up the tank and wear a water device.
Pay as much attention to what’s happening, the format and how the day flows. Make a few new friends and enjoy the experience.
Post a reply to: Moto Guy Trying Off-Road - Who's Got Advice?