Freestyle Motocross

Freestyle Motocross (motocross fmx) is a variation on the sport of motocross in which motorcycle riders attempt to impress judges with jumps and stunts. The two main types of freestyle events are:

1. Big Air, in which each rider gets two jumps — usually covering more than 60 feet — from a dirt-covered ramp.

2. Freestyle Motocross, the older of the two disciplines. Riders perform two routines, lasting between 90 seconds and 14 minutes, on a course consisting of multiple jumps of varying lengths and angles that generally occupy one to two acres.

Freeriding is the original freestyle motocross. Riders look for natural jumps and drop-offs to execute their tricks on.

The Backflip was a trick that every rider considered impossible and was considered more appropriate in video games than in real life. Speculation of the possibility began with the Motocross film "Children of a Metal God" featuring riders attempting the trick into water off a modified ramp. Also it had been done many times on BMX bikes, and FMX riders were using tricks from BMX riders, such as when Travis Pastrana performed an Indian Air, originally from TJ Lavin, a BMXer.

In 2000, Carey Hart attempted the first ever backflip on a full size motocross bike off a modified dirt landing ramp at the Gravity Games 2000. Carey Hart attempted the backflip again at Summer X Games in 2001, during the Moto X Best Trick competition, but bailed off the bike 45 feet in the air.

2002 saw the backflip taken to X Games glory. Travis Pastrana and Mike Metzger were both capable doing flips off ramps. Later 2007 Murray attempted the double backflip at X Games but was unsuccessful and crashed upon landing.

After the crash at X Games, Scott Murray, tried again, successfully landing the trick at a Supercross event in Italy.

Riders may choose to wear 'body armor' to protect the chest and legs when performing the most dangerous of tricks, as did Travis Pastrana when performing his double backflips. A neck brace may also be worn if rider are concerned about neck injuries.

One major component of Freestyle Motocross is the foam pit. The FMX rider will jump from a ramp, practicing one of the more dangerous or prototype tricks, and execute a safe landing into the safe foam regardless of the actual landing position.

When freeriding, however, the rider jumps from dirt to dirt. Notable riders:

1. Kenny Bartram

2. Ailo Gaup

3. Carey Hart

4. Mike "Mad Mike" Jones

5. Mike Metzger

6. Travis Pastrana.

How to Do the FMX Can Can Trick

Instructions:

1. Keep both hands on the handlebars. Unless you're varying the trick into a One Handed Can Can, you'll keep both hands on the handlebars throughout the trick.

2. Remove one foot and swing it over the motorcycle. The rider will take one foot off the pedal, usually the right, and swing the entire leg over the bike and kick the foot out on the other side in front of his body. Generally the second foot also leaves the pedal, especially since the body will have to turn to accommodate the movement needed to kick the leg out.

3. Swing the leg back into place. Once the kick is complete, swing the leg back over the bike, put the foot back on the pedal and get ready to land.

4. Vary the trick or combine it with others. The simplicity of this trick requires it to be varied and/or combined with other tricks if you expect to do any good in competitive situations. One variation is the One-Handed Can Can in which the rider will also remove one hand from the handlebars during the maneuver, but this alone is still pretty plain.

Even though it's a quite simple trick, novice riders should still get proper instructions before attempting the FMX Can Can trick and wear proper safety equipment when practicing.