Dirt Bike Racing

Executive summary about Dirt Bike Racing by Chuck Kent

Chances are, even if you live in a city or suburb, there are some good dirt bike courses within reasonable driving distance - which explains why I see so many people living in suburban areas with dirt bikes in their garage. Dirt bike racing is probably one of the most fun things you can do on a Saturday afternoon.

The last thing you'll want to do is make sure you have the right dirt bike riding gear.

First Time Dirt Bike Riding Tips

If you’ve chosen the right size bike, your feet should just be able to touch the ground. A dirt bike seat has a natural indentation where the seat meets the gas tank. If you are too far behind your feet, you will need to slide forward and pull on the handlebars.

The proper seated position will affect all aspects of your riding, especially turns. OK, I will stop talking about the seating position if you promise to CONSTANTLY remind yourself to move forward. Deal?

If you are used to a street bike, riding a dirt bike will be a bit disconcerting at first because the ground is irregular and the bike will “wiggle” a bit underneath you. As for seating position - MOVE FORWARD!

If you are looking a few feet in front of your tire, you will never get smooth. You need to look well down the trail. As you are riding, without moving your head, determine if you can see your front fender using your peripheral vision. If you can, you are probably looking too close to the front of the bike.

For the rest of the day you will work on Accelerating and Braking.

ACCELERATION: Remember our discussion about SEATING POSITION? If you are seated properly, your hips should be over the foot pegs and your upper body should have a forward lean to it.

BRAKING: Guess what? In the same way that accelerating forces push you backward, braking forces will push you forward. If you are seated properly when braking, the gas tank should be between your thighs. As you begin braking, SQUEEZE the gas tank with your legs. At first, simply accelerate to 3rd or 4th gear and then brake to a stop. Remember, as you are braking you should be downshifting so that when you stop, you will be able to immediately take off again. After 10 times, you will need to begin “testing” yourself. To do this, pick out 4 points.

POINT 1: The point that you start accelerating.

POINT 2: The point you stop accelerating.

POINT 3: The point you apply the brakes.

POINT 4: The point you are stopped.

When you do this test, be sure to accelerate to approximately the same speed. You probably don’t have a speedometer, so use your gears to tell you. In other words, accelerate hard from the same spot until you shift into 3rd gear. That will give you POINT 1 and 2. Mentally mark approximately where Spots 3 and 4 are during these test runs.

Each time, try to accelerate harder and brake harder. When braking, you might lock up one or both tires. When practicing, try to “feel” when a tire is about to lock up. If you do, don’t increase brake pressure any more. Ideally, you want to be right at that point, where maximum pressure is applied but the tire is not skidding.

Another thing to remember is how the condition of the trail affects accelerating and braking. For instance, if it is real bumpy, you cannot brake as hard before you start to skid.

Some other tips:

1. Do not try to use the back brake by rotating your ankle. Physically pick up your foot off the footpeg and press down on the brake pedal.

2. Use 1 or 2 fingers only on the front brake.

3. Use both brakes simultaneously.

If you just go out and play all day, you will improve a bit, but not as much as you would if you worked on these exercises.

Taking The MSF DirtBike School

Executive summary about Dirt Bike School by Bill Kresnak

If you want to be a better street rider, learn how to ride in the dirt. So here I am, wearing all kinds of strange clothing, riding a completely unfamiliar motorcycle…and heading right toward a rock.

The rock sits precisely at the entrance to a tight righthand turn on a trail at the Honda OHV and Environmental Learning Center in Colton, California. Courses in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's new DirtBike School are conducted at various locations around the country, but this particular class is being held at a very special facility run by Honda near Los Angeles. The students range from a 16-year-old learning the basics to older riders like myself, who want to improve their skills.

Some of the others have no background in dirt-riding. I have no trouble admitting that I need training.

DirtBike School Coach Amber Bickel warns us from the beginning that we will be dealing with "real rocks, not foam," along with sand, ruts and plenty of other challenging surfaces. Since there are no speed limits on most trails, she notes, it's considerably easier for novice riders to get in over their heads, particularly when they're riding with more-experienced companions.

You ride over your limits, especially when you get tired. Our first session on the bikes takes place in a flat field, where we practice straight-line riding and controlled starts and stops. Between riding sessions, there's more classroom discussion on a variety of subjects, including responsible trail riding.

"We need to stay on the trails and be courteous to other trail users," Bickel says, noting that many trail closures result from complaints about irresponsible riders.

"Go slow past campers and other people. And when you come across horses, turn your engine off until they go by.'' Those acts of trail courtesy will help keep riders welcome on public lands.

The idea, as in the MSF's street courses, is to simulate on the training range the challenges you'll face in the real world. Fortunately, the Honda center is equipped to give novice riders a taste of that, with a trail that winds through five distinct ecosystems. We fire up the bikes and take to the trail single file. The rock is a perfect example. I leave the Honda OHV and Environmental Learning Center convinced of two things: First, you really can become a better road rider by learning to ride in the dirt. And second, even if that weren't true, riding on the trail is so much fun I need a dirtbike in my garage.

2Pc Motorcycle Bike Hump Leather Suit Armor Orange

This leather suit comes fitted with injection molded and double density armor.

1. Pre curved sleeves with stretchable Kevlar for proper riding position.

2. Fully removable Injection-Molded Armor at knees, shoulders, and elbows.

3. Removable dual density spine protector.

4. Fixed double density hip armor.

5. Leather stretch panels at lower back and above the knees

Iron Man 2 Motorcycle Suit

“We’ve replicated the visual effect of Iron Man’s armor,” explains David Pea, owner of UD Replicas, which spent four months researching and designing the IRON MAN 2 Motorcycle Suit, incorporates removable CE-approved body armor; gloves with built-in, anti-skid Kevlar in the leather lining of the palms.

Adequate Training: the Key to Success in Motocross Racing

Executive summary about Motocross Training by Groshan Fabiola

Motocross is indeed a very demanding sport, especially on the legs, arms, and shoulders of a rider. It is strongly believed that motocross training should consist of four distinct areas: motocross fitness, together with a balanced diet, regular practice and mental preparation. Many motocross riders get off to a good start in the race but fail to finish it in top spot. The reason is undoubtedly the lack of adequate motocross fitness training.

Every rider who enters a race should be aware of the fact that good performance depends on a series of factors, including motocross fitness training, adequate nutrition, and mental preparation, as well as discipline in the recording of training sessions. Everyone interested in improving their motocross training, and subsequently their performance in the race, can try the motocross training software that, as its developers promise, will guide you along your training, keep you on track at all times, and help you become and remain a winner.

Motocross training methods to help with the dreaded arm pump

There are some things you can incorporate into your motocross training to help with forearm pump.

1. Ride regularly. Regular riding exercises and conditions the muscles in your forearms.

2. Stretch your forearms before you ride. Sit on your bike and put your hands in front of you like you're stopping traffic. Have your hands below the level of your handlebars and put the tips of your fingers against your grips. Now press against the grips, you'll feel the muscles in the underside of your forearms stretch.

3. Don't wear tight gloves. Any tight fitting gear around your wrists will restrict blood flow.

4. Exercise your forearms. Hold a squeeze ball and clench your hand and then release. Do this until your forearm starts to ache then swap hands.

5. Get your blood flowing. Before you ride go for a short brisk walk to get your blood flowing.

6. Try using smaller diameter handgrips. Use Renthal Medium Full Diamond grips. Because they don't have a waffle pattern they are easier to get your hands around particularly when you've got short fingers!

Forearm pump is a problem suffered even by the pro riders and while regular motocross training helps you will probably always suffer some degree of it. If you can, ride as much as possible, time on the bike helps with both arm pump and motocross fitness.

A Guide to the Right Cycling Jerseys

Weather plays an important role in choosing the right cycling jerseys. Choosing the right jerseys to suit your weather type will give you the best protection and comfortable rides. There are jerseys made specifically for warm weathers. Moreover, you must also choose the right color of your jerseys, to make a choice between short or long-sleeved cycling jerseys. Investing on cycling jerseys which contain reflective material is a very good idea. Usually bikers buy this type of clothing aside from their day jersey. But if you don't have a budget yet, ordinary jerseys will do along with this safety measure. Purchase a set of reflective tapes from bike merchants. Then, cut and attach them on your existing jersey.

1. Endura FS260 Pro Jetstream

It's just a really well thought out jacket, obviously refined by people who cycle, to create a fit and function that suits roadies and mountain bikers alike. Great bike cut, with shaped sleeves and dropped rear end means you won't ever feel exposed to the elements, whilst there are plenty of extra nice touches to make this our favourite winter cycling jersey: waterproof pocket, great reflectivity and it looks nice too.

2. Madison Trail Mens Sport Jersey

The quick drying, fast wicking Madison trail jersey is here because it's so darned cheap. Nice attention to detail, especially considering the price, include flat lockedstitching and reflective prints.

3. Specialized Womens Argali Wool Cycling Jersey

Seriously it combines the warmth and washable qualities of natural wool with the hydrophobic qualities of polyester to make a very nice cycling jersey indeed. Don't fret chaps, Spesh make a men’s Argali jersey too!

4. Altura Reflex Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey

The Reflex is windproof and water resistant, multi panelled and literally covered in great reflectivity.

5. Endura MT500 Jersey

Further really nice little touches include the waterproof pocket, a glasses wipe and again, a pre-shaped bike cut.

6. Bspoke Edgware Knitwear Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey

The Edware jersey uses Teflon treated merino wool to provide a water resistant jersey. The subtle bike cut and a high neck means you’ll stay very comfy on the bike.

Need Some New Motocross Goggles?

Buying a new pair of motocross goggles isn't rocket science. There's four things you need to consider when looking at motocross goggles:

1. Vision

If possible take your helmet with you when trying on some dirt bike goggles. Do the goggles give you good peripheral vision?

2. Fit

A good pair of motocross goggles should fit nicely against your face and the frame of the goggles need to fit into the eyeport of your helmet.

3. Durability

Look for finishing touches like whether the strap has silicone beading to stop it slipping on your helmet.

4. Tear off system

What sort of vision system do the goggles you're considering use?

Scott goggles have been around for a long time and Scott were actually the first company to make goggles specifically for motocross back in 1970.

Spy goggles have been in the motocross market for a few years now. Some of the biggest names in American motocross wear Spy goggles.

Smith goggles are very popular in Australia amongst enduro and cross country riders. I've never had much to do with them myself but because of their high quality roll off systems and innovations like fan forced goggle ventilation systems, Smith goggles have a big share among the top companies that manufacture dirt bike goggles.

Oakley designs and develops optical products. Motor sport specialty stores worldwide carry the Oakley eyewear. Oakley products are developed to suit all lifestyles. From world-class athletes, to everyday ordinary people, Oakley is dependable for all your eyewear needs. The facility utilizes the virtual world of CAD/CAM engineering. The prototype is tested using spectropho-tometers, impact accelerators, and environmental simulation chambers. Oakley uses some of the world's largest athletes to test their products. Motocross is one of the sports that relies on the Oakley goggle technology. The 3-D goggle design provides a precise fit. Oakley lenses are designed to maximize peripheral and downward vision.

EXO2 StormShield Heated Motorcycle Gloves

If you’re new to EXO2 equipment, these gloves include all the required wiring to connect to your bike’s power source and heat the gloves – the choice is yours. StormShield gloves are comprised of a leather upper surface and an Amara synthetic leather palm that’s broken up by Cordura on the fingers and gauntlet for flexibility. Also, you’ll notice PVC-molded knuckle protectors and extra Carbo-leather protectors in various places for durability and safety. The complete EXO2 kit comes with gloves, a basic wiring kit and installation instructions.

The upper shell includes armor in the knuckles and fingers for impact protection. Notice also the Cordura used on the inner and upper parts of the fingers. This arrangement permits excellent flexibility while sealing out the cold.

Both thumbs include a visor wiper. Secreted deep within each gauntlet is found the harness for connecting the EXO2 system to your motorcycle’s power source. If you already own EXO2 gear, like a heated vest, you’ve already got everything you need to wire up this gear!

Tourmaster Synergy Heated Vest

Executive summary about Tourmaster Synergy Heated Vest by Bill C

Segment-busting price includes the controller that should come with every other heated vest but doesn't; a wiring harness for the bike that should come with every other heated vest but doesn't; and the ability to connect to any of the other Synergy heated garments.

Can a heated vest be too hot? The new Tourmaster Synergy vest has it all -- modern carbon fiber heating elements instead of those old-fashioned wires; lots of elastic on the sides to keep the vest and the warmth close to the body; an included built-in waterproof controller and each Synergy heated clothing item comes with a motorcycle wiring harness.

The Synergy vest is thin, light and I honestly think it may actually put out too much heat, if that's possible! I wish I had the ability to switch the front heat on and off independently in the Tourmaster Synergy vest, because I think would solve the "too hot" problem. Heated clothing must be worn close to the body to do its thing, but not many heated vests fit correctly, nor do they incorporate elastic. I've been wearing the Tourmaster Synergy vest under a Joe Rocket Ballistic 7.0 jacket similar to the one that Rick reviewed recently.

The Ballistic 7.0 jacket uses some type of new fabric that keeps the jacket very lightweight and naturally flexible, so the thin and warm Synergy vest is a perfect match. Tourmaster recommends wearing the vest over a single shirt to keep the heat close to the body, so I wear the Synergy vest over a cotton T-shirt.

Each Synergy garment comes with its own controller, a wiring harness for the bike and the ability to connect with the other Tourmaster Synergy heated clothing items, which as of this writing include a heated jacket, heated gloves, heated pants and another style heated vest with a collar. Also note that accessory wiring harnesses are available from Tourmaster, including an extra temperature controller, extra V-split connectors, a BMW "Euro" style power adapter, a battery wiring harness and a leg band.

Each Synergy garment is supplied with a battery harness, electronic solid-state controller, and appropriate cabling to connect to other Synergy garments in a system; have a 3-year warranty. Old-fashioned wired garments are so yesterday, and how about having to buy a separate "Heat-Troller" control for 60-odd bucks? I can't imagine buying a heated garment and not having the ability to control the heat without also buying an optional controller. You want heat?