Motocrossing Mania - Riding on a dirt track and basics of riding a motorcross bike

thebatmanbiker (62)in #motorcycles • 7 years ago

Hi all! How did your weekend go? The first weekend of this year and it sure would have come with a lot of plans! As for me, I did not have much plans because I am still recovering from breaking my wrist last year and the surgery that followed. But it does make me remember the time when I went motocrossing a while ago with a couple of pals of mine.

We went to this place called Big Rock Moto Park, the brainchild of India's only Dakkar rally rider CS Santosh. Big Rock is his proving grounds, so to say. He trains here regularly, and also offers instructions for people who want to experience and start motocrossing, for hobby or for sport.

We got instructions, and were then let loose on a short flattrack. In Motocross, you do not lean into the turn as you do in road racing. Instead you are sitting upright, leaning away from the turn while countersteering to make the turn.

Sitting upright and leaning away from the turn helps the bike turn faster by sliding the rear wheel. The seating position makes sure you keep the bike balanced throughout the slide and get valuable grip and traction. In motocrossing, the fastest way across a turn is to slide and stay as upright on the bike as possible, while the bike leans into the turn. You have to stick your leg out into the turn to keep the front wheel planted on the dirt, while also offering balance through the turn.

Once we had a couple of falls, slides and understanding on how to handle the 230cc Honda CRF230F Motocross bike, we were let loose on the track.

The track had banked turns, and that made sliding through the dirt easier, as compared to flat turns. The camber (angle of elevation on the outside) of the turn works for you in this case.

Taking the jumps was flying through the air. You have to firmly hold the bike between your legs so it doesn't fall away from underneath you when in a jump! And then, you lean forward so when you land, the front wheel stays on the ground and doesn't slide away or do something shaky.

Most of the time in motocrossing, you're always leaning forward while standing on the footpegs. You hardly ever sit on the saddle. Flat turns, some straight out sections are the only places. And you always have to remember to grip the fuel tank with your legs. If you do not, then your hands will grow very tired and start to ache within a few laps.

We did fall a couple of times on the trail ride, but that was mostly due to the fact we were tired from all the jumps and the fun on the track. And when you are tired, you make mistakes. When you make mistakes, you fall.

So, we did a very short section of the trail, got hit by a couple of branches and shrubbery, dropped the bike more than a few times before calling it a day.

Here are some pictures from the motorcross fun time!