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What’s a Good Age to Start Motocross?
There are numerous benefits to motocross racing, such as increasing your physical health, mental strength, and helping form your personality. It’s also a great way to get the whole family active and outdoors, but many may be asking, what’s a good age to start motocross?
Children as young as three can begin motocross with an appropriately sized dirt bike and the proper safety equipment. With the right desire and a healthy practice routine, motocross racing can be a great sport for every age.
In this article, we will go in-depth into how people of all ages can stay safe while riding motocross, what equipment they will need to get started, and any other factors they may need to know in terms of getting started. If you’re interested in learning more about these topics, keep on reading.
What You Need to Get Started in Motocross
Apart from buying the correct dirt bike according to age (see the bottom of this article), how do you get started in motocross? As a beginner starting in the world of motocross, it’s crucial that you have all the information you need ahead of time before you begin. So what do you need to get started?
Safety Gear
The more protection you’re wearing, the better, and it’s vital to staying safe on your dirt bike. Safety gear varies in size, so it’s important to establish the sizing of your gear before purchasing.
Essential safety gear involves things such as gloves, helmet, goggles, body armor, as well as appropriate clothing like an MX jersey, pants, and boots.
When choosing proper gloves, whether they are meant for kids or adults, you’ll want to invest in a pair that gives the rider enough grip and control. For adults, you cannot go wrong with the Risk Racing VENTilate Gloves, which will provide you with a durable, yet comfortable fit that gives you all of the grip you will need.
As for a durable child’s glove, these Typhoon Youth Motocross Gloves will be successful in protecting your child’s hands while on the move.
A helmet that’s well fitted and secure is another essential piece of safety gear you’ll need to have to get started in motocross. It’s the most important piece of safety equipment you’ll be buying, so it’s important to invest in one of high quality, as well as the correct size.
You’ll want your helmet to have a snug fit, but it shouldn’t be uncomfortable. Take time to check on the sizing of the helmet before you purchase, to ensure you’ll be able to use it. If you’re looking for an excellent adult’s motocross helmet, the Fly Racing Formula CC is a top-rated choice.
If you’re looking for the ideal child’s helmet, the Raider GX3 Helmet is perfect for your younger motocross racer. This helmet is lightweight, comfortable, and comes in a variety of colors. Your little racer can’t go wrong in this helmet, as they’ll stay safe so you can stay worry-free.
Body armor is another key piece of gear you’ll need to keep yourself safe on your dirt bike. Also known as chest protectors and roost deflectors, it’s important you wear your body armor no matter where or when you are riding your bike.
This Leatt Fusion Vest 2.0 Junior is an ideal choice for younger motocross riders. This product will keep your small rider safe and secure by protecting their neck area along with the chest and back. It’s an effective way to keep your shoulder, waist, spine, and chest protected and in place while participating in motocross activities.
As for adults, this Fly Racing CE Revel Race Roost Guard is an adjustable protector that’s targeted to keep your chest and back secure and in place while you ride. It’s vital to check the sizing chart first to ensure you invest in body armor that fits correctly and will keep you safe.
Lastly, it’s key you are wearing the proper clothing and footwear while you’re riding your dirt bike. Suitable riding clothes should be designed to stretch and move with you, and thankfully many motocross friendly brands do just that.
Risk Racing provides riders with breathable and durable gear that will fit them comfortably, whether they’re cruising or competing. here at Risk Racing, we have a large variety of motocross jerseys, pants, and gloves. You’re bound to find something that suits you, your comfort, and your style.
As you can see, no matter what age you start motocross, you must have all the necessary equipment as a beginner to keep yourself safe and secure when you’re riding. You’ll never regret investing in quality equipment that will keep you or your young rider safe.
Practice and Patience
Besides having the right bike and gear that fits, to start motocross, you need to make sure you practice regularly. It’s also important to have patience with yourself during the learning process.
Practice makes perfect, so it’s important that you ride your dirt bike as often as possible. When you get comfortable with your bike's feel and how to maneuver it, you can begin practicing on different terrains and tracks to become a strong rider.
This won’t happen overnight, so it’s important to have patience with yourself through the learning process. Surround yourself with a community full of motocross riders to grow and get better. Practicing and riding alongside those who are just as passionate about motocross as you are will motivate you and inspire you to become better.
If you are practicingto better yourself and become a faster, more competitive rider, it has been proven that training with riders who are fasterand more experienced than you will increase your speed and overall skill level. Pushing yourself to try and reach their limits instead of your own can be extremely beneficial the more competitive you are wanting to become.
There are many great places to practice, but the most important part is simply just getting in seat time. Whether you are riding at a local track, a woods course, or even in your own backyard, the more comfortable you are while riding, the more your skill level will increase.
Look Into Local Races
Once you or your young motocross rider have gotten comfortable on wheels, start looking into local races going on in your area.
Sometimes pop up events near you may be occurring that are holding motocross races, but if not, you can always contact your local motocross track and ask when the next race is.
This is a great way for any newbie to get out there and get their wheels dirty. Putting yourself out there and showing up for races and events is a great way to immerse yourself into the world of competitive motocross racing.
If you’re not looking to race competitively, you can easily look up nearby trails and tracks open to the public that are dirt bike-friendly. No matter what you’re interested in doing, do your research and see what’s available nearby to become an experienced motocross rider.
How to Go Pro in Motocross
Even for younger motocross riders, the concept of going pro is something many aim for, even when they are first starting out. But for those who are, what can you do now that may help you go pro in the future?
Go to Motocross Riding School
No matter what age you start at, if you dream about going pro one day, motocross riding school might be exactly what you need to perfect your craft.
There are several advantages when signing up for an official riding school. You’ll receive feedback from former professionals and top-level riders who will give you helpful tips and tricks to become better.
Look into what motocross riding schools are available near you, and establish whether it’s a good move or not in terms of your goals and schedule.
Compete in As Many Events As Possible
Not only should you compete in every event you can to harness your craft, but it’s also a great way to get your name out there. The more you participate in these races, the better you’ll get, and the higher you’ll finish.
This heightens your chances of evolving as a motocross rider, as well as the chances of racing in bigger scale events. The more events you compete in, the more eyes you’ll have on you, which can also increase your chances of becoming a sponsored rider.
There are a lot of benefits that come with constantly competing in motocross races. If you’re looking to work your way up the ladder and compete in big scale events, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and try whatever comes your way.
Show Good Sportsmanship
Even if you're the best racer on the track, it’s easily forgettable if you exhibit poor sportsmanship before or after a race.
Not only can you be disqualified for things such as using profanity, obscene gestures, or fighting, it’s also likely to cause fewer people to want to work with you.
This includes coaches, future sponsors, and other motocross racers. Don’t cut yourself off from future opportunities or connections by being a bad sport. Whether you win or lose, show gratitude that you’re able to do something you’re passionate about, which is motocross.
If you're the parent of a motocross kid, it’s important to teach your young racer good manners off and on the track. Teaching them the importance of kindness and compassion will help them make stronger connections and friendships on and off the track.
Taking the time to form lasting connections with others in the motocross community, as well as continuously showing up to events is key to growing as a rider with the ability to go pro.
Ideal Bike for Ages 3 to 5
If you choose to get your child started in motocross at an early age, you’ll want to make sure you’ve invested in all the correct materials to make it happen for them.
The OSET 12.5 Eco is specifically designed for ages 3-5 and has a virtually silent motor, which is ideal if your little one is practicing at home with neighbors nearby. The 12.5 Eco is a great way to get your child started in the world of motocross by teaching them the essentials such as balance and footwork.
Once your child has gotten the feel of their 12.5 Eco and is ready to evolve from getting comfortable on their bike to racing, you can upgrade them to the Yamaha PW50 bike.
This bike is still geared to the same age group, but it’s ideal for when your motocross champ has evolved in their riding skills and is ready to take their bike from the backyard to the track. It’s also an ideal bike for beginners and is different from the OSET 12.5 Eco since it has a gas motor.
Bikes like these are a great way to get your child started in motocross, even at a young age. Investing in the proper bike will keep your child safe.
Ideal Bike for Ages 5 to 7
Once your child has grown a bit, it’s a good time to upgrade their bike and safety gear.
This KTM 50 SX is an ideal bike for ages 5-7 and is a great bike for young ones who are competing for the first time at motocross competitions. Starting with this size of bike and moving forward, the bikes will continuously get much faster, and skill level does play a role in how quick the progression from bike-to-bike should be.
When looking for an ideal bike for your little rider aged 5 to 7, the KTM 50 SX is a great choice that you and your little one will thoroughly enjoy and get the most out of.
Ideal Bikes for Ages 8 to Teenagers
Looking for the ideal competitive bikes for those ranging from eight years old on into their teenage years? After graduating from the 50s, the 65cc class is up next. With Yamaha, KTM, Husqvarna, and Kawasakiall producing models, you will not have a lack of options when it comes to deciding which bike will work best for your child.
All are great bikes for competing in competitions and will provide the ultimate power and performance once they start their engines. The bikes can be adjusted for any riding style, as well as the weight and preference of the rider.
The 85ccbikes follow the 65s, which are all produced by the manufacturers listed above. Once the 85s are mastered, Kawasaki produces a 100cc 2-stroke motorcycle, that is rivaled by Honda’s CRF150R. The 150cc is a 4-stroke engine, which puts out around the same horsepower as the Kawasaki KX100.
Ideal Bikes for Teenagers and Adults
After graduation from the mini bikes, big bikes are up next. This is also where adults who are looking to start riding should be choosing their bikes from. For bikes designed for teenagers and adults, your options will open up and give you many different avenues to pursue.
There are basically three popular bike sizes. You have the 125cc 2-stroke, the 250cc (2-stroke or 4-stroke), and the 450cc 4-stroke. Like the mini bikes, the higher up in cc’s you go, the faster the bike is.
For beginners and riders coming from mini bikes, the 125cc should be your first stop. The 125 is the cheapest option and is a bike that is light enough for most riders to be able to handle with ease. This bike size is great for riders who are needing experience on a full-size bike on many different terrains.
Once you believe that you have gotten the 125s dialed in, the next bike on your list should be a personal preference. Some riders purchase a 250 2-stroke and ride it the rest of their lives. Others like to go from a 250 4-stroke up to a 450. All of the manufacturers make great machines, so the worry of purchasing the wrong brand can go right out the window.
For more information regarding bike models and which one is best for you, head over to Keefer Inc. Testing, where seasoned ex-pro and test rider Kris Keefer will direct you towards the bike that will make you smile every time you swing a leg over it.
Conclusion
So what is the ideal age to start motocross? You can easily begin motocross and dirt bike riding as early as age three if you have all the necessary equipment. There’s also no such thing as being too old to begin motocross, as this is a sport for everyone. Check out our other article how old is too old to start motocross.
As long as you are prepared and informed, almost anyone can begin motocross racing if determined and motivated enough. We discussed factors such as what you’ll need to stay safe on your bike and other factors to be mindful of when riding your dirt bike.
Don’t be afraid to get out there. It’s never too early or too late to begin your motocross journey.
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