10 Tips to Improve Dirt Bike Motocross Riding Technique

1. Always keep your hands on the grips
Unless you're showing off some freestyle tricks mid air, you should always keep both hands on the handlebar grips. If you don't do this, you will need to make a more concentrated effort when you apply the clutch or brake. This will result in you not using the controls any where near as much as you should be. You need to take the time to force your self into the habit of using one finger on the brake and two on the clutch. When you do this you will have increased stability and control over the bike.

2. Ride on the balls of your feet
When it's safe to do so you should have the balls of your feet on the pegs as it will allow you to absorb some of the bumps on the track and aid the suspension. When you not shifting gears or braking you should be moving on the pegs. You shouldn't be on the balls of your feet landing from a large jump as you could seriously injure your ankles. Only get up on the balls of you feet when it is safe to do so. You should move around on the pegs to see what works on different parts of the track, don't wear groves in your boots from sticking your feet in the same position everywhere on the track.

3. Use you brake to smooth out the ride
The smoother your lines are the less energy you will use and the quicker you will go. You can stop the rear wheel kicking up by dragging the rear brake. This technique is useful over braking bumps, don't freeze on the bike, think about what's happening and use the brake to control the effects the track has on the bike. Dragging the brake will reduce the amount of spring the suspension has effectively reducing the rebound.

4. Don't use the clutch when changing down
On modern motocross bikes you do not need to use the clutch when shifting down gears. Don't make the mistake of pulling in the clutch and coasting into corners. If you leave the clutch alone when down shifting on a 4 stroke you will have additional stopping power from the engines compression effectively braking the dirt bike. This technique depends on the corner and will not work for brake slides as the bike will stall.

5. Maintain the attack position
Elbows up and out, chin over the bars, standing on the pegs, knees slightly bent and always leading with your head. If you are not in the correct position on the bike you will have less control. Put the dirt bike up on a stand and practice moving backwards and forwards will standing in the attack position. As you move forward lead with your head and raise it up over the bars, as you move back push your rear back and lower your head. Practice sitting, always keeping your elbows up, and standing and moving around on the bike as if you were riding on your local motocross or supercross track.

6. Weight distribution when acceleration and braking
When you accelerate the power of a modern dirt bike will force you back towards the rear. To counteract this you need to get your weight as far forward as possible, how far depends on the bike and the amount of acceleration. Check out riders like James Stewart when the accelerate out of a corner, pro riders are practically sitting on the fuel cap. When braking you need to keep your weight back towards the rear to balance the bike. If you get your weight in the wrong spot the bike will not be balanced correctly and the ride will be a lot rougher than if you had.

7. Put your foot out in corners sparingly
Only put your foot out in corners when you are going from braking to accelerating, get your foot back on the peg as soon as possible. Point your foot out towards the front wheel, don't just dangle it out the side, using it for balance. The idea is to weight the front wheel to gain traction and while you are doing this push down on the outside peg with your other foot.

8. Extend your suspension
The way you move around on the dirt bike will help you smooth out the braking bumps and other obstacles on the motocross track. You need to anticipate the compression of the suspension in retaliation to the bumps on the track. Row in the direction of the kick in order to keep the bike as level as possible.

9. Look ahead
Always look at the obstacles and plan your lines before you get there. Commit to the line you have chosen and scan ahead. Focus on the track past the corner and the landing as you leave a ramp. Look past the rider in front of you. Ride one complete section at a time.

10. Practice during practice
Don't waste your time practicing by only concentrating on getting in as many laps as fast as you can. If you do this you will only be learning what you already know. Work on your technique for the majority of your practice sessions and do some sprints as part of your overall practice regime. If you're up to it always try and finish the practice session with a few race laps.

Visit Super Freestyle Motocross for more motocross, supercross and freestyle riding tips and technique.