Motocross
Ride clean: A guide to motocross riding techniques
Once you’ve mastered these techniques, you can try more advanced yet essential motocross skills to take your tricks above and beyond.
If you love an adrenaline rush and aren’t afraid of a little dirt, motocross might be your next big adventure. After all, nothing quite compares to accelerating a dirt bike at full speed around a riveting obstacle course.
If you’re eager to learn how to get into motocross, it starts with the fundamentals. Before you can wow a crowd, you’ll need to build a strong foundation. Read on to learn some key motocross riding techniques for mastering the off-road basics.
Aaron Plessinger at Round 1 of the AMA Motocross Series 2023 in Pala, CA
© Garth Milan / Red Bull Content Pool
01
The basics of motocross riding
Motocross is a high-intensity form of off-road motorcycle racing. Riders blast through a rugged one-to-three-mile dirt track, jump over hills known as rollers, and tackle sharp turns. Unlike a traditional motorcycle, motocross bikes are designed to withstand extremely rough terrain, with slimmer tires and a more lightweight frame.
Motocross is one of the most exciting and most demanding sports in existence. If you’ve got experience riding a motorcycle on asphalt, you may have a smoother transition to motocross, but you should still expect a learning curve.
- WATCH: If you want to see the evolution of some of the most audacious moves in motocross then check out Flying Crusaders, below.
26 min
The flying crusaders
The introduction of the celebratory finish-line whip manoeuvre opened the doors to a new form of motocross.
02
Key motocross riding techniques
Body positioning
Jett Lawrence at Round 11 of the AMA Motocross Series at Ironman Raceway
© Garth Milan / Red Bull Content Pool
You need a good attack body position from head to toe. Your posture and weight distribution on a motocross bike should be similar to that of someone deadlifting — not putting too much weight forward or back. It can help to practice your posture with the assistance of something such as a broom handle to ensure your spine is fully straight. Here’s how to get this position right:
- Straight back, strong core. Your back and core are your support system on the track. A rounded back usually leads to poor body position all around, making you more likely to nosedive on your next jump.
- Elbows up. Keeping your elbows up is essential for manoeuvring through any obstacles.
- Hips unlocked. Hinging at the hips keeps you flexible and helps with maintaining a straight back.
- Flexible footing. Your weight should mostly be on the balls of your feet, making the bike pedals easier to control. Strong footing also helps your ankles absorb some of the impact of each landing.
Cornering techniques
Motocross cornering is the technique used to take those sharp turns on the track. Learning to corner properly is a fundamental part of motocross skills development. If you want to learn how to corner like a pro motocross racer, you’ll want to master five essential elements.
Aaron Plessinger at Round 11 of the AMA Motocross Series at Ironman Raceway
© Garth Milan / Red Bull Content Pool
- Preparation. As you get closer to turning the corner, start to brake and lean forward. Don’t use your bike’s clutch at this stage.
- Choose your line. Before you approach the corner, you’ll want to choose which motocross racing line, or path, you’ll turn through. The inside of a corner is usually the quickest line through, but be ready for a slower exit. Once you’ve chosen your line, keep your gaze looking ahead in that direction.
- Body position. “Lean the bike, not your body” is a common motocross tip, and correct posture, grip, and footing are key to following this advice. Your arms should be relaxed so you can steer through the turn, and your core should to be nice and tight. You’ll also slightly switch up your leg position, with your inside leg up and out. Keep your weight on the ball of your outside foot, which will remain on the bike’s peg.
- Gears for turning. As you turn into the corner, you’ll rely on your bike’s throttle to power through, with minimal assistance from the clutch. It’s all about keeping your motions smooth and steady.
- Finishing the turn. As you round the corner, give the bike some gas and place your inside foot back on the bike’s peg. Both of these should be swift, smooth motions as you leave the corner.
Jumping techniques
High-flying motocross jumps are exciting just to watch, so imagine how much of a rush you’ll get actually executing one. Of course, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to master a steep double jump on your first try. When it comes to motocross for beginners, start with a small jump and practice the techniques below.
Tom Vialle at Round 11 of the AMA Motocross Series at Ironman Raceway
© Garth Milan / Red Bull Content Pool
- Plan your approach. Just like preparing to corner, envisioning the jump is key to mental preparation. Think of the approach, jump, and landing in your mind before you tackle it on the track.
- Neutral posture. As you get ready for the jump, you want to be standing up with knees slightly bent, squeezing your bike with your legs for stability. Your hips should be rotated slightly out, with your elbows up and away from your body. You’ll also want to keep your head upright so your gaze is pointed forward.
- Taking off. Steady control of your bike is key to a successful jump. Hold the throttle as you initiate the jump and through the beginning of takeoff to keep your bike on a straight path. Many motocross riders prefer to have their bike in third gear for a jump, but this can vary among motocross riding styles. The most important thing is to settle on a gear and avoid switching gears too close to the jump.
- Smooth landing. As your bike starts to descend, don’t lose your grip on the bike with your knees. You’ll approach the ground and land on one of your wheels. Landing on the front wheel is typically a more advanced motocross technique, so most beginners prefer the back wheel for easier control. Give your bike a little gas so it stays straight when you reach the dirt.
Braking and acceleration
Hunter Lawrence races at Round 7 of the AMA Motocross Series
© Garth Milan / Red Bull Content Pool
In motocross, it can take some time to get comfortable with the fine movement of acceleration and deceleration. Your bike has both front and rear brakes, and balancing the two is essential to avoid a washout or unwanted flip. Motocross brakes can be a bit sensitive, so less is more when using them. As your control improves, you can integrate the clutch to slow down, but to start, focus on consistent brake pressure.
If you’re trying to go faster, motocross gears play a big role. Third gear will give you the most bang for your buck. The throttle will also give you a good boost of power — don’t be afraid to use it at full force if you need to accelerate. If speed is an area you’re working on, a good motocross practice tip is to challenge yourself with time drills. This will give you an accurate picture of your skill level as you work to shorten your time around the track.
Riding on different terrain
Motocross track designs often vary in layout and materials used, so it’s good to know how to approach different types of topography. Here are some techniques for common motocross track terrain.
Ken Roczen races at Round 4 of the AMA Motocross Series at High Point MX
© Garth Milan / Red Bull Content Pool
- Muddy terrain. When things get slippery, you need to compensate for the decreased traction. Lower your tire pressure and stay in the standing position for additional balance — just don’t hit the brakes too fast.
- Sandy terrain. Standing up helps with balance on a sandy track or trail too, but you’ll want to lean back a bit. High speeds are also important, and you should also ride in a lower gear than you would on a dirt track.
- Rocky terrain. Centre your weight on your bike, and lean back slightly if you’ve got a large rock to climb over. Keep your finger on the clutch so you’re ready to use it in an instant. On top of that, despite what your first instinct might be, don’t slow down over rocks — maintaining momentum is key.
Training and practice
There’s no substitute for time spent on the track when it comes to refining your motocross technique. Even if you know that improper balance and throttle application are common errors, you may still need firsthand experience to get things right. If you need some guidance with your motocross training, check out local motocross communities and clubs. Dirt bike schools are also great for new riders. Plus, you can ask an expert about everything from motocross safety tips to fitness and conditioning.
Motocross techniques are essential building blocks for this enthralling sport
Motocross takes time and effort to learn, but it’s worth the reward. Once you’ve mastered these key dirt bike techniques, you can try more advanced yet essential motocross skills to take your tricks above and beyond. If your jumps are smooth and your cornering is steady, you might find yourself racing in a motocross competition before you know it.