Ridin tips

[bates393]

Just an observation. Make sure anything you mount on your bars does not have sharp edges. Make sure screws etc are pointed down and no sharp edges. I had to learn the hard way about pointed objects pointing up. Something I never thought of until now.: :

[KTM250rm393]

Good post Bates.

You really don't think about stuff like that until it happens to you.

[Desert Rat]

I ride the dunes a lot. I always, always take an easy cruise first thing off the beginning of a days riding to check for changes. This is true, even through the areas I've probably ridden a million times. Nothing worse than going over a surprise four foot drop (usually with your front end down) in a place that was an easy rolling ridge the day before. A bugger on old bones and wrinked skin.

[2fun]

Originally posted by Desert Rat
I ride the dunes a lot. I always, always take an easy cruise first thing off the beginning of a days riding to check for changes. This is true, even through the areas I've probably ridden a million times. Nothing worse than going over a surprise four foot drop (usually with your front end down) in a place that was an easy rolling ridge the day before. A bugger on old bones and wrinked skin.

Good point Desert Rat!

The dunes are ever changing!

NEVER, and I mean NEVER go flying across the dunes without having first taken an easy ride to see where the drop-offs are, and where the other obstacles such as logs, trees, and witches eyes may be lurking!

Also, it is a good idea to have a riding partner.

It can be very dangerous out there, and it is good practice to have someone else along in case of a break-down, or an accident!

(Talking from personal experience here):

[Woody_393]

I second that.

A guy I knew was trying out my sisters Banshee for the first time in the field behind my house, and he hopped on and pinned it heading off into the field. What he didn't know was there there was a ravin (sp?) in the middle of it that has 5 feet high walls.

Needless to say he had to buy my sister new front rims. He was okay luckily. No helmet either. He's one of those types that is too tough for that kind of stuff. I call him a moron.

[Florida 393]

Would everyone please make sure their bike is tied down or chocked securely in the back of the truck or on the trailer. A few minutes checking tie-downd and eye bolts is cheap insurance. If you use a trailer like I do check the hitch, pin/R-clip and receiver over carefully. Make sure the safety chains are secured properly. check all the lights and their functions before you leave. Your tie-downs need to be in good shape and properly secured in good eye bolts or hooks.

A bike can be spit off a trailer or out of the back of a truck very easily. Kis that bike good bye and hope no one is behind you to get wrecked or worse, hurt. I have seen this happen on the interstate from both and the owners are pretty sheepish not to mention out a couple of grand. If someone gets hurt in a trailing vehicle you are going to be paying for the lapse for a long time.

A few minutes preparation pays off here just like it does on your bikes.

Bill

[2fun]

Good point Bill!

I have a couple of friends who have lost thier bikes and or three wheelers off of trailers because of just that reason!:

A little extra time and care can save a lot of $$ down the road!

[Woody_393]

Yes, and to add to what florida393 said, don't be a cheap skate, when you tie downs are looking ragged or have any tears at all, don't use them. Buy new ones. Broken tie downs are a big reason for the ejected bike scenario.

[Miguel_FMX]

If anyone is serious about their riding and would like some professional tips, I strongly sugest buying the Gary Semics videos. they cover everything from riding techniques to proper "mx" nutrition. I assure that anyone who watches the videos and applies the techniques to their riding will experience some tremendous improvements. It's a seven ( i think) video collection and probably not cheap, but trust me, after you've seen them and applied them to your riding, you'll never question yourself on wether it was worth it.

[Woody_393]

Originally posted by Miguel_FMX
If anyone is serious about their riding and would like some professional tips, I strongly sugest buying the Gary Semics videos. they cover everything from riding techniques to proper "mx" nutrition. I assure that anyone who watches the videos and applies the techniques to their riding will experience some tremendous improvements. It's a seven ( i think) video collection and probably not cheap, but trust me, after you've seen them and applied them to your riding, you'll never question yourself on wether it was worth it.

Video???

I have the book, but I didn't know they had a video thing too? That is cool. Where can we get it?

[Miguel_FMX]

You can get the videos at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

if not try amazon or any other motorsports company.Or simply go to the local store and get them to order them for ya.

[Woody_393]

Thanks Miguel, I'll check them out.

[MotoMan]

Originally posted by yardpro
no way, don't tell them, break out the vid cam, and win $10K on the funniest vidieo show

LOL, that was funny.


How in the world did I ever miss this thread? :

When you clean your air filter be sure and grease where the bolt goes thru the filter. Just apply a small ammount of grease on the backside of the washer before installing. I noticed that there is room here for dust/dirt to get in once the filter is installed. Some bikes have a rubber seal here that prevents any dirt from being able to enter, but most bikes (I think it Honda is the only one that does this?) dont.

[KX250]

they r sum good tips i will have to take them into practice when riding

[RedFan]

1)Take a few moments to relax and take a deep breath before heading out for the first ride. Often we get in a big rush to get out there for the first practice and are overanxious. Calm down and get your wits about you. If you are racing to get your gear on to race or practice skip the first one!

2) Stretch - you may avoid injuries if you are warmed up and flexible. This is a good way to accomplish #1

3) If you are getting tired slow down and get off the track. Its good to push yourself but if you get too tired you are increasing the risk factor greatly.

[xr50layke]

knowing those makes me want to race! i feel i will be faster now thank you all!

if you are powersliding with your rear brake, remember if you stop while doing that all the force will move you and the bike to the other side. its a big whiplash and you may not expect it.

[Blitz393]

BUMP

p.s. i THINK only mods can add to this thread since its in the KB, but i think its worth it to revisit- i have forgotten some of these

Rob

[psyklone393]

wow ... lots of really good tips here. one that has been mentioned already that is definitely worth mentioning again is: don't ride alone. we hope like everything that every ride will be a safe one, but there is a reason that accidents are called accidents. having someone with you is just good sense.

if you get 'that feeling' that we all get from time to time, where something just feels a little off ... then pull off of the track/trail. it's so much better to be safe than sorry.

while you're checking your air pressure before each ride (as you probably should) be sure to check your rear sprocket bolts. it's not good when they come loose.

if you have safety gear, wear it. keep in mind, even wearing the most uncomfortable safety gear for a couple of hours definitely beats having to wear a cast for several weeks.

drink water. it's the safest way to stay hydrated and not get cramped up.

there's a few. i'm sure plenty more will be added.

-Z

[MotoMojo17]

When riding, have a neutral body position. Stand with the balls of your feet on the pegs, so you can pivot, and have your knees slightly bent. Have your arms out and your shoulders should be about parallel with your knees. That way you won't be too far forward if you hit an unexpected bump and wont go flying into yonder, and you won't be too far back and do the same.

I agree that most of the time trying a new jump it is better to overjump, but not if it is a rhythm section. I did that once, and landed on the takeoff of the next jump and cased it big time:

[Live2ride]

I think a huge thing about riding (as was somewhat stated before), is to trust your instincts. I somehow get feelings when things are not right, or somthing bad is about to happen, and although my firends give me a hard time, I take it very very seriously. Its not often i get one of those feelings, but the last time I ignored it before a ride I broke my ankle in a fall that could have easily killed me.