-
Step 1
Insist on safety first. Wear full protective gear before getting on the bike, even for short trial runs. At a minimum, you need a helmet, motocross boots, knee and elbow pads and a chest protector. Motocross pants, made of Kevlar are a good addition to your safety equipment.
-
Step 2
Run through all your gears, familiarizing yourself with the feel of your clutch and the amount of acceleration needed to shift. Each gear shift should be smooth, without excess revving of your engine for maximum control. Shifting through more than 1 gear at a time can burn out your clutch.
-
Step 3
Keep your feet on the pegs. When you're learning to control your bike, it's easy to keep putting your foot down as a security measure in case you tip but it will only create bad habits and a possible leg or ankle injury. Your foot should only touch the ground when you are stopping, for balancing purposes.
-
Step 4
Slide forward on your gas tank. Positioning your weight over the front wheel allows you more control of the bike. Wherever the front wheel goes, the rest of the bike will follow so focus on controlling the front wheel.
-
Step 5
Squeeze the tank with your knees. Sitting loosely on the seat causes you to bump and slide around over rough terrain. To control your body on the bike, squeeze the tank tightly. This will also give you a better feeling for the movement of the bike.
-
Step 6
Stand up as soon as you can comfortably navigate the paths with confidence. At first, it will be easier to stand on the straight tracks and sit down around the corners. Lean forward and focus on the track ahead, while allowing your knees to bend and absorb the shock of the bumps and dips.
