WINNING TIPS, TRICKS AND TECHNIQUES

if your jumping technique is this good and you can pick up time in corners like this there's still a chance you're going to get beat by some bum who beat you out of the hole at the start or outsmart you on the corners or just generally outside you every place on the course chances are he wins the race right at the starting line well here are some winning tips tricks and techniques from the suzuki school of motocross that can help you beat this guy and everybody else on the track if you're out of track where you can choose a starting position often it's best to choose an inside line as close to the side of the track as possible this usually gives you the shorter line around the trap keeps you out of the middle where most of the pilots happen a disadvantage to the inside line is that you can get crowded into the fence when the other riders try to take the short line around the first turn if you're particularly fast or lack experience to handle crowded starts you may want to position yourself on the outside of the track the main thing is stay away from the center some riders like to position their wheels in a rut for better traction a rut means more tire contact more bite for your tires also if the rut is straight it will help guide the machine straight if you choose a rut place both wheels in it one wheel in and one wheel out could start you out crossed up which means lost time and possibly running into the rider next to you if the track is very soft or muddy the additional traction can cause you to wheel you which is spectacular but usually will force you to shut off the throttle and lose time if you don't use a rod don't get too near one you may slip in causing the machine to go sideways almost as bad as being next to a rut is being next to a rider who thinks he's a real hot shot this squirrel generally starts out sliding all over the track he can lock handlebars with you or slip sideways causing you to lose your line avoid him if you can when you're settled into position don't pay attention to the other riders or anything else that can distract you concentrate like this fella think only of your own line and of a quick smooth start prior to the race practice starts determine the best starting technique for your bike this is as important as riding the course try to select the correct gear and throttle opening and determine the best way to release the clutch it's important to practice releasing the clutch the clutch is the power control when starting with the power full on flipping the clutch allows smooth acceleration and prevents too much spinning and too much traction or a wheelie top riders usually start with a throttle full on most riders use second gear to start but this depends on many variables including gearing rider weight machine size tire conditioning and traction avoid starting in too low a gear and over revving or too high a bogging the engine practice gear shifts at the start that give you the fastest acceleration to the first turn you won't be able to hear your engine you have to arrive at shift points before the race it's a common error to stay in a gear too long which will lose time for you watch some starts of motors to see if the flag man makes any movements that indicate he's about to drop the flag you can use this as a tip-off to begin letting the clutch out if your start is from a gate watch the gate drop speed to see how quick to start slipping the clutch you can detect gate movement faster from an angle than straight on watching the gate can give you a split second advantage also if you're near the starter keeping an eye on the gate release mechanism will give you an edge line up your machine for your best line through the first turn make sure your bike is vertical for maximum traction and straight acceleration warm up your machine for one or two minutes sit all the way forward lean the upper body far forward putting the weight forward minimizes the possibility of a wheelie and keeps the rear wheel from digging in too much feet should be down to the rear of the pace is the gas on are you in gear a few seconds before the start let the clutch out slightly to be sure now go remember concentration and quick reflexes are super important professionals get plenty of time to study the track and practice but the track isn't open as long to amateur classes it's important to know the track as well as possible so most pros walk it look for hazards you can't see from a bike like tree roots loose rocks look for places where slick spots will develop look for areas that will develop hoops will berms that you can use for cornering build up look for areas of the track where it wouldn't be safe to go off in case of a crash choose your lines for turns and jumps keeping in mind alternate lines for passing and escape routes after you've walked the track ride it slowly at first to learn the course watch other riders particularly good riders and those who know the course look for the lines they choose your machine fit the track make suspension adjustments in between practices now back to the start if you didn't start out in front you have to worry about passing and passing a rider on an equally good bike with equal talent to yours requires strategy staying a safe distance behind him early in the race is good because you can see everything he does and he can't see you staying directly behind is not good because if the front rider makes a mistake you want to be in a position to capitalize on it directly behind you might miss your chance to slip into the lead pressure works too showing your wheel can make the rider ahead edgy causing the bottle but don't get psyched out yourself some riders will over rev their engine or yell to break your concentration these same riders will break hard just before a curve even though it isn't necessary you're not expecting that so you break maybe kill your engine or at the best miss your line if you've been concentrating this wouldn't have happened constantly ride your own race particularly if you're a novice racer don't be concerned about the other riders behind you just go after the guy ahead of you think all the time about the line you want to take and by the way after you've crossed that finish line don't take all the credit tell the trophy girl about how you couldn't have done it without your suzuki she may not know an air fork from a magnesium hub but this may be the start of a beautiful friendship you might as well know that she could become the most important thing in the world to you right after your suzuki that is you