Motocross is a very demanding sport. It requires mental strength, physical prowess, technique, balance, and plenty of courage. Starting a motocross career is similarly arduous, so don’t expect everything to just fall into place immediately. Instead, read on to find seven tips that will help newcomers to the sport with great aspirations get on their feet.

1. Get Inspired

The first step for those who have always dreamed of starting a motocross career but have never so much as ridden a dirt bike themselves is to get inspired. Watch some competitions, check out the bikes, the riders, and the gear, and visit sengegraphics.com to learn how to get any motocross bike looking its best.

2. Find Local Tracks

It’s going to be hard to get into motocross if there aren’t local tracks around. Unfortunately, issues like noise complaints from neighbors have caused a lot of local tracks to either shut down or impose a lot of restrictions. Get familiar with the issues in advance and make sure it’s worth investing in a decent motocross bike. If there won’t be anyplace to ride it, it’s not worth the money.

3. Buy the Right Bike

Modern motocross bikes are complex pieces of machinery that feature electronics, traction control packages, and other attributes designed to make trail riding easier and more fun. Riders have plenty of options. Most serious riders buy bikes with four-stroke engines, but two-stroke models and even electric-powered models are also available. Riders who are on a budget can always purchase bikes second-hand, but they should check for excessive wear and tear because motocross riders tend to put their bikes through a lot.

4. Consider Riding School

Motocross riding schools are expensive, but they provide a few advantages. They feature tracks catering to beginning riders looking to advance their skills, carry multiple types of bikes to help participants figure out what they like, and keep skilled instructors on hand to offer advice at all times. Learning from the pros is the easiest way for those who want to get an immediate jump on the competition to get their careers started. 

5. Buy Decent Gear

Before getting serious about motocross, buy some decent gear. High-quality clothing and gear are designed to be lightweight, so there’s no need to sacrifice rider safety for speed and agility. Here’s what to buy:

A helmet

Gloves with a good grip

A sturdy set of boots

Under-shirt and -pants protection to stop flying stones

A knee brace

A specialized neck brace

A good pair of goggles

6. Practice, Practice, Practice

Nobody gets on a motocross bike and starts competing immediately. It takes plenty of practice to get good at riding. Try to find different tracks to try out and ask for tips from those who have been in the game for longer.

7. Start Competing

Find the local motocross club and ask about regional events and races. Expect to pay a joining fee and an entry price, but know that it’s worth the money. Competing in races is the best way for new riders to stay motivated as they practice and improve, and winning competitions will help more-experienced riders start getting the sponsors they need to turn a hobby into a career.

The Bottom Line

If having a career as a motocross rider feels more like a pipe dream than an ambition, know that all successful riders started out as novices. Start slowly and be patient. It takes time and effort to develop the skills required to win races, attract sponsors, and start a real career.