starting Mx

[bully_23]

Hi all,
I'm a newbie and have had my Rm for a few months now, It's great fun I just ride around my property where I have a few jumps. Last night I went to watch a local Arenacross meeting to check it out and see what racing is like and what all the jumps and obstacles are etc. It didn't look to intimidating and next Feb the Motocross season starts up here and I think I want to get involved and give it a go, I am planning to try and go down today and check out the local track and see how different is is to the arenacross track next to it, I imagine it will be much larger,less man made jumps.

My first question Is what will I need to do to my bike before I race (not mods! more maintenance and checking things out.) I'm a complete newbie and only know how to change and clean air filter, change oil, lube chain and tighten up cables. my bike has been raced before I bought it and I just want to know what things i should check do before I try racing, so it doesn't break down on me. and I get the best performance out of it.

My second question is what websites and/or dvd's do you suggest that will help a beginner with his riding skills.

 

[trial_07]

Other than what you mentionned, perform a compression test, tune the suspension and carb, install fresh tires, and change the oil often. Have fun :cool:

 

[IndyMX]

Gary Semics has a very good school here in the US.

You can buy his video's online at www.gsmxs.com

 

[robwbright]

The Ryan Hughes Transworld MX video is very good.

http://www.totalvid.com/Motocross-Videos/Skills-with-Ryan-Hughes

I suppose this one is too, but I haven't seen it yet.

http://www.bikersden.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=402

This book is really good.

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Motocross...ef=sr_1_4/102-1204328-9939307?ie=UTF8&s=books

 

[Sawblade]

Gary Semics video's are a great resource as IndyYZ85 has pointed out. If you can, hit a practice day ot two at the track you want to race at. Since you are riding a 4 year old 125, I would take time over winter to put in a new top end so the motor is good and fresh for the racing season.

Good luck and keep up posted! :cool:

 

[pidro_el_pirata]

Since you are riding a 4 year old 125, I would take time over winter to put in a new top end so the motor is good and fresh for the racing season.

I've heard many people use this expression "put in a new top end." What does this refer to?

 

[oldguy]

I've heard many people use this expression "put in a new top end." What does this refer to?

after a while the rings wear and need to be replaced. Normally while you are in there you might as well replace the piston and gaskets- this is a basic 'topend' job. As part of the reassembly you should also check the powervalve to make sure it is clean and working freely.
Usually on a 2 stroke that is raced by a typical B or C level rider it is a good idea to do a topend at least once a season often twice.

 

[bully_23]

thanks for the links, a couple more questions what is a compression check and how easy is a topend rebuild to do would someone with little knowledge on bike motors do it with instructions and pics ?

 

[IndyMX]

thanks for the links, a couple more questions what is a compression check and how easy is a topend rebuild to do would someone with little knowledge on bike motors do it with instructions and pics ?

Compression check is done to see how much compression you have in the cylinder.

It basically tells you how well the piston and rings are sealing the cylinder. As you can imagine, if the piston and rings don't seal well, the combustion is going to blow by the piston and not produce much power.

You can get a decent compression tester at most any auto parts store or tool store. Don't try using one of the type that you hold in the spark plug hole. Get one that has a fitting that screws into the hole, much more reliable.

Topend rebuilds are easy. My dad used to do a topend on a two-stroke at the track between races. It's really not so hard. (that was a million years ago and he was racing flattrack, and he seized that bike all the time!)

If you have some basic mechanical knowledge and can follow directions well, and are patient, it should be no problem.

Get a Shop Manual for your bike. Don't skimp.. This will be the best money you spend.

 

[bully_23]

Ok, will the basic owners manual tell me everything I need to know and have diagrams and things to show me how to rebuild it?

 

[XRpredator]

moving to mx forum :)