How to get your kid started racing dirt bikes

So, your kid wants to race a dirt bike, and you're not sure what that means, or how to get started. Fortunately it isn't confusing or difficult to get started, you just need a dirt bike, safety gear, and directions to the local track.

First question: What age do the kids start racing?

I've seen kids as young as 4 racing. Much younger than that, and they have a hard time getting around the track. At practices, I've even seen 50cc bikes with training wheels on them. Many tracks allow parents to be out near the track for the beginner riders and help them if they fall.

Next question: Is it just boys that race or do girls race too?

Duh! Ok I'll actually answer that question. Yes the girls' race too, and your boy won't ask you that question twice once he's stared at the back tire for several laps of the girl that just beat him. Typically, the girls race with the boys; however, as the girls get around the age of 14 I've seen them ride in the Women's classes. The Women's class encompasses ages from early teen throughout adult riders.

There are two basic types of motocross racing for kids, outdoor and indoor. Depending on the climate you're in, outdoor tracks may only be open seasonally; however, here in the Pacific Northwest (known for rainfall), there is an outdoor track that's open through the winter.

The indoor tracks are a more technical course with tight corners and jumps close together. This shouldn't deter the begining riders because it actually builds important skills and the young riders do real well on these tracks.

Then outdoor tracks are longer rides with more room between jumps and some longer sweeping turns along with some tight corners. In contrast to the indoor tracks, the bikes have longer stretches to reach higher speeds. Remember, just because there is room to reach the higher speeds, doesn't mean that a new rider will actually take adantage of that. Most new riders are very good at regulating their riding to their current skill level.

Here are several links to find tracks in various regions across the USA. Once you talk to the officials at one track, ask them about other tracks in your area.

It is also a good idea to talk to the local motorcycle shop including the smaller repair shops, as they are sometimes more in tune with the local racing scene. Be sure to ask for both the indoor and outdoor tracks and if they have any advice for you.

Remember to ask the track personnel if they have a practice day. These are day's set up just for practice on the track and cost considerably less.

Getting your child's bike to the track is the hardest part. Not because you can't find a truck to borrow, but because it takes the initiative to find the track, and commit to showing up. Most tracks are willing to let your child ride in a beginner class with any bike they have in an age appropriate class. In other words, if you kid has a 70cc bike, and the track doesn't have a 70cc class, they will let them ride in a 50cc or 65cc beginner class depending on the age and experience of your child just to have fun, participate, and gain the experience.

This is the great thing about the people who run the tracks. There are two simple things they want. Provide a safe experience for the riders, and for everyone to have the chance to race and have fun.

The safety gear that your child needs to race, shouldn't be any different than the gear you outfitted them to ride with at home. A helmet, chest protector, gloves and boots are the minimum that is typically recommended. A neck roll is also a good addition and relatively inexpensive. The gloves are often overlooked when parents first outfit their kid to ride their new dirt bike around the house. At least put a pair of comfortable gardening gloves on them. With the proper gear, they can fall off the bike and slide in the dirt without any boo-boo's, and remember when they fall, the hands are instinctively used to control the fall. Keep your eyes open on the used market around your area for used gear. Used gear is usually still in really good condition and fairly easy to find, once you establish some sources.

There's no replacement for being able to try gear on before buying it. Comfort is important, especially for kids.

Manufacturers websites and dealers on ebay usually have sizing charts for helmets if you need help. Popular brands of helmets are Fox, Fly, Thor, THH, MSR, Oneal, Bell, HJC, Arai, and Shoei. Have your child try the helmet on and compare how they feel it fits their entire head, not just general sizing. Obviously, they'll proclaim that the coolest looking one is the best fit. No advice with that one!

Pay attention that the helmet you buy has a current Snell, or DOT rating on it. These are safety standards that certify the helmet is rated for the intended use.

Goggles, although not always necessary for riders at home, are needed out on the track. Riders in front of you will kick up mud or dirt and this can be dangerous if it hits your young rider in the face. Goggles are not an expensive piece of gear; however, make sure they have a reputation of providing good anti-fog protection.

Plastic tear-off strips are another great item to have. These usually come with the required tabs to attach them to your goggles, although many goggles are sold with the tabs already on them. The tear-off's are thins strips of plastic that cover the lens of the goggles. When the tear-off gets muddy, scratched, or just to dirty to see through, the rider can just reach up, and tear one off. This provides a clean view for the rider.

There are several places to find good used gear. Craigslist and Ebay are two great places to find used gear. To search Ebay use the link to the right. The Craigslist link is provided below.

On the craigslist site, select the link to the State that you reside in. The default page takes you to the San Francisco site. Once you've selected the State link, then choose the city link that's nearest to you. Under the For Sale section, there is a motorcycle section. Use the search feature to find keywords "gear", "helmet", "boots", etc.

The races are usually divided by the size of the dirt bike, and then by experience. For example, the 50cc class will usually have a beginner, junior, and intermediate class. This is just a general example as there are classes sometimes determined by dirt bike size and age also. A common age class for the 50cc is the 4-6 year old, and the 7-8 year old.

Most of the smaller bikes that are raced are 2-strokes, although they don't have to be. A 2-stroke bike is one that uses gas and oil mixed together and operates differently internally then a 4-stroke. There are two basic types of 2-stroke bikes, the oil-injected and the ones that use a pre-mix of gas and oil. The oil-injected bikes have a canister that needs to be kept filled with 2-stroke oil. The oil injection system automatically injects the oil into the fuel before it enters the engine, at the proper ratio. 2-stroke bikes that use a pre-mix, must have the oil and gas mixed at the correct ratio in the main gas tank.

There are some tracks that have a 50cc oil injected class. The oil-injected bikes are not as quick as the pre-mixed bikes and are usually consisted of younger riders.

The other popular classes for beginning riders are the 65cc, and 85cc classes. Although there are beginner classes for everything including adult riders, for beginning kids an 85cc bike is pretty big.

Remember, even if your child has an odd sized bike like a 70cc, most tracks will let them ride in a beginner class. Depending on their age and skill, they will place them in either the 50cc, or 65cc beginner class.

There are many tracks out there that require a motocross club membership, due to the sanctioning of their races. Some tracks will allow you to pay a nominal fee just to try out a race before paying the entire amount and a few don't require a motocross club membership. The club membership is usually good for one year. Motocross club memberships can usually be handled right at the track on race day, but it's always good to ask the track representative when you call them for their schedule.

Each race typically has fees to get in the door, and additional fees for entrance to each class signed up to race. For example, if a single parent takes their child to the track, the parent and rider each pay a door fee, and the rider pays for each class they want to race. A beginner usually just signs up for one class.

Many of the motocross clubs charge between $15.00 to $30.00 dollars for a year's membership. Then at each race, door fees are usually around $10.00 each and an additional $20 to $30, for the rider only, per class for the night. Typically a child will have 1 to 2 practices and 2 races per race-day. Remember these are just approximations to provide you an idea of the cost.

As with any event, there are items that are a good idea to have with you. These are things that can make you, or the rider happier throughout the event. Obviously, don't forget your camera, still or video and make sure the batteries are charged.

Food is often overlooked but a necessity for you and the rider. Motocross is the second most demanding sport, next to soccer. It is important that your rider get some nutrition throughout the event. Sliced apples, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or pizza slices are a good idea. Additionally, make sure they have plenty of water, and drink it between motos. This reminds me, for those of you with young riders, make sure you take them to use the restroom before they need to make their way to the starting gates.

In your box of food, pack a plastic bag of ice. This will serve two purposes. One to keep your food cool, and two in the unfortunate event your rider twist and ankle or wrist or receives some other injury, you will have ice handy to quickly get it applied.

At most tracks, both indoor and outdoor, it's a good idea to prepare for walking in dirt or mud. Wear the appropriate shoes for uneven ground and dirt or mud. In the summer, make sure you have enough sunscreen and a light long sleeve shirt to protect you from the sun. A hat and sunglasses will not only make you look trendy, but also provide protection from the sun.

In the winter, take plenty of warm clothes for both you and the rider. Many tracks allow propane garage heaters also. Having a plastic garbage bag for boots and other gear items that can get real muddy will save you hours of cleaning your vehicle. It seems obvious, but many parents don't think of how muddy or dirty their rider will be after the race.

There are a handful of bike manufacturers that are common at the tracks for the younger riders. Here I will give a brief breakdown of the manufacturers and models that are commonly found at the tracks. I will post another article that will give a more detailed breakdown of the differences and compare the advantages of one to the other.

For the riders that are 8 and under the most common bikes are 50cc KTM, Yamaha, Cobra, Suzuki, Honda, and Polini. These bikes all use a centrifugal clutch; in other words, they drive like an automatic with only one gear and the rider doesn't have to manage a clutch.

Popular models:

Oil Injected

• Yamaha PW50

• KTM Mini Adventure

• Cobra CX50 OI

• Suzuki Jr 50

Pre-mix

• KTM SX 50 Pro Jr.

• KTM SX 50 Pro Sr.

• KTM SX 50 KTM Senior Adventure

• Cobra CX50 Jr.

• Cobra CX50 Sr.

• Polini X1R H20

• Polini X3R H20

• Honda CRF 50

For riders older than 8 and ready to move up in size, there are the 65cc models. These bikes have larger wheels and taller seat heights to accommodate the rider that has outgrown the 50's. Most of the 65cc bikes on the track are all pre-mix fuel and have a clutch. The clutch is the biggest learning curve for riders moving up, but they all seem to manage to get it figured out.

Popular models:

• KTM SX 65

• Kawasaki KX 65

• Cobra CX65

• Suzuki RM 65

For riders that are experienced or older than 13 there are the 85cc bikes. The 2-stroke 85cc bikes have tremendous power and require either previous riding experience with a clutch, or a good one on one instructor that has motorcycle-riding experience. These bikes all typically use a pre-mix fuel also.

Popular Models:

• KTM SX 85

• Yamaha YZ 85

• Honda CR 85

• Kawasaki KX 85

• Suzuki RM 85

It's time to get started. If your rider already has a bike, then find the local track. Talk to the local motorcycle shop, or use the links provided above to search for one. Make sure your rider has the proper safety gear. Load up the truck and get going! By the way, I've seen bikes transported to the track in the back of SUV's, vans, utility trailers, and even in cars. You just got to get that kid to the track and have fun!