Motor X Tips
Tips For Maintaining Motocross Bikes
Dirt bikes need to be thoroughly maintained. Any vehicle needs proper maintenance in order to function to the best of its abilities and motocross bikes require all year maintenance. Good care and regular servicing will ensure safety and longevity of the vehicles even outside of sporting seasons.
o Wash them in and out of season: Many bikers do this only during the season. When your bike is being used less frequently, you need to keep the engine in check by making sure you start it up from time to time.
o The air filters: Ensure the air filters are clean. Use petrol or filter solvent for cleaning. If you are unsure of what you are doing then enlist the help of an expert.
Lubrication: Make sure that all chains are lubricated, oil filters coated with filter oil and once cleaned a good silicon spray to protect from rusting is advised.
o Overall upkeep: Ensure that all the nuts and bolts are tight. Check for damage and replace anything that is not at the highest standard.
Motocross bikes are difficult to maintain, but few simple cleaning methods will help you keep your bike in top performing condition. A good and healthy bike will bring great rewards so you have to be as passionate about it as you are for the race. It is not just a coincidence that all top motocross riders have the best turned out motocross bikes in the paddock. So after you ride your bike be prepared to spend the same amount of time maintaining it. (Adam Weaver:Ezine)
Tips to Choosing Your Motocross Helmet
Helmets provide protection for your head and skull. Agreed, the skull is the strongest bone in the body, but it covers the most sensitive organ in the body, so it is imperative that you protect your head form impact and accidents. It has been studied that riders who crash without a helmet are five times more prone to get a head injury.
On the open road, full helmets protect you from flying stones, pebbles, insects and other small flying objects that can be a nuisance and can be dangerous, too.
Some myths about (good quality) helmets which are not true at all:
o Helmets cause head injuries.
o Helmets block your vision and cause accidents.
o Helmets don’t allow good hearing.
Features of helmets that work together to give you maximum protection you should look for while buying:
o Helmets have an impact absorbing lining material that takes the brunt in case of a crash. It is generally padded with absorbing polystyrene, which is placed so as to completely cover the inside. In case of a crash, the impact is evenly distributed through the material, thus causing less damage.
o Helmets are lined with comfortable padding so your head is in a comfortable cocoon. In some helmets, this padding can be removed to be washed or cleaned.
o Helmets have a retention system that keeps the helmet in place, even through all those hair rising stunts. This retention system generally is a chinstrap with D rings. This makes sure that the helmet stays on your head in the event of a crash.
o The outer shell is made from fibreglass, polycarbonate composites or moulded plastic.
o This outer shell protects your head from hard objects.
o The outer shell of the helmet is designed to take on most of the impact and deform instead of transferring the force inwards.
NOTE: Helmet damage might not be seen on the inside, so if you are involved in a crash, make sure you change your helmet immediately.
Choosing a Helmet
What Type?
There are different types of helmets available and you should choose according to your requirement:
A Full Face Helmet
This type of helmet provides the maximum protection. It covers and protects the entire head, face and chin area. It was studied that during head injuries, it was the face and the chin area that was affected the most. Such helmets even have the full face shields that protect your face and eyes as well, which is very important, especially at high speeds.
A Three Quarter Face Helmet
This helmet is an open face helmet, but covers the entire skull area. These helmets also offer protection, but not as much as a full face helmet, as they don’t cover the face and chin area. If you are wearing a three quarter helmet, wear a snap on shield or goggles. Sunglasses are ineffective, as they can shatter and harm your eyes, and nor do they prevent particles from entering your eyes, which is very dangerous.
Brightly Coloured Helmet
One of the things about protective gear is that it should allow people to spot that you are in the vicinity. A brightly coloured helmet suits fine, as it will stand out in the traffic, thus making people aware of your presence.
Other motocross apparel you should invest in:
o Face shields
o Shin guards
o Non-slip shoes
o Full gloves
o Goggles
o Jerseys
o Body Armour
Add some funky jewellery for the “bling” factor on the circuit. It is not advisable to wear the jewellery while racing, but it can definitely be worn afterwards.(Jeremy Smith:Ezine)