Bike Maintenance

Bike Maintenance is a very important part of owning a dirt bike. If you don't take care of your bike it won't run right, and it can lead to damage which can be costly.

The first obvious thing you want to do is wash it. If you don't wash your dirt bike it’s like wasting your money because it won't look as good, but the main reason is that dirt can get in the motor. When dirt gets in the motor it can destroy your dirt bike. Make sure that you don't get water in the pipe so when you're washing because that will also mess up your motor.

You also want to clean the air filter. People buy bikes and think that you just put gas in them and go, but you often need to clean the air filter or the motor won't get any air. To do this you can use air filter cleaner and it gets all the dirt and mud out of it. Then you need to spray air filter oil on the air filter so that it will catch all the dirt.

Next you want to change the oil in your dirt bike. If you don't do this it cannot act as a lube and help the motor run. You should change this often or it can also destroy your motor. I change the oil in my bike every 2 weeks, which isn't necessary unless you ride a lot.  

If you do these three major things it will extend the life of your dirt bike. It will also save you money. so follow the tips it will help you!

Derek E. Goode Jr. #75

Derek E. Goode Jr. (DJ) is a dirt bike rider with a goal of becoming a professional dirt bike rider. He is a student at Bessemer High School.  His dream is to become #1 in Supercross. He has had many falls and a few trips to the hospital. He practices throughout the week to ride on race day as hard as he can. One bad experience was when his two dirt bikes (125 cc) were stolen.  DJ had a positive attitude despite the situation. So I interviewed him to get a better grasp of this young man's interesting life.

When did you start racing? how?

• I got started racing when my dad bought me a dirt bike when I was 7

What is your favorite brand of bike and what kind do you ride?

• My favorite brand is kawasaki and i ride a 2012 kx250f

Why do you like racing dirt bikes?

• It a self reliant sport except for your mechanic but when you're on the bike its all up to you. Racing is also a disciplined sport that takes a lot of practice that's why I like it.

What is the most important part of a race in your opinion?

• Preparation, because if you're not mentally and physically prepared you can't win.

What do you do to prepare for races?

• I run atleast 2 miles a day, I do 200 push ups, 200 sit ups, and I jump rope with a 5 pound jump rope

Have you had any success recently?

• Yes, I got second in the South Carolina state championship.

How often do you ride?

• I ride two to three times a week

Do you plan on quitting racing soon?

• No, I love to race.

Who has helped you with your success in racing?

• My dad has helped me a lot he is the one that motivates me to do better. My Grandma’s cooking and my friends also helps motivate me to do better.

Do you plan on making a career out of racing?

• Yes, I plan on going pro in three years.

Ricky Carmichael Riding Tips: Starts

Ricky Carmichael Riding Tips: Starts
Great tips for the starts

The Holeshot

The holeshot refers to the first person to the first corner in racing. The holeshot is the key to the race. If you are last to the first corner, but you’re the best rider you still might loose. So you want to be the first person to the first corner. So im going to tell you the way I do it so maby it will help you inprove your starts.

The importance of a good start is accurately addressed by Gary Simics:

There are two races in motocross ; one is from the starting gate to the first corner. The other one is from the first corner to the checkered flag. When you do well in the first one the second one is normally a lot easier

First I choose a good gate to start at. I like to be in the middle or the left side. That puts you closer to the first corner because most of the first corners are right turns, because it allows you to keep you right foot on the back break.

Second I pack down the dirt were im starting to help me get more tracktion. When it’s a concrete start I sweep my gate and make sure there isnt any dirt on it because it will make you spin.

Then I slide up so that im sitting on the gas tank so that the bike want flip. By the time you do all this they should have the 30 second card up. When it goes sideways it means the gate could drop anywhere between 5 and 15 seconds.

When the card goes sideways I put the bike into second gear by clicking uo on the gear shif once. Then you turn the throttle about three fourths of the way and wait for the gate to drop. While im waiting I watch the pen that holds the gate up because it has to move before the gate drops.

Then when the gate drops you drop the clutch and hold it wide open. During this I don’t let out of the throttle until I get to the first corner. Once you get there you want to use your front and back brakes. The front brake stops a lot faster then the back so if you use it you can stay in the gas longer. If you use my tips you should be able to grab the holeshot and it will make your race results a lot better.

Andrew Short

Andrew Short won his first career 450 supercross win this weekend in Seattle, Washington. Short, who's from Smithville, Texas, has been racing in the Supercross Class for nearly six years.

Short turned pro in 2000, and by 2001 he had earned a ride with the Motoworld Racing Suzuki support team. The first three years of his pro career were not that good for Andrew

However, the hard worker started earning top twenty results, and in 2002 achieved twelfth overall in the West Coast Supercross Lites class. And fifteenth overall in the MX Lites class.

Andrew ran into another rider's rear wheel as several riders knocked each other off as they were rolling down the start strait.  Andrew high sided and the momentum of his body threw him over the bars and then he got ran over by another rider.

Andrew visited the Asterisk Mobile Medical unit and determined that his shoulder dislocation was unlikely but the pain was too much to continue racing for the night.

Later he wrecked and had to have surgery on both elbows. He also has a broken wrist and will have to have a cast, which will make him miss some races.

Andrew Short is a great rider in my opinion and it’s great to see the number 29 back on top.
Motocycle- U.S.A. said:

One of the most clean-cut riders in this ragtag band of moto racers, Andrew Short is the type of guy you might find at a Les Schwab tire shop. Clean-cut, hard-working, friendly, fast and capable of landing results.that’s why multiple factory teams including Suzuki, Honda and KTM have put faith in this young Colorado native.

"Andrew short. Web 25 Apr. 2012 <http://p.vitalmx.com/photos/users/64/photos/58010/s780_042112seattle_race1509.jpg?1335098619>