1. Across the Pond
The first motocross races were run in England as early as 1924. The freestyle off-road motorbikes took to the hills and leaped and raced all over the most rugged terrain they could find. Over the years, they shortened the tracks, added more obstacles and made some rules. Eventually, manufacturers caught on to the popularity of the sport and began to build bikes with more suspension and maneuverable to replace the street bikes the athletes were tearing up on the off-road tracks.
2. International Riding
Japanese and American motocross athletes got into the game and better bikes were created, including the popular 125cc Suzuki that would be used to win world championships. Innovation has continued to add to the production of more efficient riding machines with better suspension to take the jumps and tricks as well as water-cooled engines and environmentally sound engines. Spin-off events have developed too. Indoor arena races set up riders on extreme courses. And freestyle motocross continues to evolve, thrilling riders and fans alike.
3. Power Limits for Motocross Bikes
Motocross bikes range in size and power. Most bikes range from 50cc to 550cc, which compete in their own divisions. The most popular bike is the 250cc. The engine of choice among motocross athletes these days is the two-stroke engine with monoshock rear suspension. The better the shock absorbers and the lighter the bike, the higher the riders can jump, turn and compete with other extreme tricks and stunts. They are typically made from lightweight aluminum and are stripped of electronic gadgets and meters.
4. Get in Gear
Motocross riders wear helmets, gloves, goggles and an assortment of body pads to protect them from injury when, not if, they fall. They prefer to have the padding built-in to the lightweight jerseys and pants they wear. It's all about maneuverability, weight and aerodynamics. Good motocross boots include their own style of shock absorbers. They come with stress relievers under the sole and buckles that go around the ankle and up the calves.
5. High Flying
Professional motocross athletes get sponsors to pay for their madness, while extreme riders all over the world run amateur races. Flying through the air after leaving a ramp, you might see a motocross rider slip right off his seat and hang on with his legs flapping in the breeze, and he's doing that on purpose. A popular trick is called the can-can, where riders swing one leg over the bike and ride with both legs on one side. Bikes go vertical and upside down and in any wild position that the rider can manage.
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