1. The Foundation
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. Better Bikes
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. Bike manufacturers have pushed different innovations, producing 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. Freestyle, extreme motocross continues to evolve thrilling riders and their fans.
3. Catch the Action
Extreme motocross events are fast becoming a thrilling form of entertainments. Extreme riders often can be seen providing shows during intermission and breaks at other events. Extreme stunt shows are showing up as solo events as well. 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 up side down and in any wild position that the rider can manage.
4. The Right Stuff
Extreme motocross is a very risky endeavor, piling up the injuries on the usually young athletes. Riders wear helmets, gloves, goggles and an assortment of body pads to protect them from injury when, not if, they fall. They prefer top 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. It's Shocking
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.
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