new rider to mx long time rider to trails

[brayden55]

iv been riding atvs (sport style) for about 8 or 9 years. i am 15 years old atm and i just got inuf $$$ to buy a 1995 kdx 200. i know that it is not ment for mx but since i am a beginner i really didnt care. paid $900 and in fabulos condition.

so any tips on mx style riding. i went one before about 2 weeks ago and i really practiced holding the trottle all the way off the jump and standing in nutral positon. so i will work on gripping the bike more with my legs next time. now cornering i was not ready for (i ride at a sand track btw) i found that i wasnt using my brakes at all id just cost into the corner and give it a little gas untill i was about halfway trough the turn then giver he gas! and let the ass end swing arround and regain control and take off donw the staright.

any ideas on how i can do it better

[Julien D]

I hate to generalize, but MOST kdx riders are trail riders. That's why we ride a trail bike. You might actually get better feedback on the subject in an mx forum.

That said... sounds like you're doing it pretty well as far as I know. Just keep watching video's, reading, and practicing. And as soon as you can, bet an mx bike, or at least set that KDX's suspension up for MX. You need much stiffer springs. The stock settings are not really safe for any aggressive mx riding.

[rbates9]

+1

[brayden55]

thanks for the input. i know that its not the best for it but i do far more trail riding so i kinda figured i wanted more trail rideng capabilitys but with a nice 200cc 2stroke liquid cooled why not give it a try? im not really doing anything to wild anyway just starting out

[heckler]

rubber side down. that's my motto.

[plotski]

+2 I do ride my kdx's on Moto tracks on occasion...they are generally part of Hare scramble courses here in MN...but even for racing cross country I stiffened the heck out of my fork springs.....and for real MX even at low speeds you are asking for troubles.unless you are rolling all of the jumps these bikes are not at all set up for moto.
Thats just my 2 cents
BTW Awesome that at your age you were able to pay for your own toys!! Way to go man!! or woman!! just do not get discouraged if you cannot make that bike perform on a moto track.

[brayden55]

haha thanks i worked my ass off all x mas break and kept looking for deals and sure inuf one arised!

it gets frustratine riding a sand track at times but iv only gone out twice. im going to a hard pack track next week so il have to see how the girl preforms there.

i do alright on the track hers a vid of me on the track for the 2nd time ever. waht do you think? btw its a sand track

[brayden55]

oh see the black thing on the front? its a box i built and it can ho;d 6 cans of pop or beer :P

[gsa102]

I race harescrambles, so cornering technique is important there, too.

Stand up as much as possible, stay standing up while braking with your weight over the back of the seat to get the most use out of the rear brake.

Sit as soon as you start to turn, on the front of the seat with your inside leg beside the fork, do not touch the ground. This gets the most front tire bite.

On the gas through the turn, helps the bike turn.

Practice large figure 8s until you get good at it. As fast as you can go.

[brayden55]

thanks i have bought a kx250 now and its a lot better for mx. i was whakking jumps at 60-70kph

thanks for all the input