Moto for DH training?
Oh Wise Sage –
I am considering buying a motocross bike for the winter training season and possibly doing a few races. I am planning to upgrade from Expert to Semi Pro downhill next year and am trying to decide my best off-season training options.
Last year, I rode DH once or twice a week just about all winter with the lack of snow we had, and I’m not sure that will be quite as possible this year. Even if it is, there can be more saddle-time to be had on a moto, I understand. I’ve never ridden a dirt bike before, but I’ve ridden street motorcycles since the beginning of college, so I am mostly familiar with the controls. My concern is that I might get some bad habits or somehow have some detrimental effect on my MTB goals. What do you think?
– Grant
Grant!
 Look at the smile on Peaty’s face. You don’t need a gnarly 250 or 450 motocross bike. Many bike racers ride 125 or 150 trail bikes like this BBR/Honda CRF 150. They’re about the size of a DH bike and plenty fast. |
There is no question: If you can stay bike-fit and uninjured, the moto will make you a faster downhiller. It inoculates you against speed and terrain, plus it does crazy things for your strength and endurance. There are some definite differences in riding technique, but the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
Riders I know personally who use motos to help them rip on bikes:
– Brian Lopes
– Steve Peat
– Mark Weir
– Curtis Keene
– Branon Sloan
– Deacon James
– Matt Thompson
– Dave Ziegman
– Curtis Beavers
– Dave Ignatew
– Lee McCormack 🙂
– The list goes on …
Not so sure about racing. You can ride a moto recreationally and still get DH benefits. If you get on a track and start to pin it, the risk goes way up. I prefer trails — I find it easier to find flow, and it’s more like MTB.
— Lee
Oh – But Beware! The mighty MOTO starts to play with your mind and makes you forget about the MTB…..soon, it’s collecting dust in the corner, tires weeping, sagging with neglect, as you load the moto in the back of the Sprinter, again…….
So true!
Good thing bikes are so cool too.
Denise states one of my worries about getting a moto. But I’m always so stoked to ride my mtb, I’m not too worried about it. I’ve pretty much decided to take the plunge to the dark side. This is gonna be some fun this winter!
I think that riding my dirt bike has made me much better at riding my moutain bike…
I started on Motos when I was 5. Mtn bikes came only at the point where I was on my own and poor and could not afford Moto – now times are changing and a KTM 250 XC-F-W is on my horizon 🙂 If it’s got 2 wheels, it’s good! There’s a time and place for both – Ride Hard, Have Fun!
After almost 20 years riding MX my RM250 is sitting in the corner collecting dust.
I think she is a little jelous of the 4 bikes taking residence on “her” turf.
Moto riding is more fun so get a moto. The mtb will be for when you cant ride the moto. Also fun.
Yeay! More knuckleheads to go out to the track with!
Screw moto, ride trails…. get something nice and reliable (think Honda XR) and have at it… i use a mtb to train for that… but hey, whatever floats ur boat