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How Do I Start a Motocross Career?

May 11, 2021 5 min read

How Do I Start a Motocross Career? - Risk Racing

Professional motocross racing is probably the most exciting career opportunity anyone can get. Having sponsors, wearing the best gear, and racing around the country, and potentially the world! It is super exciting. You might wonder what it takes to get there? If you have a natural ability to ride fast under pressure, then you came to the right place!

When starting a motocross career, good training is essential. Besides that, you will need sponsorship. You love riding, and you have a burning desire to make it? Then join the Risk Racing Team! You do not have to be a top professional or amateur champion to get in. Just be passionate!

If you want to make money while doing something you love, there is good news. This type of lifestyle is available to anyone who wants it badly enough. We prepared this article for you to learn more about starting a motocross career. 

Justin Bogle mx number 19 practicing his take offs using a holeshot race gate by Risk Racing

Is Motocross a Career?

One of many uses for a dirt bike is competition racing. The one major racing competition is Motocross. Motocross or MX racing is one the most extreme sports and careers out there, full of adrenaline! 

But this kind of work is not your regular nine-to-five job. The work hours are from dawn till dusk, as you need to take every chance to get out on the track, trying to make it happen. In careers like this, you eat, sleep, and race. If you aren’t racing, you are doing everything in your power to be better the next time you line up at the gate.

If you want to start your Motocross career, first, you need to have race-approved gear and register with the American Motorcyclist Association. From then on, you are officially an amateur MX racer. Apply for sponsorship with Risk Racing, and you will be able to go everywhere to earn race points, which will progress you through the race classes.

mx number 1 practicing his take off using a holeshot gate by Risk Racing

Who is the richest motocross rider?

With the salaries and sponsorship bonuses being private within the sport, there is no way for anyone to really know who is the richest, or even what many riders are making in the sport. One way to halfway gauge the racers who have the most money would be to look at the champions. When you win a motocross championship, that usually leads to higher salaries and very large bonuses. Riders like Ryan Dungey, Ryan Villopoto, Eli Tomac, and Ricky Carmichael are a few that have multiple 450cc championships.

mx numbers 1 5 7 all exploding off the starting line at an indoor race

Who is the richest Supercross rider?

The same rules for this can be taken from the motocross riders, which are the same riders. They do not publicly display their earnings, so there is no solid way of knowing. Some past champions, such as Ryan Dungey, Ryan Villopoto, Chad Reed and James Stewart, have received multiple championship bonuses over the years, which can really help their earnings.

mx num 77 Mike Burry in take off posture wearing Goggles auto roll off jersey pants n gloves all from Risk Racing

What is a good age to start motocross?

Dirt bike riding is an excellent hobby, but given what you may have heard about accidents, you might be nervous to let your kid start motocross. 

There is no precise age limit when it comes to motocross racing. It depends on the level of maturity and how well you or your kid can handle the difficulties of riding on dirt, or off-road. In case of any doubts, you can always start with light and child-friendly electric models.

Kids as young as three years old can already start their adventure on small electric dirt bikes, and 4-year-olds can switch to 50cc dirt bikes fitted with training wheels. You can remove the training wheels when they reach the age of 5 or 6 years old, depending on their skills.

A six-year-old could slowly start to take supervised rides on more advanced machines. When starting young, an 8-year-old could be so experienced that even grown-ups can’t keep up on the trail.

Some specialists are against introducing toddlers to this sport. Some parents are okay with it as long as safety precautions are on point. Training a kid this early has its advantages, as they will learn the basic skills and will be more comfortable with riding bigger bikes in the future.

Risk Racing Pro Rider riding a berm of sand through a corner on a motocross dirt bike sand flying

Is it ever too late to start motocross?

You are never too old to ride. You are only too old when you start breaking your hips from swinging your leg over the bike. The AMA allows MX racing for many age groups. People over 40 and 50 still ride and compete.

One thing that often stops people from starting motocross, is the fear of an injury. However, if you are in good health, there is no need to worry about this. Remember to ride safely by wearing protective gear and using good riding practices. Even if you are going to practice riding, we suggest you attend a motocross racing school. 

If you are not sure whether or not you should compete, due to physical concerns, plan a consultation with your doctor. They will be able to give you more insight on your situation and will be able to advise you.

Motocross can be a risky sport, regardless of age and skill. There are many kinds of dirt motorcycle riding. Trail riding or hare scrambles are just as much fun and less dangerous.

mx number 22 Risk Racing pro rider (in full Risk Racing gear including jersey, pants, and gloves) taking a very muddy corner on a rainy track day

How fast do motocross racers go?

Motocross bikes are built specifically for off-road tracks and off-road events. For dirt bikes, the usual routes are rough surfaces such as sand, mud, and even snow. If you compare dirt bikes to the standard motorcycle, dirt bikes are much lighter. 

Usually, a motocross bike has a two-stroke or a four-stroke engine that varies by engine sizes ranging from 50cc to 500cc. Usually, dirt bikes have a high ground clearance that prevents them from getting stuck. Additionally, the engines are fully exposed. To stop any further unnecessary damage to the bike, they do not have a lot of bodywork.


How fast can a motocross bike go? 

That depends on the type of engine and the horsepower strength that it provides. The engines are measured by CC which means Cubic Centimeter. That measures the horsepower the engine provides will usually correlate with how fast a dirt bike can go. The engine capacity is very significant. The more capacity, the more power the engine produces. 

A 50cc motocross bike can go as fast as 25-40 miles per hour or 64-65 kilometers per hour. At this speed, the bike is relatively easy to control and manage. Although, this is not astonishingly fast, even for a dirt bikes’ standard.

A 100cc dirt bike slightly differs from a 50cc dirt bike. A 100cc dirt bike can reach its speed of 50 miles per hour or 80 kilometers per hour. Since these bikes are so light, this speed will allow the bike to jump up high. 

A 200cc engine can go as fast as 55 miles per hour (90 kilometers). This engine provides a lot of horsepower. The bike will be harder to control and will most likely have a four-stroke engine. This kind of bike can compete in racing competitions, although it is still relatively slow.

At 400cc, there is a big difference in speed. Given that it is a lightweight bike, it will reach about 87 miles (140 kilometers) per hour.

These bikes are being used by professional riders. Since the bike is light and may lose its balance quickly, handling this speed can be very hazardous. Riding these bikes requires more skill as they tend to be more dangerous. 

num 16 awaiting a gate drop while practicing his take offs using a holeshot gate by risk racing

Conclusion

We can come to the conclusion that motocross can definitely be turned into a career. With the right mindset and practice, you can come a long way. Besides this, it is crucial to have a sponsor that enables you to travel the world and make your career grow. The Risk Racing Team offers you this opportunity.


All you need to join the Risk Racing Team is a passion to ride in the dirt. Read more about the possibilities of applying.

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