Motocross is one of the most physically demanding sports on the planet.
Riders have to utilize almost all of their muscles and shift their weight in different ways throughout the whole ride.
To become good at motocross racing, it requires hours and hours of experience.
It’s estimated that one must practice for over 5000 hours before they gain enough experience to become good at motocross racing.
So if you’re interested in motocross racing, what is the best age to start learning how to master this extreme sport?
Many professionals recommend starting to learn motocross racing in their late teens. Many champions have their best years in their early 30s and credit their success from learning to ride when they were 16 and 17. It is possible to start learning earlier, but due to the strength and ability required to become good at the sport, there is a higher risk of injury.
If you’re older or younger than 16 or 17, then don’t worry if you haven’t taken your first ride yet.
It is possible to start motocross racing anytime.
But the best age to start learning how to become a motocross racer is in the late teens.
Let’s find out why that is.
Why Is This Age The Best To Start Motocross Racing?
There are a few reasons why beginning your career as a motocross racer at 16 or 17 is the best time to start, and it has a lot to do with body development.
Motocross utilizes most of the upper body muscles, particularly the deltoids, triceps, and biceps.
When you begin practicing riding, the required muscles will develop the more you use them on the track.
The muscles in the forearm, wrists, and hands will also become stronger the more you ride.
These will be important for maintaining control of the bike during stunts and when you traverse over rough terrain.
It even comes in handy when you need to perform an emergency maneuver if something goes wrong.
The core muscles are essential in motocross riding.
The key core components are the rectus abdominus, obliques, hip flexors, and spinal erectors.
This helps maintain good riding posture and avoiding lower back injuries from occurring.
They also support the rest of the body while riding.
Developing these muscles in the teenage years can help get the body ready for competitive motocross racing.
As you continue to build experience and expertise in the field, the higher the chance you’ll achieve success as a motocross racer.
What Is The Youngest Age To Start Motocross Racing?
The youngest age that someone can start to learn motocross racing is four years old.
But they tend to race on lower-powered bikes and on a controlled track with limited jumps.
Riders at this age will generally start with a 50cc Yamaha PW or something similar with a two-stroke engine.
These are usually lighter and less complex than more powerful machines, but they still pack some punch.
Electric bikes are also becoming popular with younger riders as they are less expensive and aren’t as complex to use as their two-stroke counterparts.
Starting at this age doesn’t necessarily guarantee you success in the future.
Beginning your career as a motocross rider at this age will gain you experience and confidence as a rider.
This can come in handy when you’re older, but you’ll still need to develop your muscles and abilities, which is unlikely to happen at this age.
What Is The Oldest Age To Start Motocross Racing?
It is possible to start motocross racing at any age.
There are riders that are in their 60s that still take to the air and perform magnificent tricks.
However, if you’re just starting out motocross racing and you’re in your golden years, it’s going to be up to your body whether you’re ready to hit the track.
Motocross racing is a physically demanding sport.
It’s recommended that if you’re an older racer that you work on getting your body in physical shape first.
You want to focus on your upper body strength and your core muscles.
Before you get on your bike, you should adjust the suspension to match your weight.
Then just start slow on the tracks and get used to the feel of the bike on the trail.
You should then move on to tabletops, which are a flat raised jump from the upside to the downside.
The key is not to rush the learning process and never ride beyond what your skills permit.
But the important thing is that it is possible to start motocross racing in your 50s and 60s if your body allows you to participate in it.
At What Age Can You Start Motocross Racing Competitively?
Children as young as four can start competing in motocross racing.
There are power restrictions of the bikes and weight stipulations that must be followed in order for a child to be able to compete.
Generally, the tracks are a controlled environment with minimal jumps.
There are different types of motocross racing events for the children to compete in.
Races can last up to thirty minutes with multiple sessions over the day.
There are also endurance races where you race around more natural terrains like woodlands or countrysides.
This requires a different level of experience, though, and might not be suitable for all young riders.
Trials riding is another alternative, however, this is for more advanced riders.
These motocross racers must navigate through obstacles without putting their foot down.
Every time they do, they will lose points.
It requires a lot of balance and coordination as opposed to riding at high speeds.
Your four-year-old has a lot of options to choose from when it comes to competitive motocross racing.
The right type of race should be determined on the level of skill and ability they have on the bike.
At What Age Should You Stop Motocross Racing?
Many riders choose to hang up the helmet in their 30s and 40s.
There are many reasons why they decide to stop.
For some, it’s purely a financial reason or life getting in the way.
But for many racers, it’s due to the build-up of injuries over the years.
Some of the most common injuries are ankle sprains and broken wrists.
A lot of riders make a full recovery and get back on their bike.
But other common injuries are more severe like anterior cruciate ligament tears, broken collarbones, and rotator cuff tears.
These types of accidents take longer to recover from.
Some riders never come back after some of these injuries.
The wear and tear on the body from motocross racing can take a toll.
Not everyone has the strength and conditioning for the extreme sport.
In the end, your body will tell you when it’s time to give it up.
What Age Should You Start Motocross Racing?
If you have dreams of becoming a professional motocross racer, then the best age to start is in your late teens.
You can begin motocross racing younger, but this will primarily give you experience on riding a bike as opposed to building the necessary skills and muscle to become successful at it.
According to many professionals, the optimal age to achieve success in motocross racing is in the mid-20s and early 30s.
Many of the riders claim their success can be contributed from learning to race in their teens as it helped them strengthen their core and upper body muscle.
However, motocross racing is a sport that can be taken up at any age. People in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, enjoy the sport and race competitively.
If you have the desire to take it up at a later age, then you can still be successful and enjoy everything that comes from the exhilarating sport that is motocross racing.
