Category Archives: Motorcycle Riding Tips

Motorcycle Rallies & How to Prepare for Them – Part I

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Riding is pure joy! But not always – ask riders and motorcycle racers about breathtakingly adventurous moto events and along with the adrenaline rush they will also recollect the muscle spasm and physical stress that long distance rallies and motorcycling make you experience.

Riding is most often than not perceived as an activity which is not physically taxing. Contrary to this misconception, both rally riders and motorcross racers have to undergo grueling training in order to perform at a racing or rally event. This is because a machine-based event always falls under the shadow when compared to an out and out physical event. But it’s not always the case as this post tells you how riders and motorcross racers have to prepare and train for respective events in order to not just perform but also survive.

In motorcycling events, it’s as much about the machine, the motorcycle gear and accessories as it is about the man inside the bike helmet, leather suit and on the machine.

Biker Rallies are extremely fun! However, the rider has to train hard and regularly in order to keep riding long distances.

Riding long distance rallies puts a lot of stress and torture on the back and shoulders and strength in these areas is a must!

Let’s see how bikers prepare for their rallies:

Physical Goals: Build stamina, endurance and strength

Exercises: A lot of riders go for running and gym in order to build their muscular strength. People develop a strict routine and regime to build stamina and endurance for long distances. Such as a run in the morning, follow it up with weight training at a gym.
Eat healthy food that adds to your stamina rather than cutting it down.

Riding: Go on longer hours practice rides and see how long can you last. If practice/ test rides are giving you chronic back pains, consult a physician before signing up for a rally or talk to a trainer!

Machine Maintenance: Keep your machine intact for the rally. Prepare a tool kit to carry along vital motorcycle tools, engine oil etc. so that your machine doesn’t disappoint you during a rally.

Start this regime a month or two at least before the stipulated time of the rally.

P.S – The famous Motor Giro Italia has already begun! The rally ends 1st June. Know more at: http://www.motogiroitalia.it/english/indexenglish.html

Along with this, what you need is world class motorcycle gear: motorcycle helmets, clothing and accessories to ensure that your rides are safer than ever!

Find your perfect match for the rallies at Burn Out Italy.

The next in series is how to prepare for a motorcross race, don’t miss that out either.

 

How to Prepare for Motorcross Races/ Events - Part II

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In a previous post we told you how to prepare for a motorcycle rally and today we’ll talk about a relatively tougher event – the motorcross and motorcross training.

Motorcross races and events are even more taxing and demanding on the body than rallies. One not only has to think about going on and being on the two wheels but also about speed and maneuvering on off-road circuits. For this, the rider/ racer has to keep not only a stable head on his or her shoulders but also a stout body that is able enough to combat the challenges of a motorcross route/ trail.

Here’s how motorcross racers prepare:

Identify Your Goals: Muscular Strength, Endurance, Stamina & Quickness

A) Exercises: Prepare a proper regime at least 2-3 months before the motorcross.

  1. Running and cardio are good ways to build stamina and also reduce fat if any for the race. A motorcross is a grueling off-road event and the lighter you are the better, the more chances there are of your survival in the race. Be fitter, leaner and stronger for your motorcross events. If you are running, run about 6 miles distance every day in a week.
  2. Go to the gym to build muscle with weight training. Weight training is extremely important since it not only helps you build muscles but also prepares your body for strenuous situations. From bench press, to leg press and shoulder press, complete the whole circuit and focus on primary body parts: shoulders and back.
  3. Mix up your exercise routine, increase weight and regularly shock your body by increasing the weights or doing more reps than the previous time, etc. Go for other sports such as basketball, football, etc. Also work on increasing your reflexes.

B) Motorcycling: Test Practices & Riding:

Training your body is only one-part of the training, you must also train to ride. Pick out different kinds of off-road circuits and go for test/ practice rides. Spend time on each section of the circuit and familiarize yourself with the trail and defamiliarize if you are still not sure about the venue of the motorcross. This will help you prepare for different kinds of off-road tracks.

C) Food Intake:

  1. If you are working out more than usual, you must ensure that you are eating healthy and wholesome food and that your body is consuming nutritious diet consisting of meat, veggies and wholesome grain.
  2. Stay away from the artificial stuff such as sports drinks and caffeine as much as you can. Do not include them in your diet.
  3. Keep yourself hydrated, add protein and multi-vitamin supplement to your diet.

Once this is done, select your motorcycle helmet, gear and clothing very carefully. Burn Out Italy offers some leading European motorcross helmet brands that keep you safe and sound as you go along the muddy and disrupted off-road circuits.