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Author name: Brenna Baker

Overlooked Dirt Bike Riding Tips #2: It’s not a fashion show

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Overlooked Dirt Bike Riding Tips #2: It’s not a fashion show If you are like me, you probably have been told “it’s not a fashion show”. To me, it absolutely is. I keep my bikes clean, looking good, and ready to ride. I also show up in good looking Fly Racing gear. It is important to me. But why? If you trust your dirt bike, you will be more confident. That means showing up to a race with maintenance performed, a clean bike, non-bald tire, decent brakes, basically, a ready to go bike! If your dirt bike looks good, you will be confident riding it. I may be a bit of a weirdo on this but I keep my bike cosmetically looking good. If the plastics and graphics start to look rough, I replace it. Having a bike that looks good, makes me feel ready to race. If you look good, you will feel good. Get yourself a set of gear that you can look in the mirror and think “dang, I look good and I am going to go kick some a$$!” Self-confidence leads to better performance and most importantly FUN. Self-confidence is the attitude about yourself and skills. Never overlook the minor details. They all add up. If you’re not confident on the bike, are you giving yourself your best shot or just hoping for the best? More Posts Back To Blog Page

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Overlooked Riding Tips #1

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Overlooked Riding Tips #1 Take the time to work on form. It may make you feel awkward, slower, or just out of the comfort zone but if you practice it, it will become second nature. When I first started, I constantly got told “you sit too much” and that annoyed the crap out of me. So, I worked on it until I started getting told, “wow you must have a core of steel to stand as much as you do.” Over the more recent years, I focused more of the smaller details in riding form. What is good form? STAND UP, be on your toes, hinge at the hips, grip tightly with your legs, and be over the front of the bike. If you are over the front, you and the bike are moving forward together. If you have you arms stretched all the way out and your butt is on the rear fender, the bike wants to go forward but you are not ready to which results in losing time. Stay in attack position. Stay loose and not like a board, move with the bike. Why does this concern you? It will make you safer on the bike. It will improve your skill/speed over time. It saves more energy. What if keeping good form is hard from lack of strength? Ride more and work on it every time you ride. Or do off the bike training. I lacked a lot of muscle and it was difficult to stand and keep position riding up hills. Off the bike training, fixed that. How do I work on form when practicing? Take the time to stand up only. I like to finish my session off with 10 minutes straight of standing only. While doing this, I make sure I am standing on my toes and gripping the bike as tight as I can with my legs. I practice hip hinging on and off the bike. If you are comfortable enough to do it on the bike, work on it off the bike a few times a day More Posts Back To Blog Page

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Common questions I get asked about Beta and Sherco:

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Common questions I get asked about Beta and Sherco: Q: Are parts hard to get? A: No! OEM parts are super easy to get. I can have parts from Beta in 5 days and Sherco in 3 days. Added bonus – as a family of avid racer’s we stock everything we have ever needed. There are also plenty accessories available. The key is to go to the dealer and not shop online with other retailers. Q: Beta is made by KTM, right? A: NO, absolutely not! Beta is their own engine, air filter, plastics, etc… Here is the fun fact of the day: In 1994, Beta was interested in purchasing the design of a 50cc engine with six gears. At the time, Beta already had a 50cc engine with an automatic transmission, KTM took interest in this. Thus, the start of working together. Beta helped develop and assemble over 6,000 engines for 85cc and 105cc for KTM and Husqvarna. At the Betamotor factory, an assembly line was dedicated to the Austrian’s. The agreement with KTM gave Beta great training for the future. In 2004, another agreement was signed. The Austrian company would supply the Italian company exclusively with enduro engines of various displacements. KTM has never granted this with anyone else. It was a key factor for Beta to get their enduro models on the market. By 2009, Beta started making their own engine for 350CC and up. Beta has designed and developed THEIR OWN ENGINE after 2009. Q: I have never heard of Sherco, did they just start making bikes? A: Sherco is an independent brand that was founded in 1998. Sherco is not owned by any other bike manufacture. Q: I don’t want to drive to my dealer to get parts, what should I do? A: Ask your dealer if they will ship. If not, we ship anywhere in the United States. We are located in the mid-west and can get parts (if in stock, we have 2,500+ items) to most customers in 2-6 days. Q: I do not want a non-kickstart bike. A: Most new bikes of all brands are electric start only. Beta has a solid electric start and we have never had a failure. On a Beta, you have the option of adding a kickstart. We have never personally had a problem with a Sherco either. Most fails, are self-inflected. Check your batteries. Q: I do not want to be on a brand this going to just disappear. A: Beta has been around for over a century, since 1904 to be exact and is still family owned. Sherco is family owned too. We feel confident neither of them are going anywhere. Q: Do these bikes have a lot of issues? A: No. Take care of the bike and the bike will take care of you. It is that simple. More Posts Back To Blog Page

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Tayler’s Bike Set Up

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Tayler’s Bike Set Up Everyone is unique. I trust the brands that work and help me perform at my best. So, what does my bike set up look like? Let’s start with the handle bar area! I’ve been using Fasst Company Flexx Bars for three years now. They get rid of the rigid feel that standard bars have. With the added comfort, perfect bend for me, and help rid of some vibration, I refuse to go without. ARC levers are impossible to brake, help my small hands grab and feel the lever better, and the melmon version allows for extra flex in the lever. ODI Emig grips feel like a hard grip but ultimately do not make my hands/wrists hurt. I never get blisters. ODI Emig grips are also lock on which means NO MORE SPINNING GRIPS! For hand guards, I use Enduro Engineering full wraps. Next up, exhausts! I take the OEM exhaust off to save for when I resell the bike. I choose to put a FMF Fatty on paired with FMF Powercore 2.1. What about protection? As the years go on, I put the bare minimum needed for off road racing on. I upgrade the skid plate to Eline carbon fiber and an Obie linkage guard. I use Bullet Proof Designs radiator guards and rear disc guard. Some do not see the importance of a rear disc guard, but you are more likely to bend a rotor than you are to get a rock stuck in between it and the guard. I also upgrade from the OEM chain guide to a thicker one made by BRP. The case saver is upgraded to Enduro Engineering for better protection and easier cleaning. Plus, the handguards mentioned above. That’s it. I feel my most stable on the bike when using Fasst Company’s Impact Peg. The pegs are wider than OEM pegs and isolate the cleat from touching metal to metal making them absorb more vibration. The Impact Moto Peg also has the perfect tooth combo, I can remove my foot if I need to and not get “stuck”. I use the stock Beta seat foam; I actually prefer the firmness compared to a soft foam. I ditch the OEM cover and put a Seat Concepts 2.0 race ribbed seat cover on. Bike Graphix does all my graphic kits. They are the only company who I have found that has true Beta Red not Honda red! My current tire set up is Dunlop MX33 on the rear and a Bridgestone M59 on the front. I use Michelin Bib Mousses. They make the tires not bounce as much on the rocks and absorb some of the bigger impacts. Plus, that means no flats ever! I get my suspension set up for me to handle 90% of the terrain I ride. I get the proper springs for my weight and have the valving tweaked to meet my needs. I am 5’2 and do currently lower my bikes 1 inch. I keep the gearing stock. I adjust the powervalve to flush with the case and majority of the time, keep the stock jetting. I upgrade the stock cooling hoses to Samco or Boano to keep the bike cooler and eliminate the thermostat. The bike is designed a certain way so to make all this wild mods are not necessary for most rider’s. All of that gives me the best-looking bike, the best riding bike, and the most fun bike!   More Posts Back To Blog Page

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Strong Core = Better Rider

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Strong Core = Better Rider Y’all have heard me stress over and over the importance of having strong legs. Another overlooked area would be your core. It’s not just the abdominal muscles but every muscle excluding the legs and arms. Your core supports your body. It helps resist outside forces. Think about all the different forces we face on a dirt bike; it could be sandy whoops, rocks, boulders, logs, roots, etc.. All of these apply force to your body in different ways. The stronger the core muscles, the better control you will have on the bike. As a rider, you have to move the bike to correct it not just by moving the bars. You will also have to be able to resist rotation. A strong core will also help you be able to stand up while riding longer and be more efficient. Basically, where I am getting at, the stronger the core, the better, faster, and safer rider you will be. Did you know, if you suffer from lower back pain, it could be three things? Underactive glutes Weak core Tight muscles What exercises should you be doing? As mentioned above, it’s not only about abs. Compound movements such as deadlifts, squats, lunges performed correctly and engaging the correct muscles will target the core muscles. Be sure to include those into your riding fitness routine. Dead bugs! They strengthen and stabilize your core, spine, and back muscles. This improves your posture and helps relieve and prevent low back pain. You’ll also improve balance and coordination. Bird dogs! They help improves stability, encourages a neutral spine, and relieves low back pain. It strengthens your core, hips, and back muscles. It also promotes proper posture and increases range of motion. Planks Side planks Commandoes Russian twist (if able to, use a weight) Sit ups (if able to, use a weight) Lying leg raises with ball Hanging leg raises Froggers Wall Slams V-Ups Hollow Rock Hold Remember, just like any exercise, keep good form and push yourself. Don’t fall into the habit of this is hard but gets easy and not doing anything to make it harder again. To gain muscle, you have to push yourself! If you need help developing a dirt bike rider/racer program, let me know! More Posts Back To Blog Page

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Talent makes you good, grit makes you great

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Talent makes you good, grit makes you great When I was in Tech School, I had an English writing assignment to choose a noun and write about this noun. I thought about it and chose grit. I knew I could easily write on this subject and tie dirt bikes into it. Every paper I wrote that year was about dirt bikes and my teacher loved it. *“ Grit – firmness of mind or spirit : unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger” By Marriam Webster Dictionary* Grit is the willingness to peruse one’s goal’s no matter how long it takes. To keep going when it gets hard. To keep chasing it when things go backwards. To fall down and get back up. To have passion for long term achievements. To keep moving forward. Grit is not needing instant gratification. Grit is to keep working when no one is cheering or watching. Grit is becoming stronger when you get knocked down. Grit is knowing when bad things happen, it is an opportunity to get better and not letting it happen. Grit is learning from an injury and comeback stronger than before. Grit is when you want to quit, you don’t. When you’ve wrecked a billon times and zapped all of your energy, you dig deep and find more to keep going. Grit is flipping upside down on a log and getting back up and doing it again. And again, until it’s easy. Grit is to keep going when every ride or race is hard, knowing at some point, it will get easier. Grit is riding or racing when its +90 degrees or 30 degrees. Grit is showing up to the race when conditions are shitty and race anyway. Grit is facing your fears. Grit is a combination of determination and passion and what it take’s to reach your goals. Talent makes you good, grit makes you great. More Posts Back To Blog Page

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Routine Check Up on Your Dirt Bike

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Routine Check Up on Your Dirt Bike The number one way to keep a bike in good condition, is to clean it, check it, and perform maintenance. Just like how to keep yourself in good condition. Here is a list of our top things to check after a ride or race: Oil – Is it dirty? Is it low? Keeping fresh oil in a bike will make the engine components last a lot longer. Dirty oil makes everything else in the engine dirty. Air Filter – Does it need to be cleaned and serviced? Keeping a clean filter helps it not get clogged or dirt to accidently escape into the air boot. Brakes – Do you have brake pads left? Another tip, if you are hard on brakes, get into the habit of bleeding your brakes + good high temp fluid after every race. Bearings – Are your wheel bearings, linkage bearings, and swingarm bearings all in good shape? Tires – Is it time to replace or get another ride? If you run tubes, check PSI and make sure the valve stem is not rusty. Bolts – Are you missing bolts? Make sure everything is tight. Spokes – Make sure none or are broken. DO NOT overtighten, that will cause them to break more easily. Cables – Check over the condition of all cables. Chain, Master Link, and Sprockets – Most chain issues can be prevented. Make sure the master link is in good condition. The sprockets will start curling when it is time to replace. Coolant – Make sure it is full Bottom line, these are all small check overs that will help your bike last longer and allow you to ride it more often with less issues. Get into this habit and log everything you do. It’s worth it in the end. A mechanical DNF stinks and missing out on epic adventures does too! More Posts Back To Blog Page

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What should you do if your dirt bike sits for months?

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What should you do if your dirt bike sits for months? I’m sure this happens pretty often especially if life or injuries get in the way. Just like you, your bike gets lonely and will need some love! Letting a bike sit can be more expensive than riding it. So, what should you do before firing it back up? First off, dig it out! Check the seals! This includes for seals and engine seals. Fork seals can randomly start leaking. Who know?!? Maybe you put some engine work off because you knew it would be months before you could ride again. Check and change the oil, filters, and coolant. It is always a good idea to freshen a bike up before any kind of ride. Sometimes mice can find a home in your air box and chew up your air filter. It is best to check it for any holes! Check the coolant and make sure it does not need topped off. Fresh oil and oil filter is highly recommended. Bleed your brakes and make sure they are in working order. If you left gas in your bike, plan on getting rid of it and cleaning your carburetor unless you are using VP racing fuels. Pump gas goes bad quickly and can gum up, absorb water, and is no longer useable. Even high-quality pump gas can do this. If you know ahead of time your bike will be sitting, go ahead and put VP in it. It will save you a ton of time and money later. Next up, get to greasing! Grease the bearings and the chain. Check all nuts and bolts. This is something you should do after any ride anway. If you run tubes, check the air pressure. Make sure all controls are in working order. Look over the brakes, clutch, and the throttle. Ensure, all lines are in tact and not too tight. Charge up the battery and make sure it is still in working condition. Lastly, check the spark plug. It could have drawn in moisture. Now it is time to fire it up! If all goes well, the next step is to go out and RIDE! More Posts Back To Blog Page

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Why strength training your legs is important for a dirt bike rider/racer

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Why strength training your legs is important for a dirt bike rider/racer If you have ridden a dirt bike, you understand that it is very physical demanding. It is not simply a motorized two-wheel machine that is a breeze to ride. It requires an individual to be able to control it. To be able to control it well, a person needs to be physically fit, strong, and have endurance. The fitter you are, the faster you can go. It’s no fluke that after I started cross training along with 5-10 hours of seat time a week, that my skill level significantly increased. I started as a trail rider surviving the course to a competitive racer, moving up through the ranks, landing in A class. To me, overall strength is crucial but having a solid lower body is the most important. It absorbs force and delivers force back while maintaining position on it. The bike is controlled with your legs. The stronger the legs are, the more control. Take a minute to think about how many times in a lap, you sit and stand up. If not conditioned correctly, that is very tiring ultimately resulting in bad form, more wrecks, and slowing down. Let that sink in.. Bad form and more wrecks could potentially result in more injuries. Joints not supported with good muscle strength, results in a higher risk of injury. Slowing down means you get beat. Our sport is risky but a lot of injuries can be prevented by having and maintaining proper form on the bike and having muscles supporting your joints. One thing to help you as a rider, is to start training legs. If you are a beginner, start with body weight or light weight dumbbells and make sure form is correct. As you progress, don’t be afraid of the barbell and adding weight. The load your bike puts you through is large, so push the weight and go through full range of motion! Do not ignore muscles imbalances or things that seem very hard for you. If you keep working at it and working on the problem, it will get better. If you ignore it, your progress will be hindered. My top pick leg workouts: Barbell Back Squat ROM Barbell Dead Lift Bulgarian Split Squat Single Leg Dumbbell Dead Lift Raised Front Foot Forward Lunge Reverse Lunge Barbell Hip Thrust Single Leg Calf Raises Stability Ball Hamstring Curl If you do not know where to start, I am happy to help! Not only do I sell dirt bikes and parts, I offer personal training to help fellow dirt bikers meet their health, fitness, and riding goals! More Posts Back To Blog Page

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Summer heat coming in HOT

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Summer heat coming in HOT Well, guy’s looks like the summer heat is coming in HOT! Upper 90’s temperatures usually do not hit Missouri this early. But here we are, heading into a race weekend with heat index into the 100’s. Are you ready?!? Here are some tips to survive the baking sun. HYDRATE! Lay off the beer and soda the week before a race. Try to consume lots of water throughout the day even if you are not outside in the heat. Nonactive individuals are recommended to have a minimum of 64 oz of water a day. If you are active, like a dirt bike race, you need a gallon… that’s right a gallon. Being the slightest bit of dehydrated can hinder you on a race day. Hydrating for a race starts before the weekend. On race/riding weekend drink plenty of water before starting. Camelback is not a bad idea either. It is important to have a “sports drink” that has electrolytes along with some complex carbohydrates in it to replenish nutrients loss over excessive riding in the heat. Avoid all sugary drinks. I used 1st Phorm Intra-Formance. I drink it before the race and at enduros I drink it between tests. Some people even put it in their hydration pack. NUTRITION! This all depends on the type of person you are and what your body handles. It is important to remember FOOD IS FUEL. It literally gives you the fuel to function, if you do not eat, you do not function correctly. In the heat, I work better with smaller meals and snacks. Fruit is a must! Of course, there’s more but I won’t bore you with what my diet/nutrition plan looks like. LIGHT GEAR! Lots of companies release summer gear that is a lot more vented. I like to use Fly Kinetic Mesh when it is steamy out. My dad also uses EVS Cooling Vest. They work like a charm! STAY COOL! I used to think being outside in the elements during race day make the heat not as bad but that is WRONG. It is proven fact that staying cooler allows your body to function longer in the heat, same with being able to push longer. If possible, stay in A/C until you have to go up to the line. Don’t have A/C available? Other options are sitting in front of a fan, eating frozen foods (like fruit or smoothies), ice, and ice cold water. If it is not a race and just a riding adventure, start the days EARLY, get up with the sun! I promise, it is a lot cooler outside before 9 AM. Plus, the views are worth it! Along with the feeling of accomplishment before most people are awake. WATCH YOURSELF AND OTHERS! Pay attention to how you feel. If you are experiencing symptoms of dehydration and other heat related issues, get help, go to a cool place. Lookout for the people around you, they may not know what is going on. REPLINISH! & REPLINISH SOME MORE! I cannot stress this enough. I like to be ready to get back to normal training practices as soon as possible! The muscles in your body cannot heal without replenishing what was lost in sweat and activity. After racing or a hard ride, I follow up with a protein shake and carbohydrates. So, it is protein powder, 1st Phrom Phormula 1, water, 1st Phorm Ignition, and ICE. This helps the body know it is time to start healing the muscles. It will also speed up recovery and help with soreness. You can be the fittest person out there or work in the heat all the time but that does not eliminate the heat related risks. STAY HYRDATED & HAVE FUN! More Posts Back To Blog Page

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