What Gear Do You Need For Motocross

July 07, 2022

What you need for Motocross

Choosing the right Bike:

The first thing you’ll need to choose is a bike. Choosing the right bike for you really depends on your riding ability, the type of riding you’ll be doing and the size and age you are. 

You can choose between, trail bikes, enduro bikes and motocross bikes,

A trail bike is used for the rider that isn’t trying to push the pace, they are just riding leisurely. This means they are usually lower to the ground, slower machines and don’t have race ready suspension. So if you’re new to riding and this is your first bike this can be a great option. 

Now if you’re attacking the trails, looking at riding some motocross tracks and even going to some Enduro events like an RTCB or Transmoto, the bike for you will be an Enduro Machine. These guys are the all-rounder, can do anything motorcycle - will typically have a little more mellow power delivery and softer suspension than a fully fledged motocross bike to aid riders in hitting rocks and going up hill climbs, but are extremely capable on the motocross track also.

If you’re set on hitting the motocross track and becoming the next Eli Tomac you’re going to want a motocross bike for your endeavours. The motocross bikes will have a bit of a snappier and aggressive power delivery, are a little more rigid and have harder suspension to soak up hard landings. 

Typically young riders will choose bikes depending on their size and have a little less variation when it comes to bike selection. You either have a trail bike which is a great first option or a motocross bike thats great if you’re a little more confident. 

A full size bike for adults are all roughly the same size in terms of height, so it really comes down to how confident you are in your riding capabilities and how much power you want. A 125 two-stroke or 250 4-stroke are great options if you don’t want insane amounts of power. Whereas if you’re wanting all of the power and you’re extremely confident on the bike a 250 2-stroke or 450 4-stroke is going to suit your needs.

In terms of whether to buy new or used, this largely comes down to personal budgets. All though more expensive a new bike is always going to be a great option, due to it having no past mechanical history and you know its going to be reliable. That’s not to say that used bikes are bad options, you can get some barely used bikes for great deals, you just have to be very careful in your selection and we’d recommend having someone who is knowledgeable with motorcycles to help you out if possible.

Choosing the Right Motocross Gear:

Now that you’ve got your bike sorted, next you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the right gear. We’ve put a list together of all the essentials you’ll need before you throw a leg over your bike!

Motocross Helmet:

The most important piece of equipment you’ll need is a Helmet. ‘no helmet, no ride’ is common knowledge in the motocross world, you’re riding at a high pace and if you hit the deck the ground isn’t very forgiving and making sure your head is safe is the number one priority. A helmet needs to fit snug, it shouldn’t wobble or move around on your head, it should lightly press against your cheeks and fit comfortably and snug around the crown of your head. Motocross helmets vary in prices quite a bit and the more you spend the more quality and additional features you’re going to get, all though all helmets sold at AMA Warehouse are ECE tested & compliant and will protect you, as you get faster you should be looking at helmets that offer better technology.

Motocross Jersey & Pants:

Everyone wants the ‘lit kit’ award when turning up to the track and an MX Combo Is a great way to throw your own personal flair into your gear as they come in all different styles and colours. Riding motocross is notoriously hot and is considered as the most physically demanding sport in the world so it’s important to look into gear that has good ventilation features and is lightweight, especially in the Australian climate. All the gear we sell at AMA Warehouse will do the job, but obviously the more you spend the better the gear will be at ventilating the heat and the lighter it will be and can even come with additional features such as moisture wicking material.

Motocross Goggles:

Largely overlooked (no pun intended), goggles are an extremely important piece of equipment. Whether you’re in the trails or on the track, roost off the back of a dirt bike is no joke and having dirt and rocks thrown at your eyes at warp factor 10 would not be fun without being protected by goggles. More expensive goggles will offer easier lens swapping out features, better foam technology to stop sweat getting in your eyes and wider goggle straps with silicone lines that keep them locked in place. But making sure your eyes are protected is the main thing.

Motocross Gloves:

Your first point of contact with the motorcycle is your hands, and not having these guys covered will end with them getting cut up. Whether its friction from your handlebar grip or you tuck the front and land hands first, not having gloves over your palms and fingers are just going to lead to unnecessary pain. Glove prices vary and all though they all do the same job the more expensive gloves will be better fitting, use vented materials and have overall better protection for your hands.

Motocross Protective Gear:

Body armour, Braces, Guards and Collars all play a huge part in your overall safety. Body armour protects your chest from impacts, such as hitting the ground or getting pelted by roost off the back wheel of a 450. Knee Braces/Guards can potentially be the deciding factor on if you’re leaving the track with a sore knee or need an ACL reconstruction if you twist your knee. Protective gear is an essential and something to highly consider when looking at purchasing your motorcycle gear.

Check out our full breakdown of protective gear here.

Motocross Boots:

Here at AMA we stock a huge range of MX Boots. These are the second most important piece of equipment, after a helmet of course. Your feet are on sharp pegs that are very close to engines that are extremely hot and chains that are spinning very fast, which if you’re feet aren’t protected can lead to some really bad times. Now if you’re just getting into riding and not attacking the track, an entry level boot that doesn’t break the bank is a great option. When you start hitting those jumps and pushing the limit, a more expensive boot that has some ankle flexion and more support and protection is recommended. Boots should fit comfortably and shouldn’t be loose fitting or too tight, too loose and you run the risk of them flying off and if they’re too tight they’re going to be extremely uncomfortable.

Motocross Gear Bag:

So you’ve got your kit sorted, you’ve got the bike prepped and you’ve headed out to the track. You go to get your lit kit on and you’ve forgotten socks, one glove and your goggles – trust me it happens, we’ve all been there. This is where a Motocross Gear Bag comes in – a place to store your gear and make sure it’s all there and ready to go. Just make sure you’re cleaning your gear after every ride, riding in gear that has been soaked in sweat and stinks, out of your gear bag the next time you ride is anything but fun. Any Motocross Gear Bag will do the job, but your gear is already pretty heavy, with boots and helmets and all your protective gear so grabbing a bag with wheels makes your life a lot easier. Some bags even have built in change mats so your socks don’t collect all the grass on the ground before you shove them in your boots. A lightweight, robust MX Gear Bag is highly recommended.

Essential Motocross Accessories:

Now to make sure you’re absolutely ready for a day at the track, we recommend a couple of essential motocross accessories that’ll definitely come in handy.

A bike stand, whether a sturdy box stand or a convenient lift stand is a must have. Keeps you from having to lean your bike up next to your car or tree at the track and gives it a place to sit on at home.

If you’re transporting your bike to the track, you’ll need a pair of tiedowns – to make sure the bike stays secure in the back of the van/ute and a fork block to ensure you’re taking the strain off the forks when being transported.

An exhaust plug, is a huge necessity. Keeping unnecessary water from entering your exhaust and getting into the engine, when you’re washing your bike after a ride and lastly your toolbox is the home for where all your favourite tools should exist, it's handy and crucial to ensure you have all the correct tools no matter where you are. Tools such as, T-handle set, a screw driver set an air pressure gauge and pliers are a must have and essential to any moto toolbox – don’t forget those trusty zip ties either.