TRAIL TIPS
GRASS TRACK
LINE SELECTION
Picture the circuit as a big road race track:
there are no jumps, minimal obstacles and
keeping your momentum is very important, not
only for racing but also to have the most fun
on the track. You want to enter the turn from
the outside and fi nish your braking before you
start to turn. Once you’re comfortable riding
grass tracks you’ll be able to push your braking
later and later into the turn. Avoid turning in
too early; you want to get to the inside of the
turn at a point where you can roll the throttle
on. A common mistake is reaching the apex too
early. Once lines form, try to fi nd the smoothest
line that will set you up best for the next turn
and allow you to keep the most momentum
possible. If you’re riding for the fun factor,
keep your eye out for big loam berms that startto push up on the outside of the turns. As the
grass gets worn away, the dirt pushes to the
outside of the turn and creates a nice, thick
loam berm ready to be demolished. It’s not the
fastest way around but it’s a damn lot of fun and
makes for a sweet photo.FLAT TURNING
As most turns on a grass track are fl at turns,
it’s important to have your body position correct.
You want to weight the outside of the bike when
you’re turning. The bike will still need to lean
to turn but you are trying to keep your body on
top of the bike, pushing weight into the outside
foot peg and keeping your outside elbow up and
bent. You want to be nice and smooth on the
throttle, too; select a gear that will allow you
to get through the turn without having to shift.Work on being able to use one smooth roll on of
the throttle — you should be able to avoid having
to have two or three goes at applying the throttle.
Every time you are on and off the gas there is a
lot of weight being transferred around and the
bike won’t settle. Try to keep it nice and smooth
and then the bike will turn much better and
you’ll fi nd it easier to control and stay on the line
you want.MUST-HAVES
Grass tracks are often very hard on brakes. An
oversized rotor and maybe a braided brake line
will help. Most tracks are best suited to a soft
to intermediate compound tyre and handguards
are a must. A chest protector doesn’t go astray
either — if you’ve ever copped a rock from a 450
at top gear you’ll know why.GRASS TRACK
Quite ot en as a trail rider you’ll get the chance to ride a grass track or at least
sections of one. Riding grass tracks or natural terrain tracks is great fun and
allows you to approach things a little di erently to a regular motocross track
STORY SHANE BOOTH PHOTOGRAPHY MATT BERNARD