making myself a better woods rider
  • dobent4@yahoo.com
    Posts: 5039
    Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 6:21 pm

    by dobent4@yahoo.com » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:11 am

    Next, I am 6'4" and had a terrible time standing.

    You're getting some good advice, but remember there is a whole lot more to riding than simply learning how to ride standing , with elbows up, etc.,etc.
    First, note the 6'4" thing. My bike, since my height is an inch taller than that, has the high seat, lowered pegs(LOVE those FastWay F5's), taller bar, and all really help.
    However, to make my bike feel like Shane Watts's bike does to him, who is always preaching stand,stand,stand my bars would have to have a rise of 11 inches ! Now that aint happening.
    Also, there are a lot of riders who are known for having very effective sitting riding styles, as in sitting more than whatever the cutrrent trend is. One was Roger DeCoster (!), another Brad Lackey, another , from more modern times is guess who ? Another 6'4" rider, David Knight, who you will also find frequently riding with his elbows down (gasp!)
    Sure there are lots of times it's better to stand,where we need to be standing, my point is it isn't the only answer/ the only style any more than the myth of "elbows up" providing more control and better feel for all riders.
    My advice is get as fit as posible, ride as much as possible, and work on being as smooth as possible at all times. Wtch the pros rip through the tight stuff..their motors aren't screaming, they sound like they are in the classic 'gear high' mode whether on two stroke or four stroke bikes.
    For woods racing a steeering stabilzer is mandatory, a Rekluse is not.... unless you ever run a Hare Scramble with one. :lol:
    Good luck ! Doug
  • ry323
    Posts: 17
    Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 10:19 am

    by ry323 » Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:25 am

    thanks for all your help, I'm learning alot from hare scrambles, I sit when it is muddy and stand in the dry, it seems when it is muddy I like to have might feet ready to take weight if the bike wants to slide out from under me. I watch the better riders and it helps me to stay off the main path it is all tore up and has deep ruts, I feel alot more comfortable and I don't get tired as easy.
  • Ryan Obert
    Posts: 84
    Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 7:49 pm

    by Ryan Obert » Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:11 am

    i race harescrambles too and the biggest thing i noticed that helped was gettin in better shape. the longer you can push for the better. pick good lines and be smooth. try not to ride behind the guy ahead of you. you cant pass if you are following. like vcandito said figure out where you are faster sitting and standing. i noticed alot of times i will just be kind of on and off the gas instead of just staying in it the whole time. as for the starts, practice. when you feel you got it down do 50 more. the first lap in harescrambles (in my races anyways) really separates the top 5 from the rest

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