Important Leg Rules For Motocross Safety

A fantastic illustration of motocross prowess is the picture of Roger DeCoster at Carlsbad revving his works Suzuki into the Mechanic's Turn. The Man's motorcycle is so far down that the clutch lever is pushing dirt, and his left leg is positioned so that it is like a snow ski cutting through a field of brown powder.

Although "foot out and sliding" is the definition of motocross coolness, a motocrosser's legs should not be used in this manner. If the traction is ideal, the rider's skill level is high enough, and the conditions are correct, any rider can get away with using his leg as a prop, ski, or tripod, but it's not a good idea to do so frequently.

To shift body weight forward, you should stick your inside leg out in a corner. The rider's hips are stabilised on the saddle as the leg is projected in the direction of travel.

Rules and regulations for legs in Motocross Safety:

• Rule 1: Straighten your leg in front of you (keeping it close to the centre line of the bike). Unless you want it ripped backwards, do not stick it out sideways like an outrigger.
• Rule 2: Avoid touching foot on the ground. Because the leg's balancing effect is lost when the foot touches the ground, the bike shifts from being balanced on two wheels to being supported on three points. The bike's balancing point is altered when it touches the ground.
• Rule 3: The legs act as a balance. It shouldn't in any way slide along the ground. If it touches the ground unintentionally, lift it up right away and try to hold it about four inches from the ground.
• Rule 4: Don't let your knee joint expand all the way. Always retain a modest bend in the knee to aid in shock absorption and to keep the joint flexible enough to permit withdrawal of the leg in the event that the bike tips over.
• Rule 5: Retract the outstretched leg straight back to the foot-peg as soon as the corner is finished. Do not dangle it or swing it backwards.
• Rule 6: Avoid your leg drawn behind the bike. You face the risk of tripping over your own leg, severely twisting your knee, or banging your ankle against the rear axle bolt if your foot is pulled towards the back of the bike.
• Rule 7: If your leg is stretched and the bike starts to roll out, you have two options: Using the throttle and brake controls, you can either (1) pull it back to the footpeg or (2) stomp your foot at a right angle to the bike in an effort to maintain it upright. Never extend your leg while the bike is sliding out because the handlebars will pull your upper thigh down (with your knee as the fulcrum point).

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