MXstore Riding Tips: Cornering

Cornering Like A Pro

In the world of Motocross, the exit of the turn begins on the entrance. Before approaching a corner, mentally visualise & select your lines, entry, apex & exit. Planning ahead and having a line in mind can help you execute a smoother corner & avoid making mistakes.

Proper body positioning is crucial. Stand on the balls of your feet on the pegs with your knees slightly bent gripping the bike. This is called the attack position. Keep your upper body forward, with elbows bent. Keep your eyes focused on the line you’ve chosen and where you want to exit the corner, not directly in front of you. This will help you balance & prepare you for the next section of the track. 

Entry

Set up for the corner as early as possible. Approach the corner in an attack position with an appropriate speed and engage your core. Going too fast can cause you to lose control while going too slow can affect your momentum. Having a braking point in mind will help you know when to start and finish your braking. Ideally, you will have completed your braking by the entrance and setup of the turn, allowing you to smoothly roll on the gas throughout the turn, allowing your bike to be settled through the corner.

Apex

As you enter the apex of the corner, move into the seated position with your inside leg out in line with your radiator shroud, and your toes pointing inward. Gradually apply the throttle, aiming to maintain momentum throughout the corner. By the time you reach the apex of the turn, your eyes should be focused on the exit.

Exit

As you move past the apex get on the throttle as early as possible but keep it smooth & gradual. Move your foot back to the pegs. This will keep you balanced & prepare you for the next section fast approaching.

Sand

Sand Corners require a different technique and depending on how rough the track is will determine your approach. Always look for the smoothest line & stand up throughout the corner and stay off the brakes as much as possible.

In a corner that has big rollers throughout it is best to stay standing the whole way with your knees slightly bent in attack position. This will help you maintain your balance & help prepare you for any time the bike moves from side to side through the soft sand. Keep your knees gripping the bike & look towards the exit of the corner with the throttle on.

In a not-so-rough sand corner start with your body positioning a bit further back to keep the weight off the front wheel, this will prevent your front wheel from tucking in the soft sand. Keep your momentum up & your body loose so you can make any adjustments when needed. Stay on the throttle with your eyes on the exit. 

Practice

Cornering is a skill that improves with practice and patience. Use these fundamentals & find a safe area to practice cornering techniques and experiment with different approaches to see what works best for you. Remember that mastering cornering takes time and dedication. Practising on a figure 8 track or corner track can help improve your skills dramatically. 

Learn from watching the pros

What better way to learn how to master cornering than to study the best? You can watch race replays on Youtube & focus on your favourite riders & how they attack different corners. Grab a piece of paper and write down what you notice from them. I guarantee you will improve by using this approach.