What's MX?

Motocross -  Motocross takes place on a man-made course built into naturally occurring terrain with some complex obstacles thrown in like high jumps. The motocross track is designed with inclines, jumps, and switch back curves that demand the rider to change gears and alternate their throttle method.  The track is laid out in an irregular pattern that causes the rider to shift between having to make left hand turns and right hand turns.  A motocross track takes over a large piece of land and they are very noisy.

Motocross is a physically demanding form of motorcycle sport and tests both riders and their machines; it is considered an extreme sport because of the speed and danger involved.  Not only does the sport become extreme because of the speed, but sometimes the riders are catapaulted six metres or more above the track.

In competitive motocross, riders compete in two races, or motos, with the outcome of both determining the overall winner. Each moto is 30 minutes plus two laps and the winner is whoever crosses the finish line first after the checkered flag is waved.

[sources: http://www.motosport.com/blog/the-difference-between-motocross-supercross-enduro-and-trials  http://www.ma.org.au/index.php?id=68  http://puremx.wordpress.com/2008/11/20/the-difference-between-supercross-and-motocross/


Motocross (MX) bikes –  are motorcycles designed for high-speed racing (ie. motocross) on rough terrain, racing circuits which are generally between 1.4 and 2.5 kilometres in length (ie. motocross tracks). Motocross bikes are high performance racing machines. They are not designed to be registered for road use. However, second hand MX bikes are commonly used for recreational trail riding [not on public roads] and if suitably modified, can be given recreational registration.[1]

Motocross bikes are high performance racing machines. They are not designed to comply with Australian Design Rules.  They are not subject to design noise standards. 

They are very different to road-registerable trail bikes, which are designed, and sold as new, with headlights, indicators, brake lights, tail lights and exhaust systems that comply with the Australian Design Rules.[2]

Motocross racing uses 450cc and 250cc bikes.

It is important in thinking about the proposed MX tracks at Adare, not to have in mind a road-registered trail bike, but to be thinking of multiple high performance racing machines.

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[1] Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)(2005). Trailbike Project Options Paper.  www.dse.vic.gov.au, downloaded 7 December 2014, p.7

[2] Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)(2005). Trailbike Project Options Paper.  www.dse.vic.gov.au, downloaded 7 December 2014, p.7