Enduro Racing

[turbo ute79]

Hey anyone else on here race enduro on dirt bikes. I have done a 2 day race with a mate the last few years and we are racing again first weekend in sept. Any tips on how to stop arm pump etc. Have been trying to get out on the bike as much as possible the last month. We always tape our hands up to stop blisters have salt tablets to stop cramps. Anyone has any tips would be good.

[turbo ute79]

Also feel free to tell stories of woe. We always seem to start on a bike each and end up riding one with wifey helping out fueling bikes in a Bathurst style rider change over, first year an exhaust fell off and last year we had 3 flat front tires on the one bike. Good fun though when it's all said and done and you are having a beer.

[PhilMeUp]

Also feel free to tell stories of woe. We always seem to start on a bike each and end up riding one with wifey helping out fueling bikes in a Bathurst style rider change over, first year an exhaust fell off and last year we had 3 flat front tires on the one bike. Good fun though when it's all said and done and you are having a beer.

Use Loctite 222 on everything.

If you don't want any flats, then look into fitting Bib Mouse tubes (ie solid rubber). Expensive, but no more flats. Otherwise, check with Ballards to see what the thickest possible tubes are and get them. If you're using tubes, there is no reason to go below 15psi.

If you're game, then only work on your bike at home with the tools in your bumbag (ie not your toolbox). Then you'll learn what tools to carry and you'll be able to do any repairs on the trail easier.

[PhilMeUp]

Mouse tubes: http://www.dirtbikeworld.net/forum/showthread.php?t=84173

[turbo ute79]

Yeah my mate is looking at them, bit out of his price range since his wife just had a new baby

[Guest XR09]

Arm pump really sucks. And can be bloody dangerous.

The two main causes of arm pump are squeezing the bars too tight and poor posture. And of course the old totally out of shape.

To help it.

1. Squeeze a tennis ball as much as you can leading up to the race. Like weeks before. While you are watching telly or something.

2. Take two asprins a day for a week leading up to the race.

4. Also really hydrate yourself leading up to the weekend. Try three liters of water a day.

5. Try and keep your arms flat and don't grip to hard. Take a lot of the strain with your knees into the shrouds. Lean into your acceleration. Keep a good posture.

If all else fails get a steering damper. Not a fan of them in the dirt. But they do help.

Michelin make good mousse tubes. Bloody dear though. I use their heavy duty tubes and rarely suffer a flat.

Edited 26/08/11 01:21 AM by XR09

[turbo ute79]

What do the aspirin do? I always drink as much water as I can in the days leading up. I do a lot of forearm stretches too. Also have a practice loop similar to what we race on and I have noticed big improvements. I think time on the bike is the best thing. What bikes do you guys ride.

[Guest XR09]

Yup definitely time on the bike helps.

Squeezing a tennis ball really builds up your grip strength which helps a lot.

Asprin thins the blood a bit.

Arm pump is not enough blood flowing out through the carpel tunnel. And lots of oxygen rich blood flowing in. Which causes a build up of lactose acid. Which causes instant arm fatigue. Arm pump.

Mate I would also check your bike set up. Bar reach and height. Lever positions so forth. If you do most of your riding standing up then set up the bike for standing up. This can help big time.

Also suspension stiffness. If your doing a two three or four hour endo then go a bit softer on your set up.

I have an old 03 KTM 525 and it beats me up big time. I usually only pull the thing out a few times a year. And yeah I will have arm pump within an hour. If I am on the Moto track then more like four laps if it's all rutted.

Is this the Enduro on the way out to Nebo ????

[turbo ute79]

Nah it's couttsies 2 day, about half hr north of rocky. I ride 10 kxf450. I'm a skinny bloke so I gotta be real smooth. It's a brilliant bike for open flat track and motocross but the motor is too responsive for a mortal like me in the bush. I have made quite a few changes in the last few weeks and it's way better than the setup I had for it last year. If I get time I'm goin to drop it into the shop next week so they put a softer tune in.

[Guest XR09]

Not too much they can do unless you go a WORX or power commander ECU over ride.

Is it an EFI ???

If not your could go out a qtr turn on your mixture to take the edge off the power delivery.

Best way is to sort of throw yourself forward with the acceleration. It takes the G's out of it and makes it easier to handle. Have to on the 525 or it throw the front wheel skyward in the first three gears.