The Truth About The 50

Today we're talking about the 50cc dirt bike. Let’s start by saying something important: the 50 is not a real race bike. It’s more like a "super pit bike." Don't panic! I’m going to explain what I mean, but it’s not a full race bike. Here's why:

• No clutch.
• No gears.

The 50cc bike is mostly about learning the basics like throttle control, jumping, and braking. But it doesn’t have the clutch or gearbox that real race bikes do. The 50 is the beginning and the end of one chapter in the world of motocross, not necessarily the start of a career. It’s a super important chapter for beginners, but it’s the foundation, not the start of racing at the highest level.

When you start out on bikes like the Stacyc, Strider, or PW 50, you're learning basic riding skills. The Cobra or KTM 50, while bigger and more advanced, is still an automatic, and you're still not using the clutch or shifting gears. The real "racing bike" chapter begins when you move up to a 65cc with a clutch and gearbox. That’s when you start taking off on the start line with a clutch, and that’s the next step on your way to big bikes and bigger races.

So, think of the 50 as the beginning and end of a chapter where you’re learning the basics of riding and building your skills. The real race journey starts when you get to the 65cc. But even though it's not the start of racing, the 50 is super important. It’s the foundation for everything else to come. You need to focus on building skills first, and the results will come later.

1. Choose New Experiences
   When you're starting out, always try to experience new things. Whether it's riding a new bike, trying a new track, or facing a new challenge, always push to experience as much as possible. It will help you grow as a rider and make you ready for bigger challenges later on.
2. Ride Different Bikes
   If you can, try out as many different 50cc bikes as possible. Don’t just stick to one. Each bike feels different, and learning how to ride different bikes makes you more adaptable and skilled. I’ve seen kids race on a lot of different bikes and do amazing things because they’ve had that experience.
3. Travel to Different Tracks
   It's super important to race at different tracks in different areas. Different dirt, different weather, and different elevations all make a big difference. The more you get out there and race at different places, the better prepared you’ll be.
4. Work with Different Coaches
   Don’t just stick with one coach in the beginning. Get advice from different coaches with different experiences. The more knowledge you gather, the faster you’ll improve. Coaches who used to be pros have great advice, and their tips can really help you learn faster.
5. Get on a Supercross Track
   As soon as possible, get on a supercross track. If you can, even build a mini replica supercross track at home. Learning to ride on a track with jumps, whoops, and tight corners will teach you important skills for the future. Supercross racing is a big part of motocross, so it’s great to start learning that feel early.
6. Start Racing a 65cc as Soon as You Can
   If you’re big enough, get on a 65cc bike and start learning the clutch and gears. This chapter might seem tricky at first, but the sooner you start, the faster you’ll master it. And when you can, race as often as you can. The more time you spend on the gate, the better.
7. Focus on Gate Drops, Not Just Riding
   It’s not just about riding around the track; it’s about dropping the gate and racing. Learning how to race and handle the pressure of a start is super important, and the more gate drops you do, the better you’ll get.
8. Don’t Spend Too Much Money Early On
   It's easy to get caught up in buying the best equipment, but it’s better to spend your money on experiences. Focus on getting your kid as much track time as possible instead of spending it all on fancy gear. In the long run, this will help them develop much faster.
9. Start Building a Brand
   Racing is about more than just riding—it's about building your brand. Create a social media profile for your rider and make them look cool! This is a fun part of racing, and you can make your rider stand out with great photos and videos of their racing. But don’t get too obsessed with looking like a pro too early. Keep it real and focus on the experience.
10. Race Indoor and Night Races
    Arena cross and other night races are super important. They help you get used to racing in tight, crowded tracks with fans around. This is the kind of racing you'll do when you're older, so it's great to get used to that feeling as early as possible.
11. Push Skill, Not Speed
    At this early stage, it’s more important to build skills than to just focus on speed. If you focus on skills, the speed will come later. Trying to go fast before you have the skills will lead to crashes. Instead, focus on learning good techniques first, and you’ll be amazed at how fast you become when you get the skills down.
12. Winning is Fun, But It’s Not Everything
    Winning is great, and it’s fun to be the best, but don’t make it the most important thing. Learning is the key, and if you keep that mindset, you’ll have a much better time on your journey. Focus on enjoying the ride, and the results will come later.

Remember, the 50cc bike is just the beginning of your journey. It’s a fun and important chapter, but it's not where the racing career ends. Build your skills, have fun, and focus on the foundation. When you’re ready, the next chapter on bigger bikes will be waiting for you.