The first thing you need to know is what an "AMA Age" is. A racers age on January 1st dictates what class he/she will race for the year. If you are 8 years old on January 1st, you will race in the 8 year old class, even if you turn 9 on January 2nd. If you turn 9 in November or December, you will race the 8 year old class against racers who turn 9 in January and February.
Is it fair? Not really, especially in the beginning. But many champions in the sports history (Ricky Carmichael, Ryan Dungey, Ryan Villopoto, and Eli Tomac) were born in the later months of the year, so it's important to remove this idea from your racing mindset.
Understanding your AMA age is very important. Navigating amateur racing can be difficult, but once you understand the different chapters you'll know where and how to put your resources.
Let’s learn, have fun, and fall in love with riding!
Hey there, future motocross star! If you're between 4 and 7 years old, you’re right at the start of your dirt bike adventure. This is the beginning of your long journey in racing—and it’s going to be awesome!
But before we jump into the fun stuff, make sure you've already watched the AMA Age & How It Works video. That one sets the stage for everything we’ll talk about here. Go watch it if you haven’t—then come back here!
AMA 4 to AMA 7: The “Plant the Seed” Years
These early years are all about learning and having fun. You're probably riding a 50cc bike right now—no gears, no clutch, just twist the throttle and go! That’s perfect for learning. But here’s the big message:
No pressure. No expectations. Just fun.
These aren’t the years for stressing over trophies. It's about learning how to:
It’s totally okay to want to win, but it’s even more important to enjoy the ride. This is the chapter where you and your family are just getting started. You're "planting the seed" for your future in racing.
Parents, This One's for You Too!
You’re learning the sport too! Watch videos, listen to podcasts, and ask questions. The more YOU learn, the better you can help your rider.
Tip: Travel! Go to different tracks, different states, and meet different riders. It helps your kid grow and makes the journey exciting. Also, try out all the bikes—PW, electric, Cobra, KTM—ride them all!
Get Coaching Early
Yes, even at 4–7 years old, coaching matters. It’s not about finding "the best" coach—see as many as you can! They all see different things that can help you improve.
Make sure your coaches are USMCA certified—that means they’re trained and safe.
Indoor Racing = Supercross Training
Want to race Supercross someday? Then start racing indoors now. ArenaCross and fairgrounds races are perfect. Tight tracks, loud fans, and racing at night—this is where it all begins!
Okay, AMA 8 is your last year on 50s. It’s okay to start getting serious now.
Even the best riders have off days. Don’t get upset after a bad race. Instead, learn from it and move on. It’s still about fun and progress.
Pro Tip: Start riding a 65 in this year too. Learning to use a clutch and shift gears is super important—and the earlier you start, the better!
If you can only have two bikes: one 50 and one 65 is better than two 50s. Switching between them helps you become a better, smarter rider.
AMA 9: Your First Big Year
Welcome to the 65 class! This is where things start to heat up. In AMA 9, almost everyone is riding 65s—and that means you’re finally racing with kids your age on similar bikes. It’s called a "pinch point" year because you all come together in the same class.
This is where you'll start to see who your long-term competitors might be. Some of the top pros like Eli Tomac, Malcolm Stewart, and Justin Barcia all raced together in AMA 9—and they all started at Loretta Lynn's!
What to Focus on in AMA 9:
Time to Try the 85
By the end of AMA 9, if you’re big enough, start riding the 85—even if it’s not your race bike yet. It’s a new challenge, and it helps you prepare for what’s next.
Big Races? Let’s Go!
Whether it’s Loretta’s, Ponca, Mini O’s, Freestone, or Mammoth, try to attend 2 or 3 nationals this year. You don’t need to win—just go for the experience. It’ll make you better and more confident when you come home and race locally.
Final Reminders:
If you haven’t gone through the AMA 4–9 info yet, go check that out first! Even though you're older now, there are still important lessons in those years that can help you now. You may have missed something—or done something great back then—that still matters now!
AMA 10 – Your First Big Choice
This is a big year because it’s when riders start making real choices about what kind of bike to ride. Some of your friends might move up to an 85cc, while others stay on their 65cc. Most kids stick with the 65, but if you're growing fast or getting bigger, it might be time to think about moving up.
Things to think about at AMA 10:
Cool tip: If you stay on the 65 in your AMA 10 year, you can still win big races. In fact, it’s easier to win the 65cc (10–11 class) when you're 10 than when you're 8 trying to race older kids. So, don’t worry—there’s no wrong path!
AMA 11 – Learn to Win or Start the Climb
Alright, now you're 11. This is another tricky year where riders split up again. Some kids are already on the 85 full-time, while others are still racing the 65.
What should you do?
Real-life examples: Riders like Easton Graves and Jackson Vick stayed on the 65 during their AMA 11 year, even though some of their friends moved up. They kept winning, got better at racing, and when they finally moved up, they were even stronger. It worked out great for them!
Just remember:
AMA 12 – The Beginning of Real Racing
Now you're 12—and everyone’s on the 85. There’s no more 65 racing for your age group. This is a big moment. It’s the last time you’ll race kids your exact age before everyone splits up into different classes and paths.
What’s happening in AMA 12:
Heads up:
Final Advice for AMA 10–12 Riders
You're in the middle years now, and things are starting to feel more real. Enjoy the ride, learn as much as you can, and always keep the fun alive!
You've been training, racing, learning, and building your skills for years. Now it’s career time. The AMA 13 to AMA 20 years are the real deal. This is when racing gets serious, tougher, more expensive, but also way more rewarding. This is when riders either make their mark—or learn what it really takes to try.
Welcome to the Chaos: Ages 13–14
Ages 13 and 14 are a wild time. Why? Because everyone grows at different speeds. Some riders are getting taller and stronger fast, while others are still waiting to hit their growth spurt. This makes racing kind of messy—and that’s totally normal.
This is the time when riders start to spread out into different bike sizes and classes. It’s no longer just about your age. It’s about what bike fits you best and which one you can race the best.
You might be:
You might not race the same kids you’ve been around your whole life anymore. Everyone starts going different directions depending on their body, strength, and maturity. That’s okay. That’s how it works.
Pro Mentality Starts Now
No matter what bike or class you’re in, this is the time to start thinking like a pro.
You’re still a kid, sure. But it’s time to start acting like a mini pro. The winners at this age usually go on to do big things.
The Bike > Your Age
This is important: From here on out, it’s not about your age. It’s about your bike.
If you fit an 85, stay on it. If you fit a 125, ride that. If you’re big enough for a 250 and you're ready, go for it. Don’t rush just because someone else did. Ride the bike that fits you best and gets you the best results.
What About Supermini?
Some kids love it. Some don’t. It’s fast and fun, but expensive and kind of a weird in-between step. If you can skip it and go straight from 85 to 125, that’s awesome. But if Supermini is the right size and fit for you, go win it. There’s no one “right way.”
At Loretta Lynn’s 2024, there were 14-year-olds racing:
All were the same age, but in totally different classes. That’s normal. They’ll all come back together on the Futures and Combine gates later.
Age 15 – The Big Reunite
By AMA 15, most riders end up on the 250. It’s a great bike—fast, reliable, and what you’ll ride for most of your racing career.
The 250 Limited class is especially awesome. It’s a level playing field with similar bikes and real competition. This is usually the year where you start saying: “Hey, I’m here. Watch out.”
But if you’re not there yet physically—no problem. If you need to stay back on 125 or Supermini a bit longer, that’s totally okay. Some great riders took that path too, like Justin Cooper and Levi Kitchen. They went a little slower through the steps, then BOOM—took off later and crushed it.
Age 16–20: This is Your Window
AMA 16 to 20 is your prime window to go big. You don’t have to be a star at 16 or 17. You might hit your best stride at 18 or even 20. This is your chance to:
Every race matters. Treat them all like it’s the final round.
Welcome to the A Class & Turning Pro
This is where it really levels up. The A class, Futures, and Combines are where everyone is watching. If you want a factory ride and to go pro right out of amateurs, you’ve got to:
But that’s just one path. Some riders don’t go that route and still make it big—like Justin Brayton or Cameron McAdoo. They didn’t win the big amateur races, but they still made it as top pros.
Other Pro Paths: Local Races, ArenaCross & More
When you turn A or pro, you can race:
You’ll race against older guys who need the money—and they’ll push back. They don’t like the “spoiled amateur kid” coming up and beating them. It’s all part of the game. Learn from it, get tougher, and keep winning.
Final Word: It’s Time to Win
From AMA 13 and up, everything changes. But the most important change is in your mindset. If you want to make it, start thinking and working like a winner. Whether you're still on minis or racing the A class, remember: It’s time to win.
You’ve got a long road ahead. But if you stay focused, stay tough, and ride your own path—you’ve got a shot at making your racing dreams come true.
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