Dirt Bike Gear Checklist
There’s no stress like it being race day and not being 100% sure that you remembered to bring EVERYTHING. That’s why I’ve created this dirt bike gear checklist to make sure every race day goes as smoothly as possible.
scroll to bottom for printable dirt bike gear checklist
Being a moto-family with 4 kids plus a husband that races already takes a toll on the mind and body. So the last thing I need to worry about is “Did I remember to bring all the dirt bike outfits? Is the chest protector in the gear bag? I REALLY HOPE THE NUMBER PLATES ARE ALL HERE!” Nothing is worse than being in charge of bringing a certain something and that thing not being there. Like the time someone forgot the Strider bike to the Strider race but who’s really keeping track, ya know. 😉
When it comes to getting prepped for a dirt bike weekend, you can bet something is missing if we didn’t use the checklist. It took months until both Moto Dad and I finally said “we really need to write this stuff down”.
So like most people, I went to Google to find us the perfect checklist, only to find that nothing really worked for all the different types of races our family does. Because the Motocross dirt bike gear checklist isn’t what we needed for a Hare and Hound. And a Strider bike checklist wasn’t what we need for a Timed Enduro and so on.
…What we needed was a special dirt bike gear checklist for each type of race or event.
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The Ultimate Dirt Bike Gear Checklist
What we needed was a dirt bike checklist for every type of race, but I also didn’t want 10 different checklists to keep track of. So I created the ULTIMATE DIRT BIKE GEAR CHECKLIST. *cue dramatic theme music*
Because in one day, we could be doing up to 3 different types of dirt bike races. The 2 year old starts off on the Strider, then 2 of the kiddos will be doing a couple Stacyc races, and a couple more could be doing a moto race. Or if we do a Timed Enduro, they allow all types of bikes from quads, to pw50’s, to striders, to stacycs, and anything in between but then everyone also needs a stop watch and Motodad needs a roll chart (and now Momma needs a nap). You see how things can get pretty chaotic here?
WHAT ARE ALL THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIRT BIKE RACES?
The coolest thing about choosing dirt biking as your sport is that there’s something for every kind of rider.
MX Dirt Bike Races
- Motocross: This is probably the most popular style of dirt bike racing out there. Spectators are able to see all parts of the race so you get excitement at all times. You’ll usually see the newest bikes, the coolest graphics, and the most decked-out riders here. I’ve heard this style of racing called “the city people race” whereas a typical Desert race is usually referred to as a “bumpkin” or “country folk race”.
- Minicross: Basically, a motocross race but for kids. The usual format is a 4 – 5 lap race with the older kids getting a 2-MOTO format. 2-MOTO format means the kids will first do a 5 lap race as a qualifier then do another 5 lap race to determine the winner. The 2-moto format varies depending on which circuit you are joining. Some circuits combine the 2 races for an overall score. And some dirt bike circuits only score the second race: which means the first race is just a practice.
Desert Dirt Bike Races
- Hare and Hound: These are loooooong races held in the desert. For the adults, the races are 2 separate loops that range between 30 – 40 miles and done on different days. For the kids, the race lasts 30 minutes for 50cc’s, an hour for 65cc’s, and an hour & 1/2 for the rest of the bigger bikes. The point is to complete as many laps as possible within the time frame.
- Sprint Enduro: This type of race can seem a bit confusing at first. It’s a great race to start with if it’s your first time racing because each racer is sent off the starting line ONE AT A TIME. Lot’s of parents appreciate this style because your rider won’t get caught in the take-off traffic.
The sport of dirt bikes has over 15 different styles of racing so one dirt bike gear checklist doesn’t work for all of them.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIRT BIKE RACES continued…
- Timed Enduro: I would describe this racing style as being a dirt bike themed scavenger hunt. If you’re good at math or want something to do as a family that isn’t going to be hard on your bike and body, but still requires skill, then this is the race for you. Like the Sprint Enduros, each rider is sent off ONE RIDER AT A TIME but THIS IS NOT A SPEED RACE. It’s not about how fast you can finish the course. Instead, this race wants to know, can you do the course exactly the way the Master Time Keeper has told you to do it. For the kids, they just have to hit the check points when the minute is at 30 seconds. We love doing these races because even our 2 year old can do one. For the dirt bike babies, they just have to maintain the same pace as their 1st lap.
- Grand Prix: This is a combination of Motocross and Desert Racing where a motocross track and off-road track are combined to make one course. There also usually aren’t as many big jumps which are typical in motocross racing.
- Stacyc Races: With Stacyc bikes becoming so popular, lots of tracks have added an electric bike course and lots of dirt bike racing programs have included them in their events. These are set up like a Mini Cross but as a 1 MOTO format.
- Strider Races: Can you say cuteness overload?!!! These races are for the future dirt bike or BMX racers of the world. Most BMX tracks will include a Strider race but you can find a dirt bike program that will put one on every now and then.
Race Programs
If you’re in the U.S. the best way to find a race near you is by going to the American Motorcyclist Association website and if you’re in Europe then FIM will be your site.
How to use the Dirt Bike Gear Checklist
scroll to bottom for printable dirt bike gear checklist
This checklist was designed for moto families with multiple riders so the “R” in r1, r2, r3, r4, r5, and r6 stands for “rider”. If you’re a single rider, then the “r” could stand for “race” and be used for multiple events to save on paper. There are 2 versions of the checklist included.
- Version 1: This has everything on one page for those of us that want it all in one place but the font is pretty small and might be difficult for some people to read.
- Version 2: This option has the exact same material as the 1st version but it is in much larger print so that it is easier on the eyes. Since it’s much larger, it had to be divided into 2 pages. Just set your printer to print double sided if you still only want one page to worry about.
Let’s Connect!
Each section has blank spaces in each category for you to be able to add any custom items you may want/need. If you feel there are things I forgot to add to the list that most people would benefit from, please leave a comment within the blog post and will add it in.
The “additional items” sections are things you would only need during very specific weather or type of race. For example, in the summer time, it wouldn’t be necessary to bring a rain jacket. Or if you’re racing a motocross event then you wouldn’t need a stopwatch.
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Included Coloring Pages in the Dirt Bike Gear Checklist
Dirt bike themed coloring pages are included for nothing more than simply something your littles (or bigs) will love to color on. Print them out for free, or dont 🙂
The 2 versions of the dirt bike gear checklist and 4 coloring pages are all included in 1 digital download. Scroll to bottom to download your free printables.
SHOP THIS POST: Our Favorite Dirt Bike Gear
- durable seat covers: GUTS racing inc.
- goggles: FlowVision Company
- custom jersey/pants: Canvas Mx
- affordable boots: Oneal Racing
- gear bag: Ogio Powersports
- rad looking moto gear: FXR moto
- communication system: Cardosystems
- healthy pre workout: ARMA sport
- moto products: Risk Racing
- air filters: Twin Air Filters
- knee braces: Asterisk
- graphics kits: Backyard Designs
- hand guards: Cycra
- after market parts: AfterMarket Minis
- helmets: 6D
- youth chest protector: Troy Lee
- toddler chest protector: Leatt 2.5
- baby’s 1st bike: Strider bike
- electric balance bike: Stacyc bike
- full face toddler helmet
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