Motocross- The best sport ever!!!!

After Market: Any bike part that isn't factory built. (Doesn't come on factory bike.)

Amateur: Any rider not on the professional level. i.e. beginner, novice, intermediate, expert

Attack Position: The body position a rider has when he is accelerating or air bourne.

Backward Falling Gate: Starting gate that falls towards the riders.

Bail: A bundle of hay. Also, a rider that purposely ditches the bike to avoid injury.

Banging Bars: Is when you and an opponent are having an intense battle for position and there may be contact involved.

Bark busters: For riding in dense tree areas, metal pieces on handlebars that protect hands from trees.

Bar Pad: The protection device made of foam found on the crossbar of the handlebars.

Bars: Handlebars.

Basket case: An old bike which probably does not run. Often many engine and transmission parts have been removed and are either missing or stored in the trunk or a "basket".

Beginner: The lowest amateur skill level of racing. Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Expert

Berm: A berm is the built up outside edge of a corner on the track.

Big bike open: A racing class. Any skill level rider that rides a bike 125cc and above can enter.

Big bikes: Any dirtbike that is 125cc or larger.

Big Wheel: Any motocross bike that is bigger than an 80, but smaller than a 125. This term usually refers to the Kawasaki 85cc big wheel and the newer 100cc bigwheel.

The Bike Died: Any time the bike's engine stops running unintentionally.

Black Flag: The disqualification flag. If you see this flag, you are automatically scored in last place.

Block pass: Racing term. Used when one rider passes by aggressively cutting in front of another. In some cases, physical contact is made .

Blue flag, Yellow stripe: Shown to a rider who must move over as he is being lapped by a faster rider.

Blue Groove: When the dirt on the track is very dry and hardpacked and it appears blue or black from the rubber worn off of tires.

Bobble: When a rider falls or makes a mistake while riding.

Bogging down: When you are trying to accelerate and your bike is not in the power band.

Bottomed Out: When a bike's shocks are completely compressed due to a hard landing.

Brain Fade: Occurs when a rider has not trained properly, causing him to lose mental stamina while racing. Riders with brain fade lose energy and feel worn out, not wanting to ride 100% for the entire race.

Brake check: Racing term. Front rider quickly applies brakes, causing back rider to slow down or possibly rear end the front rider.

Brake Slide: When you enter a corner and the back tire slides out due to locking up the back brake.

Braking Bumps: Places on track just before corners where riders have continually used brakes, creating small bumps.

Came in Hot: Racing term. When rider carries a high amount of momentum into a corner.

Came Up Short: When a rider fails to completely clear an obstacle.

Camelback: A jump built into the track. One bigger ramp in the center of two smaller ramps.

The Card: A rectangular board, usually a pit board, used by the starter to countdown to the start of the race. When the starter turns the board sideways, the riders know that the gate will drop within five seconds.

Case: 1. The bike transmission. 2. When the rider misjudges the distance of a jump and the bottom of the bike hits the ground.

Catapult: A steep jump that allows rider to gain a lot of height.

CC: Stands for cubic centimeters. A metric form of measurement used to measure the volume of the amount of oil in the gear box and the amount of space in the cylinder. This determines the size of the motorcycle. ie: 125cc

Charging a Corner: When a rider approaches a corner very quickly and aggressively.

Checkered flag: Waved by track official to signal the end of the race.

Class: Division of skill levels between riders.

Compress: Technical style of ramp jumping in which the rider utilizes the suspension to jump higher. (detailed description in school)

Concrete Start: Starting pad that is made of concrete.

Conditions: The state that the track is in--muddy, tacky, or hardpacked.

Dash for Cash: A race held during intermission at some events where riders pay to enter and the first place finisher wins all of the entry fees.

Dead Sailor: When a rider jumps over a freestyle jump and does not attempt a trick.

Decompress: Technical style of ramp jumping where the rider tries to stay as low as possible over the jump so that he can get back on the ground as soon as possible.

Ditch the Bike: When a rider for any reason jumps off his bike.

DNF: Scorekeeping term, stands for "did not finish".

DNS: Scorekeeping term, stands for "did not start". As in the rider did not start the race.

Docked a Lap: When for any reason a rider is penalized by losing a lap on the field. Could be caused by double jumping on a yellow flag.

Double jump: Jump made of two ramps. Rider should clear both ramps and land on the downside of the second.

Down hill: The downward sloping area of a track.

Drop the clutch: When a rider quickly lets out the clutch.

Dust Bowl: When the track is very dusty and causes limited vision for riders.

Endo: When rider pitches forward at an angle on bike. Could lead to a face plant.

Expert: The highest skill level of amateur racing. Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Expert

Face Mask: Plastic piece connected to the helmet that protects the face from dirt and debris. Old school.

Face plant: When rider crashes and lands on his face.

Fade: When a rider gets worn out and drops back in the field.

Finesse: When the rider lets the bike work for him to be as smooth as possible in his technique.

First turn: The first corner in the track following the drop of the gate. Also the point where the holeshot is determined.

Flagger: Track workers that are placed on the side of the track and look for hazards on course such as crashes or animals. When a hazard is spotted they wave a yellow flag.

Forward Falling Gate: Starting gate that falls away from the riders.

Four stroke: An engine requiring two complete revolutions of the crankshaft to fire each piston once. The first stroke down (intake stroke) pulls fuel and air into the combustion chamber. The second stroke up (compression stroke) compresses the mixture. The third stroke down (power stroke) comes about through the rapid burning of the compressed fuel mixture. The fourth stroke up (exhaust stroke) expels the exhaust gases from the cylinder. It is also called the "Otto cycle."

Frame Guard: A metal or plastic piece that attaches to the frame above the foot pegs. It protects the frame from wear and tear.

Freestyle: Style of riding in which riders perform tricks over jumps.

Freestyle Ramps: A jump that is specifically designed to perform tricks.

Freestyle Track: A track with jumps that are specifically designed to perform freestyle tricks on.

Front end washes out: When the front end of the bike slides sideways due to loss of traction while in motion. Can cause a crash.

Front Number Plate: Plastic piece on the front of the bike used to block debris and display racing number.

The Gate: Refers to the starting gate or the gate which encloses the entire track grounds.

The Gate Opens: The designated time that the track grounds are open to the public.

Goggles: Eye protection used by motocross racers.

Going Big: When a rider jumps especially high on a ramp.

Goon: An outdated, inappropriate, dangerous, or squarely rider. AKA: Spode, Nerd, Dork, Squirrel

Grab holes: Holes found under the seat which freestyle riders use to hold on to the bike when doing certain tricks.

Graphics: Stickers on the plastic of the bike used for looks and advertisement.

Green flag: Held by a track worker on the finish line to indicate to riders that the first lap of the race has been completed.

Grips: Rubber pieces which cover the ends of the handlebars. Provide traction and impact absorption.

Hand guards: Plastic covers connected to the front of handlebars which protect rider's hands from dirt and debris.

Hardpack: Track condition in which the ground is dry and firm.

High side: When a rider loses balance on a turn and tips towards the outside of the turn, causing him to crash.

Holeshot: The rider in the lead around the first turn at the start of the race.

Idle: The engine speed when the vehicle is not moving. The engine's slowest practical speed.

Indoor: Any event held inside a stadium or covered arena, out of the elements.

Inside line: Part of the track that is on the inner curve of a turn.

Intermediate: The amateur skill level of racing just below expert. Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Expert

Jump-off Contest: Any type of jumping competition.

Jump the Gate: When a rider takes off before the starting gate drops and possibly becomes caught.

Kick it Over: When you attempt to kick start a bike.

Kicker: A short jump that has a sharp angle to the ground on the launch. Kicker jumps are notorious for bucking riders over the bars.

Knobby: A tire.

Lap: One full run around a track that ends at the finish line.

Lapper: A rider that gets a full lap behind in a race.

Last Chance Qualifier: (LCQ) In the main event style racing format this is the last opportunity for the racer to advance to the main event.

Line: This describes the path of the motorcycle as a rider goes through a section of track or around a turn. Riders think hard about the best lines to take, lines that can be used for passing, and lines to be used later in a race when the track surface has changed.

Look back: When a rider glances behind him to assess where the other racers are in relation to him. Also can be a freestyle trick done by a goon.

Loopout: When a rider is in the air and the front end goes too high. Can cause panic rev or a crash. Can be corrected by tapping the back brake.

The Main: (Main Event)

Marbley: Track condition. When the track consists of small clots of dirt that are dry and hard.

Mini: Another name for an 80cc dirt bike or an 80cc racing class.

Modified: Any bike that has after market parts on it or has had work done on the engine or suspension. This is also a racing class where only modified bikes may enter.

Moto: A single race.

Motoing: A moto in wich a racer has a good race with flow.

No Handed Landing: A freestyle trick in which a rider takes both of his hands off the bars and lands the bike with them still off.

Nose: Term used when a rider jumps a ramp and lands on the front wheel first.

Novice: An amateur skill level of racing just after beginner. Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Expert

Off Camber: A turn where the outside of the curve is sloped downward.

On the pipe: When a rider or bike is going very fast. This expression refers to when a dirt bike's two-stroke engine is operating at optimum rpm. Exhaust pipes for these motorcycles are designed to work best at certain engine speeds. When a motorcycle is on the pipe, it is running at the rpm that gives maximum horsepower.

Over rev: When a rider hold the bike wide open in a lower gear.

Outdoor: Refers to races held outside in the elements.

Over25: A class of racing for people over 25 years old.

Over30: A class of racing for people over 30 years old.

Over40: A class of racing for people over 40 years old.

Over50: A class of racing for people over 50 years old.

Over60: A class of racing for people over 60 years old.

Paddle Tire: Tire that is used for riding in the sand.

Panic rev: The typical reaction when a frightened rider sees that his front end is low in the air. Can sometimes bring the front end up. If you hear this at the track, look quick cause you'll probably see a crash!

Parade lap: Typically done by pros at larger events. The winner of the race takes an extra lap around the track for the fan's entertainment.

Peewee: A 50cc dirt bike, also a class of racing.

Pile up: A single crash in which multiple bikes are involved.

Pit Board: Board shown to riders during a race to motivate or send a message.

Pit riding: When a racer rides his bike or a pit bike through the pits, illegal at some events and tracks.

Pitched: When the bike or the rider is thrown awkwardly due to changes in the terrain.

Pits: Outer section of the race track where riders park their bikes when they are not racing.

Plastic: Refers to the radiator shrouds, fenders, side panels, and front number plate.

Play ride: A recreational form of riding that is not training for racing.

Practice: The time a rider spends on his bike preparing for a race. Also, a specific time set aside just before a race where riders can familiarize themselves with the track.

Pressure: Can refer to one rider riding closely behind another in a race to try to find a good opportunity to pass.

Pro: The highest skill level of racing. (Supercross and Nationals)

Purse: Prize money that the pros win when they win.

Race Sag: The amount that the seat drops when a rider sits on the bike. Used to correctly adjust suspension for rider's weight.

Ramp: Anything that a motorcycle can catch air off of.

Red flag: Held by workers on the finish line of the track to alert the riders that the race may be restarted and riders need to stop.

Riders meeting: The gathering of all of the riders at a race. Takes place right before the races begin to review any information riders may need before the race.

Riding Dirty: When a rider is deliberately inconsiderate or rude to other riders on the track. When a rider is known for taking out other riders.

Rhythm Section: A part of a track consisting of whoops that can be doubled, tripled or hit in all different sequences.

Roost: Dirt or debris thrown in the air from the force of a spinning rear tire.

RPM: Abbreviation for revolutions per minute. Indicates the amount of times the crank shaft turns in a minute.

Rut: An indention made in the track due to continuous riding.

Schoolboy: A class of racing in which any rider under the age of 16 may enter.

Semi: Racing class in the main event racing format. The race riders participate in if they did not make the main event in their heat race.

Side Panel: Plastic piece on both sides of the dirtbike that holds the rider's number.

Single: One ramp all by itself.

Ski jump: A jump with an especially long landing ramp which allows the rider to land on the ramp at any speed.

Spode: A rider that has no skill, but does not realize it and never improves. Typically can be found giving bogus advice to other riders.

Squid: An inconsistent and dangerous rider.

Squirrel: An inconsistent and dangerous rider.

Staggered gate: This occurs when track officials choose to run two races at once. They do this by starting the first race, putting the gate back up, and starting the second race. Usually the two races are still scored separately.

Staging: Area where riders gather to prepare to line up at the starting gate.

Stall: When the bike's engine stops running for any reason.

Starting Box: The box which holds the mechanism that drops the starting gate. Located in the middle of the starting line. Also known as the "dog house"

Static Sag: A term used when setting race sag. Also none as Free Sag. This is the measurement of how much the suspension droops without the rider and is one way of measuring whether the spring is too light or too stiff for the rider.

Steering Stop: Located on the lower triple clamp. Metal pieces that stop the front end from turning too far.

Step-up: A jump built into the track. Looks like a stairstep.

Stock: A motorcycle which has all factory parts and no after market parts. Also a class of racing in which only stock bikes may enter.

Stoked: Term used to describe excitement of a rider.

Stoppie: When a rider pulls in the front brake causing the bike to pitch forward into an endo-wheelie and continues moving.

Stuck in the Gate: When a rider takes off before the starting gate drops and becomes caught.

Studders: Multiple jumps in a row that are very little, like whoops, but smaller.

Stuffed: Term used when one rider passes another on a corner and forces him to the outside edge of the track.

Subframe: Metal piece on the bike connected to the frame that holds the air box, the side panels, the rear fender, and the seat.

Supercross: An American professional series race held indoors at a stadium. Tracks consist of larger jumps.

Supermini: A class of racing that only includes modified mini bikes.

Swap: When the back end of the bike jumps to the right and left, usually caused by bumps in the course.

Sweeper: A corner that is not sharp and riders can maintain speed around.

Swingarm: Metal piece connected to the rear axle and the frame that holds the rear wheel on.

T-Bone: When one rider runs directly into the side of another rider and usually takes them out.

Table top: A jump with a flat top. Object is to clear the flat area and land on the downslope of the far side.

Tacky: When the track is moist and sticky, it is referred to as being tacky, tires get good traction when the track is tacky.

Tap the back brake in the air: Jumping technique used when the front end is too high while the rider is in the air. Rider presses the back brake with the right foot which stops the rear tire and forces the front end to drop or raises the rear end.

Tapped Out: Refers to the top speed of each gear on the bike. For example: "I was tapped out in third."

Terrain: Ground fit for riding.

Timing: A term referring to rider's sense of judgement on landings and other skills.

Tire: Rubber piece attached to the rim that touches the ground. Used for traction and some impact absorption.

Took me out: Phrase used when one rider intentionally causes another rider to crash.

Transfer Position: In the main event racing format it is the selected heat, semi, and last chance qualifier positions that will let a rider continue into the main event.

Tread: The outside part of the tire which provides traction.

Trick: Freestyle maneuver.

Triple: Jump made of three ramps. Object is to clear all three and land on the downside of the farthest one.

True: When a rim is properly straightened. Can be adjusted by tightening the spokes on the wheels and needs to be done any time a rider spins the wheel and it wobbles.

Turn it Over: Term used whenever someone attempts to start a bike. Can be used to tell someone to kick start their bike.

Tweaked Bars: Handlebars that are bent from a crash.

Two stroke: A reciprocating engine cycle in which the piston takes over some of the valve functions in order to obtain a power stroke each revolution of the crankshaft. This involves the use of ports in the cylinders which are covered and uncovered by the movements of the piston. As the piston moves down, it clears these ports so that the exhaust gases can exit and a fresh charge of mixture can enter at the same time. In a typical two-stroke engine the fuel-air mixture enters the crankcase through a reed valve. When the piston is at the bottom of the cylinder a port is uncovered. As prior movement of the piston has compressed the mixture in the crankcase, it flows into the cylinder. Further compression in the cylinder starts as soon as the piston reverses and covers the ports. At the same time compression is occurring in the cylinder, movement of the piston has created a vacuum in the crankcase which draws a fresh charge of mixture from the carburetor into the crankcase. The compressed charge is fired as the piston reaches top dead center. As expansion of the burning charge forces the piston downward, the reed valve in the crankcase closes and the mixture in the crankcase is compressed. As the piston uncovers the ports at the bottom of the stroke, compressed mixture from the crankcase enters the cylinder again and is deflected by a baffle on the piston head into the outer end of the cylinder. This incoming fresh mixture then assists in pushing the burned gases out of the cylinder and the cycle is repeated.

Vent Hose: Tube connected to the gas cap which gives the gas tank proper ventilation.

Vet class: Class of racing where only racers age 50 and over may enter.

Vintage: Refers to a bike that is many years old. Also a class of racing where only vintage bikes may enter.

Visor Grind: A freestyle trick in which the rider touches his visor to the front fender.

Visor Grind Fender Grab: A freestyle trick in which the rider touches his visor to the front fender and grabs the front fender at the same time.

Wad It Up: A crash typically resulting from an endo and causing the rider to land on his head.

Washed Out: Any time a rider's front tire slides out to one side or the other.

Water Pump: A device that circulates the liquid through the cooling system by pumping it from the engine water jackets to the radiator. The pump is usually mounted at the front of the engine and is driven by a belt from a pulley on the front end of the crankshaft.

Water the Track: When officials spray water on the track's dirt, this makes the terrain more tacky to create better traction for racers.

Wheelie: When a rider accelerates and the front wheel lifts up off of the ground.

Whip: Freestyle trick in which rider lays the bike flat horizontally in the air and then brings it back up for the landing.

White flag: Waved to indicate one lap left in the race. Can be seen by riders on the finish line.

Whoops: Mogul-like section of the track typically consisting of more than 10 tiny jumps in a row.

Wide open: Refers to the top speed of each gear on the dirt bike. For example: "I was wide open in third."

Wrist pin: A metal piece that holds the piston onto the crankshaft.

Yellow flag: Held by track workers who are randomly placed on the track, used to caution riders about hazards on the course.