Perspective: Is your attitude holding you back?

This article was originally written for Motocross Action Magazine.

Throughout my career, I was constantly forced to look at myself in the mirror and ask tough questions: "How can I be a better racer?" and "How can I be more physically prepared?" or "How can I be a better tester?" I really tried to focus on the positives and the things I had control over. If you are genuinely serious about trying to improve in this sport (professional or amateur), or even just want to be a better person, the following Zig Ziglar quote should be your mantra: "Your attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude." There are so many instances in motocross (and life) when it’s easy to get angry and place the blame on someone else. You may find yourself saying, "My bike sucks, the track sucks, my fitness sucks," etc. I believe we can find productive, reasonable solutions to these excuses.

(1) My bike sucks. Okay, I’m not going to lie, I’ve definitely said this a time or two! But, in all honesty, does the whole bike actually suck, and is there really nothing you can do about it? Starting from the bottom, analyze your motorcycle. Do you have the right tires on? The pros are constantly changing tires depending on which track they’re racing. A 110 sand tire works great at Southwick, but at Washougal, you’re probably going to want a 120 hardpack tire. Riding a really rutted track? Maybe try a 110 or even 100 versus a 120 to make it easier to keep the bike settled in deep ruts.

How’s your gearing? This part can be constantly changing if you’re racing various tracks. Tighter Arenacross tracks or racing at altitude might see you adding a tooth or two to the rear sprocket to give you a better bottom end and more pop off the start gate. In contrast, a higher-speed track may see you going down a tooth. Are you struggling with your bike being too fast on the bottom? Going down a tooth on the rear sprocket will help mellow it out. Gearing will also affect the handling of the bike. The farther back you push your axle in the swingarm, the better the bike will handle on high-speed, rough, choppy sections. For example, in Supercross, my axle would be at least 10–15mm further forward than it would be outdoors.

How’s your suspension? Do you know what your spring rate, oil level, sag, and clickers are set at? Knowing where your clickers are set allows you to give valuable feedback to the suspension tech and make the necessary adjustments. Suspension is a touchy subject; I learned from being a factory rider that your feedback will steer you in a certain direction, so understanding what your bike is doing will benefit you and those around you.

(2) The track sucks. Oh boy, I like this one! If you have ever had the pleasure of watching old YouTube videos of motocross in the ’80s and ’90s, then you know where I’m going with this. Track prep in the modern era has come a long way. I’ve been fortunate enough to ride at facilities like Club MX, MTF, Moto Sandbox, Bakers Factory, and Ricky Carmichael’s GOAT farm. Almost every time I rode on these tracks, the prep job was unreal! As a rider, you are usually not in control of the track prep, so complaining about how terrible it is, is really just a waste of time. Focus on what you can control. Motocross tracks get rough and challenging. Take the time to check out the track and look for different lines. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a racer hit the same kicker lap after lap when 6 inches to the left is a smooth line!

(3) I’m out of shape. This one, for me, is more noticeable since I always made it a priority in my career. Right now, many people are talking about the importance of technique. And I will absolutely agree that having sound fundamentals is necessary for going fast and staying safe. The reality is that you could have the same technique as Jett Lawrence, but if you haven’t been dedicating time to health and fitness, your form will deteriorate, and the chances of crashing and getting injured will skyrocket.

When my brother was racing for the Geico Honda team, they had a quote in the semi: "Proper preparation prevents poor performance." If you find yourself fading in your races, ask yourself, "Are you dedicating enough time to your physical fitness? Are you eating fruits or vegetables on a daily basis? How much time are you spending developing your aerobic foundation and general strength?" Having a high level of fitness can make up for a lot of other shortcomings in one’s program. Taking some responsibility will not only help you reach your motocross goals but will make you a more satisfied and appreciative person overall in life.

Thanks for reading!

Alex Martin