Professional athlete Mohammed Jaffar, winner of several motocross races and the founder of the Kuwait-based Moto School, made himself available to speak to us on furthering the sport’s growth in Kuwait. Speaking to us about his passions, he reveals his tips for people looking towards becoming motocross hobbyists.
Jaffar originally imagined Moto School as a platform for citizens to learn how to become involved in the sport of motocross, and for it to be taught by professionals to instill fundamentals from an early age. For those thinking about where to begin, he had a few things to say. “For older riders, my recommendation would be to start with a 450cc bike. This will give you all you need to cover desert distances without fail.”
He admitted that the youngest riders will need to begin with a 50cc or 65cc engine. “That’s where you’ll begin, depending on age, height, weight, and experience.” Jaffar said.
As hobbyists progress, pushing themselves to improve, they will begin to know more about what they are looking for in a dirt bike. But Jaffar also had several models in mind for them to consider. “Going by [the] terrain will tell you which [bike] is most suitable to ride.” He said. “In our part of the world, with plenty of deserts and flat, sandy areas, the standard dirt bike comes in handy. ” In other parts of the world, Jaffar said an Enduro would be better to cover different types of terrains, like muddy grounds, or rocky, mountainous paths that are most commonly encountered.
He also mentioned that all the well-known brands are going to deliver on quality and reliability, and to just trust yourself and your ability in that situation. Nonetheless, Jaffar has a personal preference for KTM bikes. “They just work right out of the showroom. No hassles. Just get on and ride,” he said.
But no matter the bike, he asked that riders go the extra mile, and install a mousse in the tires to combat the possibility of a flat. Being outdoors with no spare is avoidable, with the mousse, but it must be added to the inside of the rubber tires. All the professional motocross athletes consider the mousse tube standard now, and this thinking has trickled down to hobbyists as well.
This sport will require more physicality than is seen with driving a car. As such, staying in shape is vital to build endurance. “Fitness is extremely important. You have to maintain it, otherwise you may find yourself enjoying it a lot less.”
He also addressed common riding errors and spoke on the matter of safety. “Novices may feel the urge to push the bike harder than its limits.” He said. “It’s a classic example of beginners’ confidence taking over. The reality is, professionals understand very well how little is needed to lose balance.” Jaffar stressed the importance of safety gear at all times. “Above all,” he said. “You must continue to practice. Begin with taking corners properly, and then start with jumps of no more than half a meter in height.”
To find out more about Mohammed Jaffar, visit @RedBullKuwait or @mo_jaffar on Instagram and Twitter, and @RedBull on Facebook, or visit redbull.com/athletes
