BODY POSITION || Motocross Private Lesson Ep. 19

Subscribe!!!
Join me as I teach a private session with Nick at Tomahawk Mx. This is episode 19 of a series I've created so that my riders have something to reference after class, and so all of you can learn a thing or two!
For more information and to book a lesson, email [e-mail]
Become an Exclusive Academy Patron:
/ ajcatanzaro
Instagram: @ajcatanzaro
ajcatanzaro.com

[@AjCatanzaro]

If you want to learn how to ride like the pros, you can train with me online at club.themotoacademy.com Use code “moto” to get your first month for only $5! 😎 Thanks for watching!

[@shortty7618]

6’3 rider here. This helped me immensely. My knees are above the seat on every bike lol

[@AjCatanzaro]

Haha yep. I use same position no matter what, even when riding a pit bike and I feel like it’s just my calves making contact

[@MtlDeath]

Exact same situation here bein 6'3, Ive even resorted to puttin grip tape on frame :-) Great vid.. appreciate it

[@prestonbraaaps5343]

on the 2020 kx250 you can lower the foot pegs i’m pretty sure

[@aaronheinlein3438]

im 5 ft 8. and my bike is Taller then me by a hiar or 2 and I had to do the same thing

[@nicjgoss7069]

yes i am 5'9 and ride a kx 100

[@AverageDaveVideos]

Man, having a lesson with Aj like this would be amazing! I will never race motocross, too old now, but would love to be able to just ride the track well!

[@quincys4823]

Mannnnnn i love your vids. It's just so clean and well explained.

[@AjCatanzaro]

Thanks!

[@fletcherwilkinson9073]

Surely Aj likes this comment 👉👈 😊 ... P.S. Watched all the vids (they have helped me improve as a rider)and the merch is top of the line! Also i was the 4th comment 🤙

[@AjCatanzaro]

Thank you!!!

[@mschumaker1]

great stuff. I"m not a motocross guy but I learned a lot just watching

[@caseybrown9321]

New sponsor: HGTV: Chip and Joanna build a race track episode on in the background 😂🤣

[@AjCatanzaro]

Haha!

[@tomvan2468]

I'm 6'7" and feel like I'm way to high when I stand. I've got the KX450F Kawasaki. I feel forced to sit. At 52 years old I've been riding for almost 3 months so hopefully I havent gotten set in bad habits

[@alexzanderarmstrong]

Thank you! Fastest 18min ever. I feel like having an earbud so you can explain on the fly would help? Or talk over as you video for when your students watch it later. So many good tips in this one!

[@AjCatanzaro]

Having an ear piece so I could talk to them in real time would be really cool!! Thanks!

[@davidgauvin8441]

@@AjCatanzaro Finding a cheap way to get clear 1-way (or walkie-talkie) audio would be ideal. Your student would not need to stop as frequently to receive instruction. You're a great teacher.

[@Sjekkema]

Aj Catanzaro I saw people do that, its possible and cheap

[@snarfdwarf]

Indeed fastest 18 minutes, when the video stopped it felt like 5 minutes.

[@robb4496]

Wish you were around like 25 years ago when I was learning now I’m learning again at 47 good work love the videos

[@gasparpaz1667]

Wow! Man! You explain all with a lot of details! If you can explain the technique about use of the front brake on the ruts... I would appreciate! I love your channel! Greeting from Argentina!

[@robmosher6299]

I love your teaching videos AJ, you have such amazing patience towards every little detail when explaining what you want your students to do out on the track. Also, a lot of technique and motocross sense when describing what the student it doing right and wrong. Keep these coming Budd.

[@danielarney9729]

We could use a basic skills check sheet, maybe on a t shirt, or underside of visors for quick reference when we get to the track, can study this great content, but it goes right out the window soon as first person starts riding your ass out there. Guess we could scratch down our own, elbows up, triangles on grips, pinch knees not past line of foot controls, weight balls of pinched feet, gear high, disconnected hips in attack position, chin over bars, look ahead, make brake chatter coming into corner at designated spots before turn, no clutch, over tank, body straight, weighted pegs, foot up to fender if needed, drag front brake in rut turns, look through turn, look past grooves in straights, use outsides to avoid in grooved lips. Probably would be good to have a warm up stretching/exercises routine sheet, and bike maintenance check sheet. Maybe make a coffee table book with pop ups for us slowskies.

[@AjCatanzaro]

Haha not a bad idea. Impossible to think about a hundred things at once though. Most individuals have 2-4 things that really stand out as needing work and that they should put their focus on

[@curt248]

Wow, you’ve been watching these things as closely as I have. Excellent run down. Can you print that on a shirt?

[@colecooper1116]

Your tips are amazing and made me so much fast thank you

[@AjCatanzaro]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@ajmotocross]

i love guys that help teach other people. We as men think we know everything. If you would just take the time to listen to others you might learn something from a vet or something from a beginning rider.. we are all students. Even the pros listen to tips from other racers.

[@RockztarST]

Amazing work, My technique has improved a lot sense I started looking at these videos and I also feel more comfortable riding! May I ask what watch you are wearing? BR Sweden

[@AjCatanzaro]

Thanks! It’s the Polar Vantage M

[@jeffenglish9132]

I’ve rode for 25 years and my current bike is a 2005 RM250. I’m 6’3” and my biggest issue is feeling awkward in transitional position. This helped me greatly

[@weston5146]

I just started racing about 6 months ago and im faster than about 80% of the locals at my track. this was majorly helpful bro!

[@jeremykeech63]

AJ has the best motocross training videos on KZbin! We actually created our own channel and upload Moto Vlogs weekly! If you like AJ check us out for more moto content. Thanks for the inspiration AJ!!

[@AjCatanzaro]

Thanks 👍🏼👍🏼

[@lukegodbout]

I wish a found this at the beginning of the season. I’m the same height as this guy and always had shorter guys telling me to grip with my knees forcing me to bend my legs more. I couldn’t finish motos the arm pump was so bad 😭

[@joejones711]

Just started watching your vids and I’m hooked. Thank you immensely.

[@kieranmacca9370]

Tonight’s viewing sorted already 🙌

[@WINGNUT]

good video little abrupt on the ending there.. lol. kid was doing awesome hope hes back for more, I'd love to see how he progresses. I bet its fast!

[@AjCatanzaro]

Haha sorry camera died! 😂

[@WINGNUT]

@@AjCatanzaro 😂 check out my vid on C-class pros and let me know what you think of my assessment. maybe I come down and get some lessons as a collab. lord knows I need it!

[@davidgillberg1793]

This Chanel should have much more followers! So much awsome content!

[@ryanlester761]

14:28 well said and great advice! So common for new riders to just "plop down" on the seat. It's helpful to have video evidence to show the student examples of this. Nice work AJ.

[@santanaaazxturbo]

Such a helpful video!!!! I’m seriously considering booking one of these classes! Would do wonders for me!

[@brianrichard1768]

enjoy your vids. 51 been riding a long time but you have good tips. At my age I've perfected the lazy man approach but it's cool that you offer all this advice to the next generation....for free.

[@AjCatanzaro]

Thanks!

[@AjCatanzaro]

I encourage to try and tweak the “lazy man approach”. When you learn to ride the way I do, there’s nothing easier!

[@kirkdunn1379]

Thats alot of info to absorb for one corner bro, lol Front brake is so huge for controlling front end in corners, even as vet rider is was one biggest revelations i had in mx

[@endlessprogression9543]

Nick where you at what’s your Instagram you did great. AJ! These are so dope, thank you for sharing all this info. I’ve watched this one a few times this morning. I neeeeeded this one bad 👊🏽. I don’t know any one that rides so while I’ve been teaching my self the last few years, these videos are making a huge difference. Thank you!

[@nicholaskrakowski]

Right here man! He is a great teacher! Definitely worth it. I will be going back

[@anastacio7479]

Did you modified the bike? Looks so small.

[@Moto--G]

Yo AJ quick question, I'm looking to get a newer 4 stroke bike within the next 6 months or so. I've had a 250f and a 450 before but never really rode on a track with them. I'm not a beginner on a bike but still a beginner when it comes to a track. I'm 21, 6'1" and 225lbs. Do you think I should go for a 450? I'm not planning to get into any serious racing, more or less just wanting to get some track time in with some buddies. Just curious if you had any recommendations for me. Thanks for the content AJ!

[@AjCatanzaro]

Hmm you’re definitely a bit heavy for a 250f but still light enough where a 450 is a ton of bike. I think you would be ok on a 450 and just put a slow mapping in it

[@Moto--G]

@@AjCatanzaro I kind of figured that, but I wanted a professional's opinion lol. Thanks a lot AJ!

[@sickofalldabscensorship721]

Hey Cat When someone books an appointment for one of your classes you should offer a choice. Either the normal MX techniques like in this video or to go ride with you in the hills where the big hits are. We got some spots with some ok size jumps but nothing real big around here in Nor-Cal bay area. I have one spot with a ramp 80-100ft but after awhile that gets boring. I'm sure people would pay to do that. My idea you gotta give me a free bee . LOL

[@NubbyTV101]

Very helpful tips& lots of them. I’m a 49 yr old novice. Just bought a crf 250. Love this Channel. It’s helping me so much. 👍👍. Although not with the aching after I ride 😂👍👍

[@mandynotley8786]

Good on you! I know what you mean about the aching....I'm 51 and also a novice riding sherco sef300 mostly trails and enduro, but went to a MX track for the first time last Sunday 😊

[@rcafmaintainer3723]

Awesome stuff; I don't know if I missed it, did you mention vision? Leading with the eyes helps some of the fundamentals.

[@Langdanion]

AJ .... you need to come to Swan MX Raceway, in Tyler, TX... right in between Dallas & Shreveport, LA... GREAT track & amazing owners... it would be a HUGE success... Trey & Sarah are the owners [e-mail]

[@rayvee482]

Sooo funny hearin you talk about “social distancing “ 4 years later. How ridiculous we were. I gave my Mom C-vid for her 75th birthday that killed her 1 1/2 weeks later. There was nothing that was gonna prevent that. God knows exactly how each of us are gonna die. Die well fam. But more importantly…..LIVE well. Much love. 🍻

[@kokkiematematika1931]

Hi Aj I discovered your channel like two days ago. I am impressed. However, I am aging at 68 years now and only began riding, not yet a full 4 years ago. I am mainly doing the confusing 'adventure riding' discipline. After so many crashes at the beginning I went for adventure riding training. But dammm most is at very low speed. So I invested in a WR450F to do my own skilling. I think that I improved with my 'self-help' training. But sure, I am instating very very bad habits. So now, I am considering either MX training or enduro training. (I do not quite get the distinction). What do you advise?? By age 70 I aim at being a 'age solid' rider. Flippen

[@CamRSaws]

Nik do be rockin the AEKTIVCO tho

[@nicholaskrakowski]

Gear is so sick! Love it.

[@CamRSaws]

Nicholas Krakowski yeah man it’s so nice

[@nicholaskrakowski]

Hoping they drop some more sets soon. I'd love to have a few more on hand to choose from haha

[@CamRSaws]

Nicholas Krakowski definitely they just swapped owners but their trying to get everything up and running soon as possible

[@mikeraskin7319]

Awesome training, it's no wonder why you are a pro. 👍 I needed a rut refresher.

[@tjsticky]

Could you do a video on flat turns without ruts? Please and thank you sir!

[@AjCatanzaro]

Good thinking. Can definitely do that

[@mototodd]

Going that slow in those turns in 3rd without a clutch on a yz, cr, kx or rm would bog like crazy. Are these Husky 2 strokes really this good or was the dude riding in first and second at first so now he’s actually just riding in 2 and 3rd? You wouldn’t need 4th going up that hill unless you are AJ or RC.

[@nickchavez7839]

Hey AJ, I love these videos they are super helpful! I don’t really have anyone else who rides seriously in my family or friend group who can teach me things, so I really appreciate being able to learn this way. A few times I’ve heard you say to break without the clutch, how do you do that without stalling the bike?

[@yaboiiprettyeyez]

Hey AJ, love your videos dude! U mention in this video that your knees are cut up from gripping the bike… What knee braces do you use? I’ve been looking to get a pair of the Leatt X-cross braces, however, I’m currently working on re-training my body positioning and sometimes find it hard to tell when my knees are actually gripping the bike correctly when I have the cheapies on. I’ve seen someone else teach the body posture using the “plate technique” where u hold paper plate between your knees and bike to ensure you’re in attack position and knees are consistently gripping. What do you recommend?

[@yeltesoete]

I just noticed he was riding a 125. I'm also 6ft2 and about 83kg no gear. I always wanted to start out on a 125 but a lot of people even told me to go 450 due to my weight and the tracks in Belgium beeing really deep sand (like lommel mxgp track). I started on a 250f but would a 125 still be an option?

[@viotetolosa669]

Hi good day . I want to buy a dirt bike for myself coz i wanna learn how to ride a dirt bike. My height is 5’6”. What is the best dirt bike for me as a beginner is it 125cc or 250cc. In other words what is the ideal dirt bike for my height. By the way i weigh 190lbs. Thanks and i hope you reply. God bless

[@lucabreed7077]

Man wish i could come to the US and train with you

[@dawn-moon]

Stupid questions maybe; but why do you put your foot out so high ? ( almost touch the front fender ), is it to anticipate a front wheel wash out and to prevent the bike from landing on your inside foot ? Or for balance ? And why do MX riders move their bikes flat when doing bigger jumps ? ( does that make you faster, or is it because it looks good, NOFI ) Thx. I wish I had a track and coach like you to learn how to ride a dirt bike, great video's !

[@joshuasmith5472]

What's helped me a lot when I was being coached was try to over exaggerate the elbows to get use to having them up once i get use to doing that my elbows are up in the right spot about 96% of the time the 4% something weird happens and I make a mistake.

[@davidgraham3162]

Gears mentioned are they specific for a 125 2T vs a 450? Cant imagine being in 4th on our local MX track ever... But I am an absolute novice.

[@maryolee8303]

AJ I have a kx450f that I bought from a mechanic at Kawasaki of Sacramento. It is Factory built it is super fast & has more torque than a diesel , it is a great bike . It is an absolute rocketship. There is one problem though. It does not like to stop very much if at all. I have stock 270 mm front rotor and wondered if I slap a 320mm front disc brake rotor on the bike will it finally be more inclined to stop when and where I want it to? I need to fix that issue it has and after that is fixed I need to get it to want to turn more too. Im pretty sure that the last issue of turning is all me & not being on my YZ80 anymore a 450 is too big to manhandle, bad technique may play a small part but I cannot throw it around anywhere I want like my only other dirt bike that I ever owned before a 2 stroke Yamaha YZ80. Could you please tell me what I should do? Do you think a 320 mm disc will do what I want it to do? Thanks and I hope you see this and respond

[@snarfdwarf]

I can watch your video's for hours AJ. I wished this video was longer.

[@AjCatanzaro]

Thanks! Have another one dropping tomorrow morning! I’ll keep them coming

[@luigifiorillo7680]

Great video AJ. Funny at 18.03 stabbed your foot in the ground! ( that’s what it looked like any way) great video series.

[@AlbionEconomist]

just found ur channel what a gold mine

[@zackk695]

I think it would help to lower the foot legs 2” and shifter making you fit the bike better. Also your torso is longer so actually putting the legs back 2” and down 2” and that bike would feel 100% better

[@TheMxboy199]

Thank you for talking about the gearing. My friends are saying I’m in too low of a gear mainly 1st and 2nd and just a touch of 3rd in the straights. But they’re using gears 2-4 on the same track. Basically I know what you mean about it being way too responsive on both throttle and on breaking. It tried my best to use at least 3rd gear most of the way around the track and a little of 4th gear but I’m still to uncomfortable in turns where it’s rutted deep and wet at the same time so it’s both sticky and slippery if that makes any sense.

[@tormiraik]

Like watching myself. Also riding 125, legs are starting to work with bike but just cant keep the elbows up, like constantly have to tell myself to keep em up, but aint so easy and once i really start pushing myself they are like wet socks just hanging in the wind. Right elbow also comes down with the twist of the throttle and 125 needs to open like, a lot.

[@UncleSarkis]

Watching Chip and Joanna, eh? I'm a 5'1" rider, I wonder if anything for me should be done differently.

[@burnedsoul1100]

Every time with a great lesson and many many useful advises.thank you Aj for sharing your experience and your pro tips with all of us. I learn a lot from you and i always trying to practice at the motocross track. Greetings from Greece and thanks again.

[@HughJasbawls]

NoVa has it pretty bad but down in SE VA, we getting the worst of it in VA. Thankfully a few tracks making it work. shout out to SFMX!

[@abrahamhealer]

Hold up…. I thought you didn’t want to engine break 2 strokes…. Help me out here now I’m confused

[@GT4JB]

I am 6,3 and just put a handlebar riser, cuz i felt crowded. Would i use same cornering techniques?

[@matthewdust1329]

Did he pause "fixer-upper" to make this video? I bet Chip rides motorcross.....

[@madaboys5977]

how do i get a private lesson with you aj? not for one day tho lol… id need u to help me for ab a month bc u would make an entirely different and better rider! i wish id have a coach like u helping me out constantly…. i wanna get a lot faster get rid of arm pump, and i want to start racing, so having u around would definitely help do much

[@queenofspadz]

"the longer you ride, the longer it takes to break bad habits" So is there any hope for older riders who have a lifetime of bad habits?

[@exploringlifefam3274]

Nice new subscriber👌🏻🔥

[@sephjfox]

I'm literally so tall and having the same exact issue. Whenever I stand up on a bike it feels like I'm trying to ride a rollerskate

[@delph7262]

I thought it was funny him talking about the height, because I'm 6'4😂

[@jaydencole7905]

Hey AJ is an Apollo 110 a good bike to use at the dirt bike track because I got it for Xmas

[@typical_hq8931]

I wish You could teach me lol My next bike is a yz 80 2 stroke I have not rode it yet im getting to ride it on sunday

[@Foxtrot1967]

6'3 on a 125!? no wonder he cant grip with his kness

[@PrideGoinNyooom]

Did anyone get an ad that featured a girl on the casting bed?

[@tnthub8675]

How can I turn better because I slow down way to much then I cut in but I would like to carry my speed better

[@TopshelfJunior]

With that guy being 6foot2 and on a 125cc bike, it almost makes me think I need to get a 125cc bike as a first purchase instead of a 250cc.. I'm 5'10" + 220 pounds.. Have only rode a 110 before + a 450cc only in first gear, lol.

[@mixtips637]

These are so helpfull if you can keep putting these videos thank you

[@busybeans87]

Ive notice a lot of times you talk about gear selection on the smaller bikes. Is it about the same for the 450s?

[@AjCatanzaro]

Gear selection is always important. It’s just way easier on a 450 because you’re really only shifting between 2nd and 3rd

[@williamschuman4951]

Good stuff, I'm always learning.

[@davisdampier2930]

Hi

[@Ottopaul484]

It's a 125, it scream a little bit... at 17:40 it starts to scream a lot😁 Tnx AJ you always give us a great package of tips!

[@AjCatanzaro]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@macadamienut067]

I spy a Hellion helmet. Let’s go!

[@thomasswanson1589]

My favorite part of these is when you hop on these 2 strokes and rip 😂😂

[@KentBaum]

Need to work on every single tip in this video. So many good tips.

[@roughready7491]

How do I get signed up for some of these lessons?

[@Runk3lsmcdougal]

Man that track looks incredible

[@ChrisShigas]

I love how practical your advice is.

[@daveclausner]

Holly riff Raff.. and you outfit changes...

[@keaneye280]

Hey I just had a crash and have a 3rd degree ac joint tear. I noticed you have a similar bump I have now on your left shoulder. Have you sustained this injury and how was the recovery? Love the videos!

[@AjCatanzaro]

Yes I did it in Australia 2014. Don’t think it took very long honestly. Maybe 3-4 weeks. Hurt really bad for about 3 days then I was pretty much ok

[@keaneye280]

Aj Catanzaro thanks, I appreciate the response! Good to know. I’m on my 3rd day and can’t wait to get back on the bike🤘🏼

[@shooter7a]

Circle drill will teach you where to sit on the seat....

[@ribbledean4111]

Aj, I need to get u to work with my boys, just to sharpen their skill up, how do I go about that, we r only few hrs away

[@AjCatanzaro]

Email [e-mail] and I’ll get you on my schedule!

[@sakariputtonen2683]

Why is it that people dont set the bike for them? If you are tall, you'd benefit from taller seat, lower footpegs and possibly a higher handlebar.

[@AjCatanzaro]

When you start messing with those things you begin messing with how the bike was designed to work. The tallest pro, Benny Bloss, is 6’6” and runs stock seat height, bar height and footpeg height! Better to leave bike alone and learn correct position 👍🏼

[@POPNBONES]

This dude has the best gear for first time riding

[@renostubbs8504]

How much is it daily, the price??

[@sonnyspawn4435]

At the end he was killing it!!!good job bro

[@franknelson3066]

How do you decide on what clients you take on??

[@christianlvas8727]

Thanls for those lessons man. I have been riding for 6 weeks now. I have the basic learings done now, now i need techniquie. Im 6 foot 2 inches (185cm) i weigh about 140kg (312 pounds) heavy dude. Only thing to adjust on the bike is rear spring. To soft for my weight. But now i want to learn better for sitting position. Feet position and speed in corners and acceleration. The track i train on, i have figured out about 2 jumps. There are 4 more bigger jumps, so i need more speed. But i will figure how to gain thrust to the bike and not get afraid if i go full throttle. I got a ktm 250 sx-f 4 stroke. Got plenty of power for me. Now its just getting faster and getting more endurance. Ill last just 5 rounds in a heat and im dead tired. I do atleast 20 rounds. But lately i got better and lasted atleast 1 round more eack week. Weightloss also. Lost 12 pounds last month. Not changing diet, just training

[@bryanb1846]

My back tire comes out from under me on jumps coming out of turns. No matter how hard I squeeze or attack position

[@AjCatanzaro]

Could be caused from many things. Depending on the jump it may be better to sit down out of the turn so you keep the weight into the bike and traction on the tires. Could also be from “blipping” the throttle. I bet if I saw a video of it happening I could tell you right away what’s causing it

[@user-sp8eb6iz7f]

There are studies suggesting there are no clinical benefits to wearing knee supports. ...

[@AjCatanzaro]

Yea I’ve heard that, but you definitely should not ride without a knee/shin guard

[@YammyBoh7]

Hey AJ, I've really enjoyed watching your videos. I came from an off-road and extreme-enduro background but trained a lot of mx for skills, bike control and fitness. A lot of the jumping lessons you do are things I've battled teaching to some of the kids I've trained in the past. The natural instincts are just to throw their weight back in the "toilet seat" position and it's so dangerous. I love how you explain things even using technical concepts for kids that I never imagined they would understand. You're a great teacher so keep it up, very impressive.

[@ktmcrush2290]

dudes 6'2 on a 125🤦‍♂️

[@marshy1499]

Just started riding again at the age of 46 ..These videos have helped me alot..Keep the vids coming..love from liverpool... last time I rode I was 16 ,I cant remember the 250s being this powerful hence why the videos have help so much ...

[@taylort123]

I need to remember to work on my shifting technique. I wear size 14 boots so the distance i have to move my foot is a lot more than all my buddies who have baby feet lol

[@TerrickHarden]

I wear a 14 too 😆 and 6'3.. I miss shifts all the time because my big boot is kinda hard to get under the lever..

[@taylort123]

@@TerrickHarden lucky me, im only 5'11 1/2" i just have big feet

[@lukegodbout]

Size 13 tech 10s are pretty hard to up shift haha

[@Frank-i-e]

Speaking of knee braces. What is your personal preference/what do you use? Thank you, AJ.

[@AjCatanzaro]

I use the EVS Axis Pro Sport brave. Love them!

[@AjCatanzaro]

Just the axis sport* the axis pro is the carbon version