How to Race a Maico Holladay Cycle

The Holladay Cycles Maico represents an evolutionary step forward for motocross bikes. In the 1970s, it emerged on the market as one of the first long-travel bikes. Tim Wyant won a 1975 professional motocross circuit event in southern California using an early version of the bike. People still race Holladay Cycles Maico bikes in motocross events. With some exceptions, the techniques used to race them mimic the methods used to race any other type of motocross bike. An in-depth knowledge of the general racing strategy of motocross coupled with extensive practice can make you an optimal motocross racer.

Things You'll Need

  • Zip-tie
  • Lubricant
  • Gasoline
  • Safety goggles
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Instructions

    • 1

      Familiarize yourself with the racetrack. Arrive at the track before the race begins, and walk the track. If the track owners allow it, ride the track. Notice difficult areas. The Holladay Cycles Maico has a large turning radius compared to shorter bikes. Take that factor into account by entering corners at a larger angle in order to avoid clipping the back wheel during turns. Mentally visualize yourself having the perfect race. That sort of mental preparation can improve your real-world race time.

    • 2

      Check your Holladay Cycles Maico for safety. Inspect the wheel bearings, spokes, brake, handlebars and all other components. The night before the race, use a zip-tie to press the brake in overnight. Doing so eliminates air in the bike’s fluids. Remove the zip-tie the morning of the race. Lubricate parts in need of lubricant. Scrape off mud to reduce the bike’s weight. Fill the gas tank before the race.

    • 3

      Stomp down loose soil you find in the start pad, and stomp down loose soil in front of your gate. That will ensure a proper start once the race begins. Get on your bike, and put on safety goggles. Mentally prepare yourself for the race's start.

    • 4

      Win early supremacy by beating your opponents to the first corner. Hold your optimal racing line through that corner. If you have the lead at this point, you can win the race by staying in the optimal racing line and denying your opponents the opportunity to pass you. Always brake before a turn and accelerate through the turn. Account for the length of your Holladay Cycles Maico when entering turns. As mentioned, the bike’s length requires a larger turning radius to take turns properly. If you fail to gain an early lead, you may hang back and wait for a collision. In motocross, collisions wipe out large numbers of riders and give patient riders a chance to win the race.

    • 5

      Assess your performance after the race. Even if you won, do a full mental rundown of the race. Focus on the positive and negative aspects of your race to help you improve your future performance. Focus on your ability to take turns with the Holladay Cycles Maico. Determine if you properly accounted for the length of the bike when making decisions during the race.