Changes in the 2026 AMA Rulebook

mshafer62

mshafer62

PR Addict
A friend at the AMA sent this to me:

Good Morning Organizers and Racers,
We’ve continued working hard to grow the sport while also taking important steps to improve safety and clarity within our rulebook. Please review the 2026 rule updates below.

Track Racing​

  • With referee approval, a rider may change bikes during an event. The rider must start from the penalty line.
  • Beginning in 2027, all racers competing on ½ mile or larger tracks must wear full-face helmets with integrated shields. Motocross-style helmets will no longer be permitted.

Motocross​

  • Beginning in 2027, the minimum age for an Amateur rider will increase from 12 to 14.
  • Chest and back protection is required for all riders.
  • Yellow flag violations will result in a 5-position penalty.
  • Red Cross flag violations will no longer be based on “wheels on the ground” language (now similar to yellow flag language). The penalty for violations will be 10 positions.
  • Wheelbase maximum for minibike classes has been eliminated.
  • 250cc 2-strokes are now allowed in Schoolboy 2.
  • Suspensions will be issued for first-time violations of Limited class and displacement rules.

Off Road​

  • Youth riders may no longer compete in youth mini classes once they turn 17.
  • Hard Enduro will now have its own separate RPV.
  • Supermini age range changes from 12–16 to 12–15.
  • Family Enduro rules for the 2026 season are now included in the rulebook.
  • Extreme Off-Road has been renamed Hard Enduro.

Specialized Sport​

  • Helmet standards have been updated.
  • Rules governing Pro riders competing in Amateur Hillclimb have been relaxed.

Sporting Commission​

  • Helmet certification rules updated to current standards.

Technical Commission​

  • New sound rules passed in 2025 have been pushed back one year.

Trials Commission​

  • Several minor rule changes to mirror North American Trials Council (NATC) rules.
  • Tires must meet Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) specifications.
  • Changes to rider ranking procedures.
Please review these changes carefully and reach out with any questions. We appreciate your continued partnership and commitment to making our sport stronger and safer.
 
I must have the same friend, I got it too!

I've already seen people freaking out on FB about the mandatory chest protector rule. Also seen a few comments from guys stating they are a big body size and there is no CP that actually fits them.
 
The chest protector rule for kids has been around for a few years.

“Big body protectors”. Could be a start to a company.
 
After 51's lawn dart off the top of 27, I bought a tech air chest pro. I had been wearing a fox hard protector under my jersey for years but this astar one is just as comfortable. Slightly warmer but not enough to complain about. No inopportune blow ups yet and fortunately haven't had to test it.

You'd have to be a really large fella to not be able to wear a chest pro. Ive seen some fellow big guys wearing them. The troy lee rockflight one looks like it goes pretty big.
 
Chest protectors are necessary not just for roost but sports dangerous enough why not have another form of protection and you don’t even notice having it on. The limited class suspension I’m wondering how they are going to do that and monitor it. In the amateur scene that will be hard
 
I never wear chest protectors, in the woods or mx. i just don’t like how they feel, super uncomfortable. Plus, the roost pisses me off and makes me ride harder haha.
 
Romanyak256 said:
I never wear chest protectors, in the woods or mx. i just don’t like how they feel, super uncomfortable. Plus, the roost pisses me off and makes me ride harder haha.
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Ah man... Cant tell you how many times they've saved me.. I honestly dont even feel my chest protector at all anymore but i sure appreciate its there when stuff gets sideways.
 
We're gonna see some stretched out supermini's!

250 2-Stroke rule change for youth class - Kawasaki rumoring new 2-stroke? Coincidence?
 
Romanyak256 said:
I never wear chest protectors, in the woods or mx. i just don’t like how they feel, super uncomfortable. Plus, the roost pisses me off and makes me ride harder haha.
Click to expand...

One boulder to the chest without a chest protector it’d break ribs for sure chest protector you don’t even feel it riding and some of the roost I’ve been hit by would of definitely broke ribs if I didn’t have it and why not ? $150 for your protection and its not like you gotta buy one yearly get like 4-5 years out of one
 
I bought the new Alpinestars tech air chest protector. I wore it on my first ride of the year, 2 weeks ago. It was comfortable, I didn't think about it or notice while I was riding.

But...I washed the front end in a corner and the air bag deployed. It was off camber, downhill a little, but...I was only going jogging speed. It was in the lowest setting (MX). I believe I'll be changing it to mx race setting after I buy the $114 replacement canister.
 
Im using mine on the mx race and haven't had any inopportune deployments yet. Thankfully haven't tested it either. Lol
 
trent56mx said:
I bought the new Alpinestars tech air chest protector. I wore it on my first ride of the year, 2 weeks ago. It was comfortable, I didn't think about it or notice while I was riding.

But...I washed the front end in a corner and the air bag deployed. It was off camber, downhill a little, but...I was only going jogging speed. It was in the lowest setting (MX). I believe I'll be changing it to mx race setting after I buy the $114 replacement canister.
Click to expand...
I’ve been wondering about these and would like to try one. Did it reset after it deployed? I thought the air bag deployed a few times before you had to replace the canister??

I’ve been wearing a RxR air chest protector for years and like them but I’m always game for trying something better.
 
Unfortunately the canister is one time use. After it inflates, it deflates in 5 seconds so if you're not beat up, you can continue riding. It looks easy to tuck back in and replace the canister though.
 
I was impressed with how quickly it deployed, and how much it absorbed. I definitely think it will make a difference if sh!t hits the fan.

I felt like a 5 year old sent out to play in the snow with 4 layers of coats on when I stood up. It does start slowly deflating after 5 seconds, felt like it took a minute to completely deflate.

It was pretty simple to repack it. I think it can be reloaded 5 times before needing to sent back for a service.

I was laughing when I charged it before the first ride. Charging a damn chest protector with a phone cable, sign of the times.
 
Same. Except I was scratching my head how I just spent as much on my chest protector as I did my helmet lol
 
I caved and went and bought a stupid chest protector today from ironpony, since i can run any events without one. I was going to get the leatt air frame, but stumbled across this EVS F1 for $68 and couldn’t pass up that deal, was $120 cheaper than the leatt. Feels okay under the jersey, and looks to have good ventilation.
IMG_5195.jpeg
 
I have one of those brand new I've never worn. I ended up using the other EVS one that wraps around your sides more.
 
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