At what age does a rider's speed...

`ol Ger
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`ol Ger
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 9:52am
start falling off? I know the question is too broad and too vague, but I'm thinking of averages here. How do you read it?

28?
30?
|
spd721
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spd721 10/2/2011 4:47pm
10/2/2011 4:47pm
I think it varies from rider to rider. I bet that 2011 Kevin Windham is faster than 2005 Kevin Windham.
machine
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machine 10/2/2011 4:48pm
10/2/2011 4:48pm
I don't think there is any reason that someone shouldn't be competitive to around 35. Unfortunately, most get burned out before that happens.
Track and Trail 10/2/2011 4:50pm
10/2/2011 4:50pm
Hmmmm Those seem like good guesses. I would say that some rider's speed falls off before they tun 20-22 or so. Been lots of flash in the pan next big thing amateurs come and go way too quickly.
Premixed
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Premixed 10/2/2011 4:55pm
10/2/2011 4:55pm
dowd didnt even get a factory ride until he was 29. hopped on mike craig's bike in daytona. he is now maintaining national #16 at 46 years old.

parents wouldnt take him to the track, so he did not even ride a dirtbike until he was 16. most kids are turning pro at that time now.

The Shop

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ATKpilot99
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ATKpilot99 10/2/2011 4:56pm
10/2/2011 4:56pm
In my case it was the moment I swung a leg over a bike, so 12 ?
`ol Ger
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`ol Ger 10/2/2011 4:57pm
10/2/2011 4:57pm
Ricky retired when he was 28.
`ol Ger
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`ol Ger 10/2/2011 4:59pm
10/2/2011 4:59pm
McGrath retired at 32 (I believe).
motokawi818
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motokawi818 10/2/2011 5:08pm
10/2/2011 5:08pm
Ricky still won races when he retired. I believe that same with mcgrath he just has a string of injuries so he called it quits
uk125250
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uk125250 10/2/2011 5:09pm
10/2/2011 5:09pm
`ol Ger wrote:
start falling off? I know the question is too broad and too vague, but I'm thinking of averages here. How do you read it? 28? 30...
start falling off? I know the question is too broad and too vague, but I'm thinking of averages here. How do you read it?

28?
30?
Seven
Dnlp D952
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Dnlp D952 10/2/2011 5:13pm
10/2/2011 5:13pm Edited Date/Time 10/2/2011 5:13pm
When I first got into the sport I had no idea when these guys would retire, some guys were between 35-40 still racing..
2k1banshee350
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2k1banshee350 10/2/2011 5:13pm
10/2/2011 5:13pm
carmichael was 27 not 28
speedy mendeavel 10/2/2011 5:15pm
10/2/2011 5:15pm Edited Date/Time 10/2/2011 5:17pm
The age when he has his first child, and realizes there is a lot more to life that just moto...

Or when he has one too many bad get-offs
scooter5002
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scooter5002 10/2/2011 5:20pm
10/2/2011 5:20pm
In my case, 36. 13 years ago. Got to watch it swirl around the bowl a couple of times and then it was gone. I was never that fast to begin with, but I'd sure like to have whatever mediocre speed to begin with back. As far as Pros go? Maybe when the self doubt starts creeping in, and the confidence starts too fade away. It's downhill from there, for anyone.
hartebreak
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hartebreak 10/2/2011 6:13pm
10/2/2011 6:13pm
I dont think a riders speed goes away as much as his desire to hang it out. Kdub has said it numerous times that he rides up to a certain point and then keeps it there. He said he just isnt willing to put it all out there like he once did. I would be willing to bet that we will never see the Pre-Millville Reed any longer. The risk outweighs the reward at this point for him,
mxracer4life360 10/2/2011 6:16pm
10/2/2011 6:16pm
hartebreak wrote:
I dont think a riders speed goes away as much as his desire to hang it out. Kdub has said it numerous times that he rides...
I dont think a riders speed goes away as much as his desire to hang it out. Kdub has said it numerous times that he rides up to a certain point and then keeps it there. He said he just isnt willing to put it all out there like he once did. I would be willing to bet that we will never see the Pre-Millville Reed any longer. The risk outweighs the reward at this point for him,
I wouldn't bet against Reed.
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CR250Rider 10/2/2011 6:17pm
10/2/2011 6:17pm
I think it can be when a rider has a bad crash or close call, past age 25

before that most riders are in denial about the consequences
hartebreak
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hartebreak 10/2/2011 6:24pm
10/2/2011 6:24pm
hartebreak wrote:
I dont think a riders speed goes away as much as his desire to hang it out. Kdub has said it numerous times that he rides...
I dont think a riders speed goes away as much as his desire to hang it out. Kdub has said it numerous times that he rides up to a certain point and then keeps it there. He said he just isnt willing to put it all out there like he once did. I would be willing to bet that we will never see the Pre-Millville Reed any longer. The risk outweighs the reward at this point for him,
mxracer4life360 wrote:
I wouldn't bet against Reed.
its not about betting against him. I would be willing to bet everytime he lines up he has that crash in his head.He has a wife, a kid, a race team and the rest of his life ahead of him. He has won everything he set out to win. Reed will def still be fast but I would think that win at all cost desire wont be there.
UpTiTe 10/2/2011 6:42pm
10/2/2011 6:42pm
A riders speed declines because his reaction times slow and his brain doesn't process information as fast. The brains reactions could start to fall off at 27 or could last as long as 33 depending on any type of concussion. An athletes physical peak is between 30 and 34, depending on injurys and training. At 30-32 RC could have gone just as fast as he did at 27 if he didn't have any injurys, but then he would slip fast after that.

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`ol Ger
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`ol Ger 10/2/2011 7:10pm
10/2/2011 7:10pm
Makes sense about the wife & kids etc....
BobbyM
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BobbyM 10/2/2011 7:18pm
10/2/2011 7:18pm
motokawi818 wrote:
Ricky still won races when he retired. I believe that same with mcgrath he just has a string of injuries so he called it quits
he quit after he jacked himself up on that KTM. damn shame too..,.,.
BobbyM
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BobbyM 10/2/2011 7:25pm
10/2/2011 7:25pm
`ol Ger wrote:
start falling off? I know the question is too broad and too vague, but I'm thinking of averages here. How do you read it? 28? 30...
start falling off? I know the question is too broad and too vague, but I'm thinking of averages here. How do you read it?

28?
30?
the age varies and each rider is different but the same and it occurs at the point in time when the gonads become smaller in relation to the riders brain. big balls, small brain equals fast rider and visa versa. sad to say but most of the riders/posters here at vital mx were born with small nuts so they probably can't relate to what i'm saying.
FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 10/2/2011 7:27pm
10/2/2011 7:27pm
Never. I mean, each year I get older I get faster in my memories.
Denn700
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Denn700 10/2/2011 7:34pm
10/2/2011 7:34pm
I think it has to with burnout to a certain extent. 2 1/2 years ago I just didn't enjoy riding anymore. I still loved dirtbikes and loved to watch them on TV but all the traveling and being away from my daughter killed the fun. Now I bought us both a bike and I have never been more pumped. If I could just get out of the damn hospital!
KIWImxer
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KIWImxer 10/2/2011 7:36pm
10/2/2011 7:36pm
You lose raw speed, but gain in other areas. You ride smarter.

I rode the nationals down under in 1998 aged 32 on 250s and then rode 125s in 2001 aged 35. I was fast enough in 1998, but crashed trying in 2001. I was at the pointy end in national vet class races though. Its amazing how quickly it comes back to you once you start winning a few vet races though. Sneaky old buggers are fast though, especially the 35-45 year olds! lol
Kartwheel84c
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Kartwheel84c 10/3/2011 5:24pm
10/3/2011 5:24pm
For an elite rider I'd say 30ish. At 43 I believe I am every bit as fast as I was at 20 and I ride a lot smarter now too, "fast" being used in the context of a middle of the pack local rider at best.
the_wood109
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the_wood109 10/3/2011 5:37pm
10/3/2011 5:37pm
I think it's injuries more than anything...especially for riders that seem to get injured often. They seem to back it down sooner then guys that have very few injuries. So in this case, I don't think that it's a specific age.
machine
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machine 10/3/2011 5:37pm
10/3/2011 5:37pm
Not to get too deep here, but in regard to point brought up about not wanting to hang it out as much or ride on the edge, they have done studies and there is a real physiological occurrence that takes place in males as their testosterone levels drop after their twenties that plays a big part in them not feeling invisible anymore and thinking more about the consequences of their actions.

Anyone in their mid 30 on up has felt it in some way....well, except for me....Tongue
Tiki
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Tiki 10/3/2011 6:50pm
10/3/2011 6:50pm Edited Date/Time 10/3/2011 6:51pm
When the first surgery bill comes in the mail that you have to pay yourself.
"$40,000 for a plastic trophy that you didn't win because you were lying in the back of the ambulance?"

For some, it takes the second bill. For most, myself included it's the first.
zippy895
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zippy895 10/3/2011 6:59pm
10/3/2011 6:59pm
47!
level
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level 10/3/2011 7:12pm
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Depends. At a pro level fitness goes hand in hand with speed. If you don't stay fit then your speed drops off. If you quit racing or riding for a year and quit working out because of injury or time off it takes time to get back up to speed.

Now, for us normal folks it's kind of the same. Depends on how bad you sucked to begin with. I honestly believe if I put all my time into it, got into shape, practiced 3 times a week then I could keep improving and improving and get faster even at 38.

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