Life Lessons You Learned From Moto

chapmanmx
Posts
160
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Maryville, TN, USA
Edited Date/Time 4/3/2013 6:04am
A think a lot of times we all get lost in trying to "make it" and when most don't, they consider this sport a waste of time/money. But the day that I walk away, no matter when that is and no matter how far I make it in this sport, I know that I have learned some life lessons first hand at a young age that most don't get until it much later in life, or ever for that matter...not to mention the fun times with my family and friends that most never get to experience. Here's what I have learned............

I think the most important lesson motocross has taught me, was that you only get what you give. It doesn't matter how much you want something, how much you talk about it, or how much you dream about it...if you don't work for it, you don't get it.

I can also say that it has taught me that you have to respect life...You can take risks, but the bigger the risk, the bigger the consequences. So if you take the risk, you better be prepared for the consequences if it goes bad.


My list is longer, but I don't want to give out all of the answers Cool
So, what other life lessons have you guys/gals learned from our sport? discuss...
|
DoctorJD
Posts
2977
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Somewhere in..., GA, USA
4/2/2013 1:20pm
For me, it was a lot of things. My parents really didn't support my racing. While they allowed me to race, they never fully embraced it. I supported the lion's share of my racing expenses by working summers and weekends, with a little help from my folks. I was racing against guys who'd show up with trailers loaded down with three bikes (125,250 and 500) and raced as many classes as humanly possible. I'd come to the race with my one bike that I worked all summer to earn. I learned what financial independence and responsibility was all about from those years.

Doing things on my own, I had to be self-motivated. I didn't have my dad cracking the whip on me making me train and ride, I had to drag myself off of the couch and make it happen on my own. Like Chapman said, I learned that I "reaped what I sowed". The more effort I put in, the better my results.

I learned how to turn a wrench and, more importantly, how to troubleshoot problems. If you owned a dirt bike in the 70's and early 80's, you had to be handy with the tools.

I learned to face-down fear.

The only regret I have about my moto years was the fact that I basically forsook team sports. Sure, I played some little league baseball and Pop Warner, but as a young adult, I never got to experience the team dynamic. That being said, I wouldn't change anything. In fact, bonding with my competitors probably taught me more than bonding with a teammate.
motosmith
Posts
2046
Joined
11/8/2010
Location
Washougal, WA, USA
4/2/2013 1:27pm
You learn a lot about mental toughness when you can’t breathe, your arms are so pumped you can’t feel your hands and there is ten laps remaining in the race.
JeepnMike
Posts
2525
Joined
10/18/2012
Location
Enumclaw, WA, USA
4/2/2013 1:28pm Edited Date/Time 4/2/2013 1:58pm
#1 lesson, if your bike gets kicked sideways off of a jump, it isn't wise to stick your leg out to brace your fall.

#2 lesson, you can modify your bike to the moon and back and be all cool like that, but if you aren't capable at riding at that level, it is actually counter productive. This is especially true for 125cc two strokes. The harder you modify them, the more narrow your powerband is.

#3 lesson, if you hold your breath, your forearms will be bricks in one lap.

I never had aspirations for a career in racing, I am pretty sure I cared as much if not more about getting laid back then. I sure wish that I had paid more attention to my physical performance than how me and my bike looked.
4/2/2013 1:31pm Edited Date/Time 4/2/2013 1:31pm
Growing up on a bike is so much a part of the person I am today, it's ridiculous.

The biggest lesst I have learned is personal responsibility. If I suck on the track, it's my fault. If I crash, it's my fault. If my bike set-up sucks, my fault. I didn't have teammates I could blame things on.



Because of motocross I haven take ownership of my position in this world.

The Shop

MR. X
Posts
6913
Joined
6/24/2010
Location
North Tonawanda, NY, USA
4/2/2013 1:41pm
From as far back as i can remember my parents told me i could have a dirtbike as long as i pay for it , i think that was one of best life lessons so far.
BAMX
Posts
2896
Joined
1/22/2012
Location
Fallbrook, CA, USA
4/2/2013 1:43pm
TripleFive wrote:
Growing up on a bike is so much a part of the person I am today, it's ridiculous. The biggest lesst I have learned is personal...
Growing up on a bike is so much a part of the person I am today, it's ridiculous.

The biggest lesst I have learned is personal responsibility. If I suck on the track, it's my fault. If I crash, it's my fault. If my bike set-up sucks, my fault. I didn't have teammates I could blame things on.



Because of motocross I haven take ownership of my position in this world.
Well said...Your parents can help you but it is up to you to get it done on the track. I have add that I have a good relationship with my parents to this day which I credit much of to the time we spent together racing. They ran the fine line between encouragement and mini parent syndrome. I do think that swapping to Enduros late in the game and actually getting to ride them with my Dad was a big plus.
jtiger12
Posts
1723
Joined
8/2/2006
Location
Forest H Ill, MD, USA
4/2/2013 2:41pm
Always have health and life insurance.
Always have a plan B, with whatever you do.
Always keep your vehicles maintained properly.
Lots more....
jtomasik
Posts
12895
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Golden, CO, USA
4/2/2013 2:42pm
When in doubt, pin it.
toomey706
Posts
237
Joined
9/29/2009
Location
Dripping Springs, TX, USA
4/2/2013 2:43pm
Focus, you get what you focus on. Look at the rock, hit the rock, but not just physical focus. You have to drive your mental focus to what you want, and not what you're worried about or scared of. You can make bad shit come true, just like you can the good stuff happen. Bad thoughts have no place on the track, and should be entertained in everyday life, and your focus determines where your attention goes. Handle problems, but don't dwell on the shit that you're scared of because that will be your reality.

Good topic!
4/2/2013 3:00pm
At 13 years old I told my dad I wanted to race MX,he said if you buy a bike I will take you to the track.
I worked two paper routes,one before school and one after,saved enough to buy a spanking new 1974 Honda
CR125 Elsinore.On the ride home after picking up the bike I told my dad that all that work I put in paid off.
True to his word he took me to my first MX race
So I learned that hard work does pay off.
One of many lessons learned from moto.
4/2/2013 3:10pm
When i was in my 20s people said you ll feel your broken bones when your older. Im 36, broke my rt ankle 3 times. Arthritus is no joke! Takes my foot about a half hr before i can walk in the am.
dak446
Posts
1052
Joined
3/28/2011
Location
Louisville, KY, USA
4/2/2013 3:35pm
Always wear clean underwear because you never know when the paramedics are going to have to cut your pants off.
MotoTones
Posts
186
Joined
7/4/2012
Location
Essex, CT, USA
4/2/2013 3:36pm
It's not if you crash, it's when and its only a matter of time before you are hurt.

Motocross is by far the most dangerous sport in the world, but my only true love. But the amount of pain its caused me and still continues to make my life hell with blown out discs in my lower back, I wish I never rode in the first place. Being 33 now with over 30 major injuries including a broken back and 3 herniated discs, its not worth it. Being in pain all the time sucks and I'm paying for it big time now. I can't ride at all anymore and I wish I could at least a little.
Switch
Posts
1419
Joined
9/17/2010
Location
USA
4/2/2013 3:37pm Edited Date/Time 4/2/2013 3:38pm
I learned that moto can either bring you closer to your parents, or drive you farther apart. When "chasing the dream" is over, 99% of these mini parents that take out 3 mortgages to buy the giant hauler to take Jr. to the track, will have just that. A hauler and 3 mortgages.. and a kid with no education.

I've learned it doesn't matter how nice your stuff is, it doesn't make you the fast on its own. Just like you can be the fastest guy at the track but can't win if you don't take care of your stuff and it's always breaking.

Motocross isn't worth going into debt over.

Seeing rich kids sponge off their parents into their 20's is funny when you are in your 20's and have made headway to what their parents have.. through hardwork.

Watch who's toes you step on, they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow.

There are many more...
MX45
Posts
1147
Joined
11/14/2008
Location
Phoenix, AZ, USA
4/2/2013 3:54pm Edited Date/Time 4/2/2013 3:55pm
I learned:
-How to pop my own shoulder back into socket
-never forget to put the washer back on a drain plug
-duct tape and zip ties can fix anything
-wash gasoline off your crotch immediately
-new graphics add 5hp
-label pre-mixed gas as such
-label gatorade bottles filled with aintifreeze
-duck when riding your bike into an enclosed trailer
-chain wax makes for fun pyro and won't burn you when set on fire
-never loan out tools without threat of castration
-other riders do not find it funny when you ride mx with a headlight and horn, and beat them.
-you can fit 12 people in a golf cart
-Florida feet is actual distance times 1.25
-never loan your bike to a pro
-duct tape nipples when wearing vented gear and riding sand tracks
-trees actually do jump out in front of you
-cows are as solid as a brick wall
-you can in fact train your girlfriend to wash your bike
-a pencil stream on a pressure washer will break skin
-remember to drop your tire pressure after setting the bead at 80psi
-you need a tetanus shot every 8-10 years
-never hold the plug when checking for spark
-never say "one more lap"
-everyone you meet on the way up, you will meet on the way down
4/2/2013 4:10pm
1. Racist people will do anything and everything to avoid being labeled racist. "You don't like James Stewart because.....he left JGR after 1 year. Sure."

2. Narrow minded people are not even worth your breath. "KTM parts are hard to get? mmK, bro."

3. There are a lot of people out there who will only be friends with someone who is providing them with something. They aren't friends, they are parasites. They go through life never, ever knowing the definition of friendship.

4. Anything perceived as 'macho' will ALWAYS bring out the little dick-types.
AS64
Posts
1756
Joined
5/14/2012
Location
CA
4/2/2013 4:15pm
What you put in you get back. That's the way MX is and that is the way life is.

And on an MX only lesson, you shouldn't be looking at any performance mods unless you are at least midpack B class. That includes an exhaust system.
bents
Posts
3400
Joined
12/31/2009
Location
CA
Fantasy
4/2/2013 4:29pm
Mx taught me how to:
-Pack the trailer perfectly in the morning so my dad would just have to get in and drive to the race
-To work on my own shit-when I blew up my 1st race bike (75 TM 100) b/c I forgot to add oil into the injector tank, I put a hole in the piston. Shortly thereafter I got my 1st paycheque (114.00) and thought I was rich, until my Dad had me sign it over to fix my mistake. That never happened again.
-mx taught me how to get in shape, and how important being fit is to anything I do
-mx taught me how to suffer, to overcome, plus my Dad would never let me quit.
-take responsibility for my performance
-how to value great friendships
-gave me a greater understanding of generosity. Random dudes giving me parts or helping to get my bike straight for the next moto.
-to value a hobby, and to keep it in perspective-learned that the hard way, by being an ass
-it taught me that nothing can replace the feeling of the 5 second board turning sideways.
Husqerdo
Posts
596
Joined
7/23/2011
Location
Minneapolis, MN, USA
4/2/2013 5:00pm
DoctorJD wrote:
For me, it was a lot of things. My parents really didn't support my racing. While they allowed me to race, they never fully embraced it...
For me, it was a lot of things. My parents really didn't support my racing. While they allowed me to race, they never fully embraced it. I supported the lion's share of my racing expenses by working summers and weekends, with a little help from my folks. I was racing against guys who'd show up with trailers loaded down with three bikes (125,250 and 500) and raced as many classes as humanly possible. I'd come to the race with my one bike that I worked all summer to earn. I learned what financial independence and responsibility was all about from those years.

Doing things on my own, I had to be self-motivated. I didn't have my dad cracking the whip on me making me train and ride, I had to drag myself off of the couch and make it happen on my own. Like Chapman said, I learned that I "reaped what I sowed". The more effort I put in, the better my results.

I learned how to turn a wrench and, more importantly, how to troubleshoot problems. If you owned a dirt bike in the 70's and early 80's, you had to be handy with the tools.

I learned to face-down fear.

The only regret I have about my moto years was the fact that I basically forsook team sports. Sure, I played some little league baseball and Pop Warner, but as a young adult, I never got to experience the team dynamic. That being said, I wouldn't change anything. In fact, bonding with my competitors probably taught me more than bonding with a teammate.
I can relate, same era, worked hard to afford to ride and race. No outside support only my own motivation, effort, and money. Not complaining by any means, taught me a life long lesson of perseverance and the realization that you get out of life what you put into it. There is just something about dirt bikes only those who ride or have ridden can appreciate.
JeepnMike
Posts
2525
Joined
10/18/2012
Location
Enumclaw, WA, USA
4/2/2013 6:07pm
1. Racist people will do anything and everything to avoid being labeled racist. "You don't like James Stewart because.....he left JGR after 1 year. Sure." 2...
1. Racist people will do anything and everything to avoid being labeled racist. "You don't like James Stewart because.....he left JGR after 1 year. Sure."

2. Narrow minded people are not even worth your breath. "KTM parts are hard to get? mmK, bro."

3. There are a lot of people out there who will only be friends with someone who is providing them with something. They aren't friends, they are parasites. They go through life never, ever knowing the definition of friendship.

4. Anything perceived as 'macho' will ALWAYS bring out the little dick-types.
Way to put a negative spin on a positive thread you dick Tongue
4/2/2013 6:23pm
to have family values and make you realize haw grateful you are for your parents.
4/2/2013 6:36pm
Determination. Almost to a fault. Does not seem to matter what it is, it must be done, won, or completed to the best of my ability.
4/2/2013 6:45pm
If something doesn't feel right your two options are to either hit the brakes or pin it.
4/2/2013 6:49pm Edited Date/Time 4/2/2013 6:52pm
1.) Try your best at anything you attempt. What really is the point of half assing anything, You get what you give.
2.) How thankful i am for the parents that i have and let me experience something that i truly enjoy doing.
3.) Because of number 2, Traveling on the weekends, i know kids my age that have never been out of their county.
4.) Keep things fresh, if you race Offroad, do a Moto, if you Moto, race Offroad for a change. You might learn something.
5.) be prepared, forgetting your boots on race day could not be fun.
bvm111
Posts
10115
Joined
7/1/2008
Location
Las Vegas, NV, USA
4/2/2013 6:58pm
gravity is constant.... and it can hurt!
Elcharro95
Posts
42
Joined
8/30/2007
Location
Farmington, NM, USA
4/2/2013 7:24pm
1. Never quit.
2. With sheer determination, you can go from beginner to expert.
3. Everyone rides the bandwagon.
4. Mini dads fight pretty well.
5. Don't insult pissed off parentcoaches
6. When in doubt, give it all you've got
7. Procrastination is the enemy of success
8. Homeschool kids are usually pretty ignorant
9. Never take life for granted, it can end so quickly.
10. Love thy parents.
wacker
Posts
197
Joined
8/29/2006
Location
Murrieta, CA, USA
4/2/2013 7:28pm
1. Pay attention in school.
2. Finish school.
3. Go to college.
4.
disbanded
Posts
6926
Joined
8/26/2007
Location
Evergreen, CO, USA
4/2/2013 8:23pm
I learned that if you pee your pants during a snowy enduro in the Ozarks in January - it will warm you up, but only for a few minutes.
stantdm
Posts
442
Joined
7/17/2011
Location
Belle Fourche, SD, USA
4/2/2013 8:32pm
I am impressed with the serious posts in this threads. Motocross is a good character builder.
Prairieboy43
Posts
610
Joined
1/30/2012
Location
Edmonton, AB, CA
4/2/2013 8:33pm
toomey706 wrote:
Focus, you get what you focus on. Look at the rock, hit the rock, but not just physical focus. You have to drive your mental focus...
Focus, you get what you focus on. Look at the rock, hit the rock, but not just physical focus. You have to drive your mental focus to what you want, and not what you're worried about or scared of. You can make bad shit come true, just like you can the good stuff happen. Bad thoughts have no place on the track, and should be entertained in everyday life, and your focus determines where your attention goes. Handle problems, but don't dwell on the shit that you're scared of because that will be your reality.

Good topic!
Agree, Focus! Number 1 for me. When I focus , I go to my happy place.Woohoo Woohoo Woohoo Sideways Dry

Post a reply to: Life Lessons You Learned From Moto

The Latest