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Marty Smith would be a factory rider now...
Sure, everyone (including me) wanted a new 4-stroke around 2000ish and were excited about them. They were awesome, new, and the bike to have. They started winning and all the factories put their riders on them. No one really thought about it at first, or thought about racing costs, privateer expenses, economy, or any of that, since everyone was kind of riding the 4s wave of coolness. Then the 2-strokes started to disappear out of the Pros. It began to become evident, and I think everyone expected some type of rule change to compensate for the displacement advantage of the 4s (kind of like they did around 2000 to give parity for the 4s before finally settling on 450cc).
In 2006 there was a rumor that the a 150 2s would be allowed to run in the 250F class and a larger displacement 2s allowed for the 450F class. But there was an alliance formed of some promoters (actually one promoter), AMA, and industry insiders and it was voted by them to leave the rules like they were and not give any parity to the 2s. This landmark decision and power play in the sport of MX not only sealed the fate of the 2s from Pro competition, but it was also solidified a new effort by the AMA to hand over complete control of its decisions and autonomy to the OEMs. The AMA now had a promoter/ monitor to make sure it happened too. This settled the issue once and for all that 4s would be the only raceable bike in the any AMA dirt bike competition. With this new vote, there was a concerted effort to eradicate the 2-stroke from any form of competition or even be spoken about seriously by any of the alliance members or their affiliates.
Ten years later, the economy has continued to take a downturn and the sport of MX has changed into an expensive traveling circus type program owned by a single promoter. And yes, racing expenses for a 4s are more expensive than ever, especially more than a 2s. Ask Pro Circuit about the cost differences. Media coverage has also changed. Some may say for the better, but no longer is it as single-focused as it used to be. The promoter controls what happens to the media outlets and how it is delivered.
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their kids go to private schools and they make sure they aren't friends with common blue collar people, who are the fabric of this sport.
the rich who are into motorsports are into road racing, shifter karts and SCCA road racing and whatnot
http://youtu.be/n0I52kiT-wc
I may be looking at things from a different perspective, but that's all I have. I see real numbers and not just what people think. A very smart man once told me, he could not remember how many turkeys he shot while hunting, but he could tell you about every single one he missed.
Also, from an OEM standpoint, you have to understand that they have more information about things than the general public and to lead in sales, they need to be on the cutting edge of things. In the late 90's, rumors were that 2 strokes were going to be banned sometime down the road, including off-road bikes. Some OEM's started planning for this and designed and built 4 stroke replacements, some didn't. I know you didn't say this, but lots of people have said that the 4 strokes were built for more revenue due to more expensive parts an more frequent rebuilds. If anyone has ever worked with a Japanese company, they would understand how crazy a statement that is. Pride is much more important in Japanese culture than a little additional income. Think about the millions of dollars spent on MX racing from the Japanese and what kind of ROI do you think they get other than pride? NONE.
If cost is such a big determining factor in the demise in MX, why are KTM's selling so well? They are not the cheapest bike around. Why has $20,000 plus UTV sales shot through the roof? The change in our sport is more about changes in lifestyle than the price of bikes or lack of tracks. Our sport is battling with other activities for the same money and has lost some ground as of late. These other activities are not really cheap either. Anyone who has a kid playing hockey can tell you about how much it costs. I spend over $5000 a year for my 11 y.o. daughter to be on an all star cheerleading team and that doesn't include the 3-4 travel competitions we attend. That's cheaper than chasing a LL title on a 85, but still not cheap.
Unknown? The guy is hardly unknown if you follow motocross and racing at all.
There were some real young kids, (about 10 or so) and a few teenaged kids.
My point is that the youth that used to ride compared to now is dwindling. If it wasn't for the 25 and older crowd I'm not sure some tracks would stay in business.
And that isn't good.
A man on a 2 stroke raced in a race for 4 strokes in America where the riders are faster/not as fast as they are in Europe???Said man was once an mx prospect at LL, witch must be massive because DD is big, EE is massive and for heavens sake don't google FF...... Then at some point said man raced in some trees thus forever affecting his mx ability to the occasional dual sport outing..... Clear as mud witch is the only reason said man got his old fashioned 2 stroke out of the woods to play with the 4 strokes...... I think.
There is some perspective on his finish.
Pit Row
I've been pretty negative about the sport since 06, but there are some positive glimpses here and there. Hopefully I can focus more on those.
Comparing the two series is difficult at best with neither better than the other and with probably the same level of depth...but you feel the need to bait and troll just to see what type of reaction you can get...it gets old...
Japanese are the most stubborn, greedy and narrow minded business people I've ever met.
I'm a adult and playing in two leagues
Ice- 400$ per season (16 games + playoffs)
Roller- 137$ per season (10 games+ playoffs)
usa hockey membership- 40$ per year
this isnt including sticks which break like a mofo and run 100+ per and skate sharpenings etc.
it honestly cost a small fortune for your average beer leaguer to play, like myself.
If you have a kid playing competitive Ice....
5k+ for Single A travel per season (Two seasons per year)
10k for AA- Travel per
16k for AAA- Travel per
its weird out here in cali though, hockey is growing at a fast ass rate.
Moto, on there other hand is cheaper to practice, but i'm sure racing cost probably run the same... and you have a higher chance of injury in moto.
My main point was that the national series (which newman is degrading) is more competitive now then ever. That's a fact, if you don't think so tell me why, argue the point I was trying to make instead of creating a straw-man.
I felt like the point of newmans thread was to say that the national series is in a sad state, he used a bs example (trail rider...), and I disagree. People have brought up more bs examples like bike sales and I still disagree.
People should re read newmans first post, and the point he was TRYING to make but failed to make, that is what i was arguing about and the pot metal thing was being facetious, but it sure brought the 2 stroke lovers out of the wood work
What Top Jimmy said when asked what era he would race in....
"If I could pick any period I would pick the one we are currently in! The bikes are unreal straight out of the crate And the tracks seem to just be getting better and better!"
Seriously these guys throwing shade at newmann crack me up. Guy has forgotten more about moto history than most know plus has a works Honda in his stable.
Post a reply to: Sad state of moto?