Deep thoughts at the truth of motocross.

Motoxdoc
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Steamboat Springs, CO, USA
7/30/2015 12:42pm
MxRewind wrote:
I am just writing this to see what others think, or if others agree. (Sorry if there is slight grammar problems for you grammar nazis) As...
I am just writing this to see what others think, or if others agree. (Sorry if there is slight grammar problems for you grammar nazis)

As a kid growing up most of us starting out in motocross did it simply because it was fun and we though it was cool. As years pass bikes got bigger, skills were acquired and things became a bit more serious. At one point for anyone who takes it serious realities sink in. Amount of injuries become a factor, along with finances, or the lack of the fun factor. Typically this is the cause of riders fading away. For the average rider chasing the dream to make it pro of anylevel its life consuming.

As an expert in this sport I know the struggle I didn't see when mom and dad were paying for most of it. If I want to take it serious traveling is a must. To get my SX pro card I have to travel each week to far away states. (Ex. I am from MA and must travel to Pa, Md, Nc, Al, or even FL). All this travel requires time off from work possibly costing me my job. The employers simply don't care as a worker is simply replaceable. I feel the AMA "favors" the rich. Lorettas itself is costly along with chasing pro-ams.

Most people think it's stupid to chase down the dream that aren't affiliated with the sport. The lack of support from industry companies is also an issue. Help to get to these races seems to be low to none. Maybe it's just me but it seems for the average joe 9-5 worker trying to chase the dream is a 50/50 gamble. What do you think?
I agree with all of that except the 50/50 gamble part. I'd say it's more like a 0.1/99.9 gamble. The only sport that I can think of that's harder to make a living at is ultimate fighting/MMA's.
Phillip_Lamb
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7/30/2015 12:52pm
My only problem with going pro is the new "qualifying process" makes it much harder for an average local pro to show up and race. This I would say has prevented many of the back fillers from showing up like you had in the 90's. You used to at one point be able to just get a reference from local promoters saying to the effect that yes your fast.

While this does ensure only THE fastest get in, it also limits those who dont have the time or money to travel to all the amatuer nationals or even AX, which are quite spread out and are a far cry from what SX is
swtwtwtw
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Apple Valley, CA, USA
7/30/2015 1:29pm
MX is a pasttime, a hobby; it is something that many of us do for life. I like that the very good can make a living at it, and I do not like that there are not many racing past 25. Locally I have been riding against the same core of 20-40 guys since our 30's. Nowadays there is minimal participation in the +30 or +40 groupings anymore. I find that sad. Yet I am glad that there are still guys my age riding and racing.
7/30/2015 1:49pm
My only problem with going pro is the new "qualifying process" makes it much harder for an average local pro to show up and race. This...
My only problem with going pro is the new "qualifying process" makes it much harder for an average local pro to show up and race. This I would say has prevented many of the back fillers from showing up like you had in the 90's. You used to at one point be able to just get a reference from local promoters saying to the effect that yes your fast.

While this does ensure only THE fastest get in, it also limits those who dont have the time or money to travel to all the amatuer nationals or even AX, which are quite spread out and are a far cry from what SX is
I remember when you could show up at a national and race as long as you had a AMA card.

The Shop

rt987
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7/30/2015 1:52pm Edited Date/Time 7/30/2015 4:09pm
My deal might relate to this. Not looking for anything, just sharing information.

I am currently 18, graduated HS this past june completing it entirely online, self-motivated. Finished school with good marks, only child living on farm, good work-ethic. Started riding when I was 4, raced for about 8 years but wasn't super fast because I never practised. Took 5 years off from full time racing, still loving motocross and following it religiously but not racing myself. Rode a lot of adventure stuff on and around the farm as well as fire roads mainly with my Dad. Ride a DR650.

Last summer the opportunity arose for me to get back into racing. Together with my Dad we purchased a YZ250, and went racing. I know how to train from previous racing experience but because it was a spur of the moment decision I was waaaaay off the pace from where I felt I could be. Started in Beginner and eventually won a race, but I was so far out of shape. Decided I wanted to keep doing it, and put money in to buy a 3/4 ton truck to get to the races better, as well as some real suspension for my bike. Sacrificed any social life I had, and kept training through the winter. This spring wasn't want I wanted, being away from racing I lost a lot of the aggression but have scored some top 10's in Junior.

But the question is why am I still pouring pretty much all of my money and time into it when it appears I would never ever make anything? I don't really know, other than love for it. I decided I would give myself 3 years to try and improve (when YZ is worn out). My dream is to make it to a pro level, just to say I did. I know I won't get rich (quite the opposite will happen) but I love racing.

I continue to work hard, on and off the bike (when I am not farming) just to see where I can go. This afternoon I plan to ride 2 30's on my 5 acre track then practice corners, before the race this weekend (if the hay doesn't go.) I love it. My work ethic from farming is what keeps me going longer than any other kid, which is what I have to do because I am so far behind on skill. I will be attending college in the fall to further my education in farming, but fortunately I will have that to fall back on either way.

But the only way I can do it is by being financially smart. Everything I use from bike to truck to gear is paid for in cash. I've used the same goggles since 2006. I'm a firm believer in working hard pays off. Hopefully I can finish strong in 2015 and move up again, one step closer to my dream. Or go broke trying Tongue
MxRewind
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Swansea, MA, USA
7/30/2015 2:37pm
rt987 wrote:
My deal might relate to this. Not looking for anything, just sharing information. I am currently 18, graduated HS this past june completing it entirely online...
My deal might relate to this. Not looking for anything, just sharing information.

I am currently 18, graduated HS this past june completing it entirely online, self-motivated. Finished school with good marks, only child living on farm, good work-ethic. Started riding when I was 4, raced for about 8 years but wasn't super fast because I never practised. Took 5 years off from full time racing, still loving motocross and following it religiously but not racing myself. Rode a lot of adventure stuff on and around the farm as well as fire roads mainly with my Dad. Ride a DR650.

Last summer the opportunity arose for me to get back into racing. Together with my Dad we purchased a YZ250, and went racing. I know how to train from previous racing experience but because it was a spur of the moment decision I was waaaaay off the pace from where I felt I could be. Started in Beginner and eventually won a race, but I was so far out of shape. Decided I wanted to keep doing it, and put money in to buy a 3/4 ton truck to get to the races better, as well as some real suspension for my bike. Sacrificed any social life I had, and kept training through the winter. This spring wasn't want I wanted, being away from racing I lost a lot of the aggression but have scored some top 10's in Junior.

But the question is why am I still pouring pretty much all of my money and time into it when it appears I would never ever make anything? I don't really know, other than love for it. I decided I would give myself 3 years to try and improve (when YZ is worn out). My dream is to make it to a pro level, just to say I did. I know I won't get rich (quite the opposite will happen) but I love racing.

I continue to work hard, on and off the bike (when I am not farming) just to see where I can go. This afternoon I plan to ride 2 30's on my 5 acre track then practice corners, before the race this weekend (if the hay doesn't go.) I love it. My work ethic from farming is what keeps me going longer than any other kid, which is what I have to do because I am so far behind on skill. I will be attending college in the fall to further my education in farming, but fortunately I will have that to fall back on either way.

But the only way I can do it is by being financially smart. Everything I use from bike to truck to gear is paid for in cash. I've used the same goggles since 2006. I'm a firm believer in working hard pays off. Hopefully I can finish strong in 2015 and move up again, one step closer to my dream. Or go broke trying Tongue
That's what I'm saying when I mean the 50/50. Not 50/50 making a career but 50/50 shot of just making prowler just to say. For me I work 7-4:30 doing overtime as much as possible and just running down the last stretch. The line between expert and pro. Some of us realize we won't make a living off it but know we are fast enough to be a "fill the gate" rider. Just for the back pack riders it seems to be tough to afford. For anyone that is like this and lives in like Idaho or Dakota I feel bad for you guys. It seems like no ax goes that way this year except maybe 2. This sport is too tough to just give in. You know money doesn't make you happy. It's meant to be spent and well after bills and what not I'm fine with being a tad on the less money side to say I tried to achieve a goal I set.
7/30/2015 3:32pm
Two stroke pipe and silencer: $350
Four stroke pipe and silencer: $1000

Two stroke top end rebuild: $150
Four stroke top end rebuild: $1000

and the list goes on.

It's cheaper to run the 250 two stroke and is legal for 250 class in everything except for a handful of pro races in stadiums. If you live close to Canada, run what you can afford in the 250 class like Benoit and others.

When I first got into moto the 125 gates were always full. They had to stack riders two deep in my first race ever back in late 80s. People came to the tracks with bikes they bought working at the grocery store or feed & seed. They drove ratty old trucks and had 2-3 year old gear. Everyone had fun, nobody thought a thing about rich or poor.

Today tracks struggle to get riders out to practice days let alone race day. New bikes cost as much as new economy cars did a few years ago. Try buying a new bike working at McDonalds. Ain't happening.

7/30/2015 3:34pm
Chinese bikes are cheap, but let's face it the quality isn't there and nobody wants to take one of those 400lb wonders to the track only to have it fold into a pretzel from catching a square edge the right way.

Used bike market is drying up. Less new bikes sold today mean fewer used bikes tomorrow, plus used bikes will hold value more.
MxRewind
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7/30/2015 4:22pm
Not to mention selling the two stroke if it's not new would only be worth like 2 maybe 3grand. And a decent 4-stroke coast 4-6grand for a 13 or so. It just isn't like it use to
Mit12
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7/30/2015 5:13pm
There is a big difference between chasing the dream verses running it into the ground. At some point you have to be honest with your self about your ability to achieve this dream. I spent every penny I made racing at the local Pro level for 3 years back in the early 1980's. I could not win let alone make money so it off to work. Now I am retired from work, have lots of great memories, some I feel every day. I would not trade the experience for anything in the world.
bsharkey
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Marysville, WA, USA
7/30/2015 5:20pm
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to a better career and just ride for fun
hvaughn88
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Conway, AR, USA
7/30/2015 5:23pm
bsharkey wrote:
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to...
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to a better career and just ride for fun
Some may argue the economy still hasn't recovered. Recovering, perhaps.
The Rock
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7/30/2015 6:08pm
bsharkey wrote:
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to...
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to a better career and just ride for fun
hvaughn88 wrote:
Some may argue the economy still hasn't recovered. Recovering, perhaps.
Only employed people think the economy has recovered.
r.sal923
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CA
7/30/2015 7:21pm
Here's something to ponder 1. The guys who unrealistically "chase the dream" end up changing oil at a Firestone car care center (nothing wrong with bending...
Here's something to ponder

1. The guys who unrealistically "chase the dream" end up changing oil at a Firestone car care center (nothing wrong with bending wrenches for a living folks) but end up in a profession that can't really support the hobby financially. Then, they knock up some track snack, have a boy, and the cycle continues.

2. The guys who put the dream on the shelf at 18-19, get an education, and a revenue producing career, are able to afford all kinds of cool, trick shit, take time off work, and ride whenever and wherever they want.

Decide who you want to be.
I picked #2. But some times I wish I picked #1. I miss racing , but love not being broke
Jack mehoff
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7/30/2015 8:27pm
bsharkey wrote:
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to...
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to a better career and just ride for fun
If the mfg s and the promoters at the top off the food chain don't wake up soon , saidly I see MX going the way off street bike road racing ,down the drain. Back to the subject though if you where a top expert in your district , most off the time you would get a shop ride and a parts allowance for the year . Good luck on that happening now , I do know for a fact that there is a lot off talent out there that are sitting home due to the cost off repairing the 4 stoke . So people find cheaper forms off motorsports to play in
bonseff
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Frisco, TX, USA
7/30/2015 8:45pm
LOL @ far away states. we would drive from austin to dallas, houston and everywhere in between. Sack up and go find those sweet tracks.
7/30/2015 8:53pm
bsharkey wrote:
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to...
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to a better career and just ride for fun
hvaughn88 wrote:
Some may argue the economy still hasn't recovered. Recovering, perhaps.
The Rock wrote:
Only employed people think the economy has recovered.
If you are not working in Colorado then you dont want to work, so many jobs out here at all levels.
plowboy
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7/30/2015 8:53pm
The Rock wrote:
Only employed people think the economy has recovered.
Bingo.
c_dub
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USA
7/31/2015 12:09am
bsharkey wrote:
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to...
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to a better career and just ride for fun
hvaughn88 wrote:
Some may argue the economy still hasn't recovered. Recovering, perhaps.
The Rock wrote:
Only employed people think the economy has recovered.
The economy has never really recovered. And we're about to get socked again me thinks. The whole "every 7 years" thing and all....
7/31/2015 1:40am
The thing that irks me is delusional people that don't know when to stop dreaming, and start being real with yourself.

If your not getting sponsorship it's because of one reason....your not fast enough or popular enough!

I have no problem with people chasing a dream but don't go whinging about how expensive it is and how hard it is. It's not meant to be easy, being the best at anything isn't easy.
shanes
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AD
7/31/2015 2:37am
for the younger ones , i was in the same boat as a kid i picked 1 , 3 knees surges latter my mx days where over at 17 . time to pick 2 ,but at 19 i started road racing , for ex motorcross riders or dirt trackers its pretty easy to go fast , so i went back to 1 :-} working full time 6 days a week 15 mile cycling and 1 hour training a day after work i was doing pretty good and had a chance to sign a good contract to race overseas and local. i picked the oversea contract but it fell apart at the last min after already signing the letter of intent etc by then the local contract was already gone as well .
i walked away got a second job to pay off all my bills and concentrated on work . what i did do is gave it everything i had to make a go of it so i can't be disappointed as tried by best .

i went and did something totally different for 8-9 years . started racing again at 30 and raced for 10 years retired at 40 and now just ride for fun but i have the money to enjoy it .

treat riding as a hobby and don't rely on it to try and make a living as you will only be let down . most of all don't go hating someone that got that opportunity to race and get paid for it . you ride bikes because you love riding remember that and you will always smile when you take your helmet off , unless you have just broken another leg or arm :-}}
ROCKNDAWG
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Kingman, AZ, USA
7/31/2015 7:19am
h&m_cycle wrote:
Most guys could make more money pushing carts at Walmart... Not talking you, but in general... In the 70's local pros raced about 5 days a...
Most guys could make more money pushing carts at Walmart... Not talking you, but in general...
In the 70's local pros raced about 5 days a week in Southern Cal. I'm talking about guys like Dave "DG" Taylor...
Just from what I read...
I'm an old dude so i was racing in the 70s in Socal.
Yep you could race Ascot, Irwindale, Orange County, Lions, Corona during the week nights and pick multiple places on the weekends. People like Ron Turner cleaned up racing all 125, 250 and 500 classes (and winning all of them) 7 days a week.
JB 19
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7/31/2015 7:55am
One of the big regrets of my life is that I did not head out on the road in 79 as my buddies wrench for the...
One of the big regrets of my life is that I did not head out on the road in 79 as my buddies wrench for the nationals. I had no money, he had no money, the trip ended up being aborted after he broke his foot back east. But I should have gone. Everyone should be realistic, but there is a period in young adulthood when those dreams can and should be pursued, at least to prove to oneself that you can survive failure and learn from it. I forgot that having nothing means having nothing to lose, and that most times it works out.
So true.
TeamGreen
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Thru-out, CA, USA
7/31/2015 9:39am
To many assumptions up in here...

1. Why do you need "kit" suspension? Well valved TAC's are a production version of Works Forks. A well built and coated surfaces on a modern shock is awesome, too. Sometimes a lot of us equate good "set-up" with "expensive".

2. Weston Peick and a few others squashed the Paradygm.

3. The "Us-n-Them" or the implied "Industry doesn't do enough" is pathetic and it's getting old.

4. Make it or not, it is what it is. Get over it.
ACBraap
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Fantasy
7/31/2015 9:46am
All it takes is money, time and talent. Some only have two of those qualities and turn out to competitive racer. which quality are they missing...
All it takes is money, time and talent. Some only have two of those qualities and turn out to competitive racer. which quality are they missing ? Any single one. But they need the other two to keep it a float.
I would add drive. I'm sure we've all seen someone with money, time, and talent, but no drive, and thought WTF?

Drive is required. Money, time, and talent - takes at least 2 of these 3 IMO.
ACBraap
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Fantasy
7/31/2015 9:51am
Here's something to ponder 1. The guys who unrealistically "chase the dream" end up changing oil at a Firestone car care center (nothing wrong with bending...
Here's something to ponder

1. The guys who unrealistically "chase the dream" end up changing oil at a Firestone car care center (nothing wrong with bending wrenches for a living folks) but end up in a profession that can't really support the hobby financially. Then, they knock up some track snack, have a boy, and the cycle continues.

2. The guys who put the dream on the shelf at 18-19, get an education, and a revenue producing career, are able to afford all kinds of cool, trick shit, take time off work, and ride whenever and wherever they want.

Decide who you want to be.
Great post. But, nothing wrong with pursuing the dream for awhile - college in your early to mid 20s is still plenty of time for a long 'normal' career, AND pursuing college with the same drive that went into moto will lead to success (worked for me anyway).
The Rock
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7/31/2015 9:55am
A little more cowbell never hurt either.
bsharkey
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7/31/2015 10:19am
hvaughn88 wrote:
Some may argue the economy still hasn't recovered. Recovering, perhaps.
The Rock wrote:
Only employed people think the economy has recovered.
lostboy819 wrote:
If you are not working in Colorado then you dont want to work, so many jobs out here at all levels.
Same in washington state. The economy is booming here right now. Busiest ive been I. Years. Over 50 tower cranes in seattle and they expect close to 100 by 2018.
Suns_PSD
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Austin, TX, USA
7/31/2015 10:51am
bsharkey wrote:
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to...
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to a better career and just ride for fun
hvaughn88 wrote:
Some may argue the economy still hasn't recovered. Recovering, perhaps.
And those people would be idiots too lazy to go find jobs. ANY, and I mean ANY able bodied male was able to get a 6 figure job in oilfield up until 6 months ago at anytime in the last 5 years. All you had to do was get out of your comfort zone and move to a place where the jobs were. People that can't find work are in the same category as drug addicts, they don't care to change and therefore they don't.

And yes we are teetering on the edge of another recession. So my statement might not still apply 6 months from now.
hvaughn88
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Conway, AR, USA
7/31/2015 11:18am
bsharkey wrote:
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to...
Funny how the economy has recovered but the sport never did. Kids are getting smarter now. Ive seen alot of fast kids just move on to a better career and just ride for fun
hvaughn88 wrote:
Some may argue the economy still hasn't recovered. Recovering, perhaps.
Suns_PSD wrote:
And those people would be idiots too lazy to go find jobs. ANY, and I mean ANY able bodied male was able to get a 6...
And those people would be idiots too lazy to go find jobs. ANY, and I mean ANY able bodied male was able to get a 6 figure job in oilfield up until 6 months ago at anytime in the last 5 years. All you had to do was get out of your comfort zone and move to a place where the jobs were. People that can't find work are in the same category as drug addicts, they don't care to change and therefore they don't.

And yes we are teetering on the edge of another recession. So my statement might not still apply 6 months from now.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, easy big fella. I agree with what you are saying. I will argue though, that the state of an economy is more complex than employment.

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