Moto is on the Decline?

AlexB289
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AlexB289 12/14/2016 7:00am
12/14/2016 7:00am
Been saying this for a while now. Early to mid 2000s tracks were packed over here on the east coasts with plenty of places to ride. Now it seems there isn't hardly anything going on especially in Georgia. Just my observation, maybe I'm wrong. Just nothing close to me any more. Gotta drive at least 1 1/2 hours to the nearest public track
Bramlett321
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Bramlett321 12/14/2016 7:25am
12/14/2016 7:25am
AlexB289 wrote:
Been saying this for a while now. Early to mid 2000s tracks were packed over here on the east coasts with plenty of places to ride...
Been saying this for a while now. Early to mid 2000s tracks were packed over here on the east coasts with plenty of places to ride. Now it seems there isn't hardly anything going on especially in Georgia. Just my observation, maybe I'm wrong. Just nothing close to me any more. Gotta drive at least 1 1/2 hours to the nearest public track
^^^^ East Texas(Texarkana) is in a very similar situation as you are. Our shortest commute is 2 hours, there are a couple of private tracks that if we get lucky we can ride. We are about 2.5 hours from Dallas area where there are several nice tracks but to pack up and travel each weekend to ride or race is a nice chunk of change. And here at Christmas time the wife doesn't appreciate me taking away from the 10 year olds fund lol. But I'll continue the grind to ride as often as I can.....I love this shit !!!!
OldYZRider1
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OldYZRider1 12/14/2016 8:16am
12/14/2016 8:16am Edited Date/Time 12/14/2016 8:39am
PJRAUS wrote:
Wow things are bad in the USA.... 5 years in college and you are making $36k WTF??? And so many young Americans thought that Hillary was...
Wow things are bad in the USA.... 5 years in college and you are making $36k WTF???
And so many young Americans thought that Hillary was the answer??? A lot more thought Bernie Sanders had the right ideas...may have done but the DNC sure fucked him over..
So glad I live in Australia ...I'm very blue collar.. I shear sheep for a living but can make 80 to 100 k in a year...min wage here is $21 per hour for casual employment... My industry is on piece rates... The more sheep I shear the more I get paid as I'm paid per sheep.
In any case , financial concerns aren't as big a factor in the decline of motocross here in Australia as they so obviously are in the USA ..
As others have stated...it's a lack of places to ride...so many other entertainment choices... and as far as serious hard core racing goes.... it's mostly the fault of our sports governing body MA ...or motorcycling asphyxiated...although they claim it stands for Motorcycling Australia.
It's hard for me to put into words just exactly how I feel about what those imbeciles have done to our sport...I won't bother...I'm out of it now
Dreaming now of having a track of my own ( like I once had ) and inviting my friends over to ride like I used to,
Here where I live in whats considered the Midwestern US, its not unusual for college graduates to have to go through employment agencies for their first job after graduation. There is a lack of work ethic in our younger population compared to several decades ago so companies don't want to extend benefits to new hires until they are "proven". I know kids who have graduated at the top of their class in scientific fields that go this route. They may only be offered $15/hr through an employment agency starting out. If the person proves out after six months they'll be taken on full time by the company they're placed at and offered a good compensation package. They can then get advanced in pay rather quickly so that after a couple of years they can be making decent money. I know its been a lot different situation for my daughter who graduated three years ago compared to what I experienced when I graduated in the mid '80's. Its a bit disheartening for them right after graduation for sure.
AlexB289
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AlexB289 12/14/2016 8:29am
12/14/2016 8:29am
I didn't go the college route even tho I highly considered it but weighed out my options and took on a trade. At first pay was bad with no benefits but I have now landed a good job with great benefits, hours, good pay and free school. With that being said I am only 21, on my own, mortgage and the bills with it, car note and an expensive hobby. I've been out of the sport for 3 years because I blew my rmz 250 up for the 3rd time that year and dad said no more. Recently purchased a used 14 kx250f thru some buying/trading/ selling and a little saving. I now find myself wanting a new bike (2017 tc250 to be exact) but not sure how I'll make it happen. I can barely afford to make it to the track. So for younger riders like me it is very hard to obtain new bikes and gear. I won't have the debt some will which is great and hopefully I'll be riding a new bike sooner than later but the struggle is real especially when no travks are near and everything is expensive.

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potatoflake
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potatoflake 12/14/2016 9:58am
12/14/2016 9:58am Edited Date/Time 12/14/2016 9:59am
As far as racing goes for me being in my first apartment and paying off a new truck on 15 bucks an hour I feel lucky just to get to the track 3 of 4 weekends a month, I knew I was going to be moving out around this time and money would be tight so instead of saving a ton of money I bought a bike and saved a good enoigh chunk to sleep easy.

Buying that bike then was the best thing I did because there's no way I could afford one now and it looks like I might even get to race a local series next season as long as my saving plan keeps going well
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AlexB289
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AlexB289 12/14/2016 10:05am
12/14/2016 10:05am
potatoflake wrote:
As far as racing goes for me being in my first apartment and paying off a new truck on 15 bucks an hour I feel lucky...
As far as racing goes for me being in my first apartment and paying off a new truck on 15 bucks an hour I feel lucky just to get to the track 3 of 4 weekends a month, I knew I was going to be moving out around this time and money would be tight so instead of saving a ton of money I bought a bike and saved a good enoigh chunk to sleep easy.

Buying that bike then was the best thing I did because there's no way I could afford one now and it looks like I might even get to race a local series next season as long as my saving plan keeps going well
Lucky you. It's hard for us younger guys to do that. I'm lucky to make it to a track once or twice a month. Needing that raise right about now
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motoarmageddon 12/14/2016 10:05am
12/14/2016 10:05am
motocross is not on the decline..,,profits from moto ARE on the decline
CC268
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CC268 12/14/2016 11:21am
12/14/2016 11:21am
No offense but if you CHOOSE to live in the state of California, don't complain about the ungodly cost of living.
Moto_Geek
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Moto_Geek 12/14/2016 11:32am
12/14/2016 11:32am
Motodave15 wrote:
Is probably the worst statement.. milestone was absolutely packed... word was glen helen was packed as well. I think this moto industry is on the up...
Is probably the worst statement.. milestone was absolutely packed... word was glen helen was packed as well. I think this moto industry is on the up and up

One thing is, must be a rise of old bikes because i didnt see that many people rocking 15-17s. But alot of nice older bikes.
I think it's the state of California die'ing in general. They all moved to CO and riding here now. I think I have 10 new friends all from CA riding here now.
kijen
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kijen 12/14/2016 12:20pm
12/14/2016 12:20pm
TXDirt wrote:
Cost obviously has something to do with it. How much that contributes to the overall decline I have no idea. I think another big factor is...
Cost obviously has something to do with it. How much that contributes to the overall decline I have no idea.

I think another big factor is that folks are becoming more educated about the dangers that riding/racing involves. This is the same thing that is happening with football. Sure, the NFL is still popular, but the little leagues are taking a huge hit in numbers because mom and dads don't want their kids to play football because of CTE concerns.

As motorcycle racing has become more popular, and has garnered more coverage in the media, social media, etc, it has brought to light in a more public fashion the dangers of racing.

I raced for about 15 years. Had numerous injuries, several I have no clue how I was able to walk away from. Racing was my life for a long time and it was very hard to walk away. It gave me many memories and experiences I'm forever grateful for. If I had been paralyzed, I definitely feel I would have a different take on answering the question, "was it worth it". I also feel I will suffer from or am already suffering from mild forms of CTE already and I'm still not even 40 yet.

I have four kids. The oldest is 7 now. Will I let them get into riding or racing? Highly unlikely. I fear too much that something terrible might happen to them. And for me I don't think that's worth it. I'm not 100% sure though. I have often times thought about just saying fuck it and going down and buying my kid and myself a bike and going out riding. In some ways I feel like I am robbing him of the same experiences I enjoyed as a kid. But then part of me also feels like I want to protect him from some terrible injury that may or may not happen.

When I was a kid growing up, I felt absolutely invincible. As I have gotten older and have my own kids, you almost feel helpless in some ways because now that I'm older you realize how precious life is, and how it can all be changed in a single instant. Whether that's driving to school, the grocery store, or even a harmless day at the track, etc.
completely understand, BUT are you ever going to let him drive a car? ride his bicycle at night over to his friend house? sleep over at a friend house?

We started racing/riding when my son was 10, he has played tackle football from 5 to varsity in football. Yeah I was concerned about risks, however this is life and sometimes you roll the dice to experience it. He has had a concussion or two from both football and MX, some major crashes at Mini O's and other fast races. Luck or percentage wise he suffered no life threating injuries.

We don't race anymore, it's too expensive and time consuming...
Stuntman949
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Stuntman949 12/14/2016 12:32pm
12/14/2016 12:32pm
Born and raised in Orange County, CA. We had Saddleback reopened for what felt like a year maybe.

To have a track/ lighted track to moto after work would be life changing. I remember them toying with the idea of having moto in the Irvine hangars.

Some weeks after working 50-60 hours its hard to justify loading up and driving a few hours on your one day off.
trailrider
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trailrider 12/14/2016 12:46pm
12/14/2016 12:46pm
simple...build more BMX tracks in the suburbs....Been the gateway to motocross for young kids like myself...every mx track needs to invest in a BMX track...hold events on the same day as mx...kids will be begging their parents to buy them bikes

BobPA
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BobPA 12/14/2016 12:52pm
12/14/2016 12:52pm
trailrider wrote:
simple...build more BMX tracks in the suburbs....Been the gateway to motocross for young kids like myself...every mx track needs to invest in a BMX track...hold events...
simple...build more BMX tracks in the suburbs....Been the gateway to motocross for young kids like myself...every mx track needs to invest in a BMX track...hold events on the same day as mx...kids will be begging their parents to buy them bikes

BMX is dying faster then MX. It is all about scooters now, the trend of everyone riding curbs and free coasters has really brought the sport to a stand still.

BMX racing is basically non existent, from what I have seen in my years of pedaling is that kids hate the structure...they want to go and cruise the streets with their friends, not be told when, where, and how to ride a bike.
sandman768
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sandman768 12/14/2016 1:02pm
12/14/2016 1:02pm Edited Date/Time 12/14/2016 1:05pm
If you want to be an MX racer, you will find a way....in the late 80"s early 90"s, I went to school, worked hard labor jobs, 3rd shift jobs, managed to buy 1 new bike every 2 years. I was racing the B class, I remember spending every cent I made on my bikes & getting to the races. Driving home in my used Nissan 2wd pickup, with a trophy, erased any doubt in my mind about what I was doing.....blue collar, big family, no support at all from parents....I wanted to be an MX racer...it was cool....Part of a group of fearless, bad ass athletes that were motor heads too......
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Tenacious P
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Tenacious P 12/14/2016 1:59pm
12/14/2016 1:59pm
It's because society has made this next generation into a bunch of pansies. Everything has to be fair, participation awards, no one is allowed to bully or make fun of anyone anymore. Every sport needs to be as safe as living in a bubble...

Motocross is a sport for hard, badass people. People who know they could brake their leg trying that new double but huck it anyway. People who spend hours in the garage maintaining their bikes. People who enjoy the smell of gas, oil, and especially when the two mix.

This new generation doesn't give a crap about any of this. They want to drink their pineapple Moscow Mule recipe found on Pinterest, while waiting for their Uber driver to pick them up and take them to the latest hipster "whiskey room" where they can drink $11 samples of aged scotch and wash it down with a $4 can of Pabst.

Not only do I not understand these people, I don't want to, and I hope they stay the hell away from the motocross tracks.


Giygas 12/14/2016 2:49pm
12/14/2016 2:49pm
potatoflake wrote:
As far as racing goes for me being in my first apartment and paying off a new truck on 15 bucks an hour I feel lucky...
As far as racing goes for me being in my first apartment and paying off a new truck on 15 bucks an hour I feel lucky just to get to the track 3 of 4 weekends a month, I knew I was going to be moving out around this time and money would be tight so instead of saving a ton of money I bought a bike and saved a good enoigh chunk to sleep easy.

Buying that bike then was the best thing I did because there's no way I could afford one now and it looks like I might even get to race a local series next season as long as my saving plan keeps going well
That's pretty good, considering there are only 4 weekends in a month.
chuck317
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chuck317 12/14/2016 3:34pm
12/14/2016 3:34pm
Rdubs19 wrote:
Tons of track closures in Arkansas, and not many races held anymore, but some nonetheless. Yet somehow dirt car racing in circles, which is about as...
Tons of track closures in Arkansas, and not many races held anymore, but some nonetheless. Yet somehow dirt car racing in circles, which is about as exciting as watching paint dry and horribly, ungodly expensive, is through the roof and every hillbilly has a modded out razr, ATV, and brand new truck. So it's not money. I think it's a matter of motocross being a sport, more about competition than materialism. You don't buy a motocross bike just to have it and ride in a field once in a while, you buy it to compete and improve with hard work and a lot of practice. Those things aren't very appealing to many people, including those in the working class/blue collar demographic that MX depended on for so long. It's extremely fun, but so is driving around in something with 4 wheels, and a razr/ATV has none of the drawbacks of moto in terms of having to work hard, be healthy, and dedicate a lot of time to practice.

so your saying driving a dirt car does not take dedication and hard work?
reded
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reded 12/14/2016 3:59pm
12/14/2016 3:59pm
sandman768 wrote:
If you want to be an MX racer, you will find a way....in the late 80"s early 90"s, I went to school, worked hard labor jobs...
If you want to be an MX racer, you will find a way....in the late 80"s early 90"s, I went to school, worked hard labor jobs, 3rd shift jobs, managed to buy 1 new bike every 2 years. I was racing the B class, I remember spending every cent I made on my bikes & getting to the races. Driving home in my used Nissan 2wd pickup, with a trophy, erased any doubt in my mind about what I was doing.....blue collar, big family, no support at all from parents....I wanted to be an MX racer...it was cool....Part of a group of fearless, bad ass athletes that were motor heads too......
This....I spent the first 30yrs of my life either racing dirt scooters, thinking about them or working on them. I rode year old bikes, drove used trucks, rented housing, had short term relationships and lived how I wanted to live. It was a struggle to afford to be able to race but it was my only passion in life and I never felt the urge to settle down and start a family. I eventually burnt out and left the sport. I got back in a couple years ago and in a way regret ever leaving but I'm happy with the way I did it vs. having a bitching wife, two screaming kids and saddled with enormous debt at 22 like some of my friends. I live comfortably at 43, am happily married and make enough money that I can buy new bikes and all of the cool shit that I wished I could have at 23, with no college degree and a shitload of awesome memories!

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stone881
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stone881 12/14/2016 4:43pm
12/14/2016 4:43pm
sandman768 wrote:
If you want to be an MX racer, you will find a way....in the late 80"s early 90"s, I went to school, worked hard labor jobs...
If you want to be an MX racer, you will find a way....in the late 80"s early 90"s, I went to school, worked hard labor jobs, 3rd shift jobs, managed to buy 1 new bike every 2 years. I was racing the B class, I remember spending every cent I made on my bikes & getting to the races. Driving home in my used Nissan 2wd pickup, with a trophy, erased any doubt in my mind about what I was doing.....blue collar, big family, no support at all from parents....I wanted to be an MX racer...it was cool....Part of a group of fearless, bad ass athletes that were motor heads too......
reded wrote:
This....I spent the first 30yrs of my life either racing dirt scooters, thinking about them or working on them. I rode year old bikes, drove used...
This....I spent the first 30yrs of my life either racing dirt scooters, thinking about them or working on them. I rode year old bikes, drove used trucks, rented housing, had short term relationships and lived how I wanted to live. It was a struggle to afford to be able to race but it was my only passion in life and I never felt the urge to settle down and start a family. I eventually burnt out and left the sport. I got back in a couple years ago and in a way regret ever leaving but I'm happy with the way I did it vs. having a bitching wife, two screaming kids and saddled with enormous debt at 22 like some of my friends. I live comfortably at 43, am happily married and make enough money that I can buy new bikes and all of the cool shit that I wished I could have at 23, with no college degree and a shitload of awesome memories!
I'm with reded on this, have spent the last 20 some odd years chasing passions. I had a few new vehicles along the way and lots of new bikes, but have never owned a house, as I always figured might as well wait to get exactly what I want. I also made career choices that gave me the freedom that I wanted and still want.

Why are 20 somethings, barely out of college buying homes and new cars? There is so much life to live, places to see, things to do. Your gonna tie yourself down, even if the interest rates are as low as they can go?

I say clip all of the "keeping up with the Jones'" bs and go ride!
305FC250
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305FC250 12/14/2016 4:56pm
12/14/2016 4:56pm
potatoflake wrote:
As far as racing goes for me being in my first apartment and paying off a new truck on 15 bucks an hour I feel lucky...
As far as racing goes for me being in my first apartment and paying off a new truck on 15 bucks an hour I feel lucky just to get to the track 3 of 4 weekends a month, I knew I was going to be moving out around this time and money would be tight so instead of saving a ton of money I bought a bike and saved a good enoigh chunk to sleep easy.

Buying that bike then was the best thing I did because there's no way I could afford one now and it looks like I might even get to race a local series next season as long as my saving plan keeps going well
Giygas wrote:
That's pretty good, considering there are only 4 weekends in a month.
Glad I wasn't the only one that caught that lmao....

Stagnant wages combined with a continuously rising cost of living has a lot to do with it especially with the younger crowd. Older people really have absolutely no idea how difficult it is to be a young 18-25 adult in 2016 in America (not sure about other countries). With enough drive and significant sacrifice those of us who really want to ride and race can make it work, though we may not be able to dedicate ourselves to it as much as we'd like.

Braap19 was spot on when he mentioned how vet riders are out of touch with the younger generation. And people love to say we are lazy and entitled yet I can't even count the number of people I personally know or have known that work full time and go to school full time yet often find themselves having sleep for dinner on a somewhat regular basis. It's just flat out extremely difficult to get by as a young adult nowadays. Hopefully your parents are well off and can support you for several more years after high school otherwise you're screwed. Now try an throw in a hobby like motocross (or any motorsport) in to the mix? Not a chance. Can't talk shit when back in the day you guys could move out at 18-20 years old, get any average joe job making a good respectable income, buy a house for $60k thats now worth $400k today, and overall live stable and comfortably. Jut can't even compare.
reded
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reded 12/14/2016 5:09pm
12/14/2016 5:09pm
We didn't start out making respectable income. We worked our balls off and took on any amount of hours and work necessary to get us to the next race. You have to climb the ladder, you don't magically get put midway up and towed the rest of the way.
OldYZRider1
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OldYZRider1 12/14/2016 7:17pm
12/14/2016 7:17pm
In 1980 I bought my first new MX bike, a YZ250. I was 21. Cost me $1700 out the door. Running that figure through the BLS CPI calculator equates to $5000 today. So could I walk out the door of a dealer with a brand new YZ250 for that amount? List price for a 2016 is $7290. If I can buy it for $6500, I'm paying 30% above that $5000 equivalence. I'm not sure I could have purchased a new bike back in 1980 if it had cost $2200 (30% more). That would have been pricing up in Maico territory. How many vets here back in the day could afford to buy a Maico on their own dime? Four strokes are even more skewed out of line with their pricing.
reded
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reded 12/14/2016 7:35pm
12/14/2016 7:35pm
It's still doable but it's not gonna fall in their laps. It DID take me all of 15min to find this bike and if I were looking for one I'd buy it tomorrow.


aharper33
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aharper33 12/15/2016 9:41am
12/15/2016 9:41am
305FC250 wrote:
Glad I wasn't the only one that caught that lmao.... Stagnant wages combined with a continuously rising cost of living has a lot to do with...
Glad I wasn't the only one that caught that lmao....

Stagnant wages combined with a continuously rising cost of living has a lot to do with it especially with the younger crowd. Older people really have absolutely no idea how difficult it is to be a young 18-25 adult in 2016 in America (not sure about other countries). With enough drive and significant sacrifice those of us who really want to ride and race can make it work, though we may not be able to dedicate ourselves to it as much as we'd like.

Braap19 was spot on when he mentioned how vet riders are out of touch with the younger generation. And people love to say we are lazy and entitled yet I can't even count the number of people I personally know or have known that work full time and go to school full time yet often find themselves having sleep for dinner on a somewhat regular basis. It's just flat out extremely difficult to get by as a young adult nowadays. Hopefully your parents are well off and can support you for several more years after high school otherwise you're screwed. Now try an throw in a hobby like motocross (or any motorsport) in to the mix? Not a chance. Can't talk shit when back in the day you guys could move out at 18-20 years old, get any average joe job making a good respectable income, buy a house for $60k thats now worth $400k today, and overall live stable and comfortably. Jut can't even compare.
I am in the next group of people in thier 30's and have had this same conversation with my inlaws. They think because we make a decent living we should be able to just go buy a house and new cars. What they dont realize is they paid around $30000 for the house they live in now. Last I heard it was appraised at almost $250000. There is no way they could even afford to buy their own house now. Times change and I get that if you really want to do something you are going to make it happen. I grew up racing since I was 4 years old and would not trade it for anything. At some point I made a decision that I can struggle to enjoy something because of the cost involved, or I can move on and become a fan and enjoy the sport that I grew up loving. My kids now are just now getting to the age where getting them into the sport is possible and only time will tell if it is something we pursue or not.
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njracer46
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njracer46 12/15/2016 10:11am
12/15/2016 10:11am
OldYZRider1 wrote:
In 1980 I bought my first new MX bike, a YZ250. I was 21. Cost me $1700 out the door. Running that figure through the BLS...
In 1980 I bought my first new MX bike, a YZ250. I was 21. Cost me $1700 out the door. Running that figure through the BLS CPI calculator equates to $5000 today. So could I walk out the door of a dealer with a brand new YZ250 for that amount? List price for a 2016 is $7290. If I can buy it for $6500, I'm paying 30% above that $5000 equivalence. I'm not sure I could have purchased a new bike back in 1980 if it had cost $2200 (30% more). That would have been pricing up in Maico territory. How many vets here back in the day could afford to buy a Maico on their own dime? Four strokes are even more skewed out of line with their pricing.
I know not everyone finds deals like this and they are somewhat hard to come by but last February I bought a new leftover 2014 yz250 for 5,500$ with a 300$ rebate. Paying cash you can get some pretty good deals on left over bikes, exp for suzuki and kawi. The deals are out there, you just have to look around and be patient.
Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 12/15/2016 9:42pm
12/15/2016 9:42pm
So based on this thread the answer is a resounding Yes, Moto is on the decline.
It appears that this thread took the direction of grass roots meaning Moto in this definition, rather that Pro racing which could make a case for growth.

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PJRAUS
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PJRAUS 12/16/2016 1:40am
12/16/2016 1:40am
Johnny Depp wrote:
So based on this thread the answer is a resounding Yes, Moto is on the decline. It appears that this thread took the direction of grass...
So based on this thread the answer is a resounding Yes, Moto is on the decline.
It appears that this thread took the direction of grass roots meaning Moto in this definition, rather that Pro racing which could make a case for growth.

You bet it's a yes!! Here in Australia...particularly in the state of Victoria the situation is disgraceful.
Back in the 80's and early 90's there were usually in excess of 40 open senior ( no juniors ) races on the calendar . For 2017...just like 2016 and 15 there are 4.... That's right..no typo 4!!!! There are more than enough willing riders..with bikes out there for it to be like it was but MAV ( motorcycling asphyxiated Victoria ) steadfastly fights to prevent that from happening! Sound insane to you?? Tell me about it!! I have no words...
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Ravena, NY, USA
dedi684 12/16/2016 5:26am
12/16/2016 5:26am
Johnny Depp wrote:
So based on this thread the answer is a resounding Yes, Moto is on the decline. It appears that this thread took the direction of grass...
So based on this thread the answer is a resounding Yes, Moto is on the decline.
It appears that this thread took the direction of grass roots meaning Moto in this definition, rather that Pro racing which could make a case for growth.

PJRAUS wrote:
You bet it's a yes!! Here in Australia...particularly in the state of Victoria the situation is disgraceful. Back in the 80's and early 90's there were...
You bet it's a yes!! Here in Australia...particularly in the state of Victoria the situation is disgraceful.
Back in the 80's and early 90's there were usually in excess of 40 open senior ( no juniors ) races on the calendar . For 2017...just like 2016 and 15 there are 4.... That's right..no typo 4!!!! There are more than enough willing riders..with bikes out there for it to be like it was but MAV ( motorcycling asphyxiated Victoria ) steadfastly fights to prevent that from happening! Sound insane to you?? Tell me about it!! I have no words...
Yeah they don't even fill the gates in sx great assumption
-eagle-
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-eagle- 12/16/2016 5:42am
12/16/2016 5:42am
nascarnate326 wrote:
You guys are crazy. I started track riding in 2014 for about 3k. I didn't have the best stuff but if you get creative, ride a...
You guys are crazy.

I started track riding in 2014 for about 3k. I didn't have the best stuff but if you get creative, ride a slightly older bike(thats still probably above your skill level), learn to fix stuff on your own, etc you can have just as much fun and do well for way less than the numbers in this thread. People can't just ride to have fun anymore, everything is way to serious and competitive. Most of us are never getting our pro card and even less will be riding pro in SX or MX. This is why Hare scrambles are getting extremely popular and track riding it suffering IMO.

$600 blown up bike
$1000 "resto" job
$600 in gear
$500 harbor freight trailer
$200 hitch for chevy cruze

Approximately $3000 ish and I had a blast. Wish I would have found track riding before 27 years old.











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NATEP231
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NATEP231 12/16/2016 5:55am
12/16/2016 5:55am
Does anyone remember when gas prices were all to blame? The reason tires went up in price was because of oil prices. The reason entry fees were goin up because of fuel to prep tracks... Well........weve been back to "normalish" prices and still nothing has changed and won't change. I hope someone from AMA or Davey Coombs is really reading this thread. It's the people trying to explain some problems here that most likely and usually fall on deaf ears.
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