Why did you Quit Racing Motocross

McG194
Posts
4111
Joined
9/7/2017
Location
Palm Coast, FL US
9/16/2021 12:10pm
I quit because Harley-Davidson.

In the late 90's I was 30 years old and making too much money so I got an itch and bought a new Fat Boy, back in those days there were no bikes available and I ended up paying $19k for a bike that listed for $13k. For the first month I was questioning my sanity because I hated riding it. One day I was riding home in the morning from work and the sun wasn't up yet but I was cruising around a lake and it struck me, for the first time in memory I was on a motorcycle and not scared of crashing my brains out or pushing myself more than I really wanted to. I was in the moment and enjoying the motorcycle for the ride. I spent the next 20 years in the Harley industry and gave up dirt bikes. I came back a few years ago and love it again more than ever. I mostly race hare scramble but I will mix in some motocross races this year.
1
1
9/16/2021 1:01pm
I'm not dead yet! So I haven't!
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gt80rider
Posts
6882
Joined
4/19/2008
Location
Boulder, CO US
9/16/2021 1:02pm
I quite twice... both times after gnarly injuries.... currently race just once a year as I am now 50+, and just do it for fun, I don't push, heck I don't even push hard enough to get arm pump... my yearly race is more about just doing it and having the most fun possible, not about being fast, or getting faster....
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Moto Nomad
Posts
1104
Joined
1/19/2021
Location
Grass Valley, CA US
9/16/2021 1:05pm
I still ride and race at 54, but I have been very sporadic lately. Sometimes it seems like so much effort to get the bike ready, load up, drive to the track and all that, especially when its 110 degrees in the sunlight. I feel lazy and lame about it, but with an extremely busy life it would take a lot of time and dedication to throw down a serious racing effort.
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The Shop

Sluggo77
Posts
310
Joined
3/25/2018
Location
CA
9/16/2021 1:11pm
I burned out.
Now I ride mtb and having fun again. Perhaps that will lead to another mx bike for trail riding and hare scrambles just for fun and fresh air.
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danman
Posts
1204
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Readstown, WI US
9/16/2021 1:33pm
May of 2020 I broke my occipital bone, which is at the base of your skull. I'm lucky to be alive and walking with little to no last effects.
At 51, I just can't justify risking it anymore. My hobbies are now down to golf, fishing, and hunting.
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pvangel
Posts
25
Joined
4/20/2019
Location
Katonah, NY US
9/16/2021 2:54pm
62 and sitting on the couch now after fracturing multiple ribs after some teenager wanting to win practice took me out last Sunday. Contemplating what to do but to be honest I am faster now then ever and love the sport! I think I have a few more good years in me so probably continue a bit more. Just not easy when you cry from pain when you sneeze or cough!
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jkoch249
Posts
88
Joined
10/3/2020
Location
Pardeeville, WI US
9/16/2021 3:26pm
I quit back in 91 after 8 straight years, every weekend from April to October. Tried "regular" family life, had 2 kids/2 wives/2 divorces. At 52, bought another bike last fall and had a BLAST rebuilding it into what I've always wanted MY bike to be. Made me feel young...I love mechanical stuff.
Took it out in my first practice in 30 years, and promptly broke my left hip and busted up my left ribs. The ground sure feels harder in your 50s. Not sure I've "retired" yet(still have my YZ)...but bought a UTV last week.
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doofus
Posts
124
Joined
2/21/2021
Location
Indianapolis, IN US
9/16/2021 5:50pm
Never raced Moto just woods so I can’t complain about sitting around and not enough seat time.

The more seriously I tried to take it the less fun it was. And I was never really shit anyway, a good c rider was my peak. Tried racing for points and championships and when I had a bad race I would leave the track furious. Took me a couple years for it to sink in that hey, I spend a fortune to be regularly disappointed.
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DerickYZ
Posts
577
Joined
6/15/2014
Location
Salamanca, NY US
9/16/2021 6:03pm
Just sold my 2016 CRF250R today, and didn’t even feel sad about it. Have a 03 CR250 I got to rebuild then eventually sell. I lost interest because of 2 injuries being broken leg compounded by ACL tear, and a shattered wrist. Also cost, and just bought a house. All at 25 years old, more responsibilities at the time.
1
Moto Nomad
Posts
1104
Joined
1/19/2021
Location
Grass Valley, CA US
9/16/2021 7:02pm
jkoch249 wrote:
I quit back in 91 after 8 straight years, every weekend from April to October. Tried "regular" family life, had 2 kids/2 wives/2 divorces. At 52...
I quit back in 91 after 8 straight years, every weekend from April to October. Tried "regular" family life, had 2 kids/2 wives/2 divorces. At 52, bought another bike last fall and had a BLAST rebuilding it into what I've always wanted MY bike to be. Made me feel young...I love mechanical stuff.
Took it out in my first practice in 30 years, and promptly broke my left hip and busted up my left ribs. The ground sure feels harder in your 50s. Not sure I've "retired" yet(still have my YZ)...but bought a UTV last week.
Ah shit! This was a great story until the last part. Especially since I am building the dream bike of my youth, an 82 RM125. I have seen guys on first rides after a long lay-off get hurt before- it happens, but still sucks to hear.
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9/16/2021 7:50pm Edited Date/Time 9/16/2021 7:51pm
jkoch249 wrote:
I quit back in 91 after 8 straight years, every weekend from April to October. Tried "regular" family life, had 2 kids/2 wives/2 divorces. At 52...
I quit back in 91 after 8 straight years, every weekend from April to October. Tried "regular" family life, had 2 kids/2 wives/2 divorces. At 52, bought another bike last fall and had a BLAST rebuilding it into what I've always wanted MY bike to be. Made me feel young...I love mechanical stuff.
Took it out in my first practice in 30 years, and promptly broke my left hip and busted up my left ribs. The ground sure feels harder in your 50s. Not sure I've "retired" yet(still have my YZ)...but bought a UTV last week.
Moto Nomad wrote:
Ah shit! This was a great story until the last part. Especially since I am building the dream bike of my youth, an 82 RM125. I...
Ah shit! This was a great story until the last part. Especially since I am building the dream bike of my youth, an 82 RM125. I have seen guys on first rides after a long lay-off get hurt before- it happens, but still sucks to hear.
I Started Racing In Minnesota on really Sandy tracks and crashed pretty much Daily, The first time I ever Rode in California (Sacramento area) I really didn't even think about how hard packed it was until I had been riding for about 5 minutes and the Rear end lost traction and stepped out about 2 feet to the right on the take off of a smaller double, I then went over the bars and landed hard on my Ribs and broke a couple. And laid on the couch for solid Month!
When I hear these guys break ribs and are still racing I'm scratching my head like How??
It hurt to breath, cough, felt like I was being stabbed anytime I would cough!
I was extremely cautious riding in California after that!
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burnside
Posts
4095
Joined
6/17/2009
Location
London US
9/17/2021 6:58am
I can relate to all of these reasons, and have my own, but damn, was spectating at the Vet of Nations last weekend and it was really inspiring. Guys in their 60s + shredding! Mervin Anstie was even out there (Max's dad). Was really cool to see and super inspiring as a creaky 41 year old. Also, worth noting, they were racing on a natural old school track.
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Kelz87
Posts
1307
Joined
7/21/2018
Location
Phoenix, AZ US
Fantasy
9/17/2021 8:45am
Last time I went to the track, practice was split small bikes/big bikes instead of skill level.

It was too sketchy. I was constantly looking over my shoulder hoping not to get landed on, and trying to avoid hitting beginners instead of enjoying the ride.

Sold the KTM for a Yeti - MTB has been a blast
3
PRM31
Posts
3484
Joined
8/7/2009
Location
Northern, VA US
Fantasy
9/17/2021 9:51am Edited Date/Time 9/17/2021 9:57am
Roughly in order:
Lack of tracks
Injuries
.
.
Track designers thinking we all want to be supercross racers
Ruts.

I can relate to the story about building a dream bike. After years away I built a really nice RM125. Loved the bike, loved building it. The time to get to tracks, and then the tracks themselves just didn’t work for me. I have an R6 now.
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Elbows
Posts
489
Joined
8/21/2010
Location
Haleyville, AL US
Fantasy
9/17/2021 10:27am
I started riding when I was 5 years old and Moto was my life for the next 40 years. I played ball sports during school but riding was the only thing I really cared about. I always told myself I would stop if I wasn’t having fun and enjoying it. I was 45-46 when I decided I’d had enough. Driving two hours just to practice and not knowing anyone there was the nail in the coffin for me. A lot my friends had quit way before me and it just wasn’t as fun as it use to be. I still miss it and think about starting back all the time but for now my dual sport and pit bike will have to do.
2
Elbows
Posts
489
Joined
8/21/2010
Location
Haleyville, AL US
Fantasy
9/17/2021 11:00am
gt80rider wrote:
I quite twice... both times after gnarly injuries.... currently race just once a year as I am now 50+, and just do it for fun, I...
I quite twice... both times after gnarly injuries.... currently race just once a year as I am now 50+, and just do it for fun, I don't push, heck I don't even push hard enough to get arm pump... my yearly race is more about just doing it and having the most fun possible, not about being fast, or getting faster....
I wished I was able to do that and just enjoy myself but I know the first time someone roosted me intentionally or put a block pass on me, the race would be on. Once I’m fired up all those good intentions of riding safely would go right out the window. 😃😃
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9/17/2021 11:09am Edited Date/Time 9/17/2021 11:14am
Kelz87 wrote:
Last time I went to the track, practice was split small bikes/big bikes instead of skill level. It was too sketchy. I was constantly looking over...
Last time I went to the track, practice was split small bikes/big bikes instead of skill level.

It was too sketchy. I was constantly looking over my shoulder hoping not to get landed on, and trying to avoid hitting beginners instead of enjoying the ride.

Sold the KTM for a Yeti - MTB has been a blast
I had a friend that was Very inexperienced, I think it was his first race ever actually or going to be he didn't make it past practice, he signed up for 125C and they had all big bikes together in practice. And He got block passed hard with contact by an A class rider going way way faster than him, he crashed and knocked his hip out of socket, this was in the 90's, he was 15 and his parents never let him Ride again after that. (They were reluctant and pretty against it in the first place) he also had to buy his own bike, his parents wouldn't.
I felt bad for him because he was super into it even though he hadn't raced, had his room covered in Moto posters watched every pro race etc.
I honestly think the A rider did it on purpose, not necessarily trying to hurt him that bad but was purposely block passing C Riders.
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Mcflurry98
Posts
235
Joined
7/30/2020
Location
Canton, GA US
9/17/2021 11:09am
I just made the decision to quit racing in the past couple of weeks, so it's cool that you're asking this kind of question.

For me it was simple. My kids are 3 and 6 and they both have their own hobbies and interests that I want to support them in. I enjoy being a husband and a father more than I enjoy being a crappy motocross racer, anyway.

If they decide one day that they want to do this, then I'll get some mini's and a camper. But until then I'm just going to ride for fun when I feel like it and have time.
4
FreshTopEnd
Posts
13018
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Sacramento, CA US
9/17/2021 11:11am
I didn't really quit, I stopped because I realized that if I wanted to afford and ride bikes I needed to focus on making supply and demand work for me in the labor market. When college and the beginning of a family passed I took a crack at a race, but clearly had moved past it. Probably rode more that ever after that, even after getting sick, but not track riding. Really cannot physically manage much serious trail riding these days.
1
9/17/2021 11:35am
My last race was back in 1999, Okeechobee down in Florida. Left hand corner after the start then a monster jump. No idea why i did it but i held my Varner built KX250 wide open and flat landed so bad that i thought i broke my back. I was 29 and decided to quit.

Three years later, my first ride I managed two laps before going over the bars and dislocating my right shoulder. That was it. Done!

Now I'm a grumpy 50 yr old with so many joint problems and nerve damage in my right arm that I often wish that i never touched bikes....shoulda played golf.

But...i have moto in my blood and always daydream about riding again.
3
Bigshow
Posts
274
Joined
2/27/2011
Location
Jerusalem, OH US
9/17/2021 5:41pm
For me it was a bunch of stuff at once. 1. ACA ruined my 100% paid for health insurance. 2. Bought a house and moved in with the Ex. 3. Ex become pregnant with my son. 4. 3 local tracks closed, 1 local practice place closed, other track quit racing and just became a practice track, other local track closed completely. 5. lost my practice track due to family squabble when Grandmother died. All happened in the last 7 months of 2015.
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steve_97060
Posts
1400
Joined
10/4/2009
Location
Florence, AZ US
9/17/2021 10:31pm
injuries, too damn many...

shit never leaves your blood though..
3
9/19/2021 11:42pm
08-2015 bad economy stopped racing and just rode. Then my 3 cr125,s where stolen that really stopped racing. . I hope I can make 2022 happen make a move to the Millville area and race the super series and the mid week fair races in Mn. And Wi. 50,55 expert and 125 class .
Millville is near the Mayo Clinic so it’s a great track to really put the speed down.
1
vtec_
Posts
68
Joined
9/16/2021
Location
Columbia, SC US
9/20/2021 6:15am
Bigshow wrote:
For me it was a bunch of stuff at once. 1. ACA ruined my 100% paid for health insurance. 2. Bought a house and moved in...
For me it was a bunch of stuff at once. 1. ACA ruined my 100% paid for health insurance. 2. Bought a house and moved in with the Ex. 3. Ex become pregnant with my son. 4. 3 local tracks closed, 1 local practice place closed, other track quit racing and just became a practice track, other local track closed completely. 5. lost my practice track due to family squabble when Grandmother died. All happened in the last 7 months of 2015.
the ACA is why i stopped riding. its too expensive to get hurt
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1
dedi684
Posts
1385
Joined
8/21/2009
Location
Ravena, NY US
9/20/2021 7:25am
Too many classes and short motos. Open practice days are becoming a shit show as well.
1
Kawboy14!
Posts
496
Joined
5/15/2021
Location
Georgetown, TX US
9/20/2021 7:48am
I ride a LOT but don’t race anymore unless I show up at a practice track and they are racing that day, in that case I’ll race!
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APerry151
Posts
219
Joined
2/5/2013
Location
Seabrook, TX US
9/20/2021 8:58am Edited Date/Time 9/20/2021 9:00am
Going through this now… kind of started losing the itch last year. I’m just not having fun like I used to.

I don’t have the time required to become the level of rider I’d like to be, and I’m not enjoying going out there as the rider I am now. I’ve just started my career, traveling a good bit, and I have other hobbies. I don’t want to spend all of my free time at the track. I enjoy too many other things to only spend my free time riding.

I think you have to be all-in to really enjoy this sport fully, and I don’t know that I want to sacrifice the rest of the things I enjoy to be all-in on this the way I once was willing to.
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chad_111
Posts
302
Joined
4/22/2016
Location
CA
9/20/2021 9:52am Edited Date/Time 9/20/2021 9:53am
I love moto, always have the itch to ride, and I haven't quit yet, but I feel like I'm on the verge of quitting because of the cost.

I'm an average working class guy with an average paying job, and it feels like this sport gets more and more out of reach for us. I have two kids under 3 now who both just started full time daycare which is crazy expensive here, so there's not a whole lot left over to put into the bike anymore. On top of that my engine in my yz just had a catastrophic failure that's probably gonna cost close to 3g to fix, new bikes are completely out of the question. Now everytime I spend a few hundred on my bike I think about what I could've gotten my kids instead. Just feels almost selfish to keep going, maybe a hiatus is in order until they're grown up a bit.

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1/28/2022 9:18am
danman wrote:
May of 2020 I broke my occipital bone, which is at the base of your skull. I'm lucky to be alive and walking with little to...
May of 2020 I broke my occipital bone, which is at the base of your skull. I'm lucky to be alive and walking with little to no last effects.
At 51, I just can't justify risking it anymore. My hobbies are now down to golf, fishing, and hunting.
And now you a keyboard racer lol boomer
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