Moto Dads

Motocrossjunky 10/19/2022 5:20am
10/19/2022 5:20am
My Dad was actually the moto dad nobody wanted. Shouting, throwing with shit and sometimes very aggressive (never hurt me) and this was after finishing third place. However, I really don't want to know what my life would have been like without Moto, my youth sucked pretty bad and it was the only thing that made me happy at certain ages. My dad was a single parent, with two sons riding at a high level working two jobs to fund it. I am not saying what he did was right, not at all, but get the frustration sometimes now I realize what went on behind the scenes. Now that I'm a parent myself it did teach me how not to help my kid in sports, at low or high level, doesn't matter.

But, after all these years I can relate to the OP. Whenever we talk moto and especially about our time traveling through Europe we smile, no matter the sacrifices, broken bones and money it cost. Would we have done it differently? Absolutely. Do we regret it? Never!
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Falcon
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Falcon 10/19/2022 2:29pm
10/19/2022 2:29pm
My dad never owned a motocross bike, but he encouraged me to race and took me to the races. He still likes to hear about my exploits whenever I enter an event.

I'm now getting my daughter ready for a few races over the winter. My son rides just for fun right now, but he may want to race as well. He just turned 13, and he's already too big for his 85. He's outgrowing my boots, too! (He's wearing mine because he just outgrew his!)
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edge60
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edge60 10/19/2022 3:41pm
10/19/2022 3:41pm
Love all those story's. My dad passed away 5.5 years back. This thread brings back such great memorys and joy and some tears. My dad only missed a couple of races/ moto's of my 18 years of racing. Sometimes when i went to practise days and i had some one with me he stayed home with my mom, who was not so supporting to say the least. He worked his butt off to fund my "carreer". Incredible sacrifises he made for me. Crazy how he managed to do. Only thing he wanted is that i was doing my best, and when i was about 14 or 15 not starting to smoke and drink. And i never did. I felt i owed it to him. When i was 22 and was starting to go out every once in a while with friends in winter time and drink some beers i still did not had the guts to say it to him. At that age he wouldnt have a problem with it. Sure we had some words every now and then. Mostly when i blew a great result bij dumb mistakes. But that did not last long. The best times were the ride's back home after a win or good race or when i was riding well in practice days. The joy and pride he had was great when i finally after years trying qualified myself for racing European championship races. Those trips were our finest moments together with my 10 year older sister who supported me big time. And the talks with my racing friends about girls when we sat by our van, while he was preparing my bike for the next moto and smiled from ear to ear about all our storys. When i had to quit because of a severe shoulder injury at 27 i started racing mtb's. He went with me everytime he could even when he was very ill. And if he couldnt he called me within an hour after i finished. We allways talked about dirtbikes or cycling. I had and have tremendous respect for him. At 43 years old now i would kill to only have one day at the track together. Motocross made us so tight, nobody of my friends outside moto had that with there parents. I started back riding dirtbikes again 4 years ago. Just for fun, no moto and i'm 100% sure if he was still around he went with me everytime. Sometimes its hard to miss him around on the track.
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Mick 22
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Mick 22 10/19/2022 3:59pm
10/19/2022 3:59pm
dsc131 wrote:
In the “Moto Identity” thread I posted something about how much I value the time I spent with my dad during my racing career. Then after...
In the “Moto Identity” thread I posted something about how much I value the time I spent with my dad during my racing career. Then after that I was reminded of why again last week...

My dad just turned 80, is a stoke victim, and lives alone. He’s having a tough time right now from a health perspective and is turning into something of a curmudgeon...so he’s negative about most everything.

So last week we were back to the hospital in a rough situation and he was totally down, argumentative, and frankly not making much mental sense. So I threw a Hail-Mary and said, “Hey dad, what was your favorite track we ever went to?” His demeanor changed immediately, and we sat there for an hour talking about racing, traveling, and friends along the way. He was mentally 10 years younger. I sat there thankful to see moto giving him a short break from his difficult current reality.

I am so grateful for the time (and resources) my Dad dedicated to me and to racing. He always says, “it was the best time we ever had”, even though that was many years ago now.

I have many friends who don’t have that sort of bond with their father and I’m not sure we would have that without racing. I remember I had several friends at the track during my later high school years who didn’t have the encouraging support I had. We worked hard and were fortunate to have some wins and success, but the best results were the intangibles.

Anyway, I'm sure many of you have similar stories. Just wanted to take a minute from the drama of life to pay homage to my dad and the sport we love. What better place to do that than here with you guys?
So what track did he say was his favorite?
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dsc131
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dsc131 10/19/2022 7:04pm
10/19/2022 7:04pm
dsc131 wrote:
In the “Moto Identity” thread I posted something about how much I value the time I spent with my dad during my racing career. Then after...
In the “Moto Identity” thread I posted something about how much I value the time I spent with my dad during my racing career. Then after that I was reminded of why again last week...

My dad just turned 80, is a stoke victim, and lives alone. He’s having a tough time right now from a health perspective and is turning into something of a curmudgeon...so he’s negative about most everything.

So last week we were back to the hospital in a rough situation and he was totally down, argumentative, and frankly not making much mental sense. So I threw a Hail-Mary and said, “Hey dad, what was your favorite track we ever went to?” His demeanor changed immediately, and we sat there for an hour talking about racing, traveling, and friends along the way. He was mentally 10 years younger. I sat there thankful to see moto giving him a short break from his difficult current reality.

I am so grateful for the time (and resources) my Dad dedicated to me and to racing. He always says, “it was the best time we ever had”, even though that was many years ago now.

I have many friends who don’t have that sort of bond with their father and I’m not sure we would have that without racing. I remember I had several friends at the track during my later high school years who didn’t have the encouraging support I had. We worked hard and were fortunate to have some wins and success, but the best results were the intangibles.

Anyway, I'm sure many of you have similar stories. Just wanted to take a minute from the drama of life to pay homage to my dad and the sport we love. What better place to do that than here with you guys?
Mick 22 wrote:
So what track did he say was his favorite?
Ha!!

Mick, I was wondering when or if somebody was going to ask me that.

He said “Metrolina” in Charlotte, NC. It was a great track to ride for me too. Always full gates. They hosted some Pro Nationals there back in the day.

He also mentioned “Diamondback” in Cocoa Beach, FL. I didn’t like that one that much….smooth as silk in the morning turned into Volkswagen Beatle whoops all the way around the track by the afternoon…beat the shit out of me.

One story from a time we were at Diamondback for the AMA Winter Series with tons of fast guys there from all over the country. My last moto of the day…sitting on the line waiting and he’s giving me shit about my not so great starts that weekend. He says, “What the hell is it going to take for you to get a holeshot?” We always camped and eating out was not his thing. I know now he was probably just trying to save money. So we made a bet just before he walked away as 42 80’s simultaneously fired up for Sr Mini Modified. Long story short…I can still taste the rib-eye steak I had that night.Smile THAT’s what this thread is all about!
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pkiczuk
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pkiczuk 10/21/2022 12:38pm
10/21/2022 12:38pm
dsc131 wrote:
In the “Moto Identity” thread I posted something about how much I value the time I spent with my dad during my racing career. Then after...
In the “Moto Identity” thread I posted something about how much I value the time I spent with my dad during my racing career. Then after that I was reminded of why again last week...

My dad just turned 80, is a stoke victim, and lives alone. He’s having a tough time right now from a health perspective and is turning into something of a curmudgeon...so he’s negative about most everything.

So last week we were back to the hospital in a rough situation and he was totally down, argumentative, and frankly not making much mental sense. So I threw a Hail-Mary and said, “Hey dad, what was your favorite track we ever went to?” His demeanor changed immediately, and we sat there for an hour talking about racing, traveling, and friends along the way. He was mentally 10 years younger. I sat there thankful to see moto giving him a short break from his difficult current reality.

I am so grateful for the time (and resources) my Dad dedicated to me and to racing. He always says, “it was the best time we ever had”, even though that was many years ago now.

I have many friends who don’t have that sort of bond with their father and I’m not sure we would have that without racing. I remember I had several friends at the track during my later high school years who didn’t have the encouraging support I had. We worked hard and were fortunate to have some wins and success, but the best results were the intangibles.

Anyway, I'm sure many of you have similar stories. Just wanted to take a minute from the drama of life to pay homage to my dad and the sport we love. What better place to do that than here with you guys?
Man I haven't read through any of the replies yet, but I have to tell you, reading this just got to me so hard that I openly started crying at my desk at work. I can only imagine how unbelievably tough this is for you and your pops, and the idea that just mentioning a memory that means so much to him could trigger such a positive is really a beautiful thing. I hope you get many more trips down memory lane with him.

Sorry I don't have a story to share, I just wanted to let you know this one got me right in the feels from the start.
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scott_nz 10/21/2022 2:16pm
10/21/2022 2:16pm
My dad was in the Mc industry so I had bikes when I was 3 , we trial rode together and I raced from 9 years old , we still rode together sometimes now but at 73 he doesn’t ride much

My son rode his kdx50 for the first time by himself today ,

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cj_SIshBrKF/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
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three9zero
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three9zero 10/21/2022 2:50pm
10/21/2022 2:50pm
My Dad took my sister and I racing all over North America. Could not ask for a better father. I speak to him almost every day on my way to work, usually about motocross.......My kids are into BMX and Mtn biking, but the time I spend on two wheels with crew is my happy place.

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oceantrav
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oceantrav 10/21/2022 3:59pm
10/21/2022 3:59pm
My dad always took me riding/racing growing up. When I was 12 and my parents split, wasn’t even a question who i wanted to go live with. Didn’t appreciate all he did back then for me, but definitely do now.

Got a 15 and a 9 year old son now, been taking them racing since they were on pw’s. Hopefully they appreciate it one day also, cause they definitely don’t show it now lol

Haven’t rode in a few years myself because injuries. Going to ride tomorrow just so i can take my 9 year old out. Little shit keeps saying I suck at riding lol
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bonseff
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bonseff 10/21/2022 4:33pm
10/21/2022 4:33pm
I tried with my oldest, but it didn't stick. I am blessed with two daughters, the video is from when my youngest was 5yrs old, she moved on to volleyball/social stuff. But she twisted the throttle~ I am going to try again with my youngest, she is almost 5 now. I restored a 86 JR50 to show them the ropes. The only reason I went with the old JR was because I had a neighbor who had a pair for their kids back in the day, and I thought it was so cool to see 4yr old ripping the desert. My dad never took interest or was engaged like my neighborhood dad was.

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Richy
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Richy 10/22/2022 1:23am
10/22/2022 1:23am
scott_nz wrote:
My dad was in the Mc industry so I had bikes when I was 3 , we trial rode together and I raced from 9 years...
My dad was in the Mc industry so I had bikes when I was 3 , we trial rode together and I raced from 9 years old , we still rode together sometimes now but at 73 he doesn’t ride much

My son rode his kdx50 for the first time by himself today ,

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cj_SIshBrKF/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Just added you on IG mate, started my niece on a PW50 recently, gotta love it 👍

My Dad rode road bikes just for fun, the sportier stuff without being a full bore superbike, never had a clue or even really liked Motocross but still got a KX85, YZ125, then two CR 125's in a row so I can't complain.

Really good to see how many people have these good memories though, even though I didn't have it myself I always loved how much of a family and moto community sport motocross is, you could go anywhere in the world and if you ride and meet someone else who does, chances are you'll get along pretty good.
RandomUserName 10/22/2022 5:58am
10/22/2022 5:58am
i like this thread.

My dad is 75 now and has ALS, which is terminal. He has lost almost all motor function. He's miserable.

HOWEVER, I visit 2x a week to my parents and his fav topic when I roll in is to catch him up on the races/points/series. He doesn't really watch the races on TV but he's fascinated by the videos I show him and he's completely dumbfounded by modern racing.

4 strokes? REALLY?
Why do they cost so much?
Look how fast they're going!
Jeez! Look at that jump!
Man, they have corner speed.

etc etc.

He hates modern 4 strokes as a die hard 2 stroke guy. Last night's comment was "I used to laugh so hard at you when you were on 80s cause you'd stand behind the bikes on the line and just walk around inhaling all the fumes. I'm surprised you're still alive". haha

And like most of you, driving around Texas with my old man in the pre-dawn hours on our way to Rio Bravo or Whitney are some of my fav memories.
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fins227
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fins227 10/22/2022 7:09am
10/22/2022 7:09am
A lot of great stories in this thread. I’m jealous!
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Pakoyz250f 10/22/2022 9:36am
10/22/2022 9:36am
Love this thread!

I have a super moto dad, I want to be a good moto dad and my moto dad now is a moto grand pa!

Beautiful sport.. memories are priceless.




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AztecLoc
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AztecLoc 10/22/2022 4:19pm
10/22/2022 4:19pm
Best thread on vital in along time! Thanks for sharing all the stories!
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Mr. Ted 10/22/2022 5:30pm
10/22/2022 5:30pm
Mr. Ted wrote:
On the flipside of this, I was the moto dad and my son passed 6 days before his 19th birthday. I'm incredibly grateful for all the...
On the flipside of this, I was the moto dad and my son passed 6 days before his 19th birthday. I'm incredibly grateful for all the time we spent riding, at the track, in practice, at races, training and traveling. One of the things I can say I do not have as a regret is that I didn't spend enough time with my son. All because of moto. Wouldn't change that for the world.
1998CR_125 wrote:
Is that max? I think I went to a FCA camp with him a few years back.
Yes that's Max. My wife Joyce does FCA every year in AZ now, and did for a few years with Max. She also did 1 in TN and 1 in Ok.
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Bruce372
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Bruce372 10/22/2022 9:12pm
10/22/2022 9:12pm
My dad passed earlier this year, and after spending the last 22 years on a different continent, I am struggling.

This thread has very much warmed my heart and thank you to everyone for sharing.

And special love to the gentleman who had to go through the every parents worst nightmare. I wish you and your family all the best.
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Mick 22
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Mick 22 10/25/2022 4:08pm
10/25/2022 4:08pm Edited Date/Time 10/25/2022 4:08pm
My dads been gone a long time now but he was a great moto dad.

He got me two new 125's every year I raced, one staying stock for endless practice and one getting modified for racing.

He got himself a street trail just to putz along when practicing at times, and he was absolutely the worst rider you have ever seen. LMAO !!

I was always a Suzuki guy, but in '78 picked up a single YZ125. Did well on it, but it became clear to me pretty quickly at the races that I needed to get back on an RM.

The '78 RM was unreal. I don't believe that I lost a moto on it that I finished. Well maybe a couple, but not too many.

Dad used to really enjoy the races, and this thread has brought back some great memories. Thanks dsc 131 !!

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Old Mate
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Old Mate 10/25/2022 5:49pm
10/25/2022 5:49pm
I’ve lived in the homes of over 500 mx families, never met two dads the same.
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dang472
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dang472 10/25/2022 8:32pm
10/25/2022 8:32pm
2 of my 3 boys had their first race last weekend


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