Your moto regrets

Same. Everyone around me told me it was too dangerous and I bought a boat instead.

Now I'm 41, married with kids who are getting into the sport. It's a different level of satisfaction. I did get a KLX110RL to chase them around the property. Getting the bug for a big bike. By time they're on 85's on the big track, I'd be too slow anyway.

Not attending Red Bud Vet Fest.  Seems every year something "comes up".  I'm 54 now and looking back there have been multiple times i could have, and should have, gone, but didn't.  Still on the bucket list but I regret not having gone yet. 

Never being able to race a 1981 RM-125.

Even though it was more difficult, I was continuing to run at the front and winning on the 1980 model against the new bikes and money was tight. Was ready to get the '82 model, but then my Dad had to move out of state and I had to go live with my mom who didn't support my racing...felt like I needed to quit and focus on getting ready for college. Never found out what I was capable of. 

Even today, I'd like to find a restored or mint condition '81 and buy it. 

Selling my mint 2007 Yz250 that I bought for $2500.

Are your initials, by chance, “Dave Eropkin”? 😂

Agree. Congrats on the sobriety, no easy feat.

You clearly have the discipline to find success in anything you set your mind to. 
 

Some of my most successful friends are 30, 10 and 5 years sober. 

I wish I would have actually tried instead of just having fun and partying.

Leaving early at the Steel City national in 2012. Left at the start of 450 moto 2, it was pretty dead compared to most nationals and if anyone remembers that summer was basically RD vs himself because everyone else was hurt. Had no idea it would be the last national ever held at that track. 

Qualified for Loretta’s and my boss at that time wouldn’t let me take off work to go so I gave up my ticket. I wasn’t trying to turn pro or anything, I just wanted to attend. Looking back, I should have just quit and figured it out when I returned. Two months later, my boss sold the company to a competitor and they let everyone go 🤦🏻‍♀️ 

I hear you… I have hung around some assholes in my life but when it came to the races, I was always  really supportive of anyone of my friends that would actually come with me…can’t imagine pulling that shit on someone while racing…it’s stressful enough without being sabotaged by a so called friend. Glad you moved on… 

Yah there was and is overall much more positive stuff that has come from racing. And so many great people. 

Bailing off my endo'ing KX250 in 2003 and breaking my hip, rib and getting a concussion. Should have stuck with the bike on that one. Coulda saved it.

Did you at least get the free Craftsman toolbox out of it?

Not riding enough...

Probably shouldn't have made out with that moto-mom in the van.....

I wish I’d known what happened when you twisted the right grip. 

In 1970, my Father opened up a Kawasaki dealership in Nebraska's panhandle. Yamaha country then. The Kawasaki rep was looking to give out support rides. Bikes, parts, training, and schooling. I was 13. Been riding a couple years. The opportunity was offered, but my father turned it down. I have no vision of what coulda, shoulda, yet still wonder how far I could have gone. 

Almost 100% correct, although it was the Sat night female butt that affected my Sunday race results the most.

I’m with you on that one, had a bad personal spell with different drink/ drug  problems from 18-28 and completely derailed my riding life amongst many other things.  Will never be back at the level I was before that but 38 now, 2 great daughters and ride and race for fun and appreciate every moment of it.  Could have ended up way worse.  
 

Glad you are doing well mate keep at it! 

Regrets, I've got a few . . . 

I regret not getting to hang out with Joe Newmann personally.  I regret that I never made the three hour drive up to Redding to get lunch with Scottie.  

I regret deciding not to bring a camera to the 78 Trans AMA at Sears, the years Shu and Magoo won, because "I wanted to savor the races for once without being preoccupied taking pictures."  Oh well.

I regret not going with my buddy in 77 as his wrench at his first crack at the nationals.  I'd done local nationals with him, but I had no money, nor did he, and in the end he and his girlfriend headed back after a foot injury.  I absolutely should have done it for the adventure.  I wished I had pushed myself to do more of that when I had nothing to lose, and in fact wasn't really mature enough yet to take the next step toward "responsible adulthood" anyway as a late bloomer.

1978 I went to the bank for a loan told them tools for work, I had my eye on a new Suzuki 250 but my buddy talked me into a 1961 Harley (which I still have). I always regretted not getting that bike and racing it was where my heart was and still is. No I rode a Harley smoked pot got drunk chased girls...forward to age 30 got a bike and did my first race and new even more I missed doing what was in my heart. Lost 40A title because I had a family fishing trip I was committed to do - so on my list was to win a state title...forward to age 60 I started racing again and now have 3 state titles! The Moto family is the greatest group of people I have ever been around, and while in my 30's my sons both raced and for sure the fondest memories they have too.

Gooning around at a friend's house seat jumping a tiny double made for his kid's 60 track, pogoing over the bars, snapping my ACL, and fracturing my tib & fib. Knee has been fucked 22 years after surgery.

Thats easy.  I regret not covering the inside of the homeplate turn on the last lap of the 82 Anahiem Amateur SX and giving up a sure 250 Int win.  That still hurts Steve P!  I regret quitting for 20 years after breaking my neck at the 83 Anahiem Amateur SX and sporting a bitchen Halo Brace for a couple months.  I regret not helping my bro get to the next level after he got 13th OA at the last Saddleback National in 84 - Top Privateer on a clapped out 250 pitting out of a minitruck with an easy-up, a lawnchair, a lunchbox/toolbox and borrowed entry fee, he finished right behind George Holland racing guys like Lechien, Johnson, Barnett and Howerton.  Didn't even go to the next round at Hangtown, let alone throw his hat in the ring for any GPs or anything, could you imagine nowadays getting 13th at a Nat and one and done?!.  We were clueless, our mom was by herself and knew nothing about moto other than all the NMA reps were real keen about getting a single lady and our bikes to Ponca City when the time came bitd    I was still bitter about breaking my neck and my bro was to wrapped up in going to school.  That and of course like any racer of a certain age whenever I cross the finish line I always regret not working out more.

Reading this while currently selling all my shit to focus on my family / career... 

I have a similar yet different story. I first started riding at 28 and just feel in love with it, and it really pulled me out of 5-6 years of drugs and liquor abuse. At first it was just to not be hangover for the practice day on saturday, then it was to be able to ride after work during the week, then it was so I could train during the week so I could be able to finish a 15 minutes moto without having to stop 3 times. I've now been sober three years and sometimes wonder where I would be today if I had started riding earlier, not riding wise but more in life in general, because it gave me so much clarity when I started and a couple aspects of my life just fell right into place when I quit the drinking and the other paraphernalia. I feel like I really wasted a good 4-5 years of my life, but it is what it is. Now I just make sure I ride as much as I can and enjoy every ride, and all the friends I made while riding too. And I think I maybe have a drive that I wouldn't if it wasn't for that feeling of wasted times.

Not putting in an effort, on and off the track.

Just riding doesn't help much.

Being too smart to not consider consequences of my decisions while riding and not challenging myself (part of making too safe of decisions) to move up classes sooner/trying more technical lines/jumps. Positive of this is I’m still riding at 52 with only minor scars, limps, aches…

Hung over every time I rode, and not knowing what a riding school was. 11 years sober, never looking back. I was slower than shit on a highly modded 2001 RM250. If I would have invested in lessons instead of engine mods I would have been faster on an XR250 than that RM. I was a moran goon. Hindsight is 20/20.

Typing vitalmx into Google.