Upgrade to enjoy this feature!
Vital MX fantasy is free to play, but Premium users receive great benefits. Premium benefits include:
- View and download rider stats
- Pick trends
- Create a private league
- And more!
Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
S
My kids started racing BMX last fall and they are really having a good time with that. To me, some of the main advantages are the cost ($6/7 per race) and we are in and out in under 3 hours (including practice).
I have debated getting a racing 50, but I can't get past the $3300+ cost of a mini. Add in the high level of maintenance required for the racing 50's, and you're looking at upwards of $5K a season for just the bike.
I think the main thing for me though are the current types off tracks. I love MX, but I have told my wife numerous times that I am so glad the boys enjoy riding, but I hope they don't want to race anytime soon. The bikes are too fast and the tracks are more freestyle courses than race tracks. To be competitive, you have to jump what the other kids are jumping and we have all been blown away by some 9- or 10- year old hucking a 100' jump on a 65. Admittedly, its cool to see, but my heart would stop if it was one of my kids trying a jump like that. The price for a mistake is simply too high.
Ultimately, I think it comes down to cost for most people along with the increased level of potential injury (perceived or not). Hopefully, promoters will be able to address the decrease in attendance through creative methods and revised pricing structures.
The sport is great but just costs way too much .If you look at the local races most of the top riders from any area dont race the local saturday night special races they just practice and go to the big events .
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Free shipping: VITALMX
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
doesnt seem a good invrstment for the future of the semi-above average youth. so now its an old guys hobby!
No gate fee and only $10 race. All three kids racing are still cheaper than just one at an mx race. Lots of local tracks that I don't have to drive far to get to. Maintenance is really cheap.
I love motocross and raced for many years but this is the next best thing at 1/8 the cost.
Another observation. A local 13 yr old kid who goes pretty good locally just went to Pleasure Valley regional. He rode senior mini and schoolboy. On the line for the first moto, his dad went up and down and checked out everyone's bike. He told me that he is pretty sure that his sons bike was the only stock bike on the line. Its a mod class, but this family does not have the money to compete at this level. I find that a very sad story and a really bad indicator of what is happening to our sport.
Dad gets hurt...jr starts playing stick and ball sports?
There is a family that promotes AMA races at 5 tracks in northern Indiana. They have 3-4 races per weekend, rotating locations each week. Great idea if you like riding the same tracks with little to no changes or competition. I have seen them prep the tracks properly from time to time, but for the most part, not so good.
While it is true, this does give you a place to ride each weekend, but......and I mean a big butt , it is mostly like racing a fair race. And as I tell my racing buddies, there is nothing fair about a "fair race". I have seen rules overlooked if it benefits one of "their riders".
I will drive past their tracks to race at RedBud or Motoland. There are some good tracks in Indiana (Wildcat Creek-Wabash-Badlands). Central Indiana does not have a MX track and that may be what is needed to grow the sport in Indiana.
However, I was fortunate enough to work with these same folks on the AX series and have much respect for them all. They try and live a dream many of us have, running a track and making a living out of it. But it's not always a dream and with turnouts low they're suffering as much as anyone.
So the sliding scale fixed the disparity in the district, but there also used to be a rule limiting the number of races and the proximity of those tracks and I'm not sure if that still exists. We used to have 300 plus bikes on a weekend event, now if they get 150 they're thrilled.
Referee, we also lost Bakersfield, Midway and pretty much Podium One which were all extremely popular venues. Man I loved those days....
I also respect these folks for trying to make a living, but I also know it effects all of the other tracks as well in Indiana when they race every weekend. It must be tough during todays economy.
Were you at Wildcat last week?
I think the manufs. need to realize that not only MX riders got started on the little 50's and 70's. Ask most of the Harley riders and baby boomers who are now spending their retirement money buying metric streetbikes with decent margins and they'll tell you about the Dirt Squirt, Honda Mini Trail or Yamaha MX 80 that they used to rip it up on.
They need to think 10 and 20 years down the road, something HD didn't do and is now paying for dearly. And I know I have to work at least another 20 dang years and I want it to be in this industry.
Pit Row
Midway was one of my favorites and Knobby was my home! How long ago did Mitchell close down?
Of course, this would require the AMA to be involved (or some other enterprising organization) since you would need to attach the bucks to an account.
It's a fairly simple system that helps defray the costs of racing and provides an immediate return for doing well.
And wow, you show your age knowing about Winchester man....lol Vet racer are we? That track was great, and an atty moved in next to Knobby which ultimately shut that track down. Marion County was drawing some great turnouts and crowds, not sure what happened to that.
Still good times with my kids and I throw a leg over the seat every once in a while. We will be at Motoland in Kingsbury for the Outlaw National the weekend after REEEEEDDDDD BUUUUUUUUUUUUD. The track is all sand and it gets a smidgen rough LOL.
We were underpowered and underdogs but he was happy to be riding and spending a camping/racing weekend with dad and the results didn't matter. It's about time together and having fun and being core to moto.
http://www.proride.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=56298.0
Seems to me the sport was a lot more "healthy" in the late 70's early 80's.
Before all of the Amateur Nationals came about the local races were thriving. Kids would race locally every weekend without the "fear" of being moved up a class, now it's all about staying in a lower class to bring home the titles and contingencies.
Is there a racing scene anymore here in So. Cal.?... Or am I just missing it?
the BAN is killer...probably what ur seeing...
My son started a quad at 3, Pro Jr at 5 1/2, RM65 at 7 1/2, and now at 11 is more than ready for an 85. All playriding and practicing, no racing whatsoever. He wants to race, but between the cost involved and the time required, it's simply not a priority. Yes, our other activity (Judo) takes up time too. Even if I could afford to maintain a practice bike for every other day motos, where's he going to ride it? Any open space "public" land has been declared "verboten" by local government, and land owners are scared to death that if he gets hurt they'll be sued by someone (health insurance, DA, crazy parents, etc).
Sucks, but it is what it is.
There needs to be an entry level motorcycle for teenagers ,What would you think if the big 5 made brand new replicas of their 1990 125s with a price tag of around 4 grand?
I bet there would be a bunch of kids with moto boners again,
Post a reply to: Eye-Opening Observation at recent Amateur MX-Where's the future??