How long before MX is only a rich mans sport?

JoJmoto
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7/15/2010 3:25pm
What the hell happened to my photo, it shrunk..
Tiki
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Fantasy
7/15/2010 3:40pm
JoJmoto wrote:
What the hell happened to my photo, it shrunk..
Dont wash it in warm water.
FIREfish148
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Kirkland, WA, USA
7/15/2010 3:42pm
Ya the way prices are going up on everything pretty soon the sport is going to belong to the rich or the ones who make the most sacrafice. O wait thats the way it is now.
FlaNard
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Layton, UT, USA
7/15/2010 4:01pm Edited Date/Time 7/15/2010 4:06pm
With in 5 years most parents wont be able to buy their kids a bike. The sport is going to die if something isnt done. Its clear as day. And the lawnmower rule is spot on. This is what happens when you let the big 5 call every single god damn shot in the sport. We have all been let down.

The Shop

Pdub
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Wheaton, MD, USA
7/15/2010 4:15pm
You don't have to be rich to RIDE motocross, but if you want to win in the fast classes... somebody has to be able to pay the piper. Anyone can go on CL and pick up a beater, but not everyone can put a POS on the podium.

Even if you are able to avoid succumbing to the temptation to trick out your bike, just getting to and from the races will cost a lot. And if you really want to get better, you need to pony up for lessons, instructional videos and all that. And if you don't wear decent protective gear, that will catch up to you eventually.

And finally, you MUST have decent health insurance, and a plan that will cover you even after they find out you were racing dirtbikes. You almost have to be rich just to have that!
Pdub
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7/15/2010 4:16pm
You don't have to be rich to RIDE motocross, but if you want to win in the fast classes... somebody has to be able to pay the piper. Anyone can go on CL and pick up a beater, but not everyone can put a POS on the podium.

Even if you are able to avoid succumbing to the temptation to trick out your bike, just getting to and from the races will cost a lot. And if you really want to get better, you need to pony up for lessons, instructional videos and all that. And if you don't wear decent protective gear, that will catch up to you eventually.

And finally, you MUST have decent health insurance, and a plan that will cover you even after they find out you were racing dirtbikes. You almost have to be rich just to have that!
Pdub
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Wheaton, MD, USA
7/15/2010 4:16pm
You don't have to be rich to RIDE motocross, but if you want to win in the fast classes... somebody has to be able to pay the piper. Anyone can go on CL and pick up a beater, but not everyone can put a POS on the podium.

Even if you are able to avoid succumbing to the temptation to trick out your bike, just getting to and from the races will cost a lot. And if you really want to get better, you need to pony up for lessons, instructional videos and all that. And if you don't wear decent protective gear, that will catch up to you eventually.

And finally, you MUST have decent health insurance, and a plan that will cover you even after they find out you were racing dirtbikes. You almost have to be rich just to have that!
Pdub
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7/15/2010 4:17pm
Triple post! Yahtzee! Wink
peelout719
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Ogden, UT, USA
7/15/2010 4:19pm
when we started we had a pickup pulling the 19 foot 1980 road runner trailer pulling a 12' open trailer with 3 beat up clapped out bikes to the races. and we won on those old beat up pieces of shit. those were the days.

that was what gave me and my old man such a great relationship.
MXinOC
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Anaheim, CA, USA
7/15/2010 4:22pm
JoJmoto wrote:
Our sport now seems like it is becoming the "POLO" of mx riding. The cost of the four strokes and the cost of building even just...
Our sport now seems like it is becoming the "POLO" of mx riding. The cost of the four strokes and the cost of building even just one for an AMA event are just becoming unruly! Nowadays, the cost of a motor build for a National event will cost nearly as much as a new bike it's self. And then for a top B level rider or above, they need several bikes to be competitive. What does a kid with all the talent in the world and none of the money do these days? I personally know one such rider who just can’t catch a break because it’s so hard for him to keep the two bikes he has together all year long and certainly cannot afford to buy new ones. Actually, the ones he has are a couple years old and were bought as near new condition so he could get a price break on them in order to buy two for the price of one.

Makes me wonder, if there was another GOAT out there but did not have the money to keep his equipment together when he needed it, would our sport suffer from what could have been or just the kid?
Awesome!
MXinOC
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7/15/2010 4:27pm Edited Date/Time 7/15/2010 5:26pm
Racer92 wrote:
AMA714 wrote: Dude, its been a rich mans sport for years..... Have you ever been to the practice track and looked at the bikes and trucks...

AMA714 wrote: Dude, its been a rich mans sport for years..... Have you ever been to the practice track and looked at the bikes and trucks.... Race day is motor coaches and 5th wheels!!!



Yeah, but its a shame it has gone to that.

This is what it looked like in the pits when I started going to Rio in the 70s.




I am sure it wasn't quite as funny looking as Warren.... just kidding....thats exactly what it looked like here in OC at Saddleback when Warren and I grew up...my bikes were in the back of my well used Datsun 1600 pick up... now I have a bike with more cc's than my old truck... VTX 1800...
Sondy132001
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Mission Viejo, CA, USA
7/15/2010 5:22pm Edited Date/Time 7/15/2010 5:22pm
I have been going to races my entire life and it's definitely changed. Motocross was blue collar, now with all construction down (construction workers, plumbers, electricians, roofers etc) there's not a lot of people who can afford to race. Bike prices are just crazy when you think you can buy a CAR for $11k...seems like something has to give. Kids having a newspaper route to buy a bike is the days of old for sure...



S
Ing
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Spring Hill, FL, USA
7/15/2010 5:44pm
One word: 4-strokes.
Ing
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7/15/2010 5:44pm
One word: 4-strokes.
BobbyM
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7/15/2010 5:50pm
JoJmoto wrote:
Our sport now seems like it is becoming the "POLO" of mx riding. The cost of the four strokes and the cost of building even just...
Our sport now seems like it is becoming the "POLO" of mx riding. The cost of the four strokes and the cost of building even just one for an AMA event are just becoming unruly! Nowadays, the cost of a motor build for a National event will cost nearly as much as a new bike it's self. And then for a top B level rider or above, they need several bikes to be competitive. What does a kid with all the talent in the world and none of the money do these days? I personally know one such rider who just can’t catch a break because it’s so hard for him to keep the two bikes he has together all year long and certainly cannot afford to buy new ones. Actually, the ones he has are a couple years old and were bought as near new condition so he could get a price break on them in order to buy two for the price of one.

Makes me wonder, if there was another GOAT out there but did not have the money to keep his equipment together when he needed it, would our sport suffer from what could have been or just the kid?
25 years ago?
7/15/2010 6:40pm
It's simply a fact and we can all Thank the 4 stroke era. Thank God for KTM having enough wits about them to continue to build 2 strokes for all of todays needs. It's not just the cost of racing these days just look at the tracks that have been forced to close due to noise levels since the inception of the 4 bangers and i don't give a rats ass about the fact that 500guy claims noise levels are not a issue in todays World. It's a proven Fact !
Hank_Thrill
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Arlen, TX, USA
7/15/2010 6:44pm Edited Date/Time 7/15/2010 7:04pm
To hell with racing. I just ride motocross. It's much cheaper, and safer.
jaeckle
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Hell, WI, USA
7/15/2010 7:00pm
Three words. Part time job. 90hrs a week. Just like the 80's. If you want it.....you can have it. If you don't.....shut the fuck up.
JustMX
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USA
7/15/2010 7:04pm
Damn,

I need a cop.

Jojo has stolen my "Polo" line.

As far as the topic...It is too late.

Let me see if I can put it in Moto terms.......

It started bogging about 2001 when the 250fs hit the tracks.

It started to sputter when Katrina and other factors caused the fuel price spikes........

In the current economy it is missing badly and making wierd noises that are kind of scary.

If only we could afford a rebuild............
Jabjr222
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Seattle, WA, USA
7/15/2010 8:41pm
Racer92 wrote:
AMA714 wrote: Dude, its been a rich mans sport for years..... Have you ever been to the practice track and looked at the bikes and trucks...

AMA714 wrote: Dude, its been a rich mans sport for years..... Have you ever been to the practice track and looked at the bikes and trucks.... Race day is motor coaches and 5th wheels!!!



Yeah, but its a shame it has gone to that.

This is what it looked like in the pits when I started going to Rio in the 70s.






Hope you don't mind the touch up on the photo.
MXinOC
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Anaheim, CA, USA
7/15/2010 8:52pm
Racer92 wrote:
AMA714 wrote: Dude, its been a rich mans sport for years..... Have you ever been to the practice track and looked at the bikes and trucks...

AMA714 wrote: Dude, its been a rich mans sport for years..... Have you ever been to the practice track and looked at the bikes and trucks.... Race day is motor coaches and 5th wheels!!!



Yeah, but its a shame it has gone to that.

This is what it looked like in the pits when I started going to Rio in the 70s.




Jabjr222 wrote:
[img]http://jerrybphotography.com/W%20Reid%20FMF%201975%20CMC%20at%20Saddleback%20copy.jpg[/img] Hope you don't mind the touch up on the photo.


Hope you don't mind the touch up on the photo.
Warren is still looking goofy...
wow123
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Location
AX
7/16/2010 3:37am Edited Date/Time 7/16/2010 3:39am
have a look at what they race in s.e.a.

developing countries have mx communities too

popular

they have 2 classes, market class

and supa cup class all built from local scooters!



supa1x">



mx can be done on the cheap if everyone in the class is on similarly equipped bikes.
lumpy790
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11728
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York, SC, USA
7/16/2010 6:28am
Has it really changed that much? I made $2.35 an hour back when bikes cost $1000 new. I could not afford it then either.......I was fortunate.....My dad bought my 1st bike and each year after selling last years bike he bought the new bike but I paid for everything else.

MX is still the cheapest form of motorized racing. Its Need versus Wants. Do people need a $1000 pipe? No! They want it. Do they need to modify the motor when its alreadt to fast for them? No they want to.Do people really need a $50,000 truck to get to the races towing a $50,000 toy hauler? NO they want to..........guess its cheaper than a $250,000 motor home.
mxman
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Armpit, TX, USA
7/16/2010 6:52am
The new bike cost just isn't worth it...... I used to get a new bike every 2 years, now it will be 4 years or more. Of course 2 kids in college does have an effect on that.
G-man
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Mesa, AZ, USA
7/16/2010 7:22am
Yep there is no way a kid can afford to race these days without Daddy footing the bill. The lawnmower concept is a good analogy. I bought my bikes delivering newspapers in the downtown LA area out of my van.

I found a receipt the other day for my first real MX bike from Burbank Suzuki.

$795 OTD for a 1975 RM125.

I remember when they hit the $2000.00 threshold then $3000.00 and I thought it was crazy--not that long ago.

I use to get a new bike every yr too in my Honda Buck days (early 90's). But those days are long gone. I REFUSE to buy a new DIRTBIKE that costs `anything over $5000.00.

My current ride 2006 CRF450 I bought as a leftover for $4200.00 OTD. I plan to keep it for a while more. It's more than enough bike for me and with this economy a new bike is not on the top of the "want list".
Racer92
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Central, TX, USA
7/16/2010 7:29am
Im with you Gman, I will not, under no terms spend more than 5K for a new bike.

My '05 RM250 will prolly get buried with me.
G-man
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7/16/2010 7:33am
Oh yea I forgot to mention when you posted this pic, I thought it was you and you looked familiar.... lol Tongue



Cool pics Bobby!
Racer92
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7/16/2010 7:40am Edited Date/Time 7/16/2010 7:41am
G-man wrote:
Oh yea I forgot to mention when you posted this pic, I thought it was you and you looked familiar.... lol :P [img]http://jerrybphotography.com/W%20Reid%20FMF%201975%20CMC%20at%20Saddleback%20copy.jpg[/img] Cool pics Bobby!
Oh yea I forgot to mention when you posted this pic, I thought it was you and you looked familiar.... lol Tongue



Cool pics Bobby!
I found those on the 'Net googling old stuff. In them daze I was on a '75 MX400, red/yellow Malcolm Smith 'Gold Medal' leathers and Hallman boots, but the hair is about right and my dad did have a '72 Econoline. (with good ole 2x8 ramp) Oh, and those 'Yamahauler' stickers on that stationwagon, we had that exact same decal on both sides of our van - right next to the big CB whips.

Cool
Blake
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7/16/2010 12:00pm
Ya the way prices are going up on everything pretty soon the sport is going to belong to the rich or the ones who make the...
Ya the way prices are going up on everything pretty soon the sport is going to belong to the rich or the ones who make the most sacrafice. O wait thats the way it is now.
The rich don't do this sport.
peelout719
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Ogden, UT, USA
7/16/2010 12:08pm
4strokes are the death of the sport. selling mine and getting a ktm300 or something of the sort.

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