Are 250s essentially the minor leagues?

Is the 250 class basically the minors that young riders come up through and then eventually graduate to 450s? Do you have to win (or excel) in the 250 class to make it into the 450s? I noticed a few older fellas riding 250s? 

Whats the deal? 

1
13
|
2/20/2025 12:07pm

O.P. is a feckless troll, but gotta say, he's flying over a legitimate target.

2
2
2/20/2025 12:09pm

No.  The 250s are a professional class that pays out a ton of money to some of the best riders in the world.  Pro moto pays big money to 20 people and pro baseball pays big money to thousands (?).  Minor leagues are akin to sx next riders.

12
3strokemx
Posts
2865
Joined
9/2/2010
Location
USA
2/20/2025 12:16pm

It used to be OK for minors until Ronnie Mac happened, now all motocross events are +18.

2/20/2025 12:16pm
No.  The 250s are a professional class that pays out a ton of money to some of the best riders in the world.  Pro moto pays...

No.  The 250s are a professional class that pays out a ton of money to some of the best riders in the world.  Pro moto pays big money to 20 people and pro baseball pays big money to thousands (?).  Minor leagues are akin to sx next riders.

Thanks! This was the impression I was originally under, but some not-so-nice Instagram comments directed at some of the 250 riders along with Jett’s “we’re not in the same league” response to whether he was Deegan’s rival had me wondering if I was off. 

9

The Shop

davis224
Posts
7528
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Cornland, IL, USA
Fantasy
2/20/2025 12:17pm

I'm tired, boss.

4
StillSmokin
Posts
739
Joined
3/18/2022
Location
Edmond, OK, USA
2/20/2025 12:20pm

User name is tier one 🫡

7
2
burn1986
Posts
12246
Joined
4/16/2010
Location
bossier city, LA, USA
2/20/2025 12:21pm Edited Date/Time 2/20/2025 12:22pm
Is the 250 class basically the minors that young riders come up through and then eventually graduate to 450s? Do you have to win (or excel)...

Is the 250 class basically the minors that young riders come up through and then eventually graduate to 450s? Do you have to win (or excel) in the 250 class to make it into the 450s? I noticed a few older fellas riding 250s? 

Whats the deal? 

Do d-mb-sses sometimes get on Vital? What’s the deal? Legitimate question 

2
2/20/2025 12:24pm
burn1986 wrote:

Do d-mb-sses sometimes get on Vital? What’s the deal? Legitimate question 

This seemed like a knowledgeable place to bring my question to since I was getting conflicting answers/sentiments elsewhere. 

1
4
Magoofan
Posts
10401
Joined
5/4/2021
Location
Shadow Glen (for those who remember), CA, USA
2/20/2025 12:32pm

Who farted in moto........   FFS, someone light a match. 

 

2
10
Village Idiot
Posts
2622
Joined
5/19/2023
Location
MXoN - a term used by newbs, goobs and rubes, PW, USA
2/20/2025 12:35pm

BITD there were 125 specialists in the world championships (doesn't mean they never raced other classes) and no one considered it a "developmental" or "B" class, even though the crown jewel was the 500 class. Same thing in the US.

What's interesting is how what was once considered the premier class is now extinct.

1
2/20/2025 12:59pm

Of course the 250s is a feeder class. Otherwise the winners pay would be equal to the 450s. 

Oh and you wouldn’t be able to point out of the class either.

3
1
Nairb#70
Posts
4103
Joined
2/25/2020
Location
Ivoryton, CT, USA
2/20/2025 1:01pm

I beleive it was the original intention to breed riders for the main class, but it didn't last very long. Of course that was close to 40 years ago.

1
Village Idiot
Posts
2622
Joined
5/19/2023
Location
MXoN - a term used by newbs, goobs and rubes, PW, USA
2/20/2025 1:08pm Edited Date/Time 2/20/2025 1:31pm
Of course the 250s is a feeder class. Otherwise the winners pay would be equal to the 450s. Oh and you wouldn’t be able to point out...

Of course the 250s is a feeder class. Otherwise the winners pay would be equal to the 450s. 

Oh and you wouldn’t be able to point out of the class either.

Pretty sure there is no "pointing out" in the AMA 250 National Championship Series or US Regional 250 SX series (though one can "Championship Out" of the 250 Regional SX Series).

"Pointing out" (aging out) is possible in the MX2 series.

1
2/20/2025 1:31pm Edited Date/Time 2/20/2025 1:31pm
Of course the 250s is a feeder class. Otherwise the winners pay would be equal to the 450s. Oh and you wouldn’t be able to point out...

Of course the 250s is a feeder class. Otherwise the winners pay would be equal to the 450s. 

Oh and you wouldn’t be able to point out of the class either.

Pretty sure there is no "pointing out" in the AMA 250 National Championship Series or US Regional 250 SX series (though one can "Championship Out" of...

Pretty sure there is no "pointing out" in the AMA 250 National Championship Series or US Regional 250 SX series (though one can "Championship Out" of the 250 Regional SX Series).

"Pointing out" (aging out) is possible in the MX2 series.

Prior to 2023, you could point out of 250SX, and Savatgy and McElrath are the two current 450SX riders who pointed out of 250SX prior to the rule change. Both are ineligible, despite petitioning to re-enter the class.

1
wreckitrandy
Posts
4224
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Granite Falls, NC, USA
2/20/2025 1:34pm

Since MXGP is without doubt, the highest level of racing in the known universe, AND since anything associated with the AMA is a National competition at best and a circus on a bad night, "minor league" might be being generous....

1
1
Village Idiot
Posts
2622
Joined
5/19/2023
Location
MXoN - a term used by newbs, goobs and rubes, PW, USA
2/20/2025 1:37pm
Of course the 250s is a feeder class. Otherwise the winners pay would be equal to the 450s. Oh and you wouldn’t be able to point out...

Of course the 250s is a feeder class. Otherwise the winners pay would be equal to the 450s. 

Oh and you wouldn’t be able to point out of the class either.

Pretty sure there is no "pointing out" in the AMA 250 National Championship Series or US Regional 250 SX series (though one can "Championship Out" of...

Pretty sure there is no "pointing out" in the AMA 250 National Championship Series or US Regional 250 SX series (though one can "Championship Out" of the 250 Regional SX Series).

"Pointing out" (aging out) is possible in the MX2 series.

Prior to 2023, you could point out of 250SX, and Savatgy and McElrath are the two current 450SX riders who pointed out of 250SX prior to...

Prior to 2023, you could point out of 250SX, and Savatgy and McElrath are the two current 450SX riders who pointed out of 250SX prior to the rule change. Both are ineligible, despite petitioning to re-enter the class.

Yes, you could, and some riders got caught in the situation you described, but that's why I posted what I did - the current rule is "championshipping out" instead.

Just clarifying what the previous poster stated since it was a recent rule change that a lot of people may not be aware of (sort of like the red flag rule 😄).

2/20/2025 3:59pm

O.P. is a feckless troll, but gotta say, he's flying over a legitimate target.

Troll or not, he has the user name dialed. 

1
OldTech
Posts
1331
Joined
1/13/2024
Location
Decatur, AL, USA
2/20/2025 4:04pm
Is the 250 class basically the minors that young riders come up through and then eventually graduate to 450s? Do you have to win (or excel)...

Is the 250 class basically the minors that young riders come up through and then eventually graduate to 450s? Do you have to win (or excel) in the 250 class to make it into the 450s? I noticed a few older fellas riding 250s? 

Whats the deal? 

The 250 is the same size motorcycle but with a smaller engine. The 450 is a bigger engine. In my opinion mustaches should be allowed in the 450 class.

Phillip_Lamb
Posts
2101
Joined
12/14/2010
Location
ORANGEVALE, CA, USA
2/20/2025 10:42pm
No.  The 250s are a professional class that pays out a ton of money to some of the best riders in the world.  Pro moto pays...

No.  The 250s are a professional class that pays out a ton of money to some of the best riders in the world.  Pro moto pays big money to 20 people and pro baseball pays big money to thousands (?).  Minor leagues are akin to sx next riders.

baseball minor leagues, AAA, AA, A are all, in fact, professional organizations and players get paid which equals the qualification for being pro. 

OP pretty much the 250's are your minor league but its been treated more like a pro-am class due to limitations to continued participation (if you win a title, or score so many points in a few years, your forced to move out eventually which has shown to be a problem) 

really, as a pro class, it needs more open access instead of trying to keep it strictly for the new kids. if anything the futures is perfect for what the east/west was started as: a development class, and it should be a pro-am that can allow some fluid movement from the 250 class but place restrictions based on performace

1
2/20/2025 11:27pm
Pretty sure there is no "pointing out" in the AMA 250 National Championship Series or US Regional 250 SX series (though one can "Championship Out" of...

Pretty sure there is no "pointing out" in the AMA 250 National Championship Series or US Regional 250 SX series (though one can "Championship Out" of the 250 Regional SX Series).

"Pointing out" (aging out) is possible in the MX2 series.

Prior to 2023, you could point out of 250SX, and Savatgy and McElrath are the two current 450SX riders who pointed out of 250SX prior to...

Prior to 2023, you could point out of 250SX, and Savatgy and McElrath are the two current 450SX riders who pointed out of 250SX prior to the rule change. Both are ineligible, despite petitioning to re-enter the class.

Yes, you could, and some riders got caught in the situation you described, but that's why I posted what I did - the current rule is...

Yes, you could, and some riders got caught in the situation you described, but that's why I posted what I did - the current rule is "championshipping out" instead.

Just clarifying what the previous poster stated since it was a recent rule change that a lot of people may not be aware of (sort of like the red flag rule 😄).

You’re being pedantic! 

“Pointing out”

“Championshippig out”

Tomato/Tomato. 

If there’s a score in which you exceed qualification of competition because you’ve been too successful, then that’s my point.

BigBoreFan58
Posts
962
Joined
8/11/2019
Location
Beverly Hills, CA, USA
2/20/2025 11:41pm

250 is for Nancy Boys

2
Village Idiot
Posts
2622
Joined
5/19/2023
Location
MXoN - a term used by newbs, goobs and rubes, PW, USA
2/21/2025 8:55am
Prior to 2023, you could point out of 250SX, and Savatgy and McElrath are the two current 450SX riders who pointed out of 250SX prior to...

Prior to 2023, you could point out of 250SX, and Savatgy and McElrath are the two current 450SX riders who pointed out of 250SX prior to the rule change. Both are ineligible, despite petitioning to re-enter the class.

Yes, you could, and some riders got caught in the situation you described, but that's why I posted what I did - the current rule is...

Yes, you could, and some riders got caught in the situation you described, but that's why I posted what I did - the current rule is "championshipping out" instead.

Just clarifying what the previous poster stated since it was a recent rule change that a lot of people may not be aware of (sort of like the red flag rule 😄).

You’re being pedantic! 

“Pointing out”

“Championshippig out”

Tomato/Tomato. 

If there’s a score in which you exceed qualification of competition because you’ve been too successful, then that’s my point.

Not being pedantic - there's a difference and in the US National Series neither condition applies. The 250 MX class in the states has the same National Championship status as the 450s and isn't a "minor league" class, as the OP was asking.

 

2/21/2025 12:47pm
Yes, you could, and some riders got caught in the situation you described, but that's why I posted what I did - the current rule is...

Yes, you could, and some riders got caught in the situation you described, but that's why I posted what I did - the current rule is "championshipping out" instead.

Just clarifying what the previous poster stated since it was a recent rule change that a lot of people may not be aware of (sort of like the red flag rule 😄).

You’re being pedantic! 

“Pointing out”

“Championshippig out”

Tomato/Tomato. 

If there’s a score in which you exceed qualification of competition because you’ve been too successful, then that’s my point.

Not being pedantic - there's a difference and in the US National Series neither condition applies. The 250 MX class in the states has the same...

Not being pedantic - there's a difference and in the US National Series neither condition applies. The 250 MX class in the states has the same National Championship status as the 450s and isn't a "minor league" class, as the OP was asking.

 

If as you say, the 250s isn’t a minor league, how do you explain the difference in payout? 

You better let tue riders know they’re being ripped..

IMG 6012
Village Idiot
Posts
2622
Joined
5/19/2023
Location
MXoN - a term used by newbs, goobs and rubes, PW, USA
2/21/2025 1:42pm

You're conflating topics.

I said the 250 National Championship is a National Championship like the 450 National Championship. It's not a Regional title nor some contrived marketing gimmick with a silly name like SuperDuperMotorScooterCrossDressers World Universal Championship of the Galaxy Finals.

That's just a fact.

And as for how the SMX payout is explained?

Simple - they chose to set it up that way.

tyler113
Posts
175
Joined
3/24/2011
Location
Fg, WI, USA
2/21/2025 6:28pm

I consider it equivalent to division 1 college sports. 

Yes, division 1 athletes get paid now. 

1
jambalaya
Posts
1475
Joined
1/16/2021
Location
Spring Valley, CA, USA
2/21/2025 7:03pm

When you have youngins like RJ Hampshire sticking it to all the doubters who say he can’t win in the 250 class how could you possibly call it the minor leagues?

jambalaya
Posts
1475
Joined
1/16/2021
Location
Spring Valley, CA, USA
2/21/2025 7:05pm
Yes, you could, and some riders got caught in the situation you described, but that's why I posted what I did - the current rule is...

Yes, you could, and some riders got caught in the situation you described, but that's why I posted what I did - the current rule is "championshipping out" instead.

Just clarifying what the previous poster stated since it was a recent rule change that a lot of people may not be aware of (sort of like the red flag rule 😄).

You’re being pedantic! 

“Pointing out”

“Championshippig out”

Tomato/Tomato. 

If there’s a score in which you exceed qualification of competition because you’ve been too successful, then that’s my point.

Not being pedantic - there's a difference and in the US National Series neither condition applies. The 250 MX class in the states has the same...

Not being pedantic - there's a difference and in the US National Series neither condition applies. The 250 MX class in the states has the same National Championship status as the 450s and isn't a "minor league" class, as the OP was asking.

 

Yes but it’s also accepted that the best of the best race the 450 class. They start in the 250 class and then graduate to the 450 class. 

The 250 nationals is a national championship that isn’t as prestigious as the 450 national championship. Nobody disagrees with this 

Village Idiot
Posts
2622
Joined
5/19/2023
Location
MXoN - a term used by newbs, goobs and rubes, PW, USA
2/21/2025 7:28pm

You’re being pedantic! 

“Pointing out”

“Championshippig out”

Tomato/Tomato. 

If there’s a score in which you exceed qualification of competition because you’ve been too successful, then that’s my point.

Not being pedantic - there's a difference and in the US National Series neither condition applies. The 250 MX class in the states has the same...

Not being pedantic - there's a difference and in the US National Series neither condition applies. The 250 MX class in the states has the same National Championship status as the 450s and isn't a "minor league" class, as the OP was asking.

 

jambalaya wrote:
Yes but it’s also accepted that the best of the best race the 450 class. They start in the 250 class and then graduate to the...

Yes but it’s also accepted that the best of the best race the 450 class. They start in the 250 class and then graduate to the 450 class. 

The 250 nationals is a national championship that isn’t as prestigious as the 450 national championship. Nobody disagrees with this 

"The 250 nationals is a national championship that isn’t as prestigious as the 450 national championship. Nobody disagrees with this "

The AMA does.

I'm gonna let y'all argue your opinions since the facts are what they are. 👍

2/21/2025 7:41pm

I mean 250 should totally be age capped.   Or have that shit wide open.  No in between.  Barcia should race 250 if he wants 

1
2

Post a reply to: Are 250s essentially the minor leagues?

The Latest