Hanging up my boots

jleews6
Posts
2304
Joined
8/3/2008
Location
Hardy, VA, USA
9/28/2010 5:17am
Take it from me,dont do it. I stoped riding 28 years ago to go drag racing and now I just started riding again and stopping was the worst thing I ever did. Im having more fun riding now then I ever did. ALOT slower but still having fun.
FIFIFO
Posts
244
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Huntington, NY, USA
9/28/2010 5:25am
I "retired" twice. First time I lasted a month, second time I lasted 8 months. I haven't raced since 2008 & I could care less. At 38 years old I'm having more fun on the bike then ever.
You wont last...just sayin'
9/28/2010 5:36am
You seem like a smart guy. The fact that you're deciding to hang them up now instead of waiting til you have no choice is admirable. Every time I've quit including this last time a couple years ago was because of injuries. I wish I could of made the conscious decision that you're making right now. Most racers would disregard not having insurance and race anyway. The problem is this sport is probably the most addictive sport in the world. I wish you tons of luck in your post mx life.
JW381
Posts
10638
Joined
7/21/2009
Location
Harrisburg, OR, USA
9/28/2010 10:02am
You seem like a smart guy. The fact that you're deciding to hang them up now instead of waiting til you have no choice is admirable...
You seem like a smart guy. The fact that you're deciding to hang them up now instead of waiting til you have no choice is admirable. Every time I've quit including this last time a couple years ago was because of injuries. I wish I could of made the conscious decision that you're making right now. Most racers would disregard not having insurance and race anyway. The problem is this sport is probably the most addictive sport in the world. I wish you tons of luck in your post mx life.
Thank you very much sir.

The Shop

Nutty C
Posts
463
Joined
10/28/2009
Location
Waterdown, CA
9/28/2010 10:26am
Been there . Sell everthing give away a bunch of stuff only to start riding again latter on in life and have to go out and spend spend spend. Put the bike in the corner and throw a blanket over it and you will probably be riding within three years.
Torco1
Posts
6585
Joined
4/27/2007
Location
Corona, CA, USA
9/28/2010 10:26am
You'll be back one day, just be sure to hang onto the expensive things you wont want to have to buy again in the future......boots, helmet, gear bag, etc....You'll miss it to much to stay away to long. Dont be a stranger to Vital though.
Hank_Thrill
Posts
4659
Joined
9/22/2008
Location
Arlen, TX, USA
9/28/2010 10:29am Edited Date/Time 9/28/2010 10:35am
Not gonna be in the saddle for a while. Bike's for sale, and might be gone today or tomorrow. Just reaching an age where I need to grow up a little bit. I'm not terrible on a bike, but I'm not "fast" by any means.



My advice, listen to yourself, not others, do what you feel is best - but don't quit something you love just because you feel like society thinks you're too old for it. If everyone felt the pressure and grow up and quit riding dirt bikes due to pressures from society, we would have all stopped by the time we got a drivers license.

As far as your talent goes, "not terrible, but not fast." Who cares how good you are? If you have fun and enjoy riding a dirt bike, that's all that matters. That feeling of always wanting to be better will never go away. No matter how fast you get, you may still always want to be faster. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but while you're always focusing on becoming a better rider, you're missing out on all the fun!

Sounds like you're pretty bummed out about some things, besides riding dirt bikes. Maybe riding dirt bikes would be just the thing you need to cheer ya back up?
Void Main
Posts
17013
Joined
3/19/2008
Location
USA
9/28/2010 10:36am Edited Date/Time 9/28/2010 10:46am
Void Main wrote:
Just buy a damn street bike already. I bought one and I'm about ready to sell my YZ. It's too damn easy to pull it out...
Just buy a damn street bike already. I bought one and I'm about ready to sell my YZ. It's too damn easy to pull it out of the garage, ride it, put it back in the garage and not have to wash it, change the tires, brakes, oil, piston, etc. etc. Don't get me wrong, I still ride the dirt bike but I pick and choose the best days to do that now.
slowvet wrote:
Sold my 450 2 months ago. Saving my pesos for a 2010 Kawasaki Concours 14. I'll get another dirtbike down the road, maybe an old PE250...
Sold my 450 2 months ago. Saving my pesos for a 2010 Kawasaki Concours 14. I'll get another dirtbike down the road, maybe an old PE250 or IT250. Get back to the roots.
My bud has a new Concourse 14 and likes it. I wouldn't mind having something like that as a second bike to take longer trips on but for back and forth to work and close to home riding I have a little 650R Ninja that works great for me. It's small and nimble, has a decent amount of power but not nearly as much as the ZX6R and isn't nearly as aggressive of a riding style. It's a great old mans play bike. I just turned over 11,000 miles on mine on the way to work this morning and I haven't had it 6 months yet (0 miles on it when I bought it). I'm actually thinking something along the lines of a Triumph Sprint ST for my next bike.
nytsmaC
Posts
5946
Joined
8/10/2009
Location
Frig Off, CA
9/28/2010 10:36am
Sell the bike but keep your gear. I did the same in '05, I just wasn't into it anymore. After a 4 year hiatus I'm back enjoying riding as much as I did when I was 16. Take a break and eventually it'll come calling again, you'll know when it's time.
SMITH201
Posts
1994
Joined
1/9/2007
Location
Frederick, MD, USA
9/28/2010 11:18am
I had a real bad crash in 08 that put me in a coma for almost 2 days. Severe concussion, broken ribs and a dislocated hip. That head injury was brutal. I wasnt right with anxiety, depression and just not felling like myself for 6 months. Looked at my wife and daughter and figured I was done. almost a year later I got the itch again and really wanted to ride again. After a few long talks with the wife I went back out. Rode here and there and then started riding more and was almost to the level and speed I was at before my crash. Then one of my best freinds crashed at Budds Creek earlier this year and is now paralyzed. That hit me really hard. Put my bike up for sale and sold within 1 day! I miss riding and I think I will be back on a bike at some point. Not sure what kind of bike though. Im thinking a DRZ supermoto bike right now. If I do moto again though, I think I will score a 250F and just ride for fun sometimes. Who knows, I may score both Smile One thing I do know for sure though, my racing days are over. I have a bunch of trophies and championship to look back on for my racing memories that I can hold onto for the rest of my life Smile
slowvet
Posts
1905
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
San Marcos, CA, USA
9/28/2010 1:47pm
Void Main wrote:
Just buy a damn street bike already. I bought one and I'm about ready to sell my YZ. It's too damn easy to pull it out...
Just buy a damn street bike already. I bought one and I'm about ready to sell my YZ. It's too damn easy to pull it out of the garage, ride it, put it back in the garage and not have to wash it, change the tires, brakes, oil, piston, etc. etc. Don't get me wrong, I still ride the dirt bike but I pick and choose the best days to do that now.
slowvet wrote:
Sold my 450 2 months ago. Saving my pesos for a 2010 Kawasaki Concours 14. I'll get another dirtbike down the road, maybe an old PE250...
Sold my 450 2 months ago. Saving my pesos for a 2010 Kawasaki Concours 14. I'll get another dirtbike down the road, maybe an old PE250 or IT250. Get back to the roots.
Void Main wrote:
My bud has a new Concourse 14 and likes it. I wouldn't mind having something like that as a second bike to take longer trips on...
My bud has a new Concourse 14 and likes it. I wouldn't mind having something like that as a second bike to take longer trips on but for back and forth to work and close to home riding I have a little 650R Ninja that works great for me. It's small and nimble, has a decent amount of power but not nearly as much as the ZX6R and isn't nearly as aggressive of a riding style. It's a great old mans play bike. I just turned over 11,000 miles on mine on the way to work this morning and I haven't had it 6 months yet (0 miles on it when I bought it). I'm actually thinking something along the lines of a Triumph Sprint ST for my next bike.
That Triumph Sprint ST is a good looking steed, and priced well.
mattmatt300
Posts
1457
Joined
3/30/2009
Location
Rockmart, GA, USA
9/28/2010 1:59pm
start cycling.
RocketLab
Posts
604
Joined
11/18/2009
Location
San Antonio, TX, USA
9/28/2010 2:13pm
SMITH201 wrote:
I had a real bad crash in 08 that put me in a coma for almost 2 days. Severe concussion, broken ribs and a dislocated hip...
I had a real bad crash in 08 that put me in a coma for almost 2 days. Severe concussion, broken ribs and a dislocated hip. That head injury was brutal. I wasnt right with anxiety, depression and just not felling like myself for 6 months. Looked at my wife and daughter and figured I was done. almost a year later I got the itch again and really wanted to ride again. After a few long talks with the wife I went back out. Rode here and there and then started riding more and was almost to the level and speed I was at before my crash. Then one of my best freinds crashed at Budds Creek earlier this year and is now paralyzed. That hit me really hard. Put my bike up for sale and sold within 1 day! I miss riding and I think I will be back on a bike at some point. Not sure what kind of bike though. Im thinking a DRZ supermoto bike right now. If I do moto again though, I think I will score a 250F and just ride for fun sometimes. Who knows, I may score both Smile One thing I do know for sure though, my racing days are over. I have a bunch of trophies and championship to look back on for my racing memories that I can hold onto for the rest of my life Smile
Wow Smith, that's rough. It's almost like losing a part of yourself when you make the decision to stop riding.but you know when its time.

I got back into mx after 17 years off in 05. Had to quit in 07 after doc found a disk degenerated to nothing when I came back from 2 shoulder surgeries and started having constant lower back pain. Doc said not to even jog because the vertebrae couldn't take the impact. Of course I had to ask him about mx,Wink he looked at me like I was brain dead. Put the bike on craigslist a week later when I finally admitted I couldn't risk further spine problems.
PFitzG38
Posts
1743
Joined
11/6/2009
Location
Newport Beach, CA, USA
9/28/2010 2:14pm
I quit from 83 to 01 after a breaking my neck at an Anahiem amateur SX and got to sport a bitchen halo brace for awhile so I can relate. Your smart not to ride if you don't have health ins. right now, sell your boots only if you must. DO NOT sell your helmet. Remember you don't stop riding when you get old, you get old when you stop riding.
mx-frog
Posts
130
Joined
6/20/2008
Location
USA
9/28/2010 2:19pm
JW381 wrote:
Not gonna be in the saddle for a while. Bike's for sale, and might be gone today or tomorrow. Just reaching an age where I need...
Not gonna be in the saddle for a while. Bike's for sale, and might be gone today or tomorrow. Just reaching an age where I need to grow up a little bit. I'm not terrible on a bike, but I'm not "fast" by any means. Motocross is definitely a life consuming sport, and I loved every second of it when it was working, but it's just not in the cards right now as far as finances, health insurance etc. goes.

Not that anyone really cares, just thinking out loud, and maybe hoping for a little bit of insight from guys who have been there. I'll get back into riding in some form or another someday.
Get into Vintage racing! It's way more fun then you think it is!
TeamGreen
Posts
37281
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA, USA
9/28/2010 2:51pm
JW381 wrote:
Exactly. I know there's no way I can quit. It's in my blood and it's something I've been into for way too many years now. I'll...
Exactly. I know there's no way I can quit. It's in my blood and it's something I've been into for way too many years now. I'll be back on 2 wheels when the time is right.

I'm sure I'll still waste a bunch of my employers time on here as well Grinning
Go get a 450X and come on down to Baja...

I'm jus' knowin'...
SMITH201
Posts
1994
Joined
1/9/2007
Location
Frederick, MD, USA
9/28/2010 3:32pm
JW381 wrote:
Not gonna be in the saddle for a while. Bike's for sale, and might be gone today or tomorrow. Just reaching an age where I need...
Not gonna be in the saddle for a while. Bike's for sale, and might be gone today or tomorrow. Just reaching an age where I need to grow up a little bit. I'm not terrible on a bike, but I'm not "fast" by any means. Motocross is definitely a life consuming sport, and I loved every second of it when it was working, but it's just not in the cards right now as far as finances, health insurance etc. goes.

Not that anyone really cares, just thinking out loud, and maybe hoping for a little bit of insight from guys who have been there. I'll get back into riding in some form or another someday.
mx-frog wrote:
Get into Vintage racing! It's way more fun then you think it is!
Ive thought about that. I was involved in a Masters MX series here that ran in conjunction with AHRMA. Looked like fun. I would like to score an old steed and run the 80s class. I remember when my brother got the 86 RM250 when they came out with the blue motor. Would be cool to get one, restore it and have fun with it.
JW381
Posts
10638
Joined
7/21/2009
Location
Harrisburg, OR, USA
9/28/2010 3:44pm
PFitzG38 wrote:
I quit from 83 to 01 after a breaking my neck at an Anahiem amateur SX and got to sport a bitchen halo brace for awhile...
I quit from 83 to 01 after a breaking my neck at an Anahiem amateur SX and got to sport a bitchen halo brace for awhile so I can relate. Your smart not to ride if you don't have health ins. right now, sell your boots only if you must. DO NOT sell your helmet. Remember you don't stop riding when you get old, you get old when you stop riding.
Oh yeah of course. I have some good, new, clean gear that I wouldn't hardly get pennies for anyway, so that stuff's not going anywhere!
croom mx
Posts
1964
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
miami, FL, USA
9/28/2010 4:04pm Edited Date/Time 9/28/2010 4:06pm
When I stopped riding, I went into MX withdrawal! Those were bad times.
Crash82
Posts
9022
Joined
9/16/2006
Location
MONTGOMERY, AL, USA
9/28/2010 4:31pm
Work on bike all week, charge up credit cards with parts, 50 to 75 bucks just for a day of practice, always needing tires, around 100 bucks to race and you get 3 laps practice then sit all day waiting to get in 2 6 lap motos, then they always run out of time and cut your second moto to 3 laps, limping around all week because the ground hurts, risking totally serious injury. Almost 10,000 for a new bike, totally worth it if you can whoop up on a few of those damn little young brats who think they are fast.
moto
Posts
51
Joined
7/18/2008
Location
Oakley, CA, USA
9/28/2010 4:31pm
I am there right now too...I spent 15 years racing off-road pretty seriously, then got married, kids etc. Got hurt, took a break then was back just for fun. Now I am trying to start a business working six days a week and it just kills ya. So I got a KTM450exc, put 17s on it and ride everyday to work. That keeps me riding and it's a blast. Plus, if I ever get a chance, I put my dirt tires on and hit the trails.
Pdub
Posts
1477
Joined
8/2/2006
Location
Wheaton, MD, USA
9/28/2010 5:18pm
Void Main wrote:
Just buy a damn street bike already. I bought one and I'm about ready to sell my YZ. It's too damn easy to pull it out...
Just buy a damn street bike already. I bought one and I'm about ready to sell my YZ. It's too damn easy to pull it out of the garage, ride it, put it back in the garage and not have to wash it, change the tires, brakes, oil, piston, etc. etc. Don't get me wrong, I still ride the dirt bike but I pick and choose the best days to do that now.
That's my fix, for sure.
mx-frog
Posts
130
Joined
6/20/2008
Location
USA
9/28/2010 5:30pm
JW381 wrote:
Not gonna be in the saddle for a while. Bike's for sale, and might be gone today or tomorrow. Just reaching an age where I need...
Not gonna be in the saddle for a while. Bike's for sale, and might be gone today or tomorrow. Just reaching an age where I need to grow up a little bit. I'm not terrible on a bike, but I'm not "fast" by any means. Motocross is definitely a life consuming sport, and I loved every second of it when it was working, but it's just not in the cards right now as far as finances, health insurance etc. goes.

Not that anyone really cares, just thinking out loud, and maybe hoping for a little bit of insight from guys who have been there. I'll get back into riding in some form or another someday.
mx-frog wrote:
Get into Vintage racing! It's way more fun then you think it is!
SMITH201 wrote:
Ive thought about that. I was involved in a Masters MX series here that ran in conjunction with AHRMA. Looked like fun. I would like to...
Ive thought about that. I was involved in a Masters MX series here that ran in conjunction with AHRMA. Looked like fun. I would like to score an old steed and run the 80s class. I remember when my brother got the 86 RM250 when they came out with the blue motor. Would be cool to get one, restore it and have fun with it.
The people are great and no idiots trying to kill you on the track. You can have a nice race bike for $1500 or you can spend $4000 and have a piece or art what ever you want to spend. Or like me have about 5 or 6 bikes. It's so fun and easy to build these bikes over Winter. Go to vintagemx.us web site and watch for a bike you want!
EbarDP48
Posts
106
Joined
12/18/2008
Location
Groveland, FL, USA
9/28/2010 6:11pm Edited Date/Time 9/28/2010 6:13pm
Mine is a typical story. Raced all over the southeast in my youth. Got married young..had a family..gave up the bikes and came back to racing moto after a 15 year absence.
I had a moment like yours about three years back into racing. I was out at least twice a week practicing and racing. Then working on the bike for the next week. I loved it but it got to be another job. I remember telling my two good friends that I raced against that "this was it..the last time I would be on a bike"! I was done.
Yeah...you'll be back they replied.
That was about 10 years ago.
I did come back to bikes about two months after I was set to give them up forever.
Only now I'm not so much a racer as a motorcyclist. I do have a KX450 that I still take to the track and race from time to time, but I also have a KTM 450 that I dual sport ( I just got back from a fantastic trip to Moab/SW Colorado) and a KLR 650 for the longe dual sport rides ( like the Western NC mountains) as well as a V Strom 650 for street rides like the one I took from Central Florida to Maine and back last year.

Once you get a taste of motorcycles, you're hooked on a drug more powerful than crack.

I recently bought a CR 70 F for my grandson. At a young 51, I look forward to some rides with him in the future.
I told my wife that I wished he never knew what a motorcycle was. His grandmother and I would sleep better and he would end up with more money in his pocket for sure. But as that was't going to happen, i wanted him to learn the joy as I did...in his youth. He'll be able to make up his own mind as to how addicted he becomes with no unwanted push from me.

But back to the opening thread........I'll tell you what my friends told me when I "hung up my boots for good" ....You'll be back, as surely as I write this, you'll be back. You don't have choice. It's now a part of you, like a arm or a leg.
The desire to ride never leaves your soul for good.

Wadded_Up
Posts
710
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
9/28/2010 6:16pm
Torco1 wrote:
You'll be back one day, just be sure to hang onto the expensive things you wont want to have to buy again in the future......boots, helmet...
You'll be back one day, just be sure to hang onto the expensive things you wont want to have to buy again in the future......boots, helmet, gear bag, etc....You'll miss it to much to stay away to long. Dont be a stranger to Vital though.
Great advise....I wish you had told me that the last 15 times I quit!
ccstrebe
Posts
87
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Yuma, AZ, USA
9/28/2010 6:26pm
I'm laying here flat on my back with two broken legs and a broken heal from a wreck two weeks ago, no insurance. I'm 51yr old and I thought I would be riding my whole life.

I can't see myself riding anymore. I got too much at stake, a business to run and a family to finish raising. I'll have to find something else to occupy my time.
SMITH201
Posts
1994
Joined
1/9/2007
Location
Frederick, MD, USA
9/28/2010 6:36pm
ccstrebe wrote:
I'm laying here flat on my back with two broken legs and a broken heal from a wreck two weeks ago, no insurance. I'm 51yr old...
I'm laying here flat on my back with two broken legs and a broken heal from a wreck two weeks ago, no insurance. I'm 51yr old and I thought I would be riding my whole life.

I can't see myself riding anymore. I got too much at stake, a business to run and a family to finish raising. I'll have to find something else to occupy my time.
Get a Hog Smile

When I turn 40 I will be getting a Harley for sure and plan on trickin it out and hold onto the rest of my life Smile
three9zero
Posts
1454
Joined
9/26/2010
Location
Kamloops B.C, CA
9/28/2010 6:52pm Edited Date/Time 9/28/2010 7:12pm
peelout719 wrote:
done it a few times but always come back. i'm gonna sell my 450 and get a new 250 two stroke and go back to the...
done it a few times but always come back. i'm gonna sell my 450 and get a new 250 two stroke and go back to the roots of having fun. not racing.

dude, I sold my 450 in the spring cause I just could not stand getting slower/hurt and feeling like a pussy cause I was not jumping all the big jumps at the local track. I went 3 months without riding,one day my buddy came over to my house and loaded up all my gear and my wife's 2004 kx 125 and told me to get in his fucking truck and come ride, I was once a fast b rider/intermediate. After about 3 laps and some wide open berm blasts I totally got the bug back, I'm actually way faster on it and never get out of shape or get scared on it. Last week I bought a 2007 kx 250 and just freakin love it, If anybody is thinking of hanging up the boots, first get rid of the thumper, start having fun on a bike that just smells better....I have less than 3 grand tied up in both bikes and could not be happier. When I'm at the track all my buddies want to ride them and come back saying they really miss the smokers..........
jtomasik
Posts
12895
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Golden, CO, USA
9/28/2010 7:06pm
Ask Mr. Henry what he thinks of quitting:


JW381
Posts
10638
Joined
7/21/2009
Location
Harrisburg, OR, USA
9/29/2010 11:12am
peelout719 wrote:
done it a few times but always come back. i'm gonna sell my 450 and get a new 250 two stroke and go back to the...
done it a few times but always come back. i'm gonna sell my 450 and get a new 250 two stroke and go back to the roots of having fun. not racing.

three9zero wrote:
dude, I sold my 450 in the spring cause I just could not stand getting slower/hurt and feeling like a pussy cause I was not jumping...
dude, I sold my 450 in the spring cause I just could not stand getting slower/hurt and feeling like a pussy cause I was not jumping all the big jumps at the local track. I went 3 months without riding,one day my buddy came over to my house and loaded up all my gear and my wife's 2004 kx 125 and told me to get in his fucking truck and come ride, I was once a fast b rider/intermediate. After about 3 laps and some wide open berm blasts I totally got the bug back, I'm actually way faster on it and never get out of shape or get scared on it. Last week I bought a 2007 kx 250 and just freakin love it, If anybody is thinking of hanging up the boots, first get rid of the thumper, start having fun on a bike that just smells better....I have less than 3 grand tied up in both bikes and could not be happier. When I'm at the track all my buddies want to ride them and come back saying they really miss the smokers..........
I made the move to the 2-stroke a year ago. That was not the issue at all. Had I not, I would have quit a year ago. Probably shouldn't have bought it brand new tho..

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