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Much of the money involved now comes from the outside anyway and the technical knowhow can easily be handled by the aftermarket in the wake of the OEM's departure. It's not arrogant to think we can't survive without them, it's arrogant for them to think they can survive without us.
If the manufacturers pulled out completely, any idea how much of the support (salaries)would go with it?
That goes for both the big4 (or 5) and YS and MXsports.
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Still, a large portion of the money in the sport would go away if the manufacturers pulled out completely. What many don't think about, is that this could open a door for a new and competing series. How about a SX series held at NASCAR racetracks like Daytona does? How many other national caliber MX tracks exist out there that wouldn't mind holding a National series event for outdoors? All it would take is a promoter with some money to get it rolling. The manufacturers could decide to put their backing behind a new series which would give it instant credibility. Contracted riders would have to ride the new series. Probable? No. Possible? Yes. A few years ago we almost had 2 competing SX series and the manufacturers were undecided as to which to support before it got hashed out. We see labor disputes all the time in other sports......strikes, holdouts, lockouts.... MX/SX is getting to that point of moving into that big league arena, money-wise. If the manufacturers ever decided to pull out over differences of opinion, they could plan it ahead and could take their sponsorship packages with them as well. There is too much money involved in MX/SX for them to just pull out and go home.
There were no two-strokes at Anaheim or Phoenix, yet the races were packed, they were featured on live TV, they have more sponsors than ever, and this all happened in a terrible economy that probably has much more to do with lower bike sales than four-strokes have.
I am trying to hep your cause here as best as I can, but because I don't see it in the same terms or from the same perspective, I am somehow out of touch? Arrogant? Maybe you should just go buy the bike you want and race the bike you want and send your message that way because this one isn't having the effect you probably want.
DC
MX Sports
1973 Honda CR125; .......$895.00
1983 Honda CR125; .....$1738.00
2093 Honda CR125; .....$3799.00
2010 Honda CRF250; ...$7199.00
National Average Wage Index (http://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/AWI.html)
1973: .....$7,580
1983: ...$15,239
1993: ...$23,132
2009: ...$40,711 (no data for 2010 yet)
Ratio of Average Wage and Cost of CR125/250f
1973: ..... 11.8%
1983: ..... 11.4%
1993: ..... 16.4%
2009: ..... 17.6%
The base cost of owning a bike has increased by 5.8% from 1973 to 2009. Combine that with other variable expenses, such as broadband, mobile phone, xbox & games, ect, and you begin to see why there are fewer people participating in the sport, and more people *watching* from home.
So the raw numbers shows that the cost of owning a bike (not including hop-up and replacement parts, gate fees, gas, ect) has increased by almost 50% in the past 30 years.
The two stroke thing is gathering momentum. It is the topic of many editorials in the major magazines, and often a topic of conversation on the moto based radio shows and pod casts.
In the end we the consumer will need to speak with out wallets. Then the argument will come full circle and two stroke will not be able to be pushed to the backburner.
It sure would be nice though, if Davey were to get a read on what is happening at the grass roots level and do something that could really help it along.
I think factors like fuel costs and other costs associated with racing are a huge factor as well in the decreased attendance at amateur events. I'm guessing the economy is the only factor that has effected street bike sales in a similar fashion as dirt bike sales.
DC
MX Sports
125 outdoor nationals for six rounds or just a couple exhibition races with 125's, count me in. Can't say I would agree with having supermini's and full sized bikes on the track together, but if it would eventually lead to a true to life 125 class, I'll take what we can get. Just bring back the 125's.
01/73 yen/dollar = 301/1
01//83 yen/dollar = 232/1
01//93 yen/dollar = 125/1
01//03 yen/dollar = 118/1
01//11 yen/dollar = 82/1
The issue with concern over the Japanese OEM's walking is them walking now. The sport at the pro level still depends on their money. It hasn't yet bridged to stronger outside sponsorship that would allow all major team to operate privately with less direct relationships with the OEM's. I think it's fair to say that MXSports has been stabilizing the patient in the last couple years after a collapse by the AMA failing to get series sponsors and good TV that teams could leverage into self supporting sponsorships. Teams and riders were walking before the economy collapsed. That's the environment in which MXSports committed to the series.
I think it would be great if someday, hopefully soon, the break with the OEMs could be made and (assuming they still make MX bikes) teams could run whatever they want that makes sense, and the rules could be maximized to that end (which still wouldn't compel OEMs to make two strokes). That's not feasible now unless you want to radically down grade outdoor pro racing.
Bingo.
Pit Row
Just put the numbers out as food for thought...
Ok, we know DC's hands are tied. So who do we petition at the big 4? I believe that if a company or leaders are approached diplomatically over a period of time, then it is possible for a change. I guess the approach now is to begin contacting the big4. Can you believe that we have to begin asking a foreign country for permission to adjust our own rules, so they don't get mad?
Address them c/o your local dealer....and make sure you include a cashier's check when buying a 2-stroke.
Tell dealers selling brands that don't make two strokes that you can't buy from them because they don't sell what you want. Hopefully you'll be able to walk him out to the parking lot to see the new KTM or Yamaha smoker (there's an 11 YZ250 being advertised below MSRP here in Sac) in your pickup. Writing letters to the OEM's without some proof they're losing sales seems like a tough row to hoe.
If you've ever read the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, one of the habits is "seek first to understand, then to be understood." The worst way to be persuasive is to assume people think the way you do and that they'll just get it if you express your opinion over and over.
How many of you die hard two stroke guys have bought a new bike in the last two years?
Post a reply to: Jody, MXA, Two Strokes and Matthes