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Thanks. I bought a set of gear and sent him a message on IG

He has a way to help him that you can even get something you would buy anyways. He designed his gear and if you order the design he made from Zero Limits, they give him a cut. Of course there are other things you can do. This does show companies that helping privateers help them. He can get you the info. Plus you have a set of gear that looks sweet and probably know one else will have.

A good privateer is someone that pulls their own program together like Kevin Moranz or Starling. I assure you they don’t buy all their stuff, but they are the elite of the privateer level. Moranz has a semi now. But like he built the team and is the only rider. Starling’s pit set up looks factory as well. Still privateers. I don’t think privateer means all non factory. If someone pays for your flights and travel and everything you ride and you didn’t procure that source of revenue yourself you’re a support rider not a privateer

The Deegan Hepp interview with pulp today was true privateer sounding living in his moto van full time traveling the circuit and making mains

Privateer: Matty B with loaded semi.

My son Doc Smith, worked all summer long to save money to race SX. He drove his van from Tx to Ca and works on his own bikes. He buys his own bikes and parts. Was going to sleep in his van for the west rounds but got a deal on staying at Grindstone. Where he sleeps in a shared dorm room and pays rent for bed and shop space. He lives on the money Feld pays. That is as privateer as it comes. How long can he do it? I don’t know but he is giving his dream the...

I agree there should be a different term, there is a difference between a non factory professional team (NFPT) and a true privateer. NFPT's have real funding, paid employees, and a professional truck driver. I worked on a couple of these teams, and our operating costs for one weekend were probably more then most "privateers" spend in a season. There are plenty of real privateers whom not only buy their own bikes, they also have to be their own mechanic, and truck driver.

Jason Clermont, an authentic french privateer, qualified for the main this weekend. The dude works in construction in France all year round and goes to the french SX events only with a car. He loads his bike and gear in a Peugeot 307 which is like a Honda Civic for you guys. Took all his money, flew to America, bought a used bike and here he is making mains! Soubeyras shows it here at 16:26. You can auto translate the subtitles

Agreed...he's doing an awesome job at it. The kid hustles, and he's a great rider!

Here's a walk through of Kevin Moranz's new rig for 2024. I do believe that the fact that some privateer efforts have rigs, etc. is overall healthy for the sport, hopefully this continues and we see higher salaries trickle down to the privateers. Or just salaries in general, I imagine some of the privateers are paying for access and support through some of these teams.

love Pit Bits... one of my weekly favs to view. keep them coming Vital. Thanks

I actually agree with this. There are tiers to being a "privateer". Some of these guys are making $100k+. Most of them are paid from gear deals and some get multiple free bikes they sell at the end of the year, etc. The only portion of their racing some are responsible for is travel, and some get that paid. Someone I talk to heard it come straight out of the mouth of one of these riders how much he makes per season, It is over $100k. Now, I can't confirm if that's net of expenses or what but there is...

Moranz is 100% privateer, he’s just doing it better than the rest.