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2. California has the largest population in the US, by about 11 million people over the next state ....There is no surprise that more motorcycles are sold there. According to this (2014) study, California ranks pretty low for motorcycles/person in the state. https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/16/50-states-ranked-for-…
Who actually knows the accuracy though....
3. I do not know about that statement man, People have been riding MX since the 60's all across the country. Dilla' started in 1969, and Red Bud was a few years before that. This argument is like the whole "who started punk rock thing"...It is not a contest.
I understand the draw to be in CA, but I still think it would be better for companies to move some place cheaper. Alta would have had a much better chance, to survive, had it not been based in CA. I briefly thought about a move out west a few years ago. The cost of living alone out there was mind boggling compared to PA. A $500K home in CA would be $80K here, not to mention taxes, food, insurance, etc....It scared me away pretty quick.
Saying that someone brand new to the sport-or ANYONE for that matter-has to spend $10K on a bike to get into the sport and have fun isn't reality based. No reason a guy couldn't pick up a 10 year old YZ125 for $1500, and have a blast and race.
I think part of the problem is that far to many riders are in it for the image...they'd be embarrassed to ride a 10 year old bike, with no graphics, and two year old gear...so they don't feel they can participate if they don't have the latest and greatest bike, with all the aftermarket nonsense, and $600 boots and a $600 helmet. It's crazy.
Buy a 10 year old two stroke, some used boots (even top of the line boots) for a 1 or 2 hundred bucks, a decent helmet on clearance for a couple hundred bucks, some clearance gear, and you're into it a couple grand...and go ride, even go RACE...and have fun! Don't worry about what people think.
Trust me...D, C, B, class dudes don't need to be on new rubber every race, don't need that $800 exhaust, don't need $3K in suspension work, don't need $600 boots, and they don't need that $10K 450/250f every year to race, and they certainly don't need it to be competitive, but most importantly they don't need all of that to have FUN.
The Shop
My issue is that they move here, and are trying to turn Utah into California (a place they left because they didn't like it). They vote in ridiculous politicians, they support local enviro-nazi groups, and on and on and on...they are like a parasite...moving from one place to the next and ruining each one. (not all californians mind you...but most of them)
But even if its $2000 , and some budget gear , sure tou can get it done , For $3000 or less,
But where the sport is tough to get into in my opinion is
Kids that are 12 plus , its not easy to jump into this sport on an 85, they are full blown race bikes
Or even young adults, im sure there are people that have an interest and there parents wouldnt let them ride or couldn't afford to , and trying to join at an older age riding with others that started young and can easily hit the jumps etc is intimidating.
For kids 8 and under on 50cc is great , but any older and there are some challenges.
Pooter.
Marijuana.
Money.
In that order.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsqGITb0W4A
There is nothing "the sport" can do to stop whats coming. But don't feel bad. Every other relatively expensive sport or hobby is dying too....
Washougal in particular needs to change their format. A single 30 minute moto or something like that, WHATEVER. Change it up.
I've strongly considered changing to off-road for more seat time vs. more sitting around time.
Pit Row
Someone above mentioned that it’s the cost of moto but I’d disagree. My wife and I just had this convo. I estimated that all in I’ve only spent about 5-6k the last 3 years. I bought a yz250 for $1,700 and rebuilt the important stuff $1,500. Helmet, boots, 2 sets of gear all bought on sale $1,200. Now my money goes to gas/oils, general maintenance, and entry fees if I do race. You don’t have to blow your load to be a part of this sport. I would put more of the blame m cost of living and insurance. Just my 2 cents based on my experience.
I can’t believe I’m reading so many people here who don’t ride. It amazes me the reasons.
I have two boys at 2/newborn, a big ass dog that eats and shits way too much, one income, a car payment, bills and rent making 55k and live in southern CA. I still make it to 5+ races a year and ride nearly 4 times a month. Mostly at the track with entry fees.
I make it happen because I love the sport and I love to race.
Bring the kids to the track. Play with them between motos. Let them smell the dirt and play in it. Have your old lady pack some bologna sandwiches and fill a big gallon of water up to stay hydrated. use ice from the fridge for the cooler. Flip your tire around when it starts losing bite. Save the race gas for after taxes. Buy shit secondhand. Watch YouTube videos and do your own maintenance. Make it work.
A practice day usually runs about 40-50 bucks considering gas and entry fees. Race day obviously more. Sometimes my chick wants to go out to dinner or take the kids to the aquarium for the weekend, no big deal I just have to skip riding that week.
If you’re crunched on time? Well wake up earlier get to the track by 8 and get out of the track by 1030. Come home and have the bike washed and into the garage by 1. The rest of your Saturday has yet to begin and you got some motos in.
If your body hurts that bad start taking it easier on yourself. Learn to ride where you’re not gonna wreck your body.
Don’t be a WEVON and stop making excuses as to why you can’t do what you supposedly love so much you posers.
the death spiral of MX started as soon as the average rider needed to take out a loan to buy a bike. Too expensive and too dangerous and only getting worse. I love the sport . . . not sure it can be saved
The differences at the track are vast. It used to be mainly pick ups and Van's small trailers some RV's if you were bigtime. People's bikes were mostly stock gates were packed especially in Junior (C class) they often had qualifiers.
Now today everyone has motorhomes and 5th wheels you're in the minority with a pickup. There's 20 Kids in the C class half have A kit suspension everyone's on a brand new bike.
The local club does practice on Saturdays and races on Sunday. There is twice as many people on Saturday, all the guys with the pickups and the old gear and bikes show up then but they don't want to race.
Racing moto now is perceived as way to serious now no one is a "casual" racer anymore I think that's why you find more guys going to offroad its perceived as more safe by most and its definitely more cost effective aside from a few people I know that are very serious with it most have older gear they but used two strokes and have a great time for a fraction of the cost.
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