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I don't think that's the only issue. Cost, risk, satisfaction, and changing social demographics all play roles.
As far as I can tell, amateur stuff is strong looking at the LL level and I feel the sport has rebounded from its low of a few years ago but I don't really know to be honest. Bike sales have risen the last few years I've been told but they're still half of what they were in the 2006's, etc.
Add the crazy taxes every country is putting on these bikes, it is just tough.
Plenty of comments on off road riding, and that is what the bulk of riders do, ride off road for fun, but the business is going quick to price people out of it. Plus you have groups like the sierra club that is doing everything they can to close off road riding areas and they have massive liberal support which means it moves votes, especially in states like california politics where you are either liberal or you are not in politics. So supporting those groups means closing more and more land to off highway vehicles..
Having said that, I think the problem that can be corrected is in the grass roots of the sport at the amateur level. Over the past 10-15 years we all let the tracks get too damn dangerous and the bikes too damn fast. Almost all of my buddies that I grew up racing with are never coming back because it is "too dangerous". Other things like land owner liabilty, environmentalists, and economic factors that are just as damaging are largely outside of our control.
This sport can't get out of its own way sometimes.
It definitely seems like tracks are trying to project this professional persona by building massive jumps. Its crazy what a person who is just getting started must think when they see what they're expected to jump. I was riding a few months back and a kid in his late teens/early 20s had a nice late model KTM and nice gear. You could tell he was a total beginner and was struggling pretty bad. He literally did one moto and packed it up. I felt bad, I probably should have talked to him, he might have quit for good.
Nascarnate326 mentioned how people with roached bikes don't feel welcome at mx races. I was totally that kid in 2003. I had a '98 CR125 and at that time NOBODY at the track had a bike older than the previous season. I had more fun racing my first season than any season since. I just wanted to ride and race. I wanted a new bike so bad but that was all I could afford (paying my parents $50/week for it). Those were great times. I toy with the idea of going back to a 125 but like all hardcore moto guys my ego gets the best of me.
Pit Row
MX offers a unique opportunity to satisfy several emotional needs. The need for excitement, competition, physical fitness, speed, challenge, etc. However, as strong as these needs can be they're nothing compared to the need for self preservation (safety), at least for most mortals! This is nothing new and anyone who's raced, past or present, instinctively manages the risks and rewards using their right hand. One simply goes a little slower before they reach that crossover point.
Unfortunately, there's no such option when it comes to most double jumps. It's typically do or die, and if you are risk adverse for whatever reason and don't feel comfortable you're just going to roll them. In addition, unlike natural terrain obstacles which can be practiced just about anywhere you can ride, jumps (at least ones like at the track) simply don't exist in nature so it's difficult to get comfortable.
This I believe has created two different camps in amateur MX, particularly vet MX. Those that jump and those that don't. The jumpers can't understand what the problem is, just pin it and fly. Those that don't think that's crazy thinking. Neither is right or wrong, it just is.
If it were a few jumps here and there it probably wouldn't matter that much in lap times, there are always ways to make up a few tenths. But with these jumps on almost every straight it's more like a few seconds per lap difference and almost impossible to make up without similar risk taking everywhere else. It's to the point where a rider can simply "putt putt" through the majority of the track and as long as they make the jumps can do well. Meanwhile, the non jumper tries to flow around a track designed for jumping and it's constantly interrupting and disrupting that flow making for a very frustrating race.
So what happens? The non jumper feels frustrated, non competitive, slow, and possibly in danger of being landed on. Basically, the opposite of why they started racing to begin with. With so many other options available to satisfy their needs what do you think they do? They stop racing/practicing MX. This happens (happened) very slowly over time so the evolution to jump tracks and riders seemed to be responding to the majority demand when in fact the majority simply silently left the sport.
With respect to new and younger participation, can you picture a parent attending their first SX race? Exciting, entertaining, heck yes. Gonna let your little one do that? Hell no, those guys are crazy!
Bottom line, in my opinion the sport, both in terms of participation and reasonable financial requirement, was at its peak when the tracks were more like the stuff we could ride at our local dirt lots, mountains, deserts, and OHV parks. Maybe we need to return to the past to preserve the future.
I agree on the tracks/bikes. I jump what I'm ready for. Until I feel comfortable, people faster than me can go around. I really, really like to jump by the way.
Also, we all have to ride what we have, and not worry about what others think about it. In 2003 I was riding an '88 CR125, arguably the oldest bike on the track. It's what I had, and I didn't care. For me it was either ride it, or not ride. In 2004 I upgraded to a brand new 2005 YZ125 which I still ride/race today.
125's are great. I'm 55 and will probably stay on 125's for the next 30 years or so. If you want one, get one! You won't regret it. It's all about having fun, and there are a lot of really fast riders (in my opinion) like my neighbor who are moving down to a 125. Besides, it's really cool when you holeshot the 450's in the vet classes
Things look to get very interesting as to what racing at the highest level will look like in about 2-5 years from now. Amatuer racing is not strong (for many reasons but participation numbers dont lie),and IMO, is of grave concern.
I finally reached the age where my desire to not hit the "easy" double jump was too much. I did not ride the tracks enough to feel confident in my timing, I just got frustrated because I "sucked" even though I could do fine everywhere else but the doubles. Tabletops (even if they were too big to clear) were fine. I just did not want to end up in the hospital because of a bad decision.
Back in the late 80's I was a decent local "expert" rider so in my mind I could recall the "good old days" but that just did not translate into the confidence to clear every double no matter how big or small with my very limited riding opportunities. I would love a true Vet track, with just "easy" jumps that did not make it a do or die option. But that just does not exist because all the young kids want the cool jumps like SX.
Edit- Get off my lawn... I sound so old, but I am so I guess I get to sound old. Doesn't mean I lost my desire to enjoy riding MX, just found my realization of risk vs. life reality choices and good decisions.
If you have 3 kids, you costs and odds just quadrupled.
GNCC offroad is where its at. 2 strokes are still alive in it and you will see all kinds of bikes of all types. Slight lower cost and maintenance, lower chance of serious injury and death on trails, more family friendly (IMO).
I did 5 sessions, rode 1.5 hours and felt fresh on sunday morning . compared to usual, where we ride a track that has only one straight that doesn't have a jump in it, after a day there I cant walk properly for a week.
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