Salary of off-road riders

Roostermx58
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10/15/2014 6:29pm Edited Date/Time 10/16/2014 8:12pm
Anyone in the industry know how much the top off-road racers are making? I am talking straight salary and not win bonuses or other outside sponsors.
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hvaughn88
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10/15/2014 6:42pm
I would be interested to know that as well
Roostermx58
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10/15/2014 6:46pm
hvaughn88 wrote:
I would be interested to know that as well
My guess would be somewhere between 60-80 for the top guys and other sponsorships/winnings may push the top guys just over 100k
hvaughn88
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10/15/2014 6:49pm
hvaughn88 wrote:
I would be interested to know that as well
My guess would be somewhere between 60-80 for the top guys and other sponsorships/winnings may push the top guys just over 100k
I don't even want to guess. The only thing I know is every time I hear what these MX guys make I'm disappointed it's not higher.
Gringoe
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10/15/2014 6:50pm Edited Date/Time 10/15/2014 6:50pm
Define off road

There are so many disciplines

The Shop

hvaughn88
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10/15/2014 6:51pm
Gringoe wrote:
Define off road

There are so many disciplines
How about any of them
Katoomey
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10/15/2014 6:55pm Edited Date/Time 10/15/2014 6:57pm
Anyone in the industry know how much the top off-road racers are making? I am talking straight salary and not win bonuses or other outside sponsors.
you don't really want to know. It will break your heart.

When I was a full time racer and chasing the National Enduro circuit around in the earl 2000's, it was much better, but even at that time, being ranked within the top 20 in the country, I still had to have a full time job. The top guys were making an upper middle class income at best.

Today, podium regulars buy their own equipment and have part time jobs. There's only a handfull of guys in the whole world that are making 6 figures racing off-road dirt bikes- and 90% of them are in Europe.

Really, the goal is to turn your racing career into a sustainable job in the industry. You see this happen at all levels and all types of motorcycle racing. Thats what I did.
Roostermx58
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10/15/2014 6:55pm
Gringoe wrote:
Define off road

There are so many disciplines
GNCC and National Enduros. Kailub Russell, Charlie Mullins, Josh Strang caliber riders.
hvaughn88
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10/15/2014 6:57pm
Anyone in the industry know how much the top off-road racers are making? I am talking straight salary and not win bonuses or other outside sponsors.
Katoomey wrote:
you don't really want to know. It will break your heart. When I was a full time racer and chasing the National Enduro circuit around in...
you don't really want to know. It will break your heart.

When I was a full time racer and chasing the National Enduro circuit around in the earl 2000's, it was much better, but even at that time, being ranked within the top 20 in the country, I still had to have a full time job. The top guys were making an upper middle class income at best.

Today, podium regulars buy their own equipment and have part time jobs. There's only a handfull of guys in the whole world that are making 6 figures racing off-road dirt bikes- and 90% of them are in Europe.

Really, the goal is to turn your racing career into a sustainable job in the industry. You see this happen at all levels and all types of motorcycle racing. Thats what I did.
That's what I was afraid of
Gringoe
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10/15/2014 7:05pm Edited Date/Time 10/15/2014 7:06pm
Gringoe wrote:
Define off road

There are so many disciplines
GNCC and National Enduros. Kailub Russell, Charlie Mullins, Josh Strang caliber riders.
There are very few riders making any real money. Maybe 5? I could be heavy on that guess aswell. Someone who knows more will probably chime in.

Base salary nearly all under 100k and closer to 50k. Maybe Kailub and Charlie higher I honestly don't know never asked and not my discipline, but they are not raking in close to the top outdoor guys.

Gncc rides went non existent almost for a couple years when the economy tanked. It seems to be getting better now
moto38
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10/15/2014 7:08pm Edited Date/Time 10/15/2014 7:08pm
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mxb2
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10/15/2014 7:10pm
Gringoe wrote:
Define off road

There are so many disciplines
GNCC and National Enduros. Kailub Russell, Charlie Mullins, Josh Strang caliber riders.
Gringoe wrote:
There are very few riders making any real money. Maybe 5? I could be heavy on that guess aswell. Someone who knows more will probably chime...
There are very few riders making any real money. Maybe 5? I could be heavy on that guess aswell. Someone who knows more will probably chime in.

Base salary nearly all under 100k and closer to 50k. Maybe Kailub and Charlie higher I honestly don't know never asked and not my discipline, but they are not raking in close to the top outdoor guys.

Gncc rides went non existent almost for a couple years when the economy tanked. It seems to be getting better now
Duval.was getting good $$ when he was yamaha, then won the title. i wd guess russell, mullins, are close to 80-90k. without purse, bonus, clothing money. , i bet sipes makes more in gncc s than he did in mx, sx.
fins227
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10/15/2014 7:45pm Edited Date/Time 10/15/2014 7:50pm
whats the payout to win a gncc?

after a little research its
1st-$5000
2nd-$3000
3rd-$2000
Xeno
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10/15/2014 7:52pm
Top rally racers make the most money, by far, of any off-road discipline. Way more than GNCC, enduro, Baja, whatever.

Why?

Millions of people follow the Dakar Rally.
Roostermx58
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10/15/2014 8:02pm
fins227 wrote:
whats the payout to win a gncc?

after a little research its
1st-$5000
2nd-$3000
3rd-$2000
Where did you find this?
10/15/2014 8:07pm
What these guys risk twisting on it as they do in the trees is pretty amazing.
I bet they aren't too dissatisfied with what they are making. It must be incredible to be able to ride that fast.
mxj621
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10/15/2014 11:32pm
Depends what exactly were talking about.. I highly doubt the money is that bad.. Destry Abbott Taylor Roberts Russell Taddy Blazuiack (sp) Ricky Dietrich (sp) there I named 5 guys that have made good money and I have been to Taylor's house and abbots so I no the money there making isn't 50K a year lol
Crush
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10/15/2014 11:41pm
Not enough is probably the correct answer!
IWreckALot
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10/16/2014 5:28am
Gringoe wrote:
Define off road

There are so many disciplines
GNCC and National Enduros. Kailub Russell, Charlie Mullins, Josh Strang caliber riders.
Wasn't Ryan Sipes rolling around in a pretty fancy truck and 5th wheel?
Roostermx58
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10/16/2014 5:33am
Gringoe wrote:
Define off road

There are so many disciplines
GNCC and National Enduros. Kailub Russell, Charlie Mullins, Josh Strang caliber riders.
IWreckALot wrote:
Wasn't Ryan Sipes rolling around in a pretty fancy truck and 5th wheel?
He is/was. I bet all that money was made from when he was doing sx/mx. I highly doubt hes making close to what he was.
71Fish
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10/16/2014 5:43am
mxj621 wrote:
Depends what exactly were talking about.. I highly doubt the money is that bad.. Destry Abbott Taylor Roberts Russell Taddy Blazuiack (sp) Ricky Dietrich (sp) there...
Depends what exactly were talking about.. I highly doubt the money is that bad.. Destry Abbott Taylor Roberts Russell Taddy Blazuiack (sp) Ricky Dietrich (sp) there I named 5 guys that have made good money and I have been to Taylor's house and abbots so I no the money there making isn't 50K a year lol
The OP said straight salary, no bonuses, endorsement deals or sponsorship dollars.

You can see what the AMA pays per position in the various rule books. Even the top SX/MX guys don't make "that much" if you don't count bonuses. Nowhere near other top motorsports. Of course when you add endorsements to the top guys, they are making a decent living.
UpTiTe
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10/16/2014 7:23am
Dietrick was making low six figures when he went mx racing and he said his contract in Europe was double.

My buddy who retired from mx/sx was offered 60k plus bonuses to race the WORKs series, so I'd imagine the top guys would make more with everything they do.
agn5009
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10/16/2014 8:11am
Yeah seeing some of these guys houses they are doing just fine financially. And considering most of their wives don't work either, having a house that appears to be $400,000+ ain't too shabby
huck
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10/16/2014 8:14am
Crush wrote:
Not enough is probably the correct answer!
why not?

1. Why is it any of our business what they make?
2. Why do you think it's "not enough"?
3. All they are doing is riding a motorcycle, so why do people think they should be paid a lot?
Loftin79
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10/16/2014 8:58am
About 2 years ago there was an article on one of the offroad websites talking about how the offroad guys don't make very much money. They said Paul Whibley was the only guy on the line making 6 figures. I'm sure Kailub Russell has past him now
ando
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10/16/2014 11:07am
Crush wrote:
Not enough is probably the correct answer!
I guess most people would say that about their own jobs.

Off-road riding is even less attractive to sponsors/teams than MX/SX. Regardless of the discipline you can't see the riders for more than a small percentage of the time.

Whatever they're paid, it's what someone with the money deems appropriate.
O___o
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10/16/2014 11:16am
Crush wrote:
Not enough is probably the correct answer!
huck wrote:
why not? 1. Why is it any of our business what they make? 2. Why do you think it's "not enough"? 3. All they are doing...
why not?

1. Why is it any of our business what they make?
2. Why do you think it's "not enough"?
3. All they are doing is riding a motorcycle, so why do people think they should be paid a lot?
3. If they didn't, you'd have nothing to come on here and run your cockholster about.
The Rock
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10/16/2014 11:30am
ando wrote:
I guess most people would say that about their own jobs. Off-road riding is even less attractive to sponsors/teams than MX/SX. Regardless of the discipline you...
I guess most people would say that about their own jobs.

Off-road riding is even less attractive to sponsors/teams than MX/SX. Regardless of the discipline you can't see the riders for more than a small percentage of the time.

Whatever they're paid, it's what someone with the money deems appropriate.
Hey Ando! You were with YoT in 2003 yeah?

A friend of mine told me about seeing an off road club had broadcast their races with a series of HAM radios linked together. Those guys with the pocket protectors come up with some pretty cool stuff.
Tpog496
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10/16/2014 11:41am
Crush wrote:
Not enough is probably the correct answer!
huck wrote:
why not? 1. Why is it any of our business what they make? 2. Why do you think it's "not enough"? 3. All they are doing...
why not?

1. Why is it any of our business what they make?
2. Why do you think it's "not enough"?
3. All they are doing is riding a motorcycle, so why do people think they should be paid a lot?
3. Are you serious guy?!? All they are doing is risking their lives to provide entertainment. They are professional athletes and should be compensated as such.
redslush
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10/16/2014 11:48am
Saw this posted on facebook this week about Dirtwise offer to up and comer Trevor Bollinger:

Wattsy says he's been trying for a month to offer Trevor $15k salary, $4000 win bonus (and less amounts for lower places), free bikes/parts/and everything else, free travel to all those races, free mechanic, and more but Trevor never gets back to him. Maybe he should pick up the phone......

Just thought it was interesting to see. Why it was aired out in public I don't know.
O___o
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10/16/2014 11:52am
Crush wrote:
Not enough is probably the correct answer!
huck wrote:
why not? 1. Why is it any of our business what they make? 2. Why do you think it's "not enough"? 3. All they are doing...
why not?

1. Why is it any of our business what they make?
2. Why do you think it's "not enough"?
3. All they are doing is riding a motorcycle, so why do people think they should be paid a lot?
Tpog496 wrote:
3. Are you serious guy?!? All they are doing is risking their lives to provide entertainment. They are professional athletes and should be compensated as such.
Don't bite on his bait. He's giggling at you from his Prius.

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