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24437
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
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Edited Date/Time
1/19/2012 2:55pm
We've already come to the conclusion that the 250 class will continue to be a clusterphuck of overly expensive bikes with career riders on them. Soon it will be career riders over the age of 18. The premier class if you want to call it that, I think that would be fair. So where does this leave those "up and coming" pro riders these days? The kids turning 16? The would be teams that can't afford to compete with Mitch Payton's fleet of $200,000.00 apiece unobtanium bikes? The 250 2 strokes still don't seem to be much of a concern for that class from the powers that be, so the price of competing doesn't appear to be coming down any time soon. To me, it only leaves one obvious solution. Bring back the 125 class. What in the world would prevent that from being a reality? Cheap bikes, even modded they are still reasonable. A few limitations such as no works suspension or one off works parts could keep everything within reach of most racers . Plus , the 125 class has been a major component of the U.S. Motocross scene since it took off here in the states. Just doesn't make any sense to not have it. Would be nice to be back to the days of 125, 250 and open classes again.
WE WANT THE 125 BACK!!!
I could fix the nationals in one step. Put EVERYONE on 125's and we will see who can ride. Talk about excitement! Wringing the bikes necks till they steam, good passing, passion would be back and it would shine through on TV.
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Racing is expensive. I want to see the 125 class due to its nature. They sound neat, smell great and make for some great racing. Just like the 250F class, which I feel should stay as well.
I can appreciate the rivalry between the two, how about we as a community come back to earth and keep things realistic.
Homologation rule- a REAL rule based on min. qty of say...500 units avail. U.S.
"Catalog Parts" another "REAL" rule w/ minimum qty rqmts (Same as Homologation rule). Parts have to be avail. to EVERYONE! Like, say, an FMF pipe...a Wiseco Piston...etc. Good-bye spclty or one-off parts.
Production Tires
Prod. Suspension w/ Max $ and Modidfication rules (Sim. to the SX/MX Lites class rule;but, allow for less mod's...dollarwise, that is. NO MORE "A-Kits", etc.)
A REAL Claiming Rule with some TEETH! Say $8500-$9500 depending on Modifications allowed.
That's how you get a good 125-150 class that means something and keeps it cheap like you're wanting it to be.
Some of this isn't unlike the 125 Mod class at the AM-Nat's...except...for real limits and real ENFORCEMENT!
with all due respect, you are a vet 450 rider. When you have some experience trying to keep a competitive 250f under a fast A/Pro rider get back to me.
Granted a 250F you want every advantage and a crank through the bottom is costly. I never raced the 250F's after my time as you said. I didn't care for them on the brief stint I rode one. Lot of noise and no movement. I do know my friends that race at that level don't have all the problems that is expressed here on Vital. Though they are not racing for professional contracts.
If we are talking about kids 16-20 years old, home schooled and racing for hopes of professional riding, Yes I would say that is a savings to race a 125. But that is what 1% of the racing community? And cranks go on pingers just the same.
Just comparing, they seem to be a wash, more so at that level. But I agree, I have no experience with it.
By JohnNicholas • on March 31, 2009
According to a news release by Youthstream on Sunday March 29th in FAENZA Italy, 2009 will see a 125cc two stroke class added. The 125cc Two stroke races will be added to 6 or 7 of the World Championship rounds.
This is being done in an effort to keep costs down for young riders and their families.
We are pleased to see this new addition by the FIM.
To read more visit this web site http://www.motocrossmx1.com/"
Looks like FIM sees the value in it. I think its a great idea.
Pit Row
Back in the early 90's myself and 6 of my close friends all paid for our bikes and racing out of our pockets. We bought new bikes every year and raced. Today I don't see any young kids and their friends at the tracks by themselves. If they are kids they have parents or OEM's paying for their bikes and racing. If it is a kid by himself, he usually has an older roached out model bike that he took a loan out for and now the bike is worth less than what he owes on his loan. You see him once at a race then mostly not again.
as a small bike shop owner I can tell you it's way cheaper to race and maintain,modify a 2 stroke 125 than a 250f under any reason the cost is almost 3 to 1 on engine rebuilds.
You can't compare 250f's today to 125's 250f's are way faster than the early day's remember the AMA killed the 125 with the gas rule in 04 it was only the freak of nature talent of Bubba that he was able to win that year.
Also don't tell me that the speed that 4 strokes generate on tracks now don't play into serious injuries today just look at the video of Bubba and Langston on 125's barely able to clear tables and step-up's and that's when 125's were at their peak.What a eye opener.Now every novice is over jumping the same stuff on a regular basis on 250 and 450f's.
Costs however, and the facts that get tossed around here are well: Full of Shit.
Since A racers were brought up, lets use them. They require the most maintenance and with respect to reality, they are being maintained as the manual states.
Aside from the retail cost of the bike, first is any A racer paying retail - NO
Maintenance. As stated above 125's require just as much if not more in the way of parts and frequency.
The bike, if racing AMA should be near stock. If racing a Modified class, add exhaust and any sneaky things you want to do to the engine. That is open for each bike and rider. How much they want to spend on the suspension they can get away with.
Granted valve train is more moving parts, the added expense. But valves are not replaced each moto such as a top end should be on a 125. Pistons are more for the thumper, but you can get buy a 1 race.
It was brought up I was a Vet - so I will go into history of 1995 when I was racing a 125's for fun. An A racer (lets use my buddy Sam, he was contesting to get a job racing bikes, he raced and qualified for the SX Main and Nationals - a privateer) he would replace top end every moto. Not day. Moto. Clutch every race. Drive train two races. Have you heard the register ringing yet? Cranks - two races max. Each crank was balanced, every cylinder ported, every head milled.
That is a lot of spinning wrenches. Again it all comes out in the wash. Both are expensive to campaign at the A level.
I do agree they are dangerously fast for someone that may not have the talent. Not my decision. There is a speed controller on the handlebar. It needs to be used.
Costs however, I call bullshit. Both are very expensive and anyone saying racing is affordable is lying to themselves and others.
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