I ran some numbers in my head: 1979, a construction worker could make 40k a year, and a YZ125 cost about 1.1k ($1,100). Pay was almost 40 times as much as the bike cost. Now, some construction workers might make 80k a year, but the bike cost 10k. Pay is only 8 times more than the price of the bike. This is a huge difference. Pickup trucks also cost a years salary, so there is no money left to race, unless you have upper middle class income.
Value. Ride all day at a practice day for half the cost of a getting a few laps at a race where you are sitting around all day mostly doing nothing. Offroad events let you race for an hour or many hours for the same cost as an mx race. The offroad events are much less competition oriented too. It's mostly fun trying to survive and finish. There are also no real premiums placed on having a brand new bike for offroad events. You can ride a 10 or 15 yr old bike and have a good time and be competitive. The bikes and riders are out there but they are doing things other than mx.
completely empathize with you and this point. on the other hand, I had the opportunity to race both hare scrambles/NETRA and MX, and the second I put tires on an MX track, I lost all interest in hare scrambles. I stopped riding at the local trail riders association. eventually we just dumped our membership in them completely. this is all to say that I agree with everything you say here, but if I could MX, I would MX over any other kind of off road. and not being able to do so would be a clear "second place is the first loser" sort of fallback.
@@daneg I share your same sentiment, I used to race desert. Now I ride moto full time but not interested at all in racing because it just seems like a waste of money and I'd rather ride all day for $30 practice at Glen Helen instead of paying $60 to race for 30 minutes on track but I'm there for five hours. No thanks
I think the sport/activity is just naturally adjusting as people realized they get way more fun for their dollar by just going to tracks to ride/practice compared to a race day where the cost is much higher and the amount of ride time is dramatically less. The numbers just don't add up in the smiles-per-gallon department. I race arenacross simply because during January, that's the only track riding I can really do. During the warmer months, I ride at MX tracks, and even though some races go down, I avoid them for the reasons mentioned above. Actually going to a night practice tonight at Sand Mountain MX under the lights.
The amount of tone deafness in this video is startling. The training facilities single handily killed it. Anyone who may have a sliver of hope is almost forced to attend a facility in order to stay competitive. That is just one less person on the gate at their local track on a consistent basis. The dominoes begin to fall at that point. Everyone hypes up the big nationals and almost no one earns rides from their effort and result at the national. Rides are given to families who can pump money back into the team their child is employed by.
That's part of it. The cost is out of site too. Plus even at the big nationals when they moved everything to Saturday and kept amateurs off parts of the pro tracks, it killed that too in a. lot of ways. Used to be a 4 day event with the main event on the last day. Mxsports ruined the nationals. When Davey said he wanted to grow the sport we foolishly though he meant more riders. He meant more $$ for him and making the sport more of a spectator thing.
Who wants to pay 60 dollars to race one class. Get 8 laps on the track in 8 hours and spend the day sititng around waiting to go out on a clapped out track at 4pm. When we can pay 50 for a days open practice and ride 5 sessions and be done and tired st 3. Racing sucks ass if i never race again im 100% ok with it
I raced from 1989 to 2005. 4 strokes is what happened. Family couldn't afford an engine that blew up every other month. 100%, 4 strokes ruined everything.
My first race was in 1988. I was running a clapped out 3-year old KX125 and barely knew how to ride. There were so many 125 D riders they had TWO races for them. My gate was 43 riders. This was 1988. Local tracks are closing left and right because there are fewer riders today. BIkes are a lot more expensive to buy and if you're on a 4-stroke, if your bike blows up you're basically done unless you have money to buy another straight up. Modern 4 strokes last a lot longer with regular maintenance but the entry cost to our sport is pretty dang high. Not many of us are up to driving 3-4-5 hours one way to ride. It's tough.
I have a couple pics from Kamloops in 1977. Gate was packed. Didn't last long. Ok n 1982 there was a major recession. The sawmill jobs ended and never came back. Fact is motox is too demanding as a hobby. Must be in top fitness as well as highly skilled, even at novice level. Then, the rider must have strong mechanical skills. Even if someone else works on the bike, the rider must be able to diagnose problems, setup.
@@CKYmoto the governing body that insures promoters and performs moderate lobbyist activities. it's mostly a liability thing. afaik. they really are not scamming local riders. the AMA of Feld and MX Sports are different entities for all intents and purposes.
Cost is the number one reason we have slowed down on weekly racing. Just trying to get to a regional for Loretta's just about broke the bank.. regional events are outrageous and going to Loretta's is even more.. I just don't think the average family can afford that in this economy.
Yeah, I can't afford to ride a couple times a week at $40 a pop to be in good enough shape to race at around $100 with gas and entry fees. It's a bummer- I'm priced out anymore. Meanwhile, the track owners are buying more tracks, flying to Hawaii and pimping out their Sprinter vans. Good for them, bad for me.
We have 1 half assed track locally for $45 per day. The rest are 2.5-3hrs away from $40-$60 other than high point, which we can never ride there. 3 high point races scheduled this year & 2 were cancelled.
I live in very far Northeast OH corner by Erie, and concur. There's like 1 or 2 tracks in my area that are half decent. Every thing else is like 3 hrs away. Every zip code needs a local, decent, track to provide a facility 1st abs foremost. Risk though if not lot riders in your area.
@@ryanlester663 bro field of dreams absolutely gRapes you so hard at 75$ entry fee 2.5 hours away and $40 in tolls $80 in truck gas $20 in bike gas one day at the track is running over $200 bucks it’s insane.
Be interesting to see some interviews from the families that have operated the small tracks for years. Always fun to hear from people that have had past success but would be interesting to hear the small guys input as well. The family here in Indiana has been operating local tracks for years. Used to be 4 tracks now it's 2.
My son got into MX and, I wanted to let him try MX for real. So I bought him a really nice 2014 KX85 that was almost new. That was $2500. Then I had to get a small camper so we could be somewhat comfortable when we go to the track $10,000. Practice Bike $2000 so you don't completely wreck your race bike. The amount of money in safety gear, boots is about $900. That is just $15,000 for some basic USED equipment to get started. And this will not allow your kid to be competitive unless they are just insanely good. Yes, I know you don't need a camper, but we did this as a family of 5 and with 5 people if everyone is not comfortable then it is gonna be a miserable time. we are lucky enough to have 2 tracks within an hour drive of us in FL and PAX TRAX is really great and the owners are awesome, but with the state of inflation and the economy I can't see spending $200+ a week just to get a practice session in and then a race. It is unaffordable for working families and I am a licensed Contractor I agree 4 strokes killed the family race team. Now I know why my mom only allowed me to race BMX in the 80's, and even that was expensive $750 frame and fork set, but still way cheaper than MX
Kentucky used to run a state series as well as a mega series. Title sponsors and 12-15 races across the state. Provided an opportunity to be around guys like the sipes brothers, Tyler bowers, vonlingers, etc.. once the state series shut down, so did most of the local tracks after a few years of trying to stay afloat. Went from 400-500 riders every weekend to barely having 6 riders per class. Killed the sport for the average joes in KY.
@@CordScott honestly seemed like a generational shift. Not to mention as prices of everything started rising, less people started showing up to the races. Forcing a lot of track owners to shut down and sell their property.
@@MX-CO would’ve been awesome to have seen. I started racing in 99-00 and stepped away around 2010. Was wild watching the generation shift from outdoor/action sports to video games and not knowing how to wipe their ass’s without google telling them how.
I raced as a kid back in the 70s and 80s and had a blast, my goal was to go to Europe and race because it seemed like all the Americans that did came back so much faster, we always had 30-40 bikes on the starting line and A,B,C class 125, 250, and open class, but today it’s so much different only the rich kids seem to race, I don’t know how kids from a working class can afford to race, it’s ashame it’s cost so much to race nowadays
You are correct that there is a problem, but you literally didn’t get the opinions of a single local racer or local promoter. Loretta Lynn’s has killed local racing.
In the 80s and early 90s you could go to any of a dozen places to ride. Clay pits,woods, sides of the roads and dirt roads. Now you cant ride hardly anywhere in my area. Within 100 miles unless its a track/training facility. And its expensive and the tracks are set up for pros. Then add in how much bikes and accessories cost now. You have to drive 3 or 4 hours minimum to find a track actually having a race. They start practice at daylight. Have 50 classes with 4 or 5 riders each. Run 5 laps a moto. If it was like it is now days i probably never would have ever started riding bikes.
this sounds reasonable. every single place I rode as a kid is now developed (suburbia, housing). it's really cool that most local tracks have practice days. but it's really sad that those are the only places I even know of to go practice (if I could still ride a bike). I used to get home from school, put on my gear, and ride a little sandy whoops track in the woods behind my house, or the figure 8 track in the same area. there were 4 places within 20 mins of my house we could drive to. I guess I was lucky even in the 90s for that luxury (living in suburbia). these days, you have to live in hicksville or drive to a practice day at a track halfway across the state.
@@daneg exactly. I knew of a dozen places i could ride in pits. Had a track at my cousins and my house. Had a track 10 minutes from my house. Open 7 days and $100 a month fee to ride or $10 a day. Then i had an offroad park literally 5 minutes from house. $30 for the weekend. And now i have a track at my house "fortunately" and the closest place i know of is reasonable 40 minute drive but its $45 a day and used to be $375 for the month. Too much for me when i also ha e a son who rides.
$$$ simple as that. That’s why the off-road community is growing so much they get way more riding time for their money than any local motocross series. And when you think about the family of 4 or 5 who travels to the races, the amount of money they need to spend each weekend to race most people can’t even fathom. Our sport is becoming way too expensive for the average person anywhere in the country. I’m not blaming the tracks, I understand they need to make their money to operate, just sucks seeing it this way.
Your buddys at MX sports and AMA are going to run everyone out of racing and the local tracks are crazy expensive as well everyone wants to suck every dollar out of the sport and dont give a crap about the sport and the manufacturer are charging crazy money for bikes
Another person that whines about local tracks being expensive.🤣 Amazed when I see people pulling up in 80K trucks and then whining about the cost at a track. If you are that stingy and don't understand the blessing the track provides and what it takes to maintain then you probably need to find a completely different sport anyways. It's also an amazing time to buy a bike right now🤦♂💁♂
Seriously, im at the point where local trail riding is just a better deal. Don't have much interest to go to a race anymore. Still some good woods series that are reasonable I would still do. Awrcs series by me. Probably will take my kid to do that.
@@kurtheidelbachnobody is complaining about 40 bucks for practice day dude. It’s the $150-$200 or more just to sign up for a series, gate fees, entry fees, camp fees, ZERO prizes for winners, ZERO hole shot prizes, no moto-bucks to be won, the list goes on. Back when I was racing in the 2000’s you could win back your entry fees through moto bucks and prizes if you did well enough. Inflation and greed has fucked everything
@@MrSlayerboy99 Uh no the original comment was how crazy expensive local tracks are and they really aren’t. I hear people whine all the time about $30 or $40 practice fees. If that’s too expensive then go find another sport. This isn’t a charity sport. The are all kinds of money classes where you can win back your money. Inflation hasn’t killed anything it’s an absolutely fantastic time to buy a bike now. Inflation is currently at its targeted rate.
promoters are just track owners/renters (at the local level). need more of them, imo. at least where I live (NY), it's not a lucrative business to dedicate land and resources toward an MX track. you kinda have to like the sport rather than be looking to become rich. iunno what it's like in other parts of the country. /2cents
because now a 250 or 450 is the same price as a car. i would love to get one and go to the local tracks, but just getting the bike alone is the cost of a couple vacations. not to mention tires or fuel or maintenance. i went on a week long mediterranean cruise for half the cost of a 2024 250 dirt bike. hotels, plain tickets, food and drink.
not exactly the hard hitting expose/analysis I was hoping for. didn't really do much for me in relation to why local gates are empty. I raced in the 90s locally, weekend warrior style, in upstate NY. that was 95% or more of every gate. so if those local gates are only half as full these days, I think the issue is greater than just "the fast guys aren't racing b/c they're in special programs" or whatnot. guess I thought maybe cost was going to come up at some point? iunno.
@@Zulululu4x I hate to see the sport fading. The reality is it is. Deegan (good or bad) is a big influencer to kids, more should follow his path with social media, its what the younger kids was to see and maybe its enough motivation to go beg there parents to get a motorcycle and take them racing.
4 strokes cost and upkeep. Also local races now run moto 1 on Saturday and moto 2 on Sunday. Not everyone has a camper or can afford hotels every weekend. You can still run two days of racing, just run half the classes on Saturday and the other half on Sunday. That way if you're only running one class it would be either Saturday or Sunday not both.
what local races/tracks you are hitting that run over 2 days? nothing like that in NY (for a local race). although they might do back to back meets at the same track (but that's 2 motos an 1 overall each day).
agreed 100% on money factor, kids without that issue "haver an app for that" they have no interest in getting dirty, changing oil, air filter, being hot/cold or just be outside, removing themselves from there comfort zone there in, no reason to push them selves. Local MX tracks in the south east have died off. Some of my best friends I met at MX tracks in the south east, it was some of the best times I had as a kid, these places are going away.
Some of my best memories were driving in a clapped out Chevy suburban, racing Saturday, freezing our asses off camping in a damn tent then waking up drenched in cold sweat Sunday morning to do it all over again. Trying to help dad with those frantic bike repairs in between motos, getting to the gate seconds before It drops, praying to God that shit holds up just long enough to cross the finish line…good times
I can see the point of this however they fail to account for what families are facing economically. That alone can be a limiting factor. At our local motocross events, that I can get to some gates are overflowing while others aren't. Then In Nevada there is travel, which can last for several hours. Those factors really aren't discussed in this.
Yeah I dont understand their take on this at all. “People don’t want to race” isn’t a real argument. People can’t afford to anymore. My family was lower middle class and parents still could afford a good bike, aftermarket parts, etc + everything else life throws at you. Same can’t be said nowadays.
The cost of bikes, fuel, track or club membership, the insane amount of sponsors one needs to have from a 6year old upwards are all contributing factirs. Level of skills also requires new ruders to get professional training. Its insane
In my area, I would say one of the reason is the tracks. They don't understand the rider is a customer and there is more to it than prepping, watering a track, and taking money.
yet the economy was worse in the 70s and it boomed, bikes were cheap back then comparative to anything else and races were cheap and plentiful and fun, so many class's so much racing! People forget or are ignorant.
It can be cheap if you aren't trying to become a pro. Show up to your local track in a '79 F150 with a 2014 YZ450F, if you can ride you won't come in last.
Been doing harescrambles since the 90's rode a 4 stroke back then and still race a 4stroke did a little bit of mx but always said you get alot more riding at a harescramble vs an mx for the money..and 4 strokes hasn't killed anything there's still a couple hundred riders at our events here in Al...what has hurt is all the places we used to ride is either developed or hunting land mostly hunting for our area.
When's the last time you have seen a bike in the back of truck. Where I live, it was normal to drive 10 miles and see at least 2. I remember when a $1000 truck and a super rad bike would up to a track. We would that's a real rider.
Actually not too unusual near Vancouver. What's happening now is that late 20s early 30s dudes have totally given up on buying a house, wife and kids. Their big play is a UTV/dirt bike instead. Also now see a lot of young guys/gals on Harleys.
it's demographics. Boomers are the largest population group and mx is predominantly a European sport. Do the math. Yes, price and 4 strokes don't help either.
I have been riding or racing since 1984, so I have seen a lot. My last years racing were 2001-2003 and the racer turnout at our track in eastern Illinois was really strong. I am not going to do the easy thing and blame 4-strokes, although they do play a part in this. I feel that the biggest issue is the lack of track time you get for a full day and well over a hundred dollars spent, When I raced just one class I usually got two 5-lap motos, sometimes a 4-lapper. In the years after that, I mostly did track days, where for my $25 I could ride so many laps that I was just beat. There are way too many pointless classes they have to run on raceday, like 50cc auto quad for little kids. We would have two kids circulating the track barely faster than I could jog yet they got the same number of laps as my 35-rider gate for one of our 125C classes. Yep, there would actually be 70+ 125C guys there. Also, way too many age-group classes. The AMA needs to cut the number of classes by at least 1/3.
This sport will undoubtedly die out. Look at the joke of our world we call politics. This sport will be gone soon, everything is to expensive and not getting better. Everything is pushing for electric. If Obama really gets his fourth term in office through a microphone in his basement, you can kiss everything we know goodbye and prepare for breadlines. I hope most riders have a back up hobby that revolves around firearms…
Cannot even imagine riding or enjoying a $14,000 electric bike. Makes me sick to think about. Dirtbikes are meant to have clutches and be ridden loud and fast. No one can afford to even put food on the table either. Top tier comment Kyle.
The problem with local racing in SoCal these days is that the tracks arent at the national level. Why pay $60 a class for a concrete track for my kid locally to race to go run a national on a track that has a totally different skill level required.
Boils down to money and lack there of. Not to mention time investment in doing it and doing it right. I have budget break downs for each event and for the season. GNCC is starting to be very similar to the cost of moto, no surprise the series we run are both operated by the same company. It’s a high money sport now if you want to be competitive. Other wise it’s just a hobby.
I just have too laugh at this video and the peoples comments. Nobody wants to admit it in any sport today. It's all about going pro. Thats all anyone wants. Ask people what their goals are. GO PRO! Thats it! Win that C class.
Most families could easily break down a two stroke even if they didn't know much about it. Mainly because that's what they raced as a kid and just trying to pass down a fun sport. They could all change the rings, piston, reed valves, tires sprockets and even oil in the suspension. This sport is pricing themselves out of the market. I hate to see this because this sport teaches young kids such a good discipline. Even if they don't become a winner, the lessons this sport teaches you will make that kid a winner in everything else in life in the future.
Spot on my rider. We could stick a piston in the first moto and make our 2nd gate. I use to have a big advance because I knew how to jet properly. New 4 strokes have efi and a starter.
I used to rebuild my 2 strokes in and hour in the back of my Ford Ranger. Life was good. I'd go riding, go to the carwash and clean it up, then rebuild it right there and go ride/race again the next day.
I agree with you except for the teaching kids part. mostly because kids are riding 2-strokes until 12-16 years old. the lower end if they're going straight from supermini to 250. the higher end if they're riding 125s for a year or two.
@@lchope573 the KTMs are modern fuel injection. and they're KTMs. so they're always more expensive. but i think the price you see reflected in 2-strokes is more a reflection of inflation. the inherent cost difference is more related to upkeep/service. stuff every weekend warrior could service themselves on a 2T has to be outsourced on a 4T. but for sure, anything that doesn't just use the same stamp/mold/etc. (like an RMZ) is going to really hurt. the funny thing to me is that even in the 90s, MX was a really expensive "hobby." the biggest difference from the 90s to today is that 1.) I would probably only race one bike in multiple classes (e.g., Open B and 25+) instead of the two main classes (250 B and Open B); and 2.) I would hold onto my bike for 3+ years whereas in the 90s, we were buying a 125 and a 250 pretty much each new model year.
Don't underestimate what the kids racing grown men in the A class locally. The local pros want that want that money and don't want the hotshot to show up and take it for anything. That does so much for young racers. Hepler used to race the 125 schoolboy on modded out 85cc. He had to fight and didn't always beat B dudes.
Wish i could say the money was a issue for us. But it was the rider drcided he was good wiith the girl and fun he was having and becoming a pro was work.
Nothing is permanent except change. That's fairly true but the sport is extremely afraid and resistant to change. That's why the sport lags behind so many other by so much. Always at least 5 years behind and resisting it all the way along even when it happens. From a fan perspective the sport is growing both in person events and on TV. Many records were set this year. Obviously, there are less tracks to ride so that's a huge issue. That is a whole different deep discussion. Do a comparison of the tracks available now compared to 10-15 years ago. Then people whine about track fees while pulling up in 80,000 trucks🤦♂🤦♂Unbelievable! There is also a tremendous number of other things to do for youth to do today that wasn't available 15 years ago. If people don't fully embrace E bikes the sport will really begin to lag. Now is that a full replacement? No, only Grandpa's and closed minded uneducated people that don't understand what they do for the sport come up with all the uneducated comments.
honestly… this all just sounds like boomer catastrophising to me. sure, maybe riders aren’t racing as much as they used to, but i don’t see why one must race every single weekend just to get the experience needed to succeed in racing, especially considering the heightened level of danger. Rather, i think most real improvement happens with smart practice. In any case, at least where i live, there’s still plenty of racing to scratch that itch for those who want to.
It’s simply too expensive for the average FAMILY now. However that happened is irrelevant. Also, people aren’t having families anymore. Bring back big traditionally structured families and local Mx racing will find a way to have a revival.
I say the opposite. Around Vancouver I see a lot of new mx bikes, Harleys, sleds, 4x4s, utvs. I was up at Harrison in June and it was non-stop traffic. Young ppl have totally given up on buying a house. Forget getting a wife and kids. Their big play is an expensive toy.
Could have something to do with the facility owner in the video having a major hand in shutting down a ton of tracks and local riding areas in Georgia but of course that doesn’t get talked about.
Because you made it about money. You must train here. You must go to these events you must spend a month income on one weekend. Oh and again on the next one that’s in 3 weeks. . The vurb race you mention isn’t any more inviting than any other nationals. weekend warriors feel like they are just wasting time. Which is FINE. It’s FUN. Because y’all made it about training faculties and lorrettas ONLY. You have made people feel bad for racing or riding or just enjoying dirt bikes feel some kind of way for not chasing those bigger nationals and facility life. I see it all the time. Kid asks “are you going to lorrettas “. ”no..“ Oh…. Blank stare.
You can easily have 20 grand into a new bike. Then you have 2 to 3 grand for gear. Extra parts, gas, a good vehicle and hauler. You can easily have 100 grand or more invested before you even start racing. I wonder what killed the sport?
Something that I haven't seen anyone mention is the lack of female classes too. I know this is probably such a non-issue for the majority of the moto community given it is predominately comprised of men, however I feel it is worth being said. Local motocross divisions for females are either Little Girls' Class, Women Big Bike Beginner (where no one shows up), or Open WMX, where the skill level ranges from beginner to pro women. I've been wanting to race for years but it doesn't make sense for my C-class self to race pro-level women who are the same speed as a top B class male rider. I am also aware that women like myself are welcome to join the men's classes, however anyone who was at least 50% sober during their highschool biology class will understand the physiological differences between men and women. That being said, I don't really see the fun in racing men either since it is such an uneven playing field, especially given the great financial investment required to race. Meanwhile, we have a bazillion different classes for 50's that have gotten so retardedly specific that they are basically divided up by brand name at this point. My solution would be to be to drop some of the unnecessary 50 classes.... "Micro 1 (4-6) Shaft Drive Limited" I'm looking at you.... lol. Taking their place, I would divide up the women's classes into beginner, novice, intermediate, and pro women. I guarantee more woman would show up. I know the perceived issue is much greater than just the women of moto, but if it's numbers that youre looking for, this will give you more numbers. Just my two cents based on observation. Either way, I'm interested to see the rest of this "State of Racing" series and what you guys have to say on this topic!
Everyone makes a valid argument. We all know its a multi faceted problem as to why the decline. First and foremost its fair to say that the cost associated with racing has become unaffordable to the grass roots racer. Racing has also become more complicated. There are too many different classes and age group breakdowns and then throw in 2 stroke vs 4 stroke. There are too many organizations that a person has to join in order to race. Why am I forced to join the AMA in order to race at a local level. By the time I pay the gate fee and the entry fee and only get 15 minutes of practice and then my race is only 15 minutes. I'll spend all day at the track to get 10 laps in. Where's is the value in that? We all know the cost of a new bike is outrageous not to mention the related maintenance cost involved. Anybody price a new rear tire lately? Not to mention that tracks are disappearing due to liability issues and political pressures. While I love the sport and offroad riding in general, I no longer compete in organized motocross events due to the cost factor and value for the dollar. I have shifted to Desert events as I get more seat time and a better value for my racing dollar.
Okay with the racing but my complaint is kids who just like to ride can't go anywhere. I never raced as a kid but was able to go to the tracks and have fun, cant do that anymore.
The fall of local racing has much to do with MXSports creating the Am National Championships. Yes the cost of bikes and training facilities have impacted, but racing every weekend in the '70s and '80s was streamlined class wise. Loretta's allowed class # to more than double. Weekend warriors do not want to sit around all day to get 8 laps + practice. Waste of a day. Practice days and or off road racing events offer more bang for your $.
I think there's a combination of things going on here. The first is obviously the economy. Bike prices are fucking ridiculous, as are gas prices and entry fees. But I think there's another factor I haven't seen or heard anyone talk about, and that's the lack of interest. For starters, kids aren't outside or as active as they used to be, they'd rather play video games inside. Also, I think the industry has very thoroughly beaten the dead horse on the whole "chase the dream," and "work as hard as possible" shtick. I think people (kids, mainly) don't have interest in the athlete lifestyle. Not saying there's anything wrong with that lifestyle, it's just not for everyone, in fact it's probably not for the majority of people. And when I was younger that was really the only option if you wanted to ride. But nowadays with guys like Bereman, Hodges, Raha, etc. doing the freeride thing and they're really preaching just going out, ripping trails, hitting jumps, and HAVING FUN, I think that appeals to a lot more people than trying to be the next Ricky Carmichael. The training faciclities have completely taken the fun out of riding and racing, in my opinion. When the kid from the blue collar family has an insanely small chance of doing well at any race, let alone at a national, their interest in racing tends to wane. But if him and his Dad just ride trails and hit jumps at the practice track or in the backyard, that kid is going to stay on the bike as long as he/she is having fun.
This Vurbmoto Classic advertisement is targeted towards a shrinking rider base who only wants to be at big races with full gates and is the type of event that hurts local tracks. How about discussing some of the real issues with local racing? Things like long days, too many classes, affordability, and unrealistic expectations put upon on local promoters, etc.
This video is really good. But y’all want to stay gate drop gate drop. But y’all have zero say in the cost of this sport / gate drops. You can’t gate drop every weekend unless you have bankrolls behind you. or everything is paid for from family members.
Bruh it’s not just training facilities. There’s no middle class… me and the wife make $170k but i won’t buy a bike because 1. It’s a waste of time working on a bike. 2. Practice is $60. 3. We are in a freaking depression. You are all tone deaf over at vurbmoto. Nobody can afford it.
Want your children to do well in school ? Buy them a dirt bike , and tell them ? B’s or better , or it stays parked in the garage , all A’s ? Gets bonus seat time
All you did was reinforce even more about how crucial it is to have the means to be able to train at one of these facilities. A lot of the people that would have been competitive at a national level dont have the time nor the money to keep up with the people at the training facilities. People like me who would go out to the track for the weekend with their dad and go race in hopes of winning a regional or even going to lorettas, have really no chance anymore compared with the people that can move to a warm climate during the cold months and still be training 5 days a week. For the average person it just is not worth the amount of time and money anymore. Next time maybe interview the actual locals at a real local race next time to get a real perspective as to why people aren't racing as much anymore. Not the people that are on factory rides with their whole lives tied up in racing.
I ran some numbers in my head: 1979, a construction worker could make 40k a year, and a YZ125 cost about 1.1k ($1,100). Pay was almost 40 times as much as the bike cost. Now, some construction workers might make 80k a year, but the bike cost 10k. Pay is only 8 times more than the price of the bike. This is a huge difference. Pickup trucks also cost a years salary, so there is no money left to race, unless you have upper middle class income.
Yep, all prices have gone up like 6x while pay has gone up 2x. Pay is not keeping pace with inflation. Sadsad.
100%
And then what happens if you get hurt?
I'm in construction, working 60 hr weeks only makes me 62k a year. I wish I made 80k
Amen
Value. Ride all day at a practice day for half the cost of a getting a few laps at a race where you are sitting around all day mostly doing nothing. Offroad events let you race for an hour or many hours for the same cost as an mx race. The offroad events are much less competition oriented too. It's mostly fun trying to survive and finish. There are also no real premiums placed on having a brand new bike for offroad events. You can ride a 10 or 15 yr old bike and have a good time and be competitive. The bikes and riders are out there but they are doing things other than mx.
Big one that is obvious but not talked about enough. This is why GP racing is a lot more popular than MX.
completely empathize with you and this point. on the other hand, I had the opportunity to race both hare scrambles/NETRA and MX, and the second I put tires on an MX track, I lost all interest in hare scrambles. I stopped riding at the local trail riders association. eventually we just dumped our membership in them completely. this is all to say that I agree with everything you say here, but if I could MX, I would MX over any other kind of off road. and not being able to do so would be a clear "second place is the first loser" sort of fallback.
@@daneg I share your same sentiment, I used to race desert. Now I ride moto full time but not interested at all in racing because it just seems like a waste of money and I'd rather ride all day for $30 practice at Glen Helen instead of paying $60 to race for 30 minutes on track but I'm there for five hours. No thanks
Yes
The motos are too short.
I think the sport/activity is just naturally adjusting as people realized they get way more fun for their dollar by just going to tracks to ride/practice compared to a race day where the cost is much higher and the amount of ride time is dramatically less. The numbers just don't add up in the smiles-per-gallon department.
I race arenacross simply because during January, that's the only track riding I can really do. During the warmer months, I ride at MX tracks, and even though some races go down, I avoid them for the reasons mentioned above. Actually going to a night practice tonight at Sand Mountain MX under the lights.
The amount of tone deafness in this video is startling. The training facilities single handily killed it. Anyone who may have a sliver of hope is almost forced to attend a facility in order to stay competitive. That is just one less person on the gate at their local track on a consistent basis. The dominoes begin to fall at that point. Everyone hypes up the big nationals and almost no one earns rides from their effort and result at the national. Rides are given to families who can pump money back into the team their child is employed by.
That's a big one I bet. The one less person on the gate I mean
That's part of it. The cost is out of site too. Plus even at the big nationals when they moved everything to Saturday and kept amateurs off parts of the pro tracks, it killed that too in a. lot of ways. Used to be a 4 day event with the main event on the last day. Mxsports ruined the nationals. When Davey said he wanted to grow the sport we foolishly though he meant more riders. He meant more $$ for him and making the sport more of a spectator thing.
It's like car racing now. All the pros in the future are gonna have to have parents that own their own successful business in order to fund it
@@yardsaledale1075 big facts
The sport has gone professional , lost lot of the local interest in many areas.
Who wants to pay 60 dollars to race one class. Get 8 laps on the track in 8 hours and spend the day sititng around waiting to go out on a clapped out track at 4pm. When we can pay 50 for a days open practice and ride 5 sessions and be done and tired st 3. Racing sucks ass if i never race again im 100% ok with it
fully agree. this is why I went to mxgp, ngpc, and xc style racing.
That's why I started doing hate scrambles instead
I raced from 1989 to 2005. 4 strokes is what happened. Family couldn't afford an engine that blew up every other month. 100%, 4 strokes ruined everything.
My first race was in 1988. I was running a clapped out 3-year old KX125 and barely knew how to ride. There were so many 125 D riders they had TWO races for them. My gate was 43 riders. This was 1988.
Local tracks are closing left and right because there are fewer riders today. BIkes are a lot more expensive to buy and if you're on a 4-stroke, if your bike blows up you're basically done unless you have money to buy another straight up. Modern 4 strokes last a lot longer with regular maintenance but the entry cost to our sport is pretty dang high.
Not many of us are up to driving 3-4-5 hours one way to ride.
It's tough.
I have a couple pics from Kamloops in 1977. Gate was packed. Didn't last long. Ok n 1982 there was a major recession. The sawmill jobs ended and never came back.
Fact is motox is too demanding as a hobby. Must be in top fitness as well as highly skilled, even at novice level. Then, the rider must have strong mechanical skills. Even if someone else works on the bike, the rider must be able to diagnose problems, setup.
I’ve been hammering on this topic, local racing is dying and the ama seemingly could not care less
Cause there is no cut for the AMA in local racing. Always been that way; they shunned outlaw tracks in the 90s too, and it's only getting worse.
What's an AMA? I didn't know one existed
@@CKYmoto the governing body that insures promoters and performs moderate lobbyist activities. it's mostly a liability thing. afaik. they really are not scamming local riders. the AMA of Feld and MX Sports are different entities for all intents and purposes.
Cost is the number one reason we have slowed down on weekly racing. Just trying to get to a regional for Loretta's just about broke the bank.. regional events are outrageous and going to Loretta's is even more.. I just don't think the average family can afford that in this economy.
These comments are comforting in the fact that we all share similar struggles.
Yeah, I can't afford to ride a couple times a week at $40 a pop to be in good enough shape to race at around $100 with gas and entry fees. It's a bummer- I'm priced out anymore. Meanwhile, the track owners are buying more tracks, flying to Hawaii and pimping out their Sprinter vans. Good for them, bad for me.
We have 1 half assed track locally for $45 per day. The rest are 2.5-3hrs away from $40-$60
other than high point, which we can never ride there. 3 high point races scheduled this year & 2 were cancelled.
I live in very far Northeast OH corner by Erie, and concur. There's like 1 or 2 tracks in my area that are half decent. Every thing else is like 3 hrs away.
Every zip code needs a local, decent, track to provide a facility 1st abs foremost. Risk though if not lot riders in your area.
The cost of tracks definitely sucks. But it’s not the owners fault. The cost of operating a track has skyrocketed.
@@ryanlester663 bro field of dreams absolutely gRapes you so hard at 75$ entry fee 2.5 hours away and $40 in tolls $80 in truck gas $20 in bike gas one day at the track is running over $200 bucks it’s insane.
Who tf are these track owners 😂😂
Be interesting to see some interviews from the families that have operated the small tracks for years. Always fun to hear from people that have had past success but would be interesting to hear the small guys input as well. The family here in Indiana has been operating local tracks for years. Used to be 4 tracks now it's 2.
also would be nice to normalize racing just for fun and becoming a national pro not necessarily the end goal. Moto is such a fun family sport!
Wont happen on a wider scale or how it was while people who control the sport are making huge amounts of money off the sport
texas, cali, Florida all have a huge amateur community. i dont know where yall at lol.
It used to be that way
My son got into MX and, I wanted to let him try MX for real. So I bought him a really nice 2014 KX85 that was almost new. That was $2500. Then I had to get a small camper so we could be somewhat comfortable when we go to the track $10,000. Practice Bike $2000 so you don't completely wreck your race bike. The amount of money in safety gear, boots is about $900.
That is just $15,000 for some basic USED equipment to get started. And this will not allow your kid to be competitive unless they are just insanely good.
Yes, I know you don't need a camper, but we did this as a family of 5 and with 5 people if everyone is not comfortable then it is gonna be a miserable time.
we are lucky enough to have 2 tracks within an hour drive of us in FL and PAX TRAX is really great and the owners are awesome, but with the state of inflation and the economy I can't see spending $200+ a week just to get a practice session in and then a race. It is unaffordable for working families and I am a licensed Contractor
I agree 4 strokes killed the family race team. Now I know why my mom only allowed me to race BMX in the 80's, and even that was expensive $750 frame and fork set, but still way cheaper than MX
Cool seeing shots from Bremen. I remember when Wes was at races handing out goat creations cards. Such a rad spot and time
Kentucky used to run a state series as well as a mega series. Title sponsors and 12-15 races across the state. Provided an opportunity to be around guys like the sipes brothers, Tyler bowers, vonlingers, etc.. once the state series shut down, so did most of the local tracks after a few years of trying to stay afloat. Went from 400-500 riders every weekend to barely having 6 riders per class. Killed the sport for the average joes in KY.
Mega series was so legit 2000-2005
Why did it shut down?
This Seems to have happened in many states, I remember 3 full gates of 125c in the early 1990's
@@CordScott honestly seemed like a generational shift. Not to mention as prices of everything started rising, less people started showing up to the races. Forcing a lot of track owners to shut down and sell their property.
@@MX-CO would’ve been awesome to have seen. I started racing in 99-00 and stepped away around 2010. Was wild watching the generation shift from outdoor/action sports to video games and not knowing how to wipe their ass’s without google telling them how.
Whos here that remembers the jump at Bremen mx in ga called the mexican? Up hill triple
Then we called it the amigo when the changed the landing haha
I raced as a kid back in the 70s and 80s and had a blast, my goal was to go to Europe and race because it seemed like all the Americans that did came back so much faster, we always had 30-40 bikes on the starting line and A,B,C class 125, 250, and open class, but today it’s so much different only the rich kids seem to race, I don’t know how kids from a working class can afford to race, it’s ashame it’s cost so much to race nowadays
You are correct that there is a problem, but you literally didn’t get the opinions of a single local racer or local promoter. Loretta Lynn’s has killed local racing.
MxSports / The AMA Destroying amateur & privateers racing really blows for one...
In the 80s and early 90s you could go to any of a dozen places to ride. Clay pits,woods, sides of the roads and dirt roads. Now you cant ride hardly anywhere in my area. Within 100 miles unless its a track/training facility. And its expensive and the tracks are set up for pros. Then add in how much bikes and accessories cost now. You have to drive 3 or 4 hours minimum to find a track actually having a race. They start practice at daylight. Have 50 classes with 4 or 5 riders each. Run 5 laps a moto. If it was like it is now days i probably never would have ever started riding bikes.
this sounds reasonable. every single place I rode as a kid is now developed (suburbia, housing). it's really cool that most local tracks have practice days. but it's really sad that those are the only places I even know of to go practice (if I could still ride a bike). I used to get home from school, put on my gear, and ride a little sandy whoops track in the woods behind my house, or the figure 8 track in the same area. there were 4 places within 20 mins of my house we could drive to. I guess I was lucky even in the 90s for that luxury (living in suburbia). these days, you have to live in hicksville or drive to a practice day at a track halfway across the state.
@@daneg exactly. I knew of a dozen places i could ride in pits. Had a track at my cousins and my house. Had a track 10 minutes from my house. Open 7 days and $100 a month fee to ride or $10 a day. Then i had an offroad park literally 5 minutes from house. $30 for the weekend. And now i have a track at my house "fortunately" and the closest place i know of is reasonable 40 minute drive but its $45 a day and used to be $375 for the month. Too much for me when i also ha e a son who rides.
$$$ simple as that. That’s why the off-road community is growing so much they get way more riding time for their money than any local motocross series. And when you think about the family of 4 or 5 who travels to the races, the amount of money they need to spend each weekend to race most people can’t even fathom. Our sport is becoming way too expensive for the average person anywhere in the country. I’m not blaming the tracks, I understand they need to make their money to operate, just sucks seeing it this way.
Yes. Off-road is killing it. 2 strokes, ride all day if you want. ESP dual sport like the 500EXC-F. You can start at your house
Your buddys at MX sports and AMA are going to run everyone out of racing and the local tracks are crazy expensive as well everyone wants to suck every dollar out of the sport and dont give a crap about the sport and the manufacturer are charging crazy money for bikes
For real. Greedy mothers.
Loretta's 2024....nuff said. 😂Da hell.5 to 10k to race for a week. Used to be 500 . 00.
Another person that whines about local tracks being expensive.🤣 Amazed when I see people pulling up in 80K trucks and then whining about the cost at a track. If you are that stingy and don't understand the blessing the track provides and what it takes to maintain then you probably need to find a completely different sport anyways. It's also an amazing time to buy a bike right now🤦♂💁♂
Seriously, im at the point where local trail riding is just a better deal. Don't have much interest to go to a race anymore. Still some good woods series that are reasonable I would still do. Awrcs series by me. Probably will take my kid to do that.
@@kurtheidelbachnobody is complaining about 40 bucks for practice day dude. It’s the $150-$200 or more just to sign up for a series, gate fees, entry fees, camp fees, ZERO prizes for winners, ZERO hole shot prizes, no moto-bucks to be won, the list goes on.
Back when I was racing in the 2000’s you could win back your entry fees through moto bucks and prizes if you did well enough. Inflation and greed has fucked everything
@@MrSlayerboy99 Uh no the original comment was how crazy expensive local tracks are and they really aren’t. I hear people whine all the time about $30 or $40 practice fees. If that’s too expensive then go find another sport. This isn’t a charity sport. The are all kinds of money classes where you can win back your money. Inflation hasn’t killed anything it’s an absolutely fantastic time to buy a bike now. Inflation is currently at its targeted rate.
All the Mosier footage is gold!
2:40 @Bremen Raceway… sure do miss that place
Thursday night practices were awesome
Gas prices. Four Strokes. Promoters. Heavy on Promoters.
promoters are just track owners/renters (at the local level). need more of them, imo. at least where I live (NY), it's not a lucrative business to dedicate land and resources toward an MX track. you kinda have to like the sport rather than be looking to become rich. iunno what it's like in other parts of the country. /2cents
@@daneg as a track owner, I see the promoters who come in and charge wild prices and do nothing that gives back. California anyway.
‘03, ‘04 and ‘05 was the best for am racing
90's was even better
because now a 250 or 450 is the same price as a car. i would love to get one and go to the local tracks, but just getting the bike alone is the cost of a couple vacations. not to mention tires or fuel or maintenance. i went on a week long mediterranean cruise for half the cost of a 2024 250 dirt bike. hotels, plain tickets, food and drink.
not exactly the hard hitting expose/analysis I was hoping for. didn't really do much for me in relation to why local gates are empty. I raced in the 90s locally, weekend warrior style, in upstate NY. that was 95% or more of every gate. so if those local gates are only half as full these days, I think the issue is greater than just "the fast guys aren't racing b/c they're in special programs" or whatnot. guess I thought maybe cost was going to come up at some point? iunno.
Xc racing is a better bang for the buck.
Yeah, but no jumps or anything really fun
@@Zulululu4x no one ever leaves in an ambulance?! you ride most of the day. Crowds are 2/1 XC to MX now.
@jeremydeason3295 I get ya. I do hare scrambles too. etc so I do see that.
But personally MX is alot more fun. Dirtbikes are meant to be jumped!
@@Zulululu4x I hate to see the sport fading. The reality is it is. Deegan (good or bad) is a big influencer to kids, more should follow his path with social media, its what the younger kids was to see and maybe its enough motivation to go beg there parents to get a motorcycle and take them racing.
Uses to be 3.. 4 hundred riders at basic track championship races
4 strokes cost and upkeep. Also local races now run moto 1 on Saturday and moto 2 on Sunday. Not everyone has a camper or can afford hotels every weekend. You can still run two days of racing, just run half the classes on Saturday and the other half on Sunday. That way if you're only running one class it would be either Saturday or Sunday not both.
what local races/tracks you are hitting that run over 2 days? nothing like that in NY (for a local race). although they might do back to back meets at the same track (but that's 2 motos an 1 overall each day).
agreed 100% on money factor, kids without that issue "haver an app for that" they have no interest in getting dirty, changing oil, air filter, being hot/cold or just be outside, removing themselves from there comfort zone there in, no reason to push them selves. Local MX tracks in the south east have died off. Some of my best friends I met at MX tracks in the south east, it was some of the best times I had as a kid, these places are going away.
Some of my best memories were driving in a clapped out Chevy suburban, racing Saturday, freezing our asses off camping in a damn tent then waking up drenched in cold sweat Sunday morning to do it all over again. Trying to help dad with those frantic bike repairs in between motos, getting to the gate seconds before It drops, praying to God that shit holds up just long enough to cross the finish line…good times
I do agree with this video. I feel there is too much racing, so it makes it harder for a local race to get a full gate.
I can see the point of this however they fail to account for what families are facing economically. That alone can be a limiting factor. At our local motocross events, that I can get to some gates are overflowing while others aren't. Then In Nevada there is travel, which can last for several hours. Those factors really aren't discussed in this.
Yeah I dont understand their take on this at all. “People don’t want to race” isn’t a real argument. People can’t afford to anymore. My family was lower middle class and parents still could afford a good bike, aftermarket parts, etc + everything else life throws at you. Same can’t be said nowadays.
I use to ride 2 tracks in one day.
4 strokes are so loud that many tracks where shut down because Karen would call the popo constantly.
A lot of people's solution to noise is to get louder pipes for that extra .5 hp on their 450
In my area it was dust. People would move in right next to a track and then wonder why everything was dusty lmao
Yes . Local , Amateur racing is definitely broken and dying.
The cost of bikes, fuel, track or club membership, the insane amount of sponsors one needs to have from a 6year old upwards are all contributing factirs. Level of skills also requires new ruders to get professional training. Its insane
Quit racing weekends 10 years ago because of inflation 😢
ego couldn't handle it? 😁 (trying for an inflation joke. 😇)
@@daneg my wallet couldn't handle it
Cool as... Too bad it's 8hrs away.. man, we've gotta move out of my town..
In my area, I would say one of the reason is the tracks. They don't understand the rider is a customer and there is more to it than prepping, watering a track, and taking money.
Racing has never been a cheap sport love it but now economy and inflation they have priced out the average dad to be able to take his son racing
yet the economy was worse in the 70s and it boomed, bikes were cheap back then comparative to anything else and races were cheap and plentiful and fun, so many class's so much racing! People forget or are ignorant.
In Europe it’s way different it must be an American mx issue😬
It can be cheap if you aren't trying to become a pro. Show up to your local track in a '79 F150 with a 2014 YZ450F, if you can ride you won't come in last.
Been doing harescrambles since the 90's rode a 4 stroke back then and still race a 4stroke did a little bit of mx but always said you get alot more riding at a harescramble vs an mx for the money..and 4 strokes hasn't killed anything there's still a couple hundred riders at our events here in Al...what has hurt is all the places we used to ride is either developed or hunting land mostly hunting for our area.
Welcome to Harrisnomics!
Its just too expensive, also kids don't want to do difficult things anymore. Screen kids.
Never said why their is no local racing, What about liability insurance?
When's the last time you have seen a bike in the back of truck. Where I live, it was normal to drive 10 miles and see at least 2. I remember when a $1000 truck and a super rad bike would up to a track. We would that's a real rider.
Actually not too unusual near Vancouver. What's happening now is that late 20s early 30s dudes have totally given up on buying a house, wife and kids. Their big play is a UTV/dirt bike instead. Also now see a lot of young guys/gals on Harleys.
it's demographics. Boomers are the largest population group and mx is predominantly a European sport. Do the math. Yes, price and 4 strokes don't help either.
Love me a gate drop
I have been riding or racing since 1984, so I have seen a lot. My last years racing were 2001-2003 and the racer turnout at our track in eastern Illinois was really strong. I am not going to do the easy thing and blame 4-strokes, although they do play a part in this. I feel that the biggest issue is the lack of track time you get for a full day and well over a hundred dollars spent, When I raced just one class I usually got two 5-lap motos, sometimes a 4-lapper. In the years after that, I mostly did track days, where for my $25 I could ride so many laps that I was just beat. There are way too many pointless classes they have to run on raceday, like 50cc auto quad for little kids. We would have two kids circulating the track barely faster than I could jog yet they got the same number of laps as my 35-rider gate for one of our 125C classes. Yep, there would actually be 70+ 125C guys there. Also, way too many age-group classes. The AMA needs to cut the number of classes by at least 1/3.
This sport will undoubtedly die out. Look at the joke of our world we call politics. This sport will be gone soon, everything is to expensive and not getting better. Everything is pushing for electric. If Obama really gets his fourth term in office through a microphone in his basement, you can kiss everything we know goodbye and prepare for breadlines. I hope most riders have a back up hobby that revolves around firearms…
Cannot even imagine riding or enjoying a $14,000 electric bike. Makes me sick to think about. Dirtbikes are meant to have clutches and be ridden loud and fast. No one can afford to even put food on the table either. Top tier comment Kyle.
Soul riders unite
The problem with local racing in SoCal these days is that the tracks arent at the national level. Why pay $60 a class for a concrete track for my kid locally to race to go run a national on a track that has a totally different skill level required.
Cost
High costs to ride or race. Costs of a new bike purchase. And inflation under the current government is killing the middle class Americans.
LOL
Every kids goal is to be a trainer when they grow up. You don't make any money racing but you apparently make money as a trainer teaching schools.
Boils down to money and lack there of. Not to mention time investment in doing it and doing it right. I have budget break downs for each event and for the season. GNCC is starting to be very similar to the cost of moto, no surprise the series we run are both operated by the same company. It’s a high money sport now if you want to be competitive. Other wise it’s just a hobby.
Davey Coombs ruining on more things. I miss the days when his parents ran the races.
I just have too laugh at this video and the peoples comments. Nobody wants to admit it in any sport today. It's all about going pro. Thats all anyone wants. Ask people what their goals are. GO PRO! Thats it! Win that C class.
This video is for the people that have lots of disposable cash and drive their kids to do what they wish they could have done.
Bidenomics happened to racing.
Be a responsible adult and control your own destiny. Don't blame it on others LOL. It's an absolute fantastic time to buy a bike 🤦♂🤦♂💁♂
Most families could easily break down a two stroke even if they didn't know much about it. Mainly because that's what they raced as a kid and just trying to pass down a fun sport. They could all change the rings, piston, reed valves, tires sprockets and even oil in the suspension. This sport is pricing themselves out of the market. I hate to see this because this sport teaches young kids such a good discipline. Even if they don't become a winner, the lessons this sport teaches you will make that kid a winner in everything else in life in the future.
Spot on my rider. We could stick a piston in the first moto and make our 2nd gate. I use to have a big advance because I knew how to jet properly. New 4 strokes have efi and a starter.
I used to rebuild my 2 strokes in and hour in the back of my Ford Ranger. Life was good. I'd go riding, go to the carwash and clean it up, then rebuild it right there and go ride/race again the next day.
I agree with you except for the teaching kids part. mostly because kids are riding 2-strokes until 12-16 years old. the lower end if they're going straight from supermini to 250. the higher end if they're riding 125s for a year or two.
@@daneg Agreed, but two-strokes are getting stupid expensive with all the tech and options as well.
@@lchope573 the KTMs are modern fuel injection. and they're KTMs. so they're always more expensive. but i think the price you see reflected in 2-strokes is more a reflection of inflation. the inherent cost difference is more related to upkeep/service. stuff every weekend warrior could service themselves on a 2T has to be outsourced on a 4T. but for sure, anything that doesn't just use the same stamp/mold/etc. (like an RMZ) is going to really hurt. the funny thing to me is that even in the 90s, MX was a really expensive "hobby." the biggest difference from the 90s to today is that 1.) I would probably only race one bike in multiple classes (e.g., Open B and 25+) instead of the two main classes (250 B and Open B); and 2.) I would hold onto my bike for 3+ years whereas in the 90s, we were buying a 125 and a 250 pretty much each new model year.
Don't underestimate what the kids racing grown men in the A class locally. The local pros want that want that money and don't want the hotshot to show up and take it for anything. That does so much for young racers. Hepler used to race the 125 schoolboy on modded out 85cc. He had to fight and didn't always beat B dudes.
Wish i could say the money was a issue for us. But it was the rider drcided he was good wiith the girl and fun he was having and becoming a pro was work.
If you want to get good at moon travel, you should go to the moon.
Weston Peick jumped over the amateur national BS.
HISTORY MADE.
Same in the uk. Entry cost, everybody wants brand new bikes and can't maintain them. I blame 4 strokes.
Nothing is permanent except change. That's fairly true but the sport is extremely afraid and resistant to change. That's why the sport lags behind so many other by so much. Always at least 5 years behind and resisting it all the way along even when it happens. From a fan perspective the sport is growing both in person events and on TV. Many records were set this year. Obviously, there are less tracks to ride so that's a huge issue. That is a whole different deep discussion. Do a comparison of the tracks available now compared to 10-15 years ago. Then people whine about track fees while pulling up in 80,000 trucks🤦♂🤦♂Unbelievable! There is also a tremendous number of other things to do for youth to do today that wasn't available 15 years ago. If people don't fully embrace E bikes the sport will really begin to lag. Now is that a full replacement? No, only Grandpa's and closed minded uneducated people that don't understand what they do for the sport come up with all the uneducated comments.
honestly… this all just sounds like boomer catastrophising to me. sure, maybe riders aren’t racing as much as they used to, but i don’t see why one must race every single weekend just to get the experience needed to succeed in racing, especially considering the heightened level of danger. Rather, i think most real improvement happens with smart practice. In any case, at least where i live, there’s still plenty of racing to scratch that itch for those who want to.
It’s simply too expensive for the average FAMILY now. However that happened is irrelevant. Also, people aren’t having families anymore. Bring back big traditionally structured families and local Mx racing will find a way to have a revival.
I say the opposite. Around Vancouver I see a lot of new mx bikes, Harleys, sleds, 4x4s, utvs. I was up at Harrison in June and it was non-stop traffic. Young ppl have totally given up on buying a house. Forget getting a wife and kids.
Their big play is an expensive toy.
Could have something to do with the facility owner in the video having a major hand in shutting down a ton of tracks and local riding areas in Georgia but of course that doesn’t get talked about.
Parts are too expensive these days. Bikes are cheap
Because you made it about money. You must train here. You must go to these events you must spend a month income on one weekend. Oh and again on the next one that’s in 3 weeks. . The vurb race you mention isn’t any more inviting than any other nationals. weekend warriors feel like they are just wasting time. Which is FINE. It’s FUN. Because y’all made it about training faculties and lorrettas ONLY. You have made people feel bad for racing or riding or just enjoying dirt bikes feel some kind of way for not chasing those bigger nationals and facility life. I see it all the time. Kid asks “are you going to lorrettas “. ”no..“ Oh….
Blank stare.
You can easily have 20 grand into a new bike. Then you have 2 to 3 grand for gear. Extra parts, gas, a good vehicle and hauler. You can easily have 100 grand or more invested before you even start racing. I wonder what killed the sport?
Lack of corporal punishment in sssschool
Soon as i see Matt im done. No respect for him and wont ever support anything affiliated with him. Just my opinion
So true.
It all depends how far you want to go with the sport.
The local racing is not coming back. Promoters had a hard time making any money when there were riders showing up. There are even fewer riders today.
Something that I haven't seen anyone mention is the lack of female classes too. I know this is probably such a non-issue for the majority of the moto community given it is predominately comprised of men, however I feel it is worth being said. Local motocross divisions for females are either Little Girls' Class, Women Big Bike Beginner (where no one shows up), or Open WMX, where the skill level ranges from beginner to pro women. I've been wanting to race for years but it doesn't make sense for my C-class self to race pro-level women who are the same speed as a top B class male rider. I am also aware that women like myself are welcome to join the men's classes, however anyone who was at least 50% sober during their highschool biology class will understand the physiological differences between men and women. That being said, I don't really see the fun in racing men either since it is such an uneven playing field, especially given the great financial investment required to race. Meanwhile, we have a bazillion different classes for 50's that have gotten so retardedly specific that they are basically divided up by brand name at this point. My solution would be to be to drop some of the unnecessary 50 classes.... "Micro 1 (4-6) Shaft Drive Limited" I'm looking at you.... lol. Taking their place, I would divide up the women's classes into beginner, novice, intermediate, and pro women. I guarantee more woman would show up. I know the perceived issue is much greater than just the women of moto, but if it's numbers that youre looking for, this will give you more numbers. Just my two cents based on observation. Either way, I'm interested to see the rest of this "State of Racing" series and what you guys have to say on this topic!
Everyone makes a valid argument. We all know its a multi faceted problem as to why the decline. First and foremost its fair to say that the cost associated with racing has become unaffordable to the grass roots racer. Racing has also become more complicated. There are too many different classes and age group breakdowns and then throw in 2 stroke vs 4 stroke. There are too many organizations that a person has to join in order to race. Why am I forced to join the AMA in order to race at a local level. By the time I pay the gate fee and the entry fee and only get 15 minutes of practice and then my race is only 15 minutes. I'll spend all day at the track to get 10 laps in. Where's is the value in that? We all know the cost of a new bike is outrageous not to mention the related maintenance cost involved. Anybody price a new rear tire lately? Not to mention that tracks are disappearing due to liability issues and political pressures. While I love the sport and offroad riding in general, I no longer compete in organized motocross events due to the cost factor and value for the dollar. I have shifted to Desert events as I get more seat time and a better value for my racing dollar.
Okay with the racing but my complaint is kids who just like to ride can't go anywhere. I never raced as a kid but was able to go to the tracks and have fun, cant do that anymore.
The fall of local racing has much to do with MXSports creating the Am National Championships. Yes the cost of bikes and training facilities have impacted, but racing every weekend in the '70s and '80s was streamlined class wise. Loretta's allowed class # to more than double. Weekend warriors do not want to sit around all day to get 8 laps + practice. Waste of a day. Practice days and or off road racing events offer more bang for your $.
I raced in 1970s. Bikes were affordable. Tracks were plentiful and inexpensive. Bygone era.
I think there's a combination of things going on here. The first is obviously the economy. Bike prices are fucking ridiculous, as are gas prices and entry fees. But I think there's another factor I haven't seen or heard anyone talk about, and that's the lack of interest. For starters, kids aren't outside or as active as they used to be, they'd rather play video games inside. Also, I think the industry has very thoroughly beaten the dead horse on the whole "chase the dream," and "work as hard as possible" shtick. I think people (kids, mainly) don't have interest in the athlete lifestyle. Not saying there's anything wrong with that lifestyle, it's just not for everyone, in fact it's probably not for the majority of people. And when I was younger that was really the only option if you wanted to ride. But nowadays with guys like Bereman, Hodges, Raha, etc. doing the freeride thing and they're really preaching just going out, ripping trails, hitting jumps, and HAVING FUN, I think that appeals to a lot more people than trying to be the next Ricky Carmichael. The training faciclities have completely taken the fun out of riding and racing, in my opinion. When the kid from the blue collar family has an insanely small chance of doing well at any race, let alone at a national, their interest in racing tends to wane. But if him and his Dad just ride trails and hit jumps at the practice track or in the backyard, that kid is going to stay on the bike as long as he/she is having fun.
Where I live they closed all the tracks
POLITICS & GREED
4 strokes killed it I can’t afford to race barely afford a bike for my son
This Vurbmoto Classic advertisement is targeted towards a shrinking rider base who only wants to be at big races with full gates and is the type of event that hurts local tracks. How about discussing some of the real issues with local racing? Things like long days, too many classes, affordability, and unrealistic expectations put upon on local promoters, etc.
This video is really good. But y’all want to stay gate drop gate drop. But y’all have zero say in the cost of this sport / gate drops. You can’t gate drop every weekend unless you have bankrolls behind you. or everything is paid for from family members.
I think maybe the people that are having kids are mostly not the motocross types.
727 Amber Island
Bruh it’s not just training facilities. There’s no middle class… me and the wife make $170k but i won’t buy a bike because 1. It’s a waste of time working on a bike. 2. Practice is $60. 3. We are in a freaking depression. You are all tone deaf over at vurbmoto. Nobody can afford it.
👏👏👏👏🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼💯💯💯💯💯
Want your children to do well in school ? Buy them a dirt bike , and tell them ? B’s or better , or it stays parked in the garage , all A’s ? Gets bonus seat time
Simply, we have a parent problem.
It's gotten to expensive for the average person
All you did was reinforce even more about how crucial it is to have the means to be able to train at one of these facilities. A lot of the people that would have been competitive at a national level dont have the time nor the money to keep up with the people at the training facilities. People like me who would go out to the track for the weekend with their dad and go race in hopes of winning a regional or even going to lorettas, have really no chance anymore compared with the people that can move to a warm climate during the cold months and still be training 5 days a week. For the average person it just is not worth the amount of time and money anymore. Next time maybe interview the actual locals at a real local race next time to get a real perspective as to why people aren't racing as much anymore. Not the people that are on factory rides with their whole lives tied up in racing.
Ay man i fell in luv with the mechanics daughter and never raced again fk it
Bidenomics. Lines are small because lots of ppl are hurting financially.
That’s sand mtn ain’t it