My Ride, My Life: Dave Thorpe

It was in the ‘80s that David Thorpe wrote his name in the book of motorcycling racing legends: he was crowned 500cc Motocross World Champion not just once but three times in 1985, 1986 and 1989 competing against the likes of Eric Geboers and André Malherbe.
Hear from the legend himself in the latest edition of My Ride, My Life.
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[@mwng5186]

As a very shy kid who loved motocross....I plucked up the courage to speak to Dave at Hawksone in 86...I said..."Good luck Dave".....he gave me a huge smile and said thanks very much....An absolute Gentleman....Good luck with everything you do Dave...

[@mikeshakespeare7294]

That brought a lump to my throat! Absolutely the best times in motocross. Thank you

[@telboy1965]

Absolutely 👍

[@damutznutz3157]

Only 2 names we ever called out as being when we were scrambling as kids were Dave Thorpe or Graham Noyce!! You were either one or the other!! ...I remember first ever time i got my 500 cr and really understood as a racer, how fcuking skilled these guys were!! Was a real privelige to be around and watch them in the 80's.... WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE!!

[@michaeldevanney4796]

I saw Dave Thorpe at Tweseldown when he was a schoolboy and my mate said that kid will be world champion one day!

[@Shinysideup]

The word legend can often be over used but not in this case.

[@kevinwestwood6668]

I was at the Belgium GP,in 1989, Namur, there was thousands of British fan's there, Motocross was massive back then.

[@neilr4867]

I just saw some footage of that race. If anyone ever says they didn't go fast in the 80s they need to watch that race. Those boys were wringing the necks of those 500s.

[@glennwoods2462]

Always keen to hear what Mr Thorpe has to say... quietly spoken, and interesting... The reference to Graeme Noyce was good... 🙏🙂🇳🇿

[@brucefile7430]

Dave Thorpe was one of the guys I followed in the 80's. Watching him race against Andre, Georges, Hakan, and Eric was amazing!

[@markcortis2348]

The golden era,, 👍

[@hugoclifford8949]

I saw a British championship round near Reading in 1981 I think and Dave Thorpe was riding a kx125 (with the radiator on one side), he destroyed everyone in that race and massively inspired me to race motocross. I still ride green laning as a 57 year old

[@grahamdavies2621]

My son went to one of Dave’s motocross schools and learnt so much. What an absolute gentleman and a legend.

[@Only-one-life-68]

Meet David at a recent bike show at NEC in Brum on the Honda stand.. We chatted for 10 minutes minimum.. I’m 54 yo and Dave was my hero.. So to chat all these years on was wonderful. He is such a humble human.. Thank you for this video Honda On a sad note Godbless Eric geboers and Andre Malherbe These were in my opinion the very best Motorcross years ever..

[@christopherjohnson3685]

Thank you Dave for making my childhood so special. Those times in the 1980's were so good and only seem like yesterday. All the riders like Geboers, Jobe, Malherbe, Carlqvist, Van Der Ven, Leisk, Kurt Nicholl made motocross from that era so competitively thrilling. One of the best eras of motocross for sure. David Thorpe's ability to win 3 world championships in this time against who he raced against marks him down as one of the very best riders either motocross or road racing in British two wheeled racing history.

[@jorgkruger4791]

I am from Germany and i start Motocross the time Dave Thorpe fight for the Titel in 85 . I saw him and André Eric and Georges Jobe. I never forget this moments this Rider gave me. It was the best Time of this Sports ever. With the greatest Champions . I can only say thank you for this time. These Riders are for ever the best for me . 🙏

[@raymondharold5973]

I’m from Northern California and purchased my first brand new motocross bike it was a 1985 CR-500 because watching you and David Bailey amongst others riding the wheels off the Honda 500 I had to have one, it was the fastest dirt bike I’ve ever ridden then we made it even faster it was a thrilling experience hole shooting almost every moto. Thanks for all the memories a young man could ever want! ❤🙏GOD BLESS YOU!

[@wayflex1]

The absolute pinnacle of motocross 500 GP in the 80s ,I was lucky enough to see the great man ride at hawkstone in 88 and farleigh 89 and many British motocross rounds never seen a rider with such support,you could hear him coming around the track just by the noise of cheering fans and air horns a true motocross legend

[@robertanderson-yx8mo]

What a humble modest man.A true legend.

[@patbriggsmbr]

How time flys, I loved the days of motocross, the 80’s brought me the best time of my life in motocross, only amateur but god I loved it. Carpe diem.

[@guttersnipe3246]

Loved watching this man race 500 2 strokes on his day so consistent and second to none

[@markosborne24]

The best guy to come out of UK Motocross...Ever!

[@markbarter9717]

I still have posters and framed photos of my hero, David thorpe 😊 really enjoyed this video 👍

[@davebarlow6457]

The gentleman of motocross, a very humble guy and very , very fast. Shamefully disrespected by the American press in his prime but let his riding do the talking at the 1985 Motocross des nations in Gaildorf , just after taking the first of his 3 world 500 world titles. He easily beat the best the Americans had to offer in all three races that year without breaking a sweat , including the very fast and talented David Bailey who was on exactly the same works 500 Honda as Thorpe. A genuine guy and a credit to the sport.

[@deedeecapone]

To see this man is still on motorcycles brings tears of joy to my eyes. I was an Erik Geboers fan throughout the eightees but I saw Dave beat him more than just ocasionally. Respect, Dave.

[@pecasyamaha9880]

Thank you. This is great. An absolute true champion and true gentleman.

[@NBMBC40]

Legend

[@Senna-xi1gr]

True legend was Dave Thorpe. I loved watching him race in the 80s. 👍🏆🇬🇧

[@hvalour1]

Great video, thanks for sharing. Dave has a great perspective, he knows how fortunate he was to race those bikes in that time, and he kicked some ass.

[@paulwilliams8588]

David Thorpe superstar... I was one of them fans that traveled to support him. Thorpe made me proud to be British 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧👏

[@markholroyde9412]

First bike, first race, never ridden one before....1976 air cooled Elsinore 125cc, power band from hell...I was 15 years old. brutal back then. UK

[@theshootindutchman]

What a neat guy😊!

[@cliff1551]

Dave your what made you special ,I only ever rode once with you before an accident stopped me from racing but that day was the best day of my life to see you progress with honda and after 1989 when yo went to Kawasaki ,,Dave they wasn't good enough for you ,,Dave Thorpe the best there was and still is .

[@markpearce1582]

My hero as a school boy racer in the 80s still a hero now.

[@martymorse2]

Dave has always been a class act. Glad to see he has not changed with age. Great story!

[@warrenhoare2852]

Dave Thorpe was my hero in 80s’ and I was lucky to get a photo years later at a bike show. Whoever said never meet your heroes never met Dave Thorpe. Absolute legend!

[@chicanesimon]

Dave Thorpe and Geraint Jones (enduro) two of my biggest off road legends from the 80's, this interview exactly what I expected him to be like what a gent

[@derekcomer4858]

Top class sports people aren’t always the nicest, Dave is a lovely bloke and one of the very best ☺️

[@hansarends5150]

Growing up, he was the guy I looked up to. I’m lucky I got to ride on the same track with him, albeit it only once. GP 500cc Wohlen 1989. A true hero of mine

[@Betsy387]

The legand that is dave can't wait to see you at weston beach race 2023 love see you with kids they have no idear that there talking to a living legand ❤

[@volksquadman]

Proud to have met Dave with the last bike i won anything on an 89Cr500 - 36 yrs later! he is a total pro and a gent. He told me his Dad would leave him in Hawkstone all day with his bike and fuel=what a joy and inspiration to watch him ride there in those golden yrs.

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Having watched Bickers Smith Badger Goss etc in the 60s busy bringing up a family I never saw Dave actually ride but via the media I was able to see the success he had. He was clearly one of our top riders & along with so many other motorcycle greats never received the public recognition he deserved to receive.

[@raveninblack]

Great days indeed and a great scrambling champion.

[@robertdean3800]

Grown up watching dave Thorpe at hawkstone park what an absolute legend of the sport and it’s used to often these days an absolute gentleman thank you dave for some cherished memories

[@TimGuitarcouk]

Proper bloke.🍺🍺🍺

[@markcortis2348]

Real top bloke, a true gentleman. 👍

[@jdhart111]

exceptional!!

[@massimofalcinelli5043]

I saw Dave at the Italians GP in Esanatoglia in 1986, he won both legs, 45 Min. Each, at back in the day. I got the chance to approach him in his box, i was ten at the time and couldn't speak english, tried anyway to ask him for his autograph and he actually gave It to me, at least a thought so. A few years went by and one day i found It again but unfortunatly i noticed that instead of writing his name Dave gave me Just a Scribble. I have to admit, i was quite disappointed and didn't look at him with the eyes of a 10 years old child anymore... in this interwiew I ' Ve seen a great man, satisfied with his Life and his eyes don' t lye...respect to king Dave!

[@stevecurd3944]

watched Dave Thorpe at Wakes Colne mastering the amazing RC500 & still got Trials & Motorcross paper after he won the championship 1985

[@andypandy9931]

What a pleasant gentleman he is.

[@antquayle9275]

Thoroughly enjoyed that. Had the pleasure of seeing dave race more than once at hawkstone park with my dad in the 80s. Really brought back some memories there.

[@adrianwainwright4360]

The British Legend that even young riders know❤

[@loracle6051]

True legend this Man !

[@jonpowell8014]

Now thats a name that brings back memories of being a teen and my big sister taking me to Hawkstone Park to go and watch...

[@marcusfistarol8270]

I could Listen to him for hours.

[@spencerdesjarlais761]

Thank you for the great memories

[@markhudson5449]

Brilliant video. Spoke to him at Hawkstone in June this year. Absolute gent.

[@Seanmountford]

Great video I could listen to his stories for ever I watched David racing all through his career with my dad when we were racing who was also my machanic and Marshall but lost him 4 years ago.

[@MrNeilparry1]

My hero as a kid in the 80’s, still is to be honest 👏

[@candywheels2718]

Thank you Intense and relaxing, totally heart felt from the gate drop! Inspirational white key piano sets the mind at ease. The soft spoken gentleman was amazing to watch, witnessing an artist in motion as a child was life changing , we used to call Dave's riding , Match-stick precision! Training and practice sessions his tyres would tap the same exact spot each lap, lap after lap .5 variations on the stop watch, for 45 mins .. ... .. Comparable to Mr Mayagi catching fly's on a rodeo .... for a long time! Keiths choice of HRC's silky cranks and David's determination, they made Britain Great and helped form many athletes and minds alike.

[@keithfenwick5502]

Thanks… you meet the nicest people riding a Honda 🍀👍🙏

[@ianmangham4570]

All i can remember is Murray Walker saying "Here's the leader Dave Thorpe" 80s TV , day's of TisWas and Mike Reed saying G G G GO /Noels swapshop/stig of the dump 🇬🇧🤠🙏 great days

[@jaradgoodwin649]

We were coming out of foxhills British in 90 and saw Dave, my dad said, “what wheels you on?” He replied “ D.I.D” my dad said “No I mean what car you driving” he laughed! Down to earth guy

[@manelprietobausa7634]

Uno de los mejores sobre la 500, un idolo para mi, y eso que nunca le vi correr en directo, ya que yo naci en el 91' . Pero verle pilotar aunque sea en videos viejos me pone los pelos de punta, gran piloto, una leyenda viva del motocross

[@barryjackson2197]

BRILLIANT video

[@koromuri97]

We were all so lucky to be around the pinnacle period of Moto X, either as rider wobbling around, or to watch the sports legends. Dave Thorpe, other than to say thank you for the best memories of my life.

[@ianbarber6463]

Dave was spot on about Graham Noyce. My dad briefly spannered for him when he had 6 months on Husky. Some great stories. He was the James Hunt of MX.....The golden era of Motocross for sure :0)

[@andyjackson2269]

What a legend Thorpey is, would of loved to have been around for the 500 GP days👍

[@wtfftw24]

True Gentleman

[@biggussniffus5537]

2 strokes are the best! Wish 2 stroke racing would come back.

[@Tyke63360]

Legend.

[@ianbarber6463]

Great story Dave Thorpe, the man, the gentleman, the father, the son, the legend, the nicest guy I ever met who was also a Three Time World champion. I remember him racing HSSC with the crew on the Heron RM Suzuki. He was so much faster and smoother than any other rider it was clear he would make it. And now he continues to be a success at life after MX. King David I salute you my friend.👏👏👏

[@stevecoughlan5256]

Idolfold, Nr Kirdford as I recall.. 1976 HSSC meet.. he was def different class then and still is

[@ianbarber6463]

@@stevecoughlan5256 Yes one of many HSSC tracks that no longer exist. I think Golding Barn is probably the only circuit remaining. 😕

[@stevecoughlan5256]

@@ianbarber6463 Yep.. and even that's gone now, aside I think from Training days I believe.. Saw DT there too.. British championship.. Damn he was good, should have been a 5 time WC for sure

[@ianbarber6463]

@@stevecoughlan5256 As he says only regret was going to team green. Bit like Kurt Nicol should have won a world title but for injuries. We had some great MX riders then. Look now we have no one anywhere near the top in MX Garbage GP.

[@neilellis7827]

What a nice humble guy a real champion

[@TheJelf10]

Legend 🔥🔥🔥

[@rogernorman200]

We never met but I am distantly related to Dave. I met his Father, Keith a few times through the family. Really weird because I have been into bikes all my life. His cousin Martin had bikes as well. Strange old world

[@AndrewHobbs-l4x]

My hero and friend

[@Evo836]

#1 such a hero of mine to beat the likes of Jobe Malherbe Geboers Carlqvist Bruno Velthoven and on it goes.

[@131601]

That’s a true Champion…………

[@davemonday5381]

Incredible always focused a athlete younger generations of riders can look up to. I must admit I thought Noyce was fantastic too.

[@RobwithScoobyScooby]

My boyhood hero , prior to the 1984 british 500gp at hawkstone pk i was racing yz yamaha's in the schoolboys from that moment on it was a CR , It was Axo boots an MDS Helmet , Oakley Goggles , yoko gear the list goes on , for selling a brand DT was priceless if you was British you wanted to emulate that , Great times , Riders hold firm to this day as legends so sad so many have gone , thank you David and the HRC Brand 👍

[@steveperelli3602]

❤ Honda is my favorite color red

[@psychosneighbor1509]

I was mid-teens when Dave won that first 500 World Championship and while the USA was already on top when it came to the MXDN, it was still like Christmas morning for me whenever the 500 GP's were shown on Wide World of Sports. Dave is legend like so many others that raced that era. It's a shame that, even today, great racers like Tomac won't cross the pond and take-up against the Herlings' and Cairoli's in MXGP after they've won everything there is to win in the US. Just rinse and repeat. Maybe Jett Lawrence will have the nads...

[@danielverleih9899]

When we (the guys from the golden area) think about the ride we all want to have is to have a ride at HRC at this time. And Dave was the King of that area (despite the day in `86 when the O´Show beat him on a 125, sorry Dave. But also on a HONDA)

[@birybenjamin3522]

Great carrier

[@justinquinn5780]

I thought he was a bit special, when he turned up at our Amca meeting at Everdon in 78 ,on the 250 red rocket racing no 9 , 🏁😊

[@markdjsonicfxalsop]

HI DAVE , IS THERE A PRT 2❤

[@DanHolliday177]

👊🏻🏁❤️

[@monocogenit1]

2024 Honda Icelandic Twin?? Lol cool video

[@Team-fabulous]

Motocross was never really my bag being a road racer but also having competed in both but id just love to sit down with Thorpe and Noyce over a pint and listen to their story's.... A wonderful era in motorcycle racing...

[@davidholliday873]

Dave I bought a kx250 in the eighties I was told u once owned it,I bought it in wallingford Oxfordshire.could that be correct?regards dave

[@leecameron7132]

They was definitely the best days of the two strokes evo days four strokes will never get near two strokes . would love to see Dave Thorpe rip a cr 250 on a track past some of these people now a days

[@tessbushell5489]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻👍🏻

[@brunodealmeidajabrayan5563]

👏👏👍👍👊👊.

[@stuartingram9439]

Raced at Horsham schoolboys with Dave in the mid 70s, albeit he was a tad faster....lol.

[@LouisSkelding]

Anyone know what happened to the documentary that was meant to be out around Easter?

[@uncensored5104]

Used to see Dave practicing at the Old Dean. I used to watch in awe whilst trying to ride my RM465

[@cameroncameron2826]

I'm pretty sure it was him practicing on hounslow heath circa 74/75 too.

[@crispincurtis8585]

🤓😎🤙

[@andrewlongman8288]

Mr Cool

[@mattmanning9267]

Does he not like Kawasaki then?

[@sebastianspalding5016]

hey my rmz450 starts every time too lol

[@Thomas-z9t5k]

Basically it’s a advert

[@michelcasanova9773]

Gréât gréât rider dave