Motocross Dying Out?

[@stephenwilson1012]

Motocross used to a blue collar sport, now it's a gated community training facility homeschooled privileged sport. Thank Davey Coombs

[@jayarromansky5521]

CAN YOU PLEASE SAY THIS AGAIN AND LOUDER....ESPECIALLY WHO IS TO BLAME!

[@user-xh7rz6sh7t]

YEPPPPPPPPP!!!!!! But he’s trying to “grow the sport”. His dad would be livid.

[@Username-2]

It’s been this way for a long time. The only kids I knew in high school that could afford to race motocross had pretty wealthy families. This was around 09.

[@mx_guy9182]

Yep and it pisses me off we need to figure out a way to take our sport back

[@patrickwillson2139]

FUCKING NAILED IT!!!!!!!!

[@BlueBallin_Mega]

Make 2 strokes great again

[@dhones23]

Yes. I came here to say this!

[@MotoSucks406]

2 strokes cost more all around than a 4 stroke dumbass

[@maxrpm2215]

Yep same here, 4strokes started the slow death of the best sport ever.

[@lancaster5808]

it has nothing to do with 2 strokes..

[@SLAYJUCE]

This has everything to do with two strokes !!! YYAAATT!!

[@booger65man]

Motocross isn’t the only thing dying out. Everything is dying out because nothing is affordable for the working man anymore. It’s only going to get worse from here. I’m afraid to say.

[@ronald8673]

With the advent of AI and robotics, more people will be musical chairing for less jobs. The WEF's plan is in play.

[@spartanx169x]

True. But also nobody is talking about how the younger generation as a whole has lost interest in motorsports, period. All motorsports are in decline. The younger generation is too occupied with their phones and memes and are taught to be scared of everything. They are not taught anything about cars or motorcycles. They can't look at a car engine and tell you how many cylinders it has or what the alternator is.

[@steveoglesby4120]

Inflation is a direct response to money chasing goods and services. Cut government spending and inflation will solve itself.

[@BlueRidgeKat1]

Inflation the past 4 years is on a increase rate that no one can keep up with. Yet millions will run out in a few months and vote for Ho Harris and more of the same.

[@booger65man]

The problem is, it’s not just the Democrats. Both parties act in unison to screw the little man. It’s called the uniparty for a reason. I’m pretty sure Trump is part of it as well. He talks about the swamp, but then put swamp creatures in his administration. I think the guy is full of shit.

[@thejimshow7170]

I started racing in 1977 with a $1200 Rm250. I could leave the house with $20 and pay for a day's racing and have enough left to stop and get a burger meal on the way home. Having a full 40 riders on the line was more often than not and most time, there were two 125 C classes in order to get everyone in! Folks normally would get new bikes about every other year. Looking now on folks' KZbin amature racing videos, a lot of times there are only about a dozen or so on the line if that! What once was affordable racing for the common folks is now getting farther out of reach. It's truly sad.

[@EllisRitter-ui6qu]

Yeah, we had 125 cc beginner with 40 guys on the line, 2 full gate of 125 cc novice, 125 cc intermediate and 125 expert, full 250 cc novice, intermediate and expert, open intermediate and expert, and to many mini's to remember. Those were the days.

[@GT-mn3bx]

California had 200 125 Pros, and racing 5 days a week at nights.

[@johncast9565]

good read.

[@MX-CO]

We had 3 125c classes local in the early 90's

[@bikesbeersbeats]

HCOL and price of gas. It now costs a lot just to get to a venue. Then add parking fee, camping fee, race fee, ama membership, district membership. All the small fees and maintenance add up.

[@coldairbuick]

Motocross has been on a down-turn for quite some time. Just as with car racing, there used to be a ton of tracks. Many of these tracks used to be in rural areas and slowly those areas were chewed up by development and urban sprawl. No local track = No local racers. It’s happening everywhere. This directly affects bike sales. 25 years ago local dealers had rows of moto bikes on the showroom floor. Now there is just a few. Prices go up because the economy of scale has shrunk. I see this all over.

[@joshbridges9234]

Crf250 msrp 2005: $6,000 2015: $7,600 2025: $8,300 With the crazy dealer fees of today it’s becoming normal for new bikes to cost over $10,000

[@joshhartwig1266]

That is pretty much keeping pace with inflation. Something that cost $6k in 2005 would cost $9642 in 2024..... The costs have gone up some but they have not doubled for nothing.

[@joshbridges9234]

@@joshhartwig1266 The issue is that wages have not matched inflationary rates. Median US household income in 2005 was about 46k, in 2023 it was about 46k.

[@TN_HondaDad]

We're not that far off from 2030 but I imagine a new dirt bike will be about 17K OTD

[@trezhan]

That is why I dropped ^^^^ had a new crf250 and couldn't buy one a few years later because of the price increase let alone maintenance.

[@UncleChud]

1978 cr250 Elsinore $1800

[@BlackRifleRack]

Greed kills everything.

[@writehandman2833]

Too true. Whether you're buying a bike or rebuilding a bike it is just beyond what most kids can afford.

[@deweysturgill6220]

So sad. It's this way with all motorsports today. Saturday night oval dirt tracks, drags, sportbike track days club road racing its all going to die out.

[@weirdo1083]

Free market capitalism ruins everything.

[@user-xh7rz6sh7t]

The good old days of putting a new top end every few months are lonnnnnnng gone.

[@lukesands4394]

Even parents.

[@jknisley4317]

We need more MEN like ryan hughes, to many people afraid to tell the truth worrying about offending a PERSON OR GROUP OF PERSONS. NEED MORE MEN LIKE RYNO!!!👍👌🤝

[@902_Nick]

When he's right , he's right

[@Erick-di9gm]

Almost never. Guys struggling for relevance.

[@bdubz01]

@Erick-di9gm totally agree! I was a huge fan back in the day, but now he just seems bitter lol

[@user-xh7rz6sh7t]

@@Erick-di9gmAlmost never right, how? Lay it on us what he’s been wrong about? Sincere question.

[@mikeandrews1899]

@@bdubz01 hmmm.....he always seemed a little bitter. But , true grit is always a little rough .....

[@SpaceRanger187]

No he isn't. everything only went up 3% Biden said so. They would never lie so it must be true. Your doing your math wrong was 50 now 100 is only a 3% difference

[@jackcompton8752]

It's not just moto. The entire economy has been rigged against the middle class... those who support moto and other adventure sports the most. When grandson started racing enduro 3 year ago, it was $175 for a weekend... it's now $350 for the exact same loadout. The cost of EVERYTHING is going up while pay is, and has been for decades, stagnant.

[@AZFarmFun-hp1cu]

“Equity” means EVERYONE is equally poor as hell.

[@steven.9263]

The wealth of the 1% is growing faster right now than it ever has, so you're wrong.

[@lithium25693]

@@AZFarmFun-hp1cu capitalism means the rich get richer and the poor get poorer

[@TheSansoomike]

The political class criminals are the ones creating the laws and regulations that have killed the middle class and the types of jobs that created the middle class . Bring back manufacturing and make free trade , equal trade and the middle class will be obtainable once again for many people!

[@earl6969]

Loretta's National journey was a money vacuum this year for everything and everyone. You two sound like bought and sold union guys that bought a bike once... Capitalism works when liberals wear work boots. 🇺🇸MAGAMOTO🇺🇸

[@straighttimestirrups]

Davey Coombs and his sister are the worst thing to happen to Amateur Motocross Period and I feel the same about Pro Motocross! They need to be run out of the industry! Families wasting $1,000’s a Year to race Loretta Lynn’s for what? To make the Coombs rich, is absolutely ludicrous! Families invest in your kid’s future’s instead of the Coombs retirement fund!

[@motostarmx1777]

100

[@tndeere2]

Your right. I have a friend he and his wife both make a six figure income and they are scaling way back on their sons racing next year. Just way too expensive for them.

[@bobbybishop5662]

The factory amateur support programs are out of control and need to be restricted by AMA. These top factory kids are being paid as amateurs and that is flat wrong . I think the Deegan bike claim fiasco woke a lot of people up. Support your local racing or there won't be any tracks left.

[@celineferdinand6944]

It's run like a mafia cartel. I suspect that Davey and Carrie Coombs are members of the same tribe that rhymes with 'news.'

[@robinjohnson4613]

This is who he is talking about….

[@braytonedlin976]

The biggest impact I have noticed locally, insurance is killing track owners. Insurance is up 300% from last year.

[@ffarmchicken]

That’s because riders get injured and some ambulance chasing attorneys tell the rider they can get some money out of the tracks insurance policy. Even though the rider signed a waiver.

[@contractor9391]

I was in the process of building a mx track open to the public and the the liabilities was too great. People have a right to sue to track owners in TN even though they know what they are there for. And the insurance companies' premiums are ridiculous!!! Now i know you can do a waiver and not use ins. but even then people are still sue happy. If TN had a law to where people could not sue the track owners like California has in place i would be building the track tomorrow. love the sport but laws, greed, and lawsuits are killing the sport.

[@Mr.Stroke0331]

Best part is the dealer charging 2.5k on top of msrp to put a front wheel and handlebars on 🤡

[@mpasel4756]

Yeah and include a mark up when it’s supposedly on sale

[@is2good4u]

2.5k is a discount. 4 grand is what dealers are tacking on

[@mpasel4756]

@@is2good4u yeah freaking outrageous.

[@charlesprice7608]

@@is2good4urefuse to pay setup and delivery fees. If they didn’t have it on the floor for me to buy I would go else where. Same with cars, they have to have it on the lot to sell it. That’s all on them. Toyota thought I was joking, I walked out and told them to refund my down payment within 24 hours.

[@yellowveedub]

I opened a YCF Piranha pitbike shop last year. I realize now why big dealerships tack on fees. Those big shops also have huge overheads. I run mine from my building next to my house. I've collected all the tools over the past 40yrs. No extra rent to pay here. No extra electricity to pay. Just phone Internet and insurance. I don't tack all those fees on. When I build the bikes I add grease to all the bearings, adjust the valves, set the carbs and take care of any little things that needs addressed. I'm slowly building up so in a few years when I retire from my full-time job I can do this full-time. I honestly like to see people happy ripping around on these pitbikes

[@GT-mn3bx]

Start? Remember when California had racing 5 days a week and at nights? Comparably, it is dead.

[@toaster3708]

supercross tickets in Seattle , $200 a seat after being scalped instantly by AI and resold through ticket master, original price was $23

[@MX-CO]

@toaster3708 I would absolutely refuse to go under those circumstances, just don't buy them.

[@rmxrider20032000]

Scalpers are a big issue with that. It's any event that has a ticket and it's every time.

[@no-namecrown5510]

The cost of rebuilding a modern 4 stroke over the simple 2 stroke is eye watering!

[@AZFarmFun-hp1cu]

A modern amateur 450 top-end lasts 500 hours. I was doing a ring job in my KX250 every 20 hours, a new piston every 40 hours.

[@sabo7o7]

@@AZFarmFun-hp1culmfao 500 hours? Boy you’re smoking some good s**t.

[@mbvjg4217]

@@sabo7o7 if you know how to maintain things they can last a long time

[@patrickcoyne1292]

i have an 05 450r with probably close to 1500 hours on a stock motor.

[@Bryan-Hensley]

​@@AZFarmFun-hp1cumy 1999 KTM had 300 hours on the piston and rings. Not a single tear down. My 2002 KTM 300 ecx had 360 hours before I replaced the rings. My 2005 KTM 300 had 300 hours before I replaced the rings. My 2013 KTM 350 sxf starter sprag fell apart at 40 hours costing$1,100, again at 85 hours, upgraded to a 2015 sprag, flywheel at a cost of $850. The cams need replacing now at 320 hours, it's smoking so it needs rings, possibly a cylinder. It's going to cost around $2000 for that. Meanwhile I'm rebuilding a 2000 KTM 300 exc that going to cost about $600 for the full rebuild. I'm selling my 4 stroke.

[@tndeere2]

You’re 100% right. At 58 years old and life long rider our sport is pricing itself out of business. Corporate greed strikes once again.

[@khure711]

It’s called communism, not corporate greed.

[@bigfoot-id8bv]

Corporations are businesses like any other, government is the problem.

[@rmxrider20032000]

The rich people running the government is the problem.

[@mikevaughan7681]

It’s the Marxist in Government and Business destroying our economy and our country

[@lithium25693]

@@khure711 how is a private company charging 10k a bike communism?

[@tinanilo6226]

Back when my son was younger he raced a bit..... Load up, travel hours to a track, wait around all day for two 15 minute motos.... Not even worth it. We trail ride now... no waiting around all day, no forms to fill out, no loud overcrowded pits with chaotic parking , no obsessive hockey style parents...

[@Bryan-Hensley]

That's why I race harescrambles, 2 hours long at least.

[@davidwelch40]

Love Ryan , straight O.G. !! Met him & Jeff Emig off Etiwada @ track by my house in 1988. They were in Ryan's lifted truck with RYNO Plates. Guys gave me MAD Love & got to ride & hang out by Ryan's truck.. I was 16 yrs old & now 54. SOMETHING ILL NEVER FORGET. THANK YOU RYAN & JEFF FOR BEING SOOOO,,, KIND & COOL !!💯🇺🇲💪⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❤️🏆

[@christors]

Ryan, great content here. Im 50+ years old now and can remember buying a new race bike for under 5g all in with suspension work and some motor mods..... You are a great voice for everyone thanks for your dedication to the sport. Moto X has been turning into Nascar for years and now the average guy is priced out of the sport like you said.

[@irietropicals4255]

Preach it my brother! My dad took me and my brother all over Florida to race back in the early 2000s. And we were middle class. I don’t know how parents do it now

[@ffarmchicken]

Well, a co worker basically spent $100,000 and six months of his life driving his son to race the East Coast Amateur Nationals as a privateer. He told his son, this is your one chance, because we can’t afford to do this ever again. Moto is a rich man’s sport, regular people just don’t compete.

[@husky500cr]

I agree. I came back to the sport a couple of years ago and I could not believe the price for an aftermarket four-stroke pipe.

[@msoneely6417]

Open up some of the vacant indoor malls and make them into eMX facilities no pollution , no noise and open year round across the country with pit areas, charging stations, food court, accessories store, rental e-bikes, rent drones to film you riding that can be downloaded to your phone, cameras taking random pictures that you can purchase. Have a track for experts, novice, below 100cc or age groups. Races at certain times for each class awarding cumulative points and cash prizes for each series.

[@doylebunton5741]

Absolutely..!! You tell em Ryno..!!! Well said.!

[@mrabrasive51]

A weekend of snow skiing in Tahoe will run a family of 4 around 3 grand..and the resorts are packed all season!.its the haves and the have nots in every sport.

[@paulhepden2536]

Yes hear in the uk a British championship round had to be cancelled because of lack of entries just a few weeks ago. Sad.

[@liamhotspur9182]

In amateur racing we had hundreds of starters each weekend in Germany. Would be interesting how many show up there today...

[@paulhepden2536]

@@liamhotspur9182 hello yes they have a great series in Germany. Live coverage of the races on KZbin and they have some great looking natural tracks.

[@garycomer6028]

agreed,but i also would like to add riding places are going away as well.not necessarily because of cost of running a track,but because of people complaining about noise from riding and in turn getting tracks shut down.

[@drz400sm5]

Insurance.

[@ffarmchicken]

Insurance x2

[@ChickenWang0]

4 strokes replacing 2 strokes was the beginning of the end

[@delboy6384]

Just wait for electric to finally kill the sport

[@RonMarion]

​@@delboy6384Yes!

[@GerbenWelmer]

@@delboy6384could be the savior as well, less maintenance costs and noise is a big issue at the motocross tracks here in Europe. I like the sound and smell of 2 strokes but i really think electric bikes will save our sport in the long term…

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

No, it will be the final nail in the coffin. You went fron burning gasoline in your bike to burning it in your generator, that will drone incessantly over the weekend constantly trying to keep that heap charged.

[@GerbenWelmer]

@@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443 so you expect all motorsports will eventually come to an end. Indycar, nescar, F1, rally, dragracing, motocross.. everything because someday thats all going electric/hydrogen/whatever… i don’t buy it.

[@JRotten]

Life time racer. I haven't been able to afford a race weekend in years. Prices on everything is killing me.

[@bernibeckmann9753]

This is sad news. A friend just handed me a big stack of Dirt Bike and Motocross Action magazines he's finished with. Altho I have no intention of ever swinging a leg over a MX bike again it's still exciting to read about the vast off-road m/c options. If I had to buy my house or truck today I could not afford it as wages have not kept up. If I entered motocross today, same thing. In my country I blame the government for this 100%

[@jackcompton8752]

Amen, brother!

[@TheSansoomike]

If I had to buy my house today. There is no way I could save for the down payment. Nor would I be able to make the mortgage and afford the rest of my basic monthly bills! I make way more money now than I did when we bought the house 38 years ago! I blame the political class criminals in D.C. and my state capitol criminals! The middle class and working class people have zero representation in state and federal government!

[@chriskendall544]

Started racing in 1976 . In district #7 C -Class. There would be 3 full classes 40 riders. At the gate,, Which sometimes means of a rubber band stretching across your neck. lol ,,and you always walk away with a smile 😊

[@seangavingregory4367]

Many things and norms that we have known the past 50+ years are going to be changing. COVID, Price Gouging, Greed, Multiple Geopolitical issues, Wars, Ocean Piracy... so many factors here fellas..

[@jackcompton8752]

Bingo

[@liamhotspur9182]

Like in the movies, right?!

[@mikehemens9359]

you mean lock down. "covid" , factor man

[@ramcclure200]

Stolen elections and open borders will trickle down to us and it did.

[@cw3728]

In the UK its always been expensive, thats why so many kids are given a football. Plus we have nowhere to ride!

[@MikeyP82sf]

Even just maintenance alone. Air filters and cleaning supplies, oil/oil filters, chains/sprockets, top ends, tires, fuel, driving distance to track, etc. The list goes on. I love this sport, but I have very FEW friends who even ride.

[@Bad-decisions-and-good-times]

I spent easy 1800 a month of my own money just on gas, track fees, and Bike and gear maintenance..

[@MikeyP82sf]

@@Bad-decisions-and-good-times yup! Expensive ass sport but wouldn't trade it for the world!

[@thedonofcod]

in australia its 14.5k for a new 250f.. and thats only the bike, gotta pay for track, fuel for car and bike, all the gear aswell.. the drive usually is hours away becuase so many tracks arnt open anymre and thats IF there open that weekend.. I just take my mx bike in the bush now and practice that way

[@sauce1232]

Why would an amateur rider pay for a brand new bike when a 5-10 yo bike is more than enough?

[@tolonicks1]

1000% true / Hughes speaks the truth. I remember years ago there was always a full gate Now you show up to a race and you’re lucky to have four racers on your gate. Crazy times

[@DaleMeese]

I will date myself here but in the early 80's when I was growing up everyone had a motorcycle and was riding. Now hardly any of the kids have a bike and are riding, don't forget that a kid that has a bike usually means the dad has one. I have discussed this with my friends and we all agree that the bikes are too dam expensive.

[@TomConrad-td5qi]

I used to get a new bike about every year in the 80s...Just bought my first chyna bike because of the price.

[@RonMarion]

For the cost of a couple of smartphones, tablets and the latest video game consoles, the parents could have bought their kid a decent dirt bike. A lot of kids nowadays simply do not have any interest in doing anything outdoors.

[@Palmdalebandit_]

He’s right

[@user-li8rr8uu7d]

Thank you brother for not being “owned” by anyone. I hope more industry people grow some balls and stand up for what’s right…before it all melts away!!! I always appreciate what Ryan has to say on many things involving this sport. Rock on!!!

[@thereadinesschannel7610]

I go back to old school days and the death of the sport started back in Eighties imo. I bought my last new motorcycle in 82 and it was 1600 bucks. I worked in a tire shop after school and Saturdays and funded my own program racing at my local track and Indian dunes year round. the gates were stacked with riders, tracks were fast, fun and approachable for weekend warriors of every skill level. Enter the double/ triple jump stunt show era and guys started getting hurt …often. I know two guys that are in wheelchairs for life from trying to clear a triple they shouldn’t have. Beginning rider/ racers who couldn’t even do a lap on some of these designs either moved away from the sport, or never started. Motorcycles grew in cost vastly each year to the point where we are now ( which is far outside the discretionary budget of a lot of potential beginners to the sport) and if we are being honest, are way to explosive and fast for average ( beginning racers) riders. tracks began closing everywhere due to lawsuits and the apathy of riders ( and the factories) to get involved with the fight to keep riding areas open. Notice I called out the Big 4 in last sentence. These companies who had the funds and motive to enter the political battle we were in were nowhere to be seen in any meaningful way and all of us involved with small efforts were systematically defeated year after year. You can’t tell me dirt motorcycle sales haven’t plummeted since those days. By the 90s, the sport of motocross as I knew it was over; shops, dealers, and aftermarket businesses mostly disappeared from Main Street and motocross racing became akin to formula one racing.

[@jerelaitinen7539]

I agree with the gnarliness factor. During weekends on the track in the shift where jumping is allowed pretty much everyone is a "pro" racer with a license. Idk if it's about the gnarliness or the cost/work of riding but there are almost no beginners

[@mxbadboy263]

Very true. Our local track had a fund raiser at the end of the year for the kid that was put into a wheelchair every year. Every outdoor track turned into a supercross track.

[@1176hambone]

He's got the balls to say

[@MichiganManiak]

Ryno can you dispell the myth that Pro riders get everything for free? That's part of the problem with this sport. People don't understand racing is like gambling...you hope to win and make money but if you don't win you actually loose money. Saying around here is "you make a small fortune racing by starting out with a big one"

[@frankss5647]

Raced for ten years back in the 90s, was alot then , now it is crazy. Best years of my youth. Would trade it for a million bucks. 1993 cr 250, no 4 strokes, 2 motos ,replacing pistons and having a ball. Still have the bike, can't get rid of it, too many memories.

[@danmandorca8390]

Bring back two strokes these four stroke machines are crazy expensive it’s getting to the point that the average person or family can’t afford their son or daughter to race

[@skidmarksteven69]

wait until you see the prices of the ducatis comming out. MENTAL. Not to mention their whole electric bike globalist bs they push

[@FloridaMotoDad]

Unfortunately we are past that point.

[@bdubz01]

The cost of the bikes have actually stayed relatively close to the rate of inflation. In 1996 I payed 4800.00 otd for my 1996 cr 250 and in 2024 that 4800 is now 9662.00 according to the inflation calculater on the federal reserve website.

[@joshbridges9234]

@@bdubz01yeah, I mean it’s obvious the prices go up with inflation. The issue is that wages do not match that rate any more

[@bdubz01]

@joshbridges9234 unfortunately that's not the manufacturers fault. But the days of msrp are over. These dealers are sitting on inventory from last year. The used bike marketbis just sad. You can see the people who paid 13,000 otd for a 10,000 bike listing them for higher what the dealers are advertising. I see the sport suffering big time in the near future

[@jamespolucha8790]

You are so correct, I’m an old man now but remember back when I was racing as a young kid my dad saying it’s too expensive luckily I got a sponsorship from a motorcycle dealership but now days the only kids racing and getting anywhere are the rich kids, it’s ashame how high everything is and so many good racers out there that will never get a chance to race at that next level

[@franciscolopez3229]

Yeah, bring back the 2 strokes!

[@MX-CO]

In the 1970’s and 1980's a Teenager could buy his own bike with a part time job

[@ffarmchicken]

That would have been me 😊 Great memories.

[@loopeyshooter503]

Made my day hearing your from the heart take on the way it is. Here's hoping we all get back to a place where we can buy all the toys for our boys & girls.

[@TRUMPPOWERMAN]

The 2-stroke would bring motocross back as it was back in the 70's though the 90's but the catch is the ultra expensive works bike needs brought back also for the simple reason the regular guy buying dirt bikes gets to see a year in advance what the manufacturers most likely will be selling next year. The 4-stroke motor, manufacturering rebuilding applying performance parts is way to expensive for everybody involved even the manufacturers on account of changing heads crankshaft cams every year to try to keep a competitive edge over the competition, whereas the 2-stroke motor not only is it lighter can be built and changed and performance upgrades and rebuilt at a fraction of the cost of 4-stroke motor. If performance wasn't an issue the prices might not be so extravagant, but motocross is all about the latest and the greatest of parts and handing traits which brings us back the the 2-stroke being much lighter and it's weight sets lower in the frame making for a better handing dirt bike. I can go on and on as most likely most old school motocrossers can about this problem we got with the motocross world losing ground on falling out of flavor on account of expenses just to ride a dirt bike of today. I would love to own a few dirt bikes myself today but at $10,000 a pop just to get one out the door and that don't include fine tuning it performance wise to your liking, and then the expense of rebuilding it to keep it up to snuff, rules me back to the otherside of the fence watching . . . Anyways, that's my take on it, feel free to tell me where I'm wrong, I'm like Ryan here, I love the sport of motocross and have since 1970 when it was just coming to America as a dirt bike sport, been hooked on it ever since . . .

[@leonilsson9310]

I got shivers while watching this, thanks Rhino for the true words #SUPPORTTHESPORT !!

[@davidornelas5835]

Less places to ride.....more riders at each track.

[@mxcostadelsol3651]

Here in Belgium, 40 years ago there was a track in almost every villages....Now we have 2 tracks for the whole country!

[@montycrain5783]

Motocross was at it’s biggest and best when its backbone was 125 two strokes supported by 250 and open class. As a kid at the time the bikes were competitive and cheap enough that even a kid could work hard in a summer and be able to afford one, say a 1978 Suzuki RM125C New.

[@DonHogan-wi2yj]

Bought used 450sx. Owner rode it an hour. Back tire still had titties. Within month or two oil pump issue cost over 1500 to fix. Mechanic was friend and gave me deal. Sold it. Could replace jug and piston multiple times for one tiny 4stroke repair. And 12k+ for new bike? Nope.

[@chriswatkins2876]

Perfectly said. Brand new bikes used to cost $5-6K.....going to the track used to be $20 per day. Fuel was a couple bucks per gallon....and parts weren't overly priced like they are now. Things have absolutely gotten out of control and it is absolutely absurd to think it can continue without something falling apart.

[@crazyhenry6287]

It’s the reason I stopped racing.

[@shawnoconnor9692]

We been collecting bikes since I was in high school. We got over 50 ranging from Elsinore to a super sweet 03 kx125. I race a 96 yz250, parts are cheap, bike is great, and most tracks offer millennium classes and next gen and all that

[@keithtarrier4558]

Yep! I just looked at new bike prices just today! HOLY COW Batman!!! It is OUR sport, and we need to support OUT sport!

[@Erick-di9gm]

Stop looking at the ktm family! Overpriced, sub par quality.

[@MotoSucks406]

@@Erick-di9gmKTM is China brand come 2025

[@liamhotspur9182]

How much is a new 450 Honda 2025, cash at the shop?!

[@ffarmchicken]

@@MotoSucks406KTM castings are made in India now.😢

[@jerelaitinen7539]

In my country the mandatory insurance for a bike is the biggest money sink. If you ride around the year it's pretty much same as a new bike in about 4-5 years

[@Half.Throttle.adventures.]

Idk everytime I'm at the track it's way crowded everyone on new bikes..including me.

[@Jerry-LZ]

Doesn’t mean they can afford it though just because they already have it. There’s a number of people who are ok with making payments or loans on a dirt bike. A dirt bike shouldn’t send you into the red is the point being made I’m pretty sure

[@bmotomo421]

Yeah, that's part of the problem. Begginer and novice class riders think a brand new bike is a requirement. When in most cases, a well maintained ten year old bike is way more bike than they're capable of using. And it's like that with everything that goes along with this sport. Gotta get a pipe. Gotta get the latest gear. Gotta have every little do-hicky that hits hits the market regardless of whether it make them faster. A few years ago, at a swapmoto event al LACR. My brother went out at 52 years old and raced for the first time. They put him on the gate with over 30, 40, and 50 novice. When the gate dropped, he was the last rider out of the first turn. Then he proceeds to pass all the over 50 guys. Then all the 40+ guys. And then all the 30+ guys to win the moto. Second moto went exactly like the first. After the second moto, a couple of the faster guys in the class came over to talk and check out the bike. They couldn't fathom how a fat 230lbs guy on a twenty year old Honda XR250 could run down the entire field of modern 250s and 450s. In both motos. He had been doing track practice days on that bike for fifteen years. Every time he went out, his friends would tell him he needed a newer bike. He would usually reply, " new bike? I can barely afford new tires." It ain't a fashion, people. Concentrate more on how much fuel you burn at the track. And not so much on matching your shoes with your purse.

[@Half.Throttle.adventures.]

@Jerry-LZ mabe it just the area I live but everyone has new monster trucks with new toy haulers all their kids have brand new bikes and gear. Maybe financed maybe not.

[@mikehoncho7165]

Also, the places to ride are dwindling too. Most people can't travel 2-3 hours every weekend to race. land is being bought up by developers and ordinances are preventing tracks from being built in certain communities. Nobody is behind the sport and fighting for the little guys.

[@jayeddleston9486]

Parts are expensive,place to ride expensive,just the gas is insane

[@donnieburger3721]

reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@SketchyXC]

Salt must flow!

[@sburns2421]

@lawrencefleck1117 You are not putting 87 octane in you CRF250. The premium is $3.68 and you may use 10 gallons a weekend!!!

[@1622yamaha]

125 class for 16 to 21 year olds at the Nats. Quali's on Friday, one 5 to 10 lap main on the big day Saturday. Limited mods, teardowns on top 3 finishers to enforce. Maybe some lower entrance fees and such. I also kinda miss the races being on Sunday

[@justiningle8884]

I have always and I do mean always loved Ryan Hughes..he is raw but he puts his money where his mouth is

[@TonyLara-l5d]

I started participating in the sport in 1969. Rhino is absolutely right about what he says!He would be the only autograph I’ve ever even asked for and I’m grateful he signed my Jersey!

[@BL-hj7ht]

A little off topic in terms of sport, but my son plays soccer and we are being pushed out because we can't afford the fees and travel required. Only the wealthy (or more well off) families are chosen to play at a higher level.....Because they could afford to be around!!!

[@bjneilan1]

Making 200k a year. Can’t even afford to buy a water pump seal replacement for my 08 KTM 450. Bikes been sitting since May

[@blubug768]

then youre bad with money/moto is waaaay down on your expenditure list and not a priority.

[@microsoft790]

Honestly dude with 200k a year you have to just be bad with money or have ten kids

[@Erick-di9gm]

Ktm there's your problem

[@KodiakAlpha]

Sadly $200k in Southern California (Orange County) puts a person at ”Lower Middle Class”. That’s not an opinion that’s a fact. I made $100+k in the early 90s and my two boys raced PeeWee through 80cc. It was fun but very expensive and I wondered how others did it. I found out much later that many parents were mortgaging their homes so their kids could race with a dream to turn pro. The only kids that made pro in our circle were the Alesi’s and Tony worked his ass off to make that happen.

[@bjneilan1]

@@blubug768only bill I have is cheap mortgage, 2 kids in private school, and a little left on student loans from wife’s school. I’d say I’m cost wise way below most.

[@Re-Cycle.Shop2023]

It’s great to hear Ryno speak out! He is spot on! Too bad the people who matter refuse to heed his words!

[@MichiganManiak]

I work in the industry and own a business in the industry and the last few years there has been nearly everyone who races asking for sponoship regardless of performance or character. It's like "Oh I have 300 likes on FB I can get your name out there" will you give me free parts and labor. The riders don't want to support the sport unfortunately. Soon enough companies will close and nobody to work on or tune the bikes. These kids and parents think all these pro race teams get free everything. I can promise you that NOBODY gets free anything in this sport. Even yhe factory teams. They still have to spend the factories money yo build the bikes and pay the workers in japan or Austria to manufacture the parts. A privateer might get a free bike or kit from someone but that someone paid for it. Nothing in this sport is free somewhere somehow someone is footing the bill. Very few actually make a living worth retiring from this sport!

[@MotoFamMayhem]

My daughter has been racing the past 4 years multiple classes.... We've not asked for anything free, in fact with the price of food and even going to something like an amusement park. I find the price to be relatively reasonable. Although I'm not gonna argue it still costs a ton and a half 😂

[@Stroopwaffe1]

In the UK they had to cancel the Foxhills round of the "Fastest 40" UK Pro Motocross just recently.

[@AaronS-ml1bh]

It's happening in bass fishingg also

[@timeandmaterialsdanforth5511]

This is capitalism at its finest.. The gov allows corps to treat us this way..

[@burtmiller8624]

That's because the billionaire class & corporations on wall st. own (bribe) politicians on both sides of the isle. I don't think there is a cure for it.

[@peterleonard9759]

Make the jumps smaller, tighten the track layout so your friends can watch everything going on, and make it about the ride and not the bike cuz in the end most riders are the limiting factor and not the bike. Does anybody else have this feeling?

[@donnieburger3721]

600$ for a rear wheel (450r) wtf honda

[@stuarthipkins8336]

Think about it..bike 10grand 2:06 ..helmet 300. Boots 300. Pants gloves shirt 400. Truck 70 thousand. Gas. Tools..oh dont forget your car insurance just doubled.. ramp...stand...entry fee..gas to get there...motorhome or trailer...crazy..

[@tommywallbanger]

He's right about the prices going up with the exception of what you're getting paid. I got my 1st job in 1988 when I was 15. I made $5 an hour but my dad was probably making $25. He was a heavy equipment operator. I was making 1/5 of what he was making. Now I have a Teamster truck driving job making $31 an hour. Minimum wage in my state is $15 an hour. The minimum wage is so high now compared to the average wage. Minimum wage jobs are not meant to be lived off of, it's for kids who are getting their first jobs or unskilled workers. Call it inflation or what you will. It's just crazy. I'm just agreeing with what he's saying. It's everywhere, not just MX. I'm a free rider myself. I just do my own thing and I still ride 2 strokes. I usually buy an older used bike that someone bought , never rode, and then sells it because "they never have any time to ride." I've never bought a used bike but I love smoking people who can't ride on brand new $10,000 bikes.

[@2aguy144]

This is why I love the vintage classes.

[@chuckchambers9565]

THE DOLLAR IS GOING DOWN .....

[@CharlesWinters-ie3jy]

I will agree with this. I just purchased a bike for my grandson. What really shocked me was the extra charges. I use to go in and buy a bike and they gave you a price. You added state tax and you had the price. Now they add assembly and shipping. They make you buy a title that you will never use. Then they add state tax. The extra charges are about the same as I paid for my first race bike. I remember when a lot of riders had two bikes to run two classes. Don’t see that much anymore. You use two see the same people at every track within 125 miles. You go 100 miles away and hardly anyone from the track the week before is there. The cost is hurting motocross.

[@blubug768]

Go try ANY other motorsport and you'll realize moto is a poor mans sport.

[@OtisFlint]

This is very true. When my buddy raced spec miata (one of the cheapest forms of auto racing) it was $50k/season and that was 10 years ago, and he just did the essentials, nothing really high end, no luxuries.

[@dcxplant]

IMO, the biggest problem is access to dirt riding.

[@dumbdumb572]

That's more of a California issue, no? Here in Arizona it's hard to not find places to ride

[@dcxplant]

@@dumbdumb572 Many states. East coast is all private land and very few public lands have access to motos. West is generally good, even CA. I”ve live in AZ, CA, all over eastern seaboard for reference. If kids don’t have access, they don’t get involved in the sport.

[@2Phast4Rocket]

I live in SoCal. Back in the 80s and 90s of the last centuries, families would trailer their bikes to Riverside or the high desert to ride. Now many of the places were bought up and fenced up. The entry cost for a weekend ride is a lot higher now.

[@shawnmichael6190]

I raced Motocross in the '80s. Glad to have experienced it back then. Now I am just an old ATV Rider ripping down the trails that's still cheap to do and lots of fun!!

[@dustin9035]

I go to Daytona every year for the supercross. 2018 The Plaza Resort and Spa on the water, ocean front room with balcony, kitchen and couch was 174.00 a night. Two years ago it was almost 800 per night so now we stay at a Days Inn for 225.00 a night. General admission use to be 15 dollars. Now it’s astonishing the cost of the venue because you have to pay to park, fees fees fees etc.. Chicken sandwiches are 18 dollars, wtf!

[@norcalstar484h]

A 125 and 250 was 1,700 back in late 70/80s .Friday night racing under the lights and sunday motocross most of the northern california tracks are gone .Riding to get to that level was were you lived now its homeless everywhere .i was blessed to have great parents and rode /raced in the beginning of it all

[@JamesyMusial14]

Yeah definitely already seeing it alot here in Australia barely anyone at the races these days but the practice days are still super busy, because that’s what’s fun and affordable at the moment.

[@johnsheltonsheltonsteadfar9737]

I always wanted to race but never was allowed to as a child so therefore life happened and moved on but I have always enjoyed going to local races which isn't very often in my area. We used to have some races in Jefferson Texas but that man got old and no one has picked it up again so it's another area that has died. As a lifelong motorcyclist I understand the fact everything has gotten out of hand expensive but yet our wages haven't gone up. The other part you didn't address is insurance, I talked with a wealthy friend of mine about opening up diamond Don's track but when we checked on insurance it was absurd and we couldn't afford it. Don't know what the answer is brother but thank you for speaking and bringing this topic up

[@sawtoothscream1521]

Costs too much and not many places to ride around my area anymore. Sucks, i loved riding when i was younger and want another dirtbike so bad.

[@canamrider07]

My first “bike” was the Classic Honda Mini Trail 50. I think it was around $200 which was a lot back in the late 60’s. Next bike was a 1972? Yamaha 100 LTMX, it was around $600 and awesome. My last bike was a Suzuki 125 1974? MX, around $700. The European bikes, Husqvarna, Penton, etc were $1k back then.

[@MichaelForrestChnl]

If Suzuki would remake and sell their RM's from about 20 years ago then that would help keep low budget people in the sport. And some of them may even beat modern bikes in local races.

[@jonmccormick8683]

Yamaha still has the YZ125, YZ250 2-smokes and they are a few thousand cheaper also. Gas-Gas, Husky, KTM etc.

[@maximuswedgie5149]

Back in 1982 I remember at Berthoud Colorado being a little kid racing Pee-wee, there was a dude in a tiny Datsun B210, he gutted the entire inside of the car just to fit a huge 250 sideways in it. He could barely even shut the other door. Back then it was $25 to race. Most people if they could afford a bike, some used gear and pass tech they could race.

[@SlowJoefromBako982]

Giving my kids as good of life that I had in the 80s is becoming impossible. It weighs on me…our kids are supposed to have a better life than we had. I need to work harder

[@travissturman4472]

I remember going to the daytona mx race for 20 bux and the daytona200 was 15 now its more than double to watch

[@pcrummey4]

Almost 15 grand out the door for a new 450 in canada. Its absolutely crazy now

[@CraigSteinman-zt3vu]

My dealer is charging me for shipping on parts ..wtf..and it's not even shipped to my house I still gotta go back and get it

[@Jagd_Adventures]

Uncompromised and unapologetic, I love it!

[@leegoodall8055]

Ur bang on mate,I struggle to pay to watch now,used to go and compete in 90's, can't even afford to keep bike up together now,sad days ☹️

[@Rezenator10]

It’s not just motocross. It’s also other types of dirt bikes like enduro. I want to start doing single track. But I need a vehicle to haul my 2023 fe350. Preferably a mid sized truck. But vehicle prices have gone up considerably. All the trails are far away. (I live in Milwaukee)

[@mxbadboy263]

Woods racing is alive and well! GNCC, National Enduro's, local Hare Scrambles are packed with riders! Still fun and you can be competitive on a ten year old two stroke. And in you get to race for hours is great too.

[@HarrySchofield]

Same in UK - our local practice track is £45 for 4 15min sessions 💸

[@leonilsson9310]

jesus christ

[@germanbeer2466]

So true. Too expensive

[@shnboardman1]

How much is race fuel? can someone give me an idea of how expensive it is