Motocross History: The Ten Defining Events That Shaped American Motocross

[@gcunn6087]

This was the best video on motocross I have ever seen. From its beginnings, through the trials, tribulations and evolution. Excellent.

[@rickramirez4514]

@The Motocross Vault One thing you didn't include or forgot about was the introduction of Hondas CR125 in late 1973. It was by far the most most influential bike to ever be produced.. The influence of the CR250 was miniscule compared to the CR125. It allowed Moto Cross to explode because it was cheap ($749) ultra reliable, ultra light and the best bike in class by leaps and bounds. It therefore allowed a huge amount of people to get into Moto Cross. In no time almost every bike in class were CR125s. It also allowed the aftermarket to explode which turned them into Rocket Ships. Personally I jumped from the dominant bike at the time a Penton 125 to a CR125 buying the first one my local dealership in San Diego got in and the difference was night and day. I raced at Carlsbad and Saddleback from 71 till 75. After that I was Marty Moates mechanic riding a 1975 CR125 for about a year until he got picked up by Suzuki with a light sponsorship. Loved this Documentary.

[@mortkb]

This is a very impressive summary of key events in MX/SX history. You are a very informed and talented historian of our sport. thank youi

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheKitchenTechnician]

Absolutely a great history lesson on motocross! I had goosebumps from seeing and hearing the names of my childhood heroes. I was eleven years old in 1970 and couldn’t get enough of this stuff. I’m 62 now and still ride my two Yamaha WR’s, a 400 and a 450 regularly on the gnarly trails up here in North Eastern Ontario Canada. Cheers! And thanks again!

[@MrSuperflydude]

Very glad we have guys like you to share the history of our sport

[@motovlogsindonesia]

Awesome job on this film ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅

[@noneyabusiness3605]

One of the best documentaries ever 👍 Thank you Tony Blazier 💯🏁

[@waymoreteles]

Jim Pomeroy was from my home town and had a huge effect on the local riding scene. Anyone growing up in that time always spoke of Pomeroy when ever motocross was discussed. Did a lot for this little valley. He’s definitely missed.

[@robertmartin5646]

Bimbo

[@highadventur]

Yes I remember him well... goood time in the 70's and grateful to have been a part of it.

[@stevenevans5106]

My childhood hero.

[@Larry-f9n]

I always sported 57 on my number plate in his honor. First American to win a GP!

[@Marshal-ek8xp]

The first Honda Elsinore was one of the most beautiful motocross machines ever made.

[@MarkHarrington-xs8de]

Thanks Tony, really appreciate you putting together all the key steps in US mx history. Please keep 'em coming

[@tomnekuda3818]

Yup, I came back to this video again. Thanks, Tony, for the excellent upload and the right-on evaluations of cause and effect concerning motocross development in the USA. I was thinking the other day and realized the hard work it takes by you and the extensive research you do that I have not given you enough credit for when I watch these. I'll be looking at these in a much different light than in the past. Again, thanks. P.S. Thanks for the even-handed evaluation you gave to Jean-Michael Bayle. I spent a bit of time in France and got somewhat used to the French and their culture. I'm got tired of hearing what a jerk JMB was in many articles in magazines when very few Americans understand the culture and attitudes of the French people. I personally found the French warm and welcoming once you got to know them and their cooking is sure a hell of a lot better than the Brits!

[@whalesong999]

Yes, we were "schooled". I was at Pepperell in '67, rode the support 250cc class on a new but unrefined 238cc Kawasaki F21M. Watching the Europeans was a sight to behold, unimaginable.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Man, I love the pictures that sparks my memory from about 40 years ago. Something about it just makes me feel so good. :)

[@RobJaskula]

Extemporaneous, great word. Really enjoyed this!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Glad you liked it!

[@davebowers1498]

Your videos are never too long. Thanks for giving all of us something good to watch and learn from.keep them coming. Thanks!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you

[@dirtbikedave]

Another great presentation. Thanks again, Tony!

[@justinrobinson1905]

Great Work TB.

[@Seansworld17]

Great Video Tony! Thanks

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thanks

[@MX-CO]

I thoroughly enjoyed the show thanks bud

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@frankcolacone845]

This is Absolute and Truly what I needed to See TODAY! Thank You So Much for the Pictures of those mid 70's bikes that I rode! Your Commentation is Also One of the Best with Knowledge and Candor of those That Rode Wrenched Called and Bled for The Mind of BRAAAAAPPPPPPPP!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thanks

[@chrisjacks2599]

@@TheMotocrossVault Do you want all my old magazines and MX stuff? Ill give it to you. You pay shipping, ill box it up. its 98% 1979-1991

[@Fun.with.me.3]

very kool; thanks! good job. we are richer for knowing all that you presented in a sport we love....thanks!

[@gregorybowden4460]

Loved yhe content very much! Thank you.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Love the old pics. 33:09 cover of MXA, a guy with duct tape around his knee-------on the cover of 1974 MXA. :) Is that John DeSoto, the flying Hawaiian?

[@DLUV24]

This vid is awesome. I've watched 10x plus. Theres not a lot out there on the history of the sport. Please do more on the early years /70s and 80s. Great work.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you!

[@MX-CO]

I would really like to see and hear more about XR75’ racing and 100cc air cooled racing

[@kings17court]

Wow. Very nicely done. I enjoyed the presentation, and education.

[@christophersmithsonian3350]

Very interesting you did a great job

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you!

[@shannonschmidt7972]

My first bike was a '71 Penton 125. My step dad had a Husky 360 with the shifter on the right side. It was a beast! Great Video!

[@scottyd2262]

Great upload... I loved every minute of it !! I never knew that Yamaha were behind abolishing works bikes in the states.. I'd love to see a video on all of the works bikes over time. I wanted one more than anything else in my life when l was younger.

[@kevinwade1775]

Camel cigarettes and Coors beer and Miller sure helped us out.... go figure. Thank you for this informative history!

[@SJKLR99]

Coors Keg cans only drank 900000of them living in Denver

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Yes. They were taken from the sport because it was alcohol and smokes. So, since then we have been puritans until pot became legal. lol

[@timmarski6019]

What a great video ! While not a fan of ur old bike reviews, THIS is very well done. Also enjoyed ur pre-race '5 questions' and ur post race reviews. Keep stuff like this coming

[@raymondsiewert2720]

Very well done, full of great information that many of us are not usually privileged to recieve.

[@kenlefebvre1365]

Tony, This piece should be considered the preeminent resource of how the sport evolved, and the reference for the current status of the sport. You really leave no stone unturned and I am astonished at your depth and expanse of knowledge. Thank you for educating us all and please continue your outstanding work.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you so much for the kind words

[@danielneece6404]

Love you video, good job.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you!

[@straightnobraker4677]

This is amazing man, thanks for all the hard work.

[@jimic111154]

I was there! Saddleback Park, 1967, I saw the Europeans and motocross for the first time at the InterAm race. Three years later I raced the Trans AM race 7-4-70 at Saddleback!

[@gregbowen9546]

Very informative video! I learned alot about some things I didn't know went on. Nice to see some of my old heroes of motorcross from the 1970s. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Patrick-il3cc]

Great video, watched it all the way through! Thanks Tony!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you for watching

[@wtfftw24]

So much tuned in 😎👍

[@BobL1]

Absolutely fantastic video!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you.

[@mouseymcnabb4783]

Tony that was awesome . As a kid enjoying racing in the 80s it was just fun with your buddies competing and living and breathing motocross. Never really thought bout the behind the scenes of promoters and scheduling events . Very enlightening. Thanks again for your hard work this was an awesome documentary of how motocross in the USA came about ! Keep up the awesome work ! I look forward to ever new video notification!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@keithalexander36]

Bravo Great work man. Your becoming underrated.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you

[@justiningle8884]

Buddy this is the most informative piece of work I have ever read even though I watched Thursday night thunder as a child and raced for ten years starting in 95, this is amazing we’ll done and congratulations sorry I’m so late to get my hands on this video I love this information

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you!

[@justiningle8884]

@@TheMotocrossVault man it’s incredible how much knowledge you have on this sport and the particular situation about the Thompson family even though you refrained from going on and on about it, this was the beginning of our modern SX to bad things are not like they use to be keep up the hard work I always enjoy history buffs 😊

[@jeffreykennedy5956]

Great job. Very informative from an old guy!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@spread4me75]

Great video, thanks

[@geoffw4136]

great job! loved the video. made me want to rebuild the home track and ride with my 2 year old grandson. I'm thinking a 75 yz 250 will work for me. PW50 with training wheels for him or maybe the training wheels for me. Either way we are gonna have fun

[@MrKsmil]

Man, I start watching your vids but even now I know that you done great job!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

I appreciate that!

[@motonorcal9938]

Hell Yeah T-Blaze, this was extremely well done!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thanks

[@davidskaar3232]

Saw Edison Dye and Roger Decoster at race at Angel Stadium Supercross years ago.

[@tcepilot]

Love these videos so much

[@patrickrichard9606]

I remember in the mid70s at Saddleback if you had a DG or a FMF pipe you felt You almost had a factory bike

[@timbeach2409]

Saddleback Saturday MX. Two 45 minute motos or high school MX at the end of O.C.I.R. drag strip. 76,77,78. 76 yz 125 and 77 yz 250.

[@troyhonda71]

Excellent job!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you very much!

[@regish759]

TY for acknowledging JMB's huge contribution ! Just a note on that : his shift towards MotoGP racing in 93 was not because of the often disgusting attitude of the US public towards him in 90 and 91 - although it didn't help any - but was programmed from the start of his career : he wanted to prove himself to be as good as the US riders and capture at least one SX title and gave himself 3 seasons to achieve this goal. He came very short of it in 90 but for Bradshaw who ejected him behind the peristyle at the Coliseum (coincidentally the only place not covered by any camera), but this only strengtened his resolve for 91. He hadn't really planned on snatching the 3 titles in a row, but since he was there and it seemed relatively easy to him he went for it, and beat them all ! :) His main challenge having been conquered, in 92 his motivation was to finish his contract with Honda without injuring himself. An arm surgery that took time to heal before the seasons start and delays in figuring out the optimum settings for the radically different 92 CR prevented him from snatching a second title, but at that point it diddn't matter much to him anymore. I've seen comments of yanks calling him an arrogant prick, but keep in mind that few people were friendly towards him back then. And he had to learn to speak english on the side, while I still have to see a US rider trying to make the effort of speaking French when giving an interview after a win at Bercy :) By and large, he gave as good as he got. You can read about his career on jeanmichelbayle.fr (use the "translate to english" feature after right-clicking on the page).

[@daboo2]

Outstanding retrospective!

[@davidkris]

Well done Sir, that was entertaining and educational.

[@catlinmccluskey621]

Awsome video!!! I watched it twice

[@JustWatchreviews]

Great stuff, thanks Blaze!

[@frankfrmfkd]

Thank you for this awesome video about our great sport, it really helped to clarify some of the past for me! Also thanks for all you do for the sport

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you I appreciate the kind words

[@jeffreykennedy5956]

For a kid you almost got it. Good work. You would not know because you weren't there. Further research. Old guys. Again great job.

[@MX-CO]

Keep em coming brother! ❤

[@fredgarvinMP]

Great writing! Learned some very interesting stuff like JMB racing his last GP year under an American license and the Mickey Thompson murder which I hadn't thought about in years. Keep up the great work!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you very much for watching.

[@captaingingerbeard155]

What a great show !

[@Larry-f9n]

Great stuff Tony.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thanks 👍

[@flyfishincrazy]

Excellent video!

[@EarthSurferUSA]

14:56 Hahahahahahahahahahahha Look at the duct tape holding on the gas cap of Brad lackey's works Husky in an international race. That!----is nostalgia man.

[@20043670]

Your vids is excellent

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thanks

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Your photos are so great, I have to rewind all the time to hear what you said. Reliving a lot of memories here. You are gold to us frontier USA dirt bike riders/racers sir. :)

[@pranramsamooj8187]

Not from the USA, but I have to agree with you on the photos. The #3 honda with the Fox air shox at 13.20 is one of my all time favorites. Can't remember if the rider is Marty though.

[@briangallo588]

Brilliant Tony!!!!!!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you

[@realbigmic]

Impressive Tony 🙏

[@MrChassmith]

Very well done. And you're right...you didn't say it explicitly, but virtual MX is the future.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Virtual MX? I see no future there. Sounds like a video game.

[@GatesRapes]

I encourage all to watch Fonseca on the YZ250f vs Pastrana on the RM125 outdoors

[@Cougar139tweak]

@36:40 wrong, you could watch it on ESPN 12am central standard time from 1989-1991 as my father used to let me sleep on the couch and watch it, I would set my Casio watch to go off and get up to switch on the TV (maybe 3am in California, but that's not what is claimed...I assume nothing) and it wasn't 2 months, it was 2 weeks, also vividly remember because I went to Dallas Supercross twice.1990-1991...and all I could think of is watching to see if I could see myself in the crowd...

[@xbryanthegreatx]

Well that was fun!!! Thanks I enjoyed that.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you for watching

[@magnatron7734]

Great vid, miss the two smokes. I can’t ride a thumper like I can a ring ding but gotta love the sport.

[@XRacerify]

No one who remembers how we got to where we are today has ever forgot Edison Dye...

[@vinceedwards3978]

I never forgot about this, because MXA and Dirt Bike Mag never forgot!

[@nvmcrider8475]

I was at the 97 Vegas Supercross where Doug Henry dominated the night on the YZ 400. There was an electric feel in the air during practice with Shawn Kalos and Guy Cooper on big Husaberg thumpers. I was surprised to learn recently that the YZ 400’s first AMA race was actually the 97 Gainesville national where Doug had a good ride but didn’t win.

[@gladegoodrich2297]

Everyone thinks the Yamaha 400 was the first 4 stroke to race Super Cross, not true. The first 4 stroke to race Super Cross was a tricked out KTM 620.

[@richardaquino1640]

Thank you, a lot of history knowledge and as I look back through the years it all makes sense.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Guy Cooper stated on The Whiskey Throttle Show, that he enjoyed play riding/jumping with Bayle, and stated Bayle was amazing. What a bummer there is no video of those guys out playing.

[@11ccom]

Dam good stuff.

[@tomnekuda3818]

I guess I'm an old timer but I don't think I'll ever be in the 4-stroke camp. I know that they are now superior to the two-strokes due to all the design moneys going into them, but I still enjoy riding a two-stroke much more. I've got a 4-stroke and I ride it and enjoy it when I'm really lazy....maybe I'm just an old guy. Mike Goodwin was a maggot......even if he helped motocross out. I think that the money that is in motocross today is helping a few guys and hurting a lot of others.....just my opinion.

[@chrishenry6367]

They are not. They have to run a 450 against a 250 and a 250 against a 125. I wouldn't call that superior. Depending on who is racing who the 2 strokes can still win. I watched Bubba Stewart give RC all he could handle riding a KX 250 at buds creek.

[@dirtbikedave]

It's not just you. We all enjoy nostalgia. I used to dream of 4-strokes with real race ready suspension! I even made a couple hybrid play bikes. I say play bikes, because my Suzuki SP200 engine was far from being competitive. But it was WAY more fun when I put it in my 1978 KX125 roller! My more recent hybrid was an e-start 150 Marshin in an RM125 (edit: 1979 RM100) frame. It was just what I had around that would fit together. I love my CRF450R, but the reason I used to dream of 4-stroke hybrids was for cheap, reliable, low-maintenance fun. New 4-strokes are fast and fun, but far from cheap or low-maintenance, and without putting all the maintenance and dollars into them, they won't even be reliable. What fun is that? So after having a few of them, I decided to build a KX500 :-) (1 year later, KX500 is ripping up the trails! I'm having just as much fun as I have on my CRF450r! Maybe more 😎👍 The CRF is no longer running, and in need or an expensive and time consuming rebuild, despite the hyper-vigilant maintenance schedule I was on 😭)

[@dirtbikedave]

chris henry, it's true, the powers that be 'class' them as you mentioned. But a 250F has put down faster laps than the 450's, on many occasions, and they are allowed in the 450 class. I assure you, those lap times would be slightly slower if the same rider rode a 250T. But they are very close in power and weight, now (per same displacement), and should really be classed together, again. We've kind of come full circle, back to the big bikes being the premiere class, like it was in the early days of the 500's. Only back then, there were 2-strokes and 4-strokes of the same displacement, racing in the same class. Heck, Honda didn't even want to build a 2-stroke when they entered the MX market. Then, in 1973 they released the best showroom motocrosser the world had ever received, called the Elsinore! Then, after some not so great years (as far as consumers were concerned), they did it again in 1985. By this time, the 250(t) class was considered the premiere class, and today, claims are that Honda has no interest in them, once again. Lol. As a race fan, nothing is better than the classic 'seesaw battle', and history is full of them! The battles rage on!

[@tomnekuda3818]

@@dirtbikedave Very good analysis and right on the money.

[@tomnekuda3818]

@@dirtbikedave Now you're talking.

[@OnfloorAudio]

But ... yet in 1984 Ricky Johnson wins the AMA Super Cross Title on a near bone stock YZ 250 !!! Yes the bike has a lot to do with it , but the rider can play an even bigger part as we seen in 84 . @ 22:50

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I remember Yamaha making a Motocross bike called the "MX", (I think it was white), before they came out with the "YZ". I remember it as well as it's roost hitting me in the face. :)

[@brianbooher7318]

My first motorcycle was a 1978mx 175

[@brianbooher7318]

My first motorcycle was a 1978 mx175

[@bobwhite5274]

I bought a 1972 Yamaha MX 250 silver tank with red stripes came out in Late November 1971 same bike as Mart Tripes race before he sign with Yamaha

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Min 3:35. There is Bard Lackey in 1983, with out a ride. :(

[@Shelleys1991]

🇬🇧👍really appreciated,thanks

[@JD-hh9io]

Didn't hear Jimmy Weinert mentioned in there.

[@joenobody2580]

My Dad was racing Moto in and around southwestern PA around 67-69. He calls Moto, scrambles. It wasn't hare scrambles though, it was a closed moto course, usually set up on a farmer's land. He raced a 2-stroke Suzuki in 68/69 on a local shop sponsorship. He said nobody knew what a 2stroke was and he won every race on it except one. He still remembers the turn before a big hill that he took it easy on , on the last lap and got passed. Was applying for his AMA pro and got drafted. Who knows what would have happened. I think his Suzuki was the one they were first developing from in Europe.

[@desolategrey]

Copper in 91 sealed my love for motocross

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Again, something wrong. Bayle was not liked by some of his competition, but he was loved by the fans. The fans had no reason not to like him and admired his talent. You have not figured out propaganda yet. But I like your work. :)

[@EarthSurferUSA]

In fact, I and I am sure many other fans of the sport, are insulted about that claim. It's a pretty bad thing to say.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I also just watched a race I think you posted, with Bayle after winning the 250 outdoor national championship, with him surrounded by cheering fans who you believe do not like him. There were a lot of cheering fans for him. It is there on film. Say your sorry please. :)

[@user-sp8eb6iz7f]

The first main stream riders to jump on the 4-sroke were; Doug Henry, Jimmy Button, Tim Ferry and Kevin Windham.

[@craigsteinman9807]

You know what TONY?..LARRY MEYERS deserves a statue he was as important to our sport in the early days of the late '70s and thru the'80s..as any rider even the Biggie's.. Hannah OMARA..BAILEY.. MAGOO CHANDLER..AND SO On...His voice and look are etched in my memory forever..A GREAT MAN

[@TheMotocrossVault]

I agree Larry is a legend!

[@chuckp3131]

Husaberg was lite around 220. And if you changed the oil lasted a hole season. Great video thanks

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thanks 👍

[@MarkHarrington-xs8de]

"hole" being the operative word?

[@mikekenyon3322]

JMB might be the most talented motorcycle racer to date. Don't forget he went Grad Prix Road Racing after MX.

[@spread4me75]

Nope... Carmichael is the GOAT for a reason, look at his amazing stats

[@showtime951]

Can't forget, it was covered in the video.

[@arnoldsanders6878]

THANK YOU SIR FOR THIS !!!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Most welcome!

[@MX-CO]

The production rule seems like a positive to me. I wish they would tighten it up even more, or have some Full stock races

[@highwayman1218]

80s Supercross & MX! Miss those days! Works bikes .... My heros like Hannah, Bailey, RJ, Wardy, O'mara, Glover, Laporte, Lechein, Diamond, etc... Other cool folks in the 80s scenes like Larry Huffman, Doug Domokos, Bevo Forte, etc... The bummers.... End of works bikes.... Of course Baileys crash in 87 leaving him paralyzed. No doubt arguably the smoothest mx guy could be hurt, anyone could...

[@jerryrekowski516]

I am an old timer, to start with the begining of this you show a montesa as like everybodys motocross bike in 1969-1972 when you should have shown a Husky, And in 1973 the 125 class was the biggest draw for motocross and it was the 1973 Suzuki TM125 that took the motocross world by storm, that is as far as i got with this video, and so far you need to do your home work :)

[@TheMotocrossVault]

The picture of the Montessa was meant to be illustrative of European Bikes of the time in general it was not a specific nod to an individual model. As to the TM I was three years old in 1973 so yes I do not have contemporary knowledge of the situation but I have read and own the magazines of the time and the Elsinore certainly gets the credit from the people of the era for changing the face of the sport at the time. I have read many articles and never has the TM125 been held up in that regard anywhere that I’ve seen.

[@martincharles3076]

In one year Americans were world champions in road racing, Kenny Roberts Lackey 500 GP La porte 250 GP speedway with ???

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Weren't those early tracks (40's and such), called "TT racing"? I remember that racing a bit in the USA later, a man made track with a few turns and one jump, and even raced with Harley's. It seems like a evolutionary link between flat track and motocross, then to SX----which was invented in the USA. :)

[@happyraccoon4791]

I always used castor oil in my Cagiva 500's. In 1988-92 I went into multiple supply stores in the Greater San Jose CA area. I couldn't find it and would ask....."What's castor bean oil....." Swear to God, most people had no idea. Road Riders was a big store...."huh....?" Today I have a 1973 250 Elsinor just like we see here

[@SeaWolfEntertainment]

Can hardly wait to get my 1976 Rm250A up and running.

[@kenharris8743]

Tony blazer is a true motorcycle historian and ambassador.