Ways to help the sport of Motocross grow at the grassroots level

The sport of motocross has undergone significant evolution, particularly in terms of bike technology. However, at the grassroots level, the sport has become a mere shadow of its former self from previous decades (1970's 1980's)

While professional motocross and supercross thrive, the local grassroots scene lacks diversity in bike options and classes. Beginners are often placed on high-performance bikes that surpass their skill levels, which can be both intimidating and dangerous. We need to provide more accessible and less capable bikes for beginners, and create race classes for them, as well as more natural terrain tracks with smaller jumps to create a safer and more welcoming environment.

People desire easy-to-ride, less powerful bikes, or at least to have the option to choose them. Additionally, there is a growing interest in natural terrain tracks, which offer a different riding experience.

If we look back at the sport's history, we can see that in the 1970s, there were bikes like the XR75, YZ80, and YZ100, which were easier to handle, had air-cooled engines, and lower horsepower compared to today's bikes.

The sport had race classes dedicated to these bikes, providing opportunities for riders of different ages and skill levels. Unfortunately, those options are lacking in today's motocross landscape.

I enjoy watching experienced riders push the limits of their bikes, but I question whether those high-performance machines should be the starting point for newcomers. Riding a slower bike at its maximum capabilities and competing against others on the same bike can be incredibly enjoyable. Just take a look at the scooter or Grom market and the sales numbers they generate. Many buyers consciously choose slower bikes for the sheer fun and the ability to ride them to their fullest extent.

The current bikes and tracks cater to only a small percentage of riders who started at a young age and have developed the necessary skills to fully utilize their bikes. However, to grow the sport, we need to expand our offerings.

(We can't put the genie back in the bottle)

I want to make it clear that I'm not suggesting we eliminate the bikes we have now. We cannot turn back time or undo the progress that has been made. Instead, we should add more bikes and classes to the mix, providing options for riders of all ages and skill levels. By offering easier-to-ride bikes and creating diverse race classes, we can make motocross more inclusive, exciting, and accessible, ultimately driving the growth of the sport.