Which VMX class is the best to Race in?

[49]

Guys which class is the best to race in ? Have been checking out races and looks to a bit heavy in the Evo and Pre 85. Is it just because there are more of these bikes around or are the other class bikes stay in the shed under cover to come out for show and shines?

Col

[VMX247]

That's a big question ,which could also involves the future of pre60,65,68,75 and pre78...
People are softer now and want the nice shocks ride 
Take the plunge an get a nice pre75 to skate around on 

[Nathan S]

There is no 'best' class - only personal preference.

Some really general rules of thumb:

1. The newer the bikes, the faster you have to go to be competitive - as you'd expect, really. Personally, my in-built speed limiter (aka the pansy factor) means that I can ride a pre-70 bike just about as fast as I can ride a pre-85 bike... Needless to say, I'm a lot more competitive on the older bikes...

2. The good pre-75 (and older) race bikes are more expensive to buy - but converted trail/enduro bikes are still cheap and still a lot of fun - and they're not at quite as much of a disadvantage as pre-85 trail bike would be against the pre-85 MXers.
The bigger bikes are usually worth more than their smaller siblings.

3a. The older the bikes, the older the riders.
3b. The older the riders, the less likely they are to be lunatics (although it is completely wrong to assume that all young guys are lunatics and no old guys are!).

4. The newer era VMX bikes are better against moderns, which might be useful if you want to to some modern club MX/Enduro work.


But really, its all about what you enjoy riding, and the bikes that you identify with.

Speaking purely personally, my favourite class is/was HEAVEN's combined pre-75 and pre-78 125 class (called "Classic 125"). This is mostly because there's decent fields filled with a stack of good blokes who I trust racing against, and enjoy drinking beers/talking crap with after the racing. Its also A class I can be reasonably competitive in, without pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

[albrid-3]

when popular classes grow, the prices of bike get dearer.

[crossedup2]

Hi 49

All of what Nathan said and a little more. Find a good pre 78 bike (and trail bikes are a great beginning) because any of those era's are great fun. Spend a season sorting it, riding it and getting to know others in your club. The wealth of knowledge in most clubs is huge. And, everyone has an idea on how to make your bike faster.

By the end of the season you will have a better idea of where you want to be riding the next year. Others in the club can help with leads to that sort of bike/class. You won't look back.

Personally, I like the classic 125 and the pre 70. I ride an AT1 Yamaha (trail bike) in the pre 70 and would never have a chance of winning against 250 and 360 unless there was that Steven Bradbury moment, but guys in that group all enjoy the spirit of the racing.

Good luck
Peter B

[oz555ktm]

 Just to add to this .

 * You Do not need to all the Bling to have fun.

 * YOU Dont need to Win to have Fun

 * The Class with your mates in it is Good you can all way Bench race later .

 * If you are just starting off a class with a smaller amount of rides is good .
 
   * I thank Nathan is Spot on .
 

[Dan-166]

All good stuff guys.
 I think the main point again as stated previously, is about having fun. Whether it be on the track or off it. It doesn't really matter what type of scooter you are riding ( as long as its a HONDA ,LOL) as long as you are enjoying yourself. I have just as much fun working on the bikes and socialising with everyone at the race meetings. I have found that the HEAVEN club has attracted a great bunch of people that are all easy to get along with and only to willing to help each other out, whether it be on a race weekend or helping source parts away from the track between meetings.
My suggestion Col would be to get whatever bike comes along first, no matter what the condition and just have a ride. Enjoy the whole experience.
I went to watch a HEAVEN round at Glenbawn in May 2007, by the June long weekend I had purchased my first "Project" ( 83 Honda XR 350 that I madodified with 84 CR suspension front & rear) and was racing in my first event in September. I haven't missed a round of the HEAVEN racing since then and now have 3 bikes in racing trim and another 3 projects on the go that will hopefully be going by the end of the year.
In short , it's addictive ( or maybe an obsession ) not really sure yet. Try it and you'll be hooked I'm sure.
Dan

[PB20]

Most mx bikes after 1981 are still very competitive with current bikes, so you can imagine they and other riders can go very very quick on them.

[shorelinemc]

what about a nice outfit? you share with a mate.failing that pre 78 bit suspension than pre75 but not as hectic as evo/85

[49]

Thanks Everyone
I think it all boils down to what you prefer and what you can get?
The thing is to get out and ride and have fun 
Col