Fear and Loathing in the VMX bunker

[Nathan S]

...and then we're back to the stuff about VMX being an invisible sport.

More when my phone battery isn't nearly flat.

[Slakewell]

Hey whats the worse that can happen?
My bikes that I get loads of enjoyment right now might be worth zip in 20 years if so I don't care I have enjoyed them in the now and if I push them into the pool room as there nowhere to race again I dont care I will drink beer look at them and smile.

[Nathan S]

There's a complex mix of knowledge, ability (financial & physical) and desire needed when it comes to getting new people actively involved: nobody has yet managed to get involved in a sport they don't know exists; even the most passionate & knowledgeable person won't race if they're flat broke; etc.
For most of us, the three things build together: "That sounds cool! Yeah, I can do that! I reckon I know how it works... Hell yes, let's go racing!". 
Take any one part out of the equation, and it all falls in a heap. The majority of potential punters WON'T have a burning desire to race VMX at all costs, and will easily get discouraged if they perceive it to be difficult and/or expensive.

[Ted]

It is far cheaper to race VMX than it is to go fishing.

I will use top of the range VMX examples and average boat prices ( capable of completing at competition level)

81 Maico 490.            $10,000.                      Boat                     $ 150,000 ( in reality closer to 300 K)
Enclosed trailer.         $10,000.                      Rods x 5.              $.    3,000
Boots.                       $.   700.                       Reels x 5.             $.    5,000
Pants/Jersey/Gloves   $    400.                       Lures.                  $     2,000
Helmet/Goggles         $.   600.                      GPS/ Sounder.       $.    5,000
Armour/Knee Braces.  $ 1,500.                      Tag pole/ Gaffs.    $.    1,000
                                                                   Epirb/comms.       $.    1,000

TOTAL.                     $23,200.                                                  $ 167,000

Fuel ( day).               $.     40.                                                  $.       600
Entry fee/ Lic             $.     90                                                   $.       200

I have not included consumables such as chains, sprockets, rings, pistons, clutches as I have not included mooring fees, anti fouling, servicing, lost lures, fishing line, terminal tackle. You could easily run a bike all year for less than it would cost to slip a boat and anti foul it alone.

The Port Stephens Interclub Fishing Tournament has no problem attracting 260+ boats to fish it's 2 day comp with boats ranging in price from 60K to well over the 1000K and happily paying 2K to park their boats at the marina for 2 weekends

Why is this? Because just about anybody with a boat that fishes their own social/ club days is well aware of it

Not so with VMX. What percentage of riders at Appin, Mt Kembla or Clarence would know of VMX?

I dont think that the cost of VMX is the perceived problem with it ( in my opinion I cannot see a problem) the problem is the lack of awareness of it

[kim80y]

Hence why clubs like QVMX have a stand at the Motorcycle Expo when in QLD... not so invisible

Cheers
Kim

[GMC]

ktm47 "vintage is a dying sport"
gmc "vintage isnt as strong"
Where have you guys been?
I accept there is more to vintage mx than the Nationals but organised events where stats are available are a good guide.
Classic Dirt is so popular that numbers have to be capped ( I think at 800 )
Broadford Bonanza goes from strenth to strength.
2009 Nats Conondale was the second biggest entry ever
2010 was enjoyed by all
2011 Christal Brook SA, a very successfull and well supported event
2012 Wyaralong Qld was an all time record entry in spite of being the first Classic following the split ( no Evo, Pre85)
Before the Post Classic failures are thrown up, there were mitigating circumstances that wont be repeated, but the negative talking done on this forum didnt help either.
The 2014 Post Classics will be a resouding succes-watch this space
It is very disappointing that so called vintage enthusiasts continually talk doom and gloom and negativity when all the evidence is to the contrary.
A person considering getting into our sport, and looking to this forum for information/inspiration would likely be put right off.

Yes Vintage is strong because it means more than just racing, it’s also about restoring, owning the bike you always wanted or just going out for the occasional ride, even the Vinduro side is going from strength to strength
My comments were meant more for the racing side. A lot of the older guys talk about how bikes could be had cheap and of how there were always lots of entries in the early days, I read 151 entrants plus sidecars in the  96 Barrabool Nats and that was only Pre75 then.

It’s not a question of whether fishing is cheaper than racing MX, people need money to race and times are tight, they won’t be out buying boats either.

Totally agree that we shouldn’t talk the scene down but we shouldn’t stick our heads in the sand either. I don’t believe I talk doom and gloom all the time.
Also didn’t notice anybody talking down the Post Classic Nats until it was announced that it might be called off due to the lack of numbers.

[firko]

I dont think that the cost of VMX is the perceived problem with it ( in my opinion I cannot see a problem) the problem is the lack of awareness of it

..and then we're back to the stuff about VMX being an invisible sport. 

I totally agree.  Nothing personal fellas but if you've recognised the problem, what are you doing to help solve it? If we sit around at our keyboards whingeing about how things should be yet do nothing about it.....we're part of the problem.

Elsewhere on here a few weeks ago I stated that we'd do another Show'n'Shine if there was enough response from the shop floor but I got zip feedback, not one post or PM in response so I brushed the idea. Since then it's been eating me up so this arvo I had a chat with a couple of VMX mates and we tentatively decided to go ahead with the Klub Kevlar Show'n'Shine anyway. We haven't got a time or venue sorted but figure that sometime during the post season summer break might be the most sensible period.

I'd love to see an Aussie version of the British Telford Classic Off-Road Show http://classicoffroadshow.co.uk/id5.html here in Sydney. Why can't we do something similar here, combining a Classic VMX bike show with corporate stalls, celebrity meet and greet and all of the other attractions the Telford show offers the punters. I fully understand that there are venue and sponsorship problems that would need to be sorted but it's at least worth discussing.

[Ted]

What have I done about it?

I signed up my 12 yr old nephew to a kickstart program, got his MA license for him, signed him up to Heaven and taken him to every meet this year

Last year I introduced one of my builders to VMX , he has bought 3 vintage bikes and he joined Heaven and rides all the meets.

Am currently looking for a bike for one of my employees who comes to all the meets, CD and is coming to Canowindra Vinduro

Attended the Rooty Hill show and shine with my bikes just as I attended Magoo's Camden show and shine also with bikes.



You know Mark, there are people who just type shit and then there are people, like me , who actually do shit

[VMX247]

Hence why clubs like QVMX have a stand at the Motorcycle Expo when in QLD... not so invisible
Cheers
Kim

Hope Mr Crocket is ready to attend this one and get a few keen
It will surprise you how many people and overseas visitors that attend these shows that have a connection with older dirt bikes.
Cheers A

[firko]

Ted, I wasn't particularly singling you or anyone else, I was speaking in a general sense. I know quite well that you've supported and done a lot of good stuff over the years. I take it you'll support the Show'n'Shine Ted?

[supersenior 50]

Hi Walter, no rose coloured glasses needed. Just the facts man,borne out by the stats.
Hi Geof, yes the 1996 Nats at Barrabool was great. 151 entries is very strong partcularly being Pre75 and I think possibly the biggest at that time. 2009 ( 13 years later ) Conondale had 160 which included later eras.
2012 at Wyaralong ( 15 years later ) had 166,Pre78 .
The more social events, Classic Dirt (capped at 800) and the Bonanza have come in since Barrabool and proved another avenue for the enthusiasts.
I dont suggest we shoud be complacent, but I do hold to my view that our sport is in good shape.
The positive aspects expressed on this forum are welcome and constructive, so lets keep it upbeat.

[HVA61]

lets break it down

There are four types of people in this sport

People who just do it on the keyboard (very common)

People who just do it "in" the dirt (very common)

People who just do it "for" the dirt (becoming less common and close to making the endangered species list)

and the most important type

People who do it for the dirt and in the dirt ( on the endangered species list)

People should worry less about the health of it and spend more doing it and promoting it , its "healthy" it just needs encouragement

[Ted]

Ted, I wasn't particularly singling you or anyone else, I was speaking in a general sense. I know quite well that you've supported and done a lot of good stuff over the years. I take it you'll support the Show'n'Shine Ted?

Any ideas on venues yet?

I could ask Chris Sutton if we could display them out side his shop in Penrith one Saturday. Maybe limit the numbers to 30 so as not to take up all his parking.( He asked me to display my 2 YZ's at a KTM launch a couple of years ago. I said "Chris, They are Yamahas, you dont sell Yamahas and they are 30 yrs old " He replied " They are motorbikes and they are really cool " I reckon there was as many people standing around/ talking about my 2 bikes as we're looking at new model KTM's) We could all throw in say, $5 each and do a sausage sizzle and then adjourn to the pub next door for a beer after its over. At least holding it at a motorbike shop on a Saturday we would be assured of attracting motorbike oriented people. I will ask Heaven VMX if I can print some of their flyers and hand them out.

Any merit in this?

[Paul552]

Ted, I wasn't particularly singling you or anyone else, I was speaking in a general sense. I know quite well that you've supported and done a lot of good stuff over the years. I take it you'll support the Show'n'Shine Ted?

Any ideas on venues yet?

I could ask Chris Sutton if we could display them out side his shop in Penrith one Saturday. Maybe limit the numbers to 30 so as not to take up all his parking.( He asked me to display my 2 YZ's at a KTM launch a couple of years ago. I said "Chris, They are Yamahas, you dont sell Yamahas and they are 30 yrs old " He replied " They are motorbikes and they are really cool " I reckon there was as many people standing around/ talking about my 2 bikes as we're looking at new model KTM's) We could all throw in say, $5 each and do a sausage sizzle and then adjourn to the pub next door for a beer after its over. At least holding it at a motorbike shop on a Saturday we would be assured of attracting motorbike oriented people. I will ask Heaven VMX if I can print some of their flyers and hand them out.

Any merit in this?

That would be cool Ted

Chris is a good bloke I reckon it is a great idea.

Saturday morning there are heaps of moto dads that would love the old bikes and I am sure it would bring in new racers/members

[Ted]

So I can pencil you in for a 125 D and a 84 CR 250 then Paul

I can bring 81 YZ 465 / 83 KX 500 / 77 RM 125 / 83 XC 500

Gonna need some KTM's ( of course ) and European stuff and some earlier models and Pre 90 and four stroke XR and TT/ XT. To let them know that there is a four stroke class .

We need to capture a couple of generations of riders, otherwise it wil be boring as batshit, just as it is today  ( same bikes, different colour )