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Only $10 for all 2024 SX, MX, and SMX series (regularly $30).
Not to mention the YZ250/125 that gets very little updates has still managed to creep up in price despite being 10 year old tech, as whole.
I do agree 2 strokes make the sport available to a broader audience. I also agree if we want them to stick around they need to clean up, but EFI by it self doesn't do that, DI does. More specifically DI like the snowmobiles run where its injecting oil after the exhaust port is closed by the piston.
Those sled motors put out insane power and MPG while meeting the strictest emissions standards federally and commi california.
It's been a combination of more expensive machines, higher cost of maintenance and gear, fewer places to ride and the decline of the middle class.
Do not forget that with DI you also must run and oil pump for the crank bearings as the intake charge is shot right into the combustion chamber
The Shop
My point is you can't expect much growth when the sport is virtually non accessible, especially when you can buy a soccer ball, baseball and bat, basketball for just a small fraction of the price. Then there's the fact that most sports won't put you in the hospital but with motocross there is a pretty good chance you could end up there.
Another big thing I think is with most sports if you're good enough you will be given a college education, with motocross if you don't drop out of school at a young age your chances of making it are a lot slimmer. It's a very niche sport and people looking to get into it are probably often driven away because of price and even if they can afford it usually don't have anywhere to ride.
Your saying if you could by a 2 stroke for 2,000 dollars less than a 4 stroke with a 2 strokes lower parts and maintainnce costs it won't help ?
And a viable 2 stroke series to promote your lower cost 2 stroke wont help either, then what is the answer?
EFI takes away the greens problem with 2 strokes.
You want to Race expensive electric vehicles ?
The cost of new 4 strokes and maintenance costs are why Moto is in decline.
That and aging baby boomers.
A viable series (like the GP's or at outdoor nationals) to compete in would be an expensive proposition by itself, thus, virtually any savings with the 2t would be negligable at best. Plus, the exposure would be mainly noticed by people already entrenched in the sport. Virtually no exposure to attract new riders that would help bring the numbers up in MX. Good ideas, however, they are micro solutions to a macro problem.
The 2t might help alleviate some symptoms, but it wouldn't cure the disease. EFI or not.
Kids EVs like the new gasgas us/ekids are relatively inexpensive and will help with the untapped demographic. Getting kids riding on quiet EVs could go along ways towards keeping motorcycling viable in the future.
You guys arguing against EFI strokes are missing the boat. KTM will have an EFI 2 stroke on the market in the next year or 2. We are not making this up. And new EFI 2 strokes will be quieter than 4 strokes, more fuel efficient and less polluting, so the greens won't have the arguments they once had.
Totally inaccessible to new people - how can you ask a newb to spend 12K+ drive 1-2 hours each way every time and risk their well being? Those of us growing up at the track will continue to dwindle. Cost goes up, drive to ride gets further, circling the toilet.
Honestly: imagine bringing someone who can't ride to your track and getting them "hooked". It's become damn near impossible.
It looks to me that a lot of our crowds are now 2nd/3rd generation or Vets. It's not a model for growth.
I'd love to see some technology limited classes (or maybe a price point limited class) that actually fit into the amateur class structure. I do know that for your average novice kid, if there was such a thing as a $3,000 reproduced '87 CR 125 that raced in a class against other kids on the same bikes, they would have just as much fun banging bars as they would on 250Fs. For a fraction of the cost and without the false sense of confidence that 4Ts inspire. Unfortunately there's not much incentive for manufacturers to go down that path.
But I think Vintage is growing...especially the 80s and 90s classes....
Pit Row
The quiet Alta if it were cheaper and Efi 2 strokes.
When Yamaha and Kawasaki come out with updated EFI 2strokes. And when the Japanese jump on the EV market prices will decline so there may be hope ?
ktms-fuel-injected-two-stroke-breaks-cover
Electric Alta test
EFI KTM
Prototype EV Yamaha
when did you actually get in to the sport?
EFI will bring back 2 strokes.
Mark my words.
2 strokes are cheaper to manufactuer and maintain than 4 strokes.
EFI reduces emissions and will cut down on smog in the 3rd world where 2 strokes are still popular.
EFI will become cheaper than carbuerators.
The main issue facing motocross is that the kids are not coming in.
For every 10 kids that come in and pick up the sport of riding/racing dirt bikes, there is maybe one person who picks up the sport when they are north of say, 25 or 30.
The kids come and go from the sport over the years, but it always stays "in the blood". I would venture to guess that the vast majority of vet riders who we see out at the track or practice track have been riding since they were in their early teen years.
Once that generation goes away, then what? The latest generation of moto kids is small, maybe 1/5 the size of the generation from the 1980's and 1990's.
If the kids do not come into the sport, it creates major long term issues. I am afraid to say, but we have not seen the worst of it yet.
I've said this 100 times. The main reason moto is declining is because people just aren't as interested anymore. Kids aren't interested. Thats it, thats all there is to it.
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