Other From motocross to stand-ups only

[Andrew1289]

The days I have rode moto in the morning then went skiing later in the same day were some of the best days in my life. I smarter man than myself once told me the water is softer than the dirt, and thats the truth. If your not riding for money, just take it easy and enjoy it.

I have two dirt bikes and an oldddd superjet, I dont get to use them anymore. However, I do not have the heart to sell them.

 

[KTM434]

This is a great thread! I was never much of a motocross guy just because of the risk that comes with jumping. I raced Harescrambles for like 4-5 years and was in the expert class with some decent rider support/sponsorship but the time came for me to buy a house, get married, and have kids so I hadnt raced for 2 years and thought I'd try standup jetskis for cheap money. I found a 440 that didnt run and was sitting in the grass for years for $150... I told myself that it would be something cool to try and would be very cheap for $150 haha. I sold that ski immediately and Ive now had probably 12 skis since then and that was less than 2 years ago. It definitely didnt end up being any cheaper but I dont have to drive so far to ride and landing in water is better than landing in a tree. I will never sell my bikes or get out of the sport but I feel like Ive already accomplished enough racing dirtbikes and like trying something new and pushing myself to improve and see what I'm capable of. I love the newness of it and Im a very competitive person (with myself) and I'm stoked to see how far I can go with this...

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

Another interesting point:
I never was into freestyle mx or doing any tricks, just wanted to race. So when i first got into skis I didn't think I would wanna do a lot of tricks. As I rode though I had no desire to race a stand up and ended up doing as many tricks as possible. I remember when I landed my first roll on a ski! The feeling of accomplishment was better than beating 40 other riders for first place on the mx track. Just kinda weird, the comparison of racing to freestyle and how interest change.

 

[Alljumpstyle2]

GREAT THREAD! It drew my attention right away. I've been riding dirt bikes since the age of 4. But my dad always kept me away from racing and we just rode trails. Once I moved in high school I lost interest in riding. But then became friends with MX racers at school and it got me into riding tracks more and now that I pay for it on my own I've gotten into racing motocross and i love it. I still love trail riding too because I can scoot through the single track quicker than my moto friends. So now I have looked to riding standups as a way of "training."Now I have some friends who race mx that are also ready for Skis. I don't even have one yet but I have been all over this site gathering all the knowledge that I need. It's great. I wouldn't sell my bikes for anything and im ready to crossover into ski riding as well. I know there is going to be days when its hot as F out when I'm going to be taking the ski out and some days where the dirt is moist and the weather is right and I'm going to be craving moto.

 

[Alljumpstyle2]

P.s. ...as far as injuries, I've broken my feemur and collar bone. Cracked my sternum. Also have had knee surgery to clean out bone fragments and knee cap, and still sufer from soft tissue never damage in my shin/ foot from 4 years ago, which means i have little to no movement in my toes and ankle but the whole area is hyper sensitive. Not to mention be knocked unconscious several times. But the sport of motocross gives me a rush and relaxation that i don't think anything could ever replace.

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

I found being upside down gives me the same rush without the high risk of injury! I have also have had a few surgeries from MX and dont have all my movement in my left wrist. Of course with that comes random pain and discomfort, that will only get worse as you get older. As I get older I still love the sport but I am losing the desire to take the risk when I have just as much fun on the water.

 

[KTM434]

I found being upside down gives me the same rush without the high risk of injury! I have also have had a few surgeries from MX and dont have all my movement in my left wrist. Of course with that comes random pain and discomfort, that will only get worse as you get older. As I get older I still love the sport but I am losing the desire to take the risk when I have just as much fun on the water.

I agree 100% but with my broken wrist was a broken leg and shattered elbow that I have limited movement and I broke the growth plates in that arm so it is shorter as well. Surprisingly it doesn't bother me riding at all.

 

[D-Nice]

i been riden dirtbikes since i was 7, never got hurt to bad other then a broken shoulder an numerous sprained ankles. it wasnt till i turned 18 and got my first streetbike and started gettin big into stuntin is when i started going to the hospital regularly. gotta admit i was real good at it but u always break ur bike or your body an it cost $$$$. this is why you should always wear a helmet ---> face broken in 3 spots, and very servere concushion. and i still looked as good as new after it healed lol. and that big bloody scab in my upper lip happend to be a lil chunk of asfault that went all the way threw my lip that never got picked up in the cat scan that fell out a week after the accident. heres some of my good shots though

 

[OldSkoot]

No mx background here, BUT coming off 25 years of street bike riding...... Had a nasty high side August and decided to get into some water instead. Never owned a ski before in my life, ZERO surf background, and picked up the hardest hull to learn on it seems (JS). Must admit, the water is much softer/ I've been having a blast learning and yet while i have already prepared myself for many a wrench turning nights just to keep the old junkers running, to me that's some of the fun.
I miss the bikes, but @ 40 and now damaged goods (need a second AC surgery from the high side), I had to sit long and think over many a drinkin evening if i was ready to hang my helmet and leathers for good. So, for now and most likely forever the helmet is on the shelf. I gots lot to learn though about skis wrenching and riding, but i'm up for the challenge!

 

[ridethelip]

so doc here's the thing I got this race coming up and I need to know if you cast my wrist so I can race? answer : It's hard to put together corn flakes son

 

[jloria]

Awesome replies everyone...

Mx is definitely a great sport but I honestly believe it's my time as well. I've done everything under the sun...scuba diving, private pilot, autocross, streetbikes, skiydiving but nothing seems to compare to surfing or mx when your flowing. Jetskiing is a very close third though. At the time I had my ski, I was pulled very thin in terms of time. After building my ski, I was burnt. MX was way more appealing and easier to get into in some ways. The mx high was instant but it was cool having both. MX one day and jetskiing the next were great weekends.

Since my friends and I enjoyed mx more, naturally we gravitated towards riding dirt. Jetskiing took a back seat. All my hobbies just became too much. I ended up doing mx and playing the drums only. Jetskiing and surfing took a back seat. Last year I realized that I really miss surfing, which got me thinking about the water again.

Hanging out with friends on the water is a great time. Some of the best times I've had. This includes surfing and jetskiing Not many folks have stand-ups, so it was cool owning one and just playing in the water. I've only had 2 scenarios on my ski where I was really scared...1st time= did 3\4 of a backflip getting cocky on a nice wave when I was fairly new to riding...2nd time is when I nearly sank my ski in Jax...ha ha...with MX, part of the fun is being scared

to make a long story longer, my head has been heavy with the thought process but I feel that my MX chapter has closed. I have a 2007 RM144 that I prepped this weekend to sell...just haven't pulled the trigger...in the meantime, I have been looking all week for ski's here in Florida.

I will keep my gear and maybe ride MX occasionally with my friends...if the desire comes back so be it...things change so you never know...MX is not the only thing in this world but dang...it sure is fun! I can always buy another bike...

As I stated before, one of my biggest concerns is having permanent damage or paralysis from a bad MX wreck...I've seen lots of bad accidents and one lifeflight that took a visiting pro to the hospital. I can deal with the temporary pain of healing, just don't want long term damage issues b/c of it.

For those reasons and time, I am 98% sure I am hanging up the boots for now. Problem is that 2% seems to be weighted heavier although that makes no sense...you guys know what I am saying though. It's tough giving it up, but I am officially in the market for a ski. I would love to have that Blue Trinity on their website....that's a rocking ski...WOW

For now, looks like I will be looking for a +96 701 RN SJ to start building again. My thoughts are, that I would eventually buy an new hull in 2 yrs or so. I really want to be able to pull backflips and flat 360's...I'm literally 5 minutes from a ramp for flat water stuff, 20 minutes to beach access, and 35 from Huguenot here in JAX, Fl.

I think between surfing, jetskiing, and learning the guitar...i should have it all covered...I will miss MX though

My fingers got typing diarrhea so I appreciate everyone taking the time out to read this...i know it's long(that's what she said)...hey ooooooo

I've met some great people off of this forum and I welcome you guys down to JAX...old friends and new ones...PM me and I'll show you guys all the hot spots after u hit the surf. If you live in JAX, hit me up...Greg Solis is putting a 701 in his backup ski to get ready for the summer. I told him that I am in the market again and he was pretty stoked about it. He has 2 SJ's and a sitdown for family and friends...he lives in jax too so hit us up and we'll grab a beer with ya

I live alone so I can always put some people up...

See you guys in the water soon!

 

[Carnutvic]

AWSOME THREAD!!! I am new to this forum,and Jfloria,I feel your loss.I am 44,I have been a Mx rider and racer since I was 12.My son who is 17 has been a racer since he was 4 years old.I just sold my 05 Kx250 last week,I now own 5 skis.A WB1,2 Heavily modded js550's,a mildly modded sx650 and I am buying a 750 x2.
I have no regrets walking away from moto,I had some of the best times of my life riding and racing with my son. I have been riding stands ups for a while now,it was more of a fill in and great way to train for mx.Now the skis are #1 priority,I am super stoked to get out this spring.
I was pretty lucky in my Mx career,a few wrists,ankle and collar bone breaks.My son not so lucky.Wrists,collar bone,shoulder dislocation and worst of all,the dreaded torn acl.His racing days are over for a while too.
I am kinda glad more people don't know how much fun and challenging a stand up ski is.It keeps the prices down for sure.
I have soooo much to learn and tricks I want to master....Can't wait to get out and ski!!!

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

I am with u got my bike back up for sale! Keeping my gear and maybe do an occasional ride on a borrowed bike. I only ride mine occasionly so it shouldnt be much different.

 

[Soul Man]

Do both. Learn to love trail riding

 

[shawn_NJ]

Do both. Learn to love trail riding

Agreed. Thats good advice!

 

[jloria]

Bike is up for sale...

Search is on for a RN SJ...

 

[KTM434]

X3 with the trailriding! Obviously defying is different but Moto was too repetitious for me. I don't like riding in circles on the same track over and over again. I'm not knocking it in anyway since I pretty much love doing anything on 2 wheels but I think most people who don't like trail riding is because they don't have anyone to ride with that is competitive in the woods (or they just love jumping which is understandable). I never liked woods riding until I got dragged to NY to try my first harescramble. It was the worst scenario I could possibly imagine; my CR250 smoked the clutch the night before the race so I borrowed a WR250F (heavy and underpowered) from my brother in law. We left at 5am and I got there too late for the novice race and had to ride with the amateurs and experts. It was a 15 mile loop that was a 4 lap race. After he first lap I sucked all the water out of my camelback and threw up in my mouth 2 or 3 times haha. I got last in my class and was badly defeated physically and mentally. I'm not the type of person who gives up so I showed up to the next race with my own bike and raced the novice class and finished 3rd place! I was instantly hooked and 3 years later was in the expert class and had a championship in the amateur class. To me there's no rush like ripping through the woods at motocross speeds not knowing what's around the next corner or coming into a rock garden or rutted/swamped out mud hole with 5 other riders trying to pass you by taking a different line and you can't even see the other side when you approach it. I think a lot of motocross guys just see woods riding as being a picnic in the woods haha. I have brought plenty of motocross guys, adrenaline junkies, etc. To harescramble races and they all think I'm a crazy mofo! Unfortunately I havnt raced in 3 years now and I just moved to FL so I won't see the same New England terrain that I used to ride in but I refuse to sell my bikes and hand in my man card. I will still ride but jetskis have become my priority in the last 2 years (I'm also new to this sport) and I've met some really great guys on here.

 

[Wes K]

Do both... I have been riding mx/ racing desert for over 10 years and I love it! Got into riding stand ups in the surf to have something like riding and surfing to do in the summer when it is too hot to ride moto. I, like everyone else have had my share of crashes/ surgeries due to riding, but that is just how it goes. I enjoy it so much it is all worth it! I say keep the bike because after about a month or two without it your buddy will ask if you want to ride and you will be pissed because you have no bike to ride and you want to ride haha.

It is just like when you were a kid... one year you are all into riding bmx, the next year it is skateboarding, a year after that it is back to bmx! just keep the bike

 

[kx454]

I have been a die hard moto guy for 12 years now and I will never quit the sport....I have been hurt ALOT but you cannot let that discourage you. I was really big into skis 4-5 years ago and I still love them...but I've realized if you want to build a sweet flat water boat you really have to open up your wallet. I know that mx is expensive, but jet skis are just getting ridiculous. I am in the process of giving my ski a major overhaul...and I am thinking when it is all said and done I will sell it and cut my lossesnother new and buy another new MX bike....but that remains to be seen

 

[shannon cone]

do it all, ride skis at lake and little bit of ocean. (i suck at ocean and im so close but intemidated by the good guys) ride mx trails and desert. im good at riding so thats what my main focus is. in the middle of building a crawler.(96 jeep grand cherokee with fullsize dana 44 and ford 9'' rear that iv built all my crossmembers and 4 link kitt so thats keeping me busy at night in between raising a new baby and work and oh ya my wife. also go prerunning with my dad in his Leduce built prerunner bronco that 4-linked also and is supper fun to just have fun with my 61 year old dad in the desert drinking beer and blowin a run through the desert at 100mph. and now got into these dam rc cars again and they seem to be worse than my superjet. they really do nickle and dime you. but what the heck, its life and i cant take any money with me.