What we know today as "motocross" began in northern Britain, in the early 1920s, and was an off-road event known as "Scrambles". The first "Scramble" was ridden in 1924 in Camberley, Surrey. The dirt bikes of that period weren't very different from the road bikes, however, the intense off-road competition quickly led to technical improvements, such as the addition of suspension to the bike in the 1930s.
With the popularity of motocross on the rise world wide, it was only natural for a country versus country competition to arise. The competition would be an annual event called Motocross des Nations, with each country's team being comprised of three racers. The first race was held in 1947, and won by Great Britain. Great Britain only lost six times between 1947 and 1968, making them the obvious initial threat. Belgium became the dominating force through the 1970s, but once the United States entered the picture in 1981, no one else would take the prize again until 1994.
Now that motocross fever had spread most of the globe, and Motocross des Nations had become a yearly team tradition, a solo championship was needed. The first World Championship in motocross came in 1957, and was raced with each rider using a 500cc dirt bike. The 250cc class was added to the championship competition in 1962, making way for the two-stroke motocross bikes. It was then that the weight and easier riding ability of the two-strokes allowed companies such as Bultaco, CZ, Maico, and Husqvarna to take over the market. The 125cc World Championship class was introduced later in 1975.
In the early 1980s, Japanese bike companies began making major changes to the typical motocross bike. The bikes became water-cooled and with monoshock rear suspension, which started with Yamaha in 1975. The 1990s brought even more change when Californian environmental laws forced manufacturers to develop more environmentally friendly four-stroke bikes, yet many still prefer 2 stroke models for off road, woods style riding.
VintageMX.net is all about helping to preserve motocross history and information and to help make sure that these classic bikes and the origin of motocross never gets lost. Be sure to comment on racers, models of bikes, post a motocross event, show off your bike, or buy, sell, and trade!
MX PANTS SZ36 VINTAGE MOTOCROSS FOX RACING JT SUPERCROSS HONDA RICK JOHNSON
$149.00PROCIRCUIT SPLITFIRE KAWASAKI JERSEY VINTAGE MOTOCROSS FOX RACING JT SUPERCROSS
$159.00SZ MED DG TEAM SUZUKI VINTAGE MOTOCROSS FOX RACING JT SUPERCROSS DIRTBIKE MX FMF
$139.00NIB Vintage JT Racing Power Gloves MX Motocross Size 11
$100.00Vintage Motocross 1998 Sinisalo Honda Of Troy Race Jersey
$100.00VTG FOX AIR SHOX MOTORCYCLE 1977 SHOCK ABSORBERS MOTOCROSS DIRT BIKE 13.5 VMX MX
$299.00VTG 90s AXO Sport Team Racing Motocross Jersey Xl Terry Cloth VMX Racewear
$99.99Vintage Fox Image Zebra Print Motocross Pants
$100.00Vintage Honda Motocross Jacket Large
$110.00Vintage Motocross 1980s Camel Supercross Series Factory Team Pants Size 30 Inchs
$160.00Arai RARE Vintage Motocross Helmet - White Size XL
$180.00Vintage 80s JT Racing Dalmation Print Motocross / BMX Pants Made In Finland
$145.00Vintage MSR System 6 Motocross Gear Set
$185.00Vintage Fox Image Racing Motocross Jersey Vans Shoes Men’s XXL
$250.00Vintage BELL RT Helmet White Motorcycle Motocross Racing Toptex
$199.00Vintage 1981 Super Seer Motocross Goggles Clear Lens White Frame Yellow Strap
$99.99Vintage Bell Honda Of Troy Moto 6 Motocross Helmet Mike Craig Ward Swink Dehoop
$249.97Vintage Fox Pawtectors Motocross Gloves/ Size 10 / Leather 100% Genuine
$134.99Vintage JT Racing Motocross Pants
$125.00Vintage Bell Moto 6 Motocross Helmet Mike Larocco 1990's XL Ride Till You Die 95
$139.97VTG 1980's SINISALO Motocross Mesh Jersey Size S-M Kawasaki For Jeff Ward fans!
$98.51Vintage 1970’s / 80's Yamaha Motocross Authentic Yamaha Size 38
$200.00Vintage O’Neal Pro Lite USA Motocross Boots
$100.00BILL WALTERS TEAM KAWASAKI MX KIT SZL VINTAGE MOTOCROSS FOX RACING JT SUPERCROSS
$389.00Vintage Fox Racing Motocross Jersey Image size XXL 1995
$159.95