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!
Vintage Mesh Racing YAMAHA Jersey Motocross Bushwakker Sportswear Motorcycle M
$150.00Vintage Honda Motocross Jacket Large
$125.00RARE NOS VINTAGE MOTOCROSS FOX RACING MX DIRTBIKE SUPERCROSS DG FMF JT RACING
$235.00Vintage Pro Circuit MX Racing Jersey Men’s
$120.00Vintage Motocross Racing Track Riding Pants Honda JT MX dirt
$149.00W32 Vintage JT Racing YAMAHA Motocross Pants
$250.00Vintage Alpinestars Hi-Point Motocross Boots
$475.00Vintage Shoei VT-1 Helmet Old School BMX Motocross Helmet W/Visor 1988 M Red USA
$100.00Vintage SCOTT USA Motocross Boots Red Blue
$199.99RARE Vintage Ricky Carmichael Fox Racing Head Motocross retirement Jersey MX SX
$804.04Vintage JT Racing Motocross Goggles
$175.00Vintage 1970s Bell Moto Star Motorcycle Helmet Full Face Yellow
$100.00Vintage Alpinestars Hi-Point Motocross Boots
$145.00Vintage Fox Pawtectors Motocross Gloves/ Size 10 / Leather 100% Genuine
$139.99Big Jim Honda Elsinore classic Vintage Motocross toy
$155.00Vintage JT Racing Motocross Jersey
$145.00Vintage SHOEI VF-X2 Troy Lee Design Motocross Helmet Size M 1996 Used from Japan
$196.68Vintage JT Racing HB 3 Motocross Dirt Bike Gloves -- Size 8
$100.00Vintage 90s AXO Sport 131 Motocross Pants 38 (Bradshaw 1993)
$115.00Vintage Style Motocross Pants DeCoster MX Enduro Trials Reign VMX Size 34
$125.00Vintage Mesh Racing Yamaha Jersey Yellow Motocross Malcom Smith Motorcycle Moto
$109.00Vintage 90's Moose Racing Sz 36 Pants L Jersey Motocross Dirtbike Gear Set Nice
$95.00Vintage 1991 SHOEI VX-TROYLEE Motocross Helmet Blue/green Size XL
$179.99Vintage Sinisalo Racing Motocross Jersey Mens Large L Honda Motorcycle 1994
$249.95Vintage Answer Kawasaki Motocross Jersey
$145.00