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!
'71 Yamaha DT-1 MX 250 Early WORKS REPLICA Vintage MotoCross REAL GYT
$4,950.001968 - 1969 YAMAHA DT1 ENDURO EXHAUST PIPE HEAT SHIELD NOS OR DEALER TAKE OFF
$2,250.00YAMAHA NOS OEM 1968 • 1971 DT1 GYT • MX ENDURO ORIG. BORE CYLINDER PISTON RINGS.
$1,600.00YAMAHA NOS OEM 1968 1971 DT1 ENDURO CYLINDER PISTON RINGS PART # 233-11311-01-00
$1,600.00NOS yamaha dt1 dt1f exhaust muffler
$1,480.00YAMAHA DT1 GYT exhaust pipe muffler
$1,398.00Yamaha Vintage AT1 DT1 GYT NOS high Fender Kit
$1,350.00Engine motor FOR PARTS FROZEN DT 1 DT1 250 Yamaha #C1
$999.001969 1970 Yamaha Dt 1 Speedometer and Tachometer.
$950.00yamaha dt1 dt1f fuel gas tank
$790.00YAMAHA TRAIL250 DT1 Sign with clock Super rare item Extremely rare
$719.35YAMAHA DT1 250 PARTS BIKE CORE BIKE BUILDER
$699.95YAMAHA EARLY 1968 Only DT1 250 ENDURO " 1 Bolt Hole For Taillight"
$650.00Yamaha Dt250 Dt-1 Carburetor Dt1F Dt1F-016 A Buy
$477.19FRAME 1968 EARLY YAMAHA DT250 DT1 DT-1 DT FIRST YEAR
$599.99Light magnetic ignition system 12V/ 180W DC for Yamaha DT1 /2/3, RT1/2/3, DT250/360/400
$543.64yamaha DT1 rt360 dt1 360 1970 71 72 triple clamps
$587.66YOKOHAMA NOS 325 X 19” TRAIL SPORT MOTORCYCLE TIRE YAMAHA ENDURO DT1 MADE JAPAN
$510.00YAMAHA NOS - TACHOMETER - DT1's - 1969-70 - 233-83540-00
$575.00NOS Yamaha DT1 DT2 DT3 FLYWHEEL MAGNETO 233-81300-20-00 SUB 275-81300-20-00 Y134
$561.751971 Yamaha dt1 250 tachometer & speedometer NOS style, restored
$550.00NOS 1968 Yamaha DT1 Small Tachometer
$550.00RARE DUNLOP NOS 350 X 18” TRIALS MOTORCYCLE TIRE DT1 YAMAHA ENDURO MADE ENGLAND
$495.00YAMAHA DT1 DT2 DT3 RT1 RT2 RT3 TAIL LAMP ASSY (TW46.1-1)
$515.00Mirror Pair YAMAHA YAMAHA CT1 CT2 CT3 DT1 DT2 DT3 DT360 Pair Of Mirrors
$531.79