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!
72 73 Suzuki TM 250 New Old Stock Bassani Exhaust Pipe Chamber 1972-1973
$750.00NOS Suzuki TM250 Champion 1972-1975 Genuine Magneto Rotor Stator OEM 32101-30700
$499.99NOS Suzuki TM250 Champion 72-75 Genuine Magneto Coil Flywheel Stator 32100-30700
$499.99NOS Suzuki TM250 Champion 1972-1975 Genuine Magneto Flywheel Rotor 32102-30700
$499.991973 Suzuki TM 250 Front forks
$350.00NOS Suzuki TM250 1973-75 TM400 71-75 Genuine LH Front Fork Cylinder 51146-32110
$299.99NOS Suzuki OEM Cylinder Head 1972-1973 TM250 Champion 11111-30100
$299.95NOS Suzuki TM250 Champion 1972-1973 Genuine Engine Cylinder Head 11111-30100
$299.941973 SUZUKI TM 250 OEM CYLINDER BARRELL 71mm
$244.75SUZUKI TM250 TM400 R/J/K/L/M 1971-1975 ALUMINIUM (BLACK) FRONT+REAR WHEEL RIM
$115.00SUZUKI TM250 TM400 R/J/K/L/M 1971-1975 ALUMINIUM (GOLD) FRONT + REAR WHEEL RIM
$115.00SUZUKI TM250 TM400 R/J/K/L/M 1971-1975 ALUMINIUM (SILVER ) FRONT+REAR WHEEL RIM
$115.00NOS 1973 - 1974 Suzuki TM 250 Magneto Inspection Cover 11381-30100 VMX PERFECT
$237.501973 73 SUZUKI TM 250 400 SEAT VMX AHRMA
$237.501973 SUZUKI TM250 OEM CRANK & ROD (SEE BELOW)
$219.45NOS Genuine Suzuki Carburetor Float Set Of 2 RM125 RM250 TM250 TM400 PE250 PE400
$224.99WISECO PISTON KIT 72.00/+2.00 Suzuki Ts250 DS250 Tm250 1972-1981 380M07200
$222.61Wiseco HP Piston Kit 72mm 2.00OB Suzuki Champion 250 72-75
$222.4472 73 Suzuki TM 250 used Cylinder Jug 70.50mm 11210-30100 1972-1973
$195.00NOS 1975-76 Suzuki RM250 / TM250 Cylinder Sleeve NEW LA Sleeve 70mm RM TM TS 250
$199.99Wiseco Piston Kit for 1972-1975 Suzuki TM250 - Engine Pistons Piston Kits mf
$204.19Wiseco .080 Piston for Suzuki DS250, RL250 & TM250 - 380M07200
$201.99Wiseco Piston Kit 72.00mm Bore Vintage Suzuki DS250 RL25 TM250 TS250
$201.99NOS Suzuki TM250 TM Champion 1972-1975 OEM Genuine Throttle Cable 58300-30101
$199.99NOS Suzuki OEM Right Outer Fork Tube 1973-1974 TM400 1974 TM250 51130-32110
$199.99