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 Fox Pawtector Motocross Gloves
$155.00Vintage Motocross Factory Kawasaki Kit MX Supercross AHRMA Dirtbike Honda Yamaha
$950.00GRIFF'S STEVE STACKABLE VINTAGE YAMAHA YELLOW MOTOCROSS PANTS BOB HANNAH AHRMA
$350.00VINTAGE MOTOCROSS FOX RACING RED RIDERS HONDA HRC MX KIT SUPERCROSS DIRTBIKE
$539.00Vintage 70s Yamaha Motocross Striped Racing Jersey Red Size Large USA
$124.99RC125 gas tank elsinore Honda HRC ahrma motocross vintage dirt track saddleback
$365.00vintage motocross 1975 cr 125 honda elsinore gas tank collectors special
$354.00Vintage AXO SPORT Motocross Jersey Size L Made in USA
$167.99Vintage Fox Racing Retro 360 Motocross Gear Jersey Pants Honda DG JT Racing
$99.95Fox Vintage Motocross Shocks
$450.00Vintage Fox Image Motocross Pants
$135.00Vintage SINISALO Motocross Jersey HONDA of TROY White, Green Size L NM
$207.99Vintage Motocross Boots Mens 11 Buckle Strap Up Leather Steel Toe Dirt Biking
$150.00Vintage Fox Image Damon Bradshaw Replica Motocross Pants
$165.00Noleen - "New" - Vintage motocross shocks (14.25 length) - Suzuki 1976 RM125
$745.00Vintage 70’s Team Honda Motocross Jersey Go Pro Made in USA Thrashed Size XL
$95.00Vintage 90s Motocross Fox Image FX Racing Jersey
$150.00Vintage Honda Answer Motocross Pants Men's Size 38
$130.00Vintage 1980s Kawasaki Motocross White Pads Chest Protector JT Racing
$320.00VINTAGE MOTOCROSS FOX MOTO X FOX RACING 19”AIR SHOCKS SUPERCROSS DIRTBIKE MX
$950.00Vintage 70s 80s JT Racing Motocross BMX Riding Pants Size 30 yards, White, & Blu
$175.00RARE 70’s VTG Rocky Cycle Co. Leather Race Pants MX Track Black Yellow Stripe
$229.99Vintage AXO 707 Series Motocross Supercross Pants Size 34
$109.00CUSTOM vintage Malcolm Smith motocross MX leather pants 32/33 x 29 Evel Knievel
$265.00NOS VINTAGE MOTOCROSS FOX RACING JT HONDA JEREMY MCGRATH SUPERCROSS MX DIRTBIKE
$539.00