Mini 'Motard Reader Feedback

Re: Mini

The obvious problem is finding a suitable parking lot. Most parking lots are privately owned, and that means the owner is liable and at risk for what goes on. I don't like it either, but even an amenable lot-owner can get screwed.

I've ridden my XR100 on the street and in private lots, but I wouldn't try this without permission that would be impossible to obtain. Usually, I'll head out to a dry creek bed or some dirt lot under an overpass for some after-work riding, but only if I can't get out to a real park.

Riding in Urban brownfields is a major issue with the dirt bike community (something MO doesn't devote itself to much anymore). It seems harmless and responsible dirt riders would love the opportunity, but often times neighbors, politicians, lawyers, and other fun-spoilers try to impose on these fun loving people with stupid sensibilities and practicalities and stuff, and basically say it can't be done.

Unfortunately most people don't live near enough a motorcycle park or open public land that they can go for a ride with a couple hours after work or school. For most people, dirt riding involves loading up the bikes, traveling, and a whole-day destination.

I'm lucky to have an awesome bike park within 1 hour's drive. Hollister Hills has tons of great tracks and miles of trail. This California State park is 10 times better than any parking lot, but it didn't always used to be a State park.

Hollister Hills used to belong to Howard Harris -- of the Harris Ranch (California's largest cattle/beef operation). I understand the State had to take over because there was no way Harris could manage the liability of the operation once the environment turned litigous.

For road racing, private tracks are somewhat more practical because they can generate more revenue to pay massive insurance bills, lawyers, etc. Most people are willing to pay a couple hundred bucks for a trackday or race fees. Track day, school, and race organizers pay the track thousands of dollars. We wouldn't think of paying these kinds of fees to ride a mini-bike in a dirt lot.

It's pretty sad when you think about it. It's damn near impossible to ride your motorcycle anywhere unless either you own the land or the goverment gives you permission.

Re: Mini

Streetlegal brings up a few good points, most notable of them is the overly litigious nature of most people nowadays. So it doesn't hurt reminging people that this parking lot is in a very secluded, yet open (does that make any sense?) industrial area comprised of mostly machine shop-types of companies whose residents and employees tend to disappear after dark.

Addressing another point, dirt coverage hasn't exactly been overwhelming, but we're trying to change that by hiring a very notable off-road editor who has years of motojournalism under his belt. He'd take the job on right now, though he's currently bombarded with other projects. Still, as soon as the fires are put out, he's comming on staff. He's also an ex-roadracer, so he'll help in the street coverage as well.

Further, you mention a track day. To that end, we're entertaining the thought of a MO-sponsored track day (like the Euro books have, though they call them "track frenzies" over the pond) in co-operation with somebody like Tom Sera's Fastrackriders.

Again, all good points above, and posts like this just help motivate us even more. So I thank you both personally and on behalf of MO, and we'll try to keep on givin' the people what they want.

Re: Mini

This sounds some serious fun, it should be illegal. Oh wait, it is...

What are the consequences of driving a dirt bike in a parking lot???

Probably here in Orange County, it is death by firing squad.

Do they just make you pack up and leave?

I REALLY REALLY want to do this.

Re: Mini

If people would take responsibility for their own actions, you wouldn't have to sneak into a deserted parking lot at night to do this type of riding. Unfortunately, when someone does something stupid, they don't go "Well, that was stupid." they start looking around for someone to blame, and ultimately, someone to sue. It is this type of mentality that has made property owners paranoid about any unauthorized use of their property. There is actually a legal theory called "attractive nuisance" that a lot of morons have used to sue land owners because the moron trespassed on property (this is usually property with good roads, maybe a clay pit, old buildings, etc.) and was injured.

In Europe, on most of the ski slopes, you are not allowed to sue the owners for personal injury. If such a law was applied in the US, you'd find far more places in which to do off road riding. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it to happen though; we'd first have to decide that we are actually responsible for our own actions, and that is down right unAmerican.

YSRs

Given your recent great stories on minimotards and scooters, you guys (MO) should do a story about the YSR racing scene. It's a great low-cost, low-risk way of racing and it's very underreported in the press. I'm racing a stock YSR50 this year in EARA on the east coast and I'm having a blast doing it. It's cheap to race and amazing fun! Come on, MO - let's hear about the YSRs. I know you have a lot of folks racing them in SoCal.

Some good links are:

http://www.teamcalamari.com

http://www.ysrracing.com

http://www.ysr50.com

http://www.fastriceracing.com

Chris Weaver EARA#24

YSRs

Given your recent great stories on minimotards and scooters, you guys (MO) should do a story about the YSR racing scene. It's a great low-cost, low-risk way of racing and it's very underreported in the press. I'm racing a stock YSR50 this year in EARA on the east coast and I'm having a blast doing it. It's cheap to race and amazing fun! Come on, MO - let's hear about the YSRs. I know you have a lot of folks racing them in SoCal.

Some good links are:

http://www.teamcalamari.com

http://www.ysrracing.com

http://www.ysr50.com

http://www.fastriceracing.com

Chris Weaver EARA#24