My 6yo first time on a 2 wheel bike.

[Conquiztador]

So I wake up on Saturday at 8am. My 6yo has jumped in to my bed. He lies there head in hands looking at me when I open my eyes. He smiles. I say: "Morning Vinny". He says: "Bike daddy". I close my eyes and think this will go away if I try hard enough. But I can feel his eyes burning in to me. I open my eyes again after unsuccessfully trying to go back to sleep, and yes, he is still there. Smile on his lips he says: "Bike daddy!!!" No, he does not have a speech problem, he just knows that nothing else needs to be said.

I have this oldish and very "pre loved" Suzuki DS80 in my garage that needs some work. We had a look at it in the week and I promised him that it would be his and we would together fix it in the weekend. And 8am on Saturday is weekend. I give him that.

But then I think about it: A 6yo that wants ro ride, that is prepared to give me a friendly nudge to get started. That wants to work on the bike! So I get up, have a V and we get started.

4 hours later we have together washed her, cleaned the carbi, repaired the muffler and refitted so it is not loose, repaired the chain adjustement so it stays where we put it, cleaned and greased the chain, aligned the front end, fitted side covers and seat properly and put some air in the flat tyres (why are they always flat at the bottom?). Also fixed the brakes. And some other small jobs.

Kickstart shaft is round, so kicking is out of question. We push start her in 2 gear, and she roars (well ok, as much roaring that a 80cc 2 stroke can do...) in to life.

He has never ridden a 2 wheel bike before. Or one with gears and clutch. So I show him what to do. But I can see that he is too eager to worry about what I tell him. He just wants to ride! So I leave her in 2nd gear, he jumps on and I push him and let the clucth out. He happily takes off and rides round and round on our section. Until he gets too cocky and ends up in to a tree (see pic). But no harm done, he laughs and thinks it was a blast.

So back on and off he roars again. As the sun goes down later he still is going round and round. OK, so he has had stops for toilet, food, petrol and drink. Also two small crashes. (Note that his hands are to small to pull the clutch and his feet are a fraction too short to reach down, so he does not stop. Just screams to me when he needs to stop!) I come and stop him as it is getting too dark. He jumps off and asks me: "Cant we put a light on it?"

When we put the bike away and go in he tells me that he wants to go and race motocross tomorrow. When I explain that he needs much more practice and also some proper gear. He says: "Why do you have those goggles on when racing?" I explain that it is so that you don't get dirt in your eyes. He looks at me and with a straight face says: "But if you are in the lead you don't need them!"

Today Sunday he has used her in 3rd gear and we have been to the beach. He tells me that he now can race. "When can we race?". Not yet son I say. "Next week?" he says, and then asks: "If we race far away how are we gonna get the bike on the plane"...

Yep. It was worth having 4 boys, as the youngest has inherited it. You go Vinny!!!

[Zuki Bandit]

"But if you are in the lead you don't need them!"

I love it!!!:lol:

[MIXONE]

One of those times which will stick in your boy's memory for ever.And yours.:niceone:

[CookMySock]

awesome. thanks for sharing that. :niceone:

DB

[EJK]

Oh wow that is really sweet lol

A dad of the year! :)

[yungatart]

A motivated kid like that, and only 6!
Wicked! He's gonna cost you heaps....

But worth every cent!

[Sensei]

Sweet my 4year old has been riding for 1 month now on his 03- KDX50 first ride straight into it feet up round the paddock till got tied & fell off . Now after 12 times on the bike its just like he has been riding for a year . Friends cann't believe how much skill he has for his age hope he got that from me LOL . He has been on my bikes since he was 1 & rides in the front on my TTR600 for 2hr rides so may have help with the balance . Better hide the keys to the Aprilia next :mad:

[soundbeltfarm]

hey scott where did you get your kdx50 from?
i've never heard of them.
jake wants to ride lukes bike but he cant touch ground on it.
are they still made?
cheers man
Karl

[FROSTY]

good onya mate youve joined the club.

[FROSTY]

hey scott where did you get your kdx50 from?
i've never heard of them.
jake wants to ride lukes bike but he cant touch ground on it.
are they still made?
cheers man
Karl
mate --peewee 50 --best first bike :2thumbsup

[Stromble]

awesome, bet he was stoked... but next sunday, itll be;

"Daddy, wheres my GSXR1000" :)

and please, put sommat on the kids knees/shins... (sorry Ive just binned in jeans, but if its in the blood the kids probably a better rider than me already...)

[McJim]

Well Alex just turned 4 in feb and he's sat pillion up and down our right of way a few times but Chickadee advises me he's still too young for a PW50......but soon.....:devil2:

[Conquiztador]

awesome, bet he was stoked... but next sunday, itll be;

"Daddy, wheres my GSXR1000" :)

and please, put sommat on the kids knees/shins... (sorry Ive just binned in jeans, but if its in the blood the kids probably a better rider than me already...)

Yep, jeans on each time now. That was first ride and then in to the tree. After that it was jeans and jacket! Luckily no real damage.

[Sensei]

hey scott where did you get your kdx50 from?
i've never heard of them.
jake wants to ride lukes bike but he cant touch ground on it.
are they still made?...


Brought it from Feilding from a bike shop there . It is just a Kawasaki version of a JR 50 Suzuki just Green they are pretty rare to find but look heaps better then the yellow JR50s , has 2 heights you can put the suspension at which is great for the small guys to put both feet on the ground . Found mine on Trademe so may be others still around Karl

[Conquiztador]

Well Alex just turned 4 in feb and he's sat pillion up and down our right of way a few times but Chickadee advises me he's still too young for a PW50......but soon.....:devil2:

Try a LT50. 4 wheeler, centrifugal clutch and a kill switch on a string you can pull. Vinny has been on that one for about a year. But he was getting bored. Riding full noise and not enough. You get them from $400. And you get your money back when selling. (as long as you do not go riding it your self...)

[FROSTY]

Try a LT50. And you get your money back when selling. (as long as you do not go riding it your self...)
SEZ WHO??
Er um er ok Two grown men racing LT50's does look stupid---but shit its fun.

[deanohit]

Dude, thats awesome, future moto x star in the making huh? Gotta start 'im young these days.

[Conquiztador]

SEZ WHO??
Er um er ok Two grown men racing LT50's does look stupid---but shit its fun.

Yes, the wind in the hair, the looks from the girls...lol. Nah, I have been on ours too. And they are made tough. But the recommendation is for 40Kg or less...

[FROSTY]

Yea me n Dougal had a blast rippin round the "kids" track at mangawhai

[Conquiztador]

Dude, thats awesome, future moto x star in the making huh? Gotta start 'im young these days.

Most likely. From my 4 boys he is the one who just HATES loosing. When playing games, when pushbiking, when swimming. So I can just not see him settling for 2'nd place.

[offrd]

Ha ha ha! Awesome!


Wont be long and i will be getting that from my two year old boy, He has to sit on my BMW every night when i get home from work as i put it away into the garage. Then its nie nies bike, bike sleep daddy as we lock the garage...
My two daughters are not quite as bad... I finally stopped them demanding a ride around the section with everyone onboard every night.... 4 up doing laps looks kind of funny tho!

:clap:

[Conquiztador]

He got home from school and straight back on. Had obviously been telling school mates as he had a crowd watching. (Including a couple of small girls...) They were all impressed. But after 30 minutes of watching they left, and he just kept going. Round and round and...

After he stopped he went through all old videos and found an old one of some cross and speedway. He watched that and then asked: "Dad, can you build me a jump?"...

[MIXONE]

It's either in the blood or it aint and when it is it shows up early.:niceone:

[Conquiztador]

I have some of those back wheel covers from my days as speedway rider. They are on my workshop walls as momentoes. A little like spiderwebs for my memories. At times when I am in the workshop and my eyes go to them I can loose 1/2 hour if I do not watch it.

Vinny did pull one of them down yesterday and proclaimed: "I NEED this one on my bike when I race". We had a discussion regarding who's it was and why he would not get it.

The discussion went a little like this:
Vinny: "I NEED this one"
Me: "Sorry no Vinny, i's mine!"
Vinny: "But you don't use it"
Me: "I's mine!"
Vinny: "I NEED this one when I race"
Me: "I'ts too big for your wheel"
Vinny: "You always say that you can fix anything"
Me: "I can"
Vinny: "So you can fit it to my bike as I NEED this one"
Me: "We'll see..."
Vinny: "Can you do it now?"
Me: "Earliest after I come back from Rock2Wellington"
Vinny: "Tomorrow?"
Me: "OK!!!"

I think that went really well and he understands that he just can't have everything his way!!!

So after confirming that tomorrow was today he happily went to school this morning. So we will cut the thingy and then fit it today...

Did I tell you guys that I love my boys??

[Blossom]

Dude that is awesome. And yeah its a bit obvious you love your boys... :cool:
We have 4 kids too and all 4 have the genes. sigh. But our lot are all roadbike crazy rather than motorcross. But it does warm the cockles of the soul to read of your little mans passion.
Our just turned 4 daughter is the most addicted and really tiny in size, she cant reach the pegs yet on dads rf900 so has to sit on his lap and it just looks so wrong as she looks like shes only 2yrs old. :lol: The neighbours think were mad but the kids are the most popular kids on the street and every saturday we have a veratable audience when we take the bikes out for their weekly wash and polish. :lol: (yeah ok so i polish mine pretty much after every ride but the husband doesnt know this as he gives me greive about being precious about my bike already. :lol:)
Awesome to read anyway.. keep up the updates yeah?:2thumbsup

[MIXONE]

It won't be long and he'll be demanding the keys to your bike.Sorry to hisbike.:rolleyes:

[Conquiztador]

It won't be long and he'll be demanding the keys to your bike.Sorry to hisbike.:rolleyes:

Any factory bikes is OK. You can get more of them. But he will have to get his own customs...

The one in my profile (Princess) is in the garage. Needs some work. My oldest has been trying to get the OK to use her (after I have spent the time getting her back on the road...) Yeah right...

[deanohit]

I think that went really well and he understands that he just can't have everything his way!!!

Hahaha, I think you need a tui man, You sound like a push over! :first:

[Conquiztador]

Hahaha, I think you need a tui man, You sound like a push over! :first:

But really, do I need that wheel cover on the wall? There is another one there. If something would go wrong and I had never been able to ever fit that cover to his bike. Would I have regretted that I had not done it? (It is now on the bike and he is happy. And that makes me happier then looking at the thing on the wall...)

[Livvy]

That's awesome man. Gotta love stuff like that... I don't think you sound like a pushover though, your son just knows how to get what he wants! And besides, it made you happy so it's perfect for you both.

(I'm just still getting suspicious looks from my family after I said I'd be buying my nice a peewee 50) :laugh:

[Conquiztador]

Vinny has now just turned 9 and as bike mad as ever.

Here the updates:

When he turned 7 we sold the DS80 and I got him a chinese Honda replica. 90cc 4 stroke and with 3 gears and auto clutch. A fraction big, but he was happily using that one around home and beach.
221011

Then when he was 7 1/2 I came across on KB a chap that has a 2 stroke aircooled 50cc KTM for sale. We grabbed that one and Vinny went to his first MX race. It was an eye opener. There was 6 yo boys that had 2 bikes, dads with trailers and big 4wd cars. There was tents, chilly bins and s/s bbq's. But this did not face us. Vinny rode as well as he could. But soon we realised that his little bike was missing a few hp's compared to the watercooled ones (his had 3hp, the watercooled ones 7 or 8)

221013

When he then turned 8 he got some new gear and a competetive KTM 50cc SX watercooled bike. He has now been riding that one for a year and has been getting faster and better. Came 2'nd in the HB Winter Series (over 5 meetings) and is 2'nd in the HB Champs with one meeting to go.
221015

He has a couple of days ago turned 9 and has had 4 bikes sofar. He now will have to move up to 65cc and gears and clutch. (Have a bike, well two actually, that we are planning to buy. One as spare...)Costs go up, the racing gets tougher, the speed increases and there is meetings most w/e's. But he is keen, so we keep on going. And he told me that when he becomes professional and rich he will buy me whatever bike I want so I can go riding with him, so I have something to look forward to. :first:

[Headbanger]

Very cool. Let me know if you or when you on sell any of those bikes, My boys are mad-keen on motorcycles and I'd love to get them on something.

[Conquiztador]

Very cool. Let me know if you or when you on sell any of those bikes, My boys are mad-keen on motorcycles and I'd love to get them on something.

As we have gone on I have sold the earlier ones and bought the next one. (He is my youngest, so the older boys are too big for his bikes) Currently he has the one in that last pic. Called "KTM Pro Senior 50 SX". It is a 2004 model. But from 2004 up until 2009 they were the same. 2003 had drum brake back and the 2010 up has been redesigned. (The jury is still out if that was a good idea as they tend to have some issues...)

After his last race this Sunday this bike will be for sale. It is a tidy and well working one that I have through the year spent some money on:
(Here what I can remember)
- Swingarm bushes
- Rear brake pads
- All chain guide plastics
- Hand grips
- Almost new tyres
- New rear end plastics still to be fitted
- Rebuilt rear brake master cylinder
- Kick start seal

The bike has done less than 20 meetings where a race is 10 minutes with 4 races average per meeting since we got it. So she has been used approx 20 - 25 hours since new chain and rear sprocket, piston, bottom end and waterpump rebuild. She is getting close to needing a set of rings. But still fast enough to be very competetive. I will not put new rings in her but reflect this in the sale price.

$1,200

Note that this is a race bike that revs over 10,000 and there has been dads who have bought these for their kids only to find out that the bike scares the shit outta them and they refuse to ride it. Your little one turns the throttle and the dirt will fly and they are off...

The centrifugal clutch needs to be taken apart and cleaned and oil replaced between meetings. Allow 1 - 1 1/2 hour.

Parts are easily available and not too expensive. And there is heaps of tips and tricks how to set them up on the web.

Uses pre mix fuel.

This bike is used by kids from approx 5yo until they turn 9 (if racing is what the bike is used for). Once 9 they need to move up to 65cc.

This bike has never been used to the full potential by Vinny, and the limitations are with him and not the bike.

So if your boys are planning to race, then this is as good as it gets for this age. (2011 models are just under $5K and not any faster). But be prepared to do maintenance. If they only want something to hoon around the paddoc on I would not recommen these, as they require too much maintenance and cost to keep going.

Oh yes, comes with a manual too, old rear end plastics and a set of tyres with 80% left.

[Cayman911]

When i took off the training wheels off my bicycle. i was the coolest lil kid on the block.

[Conquiztador]

So now we are riding in the 65cc class. We sold the 50cc, his boots that were too small, the body armour. And threw in some other bits. All up $1,300 to same dad.

And we bought two KTM 65cc ones from a dad who's boy was moving up to 85cc.

Today I had a call from the MX club re the Prize Giving. When Vinny's all points were counted together from all his racing last year in HB (he came 2'nd in the Winter Series and 2'nd in the club champs) he had most points. So tomorrow he will get top points scorer in 50cc in 2010. Will be a surprise for him .

This year he is learning the gear shifting and clutch use. That has come together well, and at Taupo where he rides in the B-grade this year he has every meeting cut a minute of his time. From being lapped in his first meeting he is now 30 seconds behind the winner.

Much of his improvement can be put down to the two MX holiday programmes he has attended. And now in July he will be attending the next one.

So where is this going you ask? No idea. But he is a capable rider who does not take silly chances. And if he never becomes a NZ champ it would not worry me. He clearly has developed a liking for motorbikes and a skill in using them. And we are doing something together that we both love. That makes it all worth it. 241894

[FJRider]

Worth it INDEED ...

[Conquiztador]

Vinny is now 10 1/2 yo and second year in 65cc. Vinny is now managing to qualify for A grade in all competitions he enters. We have two KTM 65cc bikes. They are set up a fraction different to cater for changes in the tracks. At end of 2010 I paid $4K for both with a big box of spares thrown in. I have learnt more re setup and working on these 2 stroke rocket ships. Vinny is cutting times at every track we visit on regular basis. Currently he is 3'rd in HB Winter series (after 2 rounds), 4'th in Wanganui Winter series (after 2 rounds), 21'st in Taupo A grade Winter Series (after 2 rounds). In end of December we did Whakatane Summer cross where Vinny came 15'th, end of January Woodville where things did not go well and he came towards the end, and just done NI Mini MX Champs in Huntly where he came 17'th.

Most riders now have later model 65cc KTM's that tends to have more bottom end that makes them easier to ride than Vinnys model. The jury is still out if we will get a later model one or stay with what we have. But as we will in February move him up to Junior 85cc I am not sure if it is worth it. I would love to let him use a later model KTM at Taupo where the top riders are 10 seconds faster than Vinny/lap. (He is cutting a few seconds of best lap each race there and we are now down to 1m 33sec/lap). He has since January 2011 now been part of 6 one week MX camps here in HB, and will again be part of the July one.

Since beginning of February we have raced every weekend. Hastings, Waipawa, Wanganui, Taupo, Whakatane, Tokoroa, Auckland, Rotorua, Huntly at this stage. At times 2 meetings/weekend. And it started to pay off approx a month ago when he suddenly started to get all together and compete with the better riders. At Taupo he also did better last meeting, but had some bad luck and a faulty bike in one race meaning the total points were not what we were hoping for. Up until recently he had problems on muddy and slippery tracks, but at Huntly he was passing riders off the line in the wet clay in the corners and he loved it.

The aim is to be in the top 5 at each place and also at championships so we can get some sponsorship for him.

We still have no idea where this goes. But Vinny is loving it, he has started to watch what he eats, started soccer so he can get fit, does much pushbiking for fitness and the two evenings before a race he goes early to bed. All this without me having to do anything re it. At times he has a crappy meeting/race and I am not sure why. Can only put it down to that he at times does not seem to have "killer instinct". But as we go on these meetings/races are becoming less frequent.

Vinny still has to come first in a race with good riders and pick up max 25 points. Last meeting in Wanganui he had two 2'nds and is now hungry to get his first win against good riders.

This is not cheap. Apart from the fuel, parts and motor rebuilds I will be spending $10K on travel, entry fees and other costs related to all the meetings we go to this year. But... it is only money.

264883

[unstuck]

Good stuff, what an awesome read. What a cool dad.:first::niceone:

[caseye]

Way to go Con, Vinny is a lucky young fella and I'm sure will one day be a bloody good Dirt rider and most likely a fantastic road rider for all his training and skills.
Great when they get into it themselves aye.
Loved catching up on how he's doing, next time you guys are in Dorkalnd there's a garage with enough tools to sink a battleship and spare beds if needed, can't do much else but we can take the accommodation problem out of the equation for you.

[White trash]

What an awesome thread! I read with a heap of interest as my boy Keiran has just turned 4 last week and has is first introductory PeeWee race at Kapi-Mana on Sunday. I've been agonizing over how expensive this is potentially going to get as working at a KTM dealership, you see the sheer dollars parents are forking out to keep their kids on competitive machinery and frankly, I can't afford it.

At least I've got two years to see how he enjoys it and decide what level he decides will make him happiest.

Vinny's a lucky boy to have such a supportive dad but I reckon (know) dad get's as much enjoyment out of it as the racer does.

[Conquiztador]

Way to go Con, Vinny is a lucky young fella and I'm sure will one day be a bloody good Dirt rider and most likely a fantastic road rider for all his training and skills.
Great when they get into it themselves aye.
Loved catching up on how he's doing, next time you guys are in Dorkalnd there's a garage with enough tools to sink a battleship and spare beds if needed, can't do much else but we can take the accommodation problem out of the equation for you.
Cheers. Not sure when we will next ride in Auckland as we have it all planned until end of November. But if nothing else, we be in Auckland riding in the "King of the North" in beginning of 2013.


What an awesome thread! I read with a heap of interest as my boy Keiran has just turned 4 last week and has is first introductory PeeWee race at Kapi-Mana on Sunday. I've been agonizing over how expensive this is potentially going to get as working at a KTM dealership, you see the sheer dollars parents are forking out to keep their kids on competitive machinery and frankly, I can't afford it.

At least I've got two years to see how he enjoys it and decide what level he decides will make him happiest.

Vinny's a lucky boy to have such a supportive dad but I reckon (know) dad get's as much enjoyment out of it as the racer does.
Cheers. Good luck to Kieran in his first race! After the beginner classes he can always race in the Trials class where the bikes are 4 stroke up to 110cc. A fraction cheaper bikes and don't need so much work. But if he gets hooked and has potential I recon you would be short-changing him. Thou working at a KTM dealership should give you an advantage, and I am sure there would be some sponsorship available... The NZ Mini MX Champs are at Kapi-Mana 6-7 October this year. WE have plans to come down and do a trial run before then.

[White trash]

Cheers. Good luck to Kieran in his first race! After the beginner classes he can always race in the Trials class where the bikes are 4 stroke up to 110cc. A fraction cheaper bikes and don't need so much work. But if he gets hooked and has potential I recon you would be short-changing him. Thou working at a KTM dealership should give you an advantage, and I am sure there would be some sponsorship available... The NZ Mini MX Champs are at Kapi-Mana 6-7 October this year. WE have plans to come down and do a trial run before then.

Thanks mate. Yeah, we're sponsoring the Mini Champs with KTM. Let me know when you sort out what weekend you want to come down for a preview and I'll see if we can help with accommodation also, depending on the house situation.

[Conquiztador]

Thanks mate. Yeah, we're sponsoring the Mini Champs with KTM. Let me know when you sort out what weekend you want to come down for a preview and I'll see if we can help with accommodation also, depending on the house situation.

Thanks! Will let you know!

[Conquiztador]

Just had to post this: Vinny's first holeshot and win! And against quality riders too. This was in Wanganui over the w/e. Did run out of memory so only got the first part of the race, but you get the drift. Once he got the lead in the 3'rd corner he never let it go!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALL5vK_v5bE&feature=plcp

[caseye]

Well he never looked like being threatened, held his nerve and got the job done, nice work there Con jnr! Yer up late there, vid looked great, next time make sure ya have enough memory, please.

[White trash]

Yay Vinny!!! Well done, bet he's as proud of himself as his dad is.

[SimJen]

Awesome, great to see young ones getting on bikes :)
Also great to see a good progression in his skills and that he never gave up like so many playstation generation kids do!
My boy has just turned 5, one of his birthday presents was a little Honda QR50. He almost wet himself with excitement when he saw it.
He hopped straight on and rode, no problem! Fell off once, got back on and carried on.
My girl 7 also loves it, so I've got an expensive future ahead of me ;)

[White trash]

Hey Pete, just wanted to reiterate how cool it was to watch Vinny race on Sunday and tell people "I've been watching that kids progress online for the past 4 and a half years!"

Vinny did really well given that he's in the most hotly contested class in the country and racing the nations best. Got a real buzz watching him pick his way through the field. Please pass on my congratulations to him on a job well done.

[Conquiztador]

After 4 years of riding it was time to participate in a NZ National Mini Championship. Vinny has just turned 11 and will be 12 before next Championship in 2013 being to old for Mini's. So this was it, as in 2013 we will move up to 85cc and Juniors.

This years Mini Nationals were held at Kapi Mana Motocross Club, Upper Hutt Wellington.

We have been building up to this all year, racing every w/e since February and Vinny has learnt heaps. Sure, there is still almost 3 months of MX left in 2012. But nothing compares to a NZ title. I never had any expectations that Vinny would finish in top ten. In fact my expectation was that he would be 15'th. And at the end of the second day he finished 16'th only one point from 15'th. But at one stage it looked like a top ten was possible...

The club had done a brilliant job on the track and Vinny loved racing there. Some straights, jumps, technical sections and never a chance to go full speed. I had left nothing to chance and spent most of the week getting all ready. We arrived with two prepped bikes, three different tyres for different surfaces, spares, food, motel stay and all other bits in place we needed. Now it was up to Vinny.

First the 65cc's got a practice session. Then they were separated in to two groups of 21 for qualifying where the top 30 with the fastest lap times would go to the finals. Vinny had a crash in one lap and stalled the motor in a corner in another lap. But he managed two good laps and qualified 16'th.

The first race came fast and it was all on. In the first corner a crash that took down a few of the favorites (see first start on video). Vinny kept his nose clean, and apart from a small misshap in the race, all went well and he finished 13'th. Second race we focused on the start as he was not doing too well there (has always been his Achilles heal). It went better and a race without misshaps saw him finishing 12'th. This was encouraging! By the third race it had started raining, but not enough to change the track much. Vinny was sitting in 11'th and was holding the placing well. But another rider wanted it more... and crashed in to him making Vinny fall and finish 16'th. (The other rider, Hunter, came 11'th in that race...).

After day one Vinny was 12'th. Encouraging!

Day two came and there was two more races (all up five races). Somehow Vinny lacked his hunger from yesterday and only managed 20'th in the first race. I had a chat with him before last race and we managed to find a little spark. Vinny was sitting 16'th and trying to pass the only girl in the championships (Oceaana, currently easily the top female Mini rider in NZ) in a corner, but got it wrong and crashed in to her backwheel and fell. She finished 15'th and Vinny 18'th. When all points were counted he came 16'th. Brody Connolly won (not surprisingly... He has just turned only 9 and is in a class of his own!) with Hayden Smith (my pre-racing favorite) second and Cam Wash (on his home track) third. Vinny could, if all had worked for him, perhaps got in to top ten. But there was a few top riders who also had misshaps and did not achieve their potential. So all in all we are happy. 16'th in a very competitive class is a good result considering that this was the first year we have really taken the MX to the next level. From 2013 (when in Juniors) we will crank it up a few notches with fitness and strength training and also inlude better food choices. More to come...


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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hbhe_et2j8&feature=youtu.be

[Conquiztador]

Hey Pete, just wanted to reiterate how cool it was to watch Vinny race on Sunday and tell people "I've been watching that kids progress online for the past 4 and a half years!"

Vinny did really well given that he's in the most hotly contested class in the country and racing the nations best. Got a real buzz watching him pick his way through the field. Please pass on my congratulations to him on a job well done.

Good to see you there! And to volunteer to help! Also thanks for supporting comments! Will tell Vinny. Cheers!

[Conquiztador]

Reflection time.

In 2012 Vinny has:
- Raced in 45 meetings.
- Done 150 10-12 minute races + 45 10 minute practices before the meetings
- Done 2 one weeks MX Holiday programmes
- Upgraded from a 2006 KTM 65SX to a 2011 KTM 65SX
- Cut his lap time at Taupo Mini Track with 16 sec/lap
- Gone from finishing 15 - 20'th in bigger meetings to finishing consistently in top 5
- Gone from having problems in the start to consistently being in top 5 at first corner, and normally gets one holeshot at each meeting
- No DNF (has yet to have one since he started riding 4 1/2 years ago)
- Signed up AFC Motorcycles Palmerston Nth as sponsor (Vinny is happy as it looks better than only having Dad and Sandra on the sheet...)

Some of the more memorable finishes:
- Winner Auckland 9-11yo 65cc Champs
- Winner 65cc and 85cc at Wairarapa Champs
- 2'nd Summer Cross Whakatane 9-11yo 65cc
- 2'nd Ben Townley "Once In a Blue Moon" Championships Maddix Park Tauranga "Experienced 65cc A Grade"
- 2'nd Wanganui v. Taranaki Challenge 9-11yo 65cc
- 3'rd King of the Mountain New Plymouth 9-11yo 65cc
- 3'rd Wanganui Winter Series 9-11yo 65cc
- 3'rd Hawke's Bay Winter Series 9-11yo 65cc (missed one meeting out of 5)
- 3'rd Hawke's Bay Championship series (missed one meeting out of 3)
- 3'rd (unofficially as his points did not count as he is not a club member) Auckland Mini MX Club Champs 9-11yo 65cc

We have not had too many low points.
- One hospital visit with a suspected broken wrist, but Xrays showed that nothing was broken.
- At NI and NZ Champs Vinny did not achieve his full potential and finished 17'th and 16'th.
- At Waikato Champs he let a possible 3'rd finish slip as a result of two falls and ended up 7'th.
- King of the North 25'th. His second worst meeting of the year.
- Woodville 5'th in support class. Did not qualify for main event 9-11yo 65cc. Worst meeting. This was first meeting of the year, and Vinny will have a second go end of January 2013...
- And probably the lack of recognition at his school where someone who does a non-motor sport will always be mentioned in the newsletter and congratulated for their results. (OK, I have managed to get him in there twice, but the swimming, rugby, hockey, orienteering etc. takes priority every time)

Vinny has spent almost every w/e racing in 2012. Not much time to play with his mates. But he has never complained and is eager to travel each time, even when I wake him up at 5am for an early start. He has missed b'thday parties and other events, but it is the price he has been willing to pay.

As Vinnys mechanic/driver/manager/support person and everything else, it has been a big ask of me and my time (not to mention the financial contribution...). I have also been prepared to make the needed sacrifices as the rewards outweigh it all. My view is still the same as when all this started 4 1/2 years ago. If Vinny never becomes a NZ Champion or is able to even partly support him self from MX I do not care. (There is obviously a very small chance that he goes all the way, but there is many more sacrifices to make to get even close) As we carry on he is learning many things he will be able to use in his life, not least being prepared to give all you have to be a winner.

We see where it goes. 2013 has a few 65cc 9-11yo meetings we will tackle: Woodville, King of the North, Wairarapa Champs and North Island Champs. The plan was to move up to the 85cc 8-11yo Junior class from February. But Vinny has started considering the option of riding 65cc until he turns 12 in October. I can see his logic: he is now one of NI's top 65cc riders. (He has become much faster and a good starter. And many of the ones that he were fighting with have already gone to 85cc as they are now 12 or it is where they want to race). He is getting big and tall giving him a handicap on the 65cc bikes that would not be there on 85cc. I think that once he has had a few meetings on the 85cc it might be where he wants to go.

One thing is sure: we will in 2013 again give it all we have. A little less meetings (focus on the "bigger" ones) and more special training focusing on his weaknesses. We can now do this as he has become fast and we are now starting to look for .5 second here and .5 second there. Now we will add specific fitness and strength training, and also be more focused on diet.

Will update again at some stage in 2013.

Here Summer Cross:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q0d7X2hzuc

[unstuck]

fuckin awesome dude.:2thumbsup

[Dogboy900]

First time I have seen this thread (Been away from KB for a long while) What a great record of Vinnies's progress and heart warming to see where it has led from that first morning waking you up. I have had a huge smile on my face reading this whole thing this morning.

Well done to Vinnie and well done to you!

[Conquiztador]

We are on the first step of the staircase to make this something more than a hobby!!!

Vinny came second at the NZGP in his 9-11yo MX class.

And as a result ended up in the local paper:

http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/news/motocross-bay-pair-set-bright-future-on-two-wheels/1739420/ (http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/news/motocross-bay-pair-set-bright-future-on-two-wheels/1739420/)

And he now has a web page too!! http://mxvinny.wix.com/vinny

Perhaps my retirement plan will work!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcRs4Nr9b84

[Banditbandit]

Well Done Vinny - world champs here you come ...

(Jeez - like listening to a flock of Mason Bees !!! Bzzzz Bzzz .. )

[unstuck]

Brilliant, well done vinny. Keep up the good work.:Punk::Punk:

[Motu]

Well done Vinny !!!! What a list of achievements, congratulations from your support crew at Huntly. In case anyone thinks Vinny is a high achiever pushed to these heights by a father living his own unfulfilled life through his son - Vinny comes to Camp Motu with his own support crew of soft and fluffies, sits at my dinning room table and plays with the toys my kids have grown out of, and reads our big collection of books....he's a kid totally within his age group. And stand up Pete - there are things going on in your life that would be a concern for most people, but every weekend you load up and drive that bloody van all over the country. No screaming and ranting from the sidelines, just positive support and constructive advice.

Well done both of you.

[_Shrek_]

well done Vinny :niceone:

& Con for being there :drinknsin, there's nothing more filling than doing stuff with ya kids :Punk:

& having the support from a wife/mum etc... when you do stuff.... that others only frown at

a great read!!!

[Conquiztador]

Thanks guys. Warms an old heart!

Motu is correct: There is no living through my son. (Done my own living). He is pushing him self, and loving it. The only thing I am doing is giving him the opportunity. I have two other boys at home who have very little interest in bikes. One of them is in to art and music, the other in to computers. When they need me I am there for them.

My silver bullet to all problems in the world is simple: If everyone took care of their kids we would have no problems.

[Conquiztador]

( Hmmm..."follow" that is supposed to say. Sadly as a pleb I can not change it.)

As I think I mentioned earlier, Vinny now has a web page: Vinnys web page (http://mxvinny.wix.com/vinny)

I have also just started his facebook page: Vinnys fb page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vincent-Andersson-MX-Vinny/166518390165877) If you are interested in following his progress, please click on the fb link and after looking at what is there, if you are interested to be kept updated, just "LIKE" his fb page and you are in the loop.

We are at this stage looking at approx 50 meetings in 2013 for him... While others are now starting to dust off their bikes we have already done 7 race meeting days plus practices. And the KTM85sx is starting to become the main bike now.

279369279368

[Conquiztador]

In October 2018 Vinny turned 17yo. That is when you become a Senior MX Rider in NZ. He is now (2019) in his last year at High School and on track for completing his UE and Level 3. This is currently the main focus for him. But as he is doing OK we have time for some MX inbetween! But being his first year as a Senior we have cut back some of the riding we did in Mini/Junior grades. There he had 2 - 3 years in each age-grade to make his mark. Now he will stay in the Senior grade for quite some years...

We have also had discussions regarding what is next in Vinny's life. A trade or a degree is on the agenda. But 2020 will most probably be a gap-year as there is nothing he is fully focused on yet. We have discussed him becoming a Pilot (this is currently quite high on the list), a few trades and also changing to full time at his current part time work in a supermarket (with the idea of doing some Management papers) and climbing up the ladder. He is also keen on doing an OE (preferably to America). But all that will take shape in 2020.

Last time I updated this thread was in 2013. I have been mostly absent from KB since then (only popping in now and then) as other forums like fb and some make specific sites message boards became where I did my writing. That is apart from updating Vinny's fb and web sites. I have not been riding my bikes as much as I would have liked, but with Vinny's 3 brothers now all having moved out and started their own lives, and Vinny also being at the doorstep of his own future, this will change.

Re Vinny's MX since last update:

2013: Vinny was initially still riding in the 9-11 65cc Mini class but also in the 11-12yo 85cc Junior class. He had some good results in the 65cc class, but quickly adapted to the 85cc class and enjoyed his first MX trip to South Island where he placed 3'rd in Nelson MCC's Top Of The South Champs. But most of 2013 was about getting better on the 85cc. We initially bought a 2009 KTM 85sx that gave us issues so we again got a second bike (a 2011 KTM 85sx) so we would have a backup bike when/if there was an issue.

2014: This was the year when Vinny had his first major injury: In the NZGP at Woodville he crashed badly after a jump and damaged 5 vertabrae. He did not ride for 3 months while they healed. This year Vinny was very focused on his fitness and what he did eat. He did swimming and biking, told me what he wanted to eat and took good care of himself! After his back was OK he came back to MX like nothing had changed and straight away did well. We sold the 2009 and got a 2013 KTM 85sx as his race bike. He won the HB Magic Series by winning every one of the 15 races in the 5 rounds (in the last round riding with a broken collarbone he had got 2 weeks earlier but still being fast enough to beat all other riders. He only needed to finish the three races to make sure the championship was his. I had managed to convince a doctor that he was good and we would take it easy (As his license was with MNZ while injured we needed a doctors OK for him to get back to riding)... I asked him why he did not follow the plan and take it easy... he told me he did!). He also raced in the NZ Junior Champs where he managed 17'th.

2015: This year Vinny moved up to the 12 - 14 125cc class. We sold the 2011 85 and bought a 2012 125sx. The 2013 85cc was kept as backup. Sadly this year was one that was hampered by many injuries and as result series podiums evaded Vinny as he missed one or two rounds with injury.We did some Beach Racing and Vinny was a natural winning the EC Champs in his class. Most fun was the Secondary School's Trent Haywood (RIP) memorial at Pirini where Vinny fought hard for his 3'rd placing.

2016: By now it became obvious that Vinny was starting to become a fraction "burned out" by the years of MX and all the travelling, missing mates birthdays and parties and to just "hang out" on a w/e. The NZ Junior Champs were held in Hastings so we were aiming for Vinny's first Top Ten placing in a NZ Champs. It was all looking well before the final race on Day 3 (Race 5). Vinny was in 9'th overall and planned to climb a few spots. That was before he got one of the doubles wrong (while in 5'th), cased it, crashed and broke his tibia and fibular. That left him in 11'th overall, in hospital and with a cast for 8 weeks...

2017: Vinny was now 15 and riding in the 15-16yo 125cc class. We had purchased a 2016 125sx to again have 2 bikes. This was the year we managed to, at last, get a MX Team happening at Havelock Nth HS. Three other riders joined Vinny in the team and for the first time he was not the only rider from his HS! The best the team managed was a 3'rd at the Wairoa School Champs. Vinny's burning desire to win had started to fade at times. We still travelled to meetings, but did not race as many as in the earlier years. He enjoyed local racing where he could compete with his shcool mates and had some epic battles with Joe (who was on a Yamaha 250ccf). Even if the 2016 bike was fast, it was very temperamental and at times unreliable meaning that Vinny would have to revert to the 2012 bike (that was his favorite one of the two even if it was not as quick).

2018: We could find no new riders for the school team, and with 2 of the others dropping out and the third one selling his bike Vinny was again alone as the schools mx rider. After 10 years of riding his enthusiasm had started to fluctuate more and at times we would not travel to a meeting. Vinny had started liking TT and Flat Track racing more than MX. As this was Vinny's final year as a Junior we still did some of the bigger events. And even if the results did not always go our way he enjoyed the racing. His best result was in the yearly East Coast Flat Track Champs where he won the 12-16yo 125cc class. This class was run together with the 14-16 250cc class and Vinny took on both classes and in the final race managed to beat all riders on his ailing 2012 bike. The 2016 had again decided it would not run (stator needed replacing I found out later) so he used the 2012 that needed a new piston and was low in compression. Vinny adjusted his riding accordingly and kept the throttle on in the corners (some very memorable corners!!) After winning his class Vinny wanted one more race and went out in Senior Support 250 and under. The 2012 only lasted 1 1/2 lap before she lost the ghost...

2019. Vinny turned 17 in October 2018 and we have cut down on the riding. We figured that he has time to ride in Seniors for many years, but this is his last year at school, so... We have again managed to find 3 other riders for the HNHS MX Team!! With 5 months of the year gone when writing this we have probably been on the track racing 5 times... But it will become a little busier now in the winter with a few winter series and also a championship or two. These days it is Vinny who dictates where and when we ride. In 2020 when he is working fulltime he will be in charge of his MX riding. I will be there to help fixing the bikes and travelling with him to race meetings. But apart from that he will fully dictate what he does. We are currently trying to figure out what bike will be next (and the last one dad buys...). The options are:
- KTM 150sx (Pros: light, can be ridden in MX2, fun, can easily be made faster!. Cons: Will give away Hp to the 250 4 stroke bikes in MX2 and as it lives on revs will have to work hard with Vinny's 85+ KG's)
- KTM 250sx (Pros: Fast, strong, easily beats the 250 4 strokers!. Cons: Can not be ridden in MX2 so is only suitable for MX1 and non championship classes like senior support, B grade etc.)
- KTM 250sxf 4 stroke. (Pros: can be ridden in MX2, well established strong bike, proven winner. Cons: Vinny prefer 2 strokers (and so do I!), not as fun as 2 strokers, we would have to learn all re the engines where we know the 2 stroker KTM's, more expensive to keep running)

I got in to MX with Vinny fully expecting it to be a journey taking many years. And if the only thing that really came out of it (apart from racing, placings, new mates and fun) in the end was that he became a very capable and confident motorbike rider, I would be fine with that. I have been riding bikes for 50 years. He is 17 and a far better rider than I ever was or will be. That is in my book a pass with Excellence!

He now also has his MC License (Learners) and a 400cc road bike.

I will still keep on updating Vinny's MX fb and web pages, but this will be the last update on this thread.

If you want to find out more, details, see pics and videos, please feel free to visit https://www.mxvinny.com/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeDns-hlIHY

Over and out!
Conquiztador

https://www.facebook.com/166518390165877/photos/a.170359986448384/1198243456993360/?type=3&theater

[onearmedbandit]

I had never seen this thread before and am thankful you've kept it alive, what a great read from start to end.

[Conquiztador]

I had never seen this thread before and am thankful you've kept it alive, what a great read from start to end.

Cheers! Glad you enjoyed the read!! I have spoken nothing about the costs that all this has sucked. My g/f recon I could have paid my mortgage if we had not been riding MX... And she is probably right. But it does not change the fact that we have had 11 years of fun and became very good at working on it all together! In hindsight yes, I would do some things differently if I had the chance to start again. But I would not change that we have raced for 11 years or that we have at times spent the overdraft on the credit card to get bits so we could race the next w/e. We always knew what we were doing and still do. At times it was all a calculated risk. Sometimes it paid off other times not. But that is life.

[caseye]

Worth every cent, and look whats he's achieved, a damn fine rider, alot of maturity, a sense of purpose, staying alive and keeping well is important, you can both be bloody proud of the team Con record.;):lol::lol:

[Conquiztador]

Worth every cent, and look whats he's achieved, a damn fine rider, alot of maturity, a sense of purpose, staying alive and keeping well is important, you can both be bloody proud of the team Con record.;):lol::lol:


Cheers for that! Yep. We have done well when you look at it I suppose. We would have liked a podium finish in one of the NZ Junior Champs. But it was not to be. And we were often up against ones with more funds. We travelled in a beaten up 1988 LWB Toyota HiAce. Most others had 4wd SUV's, big trailers and money for hotel. We would stay with friends or drive down/up early in the morning (3am starts were common) and back home in the night. But we regret nothing, and as stated, I would do it all again in a heartbeat... My oldest son now has a daughter (3yo) and 2 sons (1.5yo and one born last week) so who knows... maybe I will do it all again... :)

[caseye]

Cheers for that! Yep. We have done well when you look at it I suppose. We would have liked a podium finish in one of the NZ Junior Champs. But it was not to be. And we were often up against ones with more funds. We travelled in a beaten up 1988 LWB Toyota HiAce. Most others had 4wd SUV's, big trailers and money for hotel. We would stay with friends or drive down/up early in the morning (3am starts were common) and back home in the night. But we regret nothing, and as stated, I would do it all again in a heartbeat... My oldest son now has a daughter (3yo) and 2 sons (1.5yo and one born last week) so who knows... maybe I will do it all again... :)

Hmmmmm, maybe?? who knows ??? Yeah Right, go on man one of em'll love it, so will you.

[Conquiztador]

Hmmmmm, maybe?? who knows ??? Yeah Right, go on man one of em'll love it, so will you.

We are still racing even if we have cut down some. MX does not dictate our lives anymore. And Vinny will in a few months be 18 and will need to make some decisions re his life. My oldest son lives in Taupo a stone throw from the Taupo MX track. I am planning to in a year or 2 turn up at his place with a small 50cc bike and see if there are any takers...

[caseye]

We are still racing even if we have cut down some. MX does not dictate our lives anymore. And Vinny will in a few months be 18 and will need to make some decisions re his life. My oldest son lives in Taupo a stone throw from the Taupo MX track. I am planning to in a year or 2 turn up at his place with a small 50cc bike and see if there are any takers...

Ya know there will be! lol. Good on ya Con.
Been in Taupo this weekend looking at a house, wife and I just might bugger off down there to live sooner rather than later, this work lark is a joke.
Roads are fantastic and while we can both ride, why the fuck not.

[Conquiztador]

Ya know there will be! lol. Good on ya Con.
Been in Taupo this weekend looking at a house, wife and I just might bugger off down there to live sooner rather than later, this work lark is a joke.
Roads are fantastic and while we can both ride, why the fuck not.

Good plan. Just remember that Taupo gets fu...n cold winter time! When we ride at their MX track June - July there often is ice and below zero in the morning. But yes, there are some cool roads for riding there!

And if you ever have an urge to ride on a track they do track days on Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park! Plus there is also an oval Flat Track there now! Once we sell the 125 and get a bigger bike for Vinny (next job) we will go up for a track day on their Flat Track. A few Auckland guys who ride at Rosebank Rd travel all the way down for a day of practice!