I 100% agree with what Ryan is saying in this video. I have been working with AJ Catanzaro with my son since he was roughly 2 -1/2 years old. I've known AJ for years, and I asked him what bike should I get him and he instantly said a Stacyc 12e. So we got him that and have upgraded to the 16e since then. Last Sept or October AJ got to see him on his 16e and he told us that he is ready to get on a KTM50 and advised us on the exact one and setup. We bought him a used one that needed to be rebuilt and I spent time having him sit on it and teach him the break controls, etc. Since then, I did a full refurb of it starting in June, finished it just last week for him. Tuesday, he started learning to ride it with one of AJ's instructors and today, he rode it for the first time by himself. I have a big list of things to work on with him between now and roughly this time next year. Once we accomplish that list, then there will be new ones to work on and none of them involve him racing. We are slow walking him towards maybe eventually racing one day, but time will tell if that is what he wants to do or maybe he will just end up enjoying riding with his old man and never race. I will be perfectly happy whether we just go enjoy hitting the track or trails together or he ends up racing one day so long as he learns how to ride correctly and in the meantime, he still gets to be a kid playing other sports.
Ryan i been following your work. I left Escondido in 89 and joined the army. I played basebal with you and Jeremy. I left riding for all those years and recently got back into riding and appreciate your work. Be well dude
I just raced my XR650L in a S.O.R.C.S. event. It was an 8 hour hare scrambles. I entered the 40+ Ironman division (I'm 47) and finished 5th. It was so cool! I hope to put together a team and run the Baja 1000 on a dirt bike in 2026 hopefully. Thanks for putting your knowledge out there! I always liked the way you and Stanton looked on the track and in magazine photos. You guys had what I saw as a real "tough guy" riding style. And I would try to mimic that look when I was teaching myself to ride when I was just a teenager 😂. I still have certain little riding style habits to this day that I got from just trying to look like you guys. I don't ride anywhere near as good as you, but I'm still working to have badass style!
Just got on a DRZ 125 @ 55 yrs old. It was gave to my friend so we got it running and cleaned up. I've had a blast on this thing, wish I would have started this earlier
I was never pro, but back in the 90s we would do our laps at the track in the hills, but afterwards we would play ride. It was not only some of the best times, but I learned more about my bike and riding than just cutting laps.
In 1972, 16 year old me, who grew up in the city and had maybe 50 hours of riding on small dirt lots, took my cr250 Elsinore to local races. Man, i did poorly, but had no expectations going in. Certainly no parental or peer pressure (no one else I knew was interested in dirt bikes in the city) I cherish those days. Me, my girlfriend and best friend traveling to the tracks in a crappy Chevy van that leaked oil, waiting for the races, was all better, and longer, than the ride. Quit riding 5 years later when I got married. Started again in 2018, taking my time, live near more dirt, internet ‘lessons’, and having fun. Still want to Race, but not sure why!
One are the fastest kids I ever seen on a dirtbike once he turned 18 he got off the bike and never got back on one again. His dad pushed him too far. It’s got to be fun for the kids.
Just let them have fun from the ages of 6 -14 the bike should be like a treat on a weekend after doing well in school give them other activities to do but you see over the top parents that push to hard at the nationals yelling at a small kid that's no good The only way to go fast is slowly takes more than 10 years to be a PRO
Wise words indeed! Same can be said for many sports these days!
This is by far the best advice! Will definitely be doing this with my son👍🏾
I 100% agree with what Ryan is saying in this video. I have been working with AJ Catanzaro with my son since he was roughly 2 -1/2 years old. I've known AJ for years, and I asked him what bike should I get him and he instantly said a Stacyc 12e. So we got him that and have upgraded to the 16e since then. Last Sept or October AJ got to see him on his 16e and he told us that he is ready to get on a KTM50 and advised us on the exact one and setup. We bought him a used one that needed to be rebuilt and I spent time having him sit on it and teach him the break controls, etc. Since then, I did a full refurb of it starting in June, finished it just last week for him. Tuesday, he started learning to ride it with one of AJ's instructors and today, he rode it for the first time by himself. I have a big list of things to work on with him between now and roughly this time next year. Once we accomplish that list, then there will be new ones to work on and none of them involve him racing. We are slow walking him towards maybe eventually racing one day, but time will tell if that is what he wants to do or maybe he will just end up enjoying riding with his old man and never race. I will be perfectly happy whether we just go enjoy hitting the track or trails together or he ends up racing one day so long as he learns how to ride correctly and in the meantime, he still gets to be a kid playing other sports.
Well said! 👏
Ryan i been following your work. I left Escondido in 89 and joined the army. I played basebal with you and Jeremy. I left riding for all those years and recently got back into riding and appreciate your work. Be well dude
I just raced my XR650L in a S.O.R.C.S. event. It was an 8 hour hare scrambles. I entered the 40+ Ironman division (I'm 47) and finished 5th. It was so cool! I hope to put together a team and run the Baja 1000 on a dirt bike in 2026 hopefully.
Thanks for putting your knowledge out there! I always liked the way you and Stanton looked on the track and in magazine photos. You guys had what I saw as a real "tough guy" riding style. And I would try to mimic that look when I was teaching myself to ride when I was just a teenager 😂. I still have certain little riding style habits to this day that I got from just trying to look like you guys. I don't ride anywhere near as good as you, but I'm still working to have badass style!
Great points. Good advice.
Just got on a DRZ 125 @ 55 yrs old. It was gave to my friend so we got it running and cleaned up. I've had a blast on this thing, wish I would have started this earlier
Well said.
I was never pro, but back in the 90s we would do our laps at the track in the hills, but afterwards we would play ride. It was not only some of the best times, but I learned more about my bike and riding than just cutting laps.
Wow! So true!!!!!
In 1972, 16 year old me, who grew up in the city and had maybe 50 hours of riding on small dirt lots, took my cr250 Elsinore to local races. Man, i did poorly, but had no expectations going in. Certainly no parental or peer pressure (no one else I knew was interested in dirt bikes in the city) I cherish those days. Me, my girlfriend and best friend traveling to the tracks in a crappy Chevy van that leaked oil, waiting for the races, was all better, and longer, than the ride. Quit riding 5 years later when I got married. Started again in 2018, taking my time, live near more dirt, internet ‘lessons’, and having fun. Still want to Race, but not sure why!
You got the bug it's like a itch that you can't scratch it will never go away riding dirt bikes is what you like keep going for as long as you can
One are the fastest kids I ever seen on a dirtbike once he turned 18 he got off the bike and never got back on one again. His dad pushed him too far. It’s got to be fun for the kids.
Guys had a few concussions
Chase Sexton !
Just let them have fun from the ages of 6 -14 the bike should be like a treat on a weekend after doing well in school give them other activities to do but you see over the top parents that push to hard at the nationals yelling at a small kid
that's no good
The only way to go fast is slowly takes more than 10 years to be a PRO