This could be you in the not too distant future.
So it’s official, you’re into dirt bikes, but when you went out on that first trail on a rented bike, you really had no idea what you were letting yourself in for. The thrill, the excitement, and of course, the cost. Yes, like it or not, dirt bikes are expensive, and maintaining one requires pocket money that would put Richy Rich to shame. Okay, maybe it’s not that expensive, but you get where we’re coming from. This is no cheap hobby you’ve just taken up, and unless you’ve got deep pockets, then you may have to look for new income streams to pay for that new bike.
So what’s a budding motocross rider to do? Working at the local car wash or a fast food place will take up all of your free time, as will most part-time jobs. Luckily for you, there are a few things you can do that won’t have too much of an impact on your riding time but that could net you some extra cash. Here are three of our favorites.
Buy a camera
This is one of those side hustles where you have to spend money to make money, but it could be a nice earner. If you’re in any way good at taking photos, then consider picking up a used DSLR and start taking photos at motocross races and events. There are always people willing to pay for good photos, and the best part is that you still spend most of your time around bikes.
Take as many photos as you can and start selling them online. You can also contact dirt bike magazines and websites and offer them the chance to buy some of your images. You’ll need an online portfolio to showcase your work too but make sure you watermark everything, so nothing is stolen and used without your permission.
Try your hand at online poker
Think you don’t have what it takes to make bank at the online tables? Then take inspiration from amateur rider Lukas Hlavac. After moving to London for a year in order to save some money for his fledgling motocross career, he found himself up against legendary pro Viktor Blom. Lukas held his own and came out $11,000 richer in the process. Who says dreams don’t come true?
Of course, this was no fluke. Lukas had been playing online poker for some time, but he was no poker pro nor was he even an amazingly good player. And you don’t have to be one either. Practice, nail down some strategies and stick to low stakes poker, and you could find yourself winning small but winning often. It’s worth a shot, and it’s more fun than flipping burgers.
Flip items on eBay or Craigslist
You may have heard of flipping, but do you know that it doesn’t have to involve expensive things like houses or cars? Look for popular items on eBay and see if you can find any for sale on Craigslist or even at Garage sales. People often sell things without realizing how much people will actually pay for them and this is where you come in.
It can be anything from bike parts to old CDs, shoes to furniture; buy it and then relist it on another site for a small markup. You may think that this is small potatoes and that you’ll make no money at it, but there are people who have built entire empires out of flipping used items online. Millionaire Entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk still does it in his free time just for kicks and routinely tells his followers exactly how to succeed at it.
You, on your way to another garage sale!
That new bike down the local shop might be beyond your means right now, but with a little hustle and some smart thinking, it could be in your garage in less than a few months. So whether it’s trying your hand at online poker, selling your photos online or, our favorite, flipping items on eBay, there’s always a way to make money for that new bike. So get hustling, we want to see some photos of that new bike in action.
