By the late 70s, GRIFFS had strong brand and position within the motorcycle industry. They began to expand into all sorts of other gear, perhaps too quickly. Their line now included enduro jackets, jerseys, t-shirts, gearbags, pants, shorts, team gear, rainsuits, heated electric clothing, and more.

GRIFFS was selling a lot, but started to have a hard time keeping up. “We were getting tons of orders” says Rolf, “but we couldn't meet the demand”. This problem of under-supply opened a hole for the Finnish-based hockey apparel manufacturers to go after Stanley 's private label customers. They received subsidies from the Finnish government, allowing them to offer better pricing and payment terms that were 6 months or more. Still, Stanley was adamant to continue

US production. “I probably should have sourced elsewhere but I wanted to keep jobs here” he said. But a bigger problem was emerging: other gear companies such as O'Neal , Fox, and especially JT Racing, were becoming marketing powerhouses.  They had great ads, lots of athletes, and were becoming worldwide brands in the motocross industry.  GRIFFS had a great product, but that wasn't enough to keep up. “We ran some ads here and there, but JT had all these spreads. We just got out-marketed and out-promoted”. In addition, gear companies were starting to pay the riders to wear their gear. “Hannah got an offer for $50k from JT. We couldn't match that.”

By 1983 GRIFFS had fallen behind. The market was hyper-competitive, and JT was an absolute juggernaut. Steve had left the sport, and Rolf was losing interest. Stanley knew he was in trouble, and tried to adapt.  However, his lack of marketing and higher costs continued to limit him.  He still was making a great product, but, just like today, marketing was driving the business and he was getting out-promoted. In a very short space of time, more than 70% of his business just went away, and after a ten-year run GRIFFS left the motorcycle market completely in approximately 1985.

GRIFFS started in 1975, and for about a decade they were everywhere. They were never as flashy as some other brands, but pick up any magazine, look at old photos, look on EBay, or talk to industry people from that era, and you'll find GRIFFS. They broke new ground with their nylon MX pants, and set the benchmark for quality. They worked with great riders, and had connections throughout the industry. GRIFFS was a part of motocross history – in the words of former factory rider Steve Bauer , “they were motocross” – and they STILL have a fan base from the US to Europe to Australia , even today.

GRIFFS facts and notes:

•  Launched in 1975
•  The first company to make a pant completely from nylon
•  The first company to use Cordura in a motorcycle application
•  Lobbied AMA along w/John Gregory and others to change rules to allow nylon MX pants.
•  Made motocross pants, enduro jackets, MX and enduro jerseys, gearbags, boot gaitors, mechanics pants and    shirts, casual jackets, shorts, vests, heated electric clothing, touring gear, Nomex products, and many other items.
•  Sold well over 100,000 pair of pants
•  Appeared in hundreds of magazines and on dozens of magazine covers
•  Worn in many historical MX events including Weinert in Oakland paddle tire race, Superbikers, “Let Broc bye” race,    and many more.
•  Still has a small but passionate group of GRIFFS fans.

Modernized version of original GRIFFS line currently in design phase.

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