Same problem here as well. Seems this and various other issues people have been having are actually fragments of the game's rather amusing copy protection system. If you tried to run the game without CD, it would ask for the disk when selecting local mode but you were allowed to play multiplayer. However, if you had a disk but the game suspected it to be a copy, it allowed local play too but pulled various tricks on you instead:

-In the bike selection screen you got an icon of a skeleton bouncing around the screen - see attached image
-No matter what you chose in the track selection screen, you'd always get "City Lights", daytime, sunny weather, 3 laps - no way to play motocross at all
-You were limited to 4 gears only
-If you had limited time selected, you only got 15 seconds, no extra time from checkpoints; related to this: http://www.gog.com/en/forum/moto_racer_series/local_many_players_championship_a_short_time_issue
-In track testing mode via editor you got all the gears but the track would still be "City Lights"

Most of these "features" have been removed in the cracked exe used by GOG but some still remain.

The replay issue - reported here: http://www.gog.com/en/forum/moto_racer_series/cut_off_replay - is probably related as well but I don't think it was possible to even view a replay in this mode since you'd inevitably fail any race with the 15sec limit.

Oh my goodness, thank God. I was beginning to think I'm just a horrible player (and with perfect laps in MR2, I'd love to see a good player...).

Here's hoping they fix that soon!

Indeed. This game is worthless IMO, until the problem is fixed.

Well, looking on the bright side, after having to deal with a severely crippled game, we're all going to be incredibly good players once it's fixed. It's kind of like learning on a guitar with only 3 strings that work. You can play some power chords and bar chords, but once you get a real guitar, you're amazing. Back to Moto Racer 2, that means we'll all be super good or just completely overpowered by the new found speed and crash into everything.

PS Has anyone heard any official word from GOG on this? Are they looking into this or at least aware of the problem? I have sent two support mails, but received nothing back.

Can't you just use the executable from the updated MR2 demo? (version 1.0.0.1)

This is a good idea, but the demo won't install on a 64-bit operating system even with compatibility settings. If anyone has a 32-bit operating system, this is definitely worth a try.
GOG should really just step in and shed some light on the issue.

Hmmmm
I am pretty angry right now.
I just bought both MR's.
If this isnt fixed for MR 2 real soon, I also will be asking for my money back.
I should have checked here before purchasing, but the sale got me all hyped.
:(

Using the demo exe doesn't work either. I'm running 32-bit XP and it gets as far as the mode selection screen before crashing, even in 95 compatibility mode.

I feel like a Who in Whoville. How much noise do we have to make? Save us GOG!

I too am having this issue...it renders the game uncompletable. If GOG doesnt find a fix for this I shall be very dissapointed. But hey-ho £2-70 wasted...could have been worse! :P

Well, people, if every one of us write a support ticket here, maybe the GOG team will turn their attention to this problem.

I already sent a support ticket describing the problem and pointing to this thread, and I received an answer that the gear problem for Moto Racer 1 is fixed, and I should download the game again. They didn't say a word for Moto Racer 2, though.

I've also submitted a support ticket about the gear issue in MR2, with no response.

Good call dp. I have submitted another support ticket, and advise others to do the same. If this gets enough attention, GOG will address it.

Also submitted a ticket.

I too, have now submitted a ticket. Also of note is that testing a track in editing mode does allow up to gear 5 to be used on moto and 6 on road. Weird.