by Davey Coombs
Racerhead #2
Friday, January 14, 2011 | 6:15 PMHonda is the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, and the undisputed leader in motorcycle technology. More motocross riders have won titles on Hondas than on any other bike. When you’re serious about winning, Honda is the machine for you.
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It's Friday morning and we are high above the snow clouds, racing across the northeastern United States on the way to Phoenix by way of Minneapolis (remind me to clip my travel agent). Supercross is up and running, and so is Racerhead!
Rattray landed on the podium in his first ever Supercross race.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Will Payton and Kawasaki be able to put aside their differences?
Photo: Simon Cudby
Ricky's whips are always a fan favorite.
Photo: Simon Cudby
If you're not going to be at Chase Field for tomorrow's second round, make sure you tune in live to SPEED for start-to-finish coverage, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET and 6:30 out West. I missed last week's show and did not remember to TiVo it, so I have no take on how it all went, but I do know that having that thing on live is a big expense for the series organizers, and I hope everyone appreciates it.
The round one winner, Ryan Villopoto, looked fantastic on his Kawasaki KX450F.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Let me start out by saying what we as a sport and industry needed more than anything is good news, and we definitely got it last Saturday night in Anaheim. An overflow crowd of more than 45,000 fans turned out to see the opening round of the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross tour, and they got quite a show. While the racing on the track was not quite nail-biter material, the whole production was downright cool. The pits were packed with new interactive displays and sponsors, including two Monster hospitality rigs, a new DC Shoes display that featured the new gear they made for Jeremy McGrath, the debut of Thor TV, and more beautiful (and several well-modified) girls parading around than you will see at a Hooters convention. The opening ceremonies may have been light on big tricks, but they were loud and fun (and every rider should take a look at how Kevin Windham approaches and performs his opening-ceremonies routine—no wonder everyone still loves the man). If you weren't there, you go to watch it live on SPEED, which more than made up for the lack of a live webcast... But the first race I miss that isn't on SPEED live, I will probably take that back.
And speaking of Windham, the GEICO Powersports rider is on the cover of the brand new Racer X Illustrated magazine, and featured in a hilarious profile by Jason Weigandt dubbed “The Most Interesting Man in Motocross” and playing off the world's best beer commercials, for Dos Equis (XX). You will also find Eric Johnson's epic study on the career of Guy Cooper, “Crazy Heart,” and Ping's sobering experience at the Catalina Grand Prix, “Return to Race Island.”
Windham didn't win at Anaheim, not that I expected him to. But I honestly did not expect Ryan Villopoto to be that fast, that fit, and that confident on the motorcycle. Much was being made of the slim, lean look of RV after he beefed up a little following last year's broken leg (the X-rays of which were used for his opening-ceremonies video). But I spoke to none other than Ricky Carmichael about it and he just laughed, “What's everyone expect? He's working with Aldon [Baker] and that's what Aldon does for you.” Whatever Aldon Baker brings to the table, he brings it well.
My picks for the podium were (in order) James Stewart, Ryan Dungey, and Trey Canard, who actually ended up third, second, and fourth, respectively. I was in a pool with a bunch of friends to pick the podium in each class, where you get three points if you pick a rider in the right spot, one if he just makes the podium. I did okay on the 450s, but my 250 picks were not even close, as I bet on youth and potential rather than veterans. Here's the funny part: the person who won, Ginger Simmons, former pro Wendell's wife, called in his picks from Louisiana. We all laughed when she had the Lites podium as Justin Barcia, Dean Wilson, and Blake Wharton—none of whom are even riding the West Region! But she also nailed the 450 podium for nine points and that was that!
James Stewart did not win, but he rode well and smart after a bad start and should be primed for Phoenix.
Photo: Simon Cudby
I will let the other guys down below get into the nitty-gritty of the goings-on with the rest of the pack down below, but I will say that Dungey rode a smart race, just as I figured he would, and I still thought Stewart would catch everyone after a bad start. But James rode cautiously, taking what the race gave him—third-place points—rather than getting too aggressive and possibly blowing a solid result. He will definitely be going after a win this weekend! I also think Trey Canard looked good in his debut as a full-time factory 450 rider, and Chad Reed was probably not happy with fifth, but it's also a decent start for him.
In the Lites class, Josh Hansen has never looked faster or more comfortable, in my opinion. Sure, he was using a rather creative and somewhat illegal line over the inside of one corner, but that's not why he won. He was smart and fast and he's on a very good bike. And hats off to Tyla Rattray, who overcame an ugly practice crash for a third-place showing in his first AMA Supercross.
Li'l Hanny was a li'l faster than everyone else in the Lites main.
Photo: Simon Cudby
The two other high-profile debutants—KTM import Ken Roczen and GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac—both fared worse that I thought, with Ken also going down hard in practice and banging himself up. I happened to watch the race with old friends Stefan Everts, K-ROC's boss at KTM, and Ryan Hughes, who is working with Tomac, and they both pointed out repeatedly that their guys were not aggressive enough in the early laps. Watch for them both to be much more likely to stick a wheel on someone this time around.
Roczen is charming the U.S. fans the same way he did in Europe. The kid has charisma to burn. He's funny, he's interesting, and he's fun to watch on a motorcycle. The great things everyone expects of this young German have not changed him a bit since I met him at Loretta Lynn's a few years ago, and he was still a project for Fox Racing and Cernic's Suzuki. Now he's on the fast track to the top here in the States. Ken is headed back to Europe for the 2011 Grand Prix tour, but he's looking for a house and some land in Southern California, where he will be stationed for some time to come after this GP tour is over and he hopefully fulfills his dream of being Germany's first FIM World Motocross Champion since Paul Freidrichs way, way back in the day. Simon Cudby caught up with Ken for this Racer X Film.
And sorry we had some technical issues when that Roczen film first went up; the new website has been a huge undertaking and we're still sorting out the jetting on this highly modified engine. We will have a bunch of films up tomorrow from the Phoenix pits, as well as our usual barrage of Breaking News, Tweets, lap times, results, photos and more, all right here on Racer X Online. Take a lap around Phoenix as Mr. Red Arrow puts down a hot lap, click right HERE.
Wil Hahn suffered a terrible crash in practice but was lucky he wasn't hurt worse.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Wil Hahn was also a podium pick for me but his crash in practice left him with cracked back and a broken finger. He ended up spending the night in the UC Irvine Medical Center just down State College Boulevard, and I stopped by on Sunday night to see him. He was in good spirits but was starved and ready to get out of there. I gave him a few magazines, including the MXA that Dennis Stapleton gave me at the Racer X Ride Day at Pala, plus the best book I've read in a while, Sebastien Junger's War, which is about his experiences as an embedded journalist with the U.S. soldiers in the company called Restrepo in Afghanistan. If you want to read a great book and find out that war really is hell, and also appreciate the sacrifices of our men and women over there, check it out.
I saw Tony Cairoli in the pits and introduced him to David Pingree so they could bury the hatchet over Ping's “ravioli-eating” comments before the Motocross of Nations last September. Tony looked good, but also a little bummed because I think he really wants to race a few AMA Supercross rounds, but I don't think KTM is going to let him this time around. Maybe they were spooked by what happened to Marvin Musquin injuring his knee at the Bercy Supercross. Tony was totally cool with Ping, and he even said that he might have a flaming ravioli painted on the back of his helmet as he goes after a fifth world title this summer!
Have you picked up Mad Skills Motocross yet for your iPhone or iPod Touch? I promise you that it's the best $1.99 you will ever spend on an app for your phone. I have been playing it nonstop, and though I suck—I gave up video games after Asteroids disappeared from the arcades (remember those?)—I am still having a blast trying to time all of the jumps and rhythm sections. The game has been a global success, reaching the Top 25 on the Apple charts this week, including tops in the racing category, and featured in the New and Notable section. Learn more about it right here.
My flight is landing, so I will cut my part off here with this: I know that there are a few people begging for the AMA to just the displacement rules to allow two-stroke 250cc motorcycles to race in the Lites class, but I don't agree for a lot of reasons—including the fact that while it may help some privateers, cost-wise, it will only help the ones who ride KTMs or Yamahas. And what's to prevent KTM or Yamaha from putting their best guys on two-strokes, which I still believe outperform 250cc four-strokes? And finally, while some may think it's Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki's fault for not having a two-stroke to enter if that rule ever changed, I don't think it's worth the chance of running them out of AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross the way they pulled back in AMA Superbike racing when the rules kept changing and they were not happy with the moving target.
Motorcycle racing is expensive, no matter what bike you're on, but it is more expensive on four-strokes. But cutting back costs for a small minority of the riders out there is not worth jeopardizing the whole structure of racing by running factory teams off (and if you don't think that's a real risk, again, see AMA Superbike racing). The OEMs have invested millions and millions of dollars in four-stroke technology, and making them turn around and go back to two-strokes—which they would have to do in order to keep up with modified two-stroke race bikes of other teams—in a time when the market is down 70 percent and the economy is still in turmoil just doesn't make sense to me. MX Sports offers straight-up 250cc racing at the amateur level, but it is not feasible right now in pro motocross, and forcing a rule change on the OEMs when they are all barely getting by is not a wise idea, in my humble opinion. I know that's not going to go over well with the two-stroke advocates on the message boards, but I am more worried about keeping the teams and the OEMs we have in the sport right now. It's a risk that's not worth taking. I disagree that it would even the playing field anyway, and I doubt changing class structure in one series is going to get major Japanese companies to reverse course, retool, and start churning out two-strokes all of the sudden—that's a nonsensical argument. If you don't like four-strokes, fortunately, you have the option of racing a two-stroke at your local tracks.
Hopefully we will see a couple of races like this one at the nationals this summer.
Photo: Simon Cudby
That said, we are working on getting some kind of “futures” race off the ground for a couple of selected rounds of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships for 19-and-under riders on 125cc two-strokes, and likely Super-Minis so all brands can be involved. We even have a temporary working name for the project: The Mad Skills Motocross Cup at the High Point National, and maybe even Hangtown. If it comes together, it could give us a better understanding of what the real demand for this kind of racing is out there, and also give some fast young riders a chance to check out the outdoor nationals before they join them for real one day. Anyone who wants to get involved or has some other ideas, contact me at: [email protected] In the meantime, I will put my helmet and chest pro on and get ready for some roosting and flaming....
Okay, here's Ping for starters:
There was a lot of buzz this week about the fact that Josh Hansen is not exactly a teenager, yet he's racing in the Lites class. But there really is no maximum age for that class, though the AMA and Feld Motorsports are working to find the right advancement formula. But here's some food for thought: At 26 years of age, Hansen was not the oldest rider in the class; 29-year-old Antonio Balbi was, and he finished eleventh. Ryan Morais is also 26, and he finished sixth.
I said last week that we should all try to control our emotions if Anaheim doesn’t work out to be the kind of race that we were all hyping it up to be. Is everyone okay? Did we all work through our issues and wind up in a happy place? I think Anaheim shook out exactly like most people predicted. RV, Dungey, Reed, Stewart, and Canard have all established themselves as the fastest guys. The rest of the pack is still super talented and can give fits to those top guys on any given weekend, a la Ivan Tedesco. I think the racing is going to really get started this weekend, now that the first-race jitters are exorcised. Then again, Phoenix has never been a great track layout for racing. For some reason (maybe that floor is oddly shaped?) the track always has sweeping turns and a lot of turns that are 90 degrees or less. Those don’t encourage much passing because everyone just takes the inside line. Maybe this weekend will be different. Nope. Just looked at the track map, and guess what: sweepers and 90-degree turns.
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Phoenix will be featuring a lot of sweepers and 90-degree turns.
Photo: Chris Ganz
I was surprised that more wasn’t made of Josh Hansen’s line just after the sand section. Apparently, a lot of people didn’t even notice it. Josh was using a single going into a 90-degree corner to double over a single coming out of it. It was a very creative line, and by far the quickest way through the section. Unfortunately, it isn’t legal. It never has been. Since way back when Duke Finch was running things in his red-white-and-blue AMA shirt, you have never been allowed to jump across a corner like that. The FIM’s John Gallagher said that he was “being accosted” by the 450 riders in staging as to whether or not he was going to leave the track that way or do something about it before the 450 final. He watched Hansen hit the line lap after lap and promptly put a big white pole up to mark the apex of the turn before the 450 race took off. With the pole marking the turn, there was no way to jump across the corner. Am I the only one that saw this? I feel like I’m taking crazy pills here.
Rattray landed on the podium in his first ever Supercross race.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Injuries really took the steam out of the Lites class last weekend. Wil Hahn was definitely a favorite, and he was flying in practice until a crash left him with two smashed fingers. He taped them together for the next session, and word is he might have lost his grip on the bars, causing him to crash in the final session. He has no permanent damage and he should be 100 percent before too long. Ken Roczen was looking like he might be amazing, but he hit the deck after being clipped by an errant bike going into the whoops and it definitely affected him. Tyla Rattray also took a beating when he tried jumping through the rhythm section like the 450s. He was questionable to even ride that night, so he should be back up to speed for this round. I was pulling for Ryan Morais but you could tell he just wasn’t his usual self. I heard from a source close to the team that he crashed on Tuesday and hit his head pretty hard. Hopefully Ryan can get things going in the next couple weeks before he loses too many points.
Here’s Matthes:
What a race in Anaheim, huh? Yeah, the racing wasn’t the greatest (the highlight for me in the 250 main was asking Weege “What would you be asking Holley right now?”) as he sat next to me. And the 450 main wasn’t much better, but still, watching Stewie cut through the pack was pretty cool, as was watching Ivan Tedesco run up front for a little bit.
No matter the actual racing, the anticipation was high and of course, as Weege said, Justin Brayton coming out and dominating heat 1 was so planned by everyone. But seriously, good ride by JB10, and although a so-so start and crashes hurt him in the main, he looks to be also improved on last year.
Being an ex-mechanic, I’m keeping an eye on the JGR team, because they chose to go with Pirelli tires this year and I’m interested if the European company can make a tire for the trickiest of conditions, the only place in the world that the dirt is this way and certainly a condition that is really hard to make a tire for. And that is Southern California hard pack at night when the moisture comes up.
A few years back I wrote a story for Cycle News about Bridgestone pulling out of SX/MX and the effect it would have on the riders/teams. To a man, all the riders I spoke to (and a few didn’t want their names used for fear of angering Dunlop, the new tire company of choice) they all said that front tires on the West Coast supercrosses were where the B-Stones really shined. I asked one high-profile rider this week if the track got slipperier from the heat to the main and he said it did, followed by the words “big-time.”
I have no doubt that Pirelli makes a great tire for 99 percent of us in the world—they have 8 million world championships to back up their resume. But I’m telling you, many riders struggled getting used to the Dunlops in SoCal at night (but in the people I talk to, they are excited about how much better the Dunlops have gotten in a year) and I’m watching the Pirellis to see if they work. It’s a gamble that JGR took: they wanted the complete attention of a company, and they wanted to maybe see if they could get an edge on the competition. Let’s see if it pays off.
Will Payton and Kawasaki be able to put aside their differences?
Photo: Simon Cudby
Meanwhile, back on the Monster Energy Kawasaki/FMF front, it seems that I’ve once again come to realize that you just can’t make everyone happy all the time. Look, this is a big story in the pits and I got team manager Mike Fisher’s take on it on Saturday night. As usual, Fish (who I consider a friend of mine) was forthcoming and very open about the situation but didn’t want to publicly come out and state all the reasons. It’s not for us internet jockeys to decide who was right and who was wrong, it’s business and Fish wanted, more than anything, to make sure I relayed how much respect Kawasaki and Mike himself have for Mitch Payton and Pro Circuit.
So I do the interview and then get a call saying that Mitch would like to have an interview with me to discuss the race and Kawi’s decision. Payton is one of my favorite people in the pits and I always have time for anything he wants to tell me. So I do the interview and it runs this week on this very site.
So then the texts come flying in from both sides (not Mitch or Fish) that the other side isn’t telling everything, I have it all wrong, etc. Geez, I just wanted to present both sides of the deal, let everyone read what everybody had to say, and leave it at that. Let’s move on. PC went 1-2-3 and RV won on an FMF pipe. Everyone wins!
I’m a little out of practice on this Racerhead stuff, so I have no idea if I’m writing too much or not, but before I go, I had my Pulpmx Show on Monday and learned a lot of things like:
1. Ken Roczen is a real cool kid. He’s really funny and seems to get it. His give-and-take with Kenny Watson and myself was awesome. I was a little bummed that his hero growing up was not Tim Ferry, but that’s okay. I’ll get over it. Watson was so impressed that he asked for a signed jersey from the kid despite “usually not liking Euros.”
2. Tony Alessi was not at Anaheim, and when we cold-called him to find out what the deal was, he told us he’s not going to the races this year and he’ll let Roger DeCoster manage son Mike’s career. Interesting for sure.
3. Dean Wilson called in and tried to put on a horrible redneck accent in hopes of fooling guests Trey Canard and Ferry. It wouldn’t have worked at all.
4. Mitch Payton doesn’t care that Broc Tickle isn’t exciting on the podium, saying we should all let the kids be who they are and that Tickle reminds him a lot of Jeff Stanton.
Tune in Monday’s at 6PM PST at Pulpmx.com and see what you can learn.
Can’t wait for this weekend, as one of the things that drives me nuts is the absolute lack excitement by the riders on the opening-ceremony hot lap. This weekend the guys couldn’t have done less if they tried (Stewie and Reed got a little nuts on one triple), and the days of MC’s nac-nac exploding the stadium or Carmichael whipping a KX125 upside down seem to be over.
Ricky's whips are always a fan favorite.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Until now, that is. I don’t want to put too much pressure on Trey Canard, but he’s in the opening ceremonies this weekend, and he has vowed to show how pumped he is to be included among the best riders in the world. I predict an air wheelie or a nac-nac. I can’t wait!
Now we let The Weege take over:
You can train, test and practice all you want, but you really don't know where you stand until you get to the first race of the year. That's when everything can change. One of the greatest tests at the opener is the crowd's response to rider's during opening ceremonies. Fans have a right to cheer or boo whoever and whatever they like, and at A1, they usually do some of both.
I've been watching the race from the same vantage point for nearly 10 years now so I've seen the ebb and flow—Ricky Carmichael loved, not loved, then loved again, for example. The tradition continues. Last year at Anaheim I heard boos for both Chad Reed and James Stewart—not really sure why, but when Ryan Dungey garnered huge cheers, all I could guess was that a great majority of fans wanted to see some new blood at the top. And they got what they wanted as Dungey very nearly won the race, and then went on to win the title.
Stewart and Reed has awful seasons, so they're no longer "the same two guys that win every week." As proof, they were both cheered during this year's show. In fact, the Stewart support went to a whole new level, as fans cheered every pass he made during the main event, almost as if it was Kevin Windham slicing through the pack in Vegas last year (okay, not quite that loud. Everyone is a Kevin Windham fan). Still, after such a rough year, I was glad to hear the fans getting Bubba's back, at least that's what it sounded like from my spot.
The Ryans generated mild applause, but no boos. At the moment there's nothing not to like about Dungey of Villopoto, but I guess there wasn't as much to get pumped on, either. I'm not sure. Either way if Dungey dominates in 2011 like he did in 2010, he could be in for it at Anaheim last year. That's just the way the ball seems to bounce.
Will RD take vicotry in Phoenix?
Photo: Simon Cudby
I was happy when Villopoto won the race, because I had told Racer X Art Director David Langran that RV was the one to watch. Made me look smart. But I also told a whole bunch of people that Stewart was going to win, and on the podcast I did with Matthes a few weeks ago, I said I would put my money on Dungey. Yes, I've discovered a new technique: predict a few different things to a few different people, and you're bound to look smart to someone. Langers has to be amazed with my Villopoto pick, and he doesn't have to know that I didn't stick to my guns.
Odds and ends:
Join two-time Monster Energy AMA Supercross Champion Chad Reed, KTM's Andrew Short, Suzuki's Brett Metcalfe, FMX star Robbie Maddison, Racer X's own David Pingree, and other icons of the extreme sports world at the Racer X / Pole Position Raceway Endurance Challenge in Corona, California, on February 3. The 150-lap indoor kart race will combine some of the world's fastest motorcycle racers with Racer X readers and other members of the public. Yes, you can actually be on the same team as the guys you watch on TV and see in the magazines! Space is limited, and the entry fee is only $45 per person. Past participants of Racer X / Pole Position Raceway events have also included Jeremy McGrath, Travis Pastrana, Kevin Windham, Grant Langston, Davi Millsaps, Todd Potter, Kenny Bartram, Kurt Caselli, Timmy Wiegand, Ronnie Renner and Ricky James, to name a few. Pole Position Raceway is America's #1 Chain of Indoor Kart tracks, and those behind the brand include McGrath, Reed, Langston, Mike Metzger, Kenny Bartram, Randy Hawkins, Dick Burleson, Barry Hawk, Ricky James, Kurt Busch, Jamie Little and more. Advanced registration is required and can be done by contacting Debbie at 951/254-2067. For additional information check out www.PolePositionRaceway.com. The event is sponsored by Racer X, Corona Motor Sports, Works Connection, ZLT, Race Tech, Smithline Industries.
McGrath has competed at the Racer X / Pole Position Raceway Endurance Challenge.
Must be Metty, right? Number 24...
Reed took home first place honors last year.
The Honda Proving grounds, located in the high desert of LA and just outside of Lancaster, is for sale. No price is listed, but the facility is really cool, and includes a full road course, MX and SX track, ATV tracks, and numerous car testing facilities. This is the facility that Honda did much of there long term product testing at, and is separate from the Honda Supercross track in Corona.
Racer X and SprocketList have teamed up to create the best online classifieds for off-road riders and racers on the planet. To celebrate, we’re rolling out a custom-wrapped Snap-On tool chest valued at just under $3,000. Sign up at sprocketlist.com or at the Racer X booth at any of the first four rounds of Monster Energy AMA Supercross. Entry deadline is midnight on January 31. The winner will be announced at Round Five of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series in Anaheim, California. (You do not need to be present to win, but it would be really cool if you were!
Here’s an update from longtime Warthog Racing supporter Dana Kellstrom, who is currently playing in the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure poker tournament in the Bahamas:
“I’m still in the main event with 173 players left out of 1630. It was a $10,000 buy-in, so I’m in the money and a portion of my winnings will be going to the Warthog team to help some less fortunate riders. I had Phil Ivey, the world’s number one player, at my table yesterday directly on my right. It’s was like racing Villopoto, Stewart and Reed all day, but I held my own so I can’t complain. I’m just saying hi from the Bahamas and look forward to being back at races. Congrats to Villopoto and Hansen; I’m big fans of both.”
That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading, and see you at the races.
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"as one of the things that drives me nuts is the absolute lack excitement by the riders on the opening-ceremony hot lap" I could'nt agree more! KDub to DC's point was the only dude with some juice. I'm sure these guys don't want to get hurt on a hot lap, but come on! Its your time to pump the crowd and you decide to ride over the obstacles in first gear with one hand waving like a prom queen in the back seat of a convertable! While I'm at it, who picks the songs for the riders? I know Nick Wey did'nt pick his, unless he is even funnier then I thought. Lame Sauce! I'm sure MC was standing in the knothole club with his arms crossed in disgrace.
Agree with opening ceremonies, they need to loosen up and throw down over the triples with some can cans and whips, common folks. Back in the day, it was rare to see the leader not do a trick on the last lap too, they need to step up the showin off
Hate to disagree with you Davey, but I have to go with Jody at MXA on the 2 stroke issue. The creme will always rise to the top, and the teams will adapt. We don't need factory support as much as we need mass consumer involvement.
I have to also disagree on the 2-stroke piece. The Japanese big four may have spent millions on 4-stroke development, but they have failed to use any of that money to develop a way to make the bikes quieter. One thing that is true about the 4 stroke bikes and racing is the growing supply of used CRF, YZF and RMZ parts once the motors grenade. The cost of rebuilding them is prohibitive to most people and the big four have you right where they want you...$$$. Nothing in life is free and you pay to play. I feel we need the 2-strokes again to make racing more exciting and cost effective for the average person. GO Roczen and JS7 in Phoenix.
DC needs to lay off on the Stewy love - most all the industry guys do. King James, I believe he's been reffered to??? Come on, thats pathetic! When they pan to James on the podium at A1 in the THIRD spot, Ralph goes " and there he is, James Stewart, the fastest man on the planet....." hhhmmmmm, fastest man just got third place, and eveyone still kisses is @$$$. Its getting old already....I think industry guys should stop playing favorites. And also, Coombs said TWICE already, that Chad must be pretty upset with 5th place. In all the post race interviews that I've heard and read, CR seemes quite pleased with his finish, all things considered. Don't you pay attention to these interviews, Davey??? Your journalism and reports are kind of irratating me.
why are they freaking out about hansen jumping that corner? there were other riders doing it too i saw cole seely do it...justin barcia was doing it last year too and i dont remember seeing anything about that being illegal (maybe something was said i just didnt see anything)
I could give a rats @ss how much these companies have invested in four strokes. But I'd have to blame the AMA in the first place for allowing such a displacement advantage. Just due to the simple fact the 2-strokes do and always will provide more power per displacement means companies should have stuck with them for their superiority. Because of the AMA crappy rule, the 125 2-stroke has no class to race and has been relegated to a play bike. It's very sad. I still think fours sound like $h1t.
Boy Davey, after what RV did to Dungey last season when he got into shape, you dont even pick him to podium?? How?? He has been training with Aldon Baker, he is in better shape than this time last year, and he did nothing but train for supercross since he healed. No Nationals, no Des Nations, just train and get set up for supercross, and not get picked to even podium over a rookie to the class??
i am so tired of shaheen kissing bubbles ass he has been on the bike for a few years and Reed only a couple months give credit where credit is do. good job reed. with the economy the way it is we can't afford 4 strokes they cost way to much. bring the 2 strokes back and you will bring the racers back!
Just wanted to say that i thought Hanny and Canard doing that little double across the corner was trick! bring on Pheonix!!!
Ping.... The part where Hanson was jumping from exiting single to the entrance single. During the live show on tv. Trey Canard was doing it during his LCQ. I think it was pretty sick. But then again on REFLEX I do it and get docked 3 seconds every lap....
I went from a 2002 CR250 and then bought in to the 4-stroke hype and bought a 2004 CRF450. Being a slow C class rider you wouldn't expect me to put too much stress on the engine. But three over priced top ends later at the end of each short Midwest riding season, which I didn't dare attempt myself, I said enough is enough and bought a CR500 from Service Honda with the logic that I can do the top end myself and be able to make up the upfront purchase price in no time at all. I have over 100 hours on the original piston and still have full compression. I will change it before spring for good measure, for the mere cost of a piston, the gaskets and fresh coolant. I will take care of the bike and try to make it last as long as I can so that I don't have to buy anything new for years and years. My extended family doesn't want anything to do with the four strokes either. They are maintaining their almost decade old CR's as best as they can. When we're out and about, we see plenty of like minded riders on older 2 strokes. The high cost of the 4 strokes and the crappy economy will haunt the manufacturers for a long time. KTM and to a certain extent Yamaha will reap the benefits for not turning their back on 2 strokes. Was the 450 easier to ride? Yes. But it's no where near as fun. And now I have a CR500 that weighs as little as my CR250 did! Am I still a slow C class rider? Yup. But the gas it and grin factor is huge and worth every penny. The less people that can afford the sport, the quicker sales of new bikes will decline. It's basic economics.
New rule!!! if you need to be immature and call the holeshot then you need to be mature enough to add some intelligent content about and article rather than being a chowderhead. I think the noise complaints at hundreds of private (and public) tracks are primarily from the echo of the 4 stroke belch. 2 stroke noise doesn't carry the way a 4 stroke's does. My solution would be having the lites class being 250 cc and under (2 or 4 stroke) and the Premier Class should be an open class for larger than 250 cc bikes. Pick a bike and ride it for the series. Everyone seems a little spoiled in the excitement department too none of the racing was boring last week, these pros are hauling the mail, slicing and dicing isn't as fast since it doesn't tend to use the fastest line. The start is just as critical as it was in 1978 when I raced. Running faster than the leader still doesn't make you the winner it makes you a fast loser. The top 5 and a few others all could pull a win out of the hat so what isn't exciting? if I wanted NASCAR I would flush a bag of skittles down the toilet and watch the side by side action. Stay safe guys.
Sorry Davey but you are wrong about 2 strokes. The vast, vast majority of us ride becuase it is fun, a good workout, a challenge, and most importantly, because we love it. While 4 strokes might be a little easier to ride they are less fun, more expensive to operate, and way, way harder to work on. In short, they are not fun. Watch this clip and tell me which bike you want to be riding. http://twostrokemotocross.com/2010/11/jimmy-decotis-rips-on-a-125-two-stroke/ Maybe I'm just old (47) but the sound of that 125 just about brings tears to be eyes- and makes me want to go buy a bike.
Everybody know's Davey doesn't like Villopoto so I don't expect him to say anything good!
Hey DC I always like your articles. If you are stil interesed in the " VICTORY MACHINES " I still have it. you can find me if you want.? I dont want much for it but sometime when you get done with it it needs to go to the AMA Hall of Fame. deal??? PS I think I met your Dad at Delta? Troy Ohio Pro am race in 75? that was a while ago. Dont worry I am not star struck lol.... Rabbit128
Dana Kellstrom is a stud!! Holding your own against him Phil Ivey is gnarly. I am a new fan of warthog racing. Even though you are hanging in the Bahamasâ
Davey you are a 100% wrong on the 2 stroke issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Actually I think its shameful because now youre pulling out the" only benefit KTM and Yamaha " line. Other than that, great read, I still love RacerX
D.C. why is it that all I ever read about from Racer-X on the issue of 2-Strokes racing on the ama pro level is always the same it's not fair? What's fair? What the ama says is fair? They set the displacement levels. So if they changed the displacement level would it be fair then? I don't think it's fair that the ama makes it where it cost's too much for the privateer to race because of the upkeep and price to maintain a 4-stroke. It's politics plain and simple. You can't say what deep down you think is right. It makes perfect since to let 250 2-strokes race against 250 4-stroke's since there would probably not be any factory teams doing the same (they have too much $$ and technology invested in 4-strokes). It would only make it easier for the average Joe to compete for lesser expense. Love your mag, I subscribe but disagree on this issue.
thats so lame that they're saying that would be unfair but then they say it's all the rider and the bike don't matter? if that was true u wouldn't be complaining about 250 2 strokes in the 250f class. they should let the 250 smokers in so the privateers would have a chance i guarantee theres alot of guys who would show some of the factory dudes up. all the factory guys are is spoiled babies who complain about the smallest suspension settings and blame everyone for why they can't win it's pathetic. plus there is way more mods you can do to a 4 stroke anyway. c'mon if the oems are struggling making it by maybe they should invest in 2 strokes since they're cheaper and maybe more ppl would buy new bikes.
I agree with DC that changing the rules back and forth could hae bad consequences. There is no official factory yamaha anymore, jus think if all the other teams dropped out. Amateurs can still race two strokes, so that covers most the average joes. The factory teams would still have an advantage. also Those that say for strokes are so much more expensive, in a sense they are, but i think alot f people who hae problems neglegt to change the oil enough, i used to work at a bike shop and have seen this first hand, Change your oil people, it will do wonders for your motor!!! Another thing I didn't see mentioned so far it looks like the 350 is a flop n the pro races. maybe good in amatuer racing, i'll stick to my 450 though. but short and alessi now where near the front at the start, and both those guys finishing so far back, wonder when decoster is gonna hae the balls to put his guys on a real bike so they are not under powered. the whole 350 thing kinda of the 250 two stroke holdouts, basically that is what they are saying, lighter easier to ride, ala basically the same has a 250 two stroke, which has been proven not competetive in the highest level of racing. amatuer racing 2 strokes can do fine but not the pro's.
Sorry Davey, but you've got it all wrong about the 2strokes. I cant count how many people I know that dropped out of racing because they couldn't afford to do it anymore. What you dont want to offend the manufacturers??? Are Dodge, Ford, and Chevy directly involved in NASCAR anymore? NO. Think about it. just sayin. :)
Elijah, I have been using Dr D hour meters on all my bikes. Changing the oil by the book doesn't prevent valves from bending. Which brings up another expense: oil filters. Do all you 4 stroke riders out there toss your old oil filters in the garbage or do you bring them to a recycling facility with your waste oil? EPA mandates that waste oil is not allowed in a landfill because it will eventually seep into the water supply. Whirlwind is right about the noise factor. Not only are they louder, the sound waves a 4 stroke creates travel much farther. Without catalytic converters in the exhaust, a 4 stroke isn't all that much cleaner than a 2 stroke, it just doesn't smell as nice!
Are the big 4 manufacturers, the AMA and Davey stupid enough to let high cost 4-strokes run the industry into the ground and ruin it forever? Yes, yes they are. Will the lilly-livered moto-ing public let them do it? We shall see. What are YOU going to do about it? Davey's made it clear ain't gonna do $#!%.
The AMA ruined things with the unfair displacement advantage. Somebody decided that 2 strokes were bad, probably some eco nazi/dirty hippy & then the bandwagon jumping began. 2 strokes make more power per cc, are easier to work on, cheaper to maintain, & more durable, we all know this. So do the manufacteurs. If they started producing them again sales would go up. As far as the pro's go I say make things fair, allow 500cc 2 strokes race with the 4 strokes. Btw I had a 2 stroke & traded it in on a 4 stroke, it was cool.....for the 1st year.
Not a good choice Davey, it seems your only interested in the factory crowd. I had 4 members of my mx track quit riding last year due to 4-stroke expenses, besides the people that quit coming because they lost or got laid off from their job.
Hansen wasn't the only one that was taking that double line around the corner. Trey was doing the same thing as well in his heat race but nobody talked about that. Why? Cause Hansen won and you guys are trying to bag on him? Can't wait for supercross tomorrow night!
bout time Tony Alessi pulled his head out of his a$$ and realized he was tearing Mikey down. I wonder if The Man had anything to do with it?
Having Supercross on live TV is a big expense for the series organizers????? Don't sports organizations like the NFL, NASCAR, MLB, and the NBA make money from thier TV deals. Yes they do.
Four Stroke, Two stroke, one stroke, who cares!!! Bottom line. Most local tracks, other than top five MX areas, in our nation follow the same displacement rules as AMA pro racing. Why? probably just easier to copy then create. Four strokes are dwindling the participation in local racing and general riding. The pros are pros. Lites class should be a limit of 250cc and the pro class should be unlimited. the only limit should be that the bikes are production based, not one off super bikes. If someone wants to run the nationals on a Husky 300 two-stroke, let them. Ricky, Jeremy, and James have all proven the bike and brand are not as important as the rider.
That windham 'most interesting man in motocross' article. Really? really. You can't take yourself that seriously. really, it's so bad. Matthes think kenny's bigotry is funny and wishes to share it with us all. Please stop. DC doesn't watch the race and watches with BIG names who say their shitty riders shitty was because they 'didn't stick a wheel' in' by god they are right. Well done DC for hanging with people who really know how to break down a race. You know there is different types of knowledge. Just because you can do something well means you have know-how knowlege, which doesn't require you to actually know how to verbally explain how you can do something.
I think real motocross has three classes 125, 250 and open period!
Jeez DC you've upset everyone this week huh.. I wish people would stop with all there bulls**t opinions and just enjoy watching these boys race..
I don't understand the argument about people at your local tracks leaving the sport because of 4 strokes. I run an 07 crf450 and I rebuild it myself every winter. It might not need a new top end but for $200 bucks in parts I do it. If people are just flat out quitting riding then they never really loved to ride in the first place. If it came to it I would dump the 4 and go buy a ktm or a yamaha before I sit on the couch with a bag of doritos on sunday. However that said, I disagree with dc on this. The rules need to be altered to 250cc means 250cc and 450cc means 450cc. 2 or 4
Is ping kidding about about the corner jump thing with hansen? No, your not they only one who saw that. It has been talked about PLENTY this week.
I think it's pretty clear with the above comments how the "people" feel about the 2 vs 4 issue. Adding shades of gray to a black & white issue is politics at it's worst. Take it anyway you like but, WE the consumers, are the end all, be all of this equasion, NOT the other way around. It's obvious Davey has his promoters hat on when he says he doesn't want to scare off the factories, that would effect HIS bottom line. A less biased opinion always sides with the 2 stroke. The grassroots of the sport need it and the vast majority demands it. This is not an ideological war, this is common sense.
When I started my business in 1991 we were 100% motocross. 20 years later motocross makes up less than 10% of our business. Why? 4-strokes. I have watched dirt bike and ATV racing in my area die because of 4-strokes. If the modern day 4-stroke was as bullet proof as the old XR's or ATC's it wouldn't be a problem but that isn't the case. Sorry folks but this sport is as good a dead if we don't get back to 2 strokes. Absolutely no way you will convince me otherwise.
the factory's were forced to develope a better 4-stk because of epa...gov. trying to ban the 2 cycle engine.
Edro, why are 2 strokes still being developed and sold if they are being banned?
From my experience of working at a Mx dealership for over 8 years and seeing why 4 stroke bikes break is almost 90% maintenance error. You can change your oil as much as you want but unless your using a very high quality synthetic you might as well be shopping at wal mart for oil. A friend was buying torco from use 100% synthetic and kept having clutch problems finally we made him start using castrol and all his problems went away. I have had two Kawi 450's and rode each for over 2 years and never even made a valve adjustment because of the maintenance.
I don't work in the industry. But my belief is that the consumers killed the four stroke. As the 4 strokes were being introduced and sold, the 2 stroke sales dropped. Motocross racers(generally speaking) are more interested in fitting in with the rest of the crowd to be cool. Most didn't consider that a 2 stroke might fit their needs better, and had to have the 4 stroke because everyone else was riding them. Now we want them back. Not too late though. Buy a KTM or Yamaha.
You say everyone still loves him, but I'm just not a KW fan. I guess it's because I don't have a short memory.
Losing the entry level of the economical 2 stroke has definitely hurt participation in the Southeast. There are fewer and fewer young guy's coming up through the classes, why? Because they can't afford to keep the maintenance up on a hard raced 4 stroke and dad can't rebuild it like he could the simple 2 stroke. I have been racing since 1970, ride 50+A now and will keep buying 2's from Yamaha & KTM to support them. Factory's, right NOW you had better take a census on peoples feelings on this before it is too late, you are bleeding yourselves dry.
sorry rainman, maybe not ban the 2 stroke but push factory to reduce emission. here's somthing to think about...did the publik ask for a 4 stroke weed eater? a 4 stroke out board engine? a 4 stroke snowmobile?
HOLESHOT !! HOLESHOT !!! yOU LOsERS i WIN I wIN !! hA HA FIRST fIRST FIRST !! i'M SOOO aWESOME !! wOOOOOO hOOOOO sUCK iT!!!!
obviously that isn't me.... real mature chowderhead
The real problem is the Big Four Japanese companies, Davey is just their US enabler/counterpart/lackey. There is a cultural bias in Japanese business, that keeps them from getting too involved in United States land use and noise issues, although it definitely would be to their benefit to get involved. The really sad part, is it would be very easy for them to influence American politics, just like everyone with a fist full of cash does on a daily basis. But the Japanese sit back and accept dictates from American talking heads, and do nothing to protect their bottom line. Next, the Japanese CEOs are terribly naive, largely due to another cultural bias. They don't believe, understand or accept the fact that CARB, the EPA and other leftist/collectivist groups in America will use any means to interfere with the off-road industry. If they can't stop off-roading directly, they will seek to find ways to drive costs up, increase hassles through bureaucratic measures, require permits for anything/everything, interfere with private land use, etc. Most of these collectivists aren't actually concerned with the environment - they hardly ever leave the city, instead they just can't stand to see other having fun. Regardless, it doesn't occur to the Japs that this is the means to an end the control freaks use to eventually destroy their bottom line. AND THEN, THERE'S HONDA... Honda, being super greedy and constantly betraying the other three Japanese manufacturers, was all too keen to put the hurt on Kawasaki and Suzuki by pushing the 4-stroke technology they had already developed. Yamaha has a little more cash so they were able to counter Honda, but the whole tactic has backfired and left the industry crippled. Thanks Honda! Honda's arrogance also shines in the way they treat their pro riders, whether they be McGrath, Carmichael, Hayden or Colin Edwards. Its really simple. The Japs need to get involved in protecting their bottom line within American politics and Suz/Kaw/Yam need to know when to tell Honda to FO. It would help if Davey would ever really get it, but he's blinded by his immediate lust for cashflow, instead of the real future of the sport.
obviously that isn't me.... real mature chowderhead I was too busy banging my aunt to type that.
how can someone hack a racerX account? this may be a problem
you didn't get hacked. anybody can put any name they want and type what they want trying to make the original poster look bad
brilliant Copy and paste job too.... I suggest that everyone get the picture in place.
Long live the 2001 Cr250!
How about an android version of mad skills? Iphones are for girls and queers. (Not that there's anything wrong with being a girl)
the AMA s job is judge make racing fair and safe. not cater to the big 5 in my opion both 250s are too much for a 120-170lb. 14-18 yr. old ...
Take a 2 stroke and put FI on it and you get the best of both worlds. No smog, low maintenance, better performance, lower cost. Wonder why the big 4 have not done that yet? Greed.
Since 'way back in the day when BSA Gold Stars displacing 441cc were raced alongside 360 Husqvarnas and CZs, and in the '70s when the Brits tried to compete in the FIM World Championship 500cc class with CCMs and Rickman/Triumphs, 4~strokes have needed a displacement advantage to be competitive with the lighter, better handling, more powerful per cc 2~strokes. The more things change, the more they stay the same. No quarter for 4~strokes, I say! IMHO the rapid decline of areas to ride and tracks to race at are far more immediate and impending issues than any quarrels over the ultimate fate of the 2~stroke. I realize the days when I could saddle up my Pursang and motor through the lemon groves right up the street from my parents' house into the Promised Land ~ the wide~open spaces of the foothills, are history. Those times are long gone now, but the foundation of motocross still is the local rider that just enjoys the thrill of twisting the throttle. Less sound, more ground, as we said in the 'olden days' ~ sorry, 4~strokes. Francisco Compania Espana de Motores, S.A. (CEMOTO) San Adrian de Besos Barcleona, ESP
As I recall four stroke was originally developed and marketed as a machine that would meet the stricter EPA emission standards but every four stroke i've ever owned is red sticker only with way more noise and emissions. Further the AMA allowed the 4S to have a displacment advatnage based on 4S performance of the bikes of the 70 and 80 not the ti valved hi rev lighter machines we see today. Someone is screwing the American consumer . AGAIN. JimMCarlsbadCA
All the pre race entertainment (?) nose wheelies , lights,sparklers,smoke dealies and husker dues are embarassing to me. Whats next, the riders coming in on elephants ? We all know (?) what the site lap is for. Save the tricks for FMX. JimM CarlsbadCa
Since amateur racing pays the bills, isn't pro racing (rules and classes) supposed to reflect trends in amateur racing? 2-strokes are the better deal for the amateur racer and just what other consideration is supposed to supersede THAT in a market economy? Pleasing the big 4 is good for US race promoters, at least in the short term. It serves the interests of NO one else, least the mx consumer. Wish I was an anti-trust lawyer. Manufacturers and promoters conspiring to restrict or constrain consumer options? Make an interesting case.
Davey, you make a lot of sense, A LOT OF NON-SENSE. Your response to why two strokes will not make a return is total hypocrisy; do you remember when Yamaha was the only one with four strokes? Did all the other brands quit racing because of it? Hell no, they adapted and made a bike which was competitive. All the manufactures still have the ability to produce two strokes; they just choose not to manufacture them any more because the rules do not favor them. From what I here, you can still buy a new 2008 RM250 form Canada or Europe. As of 2010 Suzuki was still marketing their 2008 RM250 on their official website, did all the OEMs throw out their templates? Couldn't the OEM's start producing their last model yearâ
? Couldn't the OEM's start producing their last model yearâ
Couldn't the OEM's start producing their last model yearâ
KTM SUX AND ALWAYS WILL. THANK GOD HONDA STILL MAKES THE CR-250 A HONDA CR-250 MAKES 80 HP STOCK. AND IS FASTER THAN MY BROTHERS RAPTOR UNTIL THIRD GEAR.
Duke Finch let me borrow his bike in that race to let me try his line out over that corner cause I told him it wasnt any faster. I dressed in his gear and went out there. needless to say it was faster and he took home the chedda that night. Champagne and cocain.
Hey guys I need help. I'm trying to remember if there was ever a pro who went on to become a champion that failed to qualify at their first pro race? This is bugging me cos I'm sure there is at least one. Thanks.
Davey Davey Davey......you finally drank the corporate Kool-Aid. The 2-stroke versus 4-Stroke debate was something YOU could have solved years ago and still can. With your positions in racing and the AMA you could have made an impact. Your pockets apparently are being filled by the Honda,et al.So I for one am pulling my money from you and Racer X. I am going to support other magazines that are NOT in a conflict of interest position. Sorry but I thought you really CARED about the future of the sport......