Ask Ping!
Friday, July 8, 2011 | 10:40 AM
ODI dates back to the 1980’s as the leader in grip manufacturing. Focusing primarily on the bmx and mountain bike industries through the 90’s and early 2000’s, ODI re-entered the motocross scene when they developed the patented lock-on grip system that eliminates wire and glue. Continuing to advance the way riders hold on to their bikes, ODI has worked closely with the teams they support such as Troy Lee Designs to create the product that is now being used by some of the top teams in the industry.
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Hello Dave,
So, what's up with the guys designing this new batch of sunglasses that most podium finishers are sporting after the race (not to mention Stewart’s "Erkel" Oakleys at the last Supercross)? If I had shown up at my local track, watering hole or friend’s barbeque with sunglasses like that I'd have gotten my a*s kicked in a New York minute or been laughed at into complete humiliation. Is it just me or have they taken a wrong turn into Dorkville?
Puzzled
Maybe this is why moto guys run them?
Fashion, in general, has made some pretty odd twists and turns over the years. Who among us doesn’t have a story of an outfit they wore when they were younger that would have certainly earned them a beating in today’s high school hallways? I wore Z Cavaricci pants with the bottoms folded up and had my hair spiked up on one side like some Flock of Seagulls reject. Yeah, some of the glasses that are en vogue right now look ridiculous. So did MC Hammer’s pants in his Can’t Touch This video. So did Vanilla Ice’s Hair in Ice, Ice Baby. So did Kid N Play’s haircuts. Have they taken a wrong turn into Dorkville? Yessir, they have. And if history is any indicator, we have a man behind the wheel who refuses to stop and ask for directions and we’ll make that wrong turn again and again.
PING
Mr. Pingree,
With your Motocross 101 video being out for a while now I was hoping you could answer a question. Why don't more active pros do instructional videos? I remember as a kid watching "Rick Johnson’s: Motovation" until the VHS tape had worn out. As a fan looking inside it is really neat to see rider techniques, set-up, testing and tuning. I understand that a lot of the behind the scenes these days might be limited due to factory secrets, but I'm sure following some of the top ten guys and having them explain why they do some things could pass. Years ago Kawasaki did a video with Jeff Ward and Ron Lechien that showed them testing bikes for the next season. It didn't have any close-ups of bikes, but it showed how they would decide on suspension settings and make engine changes for conditions. Since you have seen the process and sales point of view, is it just not worth it for a guy like Short or Millsaps? Thanks for taking the time and best of luck in the future.
Food services is where the money is.
I watched that same video about six hundred times. I also had a Broc Glover video and Jeff “Chicken” Matiasevich’s video, Matias-attack! Those videos were popular back then when VHS was the only game in town. But things are different now. Even a DVD is an old-school form of media since everyone is online all day. If people can’t download it and have it right now they don’t bother. So, after you spend a lot of time filming, editing and finalizing the video you take it to iTunes and they sell it for $6 and give you $2 for every download. You have to split that with your partner and that leaves you with $1 for every download. Not exactly killing it. So, for a rider making tall six figures it isn’t worth his time to make a video like that when the return is so little. Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s the money was better for video sales and riders weren’t making the money they make now in salary. I made Motocross 101 for the pure and simple love of the game. I’m all about helping people. People helping people; that’s what it’s all about. And you should be too so go to www.motocross101.com and help me out by ordering a video today. Already have one? I’ll bet you know somebody who doesn’t… order them one. Or two. Hey, Christmas is right around the corner.
PING
Hey Ping,
Real quick, I’d like to say that there are few moto articles I look forward to more than yours. You crack me up and for that I thank you!
Alright, bud, so why is it that FL and Cali have so many differences yet they are two of the biggest moto states in the U.S.? I’m from Gainesville, FL, so I’m probably a little bias (and by a little I mean a lot) but maybe you could enlighten some of us “dirty southerners” as to why Cali and FL are worlds apart… few examples would be: Cali’s fake women everywhere, not saying FL doesn’t have them but the FL fakies can usually only be found at a Hooter’s or in South Beach Miami bathing in cash their rich husbands fork out for them. Cali’s Bro-ism fetish, I haven’t heard anyone in southeast say bro in a LOOOOOONG time. And along with the broish status you have flat bills with ears tucked INSIDE the hat. I mean, that just doesn’t seem comfortable. Do their ears stick out too far? Are they training their ears to be more streamline? And of course you can’t forget the shin-high black socks…really? Please help me out here. I’m confused… I have nothing against Cali except a few political things, which I won’t get into but seriously, WORLDS APART!
Thanks for your wisdom on this, unless of course you bash me or imply that I’m missing teeth and wear jean shorts (jorts, if you will).
Ben
Gainesville, FL
So sick, bro
I’m not sticking up for the California crowd here. This state is chock full of nut jobs, fruitcakes, weirdos and people you just don’t generally want to associate with. The traffic sucks, the crowds suck and the state’s elected officials are completely devoid of common sense. That is about as honest as I can be about it. The answer to the question ‘why are CA and FL the two biggest moto states?’ is simple… weather. Anything further north has winter months that make riding impossible or miserable. And the states in-between all have their own issues. Arizona and New Mexico get hot enough in the summer that your bike will actually melt if you leave it in the back of your truck, though both states have turned out some decent riders. Texas has had some great riders but very few from the Lonestar State have won races. Weird. Louisiana made Kevin Windham but is otherwise too swampy and bogged down with Cajun food and swamp people. Mississippi and Alabama… I don’t know much about the moto status in those states but they’ve never been hotbeds of talent. And that brings us to Florida, which looks a lot like Georgia’s penis if you look at it on a map. I don’t have a response to the ‘bro’ movement. It is single-handedly responsible for the black socks, flat-billed hats and neck tattoos that are all the rage among the sickos on the west coast. I’d rather see everyone wearing jorts. Oh, and about the fake boobies… well, we might be onto something there. Sorry, bro.
PING
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Oh ya?? Does Florida have a Gov Brown and Nancy Pelosi and a Dianne Fienstien? Take that Florida......
Florida's politicians are no better--Remember Jeb Bush?? And the loser Governor they have now is no prize.. The "Bro" movement kills me, With the do-rags ir bandanna's they where and the neck tatoos, and what is it with a flat billed hats. All my baseball hats were that way new, and the first thing we did was bend the crap out of them, otherwise they looked stupid. And guess what flat-billers, it still looks stupid.
Ping as several meaning in Chinese, including:
萍 - duckweed
苹 - apple
瓶 - bottle
Duckweed would have been a great nickname and would have make a great butt patch.
Whats with wearing a beanie hat, when its 105 degrees??? Josh Hansen???
Im from Cali and dont like the Bro movement either. Its really stupid and its friggin every where out here. Florida is no better thought. Im not going to get into it cause CA & FL are they two biggest moto states so i gotta have love for FL too.
We should be united against New Jersey anyways, WTF is wrong with those people??
Will the Motocross101 be coming out in a paperback edition soon?
WEAAAAAK!!!! Try harder next time Ping.
Florida lets baby killers go free. California lets illegal Mexicans go free.
In response to the New Jersey comment, even though I had to spend two and a half years of my life there (and have no desire whatsoever to go back to NJ), at least they have a good Governor there now. California can't say that.
Idaho is pumping a few good rider out and many top riders have retired there. I am not saying we need people to move here. Please don't come to Idaho. Its hot and cold and we don't prep or water out tracks
Actuly Jeb Bush is quite popular in FL I believe bd200.
Ironically, Florida will eventually get wiped out by the next wave of Hurricanes, and Cali will break off and sail out to sea and become part of Hawaii...
I'm from socal, right smack dab center of these flatbilled idiots. Your clearly at a disadvantage if you dont have tattoo's. Its like people think your soft if you dont have tattoo''s. And if you do have tattoo's, and a neck tattoo,,, throw your freestyle bike in the bed of your truck and concider yourself metal mulisha. and for sure tell all the chicks. these 909 moto kids are blowing it sooo bad. they're getting their first tattoo's on necks, face tattoos like loza, knuckle tattoo's bro, than you look like your from prison and nobody will call you out. are people that scared that someone is going to beat them up that they feel they have to look like twitch and talk a lot of trash. I hate this cali sh!t
arguing about which state has the better politicians is like arguing over who crashed the hardest, or who got lapped more....even if you win, it's still nothing to be proud of...
Maybe the FL guy would like those of us from CA calling his state Flori?? Those of us who are born and raised here don't call it frikin cali, that is so gay.
I don't believe these are real letters Ping is answering. If they were you would see some comments down here like "awesome!! my letter made it into Pings article & on Racer X"
Are you writing the questions & answers Ping??
Awesome!! My letter made it into Pings article & on Racer X!
The weather is great but slightly varied all over
Some of the women are hot
Flip flops come in many colors
The only Bro,s are from New Zealand
The only wierdo,s here are the try hard USA moto copycats
Our mini bike are NOT lead free
Come now and get less for your money ,your dollar is weaker, just like your Beer.
and we speak American too...........
People not born here call it 'Cali'- we dont. and every other state ends up following the trends that start here, so get in line for your new neck Tat and flat billed hat you hillbillys.
Stuck in florida now, from Cali. florida is the worst place to ride best place to train because of HIGH humidity (less oxygen) Cali is like Disneyland compared to florida. Lived all over the states florida is the worst place I have ever lived! If you like bugs, nascar, sand, high humidity, no mountains and flea markets (swap meets) then florida is the place for you. I have had visitors come out to visit here and not one person has stayed till they originally planned.
The guy in the bro picture looks pretty whatever, Is that what white trash looks like now adays?
CO, best state hands down. Maybe not for year round moto but if you can handle 40 degree riding, which is very possible, you can ride tracks nearly all winter.
Fake Boobs SUCK!
Any boobs will do for my liking
---ouch! I worked all over FL in 97-99, and liked the coastal areas, but inland seemed pretty WT...(as does this Devil's Crotch where I live here 2hrs above Houston)...and Miami was nauseatingly un-American feeling, with all of the ungrateful-acting, non-English-speaking people who did NOT wish to speak in their new blood-bought home's native tongue. I could not even go into some McDonald's w/o having to wait until someone who could speak intelligble English to come up front and take my effing order.
Downtown Manhattan, otoh, was just the opposite: lots of foreigners there too, but almost all were friendly and spoke English. And seemed to have some CLASS, for pete's freakin' sake.
When I lived in Monterey, the CA locals told me that REAL Californians were exceptionally cool, and def did not claim LA, Oakland, etc. They told me to move anywhere north of Gilroy and I would be fine. They were correct. Anywhere outside of the big cities the people were a different breed of people. They are just outnumbered by welfare recipients breeding like roaches in their welfare houses.
Is hating a National pass time?
Is there a class at school, hating 101?
Are you all Gay, or do some of you even hate Gay,s?
Cheer up F#*$ers
No haters here, just stating the facts! There is alot of great places to ride, florida just is far from one of them. If you disagree you need to get out more. BUT it will make a man out out you riding in weather like this but won't make you faster. Do you think that when Reedy's career is over he's gonna stick around?
bd200! You type a post again displaying your stupidity! Tell us what you think of Jeb Bush! Really!!!
And you probably voted for that fruitcake Jerry Brown.................AGAIN! Everytime I think about that it makes me pee my pants laughing! What a bunch of idiots!
There is just no hope for the guy that seemed to be bragging about Nancy Pelosi and a Dianne Fienstien! Are you kidding?
What I'd like to see is a HUGE fence built about 50 miles east of the 5 border to border and put all you and all the other commie libs across the board in there and weld the gate shut and set up a Phalanx system every 1/4 mile to keep you morons in there! Then you guys can do what you will with each other and the rest of us can heal up! Trust me, we can do without any of your BS!
Ride111mph is right- Idaho is terrible, you cali boys would hate it here. It's super lame bro- stay far, far away. You can't even get a weed prescription when you get a runny nose! Far, FAR away...
DON'T CALL IT CALI !!!!
..............cali
i wear my ears tucked in my flat billed hat
ssshhhhhh don't tell anyone about CO, I would like to retire there!
@Australia: how's your unemployment and cost of living? And why would I want to go from being a flat lander to being a flat lander?! Why can't you get Foster's down there?
To those of you bemoaning your politicians, where I'm from isn't much better! IL has more governors in jail than you do! DICK Durbin should be locked up too...
Hey Ping, can we sign up for a newsletter of stuff that the editors won't let you post?
VB is choice, Bro!
Why is Reedy coming home, cause it,s HOME. ( and too many haters)
Although i can see Byrne or Metcalfe living in the USA
florida also has a wide variety of track conditions to pick from to ride. though known for the deep sand back in the diamondback trans-am days, there is plenty of clay clay and sand, seashell, dark deep sand with a hard base. well u get the point, just that the variable factor is more than most would suspect and great for various training.
Nor-Cal is where it's at. Better tracks, better dirt and better people.
Oh and it goes without saying, better weed. Stay out in Idaho you drunkass hypocrite, DUI, wife beating, Vodka and Coors swilling fools.
Lived in 7 states so far and I have figured out the states with large populations suck the most. To much traffic, road construction, red lights, crowds, and all the b.s.
I would like to move to Montana, (Pings home state) where you can have a Meth lab and not be bothered!!!!!
Contrary to popular perception, California not only taxes and regulates its economy more than most other states, it also aggressively interferes in the personal lives of its citizens.
California was just voted "Worst state for business" 7th yr in a row.
California is the worst ranked in the nation for "economic freedom".
The whole state is one big "tourist trap" filled with worthless trinkets and stupid people, just like every other "tourist trap".
@pizzacorner: I guess you must live in CA then?
Negative much?
BILLC, how do you know how popular Jeb Bush WAS in Florida. (he isnt the Governor anymore) ??? You have no clue, just defending another Republican like you always do. But you dont know, my parents live in Florida, and the state experienced what is called "Voters remorse" with that clown. He rigged the Presidential voting there for his Brother during his first run. Yes its true. There is a law that prevents a felon from voting in Florida, great. But the company HE hired to enforce it, screwed up over 50,000 peoples rights to vote, and 90% of those were in heavily Democrat districts. By the time it was resolved, it was 2 years after the election. Bush won Florida by less that 2500 votes in those areas. Coincadence?? I think not. Just one example of Jeb Bush's crooked politics Florida dealt with..
@Harddog321 where do I sign up for the fence fund? Best idea Ive heard in a long time!
Phoenix has its share of bros, that's for sure. We want to be L.A. so bad!
I'm from central Florida now living in Georgia. Florida is an awesome place to train because of the deep sand, heat and high humidity but as far as fun to ride...I'll take north Georgia, N.C, Tenn with the better soil and natural elevation changes. As for bro life...clowns!
Do you have any sisters?
@pizza corner- ya alls fogetn Cali ranked 47tn in edumucation to. Holy shit that's why I can't spell.
As for living in So. Cal., did the circus just come to town? These so called bros look more like wanna be carnnies! Whats going to happen when they get old and look at themselves in the mirror? Their going to say "WTF" did I do to myself. As for living in So. Cal. my whole life, can't wait to get out one day. The motocross mecca here is shrinking and I have watched it shrink since the eary 70's.
@Whoops Blitzer, We want to be L.A. so bad! Stay out sun, its frying your brains out. I tell what, if it makes you feel any better, we load up all the flat billers and send them to you. The 909 and 951 are just breeding them faster than rabbits. lol
Bros......the new white trash. Didn't mexicans start the flat bill? Next they will need a belt like real bros.
Js7 verdict in as of yesterday , 3000 dollar fine , and and a series of PSA , sorry folks , not a felony, Ferry will have his bike dialed in for the Monster Energy Cup , finally some real racing , not just follow the leader , like whats going on now ,in the outdoors , except for Bagget and Barcia , everyone else is just riding around playing it safe . Go James
@Who Cares, you might be on to something there. I beleive it was the homies who were their white socks up to their knees and also have tatts on their necks. You know hanging out at the beach only exposing their knee caps. WTF!
Hey you, you wear socks up to your knees? Si!
Are you a flatbiller? Si!
Its ok guys, he's one of us!
@Starting trouble, you sound like a typical one-rider race fan. Who gives a crap what Stewarts charges are?? If you dont think the "REAL" racing is whats going on now, you are just a Stewtard hating it because yopur boy got 4th and is sitting out again.. We have had some awesome racing in the 450 class this year, with passing over Laroccos Leap and all, its been awesome. Too bad your boy isnt racing and you missed it..
And you sound like a Fool for caring so much about what I think , You must be a child , or a slow adult .
@starting trouble, Its to bad JS7 is not out there racing, because there is plenty of room outdoors for long distance lawn darting. Everyday those guys gate up they are playing it safe,"anyone see James out here?" But since you have such a deep passion for James, we won't get to deep here. James would make the season more interesting and I'm sure you watching his butt patch going up and down in the whoops would make it exciting for you too. Oh by the way, I am retarded, thanks for noticing!
Whats wrong with NJ?????? I'll tell you what. All the idiots who come here form Staten Island and NY. I've lived at the beach here my whole life, and if it weren't for these people, AND the "Jersey Shore" you wouldn't have much to say about it. We have a really good MX sub-culture here as well. Maybe not a ton of really fast Pro's but we've had our share. No comment on Jlaw though....