Racer X ReduX: The James Stewart Chronicles
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 | 3:30 PM
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PrintWhen James Stewart and JGR came to terms for the 2012 season, I wrote this in our February issue of Racer X Illustrated:
It’s a leap of faith, in each other, for both, because the new pairing only works if Stewart really still is the best rider in the game, and the Gibbs team really can build the best bike.
The season is now four months old, and we still don’t know the answer to either. Has time and competition simply eclipsed Stewart, or is he being held back by his equipment? Or is the equipment up to par, and Stewart just doesn’t have the ability to dominate anymore?
Such questions are not a surprise, as there always seems to be more than meets the eye with Stewart. This is a rider so polarizing that he once had to show a video of himself emerging from ACL surgery to prove he had actually had ACL surgery. He had dropped out of the 2008 SX season the week after winning a race in Phoenix, which set off all sorts of crazy conspiracy theories, including the idea that James was “sitting out” because he was mad at Kawasaki for singing with Monster Energy. True? False. Not only did Stewart have ACL surgery (with video proof, too boot), but he returned to the Kawasaki team that summer, ran the Monster logos, and dominated the AMA Nationals to the tune of a perfect season.
For James Stewart, 2012 has been a series of highs...
Andrew Fredrickson photo
Every other title contender for this year’s Monster Energy Supercross Championship was quickly a known quantity—Villopoto was on it from the start, Reed was up for the challenge until he got hurt, Dungey proved his KTM was up to the task minus some faux paus in the whoops—but Stewart, despite winning two races, despite competing in 12 of 13 rounds, despite being nearly six months down the road with his new team, remains a mystery. Ask around and you’ll hear every theory possible: He’s lost it. He still has it. His bike sucks. His team sucks. He sucks. He can turn it around at any time. He’s not fit enough. He doesn’t want it bad enough. He would be killing everyone on ___ brand of bike….On down the line we go, one theory contradicting the next. The only thing we know for certain is neither Stewart nor the JGR squad envisioned it would go this way.
After all, JGR’s Stewart signing was filled with such great hope (and hype). At the press conference to announce the signing, no one scoffed that it couldn’t or wouldn’t work. After watching him grow up and win early and often at every level, Stewart’s speed and skills are rarely questioned, and the idea that a simple team switch—even on the same brand of bike—could give him the boost to deliver another title seemed valid. Was he the absolute favorite? No way, the title would have to go through the 2011 champion Villopoto, but it didn’t seem far-fetched that Stewart could find his old groove and start reeling off massive win streaks. His past record demands that kind of respect, and you better believe that riders such as Reed, Villopoto and Dungey, who have all raced, tested or ridden with him at some point during his peak, know exactly how dangerous he can be.
But can is the word now. The belief is that Stewart, at just 26-years-old, still has the potential to do big things again, even though he hasn’t been doing it consistently. And that’s why JGR recruited him.
...and lows.
Simon Cudby photo
Simon Cudby photosThey didn’t sign him or court him, they straight-up recruited him. This is an organization that knows winning and demands it, so even Stewart, presenting a risk after a jacked-up 2011 season, was still worth going all-in. Coach Joe Gibbs didn’t just coach in the NFL, he won Super Bowl’s. He didn’t start a NASCAR team, he won Cup titles. He wants the MX outfit to win, and Stewart presented their best bet—and remember, Dungey went to KTM, and guys like Reed, Villopoto and Trey Canard weren’t available. JGR’s options were to recruit Stewart or wait until another big free agent went on the market in 2013. Their 2011 riders, Davi Millsaps and Justin Brayton, were good, but they didn’t deliver wins, either. If they wanted a chance, they had to take a chance.
In Stewart’s case, he didn’t have many other bets to make. Even “fastest man on the planet” hype wasn’t making him the most valuable free agent on the planet, and his options were limited. He’s been there before, when Kawasaki walked away following that perfect outdoor season in ’08. This time, it basically came down to Suzuki, now without Dungey but in a state of managerial flux, and JGR, who was ready to go with money, a long-term deal, the promise of fixing anything he didn’t like about the Yamaha, and even a NASCAR deal down the road.
It’s true that in today’s environment, a rider like Stewart always has options if he’s willing to check those boxes on his own. That’s what Chad Reed did last year, effectively ending the excuse for any other top rider ever. From here on out, any top rider with a bunch of money in the bank can no longer say they didn’t have choices—because you could always do what Reed did, get bikes you like, and build a team around them.
Will Stewart return to JGR for 2013?
Simon Cudby photo
But Stewart was being recruited. Reed, prior to the 2011 season, was not. Reed had a few options and tested with a few teams, but it was nothing like the press JGR was putting on James. Coach Gibbs dialing him late at night telling him how badly he wanted him. Good money. Long term deal. Old friends running the team. The promise that they could fix whatever didn’t work on his 2011 Yamaha. Weigh those positives against the two other options—take a low money, short term Suzuki deal (which, at the time of negotiations, wasn’t even a guarantee since Suzuki was in a state of flux at the wrong time), build your own team from scratch, or take the full JGR kit, the money, the years, the ability to fix the bike, pump-up speeches from the Coach…and mix that with Stewart’s own self-confidence that he can still win and still get it done. Surely, when James decided to make his decision, he never envisioned things going badly, because no one ever does in the off-season. Was he taking the money with JGR? Yes. But he thought he was taking the money AND the wins.
Well, now the outfit has won two races in 13 rounds. That’s twice the number of SX wins the team had generated before, but way less than hoped. Stewart, remember, said winning 30-some more races and going after Jeremy McGrath’s 72-race-win-record was “Stewable.” That’s how confident everyone in his camp was in October. Now? Not so much. However the incredible thing is that the team is just one month removed from a 1-2 finish at Daytona, by far the best night ever for the JGRMX outfit. But with Stewart, the ups come quickly and the downs come just as fast. He’s not known as the win-or-crash guy for nothing.
Can Stewart rebound and salvage his season down the stretch?
Andrew Fredrickson photo
Now we know what comes next—endless James-Stewart-style conjecture over what comes next! In the same manner as ACL surgery possibly not being ACL surgery, his rough season has quickly kicked off rumors of a Stewart/JGR breakup. Other riders have had bad years before, but rare is it for a deal with such promise in January to be rumored to be finished by April.
For the record, Stewart has never uttered one bad thing about his team or bike. But he doesn’t have to for people to get talking. For example, while it seems widely known and understood that James doesn’t get along with the current generation Yamaha, he has never once actually said that in an interview. And even now, while rumors swirl that he could be out at JGR, either by his decision, theirs, or both, you’ve never heard a word from Stewart, not once, about not liking the team or wanting out. Somehow, with Stewart, these things either leak out or simply get made up. In the case of not really getting ACL surgery in 2008, it wasn’t true. In the case of 2012? Anything is possible. That’s James Stewart for you.
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Yeah yeah. Get in touch with J-Law, Bubba gets way too much coverage with the results he has been showing off this year.
I blame press, such as this article for Stewarts reputation. He doesnt say a word, everyone in the industry just fills the easily gullible with absolute shit. "He has a horrible attitude etc etc" Hes still out there isnt he? Reed pulled out of a whole supercross season cause he didnt like his Kawi crew. Cry me a river.
The answer is all of the above. Its the bike but more so it is a declining Stewart. And the comp is a whole lot better now, even Reed who he beat for those SX championships before.
Now I have been watching Stewart since he first come on the scene in 2002. A young fresh 16yr old showing new speed to the sport on a 125! In my opinion the bad luck that he has been having is a combination of either bad decision making or just plain blowing it on purpose! I dont know! Some of the crashes that Stewart has had seem to be too easy for someone of his ability! The crash at Phoenix and one of the Anahiem's to me a novice would make that mistake. But what do I know. Im just guess! I truly hope he can get it together. I miss the days when I didnt have to second guess him when he rode. Now I have no confidence in him!
I have to say big blue isn't looking good, and hasn't for awhile now. Yamaha is know for making sled bikes, ask Bob Hannah! Roger DeCosta n KTM, we know you have another bike. James would be good under the RD camp. James has never had a Roger D. in his corner. KTM lets make it happen.
James Stewart: A Cautionary Tale?
Hahaha. I'd love to be that kind of danger
I'm pretty sure Reed didn't finish the supercross seanson because of a broken wrist, and once healed he gave it a shot outdoors. Secondly, Stewart is a professional, and knows to keep his mouth shut, or no one will hire him.
@HJ and @starplaya4life,, Well said. As I have said much earlier this year, JS going to Suz wouldnt have been a good choice, just because of Suk's situation. I think the Yam is to blame, and JS not riding MX are the two major factors. But, I do think JGR is getting those Yams better. The fact is, he has never looked good since he's been on Yams.
@saleen504,, I remeber Reed quitting the MX when he was on Kaws.. He even edmitted that he hated those bikes..
Stewart has a lot of problems, they never mentioned big James and that for sure is one. But his major problem now which he won't be able to fix, RV is just too good for him.
"The season is now four months old, and we still don’t know the answer to either."
Ah what? How much more answers could you get from four months of racing?
Well I guess i've ragged on James a little too much this year, but that only because I want him to win and expect him to win every race. He is by far the most entertaining rider on the track. I think he could do better on a 250 2-stroke than the Yamaha 450. A good suspension guy can watch a bike go around the track and make adjustments. That YZF450 has a problem,watch the races again folks and try to tell me his bike is handling correctly? Now watch Villopotos bike,see the difference? For the record Mr. Motorcross is Stewarts biggest fan,but that Yamaha has got to go!
@saleen504,, your right, he can't really critcize his bike. Now that reed has his own team, he has become and full-time blow-hard on Twitter..
"James Stewart of 2008 was better than RV of 2012" Then came the yamaha.....
lil' stew isn't racing an old Tim Ferry anymore that's the problem. lol
12/13 races and he still cant get it done, it's not the team or the bike, it's him.
RV RD CR have him covered. It will only be worse for him next year when the fast lites guys move up. :(
James blames everyone and everything but himself, it's laughable at this point. To bad the fans of this sport drag JGR through the mud cause stewart doesn't have the speed or mental game to be on top of this sport anymore.
@persona,, RD and CR "have him covered?" Not sure, but I thought those two were hurt????
I don´t get that yamaha-excuse people are making. Even if it was a pos, which I doubt, Stewart chose to ride that bike.
He´s one of the very few riders who would get a bike from every manufacturer if he wanted.
Besides that, the Yamaha seems to work fine for Millsaps. Now people can say it works for Millsaps but it does not work for Stewart´s warp speed. But he hasn´t shown that speed this year, accept for the Daytona mud.
Other than that other guys were faster than him.
@mxmoto1
During the first half of the season before they got injured.
@persona,, Yeah, your right, those two had a HUGE points lead over JS before they got hurt.. hahahahaah
James has two goals:
1. Beat MC's record.
2. Win both sx title and mx title in the same year.
1. Isn't going to happen after this year, he knows that.
2. He will have to give that a shot next year, he can't do it this year so don't expect him to race outdoors.
James is an amazing rider, but his mouth and greed for the fattest check cashed a check his A## can't cash.
@persona,, Oh give me a break.. Should he ride for free ??? His only option was JGR..
Would you like to make a little bet with me that he does ride MX ?
In my opinion JS7 is in the perfect storm.The media will fill in the blank for anything he does or does not do ...so tons of pressure there. I do believe he was drawn in by the promise of a familiar group of guys and the ability to get the Yamaha fixed up right..but unfortunately there is no fixing that Yamaha P.O.S. just ask all the pros who choose not to race it - the chassis or frame is just not set up in such a way as to work well for a pro racer. JS7 went against his gut feeling about the Yamaha because he was convinced he could get it fixed with JGR help. I hope he can get out of his contract with JGR and get on another brand of bike with factory backing and then get back out to the nationals because he needs some more time on the bike and some momentum building up for the future.I will tell anyone who will listen that the Yamaha is a death trap.I am backed up by many pros who will tell you the same.
@mxmofo1, you got to pay attention to detail my friend, if Reed quit during indoors, would you think he would come back and win the first Moto at Hangtown? Granted he eventually quit later in the season, but he did not quit during indoors, a wrist injury held him out until outdoors came around, and then things went south. As for JS7, he is a victim selling out for money. Look at all the professional athletes that go into bad situations (teams) just for the money, it ruins their careers. James needs to hire an agent that looks out for his best interests when it comes to money and results. James is a guy who thinks money first, and would have signed on to the Detroit Lions the year after the 0-16 season and would have stated Superbowl bound next year.
If JGR relationship goes sour he will have 2 choices.
Take a low paying deal that is loaded with result incentives. (not a bad option if he still has it and REALLY wants to prove it)
Sell a couple of those cars, buy a half dozen bikes, prep em to the nines and hit the road again with Daddy-O. That's how he got here in the first place!
It's time to go back to basics, rather on a team or on his own. Put your head down, do the grunt work AKA the BLOCKING and TACKLING and show what you are really made of.
If you want what you say you want work for it! Otherwise time to say I am satisfied with what I have done to this point.
Then everyone can stop speculating what's wrong with James, the bike, the team etc.
Either way, everyone will know James STILL HAS IT, or James HAS LOST IT!
Maybe we already know the answer and refuse to accept it?
@persona Did you even read the article?! where did you find a article or interview where James Blaming anyone let alone everyone?! Yeah he's been Sucking and the reality is nobody knows why, If you read the article you would know that. Racer X doesn't know but some how you do, you are laughable.
Don't take it personal, every body has opinions, some are just funnier than others.
Just got a text about Davi Millsaps on the JGR bike ...Are you kidding me ...Half the field wiped out and still like 20 seconds behind the winner and you want to sing his praises give me a break... that yamaha is a bad bike period...PS I am not a JS7 fan but I do love good racing and not having him there because of the bike is a bad thing.
im tired of people saying its the bike!!!!! IT IS JAMES AND HIS FITNESS!!!!!! not JGR
@farscape:
You´re right, Millsaps is still way back behind RV, but compared to how he rode the last couple of years, it´s pretty good.
And if even you can see that the JGR-Yamaha sucks without even riding it, why hasn´t Stewart realised it after the last season?
I know he hasn´t been on a JGR-Yamaha last year.
@Red54m, well said!
I would like to see him get a new bike so that element is out of the equation.
I would like to see him do just what you said hit the road with Daddy and get his grove back.
Get back to motocross find the speed we all know he has.
Ive bashed him big time last couple yrs, don't like some of the things he has done on or off the track, but truth be told moto wouldn't be the same without him. The only question left for me is can he turn it around? IF he comes outdoors, that will be a sign (to me) that yes, he wants to find out!
Millsaps is WAY WAY BACK STILL! He's 2+ seconds a lap off the pace,ALL THE FAST GUY's ARE HURT. Anyone who says the yamaturd is working fine for Millsaps is blind.
mxchampion : Please defend your statement if it is not the bike
Ivan Tedesko hates it ,Kyle Regal says it is not that great,Jeff Emig Says it feels funny and stink bugs,J Bone has even said that it has weight bias and handling problems,Jason Thomas says it is bad,Dean Baker says it has a good motor but needs a frame change,Steve Mathes says it is a Problem bike ....and so on and so on Even CP377 nearly got killed on the Moto Concepts bike when the shock stuck.
No results by Pros= a bad bike
js won the 2009 championship on yamaha so please dont say that and its not the 2012 yamaha he has won what? 11 out of 12 13 heat races so stop blaming the bike his problems are plain and simple RV and with him already training outdoors im sure he will come up with an excuse no to race this summer, you know what? i would just LOVE to see him on any other bike just to see what his fans would say when even in other brand the only thing he es looking at is rv rear fender disappearing, i hope its true that jgr is getting rid of him just to see it actually happening
So was it the bikes fault when James was winning all of those heat races too?
Anyone blaming the bike is an idiot. I am not a fan of any brand as they all have their strong and weak points. But James has won so many heat races. plus a couple of main events this year that there is no way you can say it is the bike. Not even close.
The problem is RV is on another level , and James now flinches when pressured and he never used to. He used to get in other riders heads, now with even the slightest little bump or bobble, you can get inside of James head and shake his confidence.
@persona
Where have you seen or read that James places blame on everyone but himself??? Cummon dude, please.
As for the bike being the problem...maybe. Look at the difference the changes made to the 2012 Kawasaki did for Poto and crew. Has James lost it? I doubt it. Do any of us making these retarded comments really know? NOPE!
@farscape40 couldn't have said it better. At their level your equipment does matter. It is however JS fault for choosing it if it really is that problematic.
@Red54m Well said
Stewart needs to loose the Go Pro and then maybe he will win more
@Redneckrider I don't agree with the bike comment, but you definitely have a point with the pressure causing mistakes. I remember Windham pressuring JS in Vegas which caused JS to ride a little too much on the edge and go down. If you don't have confidence in your bike"regardless if it's the fault or not" then you will doubt yourself.
alezx9
The 2009 yamaha was a good bike and JS7 won on it but the new bike has a whole different design and the frame and engine are totally different....Get a clue man yamaha went in a radical new direction and messed up the bike for the pro racer.As for the heat race win thing half the field is gone with injury and half the time James does not get RV or RD in his heat so he can look good.I am not trying to say he can not ride I believe that he rides fast and wins some in spite of that P.O.S. Yamaha..
"No results by Pros= a bad bike"
Millsaps´results are pretty good. But whatever.
farscape40 you are right in some things but what about his lap times he is always close to rvs so how can you explain that
@alezx9,, easy, the bike does things unexpectedially.. Knew guy who had one, and thats what he told me.
i know js is really really fast but you have to recognize rv is faster i said it even before racerx backed me up with an article rv looks alot like rc he has huge work ethics and what i like most of him its that he let his wins do the talk not like js that runs his mouth a lot saying that he wants 73 wins i can tell you guys with all the confidence in the world he wont break mc graths record
"For example, while it seems widely known and understood that James doesn’t get along with the current generation Yamaha, he has never once actually said that in an interview."
.Don't tell that to the haters!!
mxmofo1 remember that we are talking about a level that non of us would even dream to be on, i dont know if your friend is in such a level but i hope js gets another bike and we will know for sure if its the bike i think we woul have the best season EVER just with rv and js going at it
RV is the fastest man on the planet.
James the Lawn Dart Stewart the fastest man on to the planet.
Guys
I will be the first to question if JS7 can beat RV all the time but that Yamaha does funny things at weird times and you never know when it will give you a washed out front end or throw you over the bars...(This is fact) How do I explain good results on the thing... well I would go back to that being all the rider.. a good rider on occasion can win on a bad bike.
Lets not forget how RV used to get shaken when pressure was put on him. JS7 is in a downward spiral on a bad bike and his confidence gets shaken every time he goes fast and may have a win in sight and then the bike lets him down...That would wear on anyone. JS7 still has skill and just needs to get on another bike to prove it...but money and outside factors come into play far to often.
James has never said anything negative about the team or the bike because it's in his contract that he can't say anything bad or he won't get paid. Speculation on my part but pretty damn close I bet.
CodyRem
May not be in his contract but is always in a riders best intrest not to slap the hand that feeds you...What team would want to hire you if you bad mouth the product in the media ...Just sayin.
lets not forget that crashing is part of js riding style he crash a lot in the kawi as well i think this season has messed with his head he used to be untouchable most of all on his lap times, not anymore that is huge rv has that covered i think he lost a little bit of edge when rc left, when rc was there they used to put a massive gap on reed all the time and then in 2009 reed was a lot of times right there with js the whole race
good point farscape40 and codyrem
Yep farscape, I thought the same thing as soon as I hit submit.
Come on everybody. It's obviously the Answer gear. He was way faster in Fox gear. Has anyone ever won in Answer gear? It has completely cut off the blood flow to his brain. Can't ride without a brain now can ya?
If the Yamaha's are a POS than the Honda's must real a POS ill handling roach as JB10 is the only Honda rider that has not had his season ended by one.At least Lawn Dart is still on the bike!!!
If you ride over your head you will probobly keep landing land on it, and he has done that too many times. ImPACT Concussion Testing may be the end of it for him. I would like to see him back it off a little and get some full races in, all those crashes don`t do him any good at all, both mentally and physically.
These are things I know:
1) Kawasaki CHOSE RV over Stewart (maybe Monster / Red Bull was pivotal, maybe his attitude / RV's lack therof was).
2) Stewart has one of, if not THE biggest entourages on the circuit (this was even before the reality show, not because of).
3) Stewart's father is more a part of his program than almost* any other to date (Alessi's excluded but, let's not go there).
4) Anyone that isn't on Yamaha's payroll will tell you there's a problem with that bike (it's well documented so, live with it).
5) The universally acknowledged champion trainer, Aldon Baker, and Stewart tried and failed, at a working relationship that RV now has with Baker and is doing quite well.
6) Stewart has a record of bad decision making on-track (again, well documented so, live with it. Off-track stuff is not relevant to this conversation).
7) Stewart bought the L&M team (under much secrecy) and folded it.
What does all this mean? I don't know.
Is this a picture of stability and focus?
Someone (sorry, didn't look back @ who) wrote that Stewart would do better under Roger DeCoster. I don't think RD would take Stewart unless he was forced to under Red Bull orders ala' Mitch Payton / Monster / Josh Hansen. He's dealt with that father / son dynamic before (Alessi) and I doubt he would have that sort of situation on his watch ever again.
Eventually, all that is hidden will reveal itself. Burying history (or the truth) is notoriously difficult (and expensive). Just ask the government......
I own this bike and I can criticize it. Like Farscape said it does weird things. Some tracks I love the bike, others I don't. Under racing conditions while I was a little tense I've had it react unpredictable. My 09 did nothing of the sort. Any bike that requires motor relocaters offered by a guy who swears by Yamaha is a bad sign. FYI James has beat RV in heat races and has crashed allot with no pressure around him. Maybe JGR will take the higher route and ditch Yamaha's contract. From what it looks like Yamaha isn't coming out with a new design for 13. JGR wants' wins, good luck getting them while you are contracted by Yamaha and without Stewart!
To contradict myself, It does look like that guys are getting closer to making this bike suitable for JS and DM. I bet it performs better outdoors with their technology and both guys will do good and the rumors of this crap bike will go back into the closet. But the JGR bike is far from stock! Sales will keep declining for this POS. Anyone want to buy a YZ450?
@Carlsbad
Preach the truth brother.
pw29 he only beat rv once in a heat in 2012 and i remember that heat perfect js had a good start and rv a so so i think he was in third or fourth and rv was a man on a mission js had a clear track and rv made quick work to get into second and he closed the gap ultra fast even the goat end emig said it
"A rider who is comfortable on his bike, feels unbeatable." Quoted from James in regards to Villopoto. Whether the bike is perfect, terrible, whatever, it comes down to confidence in himself and confidence in his bike. If he is not comfortable, he's not going to be getting the results. Look at him in Oakland and Daytona. He seemed comfortable, RV seemed uneasy in those two races. Only James knows the real issue. He still has the speed, cant take that away from him. Give him a little bit of confidence and comfort, and hopefully we will see a better James Stewart on the track.
@pw29
You do have a point about the bike getting better and it is much more stable outdoors (ex: Davi Millsaps,Josh Grant,Kyle Regal etc.) but the fact that Yamaha Motor Corp. does not care to fix it themselves speaks volumes. Honda had a pretty bad bike in 08 I believe but they got data accusition computers on the thing and plenty of feed back from test riders to turn the frame around and now have that puppy figured out.
PS for the people who are not in the know JS7 has been riding hurt all season long so do not be surprised if he sits out the nationals to re evaluate his choice to be on JGR even if he likes the team. A person can only hit the ground so much..
Where James is has nothing to do with the bike. Every attentive pro rides within his and the bikes means. Every wreck he has had has been different and clearly rider error. EVERY bike out there has been in all these different wrecks. If a bike is weak in a area you back off in that area til the problem is worked out. He HAS won two races, he HAS won lots of heat races and he HAS turned some of the best laptimes consistantly.
The RV move to the 12 bike simply showed slightly better results, not the difference between wrecking and not. Its was more forgiving and smoother.
JS has wrecked at the beggining of the race and up to the middle of the races, RARELY in the last half. BUT he wins almost ALL of his heat races, all the facts point toward rider error- NOT a faulty bike.
I think he is in a tough spot mentally, but this is where I am calling it, the problem is mental. The guy KNOWS he can still win heats- and he does. The pressure is at the highest in the actual race, and that is where he is folding. He is riding really well and passing well and is riding fairly careful. He is wrecking all by himself at all different areas of the track, with seeming brain farts. Even when bikes have weaknesses riders get used to them and adapt. If it was the bike he has not adapted.
I seriously believe it has more to do with his mental state than anything else. He has had supreme confidence and that has been taken from him. If he could get it back I believe it would make a huge difference.
Keep in mind he has always wrecked a lot and that has only gotten worse. He wrecked a lot trying to beat RC, then not so much when he KNEW he could win (perfect season) Now he has been beaten 6-8 times when he hasn't gone down and does not know if he can win even if he doesn't wreck. Problem is he is wrecking every race now, Mental, too many concussions affecting judgement or reaction time ??? these are just my thoughts and here is hoping he can get back on track.
I still think James is the second guy most likely to win races (ahead of a healthy Dungey, Reed or Canard) ... and if he'd settle down, he will win more. I don't think he'll ever consistently beat RV. But no one else will either. I think what he really has to do is accept that it's ok to finish 2nd or 3rd once in a while. This "win or crash trying" approach ain't working. As far as the Yamaha goes ..... if it's good enough for Millsaps to finish second on, it's good enough for James to win on. He just has to get more races under his belt (without the horrific confidence shattering crashes) and try to "gradually" get up to RV's speed ..... it can't be rushed. I don't particularly like him (way too Hollywood for me) and think he takes way too many risks (and rarely gets away with them) .... but I still think that when all his ducks line up, he can ride a motorcycle as fast (or faster) than anyone.
"Coach Gibbs dialing him late at night telling him how badly he wanted him. Good money. Long term deal."
Could Stewart's awkward relationship with Coach Gibbs be affecting his performance on race day? I hear Coach Gibbs STILL dials James late at night to tell him how badly he wants him.
I really hope JS can turn things around. If JS wants to bring a knife to a gun fight, so be it. I wish him the best of luck. Still a FAN
If the field wasn't so decimated with injury would DM have the same results, probably not. So why can't it be the bike.
Look at Brayton, he looks dam good on that HONDA.
CR leaves Yami for Suzuki, then HONDA, never looked better.
I don't understand, why doesn't JS run race times on a different brand behind closed doors on the compound vs JGR's Yami and see what the difference between lap and moto times are. Shoot if Albrecht will use a Dunlop at a race, why not a different bike behind closed doors?
O'yeah, they probably are ready did and the lap times on the Yami were just as fast or better.
You just need to go for broke, JS, and let it rip!!!
We all, and I mean everyone wants Stewart racing, like him or not. We could however do without another father son(s) duo, but thats for another article. All of my MX friends and I have this discussion on a weekly basis, and all theories, just like on here are just that, theories. Lots of possibilities, some reasonable, some just from Mars. The only thing I can add to all this, which isn't new, look how many times Stewart hit the ground trying to beat RC. Now theres another ginger in the mix who has all the same determination, work ethic and smart people around him. At that level, with things that have happened off the track, have an impact, if you don't think so, I can speak from the experiance of being a pro-athlete in another sport. It all takes a toll eventually, bike problems, maybe, head problems, definately..
One more thing, all the heat race wins are the track is smoother. The tracks get torn to hell in the mains. But in most races this year, he has had to push and has crashed, over riding the bike or whatever you want to call it, it's not working.
@davidl
You contradict your own self .
JS7 has won races and heats because HE CAN RIDE and the fact that he wrecks even when he puts up good times and heat wins ....Is why You have to believe that the bike is doing twitchy, crazy things at unexpected times and causing him to have no confidence and hit the ground...of course he rides over the line sometimes due to having to come back from crashes and bad starts that the bike causes. The simple fact that he does as well as he has proves he is a great rider not that the bike is good and he is the problem ....it makes no sense that way.
No non Yamaha paid rider or team will tell you that the Yamaha is any good and even DR.D Dubach has to sell an engine lowering kit to help with how the yamaha handles...it is a P.O.S. just face it ...I am sorry but it is just fact and while you can learn to go fast on it ...it will eventually reach up and bite you.. then you will be taking a dirt sample...JS7 is lucky he has not been hurt worse. I know and agree he has made some bad racing decisions but that is riding hard to overcome the bike.
This is great,wasn't happy about Crotch gibbs getting involved in my beloved dirt bike racing(wish he would of stuck with his little ball sport and lets not forget NASCRAP)I know if I were starting a team Yamahaha(or Yamajunk)would be my last choice.So Crotch keep runnin' them Yamies.Thanks
Funny, heat race wins don't matter to many people when JS fans brag about them......but when someone talks about "the bike" those same people bring up how many heat race wins he has....which one is it haters??
David I agree with you regarding the mental case (which is everything). There are a ton of factors when it comes to the mental state and I'm sure he has every single issue you could think of but as mentioned above if your not confident with your bike you won't be confident in yourself. Bike case your opinion is crap but everyone is entitled, just like me. FYI from what he claims he's only been knocked out twice or maybe that was thrice can't remember. It was the Toronto SX Interview over the phone.
Looks like all the smart people agree with Mr. Motorcoss. That Yamaha IS a P.O.S. i've said it all year. My record stands 100% right on all the issues all the time. I'm so smart I make myself sick. JAMES STEWART HAS BEEN SPOTTED ON A HONDA!
Ride Red
I didn't know Kawasaki sang with Monster Energy and why would that make Bubba mad?
JS....another story.
Seems like this thread has it all figured out.
GOOD LUCK to U JS...put your head down and go to work.
I agree...if he shows for the OUTDOORS...could be strong statement.
If No Show Jones....might not be The End...could be some deep soul searhing going on...and then come SX...we'll all know for sure.
GO Mr. HUGHES!!!!!! I hope he shows.
@HandlebarDragger,, you must not have read the article ? Far as I know, JS is pointing the finger at himself. Also, Suk did not "radically" change their bike like Yam did, right ?? But, I do agree with you about Obama...
I would love to hear what the other riders think of Stew and his situation. We've
gotten some bits from Reed.
HandlebarDragger I've got a white hood and robe for you. I also have a wooden cross, some gass and some matches. Stop by bar one of these days and pick it up.
ESPN says "With four races remaining, however, he's within striking distance of series leader and defending champ Ryan Villopoto."
NO privateer chooses to ride a Yamaha. How obvious is that?
It is unbelievable to me how some guys are so ate up with a guy who they feel must be successful, that they find any excuse they can for him not having it.. Blaming the bike?? Unreal.. If the bike was the problem Stewart would not have agrreed to ride it again.. His setup is half his problem. His forks are so stiff that they hardly move, and in practice he is fine because he can pick the perfect line. But in the heat of a race, when you cant always get the best line or trying to make cuts that arent in the playbook those rigid forks result in a very slack head angle that tends to wash out the front end. Stewart DOES NOT have bike issues, he has a set-up issue.. Normal from a guy whoose old Team Manager even says Stewart doesnt give 100% and has other riders do his testing for him.. If any of you dont belive me, read the article in Racer X about the Reed Stewart rivalry, Larry Brooks even says Stewart had other riders test his bikes for him because he doesnt like to do it. Sounds kinda like a Premadonna to me.. Put in the work James, you get paid millions to do it. And Yes, he gets more press than any 5th place rider in history..
Someone mentioned it already. A good part of the reason his riding sucks is the GoPro. Try the extra weight sometime and you'll see. Can't ride with one on a peddle bike either. If its on the chest, maybe, but on the helmet just makes you lose balance. At the speeds these guys go, I think its more of an issue that he realizes.
WOW!! thats a new one, blaming the GoPro--HAHAHAHAHA!!! That is great.. First its the bike, now its the GoPro!!!! What was the excuse when Stewart was crashing out of entire seasons on the Kawi??? Can someone please answer that question please????
Red44 stiff forks = transfer of impact into stiff chase. Faster riders tend to have stiffer forks and better valving that suits them. You said it yourself, it is the crappy bike with the issue. Didn't seem to have the issue with stiff forks on his Kawi or pre 2010 Yamaha. Stewart has always been faster then anyone in the whoops. Every since the 2010 he's been bouncing through those bad boys all over the place. JS never put in work? You funny guy!
Red44
Are you kidding me with the stiff fork thing ..of course the forks are stiff because James goes fast and needs them ...the problems is of course the setup,because you can not setup the POS Yamaha for a pro. The chassis and frame are just to crazy and do not work well together.No setup can fix that frame.
For you guys who do not believe that JS7 tests setup on his bike you are crazy he puts in many hours testing @ his place FL. and in NC. he did make a mistake not going out to California to test and he paid the price for that.
Js7 wants his competition to think he does not train or test but he does.
@Red44.............. Thats so stupid its funny!
Since when did JGR win a cup title?
I think it's mental with James. He's lost confidence getting beat so many times.
Maybe they'll groom the tracks between motos this summer so he has a better chance? Just like his perfectly tailored 2008 season. I'm not cutting him down, just calling it the way I see it.
I havent heard alot of good things about the new generation of Yamaha even at the amateur level like I'm at. Although I love my 09 YZ250 wouldnt even think of a yz450f, will likely buy another new YZ250 hopefully soon actually. That being said I'm guessing the problem is 70% Stewarts issues 30% the bike, it might be bad but not that bad.
Actually, I think Yamaha should go back to the drawing board with that YZ 450. While they are at it how about some new body work for the YZ250 and a few new updates please I'd really appreciate that.
Anyone who actually believes its the Gopro camera causing Stewarts issues is goofy, you can barely tell its up there I know I have one.
I think he poop's to much!!
Weigandt ,your an idiot. The only thing wrong with this article is everything. If Stewart goes to another team more power to him until then sit back and enjoy the show instead of bashing him you dope. When Stewart decides to hang up his boots that will be a sad day.No body is doing anything wrong it just isn't working out .He's a very exciting riders no matter what the know it alls say. That why they race and not just talk about it. It could all turn around in a heartbeat(maybe a new bike but JGR don't have nothing to do with James's short comings) . Good luck James and shut up Weigandt
despite all the negativity, JS7 is still on everyones mind, why? because everyone knows the damage of a conifdent james stewart, i have cheered for you since you were a rookie and hope to see you back on top,
also hope you decide to back out of JGR and hoop on the second bike they want to put out on TWOTWO
GOOD LUCK JS7
ALSO
JS7 has elevated the level of competition of professional motocross
he forced everyone to step up there game to even be on his level(which now they are)
i hate hearing all these "fans" saying that when he crashes there pumped
funny
because if you were a real motocross fan you dont cheer when a rider crashed, because you would know what its like
be a real fan, and enjoy some good racing
I love how people comment on here and message boards about what Stewart is doing wrong. You guys need to catch up with him at a race and let him know how to improve his riding.. I'm sure he'll listen.. Anyway i really hope he straightens things out and has a comeback season like Reed did last year... Good Luck James....
If this article is true, then what little Stewart himself has said to the media is total lies. He said he tried every bike out there and CHOSE this one because he believed it was the best. Here it sounds like Weege is saying that Stewart no options but pennyless
and one more thing for the people that boo him at the races... Get a life... You should respect someone with his abilities.... Their is not a person on here that can hang with him even for one corner....
...Suzuki or JGR which held a gun to his head. This article really seems to be painting JGR as the bad guys which is strange since Weege is a constant visitor at their race shop.
I can't remember JS ever making an excuse, its the fans on this websites with all the stories and all the bullshit. I like to see any of you go as fast as these guys, risk everything to give all of you a good show, show up to the races, try as hard as they do, sign autographs ,JS has more fans than most if not all the riders. and then to have a whole bunch of keyboard pros talk shit.
Everybody has the right to like and cheer whoever they want, but all of you must also give credit to this riders that give all to our sport.
I for one much rather see a rider like JS or RV or CR or RD, out on the track giving it 100 percent, than to see a rider that is happy with a mid pack finish.
@Donavan27
Bobby Labonte won the title for Gibbs in 2000 and Tony Stewart won it for Gibbs in 2002. And what are you talking about "smoothing out the tracks at the Nationals so he can win?" He straight up dominated Daytona this year. Did that track look smooth to you? I actually think he would do better outdoors. It's the stadium whoops and timing sections that are killing him lately.
JS7 is an amazing rider and I'm not going to get into whether or not the problem is the bike, him, the team or whatever. I personally think if he can't get it figured out he should hang up the boots for his own safety, if/when that day comes he will have nothing to hang his head at because he has had a tremendously successful career. Whether or not he does walk away obviously isn't up to me by no means, but this is just my personal opinion.
@cant reply $$$$$$$$$$$$$
All I know is James shows up, rides hard, throws down some sizzlin lap times ......and has beaten himself with some brutal crashes
Maybe the term "backwards design" was a eerie prediction of James results this year
Call me clueless but ............... there is a difference between coming up short (Reed and Windham) and having your front end continually drop
JimM
Pala374
GEEZ PEOPLE!!! Give the guy a break!! How much do you think he has given up to perform for you guys every weekend??? How many times has he had people jumping out of their seats and jaws dropping because of how fast he is???
A lot of you are quick to criticize rather than appreciate what he has done for the sport!!! Lets see all of you haters give up your childhood to pound out motos all day long! If you can't appreciate what he has given us as fans then it just goes to show who the MX'ers are and who the POSERS are!!!
And the bashing for Bubbas World!!! Get real people!! The kid never got a chance to be a normal kid because of everyone else's expectations of him!! Whats wrong with a kid wanting to party and chase women around?!?!? The haters must be GAY is all I can figure out!!!
BUBBA, I have been one of your biggest fans ever since the first time I saw what you could do as a kid on a dirtbike! I appreciate all you have done and continue to do for the sport!! If people can't appreciate what you do on a bike and for the sport, SCREW em because they obviously can't see things from a riders perspective!!
KEEP IT UP BRO!!!
FOR the RECORD Kawasaki never let JS7 go for RV.It was clear stew didnt want to renew. JS didnt get along with Mike Fisher and neither did mitch payton and well now everyone knows Fisher was at fault. JGR already know the Yamaha isnt doing it for JS7. CHAD Reed said that the yami was the most unfriendly bike he tested and oh well you can only squeeze enough juice out of an already not so good fruit.Its clear JS7 wanted to ride suzuki but his Dad opted for the JGR offer. They said Suzuki came up with a longer contract for JS7 but it wastoo late as he had signed to ride blue.
Hey ChicanoMX81, that is the best posting ever on this site. with you all the way on this.
The good thing is that for every hater, there has to be thousands of JS fans, you can go to any race and his autograph lines are always the biggest by far.
To all you haters, QUIT CRYING and enjoy the races...
He's all done. Before the season started we all heard was that Team Larry was crap and didn't know how to setup a bike (despite how many SX titles?) and JGR was moto-magic that would build a bike no factory could dream of. Neither is true. The bike is fine, at least not as bad as he makes it look. He has just lost it, think Jeff Stanton at 28 or Jeff Emig one short year after dominating the outdoor series. Emig was trying Lasik eye surgery looking for answers. The answer was he wasn't working as hard (as evidenced by his arrest in lake Havasu). Same with James, from this point nothing he tries will ever get it back. He may pull out a win here or there but he is even getting out crazy-balled into the first turns by the likes of Matt Goerke. There is no band-aid that fixes that. I don't want to see him get hurt badly, but I'm afraid that if he rides the outdoors it's a real possibility at those speeds. The wise choice may be to start working on the NASCAR deal.
One thing I know is that when RV gets caught and passed by whoever the new hotshoe is in a few years, none of us will be screaming about how he needs a new bike, a new team, new tires, (or whatever other excuse has been thrown out there this year) to start winning again. James is the first rider I know of that it is an inconceivable thought that anyone could possibly ever beat him. Ever. Not at 26, not at 52......straight up, anyway. You see, since James is on such a poor bike, he hasn't lost straight up all year. At least that's the way I'm reading some of the Stewges' responses. Does James send these guys money every month or what?
Here's a theory that I haven't heard any of you guys here in the chat room discuss...ITS THE FOURSTROKE. Stewie rides the four stoke like he does a 2 stroke and you can't ride it like that. He puts a lot of body english into the bike when he rides which works great for the lighter-more flickable 2 stroke bikes and because you can pin it more often with a 2 stroke as well. However, with a 4-stroke, you have finesse the bike more and let the torquey power do most the work. Stewart doesn't ride like this!...He pins it everywhere he goes and when you combine that type of riding style with a poor handling Yamaha with a ton of torque and power = lots of crashes. Alot more goes into it than this but I honestly think that if 2-strokes never went out of style that Stewart would still be dominating right now. I love watching Stew on the track and underneath it all, I still think he has the most talent but he needs to get on a suz or hon and get a fresh start. STEWART #1 2013 (just pull your head out of your as$ stewart and you can do it!)
Yamaha YZ 450 = fastest heat bike in history! Fast in Oakland too....weird?
Maybe for poops and giggles RV ans JS could switch rides for Vegas and put the crap to rest?
I believe the bike WAS a problem and they have chased it long enough and hard enough to make make it work quite well ,but in the mean time RV has loaded both barrels and ain't playing.... Havoc has not had his way like he expected and with crappy starts gets out of his comfort zone just trying to keep RV in sight and has problems, Some restraint may be needed to now be in the championship hunt as hes not the only rider crashing out this year ...is he? Anybody that says or thinks Yamaha is not a great company and hasn't built great products is ridiculous...a normal human would be more than happy with a new 450,,,,its not upside down or from outer space...the head is backwards (though the road race like frame is possibly another story ) and Yamaha and JGR have plenty of resources to make it work and if it still really doesn't they WILL change it till it does.It definitely doesn't look like Rv's bike does.. Things don't change as rapidly now as they would if sales were up. I have a feeling the thing has some muscle and will work alot better outdoors. I hope he hangs in and gets back in the mix . Hes a great rider and ALOT of fun to watch when hes not upside down. I don't care what he or his family does when they leave the track ,not my business. And as for making and spending lots of money good for him. It is a bummer the multi championship winning Suzuki sits in a shed somewhere....
No other team will sign bubbles, Honda wants Barcia and Canard, Kawi wants RV, KTM has Dungey and Suzuki doesn't have the paper for bubbles liking. Why would Suzuki want there bike dragged through the mud cause bubbles doesn't have it anymore? He's stuck on the Yamaha, and to the genius above who said he hopes he goes to twotwo, Chad has already said that would never happen.
James can win a heat race but not a main, and you donkeys still think it's the bike. Can't believe all of the engineers on here haven't solved that one yet.
Keep dreaming folks, the bubble of bubbles was popped last year.
And don't start thinking bubbles will start his own team, he would never spend his own dime to go racing, he wants to be makin dat paper.
Haven't read all the comments here and this may have been said but I don't think anyone can dispute the fact that there is a major lack of focus on JS's part. How else can one explain all the inexplicable throw aways? I think a case can be made that he is more focused on celebrity, cars, tv shows etc. etc. than putting heart and soul into the small window of a few years he has left to make a mark in this sport.
The bike seems fine in the heat races? James seems to win them & then eject in the mains. Even if it is just in his head maybe a change would be good? All I know that eventually those crashes will not turn out good. I really don't think James should ride out doors or he could get hurt. Just my opinion.
When I watched DeCoster, Marty, Karsmakers and Hurricane, I knew they would win, lose, or move on. When I watched Broc, Wardy, RJ, and The Lil Prof, I knew they would win, lose, or move on. When I watched MC, Fro, and La Rock, same thing. Carmichael, Reedy, Bubba, RV, ditto.
The equation has become rather simple. The fastest guy over the race usually wins. the smartest, fastest guy usually wins more. The dumbest, fastest guy usually doesn't win or stick around long. The fastest guy with the least heart doesn't win races, fans, or friends. A fairly fast guy with a huge heart wins fans and friends,
And then there is this...
The "life-window" for any of this to happen to any professional rider is about 24 months to 11 years. That's it. Read it again. That's it. During this "life-window", the more any/every rider can keep his health, mind, and house in order, the better his chances for success and legacy, and lessen his probability for regret and remorse.
Class dismissed.
IMO Stewart problems started when he and Reed crashed in Jan. 2010. He broke his wrist and raced 3 races in 18 months. He thought he was a Rockstar and got his T.V show. During that time RV and RD were taking the race pace to another level. When Stewart tried to come back at Unidilla he couldn't handle the pace and blamed his poor showing on Aldon Baker, saying that Baker had him doing way too much cycling and gym and running and not enough riding the dirtbike. He blamed Unidlla on Aldon and fired him. That was his biggest mistake ever, since Aldon was fired JS7 has never been the same. His fitness has not been close to what it was with Aldon. It was a big mistake getting rid of Aldon but, a bigger mistake that his biggest competition now has the best trainer on the planet! I think Stewarts best days are far behind him and due to making one bad decision after another for the past 3 years. (money had alot to do with most of those bad decisions) JS7 raced his whole career 2-3 seconds faster than everyone and now that their are guys faster than him he is not mentally able to deal with it and that is a big factor why he has made so many mistakes on and off the bike. I could be wrong but that is my opinion.
@PW29 - Man would you just fuggin drop the race based bull crap? Not one word that Handelbar dragger said had a single thing to do about race. Why in F do you Stewtards think anytime someone says something about Bubba, or Obama that it is because of race? Can't you just simply face facts that just like with Woods, and Obama, Stewart has begun to tumble in his results. It doesn't have a single thing to do with the color of anyones skin.. It has EVERYTHING to do with PERFORMANCE.
Drop the stupid as FU@K insinuations and take people at their words. Quit reading more into than what people are actually saying. You are no better than Preston, who does the same kind of crap.
The rest of the world doesn't care and is over it. You should be too. Drop it and do try to stay on topic.
In addition to Stewie, Millsaps is riding a JGR Yamaha.
Stewie has two wins on it and Millsaps appears to be doing reasonably well ....
So, the arguments that the bike is the cause of Stewie's problems seem to be rather questionable.
@Osteo, no disrispect to Millsaps, but lets be honest, at his speed unless something happens to RV, CR, RD and JS, the best he can hope for is a top 5. so to me the very few riders in the planet racing that Yamaha, are at a different level.
Watching Stewart ride is like watching Magoo Chandler ride back in the day. Magoo never said it was the bikes fault or the team, it's was the way he rode 'cuz he wanted to win. Seems that Stewart has the same problem and the worse things go, the harder he tries. He needs to slow down to go fast again and that's what RV did to become a solid contender. It's aslo the way Dungey rides, bet he learned that from The Man.
I love how all the Bubba huggers look for excuses as to why he is having a bad year. Did it occur to anyone the biggest reasons why he is having a bad year??? He has no dedication, heart, or fortitude! Blaming it on the bike is completely stupid! The level of competition has stepped up and he no longer is the top dog. WAAAAAHHHHHHH! Get over it! Until he gets his head out of his arse and takes this sport seriously again he will never be chite. He sucks!
This is a good article , But it seems like the haters that have commented so far , did not even read it .. The Fans outweight the Haters , @redneckrider , Pretty sure it is you that is doing all the Race Baiting on here , You are the only one that brings it up , Your name gives you away ..RedNeck rider .. and you mention me in every post ... Why is that ... find a new obsession !
Just a thought. Lotsa people blaming the bike. Jeremy Martin rides Yamahas and has no problems winning like crazy. Ask the GOAT what he thought about Jermas' Yamaha @ Aonia Pass. He got a good look at the rear fender til Jeremy got so far ahead of him he could no longer see it! Man he's not pro until August, but he is killing it on that Yammy. He has 250's and 450's and no problems riding, winning, and keeping the bike on two wheels. Why can he do it but not Bubba? His speeds are in the ballpark I promise you. Maybe I shouldn't make this comparrison, but The more I think about it, the more it can't be the bike.
@HandlebarDragger when you addressed me as Chic baby, it really says a lot about the type of person you are, I'm sure you know what I mean! And could you explain your comment this is RacerX not Sports Illustrated, maybe you could explain the meaning behind it, maybe you can't and if so you'll probably come back with some more BS!! Exactly what did you give up your childhood for anyway, or do I even want to know?? It sounds like you don't have much of an MX background because MX people are always known for helping others anyway they can, you you do things for yourself like you stated.
JimmyC261 I appreciate you seeing where I am coming from, you are a great ambassador to the sport!!! You know whats up!!
I'll be posting on here more frequently so if anyone likes what I say cool, if not I dont give two shits because people who can't handle the truth shouldn't even be on the net!!
I have a feeling two two motorsports and JS7 will be teaming up next year.
What is insufferable is any tone that takes the "poor James" tact.
It is called accountability and at what point does JS and or his crew start taking it. If they are mis-understood, then THEY should actively communicate to make themselves better understood.
The whole shroud of secrecy creates some of not much of the swirling and speculation.
My stance is clear and has been since the garbage at Kawi. James has acted for many years like he is better than the sport and the people in it. Complaining about the long outdoor schedule, not showing up on the Saturday's for practice, the tv show? holy crap that was a discrace to him, his family, and the sport. SX only this early in the career (Love RC and many others who know MX is the sport). The excuses, the secrecy, the stomping off and leaving the bike, the crashing into just about everyone and never owning it. and the list goes on and on.
So I stand firmly in the: Not a fan, feel he is bad for the sport, wish he would go away and take the drama with him.
JGR, cut the rope!
oh, and there is NO WAY that CR would tie himself to what will ultimately be bad publicity, sponsor killing wreck known as JS.
Redneck - If you think the race card has zero relivance these days your living in denial. I don't like Obama but coming from a racist family some opinions I see written on here are similar to what I hear on a regular basis. My apologies if I READ too far into it. You think 5 years down the road people have changed their opinion on racism? I recall people yelling dirogitory and racial slurs at JS every lap in MX just a few years back.
Long Ride JS7 I can't wait till he turns this sh!t around. It will turn you haters into lovers or at least shut your mouths.
JS7 = JS1!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only a matter of time...... However, if he doesnt race outdoors I will truly be depressed. At least it will give me time to relax....
FACTS
- James Stewart sells Tickets
- James Stewart is the most well known Mxer to the Public
- Any company that sponsors JS is getting Publicity crashing or not
(in Yamaha's case bad Publicity)
- James Stewart has more fans than haters
- James Stewart is black
- Mookie needs to get his shit together
Reed is a very good business man. He did not spend any of his own cash in 2010 unless it was for a write off. He also had a ton of help from Pro Circuit getting his bike dialed.
If Reed and JS teamed up it would be the biggest news ever in the history of motorcycle racing. In Chads eyes that = $$$$$$. I believe it is JS who would not get involved. I personally would love to see it.
Note: I've stated this before but Chad Reed has more cash then JS and RC combined.
B-KR=DOUCHEBAG!!!!! Open Class..you are full of s h i t...if CR thought he could build a money making, publicity monster machine by teaming with JS, he'd give it a shot....you f--king know it alls need a good beatin' to bring you back down to earth.......losers!!!
Fast early wrecks late equals LACK OF FITNESS.
RC would have won on that bike, POS that it is.
When he named himself the fastest man on the planet He should have known he would have to be judged on that moniker.
James if you wake up every morning and think "what would Ricky do" then do it.
No one will stop you.
2011 I mean
Another great article from Weege! Keep it up!!!
iI gladly will explain my post iI have 2 basic opinions on why james doesnt win much. 1 the bike sure as heck seems to be fine in the heat races. and if you think about it all of james crashes have been on between the 7 and 12 lap mark in the main so a heat race may be all james can do. and for the genious who said james in 2008 is better the rv of 2012 iI say no way. rv even when all the compotition wasnt injuried he was still winning james had no compotition when he went unde
feated
keep in mind thats just my opinion
@PW29 - Props to you for at least admitting you grew up in a family where people had racist views and you chose not to adopt them. Good for you. I also remember the racist name calling at the nationals a few years back and those idiots were dealt with at the track. The group of three that were doing that crap were only three out of about 25000 at the track that day. If that percentage is any sort of indicator, and the fact that Obama won with 53% of the vote, I think that actually shows that racism is not a big thing in our nation like many people want to believe it is...
so what im saying is i think its a fitness problem @farscape40
First, Newguy you should quit sugar, you clearly spin yourself out of control...AND you appear to be an idiot. CR can not make money with JS as JS will feel he needs to get the lion share. So use your head for more than a battering ram. It will not happen.
Now for PW and his less than facts.
FACTS
- James Stewart sells Tickets
------ How do you know? and how many? and how many lately
- James Stewart is the most well known Mxer to the Public
----- Actually Travis P is outside of the MX community. Inside many are known equally
- Any company that sponsors JS is getting Publicity crashing or not
(in Yamaha's case bad Publicity)
------ Not the kind of publicity the sponsor want. Do not kid yourself by thinking all publicity is good. It is not and Yamaha, redbull, and JGR are not happy with what they are getting
- James Stewart has more fans than haters
----- You cannot know this but we do know that his fan base is on the decline. I personally feel more do not support him than do, but my opinion only. Is is declining
- James Stewart is black
----- Agreed
- Mookie needs to get his shit together
----- Agreed
B-KR wrote: "...when RV gets caught and passed by whoever the new hotshoe is in a few years, none of us will be screaming about how he needs a new bike, a new team, new tires...James is the first rider I know of that it is an inconceivable thought that anyone could possibly ever beat him. Ever"
I don't think it's the fact that he's getting beat, but rather the fact that he's been on the ground at some point in at least 10 of his last 14 rounds, not including the round he missed due to injury and the round he stalled the bike riding around Millsaps.
But by all means, please keep being a smartass.
Also, my first comment was funny but no one noticed. :(
You can definately tell which idiots on here that dont race or even ride.. Some guys slamming my post because it is NOT THE BIKE.. But they cant admit it. My post on the forks was taken directly from a guy who test bikes, races bikes, and professionally build suspensions. I read his article after he rode Stewarts bike. Yes thats right.. And I take his opinion over any of you Tards anyday. The guy is a pro and has been at it for over 25 years...
And if the bike is the problem why did Stewart agree to keep riding it??? (Nobody will answer that one)
And why did Stewart crash all over on the Kawasaki?? (Nobody will answer that either) Cowards know the truth and wont admit it..
Red44 wrote: "And if the bike is the problem why did Stewart agree to keep riding it???"
I'll take a stab. Besides the usual reasons people give (money, NASCAR, etc.), all of which are probably true, I think he just waited too long to make his choice. The hatred he HAD to have felt for the Yamaha in May waned over the months, until he could be convinced that trying again on the YZ was a good idea. JGR told him they could make the bike fit him---because they really thought they could. And when James got on the new bike and rode it, it felt DIFFERENT, which he convinced himself was BETTER, and he signed.
I'm certainly not placing all the blame on the bike. But I do think it's one piece of this puzzle.
His crashing on this bike or any bike is HIS fault.
You ride to the edge on the equipment you have and if that puts you 3rd you take 3rd.
If the idiot had just stayed up and finished every race he would be in second place and the series would not be locked up.
THAT, is on Stewart! THAT is the only thing that is relevant.
Jeez people. If you run your damn car into a ditch because you could not make the corner, is it your cars fault?
Does any of the "he brings sponsors exposure" crowd believe Yamaha is happy with the damage he has done to their 450's reputation? That bike went from a technological marvel to a deathtrap thanks to 3 years of dazzling crashes. 3 years it's been people, 2008 was a LONG time ago in moto years.
It seems something is apparent here, those with half a brain seem to be the ones who understand how things work while those with a very dim light glowing are the full on Stewart supporters. Yes all sponsors love to spend tons of money so that their injured and often crashed-out representative draws long lists of posts in the forums on the internet. What, do they make money on each post? Genius!! Surprised they haven't caught on that J-Law could double their posting revenues and probably at a much lower salary.
"That bike went from a technological marvel..."
Did Yamaha tell you that?
Has JS7's celebrity status ruined him?Concentrate on setup and practice and win some nationals.Prove you still are among the elite.Your fans will lose faith if you don't dig deep outdoors.I remember your last 125b ride at Lake Whitney-you were 6 seconds a lap faster than a good field of 250a's.Get back to this-your capable of it!Or maybe BIG JAMES needs to provide proper incentive for a WFO ride.
Maybe Stewart took the JGR ride, with the Nascar incentive, so he could eventually take the next step in his career. His tv show was a step in getting his image out there, not just moto guys know who he is. He's seen where Travis P is headed and he wants to get there also.
As for the bike being the problem, I highly doubt it. People have said over the several years the RMZ was a tech marvel and yet they do not have a heat or main win this season ! Is it the bke holding Metty back or is he just off pace. Remember Stewart has two main event wins this year. The crashes are taking a toll on his body, which he can't train when injured and that just compounds the problem. You get tired you make a mental mistake, at that speed, bam your eating dirt.
I am not a yamaha fan,but motocross is 90% rider,10% bike.These guys have no excuse,If the bike is off then figure it out.If its that bad,find his 2009 yz450.If stewart reels off some wins,then I believe the bike thing might be legit.I believe stewart spent too much time away from racing,being the fastest man on the planet.If he dont race outdoors,I think even his own fans will see he doesn't care.
@ racer221.............Don't hold your breath, he hasn't performed in 3 years and they still think he is the best rider somehow.
You're all wrong!
It's those darned Pirelli's. They must be some kind of "Black Magic" No other top pros will ride with those tires, they make the front end drop and bamboozle any and all suspension engineers. (the rumor is they may not really be as round as you think)
While many of you scoff at his performance and his potential, we all gotta admit he brings us all together, LIKE NO OTHER, in our brotherly love of this great sport.
Now if,....if he could mount a comeback,..........wouldn't that excite all of us?
james has been scary to watch this year, looks like hes gonna crash all the time, not sure if hes ridin over his head or what,
i shure hope he gets it together for outdoors because no matter what the sport is better with him than without
Red44...Noone including you could ever know the details as to the reason Stew isnt Jiving this year unless you are part of the JGR team and possibly they don't even know and Stew is the only one who really knows. As for your 25 yr pro...does thatmean he is like 40 years old or something? Just take a read of Pingrees column this week on RacerX and get his opinion which is an opinion that 100% of people would take over your old pro buddy anyday of the week. Rmember that Pingree was a top level pro for many years AND is also a top level test rider! Stewart has always crashed more than the average rider but what about his 24 moto sweep that year on the kawi? What about the fact that Stewart crashes about 500% more often on the Yamaha than on the Kawi? The fact of the matter is that for whatever the reason, Stew's riding style just doesn't mesh well with the Yamaha. Other riders can do well on it CONSISTENTLY because 1) their riding style suits the Yamaha's abilities and/or they don't go as fast as stewart and don't need/notice whatever the yamaha lacks for stewart. It will be hilarious to get back on these boards next year when stewart dominates once again and on a different bike (because he's getting out of his contract this year and won't race outdoors either whether he loses money or not...Stamp it)
One other thing...although many people in the know agree with the fact that the Yamaha is inferior to the other bikes (top level pro riders including Reed and many other people in the industry), It is possible that Stewart's setup doesn't work well and he doesn't like to change things. For example, on the pulpmx show recently, they talked about the fact that Stew likes, and has always liked, his forks a lot stiffer than any other pro rider. This might work well on a bike that can handle it (unlike the Yamaha), for whatever the reason, the Yamaha's design doesn't allow for this which is why his front end gets washed out so often. It is a fact that the stiffer the fork = the more likely the front end gets washed out but everything else I said is obviously based on opinion only but is definitely possible. Also, just because Stewart has won on the Yamaha doesn't mean that it can never be the bikes fault...maybe its just amazing how great Stewart is and that he and only he can SOMETIMES get the blue toad over finish line first