Ask Ping!
Friday, June 1, 2012 | 9:00 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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PrintDear Ping,
Love the column… read it every week! A few work buddies and me were debating this the other day and I looked up to see if I could find stats on how many of today’s top racers were Left-handed or Right-handed. I'm right-handed and I don’t think I could ever ride a motorcycle if I had to rely on the left hand twisting the throttle and right hand pulling the clutch. So, how to left-handed people do it? I thought that maybe a manufacturer would make a bike with a throttle and brake on the left side, and then have a clutch on the right-hand side for all the Lefty's out there. Can we dig up some information on which guys are lefties and righties? Is it better to be a right hand racer? What do you think Ping?
Jethro
That's the look... but with a little more shame and slightly smaller collars.
This is bringing up some bad memories. The year was 1990 and I was hanging out in my backyard with a buddy of mine. We were throwing a football around and pretending we were Joe Montana and Jerry Rice connecting for one of many Super Bowl touchdowns. I was a Joe Montana fan not because of his skill or accomplishments, but because I thought he was actually from my home state of Montana. I don’t know if I wasn’t bright as a young boy or if I just got fed some bad information. Anyway, we started goofing around and seeing how well we could throw the ball left-handed. Seems like good fun, right? Well, just as I wind up to throw this thing my dad walks into the back yard and sees me chuck up this awful throw that looks like a wounded duck wobbling into the ground several feet short of it’s intended receiver. Thinking back I imagine looking like a young Chaz Bono doing his/her best to throw a football. Shameful. Well, before I could explain what we were doing my dad mumbled, “Nice throw, Alice” and then walked back inside.
I’m not sure if he ever loved me the same after that day.
But enough about me… You were wondering which riders are left-handed and if that made a difference in their ability to work a throttle and a clutch. I have no idea, but my guess is that they would grab the throttle cable with their teeth and pull it if that meant their fathers would be proud of them. Sorry, apparently I’m still projecting some anger here. I do know that Jeremy McGrath is ambidextrous so maybe that is the key to being amazing on a bike? I suppose you could switch the clutch and brake and put the throttle on the left side if it bothered you that bad. My guess is the guys just got used to it and it became very natural for them. I’m sure lefties of the world will unite and fill us in down below in the comments section.
PING
Dear Ping,
Since the Nationals have started up again and the weather is getting hot I can’t help but think about the heat the racers have to deal with while they’re all geared-up. I hadn’t been to a National since before Kenworthy’s shut down so last year I finally took my son to Red Bud. Obviously the heat played a tragic role in that race. We saw Josh Lichtle being helped by the track workers but thought nothing of it until we heard the sad news a few days later.
My question is: does the AMA have rules against the riders using any kind of ‘cooling aids’, and if not is there anything available to help the riders stay cool? The company I work for designed a cooling vest for soldiers a few years ago, so I was wondering why riders couldn’t use something similar in their helmets? When I did a little search on-line, I found a research paper from the late 80’s where someone designed and tested a Thermoelectric cooled helmet. It only added 9 ounces and the test riders said it worked great.
Am I giving away a great money making business idea or is it just not allowed by the AMA?
Keep up the great work, and stay cool!
Andy
This guy looks cool. You know, temperature-wise.
The crew at the AMA and MX Sports are very sensitive about heat-related issues. They consult with Dr. Bodnar when temperatures get extremely high and they are not opposed to cooling devices as far as I know. I know the Asterisk guys carry a Game Ready cooling vest that circulates ice-cold water through it and lowers your core temperature. We used it on Ben Townley as several races during the 2010 season just prior to very hot motos. Brett Metcalfe has used something similar before and many riders take wraps for their neck and shoulders to the line with them on those hot race days. The issue with most riders is weight and discomfort. Also, a vest may be cool when you start the moto but after twenty or thirty minutes it warms up and then acts as an additional layer of clothing that actually blocks airflow at the end of the moto when you are the hottest. I haven’t seen any helmet cooling devices but as long as it didn’t alter the integrity of the helmet or inhibit removal in an emergency setting [and it really was only 9 ounces] than I don’t see why it couldn’t be used. Go make you million-dollar idea happen!
PING
Ping,
I recently watched the '92 supercross finale where Bradshaw lost the title. When he went back to his "box van" after the race, his mechanic can be seen throwing tools in the toolbox and he seemed very upset. Do crewmembers share in the race wins and title bonuses (possibly accounting for the mechanics bad mood) or does it vary from team to team? Seems like it would be fair if they did.
Thanks,
Mitch Smallwood
Leesburg Fl.
Five-time? Sorry, Damon, that is Jeff "Six-time" Stanton next to you.
It is very common for mechanics to share in a percentage of the rider’s winnings. Typically, a rider would pay a 10% bonus on any purse money or race/championship bonus that he earns. These things are all agreed upon prior to the season, or they should be, at least. It isn’t uncommon for discrepancies to come up halfway through the season about what a rider owes his mechanic. I don’t know what Damon’s supercross championship bonus money was like back then but I’m guessing at a bare minimum it was $500,000. That means his mechanic, Brian Lunnis, gave up $50,000 that day and, more importantly, he watched a title slip away that he probably worked his ass off for all season long. Any wrench worth his spanners is invested in the racers season almost as much as the rider himself. They put in a crazy amount of hours and the only thing that keeps them going long after most people have gone home is their passion for the sport and their desire to win. Don’t judge Brian for his tantrum… that was a rough day for both of those guys and neither one of them were ever really the same after it.
PING
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Dude, wtf? Bikes always been that way, we don't need to get used to it, we learned to ride that way.
By the way, i like the fact that i have a great cluch control, and my "silly" hand just have to twist it all the way or grab the brake as hard as i can...
Yea Ramon, totally agree bro, thats kinda a silly question up above. A bikes a bike. The Controls are where they are. period. Like it or leave it. But it does bring a good point up also. Is it possible to look at stats, and see all past champions, in sx-mx, and whether they are left or right handed? Would be interesting to know one way or the other.
Lefties can think for themselves that gives us the upper hand. Righties are single minded sheep that can only do things one way.
Ahahaha who came up with that caption for the Bradshaw and Stanton pic?!?! That is brutal!!!!
Ahahaha who came up with that caption for the Bradshaw and Stanton pic?!?! That is brutal!!!!
I'm ambidextrous and Jeremy McGrath could lap me in his sleep. I'm primarily left handed and have been beat soundly by right handed riders. Not sure it plays too much of a factor but I wish it did!
Yeah I'm not sure why you need your dominant hand to operate the throttle and front brake...coming from a left handed rider who grew up learning to ride on a PW50 required me to never shut off anyways (aka little skill required there). Once I worked up to a 450 13 years later I finally had to learn throttle modulation, and it never entered my mind what hand I wrote with to figure it out.
Didnt Reed shaft his mechanic on bonuses when he was with Yamaha? Meaning he didnt give the poor guy a dime....He gave the response that he doesnt beleive in it or some crap.....never heard the true story.....fire away...
Agreed Ramon, we just learned that way no big deal about being lefties, however I have met some people that were so left or right hand dominant that they could not even scratch thier ear with their other hand so I do understand where Jethro was coming from.
To me the better question is, does being left or right handed have an advantage when it comes to say cornering, starts, or balance>
For more information on cooling vests, go to http://www.godspeed811.com. Josh's Brother Billy has been doing a lot of research and actually has developed a vest. I don't know a ton about it, but it's worth checking out.
Riding a motorcycle is like playing the drums, all four limbs have something to do, who cares where the throttle is. I'm a lefty and never thought it mattered.
Stupid questions. Even stupider answers, except for the Brian Lunnis thing. Brian Lunnis seemed a little too controlling anyway. He always seemed on the edge of blowing up.
I don't think Jethro meant any harm in asking. I actually thought is was an interesting question and was curious myself. I wasn't sure if a dominant side played a role or not. It was interesting to hear the lefties perspective but some seemed to take it as a slap on the face. I've been beaten by both sides so what do I know. I remember as kid my friend had a Rupp minibike (boy am I showing my age) with the steel cable for the throttle and his dad changed the mount so he had to push the throttle instead of pulling it so he didn't roll on as it took off. I thought it was stupid but he rode the hell out of it.
C'mon people. This is easy. Just cross your arms.......
Being asked how I can ride a bike being left-handed is like being asked by a girl how I can walk comfortably with my junk flapping on my thighs.
I think the better question from Jethro about lefties should have been, "What makes a person left handed, and does it equate to an advantage or disadvantage" I would bet that there are more right handed past champions than left only because lefties are less common. I thought I had heard that typically left handed people tend to be more artistic, and creative, but whether that is true or has any advantage would be tough to determine. I think it is funny that Ping and his buddy were throwing a ball around lefty. My brother and I do that once in a while and it is fun, but you just have to make sure no one is watching!
Its not a fake question everyone, I was just curious as to if there is an advantage to being left or right or which top pro's are left or right? Why are some of you dissing the question? I am not saying a left handed guy can't ride a motorcycle better than a right or vice versa I just think its a legit question and everyone who thinks its a dumb question can just leave there comments in there head.
Jethro
The lefties are coming out of the woodwork for this one. I was born left-handed, but my father was into stick and ball sports and taught me to play sports right-handed. I don't even remember it happening, but I was pretty successful at the sports I played. Can't throw a lick left-handed, but I can't imagine writing or eating right-handed! Bottom line, it's all in how you learn!
There was a pitcher for the Tigers in the '60s named Mickey Lolich who was born right-handed, but he had some kind of serious injury to his arm when he was young and taught himself to pitch left-handed. He became a World Series MVP with the "wrong" hand!
As for the cooling devices, I had a Fox vest in the '70s/'80s that you filled with ice. I wore it under my jersey on those hot, humid New York Sundays, and it worked great! Nothing high tech, but it kept my body temperature down and I felt much better during and after the motos.
My daughter was injured during birth (Erb's palsy) and has limited use of her right hand. I tried looking around for a left-handed throttle grip but haven't come across one. I'm almost resigned to the fact that I'll have to make one or modify a thumb throttle. If anyone has experience with this, a comment would be appreciated.
Cheers.
Ima lefty and it never became an issue i was jus so pumped 2 ride a dirtbike!!!!
You guys are complaining because he asked a question? A question is asked because you don't know, he didn't know if being left-handed or right-handed played a role in whether you're better. A question can't be stupid, because like I said a question is asked because you don't know the answer, if you don't know the answer then how do you know if it's stupid? I don't know if that made sense, but oh well.
Lefties actually have an advantage, because pinning the throttle takes less dexterity, than fumbling for a tear-off with your wrong hand. Plus, lefties can scratch their balls more easily, without ever letting off. Much easier to shoot pistols while riding and flip off everyone, as well (for street situations.)
I write totally left handed. And throw totally right handed. Consider myself a lefty. Have heard it all. South Paw, lefty,etc. I understand that the left side of your brain operates the right side of your body, and visa versa. So, the sayings I use are "Left handed people are in thier right mind." And "Left is right-right is wrong." But at the end of the day, who cares? Just like the aftermarket parts world, what ever works for ya, run it. Can't imagine a throttle on the left and brake on the right. If I'm not mistaken, my best buddy's dad had a Bultaco that was stock and came with the shifter on the right and the brake on the left. Seemed scarey, but his dad seemed O K with it. I bet Welker or CZ mark might have an educated memory or two on these. Or anyone?
GWN,
If it's a grip strength, wrist control problem, you might look to some of the Touring riders throttle aids. Made to use the main part of the hands 'heel' so to speak, instead of grip strength. Think of a paddle, clipped to the grip. If you're old like me, you'd be aware of one of the Oakley grips from the 80s. A current good example is the type of 'grip' that is on many elbow crutches - often called 'Canadian' crutches. Ergonomic Grips, they are generally referred to as.
I work with children that have disabilities, and, as I make frames etc, I have a workshop were I can make many things. In my dealings with children, and physiotherapists, occupational therapists / their Doctors, I've been able to make quite a lot of things to help various children. It's surprising how so many things are not thought of - conversely, you do come across some brilliant things.
Simple things like affixing some Velcro to, say a thumb, and a section of the grip, or other fingers if they have limitations, can make a huge difference. I am Not saying to make your little girls hand locked onto the bar, by any means - less is better. I recently did this with a child in my care, in conjunction with his Doctor and parents. The little bloke uses the same set up on his Bicycle, and PW 50. It took a bit of effort in finding the right strength Velcro, the right amount, And, the best orientation of it, for both retention, and safe release. I've also made pre-curved, nylon backings to go over the top of a few little tackers hands, that augment their grip, but, once again, do not lock their hands on the bar. I'm fairly sure, these already exist, but what I made were very specific to the childs needs. A bit of this comes from my having had a few hand / thumb injuries over the years, and my wanting to ride, but safely.
Really, consult your pediatrician / physiotherapist etc. They should be able to offer real, qualified help. And, if you come across ones that 'arc up' about her being on a tiny little motorcycle, you know they are, probably, not the sort of Doctor / Therapist you may want to care for your child.
Bear
As to the Cooling Vests - Metty forgot to take one off before a Moto started, last year. It was over his jersey. He may have started cool, but ended up Very Hot, with that mistake.
People all of a sudden wearing cooling vest and all sorts of high tech stuff to beat the heat. What ever happened to getting into shape. I work outside every day of my life. In the heat or the cold. I work outside all summer, right now its 10 hours a day. And we have already had a few 90 degree days. Guess what?? I dont have a cool vest or nothing. I do have long blue jeans, leather work boots, sleeves, gloves, and a hard hat on. for 10 hours in the sun, 6 days a week. So I think they can handle a 35 minute moto, I know I can..
@therealmofo: You're ignorant. People get heat stroke just from sitting in the sun. Raise your heart-rate a little while you're holding your "slow" construction sign....and then go without water for an hour. That's about the equivalent of a portion of a mx moto. Quit being a hater for people looking out for health. If you could do a moto, I'm sure you would, rather than picking up trash on the side of the expressway.
@ Bear,
Thanks, some really good suggestions there that we may apply to other tasks as well. She manages most things surprisingly well but typically over exerts herself. The velcro is a great idea.
Here are a couple of points to keep in mind regarding cooling vest. If you are in a humid environment, evaporative type cooling vest (ones you dip in water) are not very effective after the first 10 minutes or so. They work on the principle of evaporation and that principle does not work very well when its humid. If you are in a hot, dry environment like Arizona, then these type vest work great. In humid environments, look for vests with rechargeable packets. Glacier Tek's RPCM Cool Vests is a good choice. CoolVest.com. Here are some articles on the topic if you really want to geek-out....
http://www.racerxvt.com/article/how-to-stay-cool-advice-from-the-pros
http://www.racerxvt.com/article/heat-illness-in-motocross
http://www.racerxvt.com/article/heat-acclimatization
http://www.racerxvt.com/article/racing-in-the-heat-how-to-stay-properly-hydrated
http://www.racerxvt.com/article/4-strategies-for-optimum-hydration