Ping,
The manufacturers sponsor amateur and pro teams and generally seem to invest heavily in the sport. One thing that’s always been curious to me though is why they don’t actually own local tracks for the public to use? With all of the land use issues and we all know of lots of tracks that are now cookie cutter subdivisions, it would seem to me to be very logical for the manufacturers to be completely vertically integrated, so to speak.
Obviously if there’s nowhere to ride no amount of sponsorships will incent consumers to buy new dirt bikes. I remember when we used to roll out of our house and meet at our school to go riding! It’s a lot harder now for most people to ride.
I’m getting old.
Rob
Rob,
I know we like to think that Japanese executives are up all night thinking of ways to keep their companies in black ink by selling more dirt bikes, but that just isn’t the case. If Honda stopped producing motocross bikes altogether they could probably improve their bottom line. Between the money they have to pay Ken Roczen and Cole Seely, the cost of running their factory teams and the paper thin margins on dirt bikes, I assure you the CRF division isn’t moving the needle much when factoring net profits. Cars are Honda’s money maker. Why would they want to take on the work, expense, and liability of running a motocross track? I hear what you’re saying; I used to ride on the very hills that my house is built upon. However, the manufacturers aren’t getting involved in track ownership.
PING
Ping,
Give it to us straight: How good are stock bikes for the average rider? Is there any need for a guy to drop 10 grand on a new bike only to immediately ship the motor off for a couple more grand, gaining horsepower he's probably never going to use? Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge proponent of the aftermarket industry and have parts-lust myself, but thankfully I rarely give in. Roczen dominated with stock triple clamps, Reed did the GPs with a mostly stock bike. Are we pricing ourselves out of the sport? Is there any need for much else besides a suspension revalve and maintenance parts?
Thanks,
Joe Schmoe
Joe,
Stock bikes are incredible. Never has there been a time when a bike right off the showroom floor was so capable or a time when all bikes were this close in terms of performance. The current state of equipment literally makes shootouts irrelevant because every bike is good and the only thing separating bikes is personal preference.
In terms of performance, the only thing you need to do with a stock bike is get the suspension set up for your weight and skill level. And if you are any slower than intermediate level, just worry about the spring rate because the stock suspension is fine for you. Having given that sage, pragmatic advice, I will add that pimping out your bike is a part of the experience, even if the parts aren’t necessary.
Exhaust systems, wheel sets, titanium pegs, carbon fiber … none of it is required. But dammit if all that stuff doesn’t put a smile on your face while your bike sits on the stand in the garage. And that is part of the fun. If you want practical advice I would say start with suspension, grips, and tires and then blow through whatever you have left on the shiny stuff that makes your pants feel tight up front.
PING
Hi and good evening Mr. Ping-aling-don-ding.
I have a question that no one has seemed to be able to answer and every time I see it being done I can’t stop and think for someone within the industry to fill me in on. Judging by your expertise on any subject regarding this life on planet earth we live on I figured you’d be the best course of action to answer this anomaly being done time and time again.
Do those Instagram pictures of riders with messages like “Night didn’t go as planned but working and making progress in the right direction to be where I know I can be” ever seem like excuses to anyone? Every time I see those posts from riders after a race I can’t stop and think that it’s almost like these guys are pleading with their sponsors to have faith in them over and over and over again. It’s literally a cry for help, it seems like. I am positive these messages on their Instagrams and Twitters and whatever else they’re using are not meant for the fans. I mean in the end we’re not the ones signing their checks so no need to give me or Jonny Racer any excuses or reasons to pick you up for next season . I mean they might as well read
“I know I sucked but please don’t let me go yet and give me another chance cause I’m gonna do better I promise.”
I’m not pointing out any one rider but it always seems it comes from the same type of guy who’s hasn’t secured a ride, getting paid too much for his crappy results, or knows deep down he’s just an average rider now and doesn’t want to accept that his results aren’t going to get any better. Some of these guys do this on their social media pages over and over through a single season! Why not just show results and let the dedication and riding do the talking. I’m not sure if teams see these “excuses” and think “Hey he said he was going to get better on Instagram and he’s working in the right direction so let’s not fire him and sign him or keep him for another year!” It looks like messages of desperation every time I see them.
Your friendly reader and expert second to Ping,
Enrique
Enrique,
Social media has changed the way it’s dispersed, but riders have been doing this same thing for years. Back in the old timey days before smart phones and online dating, riders used to hang around in the pits and roll out a list of reasons why they didn’t win to any media member with a recorder and any fan that was willing to listen. You have to convince yourself that you are capable of reaching your goals, whatever they may be, and excuses help you to saddle up on Monday morning and get back to work. Plus, you want to make sure your boss and potential bosses know that you can win; there were just a slew of things that kept it from happening on the weekend. Now the riders just speak in code over social media. The nomenclature has changed slightly so let me help you sift through the hidden meanings here and offer some thoughts.
- “We didn’t get the results we were hoping for but we made progress.” This is basically saying that although the results sucked you think you improved somehow. Maybe, but so did everybody else. This excuse will buy you a week or two and then results better start reflecting the “progress.”
- “This is a good race to build from.” Yeah, sure it is. You have to build from here because there’s nowhere to go but up.
- “Tenth isn’t where I want to be but I’m just believing in the process.” The process? Is that like the process of making sausage? Because that’s about how enjoyable it is to watch you ride lately.
- “Hungry to improve. Result doesn’t show the work from the week.” Welp, better improve the result quickly or you’re going to literally be hungry. As in next season when you are living under a bridge eating out of a dumpster and wearing Kleenex boxes for shoes.
- “Loving the process right now.” Cool, but you need to start loving the podium. Forget the process … the podium is what you should be loving.
I love the positive mental attitude but if we could keep the comments grounded in reality, guys, that would be fantastic. As for me, I’m just enjoying the creative process of writing and really enjoying the work. Looking forward to next week. Keep kicking the door til it opens. You know … all that stuff.
PING
Have a question for Ping? Hit him up at ping@racerxonline.com.
