Comments on: The State of “It” http://twostrokemotocross.com/2009/12/the-state-of-%e2%80%9cit%e2%80%9d/ The source for two stroke News, Tech and Tips. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:21:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: GlennCMcGovern http://twostrokemotocross.com/2009/12/the-state-of-%e2%80%9cit%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-704 GlennCMcGovern Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:28:51 +0000 http://twostrokemotocross.com/?p=2343#comment-704 I think people need to write in to the AMA and Magazines demanding a two-stroke four-stroke equalization rule in the pro classes and supercross. GLENN I think people need to write in to the AMA and Magazines demanding a two-stroke four-stroke equalization rule in the pro classes and supercross.
GLENN

]]> By: Mad Scientist http://twostrokemotocross.com/2009/12/the-state-of-%e2%80%9cit%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-701 Mad Scientist Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:49:27 +0000 http://twostrokemotocross.com/?p=2343#comment-701 Glenn, Honda was at one time a significant part of AMA. As I have stated in other places, KTM ...well...I'll just say that they say one thing and then do another. Obviously, I understand the correlation between the manufacturers and the industry. Davey Coombs said he could not control what Japan whats to manufacturer. Herein lies the problem. The sport/industry/market did not evolve into what it is now. It can't be said it even morphed into it's current configuation. The whole situation was forced by a small, greedy group. That's not just my opinion. These facts have been posted on MXA and other sources as well. In the ultimate end, there is a screwing coming our way. If the economy stays down (I think it will), we will watch as many, many teams will fold and pull out, including some of the manufacturers. They don't care about what goes on. It is entirely a money issue. They will keep their money, and American consumers will continue to lose because no one will stand up to these greedy people and call their bluff. And if they finally grow a pair and fix the rules, and if the "big 4" or "big 5" actually walk ( I don't think they will), do you really think the promoters and track owners won't be able to put something together? It can't be any worse than the garbage racing we have now! For reference, read the Bob Hannah interview on TSM. Thank You for your comments. M.S. Glenn,
Honda was at one time a significant part of AMA. As I have stated in other places, KTM …well…I’ll just say that they say one thing and then do another.

Obviously, I understand the correlation between the manufacturers and the industry. Davey Coombs said he could not control what Japan whats to manufacturer. Herein lies the problem. The sport/industry/market did not evolve into what it is now. It can’t be said it even morphed into it’s current configuation. The whole situation was forced by a small, greedy group. That’s not just my opinion. These facts have been posted on MXA and other sources as well. In the ultimate end, there is a screwing coming our way. If the economy stays down (I think it will), we will watch as many, many teams will fold and pull out, including some of the manufacturers. They don’t care about what goes on. It is entirely a money issue. They will keep their money, and American consumers will continue to lose because no one will stand up to these greedy people and call their bluff. And if they finally grow a pair and fix the rules, and if the “big 4″ or “big 5″ actually walk ( I don’t think they will), do you really think the promoters and track owners won’t be able to put something together? It can’t be any worse than the garbage racing we have now! For reference, read the Bob Hannah interview on TSM.

Thank You for your comments.

M.S.

]]> By: GlennCMcGovern http://twostrokemotocross.com/2009/12/the-state-of-%e2%80%9cit%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-699 GlennCMcGovern Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:15:19 +0000 http://twostrokemotocross.com/?p=2343#comment-699 Suzuki and Yamaha and Honda are not listed on the AMA Board. KTM and Kawasaki have members as does Buell. The KTM people voted with the others on the rule with four-strokes and two-strokes not competing. The problem is there is no industry, pro racing or trade without manufacturers and they have a lot of weight and realistically the AMA can't ignore them as a practical manner. That is the problem. GLENN Suzuki and Yamaha and Honda are not listed on the AMA Board. KTM and Kawasaki have members as does Buell. The KTM people voted with the others on the rule with four-strokes and two-strokes not competing. The problem is there is no industry, pro racing or trade without manufacturers and they have a lot of weight and realistically the AMA can’t ignore them as a practical manner. That is the problem.
GLENN

]]> By: Mad Scientist http://twostrokemotocross.com/2009/12/the-state-of-%e2%80%9cit%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-694 Mad Scientist Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:58:34 +0000 http://twostrokemotocross.com/?p=2343#comment-694 gcmcg, I realize what DC has done already and I commend him for it. One of the forum members sent DC a copy of what I wrote. What DC put in his reply is most telling. He said "Sorry Frederic, I don't respond to anonymous internet columns, especially when the person has no clue of what I do or what authority I have. I am flattered, but I can't do much about changing the minds of what the factories make. DC". So, here you have the real problem. BTW, I don't think it a bad thing that DC doesn't care what I say. As I said, he SHOULDN'T. He should care about what WE say. Big difference. Please notice his last sentence. He says his hands are tied becasue the factories have made up their minds about what they want to make!! As I said in the article, I don't want ANY manufacturer on ANY board or committee of AMA, regardless of who it is. They have their agenda, and it's not in our benefit. As I said, I don't care about ANY manufacturer. I care (most passionately) about off-road motorcycling. AMA, DMG, the promoters and everyone else needs to put the manufacturers back in THEIR place. Soooo, set the rules and they will all follow. Think I am wrong? There is a thred in the forum about the very same thing! In Europe, they are going to have a TRUE 125 class. And everyone from Japan, INCLUDING HONDA, will have bikes and be represented! So DC and all the bone heads on this side of the pond need to pull their collective heads out of their hind parts and take control of THEIR sport. That's why AMA exists. One more point: I wouldn't trust KTM as far as I can spit them. Nothing personel, but every time I go to an off-road race, it's nearly impossible to find a KTM factory team with a 2T rider on it (exception Kurt Caselli, I don't know why he gets the courtesy). And if I rememeber correctly, KTM voted WITH the "big 4". We need to stop participating in anything AMA related. Stop buying bikes from those who don't promote 2T's. Hit them in the wallet. Ok, I'm off the soap box for today. Thank you all for you replies. I appreciate it! M.S. gcmcg, I realize what DC has done already and I commend him for it. One of the forum members sent DC a copy of what I wrote. What DC put in his reply is most telling. He said “Sorry Frederic, I don’t respond to anonymous internet columns, especially when the person has no clue of what I do or what authority I have. I am flattered, but I can’t do much about changing the minds of what the factories make. DC”. So, here you have the real problem. BTW, I don’t think it a bad thing that DC doesn’t care what I say. As I said, he SHOULDN’T. He should care about what WE say. Big difference. Please notice his last sentence. He says his hands are tied becasue the factories have made up their minds about what they want to make!! As I said in the article, I don’t want ANY manufacturer on ANY board or committee of AMA, regardless of who it is. They have their agenda, and it’s not in our benefit. As I said, I don’t care about ANY manufacturer. I care (most passionately) about off-road motorcycling. AMA, DMG, the promoters and everyone else needs to put the manufacturers back in THEIR place. Soooo, set the rules and they will all follow. Think I am wrong? There is a thred in the forum about the very same thing! In Europe, they are going to have a TRUE 125 class. And everyone from Japan, INCLUDING HONDA, will have bikes and be represented! So DC and all the bone heads on this side of the pond need to pull their collective heads out of their hind parts and take control of THEIR sport. That’s why AMA exists. One more point: I wouldn’t trust KTM as far as I can spit them. Nothing personel, but every time I go to an off-road race, it’s nearly impossible to find a KTM factory team with a 2T rider on it (exception Kurt Caselli, I don’t know why he gets the courtesy). And if I rememeber correctly, KTM voted WITH the “big 4″. We need to stop participating in anything AMA related. Stop buying bikes from those who don’t promote 2T’s. Hit them in the wallet. Ok, I’m off the soap box for today. Thank you all for you replies. I appreciate it!

M.S.

]]> By: GlennCMcGovern http://twostrokemotocross.com/2009/12/the-state-of-%e2%80%9cit%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-693 GlennCMcGovern Sun, 27 Dec 2009 08:12:33 +0000 http://twostrokemotocross.com/?p=2343#comment-693 Davey Coombs went to bat to change the two-stroke displacement rule. He was shot down by the board who is made up of Japanese manufacturers. He even brought in a survey saying fans wanted the big two-strokes to race He really did try. . We need to organize and get KTM, TM or Husky on the AMA board. We need to change this now. I say we contact them and try and get an organized campaign before next election. I have dealt with KTM and talk with the factory about it. But they need our vote. Glenn McGovern gcmcg@mac.com Davey Coombs went to bat to change the two-stroke displacement rule. He was shot down by the board who is made up of Japanese manufacturers. He even brought in a survey saying fans wanted the big two-strokes to race He really did try. . We need to organize and get KTM, TM or Husky on the AMA board. We need to change this now. I say we contact them and try and get an organized campaign before next election. I have dealt with KTM and talk with the factory about it. But they need our vote.
Glenn McGovern
gcmcg@mac.com

]]> By: Sachsgs250 http://twostrokemotocross.com/2009/12/the-state-of-%e2%80%9cit%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-691 Sachsgs250 Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:44:51 +0000 http://twostrokemotocross.com/?p=2343#comment-691 In the late 70's a friend of mine,through his father's business,purchased a number of mid 70's OW Yamahas (how would you like to Ebay those bikes?).There were (memory is a little fuzzy)one watercooled 125,a couple of 250's and at least one open bike.I can recall staring in awe at them - forks hand machined from billet,one off magnesium hubs and cases,handformed aluminum tanks - let me tell you, these bikes were "trick" and no doubt VERY expensive to manufacture.As for the central point of your discussion I agree very much with your argument and and personaly think that the evolution of offroad fourstrokes has allowed the Japanese to integrate them with their own street bike production.With the resulting economies of scale it is amazing the Euros survived.The offroad magazines lumped me into the "conspiracy theory" nutbars category and that was that, that is untill the bikes started grenading and the recession hit.It will be interesting to see how it all works out. In the late 70′s a friend of mine,through his father’s business,purchased a number of mid 70′s OW Yamahas (how would you like to Ebay those bikes?).There were (memory is a little fuzzy)one watercooled 125,a couple of 250′s and at least one open bike.I can recall staring in awe at them – forks hand machined from billet,one off magnesium hubs and cases,handformed aluminum tanks – let me tell you, these bikes were “trick” and no doubt VERY expensive to manufacture.As for the central point of your discussion I agree very much with your argument and and personaly think that the evolution of offroad fourstrokes has allowed the Japanese to integrate them with their own street bike production.With the resulting economies of scale it is amazing the Euros survived.The offroad magazines lumped me into the “conspiracy theory” nutbars category and that was that, that is untill the bikes started grenading and the recession hit.It will be interesting to see how it all works out.

]]> By: Swimr2DaResQ http://twostrokemotocross.com/2009/12/the-state-of-%e2%80%9cit%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-688 Swimr2DaResQ Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:38:42 +0000 http://twostrokemotocross.com/?p=2343#comment-688 Right on!!! Excellent article Madscientist, I appreciate your honesty on the matter. The AMA needs a pair of BALLS and to stop lying in the shadow of the Big 4, they need to tell it to us straight and allow for fair play on all parts of motorcycle racing! Right on!!! Excellent article Madscientist, I appreciate your honesty on the matter. The AMA needs a pair of BALLS and to stop lying in the shadow of the Big 4, they need to tell it to us straight and allow for fair play on all parts of motorcycle racing!

]]> By: MXLord327 http://twostrokemotocross.com/2009/12/the-state-of-%e2%80%9cit%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-686 MXLord327 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:25:28 +0000 http://twostrokemotocross.com/?p=2343#comment-686 Great article!! I started going to motocross races in 1980 - started big with the 250cc USGP at Unadilla, and went just about every year of the '80's. I raced motocross and enduros in New England from '81 to '85 as well. I think the production rule was the beginning of the end for motocross. I loved seeing the exotic works bikes at Unadilla, twin cylinder liquid cooled Aprilias, Puchs with about 15" of twin-shocked rear wheel travel, hand-formed aluminum tanks, these bikes were just gorgeous. Now there is nothing trick, they are all the same, the only reason to go into the pits now at races is to meet the riders. The bikes are boring!! I never raced the open class, stuck to 125's and 250's, but I rode several of them and loved the power. I just liked the frantic action of the 125 the best, and now both are gone. Racing needs to go back to 3 classes, strict displacement, no advantage for one type over the other. Bring back works bikes, end the production/homologation rule, and the rest will work itself out. ~Russ Great article!! I started going to motocross races in 1980 – started big with the 250cc USGP at Unadilla, and went just about every year of the ’80′s. I raced motocross and enduros in New England from ’81 to ’85 as well. I think the production rule was the beginning of the end for motocross. I loved seeing the exotic works bikes at Unadilla, twin cylinder liquid cooled Aprilias, Puchs with about 15″ of twin-shocked rear wheel travel, hand-formed aluminum tanks, these bikes were just gorgeous. Now there is nothing trick, they are all the same, the only reason to go into the pits now at races is to meet the riders. The bikes are boring!! I never raced the open class, stuck to 125′s and 250′s, but I rode several of them and loved the power. I just liked the frantic action of the 125 the best, and now both are gone. Racing needs to go back to 3 classes, strict displacement, no advantage for one type over the other. Bring back works bikes, end the production/homologation rule, and the rest will work itself out. ~Russ

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