Two Strokes and Attitude…
When I woke up, the thought “how can we gather more support for the two-stroke”, ran through my sleepy brain.
While it’s true that Two Stroke Motocross.com is not entirely responsible for the shift happening in motocross as we speak, the tide is changing. I hope in some way that the stories, articles, tests and press releases published on TSM have helped.
More racers are switching to two strokes on their own in what appears to be ever increasing numbers. The comments, feedback and e-mail received at the TSM headquarters support this growth. It’s happening in many parts of the USA and the world. This is great news.
Debate, debate, bebate, why don't we all just go riding?
What I’ve noticed over the past few years is that there are rabid fans on each side of the equation. Which leads to those same fans thinking that the only way to get the other side to switch over is to convince them the other side is wrong.
Worse yet some think the only way to approach the issue is to equate it with a war or fight. They call out the others, say stupid or mean things and generally just cause problems for everyone. This does nothing but upset everyone.
I have a question for you, if you truly believed that you knew the correct answer to a question and someone started yelling at you, calling you names, telling you that your stupid, would you listen to them? Would they have any chance of influencing your decision?
My illusion is that you would consider them crazy, write them off and attempt to get away as soon as possible.
Do people run from you because you seem crazy?
What am I getting at? Using the golden rule “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” when talking with people who have differing opinions than you.
Of course the idiom “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar” is helpful to keep in mind as well. This saying has been around for years, lets look at the definition of this phrase to break down what it actually means.
“It is easier to persuade people if you use polite arguments and flattery than if you are confrontational.”
This is a simple easy way to remember how to talk to others respectfully. This can go a long way in helping you to get what you want or to help others to see your point of view. Realize that you may not change their mind or get them to agree with you, but they will listen.
A positive attitude goes a long way.
How can we apply these thoughts and ideas for showing others that the two-stroke is a viable machine in motocross?
When speaking with four-stroke fans or writing posts on message boards, stay respectful and speak about what you are doing, not what they are doing wrong. Calling them out and saying they’re wrong, will only make our job increasingly difficult. Worse yet they will close their mind to the idea of two-strokes.
When you talk to these folks with respect and just point out that you want fair rules and are willing to talk about it, you can move mountains. If you create anger or animosity it’s impossible to even talk, how can you expect to create solutions together?
Be nice!
Jump for joy about two-strokes!
Next, please buy a two-stroke for yourself if you don’t already own one. Then show up at the races and do your best. When you come off the track make sure that you have an ear-to-ear grin for all to see. Remember to effuse “Man that was so much fun!” “When’s the next moto?”
Next is to share those stories of fun and excitement with others. Whether that’s with your buddies at the race track, in the neighborhood, on message boards or forums every little story helps the overall shift in people’s opinions.
If you’re interested in having your story published on this site, please feel free to use the contact form above to contact me and we’ll work something out to get your story out to the world. The one thought to consider here is that you don’t necessarily have to win your class, just that you compete and have fun on your two-stroke.
Mail your two-stroke stories...
Each and every story helps. These articles about real people racing, riding and switching to two-stroke do much more than you can imagine. It plants a seed in the mind of those around you, “Hey, maybe I should look at the two-strokes.”
For those you might be saying, sure your telling us to go out and do this stuff, but what are you going to do?
Glad you asked!
Along with a few friends we are going to jump into the fray and get some much needed publicity for the two-stroke.
Question: How can you reach out to the greatest number of motocross fans?
Answer: Compete in the Pro Nationals using a two-stroke!
Yes, you’ve heard it right, rip out those ear plugs needed for the four-strokes, the sound of a 250cc two stroke will be echoing across hills throughout parts of the USA. Watch out for us at the AMA 450F Outdoor Nationals!
Instead of waiting and bemoaning rules that may never change, we’ve decided that the best plan is to race. Competing with a 250cc two-stroke against the 450F race machines of the big factories.
It appears this idea has struck a chord, this past week we were interviewed for Dirt Rider magazine. They have expressed interest in testing our machine for a possible feature article. How cool is that? Special thanks to Pete Peterson and Damian Ercole at Dirt Rider.
This is our new logo for the project.
You know what’s bizarre? Most everyone we’ve spoken to thinks this is a great idea! Including some die-hard four-stroke racers. How crazy is that?
Now many folks are asking what they can do to help. We received offers that we find to be absolutely amazing. It’s hard to put into words just how grateful we are for everything.
While we promise is to do our very best at the races, we feel it’s important to share with our fans and supporters the fun, excitement and joy of motocross racing. We’ll do this in an up close and personal fashion.
Stay tuned for more information soon!
Thank you for your support.
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Comments
By msambuco on February 27th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
John, I put this in a post on the forum but I will make the same comment here. I went to Sunshine MX in St pete FL for an open practice for the first time in several years. Instead of the four stroke dominance from a few years ago I saw about 40 to 50% 2 strokes in the C class and about 25% in the A/B class. Look at the C class. These are the future A/B riders. Some may go to a 4ST when they can “afford” them but think about how many are getting their start on a 2ST. Although I did not interview anyone I would guess that they got used 2ST bikes since they are cheap, reliable, and easy to maintain. This would be a good way to do a survey of the future. Ask these guys around the country at different tracks why 2ST now and what are their future plans. I bet KTM would like to know.
By Sachsgs250 on February 28th, 2010 at 1:07 am
Rick Siemen once said that the golden era of offroad motorcyling was 1968 through to 1990.Having experienced most of that era,I agree.I remember racing a 7 speed 250 Hercules,it would pull over 90 mph on a fire road and you couldn’t break it.I recall multiple classes in the ISDE with,for example,10 speed 50cc Zundapps,500 cc motorcrossers,kids racing 125s they could afford.Mike Bell and Jeremy McGrath on twostrokes.Bit by bit it all seems to be slipping away and what we will be left with is a two horse town,one a 250,one a 450 and both four strokes.Is it enviromentalists,aging baby boomers or a recession to blame?I think people,myself included,are increasingly frustrated by what is happening to the sport and the industry of offroad motorcycling.It seems inevitable that the subject of AMA fourstrokes will be the flashpoint.Emotions are bound to run high,people will be on one side or the other and “fur will fly”.It is the responsibility of sanctioning bodies everywhere to bring diversity and affordibility back to the sport of offroad motorcycling and not run it into the ground through a bunch of illogical rules.I understand and appreciate the focal point of this article but it “ain’t easy” given what is happening out there.
By jrhockey03 on February 28th, 2010 at 10:27 am
I know this is a little of topic for this article however, I’ve got two words. Quarterly magazine. I’m sure there would be a great number of people who would subscribe to Two-Stroke Motocross Magazine. I would be one of them. Hell the Michigan Trail riders have their own monthly magazine, mind you its done on news print and not glossy, but it just gives you an idea of what could happen. It wouldn’t be hard to get enough info for a 60-70 page magazine every 3 months.
By grumpy on February 28th, 2010 at 11:16 am
It may have been done already, but why not post an email addy for the AMA and then encourage everyone to send in complaints about the rules and ask for them to be changed. I’m sure they’d get an overwhelming amount of complaints and would have to seriously consider changing them. And even if they didn’t change the rules, at least they’d have the reason staring them smack in the face as to why the sport died in their hands.
By tommy959 on February 28th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
I think alot of people would agree,a quarterly magazine would be a GREAT idea ! The enthusiasm you have for Twostrokemotocross.com, i have no doubt that a 60-70 page magazine would be easy.
By 2STROKEREVOLUTION on February 28th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
A quarterly magazine would be cool. It would be easy to get 60-70 pages if you let the readers/riders submit their own articles.
The magazine could also feature a section on all 2-strokes, not just dirt bikes, containing outboard boat engines, snowmobiles, street bikes, technology, custom engines, and classic 2-stroke cars.
It would be great to see unbiased 2-stroke reviews, comparing them equally with 4-strokes, cc vs cc.
By HuffieVA on March 1st, 2010 at 7:57 am
I think a magazine is a great idea, Sign Me Up!
Logically it would make sense to come to a compromise, first for Motocross bring back the 125′s (as what it used to be… a bridging class between the minis and the bigger bikes) allow the 250′s to run both 2strokes or 4strokes to allow people to make a legitimate choice between the two, and run the 450 class as the “Premier Class” (to make the factories happy). Of course you could argue for bringing back the 500′s but the factories would likely never agree to an open class after all of there investment in the 4strokes.
For scrambles have the minis, the 125′s, the 200 – 299 (yes bring back the KDX’s)and an unlimited class
By JohnNicholas on March 1st, 2010 at 8:34 am
Thank you one and all for your kind words and encouragement. I really appreciate it.
Sachsgs250 you are correct, it “ain’t easy” to do what I have outlined above, but nothing worthwhile ever was. If this truly means so much, lets put our effort into making the changes we want to see. The only way to achieve that is to earn the respect of the racers, fans and media.
When you really stop to think about it, this is the fastest, easiest, most fun way of creating change.
Hmmm… a quarterly magazine? That is a fantastic idea, please let me have some time to think about that one.
Although I do have a couple of questions, this would be an actual printed piece, something that you could read in the bathroom? Right? LOL
What kind of articles would you like to see in the magazine? Bike Tests? Readers bikes? Tech articles? Stories? Interviews?
What about advertisements? Do you think you would be more inclined to purchase items from companies that supported two-strokes? Or would you prefer a magazine without any advertisements?
HuffieVA – I wholeheartedly agree… the 125cc class MUST be a part of motocross racing!! The gap between an 85cc two-stroke and a 250cc four-stroke is just too large. And the bikes are so different from each other. The 125cc two-stroke offers an opportunity for these racers to step up incrementally and learn the racing skills that a 125 requires to go fast.
These skills can then be applied to all bikes, whether two-stroke or four-stroke.
Great ideas. Thank you.
By 2STROKEREVOLUTION on March 1st, 2010 at 12:18 pm
JohnNicholas
For the quarterly magazine, it could contain all of what you mentioned.
Bike tests: there aren’t many 2-stroke bike tests and it would be nice to see ones for new and older bikes and comparison tests with 4-strokes. Tests on bikes I never see, such as Maico, TM Racing, Husky, Gas Gas, etc. A great idea would be spending all the money you save on purchasing a 2-stroke hopping it up and then comparing it to a stock 4-stroke.
Readers Rides would be great. We get to see what other people, real people, do with their bikes to make them competitive, reliable, fun, etc.
Tech articles: I don’t know many people, including me, who know the difference between the 2000 CR250 and 2001 CR250 engine. (I think that is the year of big change)
Stories: about going to races, racing, trail riding, etc.
Information on where we can ride legally. I know a lot of places in California but I currently live in Arizona and don’t know where I can ride.
And a section like I mentioned before, on all 2-strokes, not just dirt bikes, containing outboard boat engines, snowmobiles, street bikes, technology, custom engines, and classic 2-stroke cars.
As far as advertising goes, I say do it. If you have advertisements then it will be more economical for you to produce and the reader won’t have to pay as much. It will be nice to see ads for 2-strokes, I will know better about where to get parts. And businesses will see there is a market for 2-strokes.
By 2STROKEREVOLUTION on March 1st, 2010 at 12:26 pm
HuffieVA
I agree, there needs to be a 125 class to bridge the gap for beginners.
A 250 vs 250 class, or to be a little more fair a 250 vs 350 class.
An open class seems viable. The manufacturers will be able to race their 450s. They do that in Baja, they replaced the 650s. Only the brave few will decide to develop open class 2-strokes, like Maico.
Surely open class will end up featuring anything from 450Fs to Maico 320s, 500s, and 685s, KTM, Gas Gas and TM Racing 300s, Service Honda CR500AFs and KX500AFs, older CR & KX 500s, KTM 380SXs. Wouldn’t that be exciting to see such a wide variety of bikes?!
By MaicoMadman on March 1st, 2010 at 12:26 pm
I would subscribe as well. The Florida Trail Riders also have a monthly magazine which is full color and glossy photos with ads to offset the cost. On a side note, and back to the original subject, I volenteer as a “Tech Inspector” at the FTR Hare Scrambles Series and we have an average of 600 plus riders at each event. I decided to do a head count of 2 stroke vs 4 stroke bikes as they came through for inspection. The 2 strokes still out number the 4′s by about 6 to 4. (60% 2 strokes) Not bad and some riders still speak of going back to 2 strokes, which hopefully will gain in momentum. Race results will speak volumes when it comes to future purchases of dirt bikes.
Keep up the great work John.
By Sachsgs250 on March 1st, 2010 at 12:31 pm
I’d like to make a few comments re:Twostroke magazine.First of all advertisements,magazines derive 80% of their revenue from ads and it is vital that readers have access to parts,hop up kits etc.Advertisers pay the bills which why we are inundated in all things fourstroke.Secondly,cover the broad twostroke industry but concentrate on dirtbikes ,for example, Diesel Power does a nice job.Give readers a chance to contribute,Mountainbike Action offers a photo forum for readers having fun.Seek out and test niche manufacturers like Maico and Service Honda,give them the exposure they deserve..ATV’s form over half the market yet all those 500LT,Banshee and 250R owners have very little representation,give them coverage.There is over 40 years of incredible offroad two strokes out there,do an article on one of “Speedy Classen’s” Herc’s,enter a Thunderdog in Hodaka Days.Back the magazine with a full spectrum of advisers,consultants and contributors,guys like Rick Siemen and Donny Elmer are priceless in their knowledge base.Find out who’s offering a 500 or a 125 class and print the results.Do a trials comparison,it’s amazing what’s happening there and most enthusiasts are completely unaware.I think such a magazine could tap into a large and growing reservoir of demand that,at present,isn’t being taken care of.
By SubTexel on March 1st, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Shoot, sign me up for a Monthly magazine (one we can read and touch with our hands, not big on e-zines…)
I’d love to see 125/250/++ shootouts again, tech articles like what was mentioned (Carb swaps on 01+ CRs is a good one, product reviews, 2 stroke technology in use elsewhere (boats, jetskis, etc…), blah blah… So much you could cover.
By tripleduh on March 2nd, 2010 at 12:09 am
I`m a newbie here and I would love to see the 2`s gain momentum.I recently bought a 2007 Yamaha YZ 250 for $1,000.Yes you read that right,it had a seized lower bearing.A few parts and simple hand tools and it was rebuilt in my garage.For under 2 grand total I now have a race bike.And after 30 years of not having a motorcycle and 6 months of practice I entered my first race ever.WORCS race in Primm 40+C.I was smiling ear to ear having a great time and listening to my exhaust sound and the sweet smell of Klotz.By the way I finished 19th in my class and 94th overall.Not bad for someone who just wanted to finish.By the way Chuck Sun lapped me and he won.Sorry I got away from your subject a little but I enjoy reading your site and wanted to share a little story.
By MMS on March 2nd, 2010 at 6:24 am
Just keep doing what you’re doing now John.
Looking to do more suggests to me a doubt in your own mind that you’re not doing enough which I don’t think is the case.
I’d also be wary of a magazine, it may be a step to far, I consider the internet to be the perfect medium for such a cause as ours and you’re playing it to perfection.
By MXDUKE on March 2nd, 2010 at 9:31 am
First of all John, Great Site!…you’re really on to something…
I would like to be a fly on the wall at High Torgue Publications…yes, a 2-stoke motocross magazine just might work…
My dream has been to see the AMA rules allowing 175cc two-strokes to run with 250cc four-strokes and 350cc two-strokes to run with 450cc four-strokes. How cool for the fans would it be to see Bubba or Chad taking laps on both types of factory machinery, checking lap times and choosing the bike and powerband, etc. suited for that type of track. The larger displacement two-strokes could be used with the existing lower crankcases so very little cost would be involved ala KTM SX 150.
Now personally, I will be not be buying another four-stroke to race, but will either get a Service Honda YZ300, or wait for a “fuel-injected” KTM 300 SX.
My 2006 YZ450F is now regulated to desert riding…
…and if there was a EPA friendly and fuel efficient two-stroke like the Skidoo E-tech 600 using the Orbital Direct Injection technology available, then that would be “all she wrote” for my four-stroke days!
Interesting that back in the 70s, all the “factory bikes” were around 350-370cc; to me, the perfect size!
By Vincent Page on March 2nd, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Sachsgs250 is right the add revenue will be the crucial factor for a magazine, but what a cracking idea.We would be happy to supply a bike or two to test, including some of the new products we already have underway, and would be very interesetd in addvertising on a regular basis, logistics of acheiving a decent circulation would take some working on but we would be happy to support it,
Vincent Page
Maico International.
By eprovenzano on March 2nd, 2010 at 8:20 pm
John I too just wanted to say that the web site is wonderful, I frequent more than I care to admit… As far as the original topic, I agree the two stroke is making its way back. I foresee those who will never ride a smoker, and those that would never ride a stroker. I foresee better racing in the up-coming season with both smokers and strokers. There will be places the smoker will outshine the stroker, while some areas of the track may favor the stroker. This I think will cause more lead changes, closer racing, and more exciting racing.
As far as the magazine goes… of course I’d love it. I’d love to see real tips on how to maintain my bike, and how to get more out of it. Yes it should be opened up to advertisers.
By jrhockey03 on March 2nd, 2010 at 8:52 pm
The only reason I have my FMF pipe/silencer combo is because the Elmers love 2-strokes. Even though Pro-Circuit is the “good” pipe for the Kawi’s. Advertising would be the one sticky point. Remember the magazine doesn’t need to be nice shinny paper and coloured picture. I would gladly pay $50 for a subscription. I paid $50 U.S. for a vintage snomobile magazine that only comes 4 times a year. On a side note I just saw my first Service Honda CF500AF. A brand new 2010 never been started bike. I needed a bib for the 20 minutes I was staring at it.
By Paul_23 on March 3rd, 2010 at 1:29 pm
John,
I’ve been following the site now for about 6 months. I love the push to get 2strokes back in the game. I’ve been an avid rider since I was in 8th grade and now at age 31, I’m still riding. This article was great (as are most of the ones I’ve read here) and I’m all for an effective migration back to the 2smokes. Personally, I think 2 stroke/4 stroke racing would be a true show of a rider’s abilities. All the pros nowadays seem lazy riding 4 strokes. If the AMA and the factories don’t like the idea, then have add another class to program and make it all 2 strokes. Frankly, I say keep the 4 strokes, bring back all the 2 strokes and let them all compete together. Let the consumer decide which he prefers to buy/ride and let the factory racers & privateers decide which one they prefer racing. That would make for much more exciting racing and would probably help get a higher attendance at both the Nationals and Supercross.
I’m all for the idea of a quarterly magazine as well. Get the info out there to the masses. If print isn’t economical, make it an online magazine, but keep spreading the word. If enough people get on board, we may just be able to shift the tide. I’m a self-employed camera operator and video editor. I’m currently located outside Chicago, but would be happy to help spread the word via video!
By dirtbikenut on March 24th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
John,
Great article! I’ve been following this site for a while and I have a little story to share; hopefully it doesn’t fall off topic too much!
My son races local pro in NorCal and does reasonably well at some of the local races. He is going to school to become a Nurse then get his bachelors in Nursing. He has decided, since he has completed his AA and is only taking a few courses, so I can keep him on my medical until he gets accepted to his Nursing school, to go after his AMA Pro license. You need 75 points to get that and we can only afford a few races (mostly double point ones) so the likely hood of getting them is not that great, but we’ll give it a try. He has a 2009 KX450F so we entered him in all of the AMA A classes for the races, but I really wished that he could race two classes but I didn’t have a 250F for him to race; I had broken the rod on mine a few months previous and I’m nervous to buy another one.
One evening I was sitting chatting with someone that I has just done a suspension job for and he mentioned he had a 2002 CR250 that he was looking to sell. I have all ready gone from 4 strokes back to 2 strokes (a CR250) for my trail riding and I’ve owned 6 of them in the past, so I know the bike pretty well, so I asked him what he wanted for it. Long story short I bought it for $1750. I actually didn’t know, at that time, why the heck I bought it, I really didn’t need it. My son found out about this and told me he might be able to race it in the 250 A class, so he set out to email AMA and find out. The answer was YES from the AMA, so now I had 10 days to get the bike ready! I found a set of ’09 CRF250 forks and I had a hydra clutch, front caliper, pegs, ’06 shock for it and I did some motor work to it as well. We did some testing, more suspension work, and off we went to our first race at Competitive Edge in SoCal.
I was actually quite nervous about him racing the 2 stroke, not having much time on it (though he has ridden them many times in the past) but I just didn’t have confidence in the bike due to lack of testing.
After practice day I felt much better! He looked SO much more comfortable on the 2 stroke than his 450 and was taking some very creative lines, where he wasn’t on the 450. I still find this odd, but he states that he is having so much more fun that it seems like less work on the 250 compared to his 450 and when the track gets rough it’s much easier to ride the lighter bike.
On race day, he struggled with starts on both bikes and started just about last in each class. There was 32 guys in the 250 A and 35 in the 450 A class. He was 19th overall in the 250 A class (so he acquired 4 points) and 23rd in the 450 A class. His best placement was on the 250 going from 30th to 14th and he never crashed on the 250 where as the 450 he went off the track and crashed.
Anyways, it was great to hear the sound of the 2 stroke and watch him fly through the pack on that thing and his aggressiveness was impressive on the smaller bike!
I’m all for the magazine, I’ll sign up for 2 years immediately!
Also, John, I need to comment on your writing abilities, well done!
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