Big Dude Races

That's hot

I used to always look at Josh Grant and think, "How does a guy who looks the opposite of an athlete go so damn fast?" Same with Ricky.

I didnt hate on them, I just pondered to myself quietly.

I'm 6'2" 215 lbs and was shocked when there was someone fatter than me who beat me at my LL regional in +25 this year. Mad props to that guy. You don't see the fast big guys too often, but when you do, they are buttery smooth.

Our local "big guy" is super fast, Derek Wedding. Skinny guys in his class always hope he doesn't show up.

Does Rik Smits post here? This thread is turning into a support group for guys who hit there heads and stomachs on everything.

What spring rates are you running? Are they custom made? Serious question not shit talking.

I bet you don't need a ramp to load up your bike!!

I raced Sx and outdoors for 7 years at 220 lbs (im 6'4). Im 245lb now at 35 years old and still competitive in the A.class against these lightweights. Ill admit that i cant do it on a stock 450.

I was never fat, i just carry a lot of muscle. I got down to 215 in the 2005 season but that was just about impossible to maintain. A couple of years ago I was on a project away from home for 8 months and would work out twice a day, including lifting heavy 5 days a week. I went from 235 to 275 very quickly, all muscle. I went home one weekend and my wife told me i looked ridiculous so I toned it down.

@861.......Brother it don't mater how big you are as long as you're having fun doing what you're doing!

Kudos for putting yourself out there. I was pretty close to your size about 5 years ago when I got back into moto, I scaled out at 379lbs with winter clothes on. I didn't have a bathroom scale that went high enough to check my weight without clothes. I'm 6'6 and always carried my weight well, I hovered in the 290-315 range for most of my adult life but at this point I felt like a fat fuckin slob, and I knew life wouldn't be good if I didn't turn things around soon.

I had a RMZ450 and could ride ok in short spurts but racing was out for me, I felt a bit dangerous on the bike as I was too unfit to feel confident that I could stay in control when the bike required extra finesse, especially once I was tired.

Riding gear was as big as size 50 pants and 4XL jersey, btw. Spring rates were .54 and 7.1, the heaviest that anyone made.

I traded the 450 in on a Husky CR125 and it was very difficult to keep it on the pipe at my size, but boy was it easy to toss around and ride the piss out of it like I wished I could have on the 450. I used it for motivation and rode as much as I could, and the weight started melting off. That first summer riding the 125 I was down to 330lbs by the end of the season. I installed the big bore kit and tried to stay somewhat active over the winter, couldn't wait for spring. Rinse and repeat, The 144 kit made a world of difference on that little bike for a guy my size and I could now keep it singing out of the corners and wasn't getting passed like I was going backwards anymore, I could keep up with regular sized guys riding 250s and 450s, at least for a lap or two until I'd get gassed.

I hovered around the 290-300 mark for a couple of years until I decided that it was better, but not good enough. I wanted to start racing again, and I needed to trim down. I started doing weightwatchers, focusing on drinking less beer and being accountable for my eating habits. I got down to a low of 258lbs this past spring, getting close to my goal of 235lbs.

It was time, I bought new bikes and I was going racing. I did ok, won one MX2 novice race,got a 2nd a 3rd and a 4th, and won the championship for the year end. I had the speed but couldn't maintain it beyond the halfway point of a 15 minute moto. I slacked off on my dieting and I gained a bit of weight back, up to 280lbs but on my way back down again now. Next year I plan to start the season out at my goal weight of 235lbs, keep it there and see where I stack up coming off injury. I'll bump up to B class if it's an easy win in C class and my fitness is finally there.

I cut white bread out of my diet and am seeing results without really trying to do anything else different.

Just white bread.

This was pretty close to my lowest weight, I could squeeze into a pair of 38's and XL jersey, but 40 is a better fit still. I'll try to find some crappy iphone pics from the races this year. I still prefer to race the 144 over the 250 because it's more fun, and I'm out of shape and can ride it longer before I get tired and slow down. Plus it's great to be the gorilla sized guy on the 125, nobody takes you seriously or considers you a threat until after the gate drops and you're pulling away from them.

All I have to say is JoJo Keller! Dude is pretty large and rips it up.



Maybe I'll see you out at Milestone bro.

Hey Seth, I'll be in touch soon about that carb swap, if you still want to do it. I haven't forgotten!

I rode double with my BIL on a Yamaha Zuma.
That was probably close to 600 lbs. It ain't pretty but worked.
I have gained about 30 lbs in the last 10 years and can feel it a little more in my center of gravity and starts suck on a CR250 vs. guys 50+ lbs. lighter on 450s.

Try cutting back to a half a bale a day.
KIDDING. You are beast! I feel like a circus bear on a bike sometimes at 275.
Take care of your health first and work on the weight issues next.

Right on! It's a good time, my suspension is off my 250sx goin to get revalved.

I guess traction is not a problem.

I always kill on concrete starts

I'm skinny AF and I have noticed big dudes always corner better than me. I get smoked by a bigger dude (bigger than me anyways) every time he shows up.

On short start straights it's almost like cheating

Yes, Derek Wedding, former Husky factory rider from the 80s can still haul the mail.




And both of these big dudes can still haul ass too. One of them was AMA National #24. Can you guess his name?

Gene Neumac sp?

hah. yeah thats gene.

My dad is around 270 and still goes pretty good for a 47 year old, we go to Millville every year for the Pro National AM day and he can clear 90% of the jumps, i think the only one too big is the chadapult

and every year at Millville i see a guy out there on a KTM 450 and he has to be around 400lbs, he's a big boy but out there battling with guys 1/3 his weight in the vet class. I'll admit that as a skinny guy i laughed at him at first and cracked some jokes but he's out there just like we all are just having fun on a track