Supercross, is it boring now?

normanmx
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3/19/2016 10:04pm
Jordan421 wrote:
Don't like the races, don't watch them. Ain't hurting anyone's feelings, bro...
Done............I feel much better......Outdoors please
bh84
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3/19/2016 10:31pm
Did you guys not watch Toronto? Daytona the track was sub par as far as lines go. But toronto and Detroit had some good racing IMO. 3 points leaders in 4 races for the 250s. West coast has had some great drama.


I remember Men's hockey at the Olympics in 2014, when Team Canada shut out the high powered US team in a 3-0 game. People called it boring. The fact was Team Canada played a perfect defensive game and scored when the US team got themselves caught trying to score. If one team/rider is perfect, the unpredictability goes away. The excitement level goes down, but you have to marvel at just how good that team/rider is.

I like Dungey, he's not my favourite rider, but watching the guy ride is such a treat because he just flows, nothing gets to the guy, he just clicks off perfect lap after perfect lap. Sure, Roczen, Tomac, and on the right night Ando and Trey can go faster, but they can't do it lap after lap. What we are seeing is RD becoming a winning machine, and he does it by not making mistakes. The riding is at a higher caliber than ever, he's just that good. If that's boring to you then so be it. Stop watching and the Live Stream will work better for me!
Celine
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3/19/2016 10:47pm
Sillycross is normally boring. It's cookie cutter. The TV production of the races does not appeal to me, either. It's dumbed down and not aimed at people who race or have been involved with motocross for many years.

So, with a brutal TV production and just boring racing, I am fast forwarding through most of the heats and main events. Unless something catches my eye as interesting, I fast forward through the races.

I also fast forward through anything involving Twtter and Jenny Taft and a lot of what Shaheen and Emig say.
ChrisB10
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3/19/2016 11:25pm Edited Date/Time 3/19/2016 11:41pm
Yes it's f*cking boring. Some will say I'm not a real fan because I dont enjoy every race equally the same, no matter how little chance of winning anyone has but RD and how little passing there is. If you're that person on here, than you're an idiot and can kiss my ass honestly . So sick of "you're not a true fan" guy when someone says the racing isn't great.They're always like we'll it's still sx. Yeah no shit I'd rather watch SX than honey boo boo but I'm not on the edge of my seat watching Dungey lead 20 laps. I like RACING where the lead changes and guys are banging bars, not follow the leader.

You have races in Toronto where watching Stew go from 14 to to first was like a drug. That feeling was amazing. I literally was up out of my seat screaming at the TV. Then you have a night like tonight. Not saying every race has to be like that obviously, to be enjoyable!! But it just proves how fn dumb "you're not a real fan" guy is who bashes people that will say a night like tonight was boring when we've seen so much crazy shit happen in the past.

The Shop

Celine
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3/19/2016 11:36pm
ChrisB10 wrote:
Yes it's f*cking boring. Some will say I'm not a real fan because I dont enjoy every race equally the same, no matter how little chance...
Yes it's f*cking boring. Some will say I'm not a real fan because I dont enjoy every race equally the same, no matter how little chance of winning anyone has but RD and how little passing there is. If you're that person on here, than you're an idiot and can kiss my ass honestly . So sick of "you're not a true fan" guy when someone says the racing isn't great.They're always like we'll it's still sx. Yeah no shit I'd rather watch SX than honey boo boo but I'm not on the edge of my seat watching Dungey lead 20 laps. I like RACING where the lead changes and guys are banging bars, not follow the leader.

You have races in Toronto where watching Stew go from 14 to to first was like a drug. That feeling was amazing. I literally was up out of my seat screaming at the TV. Then you have a night like tonight. Not saying every race has to be like that obviously, to be enjoyable!! But it just proves how fn dumb "you're not a real fan" guy is who bashes people that will say a night like tonight was boring when we've seen so much crazy shit happen in the past.
Whoa!

Sounds like they've been pretty hard on you, eh?
Sandberm
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3/20/2016 12:08am
Its no more or less boring then its ever been. The excitement graph goes up an down like it does in all sports.

I remember 1987-88 when Ron Lechein would most likely finish third and either Ward or Johnson won the race. Week after week of that.

McGrath used to get a good start, make a few slick passes in the first couple laps then win going away. Week after week of that. And I dont remember McGrath being Mr. Personality during his podium interviews either.
Manco
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3/20/2016 12:28am Edited Date/Time 3/20/2016 12:36am
2stroked wrote:
Before all the keyboard warriors go apesh!t and throw temper tantrums and smear sh!t on their monitors, hear (read) me out. Without sounding like a cranky...
Before all the keyboard warriors go apesh!t and throw temper tantrums and smear sh!t on their monitors, hear (read) me out.

Without sounding like a cranky old man, what happened to supercross? Is it still an exciting sport? YES, 100% positive yes. However the last few seasons, especially this one, has left me feeling let down. I know I'm not the only one. All my bench racing buddies agree to differing degrees.

For lack of a better word its just become, well, bland.

We all know that watching the Dunge right now is watching history unfold. Thats fantastic and Ive been personally rooting for the guy since he was yellow bikes. Always admired his work ethic and training. Always admired his clean cut looks, personality, and the way he handles himself. Class act.

So its the Dungey era. five seconds ago it was the Villopoto era. There were a lot of people saying a lot of the same things about the sport when Villopoto was dominating too. Which leads me to think of that Who song lyric "meet the new boss, same as the old boss."

Where is the excitement? Where is the drama? Where are the rivalries? Where's the bad blood? I mean, WHERE'S THE RACING?

Look Supercross and motocross were never about being name brand image squeeky clean sports. From the 80's, 90's, and 2000's we had some AMAZING and damn good racing. On any given night there was 10 guys that could challenge to win. Even during the King's reign he was challenged quite often, with the exception of the miracle '96 season which to this day still amazes me.

Todays bikes, Today's riders, Today's image of the sport has become this weird, pale, bland, and tasteless image of its self. Podium interviews suck. Want me to give you a podium interview? Here goes"

"that was an amazing race tonight. You had a good battle going with "X", and you were able to pull out with a great pass. Can you tell us how you set that up?"

"Thanks Jenny!! Ya my Rockstar/Monster/Redbull/KTM/Husqvarna/Kawasaki/Suzuki/Yamaha/MuscleMilk/Honda got me off to a great start thanks to my Dunlop/Pirelli's and Id like to thank all our sponsors *insert awkward rattlecan BS pre-rehearsed roll call*"

"oh and Chevrolet/Tundra/Ford of Escondido/San Diego/Thousand Oaks/Bellview bla bla bla!"


Really man? Its old. Its worn out. Ms. Supercross even emulates Dianna's friggin eye wink BS. Tonight she tilted her head to side.

Its become a pre-hearsed, practiced, machine. Devoid of human emotion. Devoid of enthusiasm. Devoid of substance. Devoid of character enhancement, development, and personality. Know why Jeremy McGrath was the king of supercross? 50% of what made him King was his attitude. His Charisma. His charm. He had that ability to say it how it was, keep it real, and maintain amazing sponsor relationships while keeping true to being like the guy we grew up racing against.

Even the James Stewart, Chad Reed, Ricky Carmichael era had meaningful substance.

Today's sport sucks. I dont see it getting any better moving forward. Its moving in a direction towards nascar/indy car/F1. A burned out re-enactment of professional actors playing the same story thats already been told. Because they have been groomed to be that way from the start for fear of breaking a few eggs, and hurting someone's feelings which could result in a loss of a sponsor.

by the way, the 450 heats and semi's are a friggin joke!! How many gates are empty? Tell ya what take a shot for each gate thats empty and you'll be passed out drunk before the mains.

/in before you're old, you can't keep up with the times, this is the only way to keep the sport alive, this is where the money is, quit your complaining supercross is at least live (sort of), what else do you want, I wasn't alive or didn't watch the sport prior to 2010.
Reading through your post I can't help but think you grossly misunderstand what televised SX is. Televised SX is not intended to be as you believe, an exciting spontaneous event full of epic motorcycling. Nothing could be further from the truth. In reality televised SX is little more then corporate events designed to advertise products to consumers. Of course the races are bland and the interviews predictable. Regardless of the skill level of the racers their job is less about wining in the traditional sense of athletics and more about selling products. In many respects the racers are little more then corporate spokespersons selling products, in other words useful idiots. Just because they ride motorcycles really well doesn't change the fact that they are walking talking advertisements. For the most effective advertising the situation needs to be controlled and predictable so the products being sold stand out.

It should also be noted that the audience these televised SX events are aimed at isn't mature adults with critical thought processes. They are aimed primarily at young mindless consumers with short attention spans and little critical thought processes in their heads. These consumers are persons most easily duped by advertising into buying products simply because a talking head said so, a factory team is seen using such n such product or a banner displaying a product is over a finish line. Extended commercials masquerading as racing is what televised SX is about. If someone is not duped by this fantasy then of course it will be boring for them to watch.

Like all motor sports that have gone downhill over the past 30 years off road motorcycle racing is the victim of hostile corporate takeover. 30 years of corporate domination have destroyed the sport. Suggestions on changing track format and rearranging classes are all fine and good but will do nothing to change the fact that corporations own the events, own the racers and own racing in general. Here are the only suggestions with any hope of changing the situation in such a way as to return racing to just that, racing.

1 Ban corporate sponsorship of events. The only reason corporations are involved with racing is the stock holders quarterly dividend.

2 Ban factory teams. They are nothing more then advertisers with bottomless pockets who will buy their way to the podium every race.

3 Dissolve the AMA simply because it is clearly corrupt and has been complicit in the downfall of racing. Two examples of AMA corruption: 1 The forced back seating of two strokes at the request of Japanese corporations so said corporations could market an inferior four stroke technology with higher maintenance costs. 2 Forcing trials bikes into a red headed step child class in endurocross when trials bikes are clearly superior for the competition. This move was again at the request of Japanese corporations that don't sell trials bikes and wanted to have their sh&t tier four strokes front and center.

4 Set up the race classes based on mechanics similar to kart racing, ie this bike or that bike, no modifications allowed, no exceptions made. This would level the playing field so that privateers could be on the podium right next to the factory teams that... oh yah the factory teams are already gone. Smile

These four changes would wipe out 99% of the problems mentioned in the first post of this thread. With no corporate sponsorship races would be organized on a grass roots level and be open to any format. Without factory teams virtually anyone with talent could find their way into a race and onto a podium. Without an arbitrary hierarchical organization keeping a strangle hold on the racing scene the scene could grow and expand organically. With racing classes that render moot the latest and greatest technology only 1% of the population can afford true athletics and talent would shine on a racetrack.

As for how will big races be paid for corporations can still foot the bill by buying ad space during commercial breaks and if need be a small side scrolling never ending ticker at the bottom of the TV screen easily covered by some duct tape.

As for the minority of persons currently making money in the racing scene now that would be hurt by these changes, F em. Society doesn't need overpaid modern gladiators whose job is to create a market to sell products no one needs. These persons can work sh&t jobs for a living and enjoy dirt bikes on the weekends just like everybody else.

Also long cat is loooooooong



Manco
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3/20/2016 12:29am
In b4 "hurr i didn't even read it"



Celine
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3/20/2016 12:40am
Manco,

Some good analysis there. Well done.
Jrewing
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3/20/2016 12:51am
Yes. 1 lined tracks are... Doesn't have to be
1-forty-8
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3/20/2016 12:57am
Yes it's boring.

I say, like I said before, multiple rows of start gates. Let the top boys of whatever night start with each other. We may actually see some racing. Plus the points would be closer because people like Kenny would have less 6th's to his name. Imagine Kenny, Tomac and Anderson all starting with Dungey every main.. That would be so much better than a main event being over the first corner of the first lap.
2smokRRR
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3/20/2016 1:42am
I dont even watch live anymore .just check the race feed in the arvo.on the plus side my family loves i spend time with them on a Sunday...in the js, rc, cr, rv days i was in the dog house every week.
3/20/2016 2:03am
It's not terrible, I mean obviously any time one rider dominates it's never going to be THAT exciting. With that said I do think the OP has a point - there's something very uniform about the style of racing these days.

Watching Anahiem 2 1999 the other day, and one of the triples was straight out a 90 degree turn, forcing the riders to go outside on the hard slick dirt. But then a couple of the riders started making it work from the inside in their heats. To see something like that happen was a big deal, it was a real ace card that could make a huge difference and was difficult to pull off consistently. Of course riders are doing different things today, hence the difference between the top guys and everyone else, but it feels boring for some reason. Like everyone is doing the same thing and even if one guy is doing something a bit extra the difference is only a fraction.
3/20/2016 5:36am
Where are the bears at?...
Hut
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3/20/2016 6:06am
NotCore
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3/20/2016 6:26am
No.
hillbilly
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3/20/2016 6:29am
If fox had the spider cam view the entire 20 laps where a man could see the entire track and all that is going on.

Following the leader ,a guy on the best bike at his best mental and physical level ever is going to be boring.
reded
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3/20/2016 6:54am
It's boring as hell. Too much Monster, too much on track reporter bullshit (normally with some skirt who doesn't know a dirtbike from a dodgeball) and the broadcast is an hour too long. I used to watch it religiously until they turned into a corporate money grab and ruined the feel of it. While I'm on a rant, what's up with the Twitter BS and showing people watching the race from home? Are they trying to prove that people actually tune in to watch the shit show that it's become? I don't give two fucks about how many dirtbikes some kook in Des Moines has packed in his family room just so he can see himself on tv while he's watching the race.

I haven't watched a full broadcast yet this year. I find out what time it's on and tune in just in time for the last few of laps of the 250s then go find something else to watch for 30min while they finish up promoting the living fuck out of Monster before the 450 race. 450 race is entertaining for the first 5 laps until the leader/winner is decided, at which point I'm over watching follow the leader.
hammertime
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3/20/2016 7:08am Edited Date/Time 3/22/2016 6:28am
I agree with a lot of the first guys rant!!!

But I didn't make it through this read ...
8tensolutions
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3/20/2016 7:14am Edited Date/Time 3/20/2016 7:15am
I have a different take on it. The level of "political correctness", entitlements, and overall society condemning anything that may hurt someones feelings is the driver. Look at Cooper Webb. He actually has personality, but because he gives the finger to someone in practice or rides aggressively he is criticized heavily. The same goes for Jason Anderson's aggressive passing. What we need is the rivalries back (Seely/Anderson just isn't enough), callouts on the podium, and some old school attitude. We need JLaws, Alessi's, and Hannah's, but we won't get them. We will get awesome riders like AC and Forkner.....but there is no controversy or attitude there that I have seen.

Unfortunately, every sport, school, and companies HR departments have completely eliminated "telling it like it is" or being "aggressive". It is a society issue and in no way limited to supercross.

Agree?
Ted722
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3/20/2016 9:12am Edited Date/Time 3/20/2016 1:13pm
I don't know if it's the 450 or the track designs. Probably both. The Monster truck dirt is like Vanilla. I like Vanilla, but not every time I go to 31 flavors. Put Hannah, Johnson, Ward on today's 450's and tracks with Vanilla and you'd get the same thing as today. Magoo? He'd be the Champ!
Sargent Rock
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3/20/2016 9:20am
Agree with the comment about getting rid of the factory teams. And run the bike in a standard class, lik go Karts. Good post previously.
3/20/2016 10:06am
I still see something every race that makes me yell out loud! The tracks could be better. Nobody is making a pass when the riders are all doing the same jumps. The best racing in the 80s were actually on slow tracks- like Anaheim 1986. And maybe the 450 has equalized things because any capable rider can do all the jumps on a 450.
The Rock
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3/20/2016 10:31am Edited Date/Time 3/20/2016 10:33am
I have a different take on it. The level of "political correctness", entitlements, and overall society condemning anything that may hurt someones feelings is the driver...
I have a different take on it. The level of "political correctness", entitlements, and overall society condemning anything that may hurt someones feelings is the driver. Look at Cooper Webb. He actually has personality, but because he gives the finger to someone in practice or rides aggressively he is criticized heavily. The same goes for Jason Anderson's aggressive passing. What we need is the rivalries back (Seely/Anderson just isn't enough), callouts on the podium, and some old school attitude. We need JLaws, Alessi's, and Hannah's, but we won't get them. We will get awesome riders like AC and Forkner.....but there is no controversy or attitude there that I have seen.

Unfortunately, every sport, school, and companies HR departments have completely eliminated "telling it like it is" or being "aggressive". It is a society issue and in no way limited to supercross.

Agree?
No I disagree but thank you for not using any political terms/labels in Moto.

To the OP RE boring now I don't think the racing is boring now......it has been boring ever since RD took over the 450 points lead IMO
The Rock
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3/20/2016 10:35am
Agree with the comment about getting rid of the factory teams. And run the bike in a standard class, lik go Karts. Good post previously.
Getting rid of factory teams is an idea so absurd I have no words to respond with other than: Some of you don't know very much about racing otherwise this ludicrous idea wouldn't have seen the light of day
bob567
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3/20/2016 10:36am
Who needs a chase when the results can change after the race is over and the podium interviews are done? Just randomly change shit after the race to keep all the points the same. Same result.
3/20/2016 11:24am
Stupid and boring, fast forward to the mains and then delete it all.
Precisely.

Even then it sucks and always has. And it's not just a regular suckage, either. Lotsa stuff sucks; it's more than that. Supercross, more than any other factor you could name (by far), has eroded and cheapened the sport of motocross. That alone is enough to hate it, even discounting the basic problem ... that it's just a joke for bottom feeders.


Katoomey
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3/20/2016 12:02pm
Crush wrote:
450s.
I agree. Put the premier class on 250Fs. Put the regional classes on 125 two strokes (fuck Honda). Make sure the tracks have a bunch of...
I agree. Put the premier class on 250Fs. Put the regional classes on 125 two strokes (fuck Honda).

Make sure the tracks have a bunch of 180s, a long whoops section (like tonight), and some random shit. Oh, and no holeshot devices, which is a fair way to make the starts more unpredictable.

The only thing a chase points system will do is penalize the guy who had his act together from the start of the season.
Likin' this post!
Manco
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3/20/2016 12:20pm
hammertime wrote:
I agree with a lot of the first guys rant!!!

But I didn't make it through this read ...


3/20/2016 1:15pm


Why does this picture make me feel uncomfortable?

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