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I'm in my 50's and I ride and race a 450, and they are the easiest, nicest dirt motorcycles I have ever ridden. BUT - they demand respect.
As long as you never try to ride them like a two stroke, know your limits, and ALWAYS respect the massive power available should you decide to twist it all the way open.
We can talk dangerous track design all day, and I think that is a legit issue, but don't blame the motorcycles for todays injuries.
Currently I think it's about even.
So, even if you slowed a 450 down to a 250 still going to have as many injured riders and where does it end?
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So now having Bob freaking Hannah say 450s are taking out the riders and its blatantly obvious to him something needs to be done, i wanted to see who would call him all these names for saying what i also have said before.
That was already tried.
Don't have a lot of money? You could race a stock-ish 450, and if you're pretty good, you could do well on it. Remember when Andrew Short was doing that very thing?
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/Racing-a-stock-bike-in-s…
If you got a 250F, that's not true, you'd have to throw a ton of cash at the motor, and now it's got a short lifespan.
If you've got a 125 or 250, that's not true, the factory motors are way better.
So while I agree, you get a TON of performance stock from a modern 450, right off the showroom floor, I may not agree that is a bad thing for privateers. For mortal men, maybe it is, I'm not sure, I haven't studied the topic. I'm just saying, a privateer maybe has a shot like never before, I feel like that's good.
I’m going with 25-30th with a few spodes being punted over a berm
Pit Row
There is no connection. I repeat, no connection between speeds increasing and riders getting catastrophicly injured at a higher rate than yesteryear. You would have to be a fool to believe one exists.
Carry on.
The 250 regional class needs to be re-vamped big time. Those riders spend way too much time in that class these days. Extend Orange Brigade / Team Green / blu Cru (whatever else) contracts into a 2 or 3 year max 250 stock (2-stroke or 4) regional SX format.
Just spitballing, but the sooner we can see a Plessinger or Forkner or Cianciarulo go against established factory riders the better. A smaller displacement in the featured class and re-vamped regional class would help speed that timeline.
But do you not think somebody like Forkner would get chewed up and spat out in a national class amongst Tomac, Musquin, Anderson and Roczen? We kinda look at the top 250 guys at the moment and think, how amazing would it be if we could throw them into the 450 main event. When in reality they would probably be battling to make the top 10.
Look how many ex lites class champions were in the field last year, not many of them make the jump to race and title winning contenders. Now we're expecting guys who don't have the luxury of the 2-4 years in the 250 class honing there skills to jump in and not get lost in the pack? The 250 class is a nescesary stepping stone imo. Look at how long its taking guys now to actually get good and succeed. Not many come in and make a ripple in their first year or two in that class either.
Number of riders that made every main of the season
2018: 6
2017: 7
2016: 6
2015: 5
2014: 4
2013: 7
2012: 3
2011: 8
2010: 6
2009: 6
2008: 5
2007: 7 (16 races)
2006: 6 (16 races)
2005: 6 (16 races)
2004: 7 (16 races)
2003: 3 (16 races)
https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a19526832/grip-strength-weaker-today/
Decades ago, in the RJ /Bailey etc era, Dirt Bike mag had an article where RJs and / or DBs RC500s were at full throttle for about 5% of the Outdoor Track at the Honda test facility.
450s to fast? Well, yes and no.
They are somewhat ridiculous (in terms of need ) on an SX track, but then again, I tend to think their surplus of power is as much a disadvantage as an advantage. I feel it's those that can control said power, that are the successful ones. I truly admire the skill and precision required to control a 450 on vicious, crappy , tiny little tracks plonked down on a baseball / footy arena = postage stamp sized area.
I really think there is not much difference in injury rates between the 450 class, and 250 class. And hell, a 450 season is a serious, serious grind, which tilts the potential of injury heavily towards the 450 / SX class.
However, as a previous poster put up (though I've not checked his results, but easily accept them), I don't think the injury rate / rider season completion rate is any worse than many others in decades past.
I'd rather see tracks being made more difficult, instead of being so obsessed with it all being a 'timing of obstacles' fest.
With the industry / sales being far, far from healthy, people are kidding themselves that the Japanese Companies will drop 450s, and throw money at some other size that various people come up with as a 'solution' to things.
As for Hannah - he's always been outspoken / provocative, from when he first turned up, until now. It's a significant part of why so many of us admire him.
There really was some silly stuff.
Post a reply to: Bob Hannah agrees, but i need a new sport