Radio comms approved for use in SX

fatpurplepanda 10/3/2019 10:40am
10/3/2019 10:40am
early wrote:
There should really just be a bar mounted light that is controlled by the race director that flashes when a Red Cross flag comes out. That's...
There should really just be a bar mounted light that is controlled by the race director that flashes when a Red Cross flag comes out. That's really all the communication needed.
How often do you look at your bars while riding? Also, even if for some odd reason are looking at the bars to see a light, it wouldn't tell you where on the track the red cross is so you would just be overly cautious everywhere.
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misterwaterfallin 10/3/2019 10:42am
10/3/2019 10:42am
ga_pike wrote:
I know it might get real annoying if as a racer, you have a spotter in your ear non-stop. But I do think there is benefit...
I know it might get real annoying if as a racer, you have a spotter in your ear non-stop. But I do think there is benefit for "race control" to be able to communicate crashes, cross flags, red flags, black flags, or other relevant information.
Just like anything else it can be tailored. Some drivers like a lot from their spotters, some don’t. More communication is a good thing for the riders in terms of safety and info, and if we as fans can listen on a delay ala f1 it’s great for us to
500guy
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500guy 10/3/2019 10:43am
10/3/2019 10:43am
Team manager, Oh Shit, Oh shit, come on, come on man oh shit

Rider , no shit I'm so fuckin tired I can't hold on, I'm fading fast

Manager , Oh shit he got you try to get top 15, awe shit top 20

Rider sorry I'm done.

Manager F***k
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early
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early 10/3/2019 10:51am
10/3/2019 10:51am Edited Date/Time 10/3/2019 10:52am
fatpurplepanda wrote:
How often do you look at your bars while riding? Also, even if for some odd reason are looking at the bars to see a light...
How often do you look at your bars while riding? Also, even if for some odd reason are looking at the bars to see a light, it wouldn't tell you where on the track the red cross is so you would just be overly cautious everywhere.
You don't have to look at it you would see it out the corner of you eye. Yes you would be more cautious to look out for where the flag is that's the whole point.
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hamncheeze
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hamncheeze 10/3/2019 12:14pm
10/3/2019 12:14pm
RG1 wrote:
I think it’s worth trialing but in all honesty I don’t see it working. You already see in F1 quite often a driver will tell his...
I think it’s worth trialing but in all honesty I don’t see it working. You already see in F1 quite often a driver will tell his race engineer to stop talking because it’s disrupting his focus, and there’s a lot more time to talk on an F1 circuit than there is on a Supercross track. I would think the last thing you want when you’re trying to tackle a rhythm or whoop section is someone in your ear. One distraction and loss of concentration on a SX track and it could put you out for the season. So I’ll be interested to see how it works, but I’m not expecting it to work with a huge amount of success
I agree with this. My only experience with a radio in a racing situation was when I rode for an elite cycling team and we were using radios. This was years ago when the radio tech was not as good but I honestly found it very annoying to have the radio in my ear, especially in stressful moments like riding hard in the crosswinds. A lot of time I had the thing out of my ear dangling from my helmet strap, and I think you will find to this day a lot of pro cyclists who take the radio out in the big moments of a race. And that's just bike racing, not the level of focus required in SX/MX in my experience.
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Markee 10/3/2019 12:35pm
10/3/2019 12:35pm
For the love of God, can we just try something updated and new in 2020 before all the know it alls shit on it??

Maybe just maybe it could work to improve the safety of the sport, or if for some reason a distraction, get on the floor with a white board and marker. It's that simple.
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Johnny Depp 10/3/2019 12:43pm
10/3/2019 12:43pm
Exactly who came up with this? I never heard of anyone asking for it?
Another solution for a problem that doesn’t exist.
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FuzzyLogic
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FuzzyLogic 10/3/2019 1:41pm
10/3/2019 1:41pm
Johnny Depp wrote:
Exactly who came up with this? I never heard of anyone asking for it?
Another solution for a problem that doesn’t exist.
It was discussed with Savatgy on the Swap podcast and if i remember correctly he was in favor of trying it. That alone doesn't mean it should happen, but guys in the class are aware of it and more must at least be willing to try it.

It would improve safety by greatly reducing the likelihood of a guy being landed on by being able to warn riders much more quickly and effectively than flaggers typically do. It would also make the fans feel more engaged and connected to the sport in a BIG way. I don't personally watch Moto GP or F1, but almost all that do mention that having the ability to hear the communication inside the team is a favorite part about watching / listening. We are always looking for more way to grow the sport / make more loyal fans. This could definitely be a way to help.
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Fabtechprerunner 10/3/2019 1:48pm
10/3/2019 1:48pm
Hoseclamp wrote:
Soooo.... no more pit boards? That kinda sucks cause there is always some funny ones throughout the year, and have been some iconic ones over the...
Soooo.... no more pit boards? That kinda sucks cause there is always some funny ones throughout the year, and have been some iconic ones over the years. I could see some safety benefits to this type of system though. I know I would love to have something like this for my son on practice days. I could yell at him to stand up more than once a lap. Grinning
Go buy a Sena bluetooth intercom setup x2 and you'll be on your way to talking to your son.

I find it hard to believe that bike noise is a issue. I ride a Harley with big shots exhaust standard baffle, full face helmet and I'm able to talk just fine through my Sen a Bluetooth intercom. I talk for an average of 30min to an hour on the phone while I'm riding on the freeway. And when I'm not on the phone, I'm listening to music through Bluetooth from my phone. I can hear my bike, traffic and my music. I can turn the Bluetooth volume up and can only hear my music.
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early
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early 10/3/2019 1:53pm
10/3/2019 1:53pm
Fabtechprerunner wrote:
Go buy a Sena bluetooth intercom setup x2 and you'll be on your way to talking to your son. I find it hard to believe that...
Go buy a Sena bluetooth intercom setup x2 and you'll be on your way to talking to your son.

I find it hard to believe that bike noise is a issue. I ride a Harley with big shots exhaust standard baffle, full face helmet and I'm able to talk just fine through my Sen a Bluetooth intercom. I talk for an average of 30min to an hour on the phone while I'm riding on the freeway. And when I'm not on the phone, I'm listening to music through Bluetooth from my phone. I can hear my bike, traffic and my music. I can turn the Bluetooth volume up and can only hear my music.
It's not the exhaust behind you, its the ones in front of you that would make it hard to hear in a race.
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Berm 10/3/2019 1:56pm
10/3/2019 1:56pm
The rule allows comms. It doesn't force them on a rider, and it doesn't force your mechanic/coach/manager to talk to you. I'm sure the pros will be able to work out with whoever is on the other end just how they want to be talked to and what information they want.
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Turbojez 10/3/2019 2:06pm
10/3/2019 2:06pm
Just imagine all the shit that Eli would have to deal with from his speaker while wrestling with the pants.

On a serious note though, it might improve safety in a very dangerous sport.
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420Racing
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420Racing 10/3/2019 3:24pm
10/3/2019 3:24pm
So who's gonna be the first one to use it for ordering a pizza? 😅
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peelout 10/3/2019 3:27pm
10/3/2019 3:27pm
"Chad, quit being a pussy and huck that quad. Over."
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Fabtechprerunner 10/3/2019 3:28pm
10/3/2019 3:28pm
Fabtechprerunner wrote:
Go buy a Sena bluetooth intercom setup x2 and you'll be on your way to talking to your son. I find it hard to believe that...
Go buy a Sena bluetooth intercom setup x2 and you'll be on your way to talking to your son.

I find it hard to believe that bike noise is a issue. I ride a Harley with big shots exhaust standard baffle, full face helmet and I'm able to talk just fine through my Sen a Bluetooth intercom. I talk for an average of 30min to an hour on the phone while I'm riding on the freeway. And when I'm not on the phone, I'm listening to music through Bluetooth from my phone. I can hear my bike, traffic and my music. I can turn the Bluetooth volume up and can only hear my music.
early wrote:
It's not the exhaust behind you, its the ones in front of you that would make it hard to hear in a race.
Their not that loud. I ridden at 80mph, from seal beach to south orange county, with 100s of cars on each side of the freeway, tanker trucks etc. I've also ridden in packs with other Harleys and have never experienced any noise issue. Mind you my bike is probably around 90 decibels at idle. And once on the freeway at 65/75 it's slightly more.
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Fabtechprerunner 10/3/2019 3:30pm
10/3/2019 3:30pm
And to further prove this will work, look up the recent Deegan Pala video from a week or so ago. Where he and his sons used Sena Bluetooth on the vet track. They seemed to work just fine.
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swizcore 10/3/2019 3:38pm
10/3/2019 3:38pm
"Voss is your Boss.

...over..."
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cwtoyota 10/3/2019 3:39pm
10/3/2019 3:39pm
Can we have rider to rider communication too?

"Hey dickhead, get out of the way!"
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Zoom
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Zoom 10/3/2019 4:20pm
10/3/2019 4:20pm
Heard about this last week at the AIM show in Columbus. Was told it will be two way between team and rider only. Public will not have the option to listen in.
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CivBars
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CivBars 10/3/2019 4:37pm
10/3/2019 4:37pm
Zoom wrote:
Heard about this last week at the AIM show in Columbus. Was told it will be two way between team and rider only. Public will not...
Heard about this last week at the AIM show in Columbus. Was told it will be two way between team and rider only. Public will not have the option to listen in.
Hell yeah. I think it's great. Long overdue.
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Racerman967 10/3/2019 4:56pm
10/3/2019 4:56pm
I am sure most communication will happen when they are on a spot on the track ( starting straight) and give them quick info. “Stay left in the whoops” “2-3-3 on the rhythm section”
slowgti
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slowgti 10/3/2019 5:29pm
10/3/2019 5:29pm
Why couldn't we come up with a device that clips onto the visor of a helmet. You would only need 2 led's, yellow for caution ahead and red for wheels on the ground. You could setup transponders at different places around the track, before triples and blind dragon back type jumps.
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MxKyle (MD)
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MxKyle (MD) 10/3/2019 6:40pm
10/3/2019 6:40pm Edited Date/Time 10/3/2019 6:45pm
I remember the first thing they taught us in the road racing school I attended is never let your eyes follow the rider/bike in front of you when he goes down. At race speed you should be close to the edge of 'safe' already and if you lose focus on your own timing you will surely follow that bike right off the track. This was repeated at every riders meeting I ever attended so even I remember it.

When I finally moved up to expert one of the pros offered to follow me and give me tips over a bike to bike radio. I use those all the time on the street but the thought of having a comment occur when I was barely making it into a turn made the hairs on the back of my neck rise up. I declined. Instead we used video footage to show me the 500 reasons I never made it to pro.

Things don't happen quite as fast on a motocross track but I still see me, at the very least, blowing turns.

--KT--
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Jeff alessi
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Jeff alessi 10/3/2019 6:44pm
10/3/2019 6:44pm
I have been using two way communication radios in my training classes for 2 years now, I can say it has completely changed my opinion for the better when I use to question if it’s a distraction because every rider has enjoyed it, especially kids which I see the biggest improvements using the comms with. I have also kept my riders from running into trouble from downed riders and even being a second set of eyes for when they get on and off the track it has helped us avoid problems. I always check to make sure the rider can hear me at full throttle while he or she is riding and communication over surrounding noise is never a problem. In the ame series me and my dad allow communication to racers and parents because it’s part of the future and I always say we’re a year or two away from it being legal in pro racing, well here it is. I can assure you communication between team and riders will be a much bigger thing then it seems like right now because the advantages of communicating to the rider information that’s going on and general advice from an outside view to the rider is a big advantage. It will take a year or two but it will situate a big place for itself in the long term and help riders avoid dangerous aspects of racing.
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Max D
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Max D 10/3/2019 6:52pm
10/3/2019 6:52pm
I think it’s badass! But should only be one-way. Mech to rider, or team ldr to rider.
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jeffro503 10/3/2019 7:13pm
10/3/2019 7:13pm
I wouldn't doubt that quite a few riders may decide to Not use them. Me personally , I would think of it as a major distraction. I could see maybe a few instances where a mechanic could warn of another rider being down on a section they are coming up too , or possibly a bike issue in which the rider wouldn't know about. Other than that , I'd almost think most riders would prefer the silence.
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Motoxtombo 10/3/2019 7:17pm
10/3/2019 7:17pm
Casting wrote:
Not a fan. Opens the door to teams giving riders cues about when a rider is setting them up for a pass, what lines to block...
Not a fan.

Opens the door to teams giving riders cues about when a rider is setting them up for a pass, what lines to block, etc.

I agreed 100%, I think it will take a lot away from the racing.
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ga_pike 10/3/2019 8:15pm
10/3/2019 8:15pm
Didn't Lechien and Ward try this in 88 at one of the SX rounds? San Diego maybe??
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Zeke27G 10/3/2019 8:29pm
10/3/2019 8:29pm Edited Date/Time 10/3/2019 8:30pm
ga_pike wrote:
Didn't Lechien and Ward try this in 88 at one of the SX rounds? San Diego maybe??
Yes, and Wardy used it to his advantage block RJ wherever he went. It was soon banned, possibly after that race and Wardy showed up to the following round with a small Rice Krispies box taped to his helmet with an antenna poking out! Don’t shoot me if I don’t have this story 100% correct, but I’ve searched and searched, and I’ve never seen a photo of the actual radio or the cereal box.
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KDXGarage 10/3/2019 8:37pm
10/3/2019 8:37pm
ga_pike wrote:
Didn't Lechien and Ward try this in 88 at one of the SX rounds? San Diego maybe??
The pic was in MXA. It was one way communication.
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