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I hope Alpinestars are able to make their Tech Air vest suitable for moto, they already have it in rally. I would hope that it's a matter of time they can offer it to us. I know i will get one when that happens.
It's those challenges that make MX great and also slows it down.
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Two sand tracks (practice only now) I am thinking of adhere to a more old school track philosophy. They would probably really pack them in if they ran races again.
If there was an old-school, natural terrain 1-1.5 mile track with smaller jumps/rollers etc I wonder how turnouts would be for that track? Basically build a shorter hare scramble type track without the trees. The MX track that is packing in huge turnouts doesn't have huge doubles and triples. The bigger jumps are table tops and natural terrain hills.
I am against limiting the bikes because it will become a game of who can cheat the best or who has the best way to make power with the current rule set. I am in favor of solving the problem through track design and safety equipment. Other than chest/back/helmet there is not a lot you can do on a motorcycle. You can't build a super roll cage with Hans device and build energy absorbing walls into the track for bikes. Would changing track design allow pro riders to be competitive a couple of years longer?
Turn outs for FTR (Florida Trail Riders) events dwarfs local MX races by large margins, safety is one reason and the other is saddle time (That's another discussion for later)
That would be much safer
Pro:
High speeds - seems like "modern" sx tracks are designed for "flow" instead of challenging the riders. I'm sure this is to make the sport "look" fast for tv. I feel if we get rid of the flow it would slow things down and maybe make it safer but for sure would lead to complaints from riders. I don't understand the point of the jump on/off obstacles, might as well be a straight away as all the riders are doing them, seems to be a waste of dirt. Also not sure if steeper, more abrupt obstacles would be more dangerous?
Bikes - SX should be 250s only. Think the designers could be a lot more creative with tracks and racing would be better if everyone was on 250s. Can still have 250 "lite" class for people in current 250 class - maybe this is changed to a stock class with suspension mods. Then have 250 "open" for the stars of the sport. I feel the racing would be more competitive on 250s as more people can ride them to their potential, leading to closer racing. Also with track changes you can get back to block passes where people can't do an obstacle if they don't hit a corner right, causing them to lose time.
Am:
Just feel tracks are a little too fast. Shouldn't be 4th (and definitely 5th) gear WFO jumps. No problem with jumps out of corners, doubles, etc. Still have possibility of crashes and getting hurt but with lower speeds when hitting these obstacles severity of injury should be less. I don't have kids but have many friends that do that I ride with. These kids are ripping on 85s and even 65s, the speeds and distances they jump are impressive but even though I'm not their parent I'm concerned watching them sometimes as I've seen what can happen when things go wrong. I can see why moms that are new to the sport would want nothing to do with their son or daughter getting into this sport.
If pros want big jumps go ride A1.
You can't lose if you never race.
I did race Bartow a couple months ago when I was down there but only because I showed up and a race was going on. Other than that man my wife really doesn’t want me to get so into racing anymore, mainly because how much time it robs from everything else.
Seems the new trend in tracks is letting them get a rough as hell, rutted, braking bumps acceleration bumps, etc. Sometimes your jumping a double and landing right into them. I get it that it is motocross, etc etc. I am 51 and been riding and racing since 4. Guys on the local level are not professionals and don't need tracks as rough as some are. Hell, even some of the best racing at the pro level came at tracks like Millville that was not near as rough as any of the other races. So it also produces better battles in many cases.
Pit Row
Had this debate years ago. Even got into a war of words (respectfully) with EI Dave.
Slowing the sport down comes to mind, but some of the worst injuries and even our only death in SX came at a slow speed crash. To me, it’s not necessarily the speed, but the abrupt stoping. I know, I sound like captain obvious here, but the sudden impact and stopping is worse then a high speed swap where you actually skip and tumble. Not coming to a sudden stop.
The only person I can recall hitting an object in SX was Carmichael. I believe his bike hit a boat in the infield.
Mandatory safety gear - jeez this is America. It will lead to lawsuits.
Such a tough debate. However, my vote goes to track design. But even that has so many pros and cons it’s crazy.
why you.....
LOL
Nowadays we have a kids class for 13-14 year olds racing a bike that has probably the same power, is 20kg lighter and has way better suspension compared to that '90 250cc.
And we have these kids race those faster bikes on tracks with triples, doubles and all kind of spectacular stuff.
The best local 85cc rider easily jump tables that might only done by a couple of gp riders in the 80s.
And that is just kids class. Don't even start about the 450s.
It's increased performance of the bikes, bigger and more spectacular jumps at tracks and very little development in safety.
If i was in charge of regulations i'd look at a combination of:
* Track design:
- less jumps and certainly the big ones
- more slower corners
- overall speed lower
* Bikes:
- significant reduction in power. Performance of the main category should be closer to the performance of a 250 4t or 125cc 2-stroke then to the 450cc 4-stroke. Maybe main category 250 4-t and MX2 the 125cc or a 4stroke equivalent
* Safety:
- safety equipment is not optional but mandated (the F1 drivers all complained about the halo, but it was mandated and sunday it safed Grojeans life)
- Automated yellow flag system (software) mandated for all national level tracks & support programm to get it installed at other tracks as well
- For the netherlands during training: Your license includes a riding level. Split up the training hours into 4 groups per hour (1st quarter youth, 2nd quarter beginner 3rd racer 4th pro) and only allow to ride during your group
- Have an official independent 'safety-rating' for safety gear (helmets etc.). Gear should have a certain minimum safety rating.
It's becoming a lost art.
Start a series, if you build it they will come.
Different topic, but it’s possible that a 450 isn’t the optimal displacement for best lap times. Maybe something around 400cc’s? *shrug*, have to test. Out of a tight turn to a straight all the torque from bigger displacement that gives you that kick in the pants acceleration is always going to be faster. But if you can brake later and turn quicker on a smaller bike that might even things up. Very track dependent.
Post a reply to: Safety improvements to work on in SX/MX