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8/6/2022 9:03pm
Another one of my awesome top 5 lists. This list is the top 5 greatest 500cc AMA riders. Very few could tame the beast, but as always, the cream rises to the top no matter what bike they are on.
5. Ricky Johnson. The original Bad Boy, Ricky Johnson, has 2 500cc titles to his credit and 11 wins. RJ won the 500cc title in 1987 and 1988. I always think of RJ as a 250 rider, both indoors and outdoors, but 2 titles in the 500 class is the stuff of legends.
4. Jeff Ward. Jeff won the 500 title in 1989 and 1990. Jeff is one of those riders that seemed to be able to adapt to any bike; 125, 250, or a 500. Jeff Ward has 3 overall wins in the class in 1991, tying JMB in overall finishes, and finishing second to the great JMB.
3. Brad Lackey. Bad Brad Lackey won 16 500cc races, smoked the 500 class in 1972, and went on to win one of the most prestigious 500 titles dominated by Europeans. Brad is the only American to win a 500cc World Title, and was clearly a master on the 500.
2. David Bailey. David was a 500 master due in part to his smooth riding style and his masterful control of the throttle. The 500 suited Bailey perfectly, and he walked away with 2 500cc National Titles, beating the like of Broc Glover, Ricky Johnson, Jeff Ward, and pretty much the whole world at the 1986 MXdN. In my opinion, David would have won more titles if not for his career ending injury.
1. Broc Glover. Glover has 3 500cc titles, the most 500 wins with 19, and in 1985 did it on an air-cooled YZ490 beating the works factory RC500 piloted by David Bailey. Glover is in my opinion, one of the most underrated motocrossers of all time. But on the 500cc machine, he's number 1 on my list.
5. Ricky Johnson. The original Bad Boy, Ricky Johnson, has 2 500cc titles to his credit and 11 wins. RJ won the 500cc title in 1987 and 1988. I always think of RJ as a 250 rider, both indoors and outdoors, but 2 titles in the 500 class is the stuff of legends.
4. Jeff Ward. Jeff won the 500 title in 1989 and 1990. Jeff is one of those riders that seemed to be able to adapt to any bike; 125, 250, or a 500. Jeff Ward has 3 overall wins in the class in 1991, tying JMB in overall finishes, and finishing second to the great JMB.
3. Brad Lackey. Bad Brad Lackey won 16 500cc races, smoked the 500 class in 1972, and went on to win one of the most prestigious 500 titles dominated by Europeans. Brad is the only American to win a 500cc World Title, and was clearly a master on the 500.
2. David Bailey. David was a 500 master due in part to his smooth riding style and his masterful control of the throttle. The 500 suited Bailey perfectly, and he walked away with 2 500cc National Titles, beating the like of Broc Glover, Ricky Johnson, Jeff Ward, and pretty much the whole world at the 1986 MXdN. In my opinion, David would have won more titles if not for his career ending injury.
1. Broc Glover. Glover has 3 500cc titles, the most 500 wins with 19, and in 1985 did it on an air-cooled YZ490 beating the works factory RC500 piloted by David Bailey. Glover is in my opinion, one of the most underrated motocrossers of all time. But on the 500cc machine, he's number 1 on my list.
Winning everything in sight and rode that thing like a 250.
Taken from us way too soon.
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RJ was never the same after his wrist injury and he may have very well won more. Same could be said of Bailey, or even JMB had he continued to have interest in racing MX. Lots of greats from Magoo to Sun in the 80's that deserve mention I suppose.
He finally got a shot on a 500 in 1988 where he regularly ran with Johnson, Ward, Lechien and Stanton, sometimes beating them. He was swiftly picked up by Honda for the GPs, where running out of fuel while leading cost him the 1990 world 500cc title.
To anybody who saw him ride different classes, it was obvious that on the big bore was where his talents shone the brightest.
Leisk in AMA action 1988:
Franco mustn't have followed US racing that much.........
So, I think the first year, Franco gave him, at the most, a couple of grand to run an Acerbis 'word' die cut decal on the peak / visor of his helmet. Look at pictures from that time for the sticker on the peak of that awful Beiffe helmet. I think the payment went up, pretty quickly after the first GP.
500s are awesome scooters!
Pit Row
As for Emig's performance at Mxdn is awesome and he stepped up (incredible for never having raced one) but over a series could have been different. He was a great 125 rider too.
I would have loved to see a 500 national before it ended but I was just coming up.
Watching him glide around Glen Helen at what looked like half throttle while gapping the field was just mind boggling.
Gear tech has come a long way but he sure did look badass.
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