What about Bob?...

Big Lenny
Posts
14379
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Compton, CA, USA
9/8/2022 1:14pm
Big Lenny wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/09/08/567560/s1200_Picture_251.jpg[/img]

mvmx wrote:
Hey Lenny - Great pic, thanks for the thread, but U don't look so big* next to Bob...
Bob was standin' on a box...Silly
1
6
Big Lenny
Posts
14379
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Compton, CA, USA
9/8/2022 1:22pm
What about Bob? Wasn't that a crappy early 90's movie.
Keep moving...Dry
5
Big Lenny
Posts
14379
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Compton, CA, USA
9/8/2022 1:25pm
JustMX wrote:
Bob would win. If a rider could go unbelieveably fast on an overweight, air cooled, poorly suspended, and poorly handling bike that they would break in...
Bob would win.

If a rider could go unbelieveably fast on an overweight, air cooled, poorly suspended, and poorly handling bike that they would break in half by pushing the envelope to far, then they could certainly rip on the newer machines.

You don't think Barnett could put his head down and will himself to win on a 250F?

You don't think Baily and Glover would have the same legendary rivalry on modern 450 bikes?

If you don't think hannah could win on comparable equipment under any circumstancs through shear will you are nuts.

As far as training, yeah, there would be a learning curve to utilize advancements in conditioning,

But imagine flipping it where riders of today had to train and travel like those guys did.

Going from event to event in a box van. Training on the road. Finding whatever beat out unprepped practice track you could find in flyover country. Running in the middle of the day and having your trainer/mechanic pick you up 5 miles down the road.

Hell, put modern guys out there for 45+2, and with no blue flags and let's see how they do.

as far as a comparison of Hannah, and Barcia, there is none.

Hannah didn't go around just knocking the crap out of anybody that tried to pass him.

He was a little out of control sometimes, but I don't remember him just going around taking people out.

Howerton hit him first and it was on.

Bowen hit him first and it was on.

Decoster got a little aggressive with him, and it was on.

Roger said he had tire mark's on his fuel tank from Hannah..Laughing
5
4
1911
Posts
4970
Joined
4/2/2008
Location
LAS VEGAS, NV, USA
9/8/2022 1:48pm
Big Lenny wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/09/08/567560/s1200_Picture_251.jpg[/img]

mvmx wrote:
Hey Lenny - Great pic, thanks for the thread, but U don't look so big* next to Bob...
Big Lenny wrote:
Bob was standin' on a box...Silly
When was this picture taken? great picture.
1

The Shop

BobbyM
Posts
21439
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
9/8/2022 1:56pm
Big Lenny wrote:
A prime Bob Hannah on modern equipment in a series against Tomac..Sexton..Barcia and Anderson..How does he do?..B) [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/09/08/567540/s1200_bob.jpg[/img]
A prime Bob Hannah on modern equipment in a series against Tomac..Sexton..Barcia and Anderson..How does he do?..Cool


How would Jesus do against god?
3
5
Big Lenny
Posts
14379
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Compton, CA, USA
9/8/2022 2:33pm
mvmx wrote:
Hey Lenny - Great pic, thanks for the thread, but U don't look so big* next to Bob...
Big Lenny wrote:
Bob was standin' on a box...Silly
1911 wrote:
When was this picture taken? great picture.
Probably '03-04 now I weigh 198-200lbs..Cool
2
3
kpiper
Posts
2427
Joined
3/20/2019
Location
USA
9/8/2022 2:53pm
Big Lenny wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/09/08/567560/s1200_Picture_251.jpg[/img]

mvmx wrote:
Hey Lenny - Great pic, thanks for the thread, but U don't look so big* next to Bob...
Big Lenny wrote:
Bob was standin' on a box...Silly
Bob's hair makes him look taller.
plowboy
Posts
14396
Joined
1/3/2010
Location
Norwich, KS, USA
9/8/2022 2:59pm
Big Lenny wrote:
Bob was standin' on a box...Silly
1911 wrote:
When was this picture taken? great picture.
Big Lenny wrote:
Probably '03-04 now I weigh 198-200lbs..Cool
Eat a sammich before you waste away, LenWoohoo .
plowboy
Posts
14396
Joined
1/3/2010
Location
Norwich, KS, USA
9/8/2022 3:05pm
Bob Hannah would adapt to a modern bike within a couple of rides. He would adapt to the current race pace no problem. The only thing that might cause him trouble is the huge air and timing of modern tracks....but probably not for long.

I can't think of any of the past greats that wouldn't be great today. Fast is fast...it's that simple.
6
TerryB
Posts
2829
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Cambridge, MN, USA
9/8/2022 3:13pm
Big Lenny wrote:
A prime Bob Hannah on modern equipment in a series against Tomac..Sexton..Barcia and Anderson..How does he do?..B) [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/09/08/567540/s1200_bob.jpg[/img]
A prime Bob Hannah on modern equipment in a series against Tomac..Sexton..Barcia and Anderson..How does he do?..Cool


soggy wrote:
He gets absolutely waxed.
Take our modern champions and teleport them back in time to ride those machines, those tracks, and those long motos. Hannah is one of the GOAT's. Period. My first moto heros were DeCoster and Hannah. Curious...anybody here witness their epic battle at Unadilla, in person?
5
Dee38n
Posts
330
Joined
11/11/2020
Location
Asterisk, TX, USA
9/8/2022 3:35pm
So lets see about the all of these profound advancement in sports
Since Motocross now is based on 30 min motos and 10K running is as close as we can get time wise to that, that has world records
So comparing the 1978 10K world record vs the last 10K world record that was set in 2020
That is 42 years of nutrition, science, training knowledge and building off of the shoulders of the greats
The overall improvement?
A grand total of 4.35%
That is right at 1/10th of a percent per year
It takes 10 years for slightly more than a 1% gain






4
sandman768
Posts
8109
Joined
3/21/2014
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
9/8/2022 4:22pm
Hannah is a legend…and would absolutely be a top rider in ANY era…. Has not raced professionally in over 30years? And we still talking about him👍 Here are 2 posters currently hanging in my shop…

15
cz2crf2wc
Posts
544
Joined
11/22/2013
Location
Solona Beach, CA, USA
9/8/2022 4:33pm
To compare riders from different eras is misleading due to a lot of differences. I think that any of the top riders started on the same equipment at the same age with all of todays technology The Decosters, Hannahs, Smith, Johnson, Bailey ect. to RC, JS, RV, ET, ect. the champions would all be as dominate as they were in their own eras.
3
Big Lenny
Posts
14379
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Compton, CA, USA
9/8/2022 5:07pm
Would Bob have a trainer or train himself?..
2
Searights
Posts
328
Joined
8/26/2022
Location
Temecula, CA, USA
9/8/2022 5:11pm
I think he would train himself. He seemed pretty good at that.
2
jnickell
Posts
444
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
9/8/2022 5:16pm
cz2crf2wc wrote:
To compare riders from different eras is misleading due to a lot of differences. I think that any of the top riders started on the same...
To compare riders from different eras is misleading due to a lot of differences. I think that any of the top riders started on the same equipment at the same age with all of todays technology The Decosters, Hannahs, Smith, Johnson, Bailey ect. to RC, JS, RV, ET, ect. the champions would all be as dominate as they were in their own eras.
Exactly. I think most agree that it's very advantageous to have grown up practicing techniques versus trying to learn them later in life. 2002 James Stewart is the closest example of a rider being put in a time machine and going back in time. His extreme scrubbing technique was exclusive to him, and he absolutely destroyed everyone that was still riding with 90's techniques (Which was everyone). NO ONE could scrub like James for several years to come.

Now back to Bob. If you put peak Bob in a time machine and take him to 2009, he gets destroyed, especially in SX. There have been far too many advancements in technique. However, if Bob was born in 1999 and scrubbing was always part of the equation, he'd be championship caliber because the formula that made him champ has everything to do with talent, work ethic, and other intangibles that champs have.
3
JustMX
Posts
5267
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
9/8/2022 6:50pm
jnickell wrote:
Exactly. I think most agree that it's very advantageous to have grown up practicing techniques versus trying to learn them later in life. 2002 James Stewart...
Exactly. I think most agree that it's very advantageous to have grown up practicing techniques versus trying to learn them later in life. 2002 James Stewart is the closest example of a rider being put in a time machine and going back in time. His extreme scrubbing technique was exclusive to him, and he absolutely destroyed everyone that was still riding with 90's techniques (Which was everyone). NO ONE could scrub like James for several years to come.

Now back to Bob. If you put peak Bob in a time machine and take him to 2009, he gets destroyed, especially in SX. There have been far too many advancements in technique. However, if Bob was born in 1999 and scrubbing was always part of the equation, he'd be championship caliber because the formula that made him champ has everything to do with talent, work ethic, and other intangibles that champs have.
Hannah would learn to scrub, just like all the riders like Reed and RC that picked it up and continued to beat James.at races, and for championships.

RC is as close a comparison to hannah as there is. just absolutely hated to lose. when JS moved up to the 450s a lot of people had written RC off, but Ricky still beat him head to head as much as he was beaten.

as long as he had the fire, RC could win. hell, he could have come out of retirement and raced the rest of the 2007 mx season after james dropped out and could have added another title, but he had put the fire out,

if Hannah could let the fire burn, he could win.

5
Big Lenny
Posts
14379
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Compton, CA, USA
9/8/2022 7:02pm
jnickell wrote:
Exactly. I think most agree that it's very advantageous to have grown up practicing techniques versus trying to learn them later in life. 2002 James Stewart...
Exactly. I think most agree that it's very advantageous to have grown up practicing techniques versus trying to learn them later in life. 2002 James Stewart is the closest example of a rider being put in a time machine and going back in time. His extreme scrubbing technique was exclusive to him, and he absolutely destroyed everyone that was still riding with 90's techniques (Which was everyone). NO ONE could scrub like James for several years to come.

Now back to Bob. If you put peak Bob in a time machine and take him to 2009, he gets destroyed, especially in SX. There have been far too many advancements in technique. However, if Bob was born in 1999 and scrubbing was always part of the equation, he'd be championship caliber because the formula that made him champ has everything to do with talent, work ethic, and other intangibles that champs have.
JustMX wrote:
Hannah would learn to scrub, just like all the riders like Reed and RC that picked it up and continued to beat James.at races, and for...
Hannah would learn to scrub, just like all the riders like Reed and RC that picked it up and continued to beat James.at races, and for championships.

RC is as close a comparison to hannah as there is. just absolutely hated to lose. when JS moved up to the 450s a lot of people had written RC off, but Ricky still beat him head to head as much as he was beaten.

as long as he had the fire, RC could win. hell, he could have come out of retirement and raced the rest of the 2007 mx season after james dropped out and could have added another title, but he had put the fire out,

if Hannah could let the fire burn, he could win.

RC had way more experience than James had riding those 4 strokes and RC will the 1st to tell you James most of the time beat himself...Dry
6
ShipLap
Posts
1623
Joined
8/15/2018
Location
Moab, UT, USA
9/8/2022 7:07pm
Forty wrote:
I’ll jump in. He does well against any champion in any era because he had “it”. “It” is evident, obvious, and prevails in all racing eras...
I’ll jump in.

He does well against any champion in any era because he had “it”. “It” is evident, obvious, and prevails in all racing eras and with all technology available.



He’d destroy Barcia because Barcia doesn’t have “it”.
Big Lenny wrote:
I threw Barcia in there in case he rammed Bob....Laughing
Pay per View !!!
ShipLap
Posts
1623
Joined
8/15/2018
Location
Moab, UT, USA
9/8/2022 7:09pm
Big Lenny wrote:
I threw Barcia in there in case he rammed Bob....Laughing
I would pay to see that. Wink
USA
Posts
2592
Joined
9/4/2016
Location
Richmond, TX, USA
Fantasy
9/8/2022 7:16pm
Anyone comparing BOB HANNAH to justin barcia makes me chuckle and realize how many people here just act like they know moto. Thanks for pointing yourselves out!
8
Big Lenny
Posts
14379
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Compton, CA, USA
9/8/2022 7:19pm
JustMX wrote:
Hannah would learn to scrub, just like all the riders like Reed and RC that picked it up and continued to beat James.at races, and for...
Hannah would learn to scrub, just like all the riders like Reed and RC that picked it up and continued to beat James.at races, and for championships.

RC is as close a comparison to hannah as there is. just absolutely hated to lose. when JS moved up to the 450s a lot of people had written RC off, but Ricky still beat him head to head as much as he was beaten.

as long as he had the fire, RC could win. hell, he could have come out of retirement and raced the rest of the 2007 mx season after james dropped out and could have added another title, but he had put the fire out,

if Hannah could let the fire burn, he could win.

3
Big Lenny
Posts
14379
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Compton, CA, USA
9/8/2022 7:28pm
USA wrote:
Anyone comparing BOB HANNAH to justin barcia makes me chuckle and realize how many people here just act like they know moto. Thanks for pointing yourselves...
Anyone comparing BOB HANNAH to justin barcia makes me chuckle and realize how many people here just act like they know moto. Thanks for pointing yourselves out!
No one is comparing Hannah to Barcia..I just threw Barcia in there in case he hit Bob...
1
3
USA
Posts
2592
Joined
9/4/2016
Location
Richmond, TX, USA
Fantasy
9/8/2022 7:38pm
USA wrote:
Anyone comparing BOB HANNAH to justin barcia makes me chuckle and realize how many people here just act like they know moto. Thanks for pointing yourselves...
Anyone comparing BOB HANNAH to justin barcia makes me chuckle and realize how many people here just act like they know moto. Thanks for pointing yourselves out!
Big Lenny wrote:
No one is comparing Hannah to Barcia..I just threw Barcia in there in case he hit Bob...
You're right, but you definitely baited them out Cool
ShipLap
Posts
1623
Joined
8/15/2018
Location
Moab, UT, USA
9/8/2022 7:46pm
Some fun facts:

* They had a kind of olympics for motocrossers back in the day and Hannah would beat everybody in the foot races.

* Hannah rode a stock 1978 YZ250E in a couple supercrosses. Yes, he won.

* Jay Springsteen had a parallel career with Hannah, winning everything in dirt track racing in 76-77-78 etc.



1
ShipLap
Posts
1623
Joined
8/15/2018
Location
Moab, UT, USA
9/8/2022 7:49pm
JustMX wrote:
Hannah would learn to scrub, just like all the riders like Reed and RC that picked it up and continued to beat James.at races, and for...
Hannah would learn to scrub, just like all the riders like Reed and RC that picked it up and continued to beat James.at races, and for championships.

RC is as close a comparison to hannah as there is. just absolutely hated to lose. when JS moved up to the 450s a lot of people had written RC off, but Ricky still beat him head to head as much as he was beaten.

as long as he had the fire, RC could win. hell, he could have come out of retirement and raced the rest of the 2007 mx season after james dropped out and could have added another title, but he had put the fire out,

if Hannah could let the fire burn, he could win.

Big Lenny wrote:
bigsal
Posts
301
Joined
6/21/2017
Location
USA
9/8/2022 7:51pm
Bob Hannah riding a Suzuki RM125 singlehandedly won the MXDN for the United States of America at Unadilla
9/13/1987..crap he had to take a 2nd run up screw U right in front of me, and still whipped the most talented motocross rider ever JMB also racing a 125. just like the barber shop Big Lenny....next
6
9/8/2022 10:41pm


Bob & Keith would laugh at your premise that the current race bikes, track conditions would be too foreign for Hannah to be competitive, and ultimately win. Champions always find a way to win.

A true comparison would be for Tomac to do the 1977 race schedule Hannah did as well:
- Three different AMA MX Championships 125 (6 rounds), 250 (6 rounds), 500 (6 rounds)
- 250 Supercross (10 rounds)
- 125 USGP
- Trans-AMA series (7 rounds on 500cc)



Tomac would do as well as Hannah would on current 450's because they are both driven to win, not matter what the class.

Hannah and Tomac have some commonalities in their career like both winning their 1st mx national event at Hangtown, although two different tracks. Their careers are somewhat inverted with Hannah's early success vs Tomac's later success in his career.

Hannah's vs Tomac's record:
- Hannah 6 championships (1) 125, (2) 250 MX, (3) SX
- Tomac has more championships (1) Lites SX West, (1) 250 MX, (4) 450 MX, (2) SX
- Hannah raced 13 years (1976 - 1989) missed 1980
- Tomac raced 13 years so far (2010 - 2022)
- Bob won his first 125 National title as a rookie in 1976 against Marty Smith.
- Tomac won his first 250 MX National title in his third year (2013)
- Hannah won his first 250 Supercross Title (1977) in his 2nd year
- Tomac won his first 450 Supercross title (2020) in his 11th year








8
1
chuckie108
Posts
830
Joined
2/8/2012
Location
Mira Loma, CA, USA
9/9/2022 1:22am
The difference between the riders of Bob’s era and the riders of today is not training techniques, or equipment, etc.. It’s the culture and environment they were brought up in. People of today, including todays riders, are just generally softer than older generations. It’s why they cut the motos to 25 minutes on a 101 degree day now. Todays default mindset is “is it safe!?”. When back in Bob’s day it was “let’s separate the men from the boys”. Not to sounds uphill both ways, but it’s just a reality. Every facet of life has gotten easier, including todays racing. It’s why guys now have much longer careers and race well into their 30’s- unlike Bob’s era. Watch an old video of Bob- number 1 his corner speed was unreal. #2 he was way more on the limit of his bike compared to today. They literally go around the track doing tank slappers. Bob from the 70’s in his prime now would be crushing it. Simply because who grew up riding shit desert tracks, in 100+ degree heat, wearing thick cotton jerseys and leather pants, for 45 minutes at a time. All while working in a welding shop in the Mojave desert to earn the money to pay his own way to the races on bikes he maintained himself. That’s not to say that’s the formula to succeed today. Buy it’s that upbringing that made Bob far more determined and driven than what we generally see today. Listen to old interviews. Rarely, if ever, do they complain about the tracks. Unlike today where we have thread after thread complaining about basically everything. And my point is not all of todays riders are garbage- far from if. ET, Chase, Etc are all great riders and champions. And NO ONE could have stopped the GOAT. But that’s partially because he was a throw back to the earlier eras. And it’s no one’s fault, we are all products of our environment. We just happen to live in a time where the bikes are super easy to ride, the tracks are perfectly watered and prepped, parents will spend everything to go racing, coaches are on every corner trying to help, everyone lives in AC, people are generally more affluent, and everything in general just makes life much easier.
17
1

Post a reply to: What about Bob?...

The Latest