by Chase Stallo
Privateer Profile: Jeff Gibson
Friday, June 24, 2011 | 9:50 AM
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With an impenetrable sound, an aroma that can be detected from well beyond the fences and arguably the most passionate fan-base in the sport, the two-stroke will forever live in motocross lore. While the two-stroke is not quite extinct from the confines of an outdoor national, it is a rare spectacle to spot a pre-mixer zipping around the track nowadays. So when not one but two two-strokes lined the gate for the third round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship at High Point Raceway we could not—nor would our readers let us—resist the prospect of catching up with the two riders that are keeping the two-stroke dream alive. Last week we caught up with 19-year-old Pennsylvania native Tye Newcome and gathered his thoughts on riding his YZ250 into the main event. This week we talked with former Arenacross champion –and 2011 runner-up – Jeff Gibson to get his thoughts on the two-stroke and his 2011 season.
Racer X: Let’s first touch on your decision to ride a KTM250 SX. Was it a financial decision or do you just feel more comfortable on the two-stroke?
Jeff Gibson: Honestly, the two-stroke is owned by a buddy of mine named Steve Mays and I did a GNCC last year on that bike. This year we got the suspension set up through Factory Connection and I did a couple of local races on it and felt pretty good and honestly we just thought about racing High Point on it. We got some help from Rekluse, because originally it was a 300cc, then the guys at Rekluse came in with a 250 cylinder and let me borrow that for the past two weeks. So I got to race the 250 and was doing it for fun and seeing what I could do on it.
Gibson performed well at High Point, going 32-25 for 32nd overall.
Photo: Simon Cudby
You did well at High Point finishing 32nd overall. Did you feel that the loss in power or the fact that most guys already had two races under their belts and had been training made the biggest difference?
It was a little bit of both. Granted it being an XC model it was not bad, it obviously wasn’t their motocross bike, but I was definitely underpowered. High Point went well. I was really surprised. I qualified 27th and went 32-25. And in the second moto in the mud I even crashed a couple of times. I felt good at High Point, but at Budds Creek the dirt was a lot deeper and there were a lot bigger hills and it didn’t go as well. I definitely got motored there. But also this year I haven’t been training or riding that much throughout the summer because I have been working and dealing with some other stuff. So I am just trying to have some fun with it.
What do you feel was the major difference between High Point and Budds Creek?
The difference was probably the deep dirt, and in practice it was definitely muddy and murky. That’s where those 450s could just pull through it and I just sunk right down in there. Those big hills were really killing me and it definitely showed.
How has the transition been, coming from Arenacross where you’re racing really tight, technical tracks to full-blown outdoor motocross tracks?
Racing arenacross all winter and then going to the outdoors is a big change, but it’s time on a dirt bike. Pretty much any time I’m riding I am having fun. If everything goes good and I walk away safe it’s a good day. The transition isn’t that much of a difference. I did a little bit of riding with some friends and I’m just kind of winging it honestly. Riding is riding and I’m just trying to have fun and do the best I can.
At Budds Creek Gibson struggled with the muddy and murky conditions in practice and failed to make the top 40.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Do you feel that takes some of the pressure off your shoulders, which in turn allows you to ride loose and free?
I think so. That is kind of the deal with the two-stroke, too. You have your own goals set in your mind no matter where you’re going or what you’re doing, but riding the two-stroke, it’s not really like I have to put pressure on myself like, “I have to get points, I have to get a number, I have to do this and that.” You’re there to see how good you can do. I mean, you really have no expectations, and I think that is when I ride my best and how I do the best I can, as long as I go out and have fun and put in those hard laps.
Do you plan on racing any other nationals this summer?
I want to do some more. I might do it on a two-stroke, but I may do it on a 450, I’m not too sure yet. I’m not going to do them all, probably just the east coast ones.
Thanks, Jeff. Who would you like to thank for helping you out this season?
Steve Mays for letting me borrow his bike, the guys at Rekluse Clutches, FMF, Factory Connection, my dad, my brother and the rest of my family.
Did you like this article?
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in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
Forty years ago, Team Honda arrived on the American motocross circuit with a brand new motorcycle: the game-changing Elsinore CR250. Page 170.
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I love 2 stroke sound
Keep rocking the stinker!
How cool is it that a guy is out there ripping around in an AMA national, trying his hardest, and doing it all for fun? I am just curious about what size 2-smoke can be run in the 450 class, and why didn't he leave the 300cc cylinder on it?
Absolutely love that these guys are still racing 2 strokes!! I would really like to see the AMA turn the 450s into the 'open' class that it should be and bring back a real entry level class since the 'lites' really isn't entry level anymore.
I take my 2000 CR250 out to the track once in a while. I get lots of looks just because it is super clean, one dude thought it was a new demo bike....pretty funny.... and when I fire it up, its like Elvis showed up.....people start looking around to see where is that awesome sound coming from.....then on the track, I go out and blast berms and people are stoked!!!
Gibson....a veteran!
Love that Jeff is doing this. Too bad Chase says he's riding a "250 SX" and in Jeffs responce to his question he informs us its an "XC" model, not an "SX".
Those probably weigh 7 to 8 pounds more, and I think you can buy them with a kickstand even. So Jeff is even at a larger disadvantage on that bike than an actual motocross bike rather than the woods specific model.
Yeah, I would have left it a 300cc, and raced that, whats the AMA going to do, tear it down in tech for 32nd place!!!! Not only that but those are the same bastards, that gave the 4 stroke fart machine the displacement advantage anyways.
Its funny, I've been an AMA member for 30 yrs now, reached "lifetime" status after 25, so I no longer have to pay member dues, and they always ask me for money, but since the year they changed the rules to allow 450cc 4's in the 250cc 2 stroke class I've never given em a dime!!!! AMA can now kiss my a$$.
Jeff's got a great attitude. All he needs is a friend with a 450!
Ok.. Two Strokes:
Make more power per CC.
Make more power per LB.
Make more torque per CC/LB.
Are WAY lighter.
Handle WAY better.
Require less frequent maintainance, at less cost.
When a severe engine failure takes place, it costs 1/4 the cost.
And they are WAY more fun to ride!
And why is it all we see are 4 strokes? The AMA changed the rules to make two strokes virtually non competitive. If the 4 stroke platform is so far superior, then why do they need an extra 200cc's? Thank you, AMA, for nearly ruining my favorite sport.
http://www.twostrokemotocross.com
GO NOW!
Brrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaapppppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love it.
I always thought the AMA favored the four-stroke because of the greenies at the EPA?
In Calif. the damn EPA has the riding seasons at state parks (not private MX tracks) split for half of the year. 2002 and earlier MX model years get a green sticker and are able to ride all year, while 2003 and newer MX model years can only ride from mid-Oct to mid-May. That seems to say that a 2009 YZ450 pollutes more than some dudes 1986 CR500…foolish California and their C.A.R.B. & EPA bull dookie!
Bring back the One-Duce-Five class! Only the richest teams can consistently compete for the top ten in Lites racing anyway.
Actually.. If I'm not mistaken, a properly tuned (jetted with proper mix formula) two stroke has the same or lower emissions as any 4 stroke.. And if that doesn't do it, coat all the internals with microblue. It basically makes friction non existant.
http://www.microblueracing.com/
250cc is the largest displaycement 2 sroke you can have in the MX class. Ofcourse they got the rules changed for amatuer racing, but not in Pro.
Wish he could have raced it in the lites class!!! I believe that is the only way my boy will ever be able to compete against the deep pocketed lites teams as a privateer.
@gbs417 I hear you man. Most of the laws here in California are just straight bull. The state is trying to reduce emissions and they are taking out on motorcyclists. As sad as it may sound, California+C.A.R.B.+EPA= the death of motorcycles.
Ok.. Two Strokes (250cc) vs. 4-strokes (450cc)
Make more power per CC: To bad your wheel is spinning & you cant get the power to the ground.
Make more power per LB. Extra weight helps me plow through stuff (like back-markers).
Make more torque per CC/LB. Have you even ridden a 4-stroke? Torque is the 4-stroke motor's EDGE. It pulls hard!
Are WAY lighter. This is true but you dont notice it as much as you think (unless I land on you).
Handle WAY better: Hard to quanitfy but probably true. You do blow through more stuff on a 450 but you can recover easier. And your always going faster & jumping more stuff than a 2-stroke in the same situation. So overall, you are ahead of where you'd be if you were on a 2-stroke. It just that much better! Hella fun! I'll never go back.
Require less frequent maintainance, at less cost: My Honda CRF450R needed only minor adjustments.
When a severe engine failure takes place, it costs 1/4 the cost: I'd say 1/2 the cost is closer to the truth.
And they are WAY more fun to ride! Big time NOT! Whenever I get back on a 2-stroke bike I hate it! It's slow & doesnt corner like a 450. I want the biggest, baddest MX bike they got in the showroom. The 450 fits me perfect!
And why is it all we see are 4 strokes? Because they are fun to ride.
The AMA changed the rules to make two strokes virtually non competitive. True! They killed the 500cc 2-stroke & left the 250cc. What the...? No big bikes for you!
If the 4 stroke platform is so far superior, (it is!) then why do they need an extra 200cc's? Because some of us MEN like a bigger bike.
Thank you, AMA, for nearly ruining my favorite sport: Please! Dont be so dramatic. You can still ride your old-school 2-stroke 250 with your other old time buddies.
I dont care if you ride a 2-stroke. They have their place. But in my house, 450's rule!
250cc 2-stroke: way too much work to ride fast!
250cc 4-stroke: can you say slow? Gutless. Do I have a flat tire? etc. After 5 min. I'm askling where's my 450?
350's? 'A' for effort but that's like "light" beer. I dont want a 'de-tuned' 450 thank you.
450's: Thank you for making this bike! It makes riding MX fun again!
Brraaaaaaaaappppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
@21MotoRules:
Your 450 may not be costing you very much to maintain, but that is to be expected if your not running it really hard. But if your looking at the costs of running a team for a season in the outdoors, the mechanical costs are literally cut in half as well. And I would ABSOLUTELY guarantee that any top pro today would be JUST AS FAST if they were on a smoker.. And I would definately not agree with you when you say 4 strokes are more fun to ride. They are definately EASIER to ride, and are more forgiving when you make mistakes, but I would never trade my smoker for a 4 stroke.. Yes I have ridden a four stroke. Like I said.. "more torque per CC/LB." Obviously a bike with 200 MORE CC makes more torque. Look at a 250 vs a 250. HELL.. the 2011 model KTMs. The 150 SX vs the 250F.. the 150 two stroke made 3 more HP and (dont remember exact numbers) more torque then the 250f. The two stroke platform is better.. Facts prove it. But, seeing as how we are all allowed to make our own choices in this wonderfull modern world that we will in, you can still ride your 450.. Give me some solid facts though, that PROVE the 4 $troke is better. Talkin Specs. Enjoy your expensive little toy..
*** costs are cut in half if your running two strokes*** No edit button FTL..
ya you cant race 300 2stroke in ama
Who cares ?
@21MotoRules:
I hear you. All the overweight vets in my area go get a 450 and blamo, they are way faster than they would be on a two stroke or even 250F. They jump stuff that is way beyond their skill level because it is easy, wad it up and pay the hospital bills, blow it up and pay the repair bills - it's good they have the cash to pay all the bills! Basically, you say the 450 is what a man wants, but really the 450 makes it no longer necessary to be a man and participate in this sport. Heck, at least you still need to know how to maintain speed to go fast on a 250F.
I like the 450 as well, but it's overkill for any amateurs, only the top pros can utilize it and that means that everyone else is going rightfully faster than they should be, making tracks one lined and not needing to work to get results. Wait a minute, that's exactly what most Americans want - good results with little effort.
250cc 2 stroke vs 450cc 4-stroke- reply:
I am a 'vet' but I'm not overweight. Never have been!
I have 25+ years racing & riding motocross. I jump stuff that I think I can clear. On a 450 that is MORE stuff! If I "wad it up", that's my fault, not the bike cc size.
'Blowing up motors' is due to poor maintenance & adjustment, maybe bad luck, not cubic cc's.
"I like the 450 as well, but it's overkill for any amateurs": this is what they said about the 500cc 2-strokes back in the day. But I still bought & raced them!
"...good results with little effort": 'Better' results with 'less' effort. Yes, but you still gotta twist the throttle!
More later after I get back from lunch!
Huge Jeff Gibson fan!! It don't matter what bike he's on