Ask Ping!
Friday, April 13, 2012 | 10:20 AM
ODI dates back to the 1980’s as the leader in grip manufacturing. Focusing primarily on the bmx and mountain bike industries through the 90’s and early 2000’s, ODI re-entered the motocross scene when they developed the patented lock-on grip system that eliminates wire and glue. Continuing to advance the way riders hold on to their bikes, ODI has worked closely with the teams they support such as Troy Lee Designs to create the product that is now being used by some of the top teams in the industry.
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PrintGood Afternoon Ping,
Friday morning before a recent Supercross the local CBS TV station ran a few live cut-ins from the stadium during their local morning show.
In one of the segments the reporter on the scene mentioned the cost of the bikes was upwards of $80,000 dollars each. Now, I know the price of 4-strokes has gone up but that seems a tad high. (We don’t need to get the 2-Stroke faithful any more riled up than they already are.) The folks riding during the press event were primarily 250f riders and the Motoconcepts 450 guys.
In your past experience managing the TLD Racing team, is the $80,000 dollar remark an accurate statement? I realize there’s a lot of labor involved with development, testing and the cost of the mechanics, etc. but $80,000 seems bit high, especially for the lites teams.
Just wondering,
Mitch
Dear Mitch,
Don’t feel bad for wondering about this because like a lot of things the truth gets twisted around. Let’s break it down: The bike costs about $8000 to start with, though the race teams don’t pay for them. They add on exhaust systems, cams, valves, pistons, ignitions, one-off doodads, kit or works suspension and five grand in titanium bolts. Some of the parts get coated or cryogenically treated to reduce friction and there is cost in that. But keep in mind many of the hard parts are given to the teams free of charge as sponsorship product. Those are the hard costs and they don’t come even close to $80K. But if you want to get crazy and add on the salary for the mechanic who built the bike, the cans of contact cleaner he used to build it, the rent on the building he put it together in and the cost of his black skateboard shoes you could probably work up a number in that ballpark. Hey, I could ramp up the cost on just about anything if I wanted to. How much does it cost you to take a dump? Well, let’s start with the cost of the food I ate 12 to 24 hours earlier, the toilet paper I bought, the gas I used in my car to get the gas and toilet paper, the depreciation on said vehicle, the water bill from the subsequent flush, etc, etc. All of a sudden I’m coming out of pocket several hundred dollars every time I take a plop.
You could ballpark the cost of a race bike if you really sat down and scratched it out. It’s not $80K. The media lied to you… and that is indeed shocking.
PING
Dear Ping,
I follow most of your and Racer X's columns and pod casts. I'm deployed to Kuwait right now and ya'll keep my buddies and me over here in touch with all the goings on in the SX/MX world. Thanks to all of you for that, a lot. I'm from Florida and used to work at Dade City MX before I singed up so I really appreciate all the updates on riders and behind the scene things, especially when you talk to and about all the locals like J Thomas, Stewart, Chisholm, Reed, Goerke, and others. I learn a lot especially about the new bikes as ya'll go into detail about how this ones power or suspension is better for different terrains or tracks. And how good the factory guys can make each bike work or sometimes not work. But to finally get to my question, how about me, the average, adult, C class, mid pack, weekend practice track rider? With all the changes and updates, what bike is tailored for me? The one that I can just buy, slap some tires on, maybe a pipe, go ride and feel like a hero? Do they make such a bike? Or is it time to sell all my gear and invest in an Xbox 360?
Thanks,
Steve
And you should too.
Thank you for your service, Steve. Triples and whoops are neat but what you guys are doing over there and around the world is gnarly stuff. I’m glad you enjoy the magazine and our web content and it’s great to hear you are keeping up on it from over there. There is absolutely a bike for you. Let me make sure I have my facts straight: It sounds like you want a bike that is fun, dependable, easy to work on and affordable. Depending on your size the simple answer is either a 125 or a 250 two-stroke. They are a blast to ride, you can pick a clean one up for under $2,000, they are easy to work on and you will feel like a hero twisting the throttle on one. If you aren’t racing competitively you don’t need to buy a brand new bike. X Box is for nerds who can’t go out and actually ride so put those plans on hold. Good luck, Steve. Make it home safely and soon.
PING
Dear David,
James Stewart has not looked the same ever since he left Kawasaki. In 2009 he was fast and he still beat Reed on the Yamaha but his style seemed to change. You don't see the crazy scrubs these days, probably because he's on the ground half the time. Anyways, you've probably heard those rumors about Stewie leaving JGR. I believe that if that is true it will be the best option for him. He needs to get off that Yamaha. What do you think? You think that the Yamaha has completely changed his style and going back to ride on a Kawasaki would be the best thing for him?
From,
Patrick O'Connor
These are easy to find-
On a scale of 1 to puking your guts out in a Dublin pub just how Irish are you? Sorry, but I saw your name and read your entire letter in a heavy Irish accent. What’s the problem with James Stewart? This seems to be a common and unanswered question lately. He’s the only one who really knows what’s going on under his helmet but I’ll give my two pennies just for gits and shiggles. First, I would say that his riding style does not agree with that bike. He rides way over the front end and the way the Yamaha chassis works doesn’t jive with that. That has led to a crap-load of crashes. And not just corner tip-overs either [although he’s had plenty of those], I’m talking about end-over-end, smear you into the ground like a toddler wiping a booger under the dinner table crashes. You can only dust yourself off so many times before you start to roll off the throttle a bit. Do you really want me to break out my analogy of touching a hot stove again? That means his confidence is low and that right there is the definitive end game in this sport. Much like a hot girl showing up to a party and seeing another girl in the same exact dress, James doesn’t feel pretty anymore. He is a defenseless inmate who has run out of cigarettes with which to barter. He’s a surly prostitute in fishnet stockings who lost a tooth in a back alley fistfight and he’s lost his ability to…uh, you know, I’m not even sure where I was headed with that one. The bottom line is that James needs a fresh start on a different brand of motorcycle if he wants to lug his career out of the gutter, in my opinion. Then again, what the hell do I know?
PING
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Totally agrre with Ping's comment about Js7
@ping
Man I can not agree with you more about JS7.I must admit that I never thought about his forward riding style causing an issue but now that you mentioned it I can see how that would cause some problems at the front of the Yamaha.I know that he and JGR have tried to get that thing fixed up but you just can not polish a turd.The best thing for everyone is to move on in seperate directions and JS7 get on a different bike.
Fresh start, new bike, and perhaps he can find a little accountability in there as well. Maybe an "i'm sorry" or two when he runs into people.
btw - the bike is not a turd. The bike and JS riding style do not mesh. Can't change the bike, change the riding style to make it work, or change the bike.
It is not the bikes fault as plenty of guys are going fast on it.
That said, I am a kawi guy!
OH boy Ping, You started it now, Its the bike!! LOL
. I tend to agree, it does not match his style. He has alway ridden over the bars. Not to many seem to like the bike either...But is it the bikes fault? Or is it just dif? Either way lots of people don't like it.
I don't know if you've noticed but on some jumps JS7 Yamaha's front end drops alot harder then normal. Seems almost like they have it seriously weighted? Isn't the modern riding style more over the front of the bike? If you don't own a YZ450 10-12 I don't want to hear your BS it's not the bike remarks. Like I've said before I love it at some tracks and hate it at others. This would seem like a set up issue right? Could be. Set ups may be a little harder then your standard set up on a forward engine bike. I do set my suspension up per track and on my other bikes I did not have the same issues. I've also ridden different brand bikes from friends and felt right at home.
@Open_Class....Name 1 guy going fast on it? If you say DM18 you might want to watch the race again and check the lap times!
"Much like a hot girl showing up to a party and seeing another girl in the same exact dress, James doesn’t feel pretty anymore. He is a defenseless inmate who has run out of cigarettes with which to barter. He’s a surly prostitute in fishnet stockings who lost a tooth in a back alley fistfight and he’s lost his ability to…uh, you know"
Will he return and stun in a bright new red dress? Will RV and the gang continue to punk him week after week? Will he fashion a chicklet tooth, climb back on and bring the magic again?
Nice job Ping! Now I've got to save up so I can crap!
Now...what the heck is Stewie gonna ride? Kawi said no and good luck talking to Mitch after you told him to screw when you turned pro. Honda? Me thinks no. KTM? No way Roger oks that deal. That leaves Suzuki. Or should I say Yoshimura. Maybe. They have very few riders to choose from if they want someone with a chance to hold up one the bigger trophies. There must be a reason he didnt go that route this year anyway. It cant just be cash, even he knows winning would put more in his pocket. I heard GasGas was gonna make a big push for him.
***NEWS FLASH***Ping agrees with Mr. Motorcross......I've been saying its the Yamaturd all year!
Damit Ping! Now the only thing I am really going to focus on all day is running the numbers on how much it costs for me to take a crap!
You think I can write off the final amount on my taxes?
Lets see, the cup of coffie I am currently drinking and the sudden flushing it causes $0.75.....
My two cents: First, James is under all the pressure to be the Stewart of old, James no longer is the only rider "scrubbing" jumps to gain those tenths, while he was away, his competition has gotten stronger and faster...Secondly, he has lost the "CC" factor, at the professional level Comfort and Confidence are what can seperate good riders from great riders. He has great skills on the bike, but as Ping said hiting the ground so much will make you question yourself and your reasons for being on the track... Can James revive his career, Yes ...but to do so he will need to regain his focus, and get on a bike that will allow him to regain the "CC" factor...just an ole man's opinion...
I certainly don't want to fuel the fire on the two vs. four stroke thing. With that said, if you're going to make bold statements please know you're history. Gottlieb Daimler's first gas-powered motorcycle was a four-stroke and the early scramblers were too. Contrary to the phrase "you know who you are", it's obvious that some don't given the consistency of ignorant comments. It's actually embarrassing at times to think these are the fans of our sport. Opinions will always vary, but facts are facts. Unfortunately, many people's opinions don't seem to be rooted in the facts, just off-the-cuff, reactionary, ego-fueled drivel. Like they say, a crazy person doesn't know they're crazy, and apparently idiots are too dumb to recognize their own stupidity. So tired of calling people out, it really gets old. I guess it's back to ignoring the comments section which ironically were created to enhance articles, stories, features and columns on websites.
The bike is such a P.O.S. that JGR actually tried to sneek Dunlops on it in practice and got busted by Pirrelli, they have run out of answers trying to fix it, that's a desperate move and they have no idea how to make that bike handle correctly! Plus that bikes reputation is ruined for good!
I think the best thing for JS would be to skip the outdoors.
Iron out his ride for next year on a different bike.
Pack his bags and go far away from distractions and pull a Rocky.
Ditch the cars, cell phone, Daddy JS, and his "boys" and then
Train, Train, Train and then Train the mind as hard.
Come back in January 2013 and line up.
@RyanD.........thats the stupidest thing i've ever heard.....you must be a total idiot!
You must have replied before reading HandlebarDragger's comment.
I really wish Racer X would sh!t can this bonehead petri dish that is the comment section.
Even IF JGR switched to Kawi or Honda would that help Stew achieve more victories? How about if he pulled a Reed and just made his own team on his preferred brand?
If you mentioned these in August I'd agree with you, but after this SX season I have to say no.
Some think JS needs to leave JGR. a better idea is JGR leaving Yamaha.
@Ryand jake511....sorry you are forced to watch and read our comments ...heres a tip ..look away -don't read them if it crushes your superior intellect. TO Steve in Kuwait I have a 99 250 kx and a RMZ450 05' (less than 4,000 in both,both fairly stock with nice suspension work)for the average person they are both a riot to ride and amazingly reliable. Take it from a guy who fixes them everyday almost ALL modern bikes ridden and maintained properly are great bikes 2 AND 4 strokes ...they do different things and the stock motor and piped 450 has more than I (and 95%) can use and flat hauls. Most guys that don't like the 4 stroke either can't afford one ,can't work on one or have never ridden a good one...lots of sour grapes. There BOTH good and fun. If the YZF isn't just flat abused it will last ALONG time (the oil in the frame and larger quanity helps and the valve train is the best(the 09 is especially good also) Half the guys I know ride YZ/CR250's cause you can make them haul and there stone bullet proof and CHEAP. Theres alot of good choices these days,...good luck hope you make it home safely...@billc "i tend to agree" lol no kidding ,who'd a thunk....great read as always Mr Ping...
Ping is correct. JS is the only one that can tell you if the bike is junk for him. Not one of us can ride a bike any way near to JS's speed. It is not the bike it is JS and the bike. JS crashes a lot on every bike he races, he just crashes the Yamaha a lot more. My personal feeling is JS is not the fastest rider any more and he is pushing harder than he ever has in the past there fore he is crashing more. Again this is my opinion only.
First, on the cost of race bikes, I've read about titanium footpegs costing many thousands of dollars on these things. I don't really see how they could have any less than $80,000 put into them, but I guess Ping would probably know more than me, I'm just surprised to read that. Now as for Stewart, I hope he does stick with JGR, and gets on 4 wheels immediately so we don't have to deal with this loser anymore. He was getting over the sport in '09, he did not enjoy the fight with Reed for that SX title. By the time Phoenix 2010 was done, it was all over, any spark he had for the sport was gone. He's been phoning it in based on family pressure to keep the money rolling in ever since. He keeps saying he's sticking around for another championship, what a joke, that is not happening. Please just get over it and leave already!
Mit12 your comment regarding JS pushing harder than he ever has is asinine. Do me a favor and youtube JS battles with RC and anything pre 08. Especially his 125 days. I think he pushes a lot harder crashing in the first turn and battling through the pack to take the lead vs getting a subpar start and battling through mid pack only to crash. Really looks to be pushing it huh? Joke....
Even if it's not the bike, only another bike can show that. Either way, he has got to change color.
Thanks Ping , for clearing it all up , Now we can all move on ! Js for president , LOL!
PW 29
That is the problem with the Stewart lovers they are living in the past. I am not a Stewart hater I am calling it as I see it. He is fast... Real fast but not as fast as RV,CR and Dungey. Back in 2008 he was faster than those guys. RC said it all the time the way to beat JS is to make him push.
Surly Prostitute..., Wow. That's uh..., hm, quit a visual. One I'd like to forget already.
Ping, Nice take on JS7. I agree it's the bike not working for him.
Maybe the reverse engine has different inertia effects, but I suspect that engine config created bigger problems. Most significant is I guess the S-bend frame, it surely has very different flex in the head stem and also shock mount. Creating that hypersensitivity to setup, in my opinion.
Seems that Honda got the alum frame 95% right on their early CRF, then the yellow and green brands mostly copied it. Yamaha have always gone their own way with alum frame design on their 450s.
Imagine Stewart on the front planted CRF450! Or the RMZ, or the KXF ... or KTM. On any normal 2012 bike he'd be blitzing again. With or without his "fitness". LOL!
it seems like JS rides over the bars a lot on the Yamaha.
If JS starts winning again HandlebarDraggers head is going to explode! Always quick with a shitty comment or childish jab about the guy. To compare JS to an actual criminal because he made a foolish mistake with the light incident is just plain idiotic! He didn't hurt anyone else but himself with that stunt. Your continuos childish comments negate any actual useful commentary you might have to offer on any subject related to the him.
Hands up if you wanna see JS7 on a bored-out YZ250... \o/
as far as JS goes. we all can agree (and it was even stated on numerous interviews) that last year ay Milllville national when Chad had that eppic getoff, it screwed with his riding all around for the rest of the year. well factually we all know Stewart has a ton of crashes. IMO it seems pretty dead on that Stewart has riding and pushing the limit confidence issues now. IMO, those Pirellis are not nearly as dialed in on the intermediate and hardpack tires/conditions. he is not getting as good a start from the tire not being as dialed as what he is used to, then pushing to hard to come back from a 9-12'th pace start. and we all know what that leads to in a lot of cases.
@ VISTAJIM: I was waiting for someone to say that JGR should abandon Yamaha and get a different brand of bike and you sir are 100% correct. If not, the JGR experiment with Stewart is doomed to fail.