Ask Ping!
Friday, May 4, 2012 | 9:35 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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PrintPing,
Back in the day I could wheelie my 1978 Yamaha DT250 for a half a mile or so. Then one day I fell off in 5th gear. I found out that you can run at 35mph, but only for a few steps. Now I’m thinking about trying to wheelie again. Road bike guys are doing insane wheelies and even the homies from the streets are wheelying clapped out bikes all over the hood. What’s the secret?
Thanks.
Bob
Here's the view you're looking for
Unless you are an Olympic runner from Kenya there is no way you’re running 35mph. I can only guess that you had some pretty serious road rash on your face after that since there probably wasn’t time to get your hands out in front of you or plan a tuck-and-roll. Either way, nice job walking away from it and now considering doing it again. I’d like to help with your wheelie technique; I really would. But I don’t have the slow wheelie down where you use the rear brake to control it. I guess I was never willing to sacrifice a rear fender and a set of handlebars in order to learn. I’ve watched some video taken by local news reporters in Baltimore though and it looks like you can head down to an urban area there and get yourself a lesson from some real professionals. My only suggestion is to bring a firearm with you. Good luck.
PING
So David,
I sincerely enjoy your weekly column of praise and intellect for all things moto. And I congratulate you on your new career path outside the industry, balls that must take for sure. My question is this: Is James Stewart coming down with Travis Pastrana syndrome and will that continue to be his downfall throughout his career? Nothing against Pastrana, he is amazing at everything, but crashes seemed to keep him from continued success in MX/SX. James just continues to grenade himself year after year. Has he even completed an entire sx/mx series without being out injured at some point? By the way, did your KTM seize up before the forks snapped off the front, or did you just come up a little short?
P.S. Would u consider coming to the Millville national and doing a bike test with a write up the following day? This would be the bike you would be riding… (see image)
Ben Graves MX926
Bradshaw would have loved this bike in 1992
I really believe that this will be a telling summer for James Stewart. His last few seasons have been rough and when you have to start using a second hand to count all his concussions on your fingers it becomes an eyebrow raiser. Hopefully he can get a fresh start this summer on a new bike and reinvent himself. For the sake of his career, his fans and the sport I really hope that is what happens. No more television shows, no more excuses and no more officer Stewart impressions. The best thing for everyone would be for James to get back to racing and having fun again.
Yes, my bike did blow up on the face of that jump and, yes, I would definitely come ride that bike. Thing looks like a beast.
PING
Ping,
I have noticed that almost every photo in articles featuring 3 digit pilots shows the rider in full helmet and gear. Outside of the podium guys I would not be able to recognize a single rider in casual wear. Why doesn’t the AMA issue a press kit with stock photos of each rider kneeling next to their helmet like a 60’s bubble gum card with stats on the back? Is there some conspiracy to keep these guys anonymous like “The Sig” on Top Gear or is Feld using Lucha Libre as their business model?
No longer anonymous,
Richard “Pugdumpster” Clutter
No privateers in the J Crew catalog, just fabulous khakis
Put down you tinfoil hat, Pugdumpster, there’s no conspiracy here. I know you’d like to think that some slick-dressed corporate fat cat is controlling every last mundane detail and secretly working his hidden agenda at the dirt bike races but that crap only happens in bad Disney movies. You know why they don’t make privateer moto-baseball cards with sticks of gum? Because it isn’t 1950, Dick. And because there are only about fourteen people on the planet who would actually pay money for such an item and every one of them are relatives. The real reason that head shots aren’t included in press material on those riders is that they are parked so far out in the north forty at the races that no photographers are willing to walk that distance to get a shot of a guy they don’t know. That’s why no images exist of them without their gear on. If you want to see guys in casual wear pick up a J Crew catalog. I hear they have fantastic khakis. If you want to get to know the privateers of the sport check out their websites, Facebook pages or Twitter feeds.
PING
Did you like this article?
Check out TEAM HONDA AT DAWN
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.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
Right on!
Hey Ping they did have cardrs back in the day, now I had a Perry moment and am trying to remember what they were called? Ya I also have had more concussions than I can count. Oh well I knkow someone here will know what those card were called? Heck Racer X was doing a review of them for a while. I will remember it when I am on my throne tommorow morning................
Hey Ben that is one nice looking Yamaha, I am pretty impresssed.
@ElisnoreRacer, I commented about the 75 Delta Ohio race in your previous post.
Bradshaw did have a bike like that in'92, it was a WR500! I'm kidding, actually Ben's 490 does look pretty mean. Looks like a lot of custom design and maching took place on that monster.
Perhaps the question wasn't put forth in the best frame, but I totally agree that there should be a place (particularly in articles such as "privateer profile") where headshots of riders (sans helmet) can be seen so that fans can better identify with these riders.
What is that bike? Look at the clyinder on that thing.If it is a 490 I still bet it runs like a POS.The bike is super cool though.
http://www.racerxonline.com/2011/04/15/40-day-countdown-to-ama-motocross-opener-1975
@fred you almost did it...almost a compliment....@handlebar no 500 2 stroke needs a clutch pop to get the front end up , a SMALL twist of the throttle will do ....in third. Then just hang on your wheeli-ing. Good luck anyone taking riding advice from anyone (including me) on this site.....lol....Mr Ping funny stuff as always. It isn't 1950 dick....classic.
Nationals: Jody Weisel posted a great idea in the latest MXA for how to make the Nats (even) better: dump the Women's WMX motos in favor of a 16 - 19yr old 125cc (2-stroke) Pro class. The National program would then consist of: 125 (2stroke), 250, and 450 pro event classes. Genius. Easier National entry access (cost-wise) for younger up and comers, and a more entertaining National program all around for everyone.
@fred- so bitter all the time, whats up? So tons of fun not doing the wild thing with you anymore?
@Welker, I believe your right? There was some trading cards back in the day.
Ping as always brings on the good stuff. Ben Graves good stuff. His dad's nickname is "Cannonball Graves."
I grew up and wheelied and Moto Cross raced with the great Doug Domokos. With a CR 500 for proper balance wheelie you should put it in third gear, going about 5 mph and drop the
clutch. Get the bike straight up and down and balance it with throttle and rear brake
actions. Now if you get really good enough to keep it up until the front wheel stops
then you loose gyro balance. So then install an electric motor to keep it going.
Good luck with the wheelies. But not in first gear, balance wheelies are best with
a higher gear.
There have been a few companies that did the trading MX Rider cards. Rad Racing
from Ohio made the best run at it in the '90's. They even did one on me for my
National Pro MX days.
pretty cool my wife (girlfriend at the time)made one of those trading cards. Shes in the background of one of the 500 privateers cards at red bud. Musta been 89 or 90? Cant remember who though,it's been a while,jim kapitan or one of those cr500 privateers. Aaarrggghhh,now I'm gonna hafta wait till I'm on the throne tommorrow morning.
I've been collecting data on 100s of riders both past and present, and with the help of the Racer X Vault, I plan on releasing a prototype "trading card" for every rider to ever score a point. Also, I agree with Ping. It's a lot easier to find photos of these riders then you'd think, unless your trying to find a photo of the guy who qualified 68th in the Lites Class.
ummm....Hi Flyers?
You got it Joesbro! I have a bunch of Hi Flyers, including RC on an 80, Rick Johnson, Bob Hannah, and a cool Team Peak/ProCircuit card with McGrath from the first year of the ProCircuit team.
Used to love to wheelie myself. Dirt bikes so much easier than street bikes. Big respect for some of them street bike daredevils these days. What no one commented on that caught my eye was the part about the 5th gear wheelie, fallin' off and trying to run at 35 mph. 35 in 5th gear-really? I remember the 1982 KX 250 wheelieing through the gears and when it wound out in 5th, ran out of momentum, and the front tire hit the highway, it would let out a chirp that was music to my ears. And a hell of a lot faster than 35 mph. Yeah, the highway, young and dumb, no helmet, hat on backwards, t-shirt and tennis shoes, the type of thing that today I would never do, but it was different back then. Thought I was cool. Bet I'm not alone on this one...Another good read, Ping. Keep them comin'.
I had to drool at the warer cooled YZ490 spme more. That is what Glover nedded against Bailey in 85.
Wanted to buy-91' champs hi-flyers top pro motocross trading card #112 Jim Kapitan @ red bud.
cash reward
I worked at a shop at the time and should have bought the set at cost + 10%.but I spent what little money I made on racing. When my mx buddies pointed out the fact that my girlfriend was in the background they were already gone...
And of course since we have all been ate up with mx since our early teens,the chance of one of my bro's sellin me a collectable/rare trading card are none too slim.
@tonewall and CZMark.Hahahaha!!!! Almost..Hey guys.
@fred- I guess you and tons of fun will be watching the Vegas race and knocking off a bottle Makers Mark. So who are your picks for the night? Enjoy!
That ain't how'sn ya pop no wheelie there sonny,. Now heres how she's done. Whatcha gotta have is one of them there TM400 cyclones,....Ya take all 5 fingers and yank that cluch allll the way in. Stab her in any gear.....Rev the gal up ta about 7800 rpm.....Dump the cluch,....at this point, your forks will be pointed at the moon,....not to worry.... Ya stab that brake pedel,.....do not let off the throttle....... and whaLa, ya found yer balance point. From there its all downhill......to the hospital....
heheh 5 fingers....i must be imbred too.? :o
@joemotocross589- thanks, I will give it a try on my CZ. I remember watching a guy at Ascot doing a power wheelie shifting through all the gears. That was impressive, that was John De Soto. So I use all seven fingers pull the clutch in and then hold the throttle open, then dumped the clutch. Got'cha! lol
@CZMark my picks are Dungey and Barcia.Hahaha!!!