Ask Ping!
Friday, July 20, 2012 | 10:15 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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PrintHey Ping,
I have a hopefully quick and painful question for you. Why don’t more riders run tinted lenses in their goggles during those hot, sunny, bluebird sky days during the nationals?
Thanks,
Cale Dahm
Ever looked through these lenses?
Tinted lenses get popular when a winning rider is using them. I think Dungey and Baggett are both using clear lenses so they just aren’t popular right now. Many of the goggle companies make a light blue lens, which is actually the best lens you can use to cut down glare, reflections just plain too much sun. There are a couple tracks where you don’t want to run any tint, such as this weekend at the Washougal national. The track runs in and out of trees and their shadows making it very difficult to see when you hit the shaded areas. About the time your eyes start to adjust you are making your way back into the sunny areas again. Personally, I’d like to see any pro head to the line with those old lenses that had holographic dollar bills, nails or coins printed onto them. Those lenses say, “Hey, I’m a hard ass and I like to party. And I also don’t care if my vision is partially skewed by the ridiculously corny images plastered onto my lenses. Let’s race.”
PING
Dear ping,
with two net works doing the tv coverage,it must be real lucrative. why the hell does dave coombs not get the riders a serious point fund. a profit sharing,pension plan. tennis,golf type purse money,so riders can make a real living! can you imagine the depth you would have if guys could pay for thier racing and bank some money. everyone else gets paid big,track owners,promoters consessions, the AMA ,sh#t, i bet emig&lizard face make more than the riders. everyone but the riders is making money. is dave making the money? who is making the tv money?
Brain trust,
You didn’t leave your name so I just made one up for you. Read slowly because I want you to get this: You know nothing about the sport, economics and especially the series television package. While the current package bounces around from channel to channel a little more than I’d like to see, the goal is to get more people exposed to the sport and I think it is a good step in that direction. The big misconception is that these television networks are clamoring to get motocross on their channels. Not even close. They likely don’t know anything about dirt bikes. MX Sports, just like Feld during the supercross season, is paying to have their series broadcast on those networks. And the bigger, mainstream channels are unimaginably expensive to purchase airtime from. Have you considered the production cost of putting down cables around an entire motocross track, bringing in television trucks and staff to do live television announcing? We’re talking mucho dinero… and probably some American money too.
Let’s not forget that the economy sucks right now. I don’t think I have to explain this to anybody.
Lastly, if you think promoters are making so much money putting on dirt bike races why don’t you go out and promote one? Good luck, guy. It’s not as easy as you think.
I agree that a wider range of riders should be compensated better in professional racing. These guys are true athletes who are incredibly talented and they are doing very dangerous work. But comparing motocross to basketball or another stick-and-ball sport just isn’t apples to apples. Economics dictates that those athletes are going to make more money because their industry is bigger by a multiple of, like, the current US national debt.
You want a simple answer to your last question, Captain MENSA? The television companies are making the TV money.
PING
David,
I just returned from my summer Millville vacation. Has been a highlight for the past twenty plus years. I have so many great memories from the 125/500 days to present. I have always had a ton of respect for the riders that line up to the gate. A bonus to this event is the creatures you encounter along the way to your next vantage point. Not saying that I'm a gift from the Gods, but some of these folks should be chased with a strait jacket and a net. This one Mongoloid seemed to cross our path more than we needed. He was dressed up in full-on road construction neon. This fruit loop would walk around chanting “Millllvillllllllle” And no one would acknowledge the freak. I also stumbled across him in the pits. My question is: When you were representing your teams at these autograph sessions was it hard not to piss with these individuals?
Thanks, Tony V.
P.S. I also have some poster stock that needs your John Henry cause your line was too long.
Bottom right... that's him, isn't it?
Road construction neon? Fruit loop? Well, that sounds about right for the times. Back when I was racing we had the Whoop Monster, who I always assumed was a Vietnam veteran with an abundance of camouflage and time on his hands. He was weird but you couldn’t help but like him for his enthusiasm. This fancy little mutant that you came across sounds more like a Village People reject who got lost and wandered into the Millville national. What a shame… First we lose the Green Lantern and now the Whoop Monster at Millville.
P.S. Hopefully I can get to Millville next year and illegibly scribble my Herbie Hancock on those posters for you.
PING
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An amber lens is the hot set-up for tracks with sections a bit on the dark side.
So when is Brain trust going to start a race?? It should be Epic!!
I remember using a Tinted on top Fade to clear on the bottom lens in the 90's It was my favorite one.
The best was when all the local Novice riders started putting those areodynamic fins on the back of their helmets because they saw one on a fast guys helmet.
Now I know how things like the national spelling bee, darts, lawn mower racing, and that mens slow pitch softball game between USA and Canada with 25 people present in the stands in Oklahoma City get on TV.
Fast guys use clear lenses because they don't need their egos jacked up, whereas slow local dudes need to look good in the pits where they hang out mostly.
Ping: Funny stuff! Always enjoy reading your articles. Your response to Brain Trust helps to put things into perspective as I'm sure he is not the only person that thinks that promotors earn insane levels of income. I know Davey Coombs, in particular, puts in a tremendous amount of effort into events, as well as the betterment of the sport. Whatever he earns, he deserves every penny. It is too bad that the riders can't earn more though...
Speaking of fans, who remembers captain america waving riders away from trey with his american flag last year at Washougal? That s**t was hilarious
I use tinted lenses. Blue really is great color on sunny days. As for low light days, a yellow lens is the bomb. REALLY brightens things up. I use Oakley goggles and they no longer make a "yellow" lens. They have an amber one but it's not quite as good. Smith DOES make a yellow lens and I'm telling you, they really make a big difference on a cloudy day.
Just my 2 cents.
Brian trust, Someone always thinks they know a better way of doing something (putting on Nationals) But these businesses that put on these races aren't dumb they do it the best way it can be done for thier situation. Really!
Most people in the know, (like over here at Hodaka racing) use a tinted black safety glass's. Hope this helps.
Ping on the Dungey Special = Ask Punge!
Ping, we all know that your favorite bike this year......you just cant say it cuz of politics
@biker143...having ultra sensitive eyeballs the tint fade to clear was like heaven......great column as always...@joemoto are you ever going to offer your sticky black tape grips and welders gloves to the public....
Captain MENSA? That one almost made me wet my pants. You would have been a legend at Jr. High, had you not been gnome schooled!
1st. "the goal is to get more people exposed to the sport " = Without MX/SX on T.V. Coombs magazines crash and burn, so all DC is doing is trying to extend his magazines life. You do not put a sub-par product out there just to get eyes on it unless you have your own interest first and foremost.
2nd. If you want to see a sport run by people that TRULY have the best interest of the their sport, look at the UFC- Dana White and the Fretittas know how to get shit done.....We have DC making money off the god damn programs...DMC Programs anyone? Make your money DC, but lets get someone that will think about MX/SX not how much ink they need to sell. GO!
Come on are you telling me that 16 rounds of supercross can't pay riders better.There are like between 50 and 70 thousand people at some of those rounds and all pay good ticket prices....just take like 2 dollars from each ticket and add it to the purse and you would have some serious cash .
Oh c'mon Pingus,
You're from Great "funkin'" Falls, Montana.
NO WAY in hell you are in position to make fun of Minnesotans. Great Falls people still think GOAT BALLS are the perfect Sunday dinner.
Suck it!
@pizzacorner--YOU are an idiot. If you actually think Dana White is the weay to go, you are a total fool. HE is the GREEDIEST SOB on the planet. The fighters kiss his tail or they are gone, period. He is ruining that sport. Moto does not need a greedy Dictator like that loser, you are an idiot.
@Claxton--tinted lenses are not just to look cool, I for one cannot stand the bright sun, and wearing titnted lenses keeps my eyes healthy too.. Bright sun IS NOT good for the eyes genious, UV rays are harmful..
At therealmofo : When using a sarcastic "genius", it helps to spell it right.
now now pingie, no reason for name calling.thanks for answering my e mail and the education.just beacuse you went to paramedic school doesnt make you the smartest mother effer in the world. as a college educated buisness owner,here is what i do know! promoters fight hard to keep thier events! they are making money! i aint saying it is easy. with out riders there is no show! if a riders union was formed they could get a better deal for themselves. coombs could help broker that!
Well @therealmofo I can guarantee you there are CURRENTLY 3-times the amount of Millionaires in the UFC than that have EVER raced AMA MX/SX. Do you see DC giving out a $65K "rider of the night" bonus? Dana is loaded because he is growing his sport across the world from nothing. MX/SX has been a Highschool sport and we struggle to just watch a race from start to finish on the same network. DC sucks.....period
@tonewall, We have been testing" a new bailing glove w/ 2 sided duct tape on the hand grips, combine that with the new logging lace up boots, and the dark shaded safety glass's, we think we have a unique factory look. See ya at the races.
Not that I know it all by any means, I do know that a clear lense will block UV rays. Pick up a pair of safety glasses and check the standard you find on them, it will tell you all about it. Any goggle lense made of the same material, most of them are, will do the same thing without any tint what so ever. Yellow or amber lenses increase the contrast that is why they work well in low light conditions, they also work well in foggy conditions. Being an old guy myself, I am most interested in saving my eyesight.
After the start 99% of riders wear dirt or mud tinted goggles anyway with the slow riders eventually wearing none in mud runs. In this sport you are either a Rooster
or a roostee, now which one are you?
Then there was the Gilibert Gillian theory (his real name) He was a perrinial back of the pack 125"B" rider then one day he almost got a trophy,6th place. We all asked him how how went so much faster, he responce was" I used my most scrached up goggles because I would get scared at the holes and bumps so when I could not se them I just kept gassing it" True story so he always wore gogle lenses that nobodey else wanted. Yes he was just a poor kid that loved to race so we gave him all of our used lensses.
Ben busy have not been online much take care all and it is race day!
LETS RACE!!!!!!!!!!
Old days I wore mirrored rose color lens. Everone thought it looked cool.They were but I had a color thing with reds, pinks........Male color blindness................I blead Red Growing up.............These helped the green be more vivid to me so it always got me to the money first. I told this to a kid I always beat for the cash .........He looked at me kinda funny. The next week he showed up at the races with my lens in his goggles and beat me back.........I went up to congradulate him and he said thanks for the tip.............He said he must of just wanted a llittle more that day........For 2 years we exchanged race wins on and off......True stuff........
I agree with Brain trust 100%. I think that DC has done a incredible job since taking over the MX nationals. Everyone that puts a show on TV has to pay for the TV time. The TV time is paid for by the sponsors (commercials). SX/MX has been growing in spectators for the last few years unlike almost every other sport. Every time a race gets more spectators the MX sports and the promoters make more cash, yet the riders that put in the most work and put their life on the line havn't been gettingany of the money since the growth. I don't know if the riders even get a pro purse? They need to have a big points fund and a big REAL privateer payout. Everyone is making great money except 90% of the racers! These guys deserve to be paid more than any other sport. The sport is growing and the racers are getting none of it!!! DC can say what he wants but MX sports and Feld have been making more profit for the last 5 years, yet the racers are making less!
There are just more people who will watch UFC than Motocross. Jerry Springer is still on the air. Look at Harleys. The average person who knows little about motorcycles would tell you Harley makes the best bikes. Obama got elected. It's hard to figure people out. My neighbor watched almost every SX and started becoming a fan and talked to me about every race. He gets the outdoors too, but he has not watched one single race. I think it might be because SX was on at a good time in the winter when he was inside looking for something to watch.
@ ping,im a fan of your racing career and your article but, but i have to disagree with your answer to the tv package,,anyone new to this sport is not going to watch this rag tag package,,2 different channels 2 diff times,sometimes 3 diff channels and 3 diff times,,c'mon,,its 10:25 and im still waitin to see the 2nd moto of the 250 class from yesterdays race!!!,,,,what new fan would go through all this to watch one whole race????,,,,cant wait to watch the superbowl on 4 diff channels and 4 diff times,,ha ha ha