Hi Jeff,
I hope I didn't make it sound like I was saying it was injury free. What I was trying to point out is that out of about 23 "connections", only 2 were serious. The other 21 riders who were swiped by another bike got back up on their bikes and continued on. I guess the point I was making is that they have such short runs and turn so often that they aren't at speed (ie: not at the speeds you would see if they were on a 3 mile straight).
I'm sure you are right about the riders not being happy about switching to 4-strokes. In any sport, changes usually creates major turmoil.
But what impressed me with the SuperCross folks is that instead of crying about the loss of 2-stroke "noise", they instead set out to invent their own noise! It's not my favorite music, but it was LOUD and did get adrenaline flowing -- and that's the whole point of the "Noise" in the first place.
I went to the races with three former bike racers, and no one mentioned they were missing the 2-stroke noise. But I could tell the event was geared toward the enjoyment of the fans --- and not riders. In fact, they had the riders doing all types of extra-curricular activities prior to the show. (such as sitting in random spots next to the regular fans in the grandstands, waiting for the spot lights to do a "surprise" indroduction).
It was fun to see the looks on the kids faces, who suddenly realized their "hero" was sitting in their very row!
But....I still chose the lone 2-Stroke bike as my pick to win for the evening.
I don't know why. Maybe because he was a rebel?
Funny thing is that two of those former bike racers are now doctors who live in a prestigious neighborhood on a golf course - and they have each purchased 4-stroke bikes for themselves and their sons.
One of them had the bravery to build a DIRT TRACK right out in own his backyard, that follows along the 14th Fairway! This community is extremely restrictive --- no sheds, no boats in the driveway, no fences, no playsets. BUT - there is nothing in the homeowners assoc. book that says "No motorcycle tracks" LOL! So there's nothing the association can do about it! Everytime I see him and his sons out riding their bikes, I have to laugh out loud.
I'll have to take a picture and post it here. You'll love it.
So far he's had no complaints - but that wouldn't be the case if the bikes were 2-strokes.
Bookmarks