Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/123431
VOL. 50 ISSUE 16 APRIL 23, 2013 ory was a discussion in the pits at Glen Helen during the Two-Stroke National. We came to the conclusion that the search for more power is over. Isn't that what our four-stroke infatuation was all about? This was back when the factory race bikes were all tuned for more torque, more power, more grunt. That's simply not the case anymore. Today's 450cc four-stroke motocross bikes have all the peak power anyone could ask for, and it's merely about tuning the power for a manageable ride. You could also argue it's about the rider's ability to control the power, and put it to best use. In this regard, you can almost draw a parallel to restrictor-plate racing in NASCAR. The silver lining on that issue is the return of the true "driver's race." But the way I see it, if we're going back to "the rider's race" in motocross, then we might as well return to the 125cc two-strokes. It doesn't get more of a rider's race than that, and once again, anyone who was at Glen Helen on April 7 could attest to that fact. Jumps right out of corners, off-camber turns and power-robbing hills are all such a different challenge on a bike with limited power. The skill involved in riding a 125 fast is far more extraordinary than the brass it takes to twist the throttle on a 450. I, for one, find the racing much more dynamic when the riders are pushing the machines – not working to hold them back. Still, I know it's going to take more than wishful thinking to change the core of motocross from four strokes back to two. The money was enough to provide a sizeable draw at this year's Two-Stroke World Championship… but only time will tell if the excitement and the media flare from the 2013 event will provide a shot in the arm for expansion chambers everywhere. Will it help the pendulum swing back toward the two-stroke, or are the tiddlers destined to be a novelty in motocross? Arguments can be (and have been) made for both sides, but ultimately the answer lies in our wallets. Will we put our money where our passion is, or where the power is? The answer to that question will dictate the future of motocross. CN P121 LOOKING BACK 40 Years Ago May 8, 1973 Mitch Mayes outdueled Tom Brooks in the California desert... Rich Thorwaldson and Mike Runyard were the top riders at the Pacific AMA Motocross Inter and Trans-AMA Qualifier at Carnegie Cycle Park in Livermore, California… John DeSoto was tearing it up at Carlsbad Raceway. 30 Years Ago May 4, 1983 We tested Suzuki's new RM500 FullFloater, which was shown in action on the cover 30 years ago... Kent Howerton and Mark Barnett stole the show at the Gatorback National Motocross in Florida… Larry Brooks and Bader Manneh were the top experts at the NMA World Mini GP at Saddleback. 20 Years Ago April 28, 1993 Doug Polen and Jimmy Filice shared the cover 20 years ago after coming away with wins at the RR National at Laguna Seca… Mike Kiedrowski and Jeremy McGrath were the big winners at the Pontiac Supercross doubleheader… Giancarlo Falappa won a wet one at Brands Hatch World Superbike. 10 Years Ago April 23, 2003 Chad Reed made the cover of Cycle News 10 years ago for winning the Dallas Supercross, while James Stewart clinched his first 125cc Supercross (West) title with his sixth win… Fred Andrews became the fourth different rider to win a GNCC round at the Big Buck in South Carolina… Mikael Pichon banged bars with Stefan Everts to win the Dutch GP.