So, I just found the channel, and you are getting great interviews and, like the content on moto racing. As a Roma person, I would like to know if you are a Gypsy/Roma/Traveller? Using this name in the channel, I feel, adds a responsibility to inform and educate on the topics of Roma people and the use of the word "gypsy," which most Roma communities find to be a derogatory word (similar to the 'N" word for African Americans) that has loads of terrible history and perceptions associated with it. If you are from a GRT community, fantastic and full support, maybe do some educational stuff on your channel. If you are not, and using it as a synonym for "nomad," "free spirit," or something else, I would ask you to reconsider it. Further, as a huge MotoGP fan, I hope that the guests from MotoGP also consider the naming and how their brand is associated with a channel with a derogatory word in its name.
Love to hear Ben’s perspective on the current state of MotoGP. He was always one of my favourite writers, and I was saddened when he decided to retire from the sport. I found him to be a genuinely decent human with my interactions with him at the Indy MotoGP, when working as a track side position.
I liked Ben too but I swear they sabotaged his bike a few times. Once, his engine blew while leading one race. How often does an engine blow during a race in MotoGp ? Another time, right after the start, he started to drop back because he had a problem with his clutch lever if I remember right. Clutch lever ? Huh ? Soon after they re-signed Rossi. I think they wanted him out because they wanted Rossi back. I could be wrong but he just had some weird problems that i had never seen a rider have and haven’t seen since
@@mouser485 I would rather chalk it up to bad luck, I don't think they would do that. Engines blowing are less and less common, but it still happens. Fantastic rider, and if MotoGP didn't go the direction it did, he would've had a lot more success. Wish they would've stayed on the 500cc and 02-06 MotoGP path, it's just not quite the same for me. 800cc and all the rider aids were a total mistake imo, and don't get me started on the F1 aero. It's become more and more about the bike just like in F1, the rider used to make much more of a difference in performance in MotoGP (not trying to knock today's stars).
@@niko7903 yeah, you might be right Niko but he just had some really bad luck that I just really do t see but maybe I saw it with Spies because I watched him more closely than any other rider. The rumor of them wanting Rossi back to team up with Lorenzo and then Spies problems just looked like a setup for failure for Ben. On a good note, he’s coming back in to racing heading up a Moto America Team or something similar. He’s not riding but be team manager. 👍
Yep. And off our bloomin road bikes. I remember when bikes were exciting and every year they got a little better - Now every bike is more disappointing than the last one.
@@CampbellRousselle Yes, all this electronic tech doesn't make the bikes more fun. We ride for the fun and excitement and all this sh*t may make the bikes "safer" but detracts from the enjoyment overall.
Totally agree. I am really hoping that aero is banned before someone gets seriously injured or worse. These guys slipstream - time and time again we see the reliance on aero causing extremely dangerous situations in slipstream mode. I have followed this sport for decades and couldn’t give a toss about 1.2 seconds off the fastest ever lap. I want great racing (a la Assen 2018) and I respect all of these elite riders. I don’t want to see them hurt and Blind Freddy can see slipstream and aero don’t mix. Ban this stuff now.
Personally I hate the electronics even more: traction control has taken away mastering the throttle and the hole-shot device has made take-offs easier and at the same time more difficult when it doesn't go perfect. Aerodynamics does foul up the air behind the bikes and that's a problem for the riders behind and makes following someone closely extremely difficult. The problem is how much innovation should the FIM allow for? You can make the argument that Ducati and Aprilia are at the front of the pack now, because of all those new innovations and that they added to the field. But then the counter-argument is that it caused Suzuki to fold and has Yamaha and Honda hanging on the ropes.
@@Showmetheevidence- They did it on the wild 2-stroke machines, so why can't they do it on these modern 4-stroke machines? Tyres, shocks and frames have improved since then, so that would make it easier. I'm not against electronics and/or aerodynamics per sé, but I do believe it takes a lot away from the riders. Like Spies says: sometimes you want to open up the throttle mid-corner to try and save yourself from crashing. I also think a case can be made against some electronical systems, like the hole-shot device. In my opinion that has nothing to do with riding a motorcycle and is purely meant to improve the starts and topspeed on the straights. Traction control can be a good thing, provided that the rider can control its working dynamically and the same goes for ABS. Aerodynamics has evolved to the point where they've now ran into the same problems as F1: all the advantage goes to the one in front and all the disadvantages go to the riders behind, making it even more difficult to follow and overtake.
Watched him live at a few different spots at Kyalami when he won in WSBK. My g*d he was fast… visibly quicker that year than almost anyone… awesome memories 😊
100% agree. Get rid of the wings and ride height systems, and anything that is completely useless on the street, and "dumb down" the tires. This will lead to slower corner speeds, lower straight away speeds and will put the racing more in the hands of the riders.
When he started explaining picking up the bike with the throttle Simoncelli was the first thing to pop up in my head and then he said it😢. I swear things would've been different for him if he made it to the next season where they went back to 990cc engines. I hate that GP is following the horrible trends of F1.
Spies spitting old school views and I love it! I raced back when he was a kid in Texas and he'd come by me so fast then! True legend, good dude, genuine.
Holy sht Ben is ALL grown up now! I haven't seen him since he was a doe-eyed preteen; him and his mom setup their pit next to us at Road Atlanta back in the late 90s last I saw them. He was such a good kid and his mom was always the sweetest of southern ladies.... they were both a consistent pleasure to be around. I stopped racing in 2k and never looked back, proud to see what he accomplished!
@@bigglilwayne7050 geeezzz no kidding Hot AF indeed. Though honestly I think it was mostly the... ummm... well you know... large.... ummm... being polite here... milk stations? LOL
As the engines were evolved and gained enormous amount of power, they have to find a way to keep those horses on the track. Thats where aerodynamics came into the picture. And the sprint race from a spectator's perspective was a great addition.
I’m sure he is aware of the why behind the aero, his point is focusing on how MotoGP is moving away from watching pure racing due to riders fighting it out strictly due to skill level where now it’s technology and bike advancements that dictate who wins. Here’s a good idea for one race a year, put them all on the same exact bike and the only thing the teams can change is the bike and suspension settings and see what happens.
@@whiteknob7944 congratulations, just like your username, you are a knob. Suggest you watch snooker or darts rather than MotoGP as knobs are not the target audience.
Great to hear Ben talk about the irrelevance of lap times. He’s absolutely right, viewers don’t care about an extra few tenths, they wanna see battles. Simple as that
Ben is such an intelligent guy. Love his points of view. I'm in agreement regarding the tyres and electronics. Closer racing is what we all want, surely as racers you want that too. The aero is changing the dynamic of the overtake and the handling of the bike. We want Ben in the management for Dorna as an advisor. Would love to see you in WSBK Ben, good luck in American championship and future endeavours.
My friends and I loved MotoGp Sunday's all through the 2000's up until about 2018. We all have had a falling out with the sport, unfortunately. I certainly miss that feeling and it feels like something went missing. The Rossi era was just so fun to watch, and you can't deny the impact he had on the sport. I guess I'm just glad I got to witness all of it.
I was glad when Rossi left, and I enjoy Moto GP now more than ever since I started watching it in 1984. But some people are afraid of change and just want everything to stay the same.
26.11.2023 (today) JM was sucked in the rear of FB and lost 6+ places as he touched the rear tire and had to back out, the amount of rider complaints about added plastics cause a lot of issues as with the anti-squat can do the same as seen on the weekend before..
Damn straight. IDGAF about lap times. I want to see Noriyuki Haga riding like he’s somebody’s shadow 2” away from the tire of the guy in front of him. Those were the best of days.
Loved watching Ben race back in the day (beating Mladin!) and now love listening to his insights; thoughtful, experienced, and not afraid to call a spade a spade.
The racing is still good in moto gp now, but it was soooo much better a few years back before the ride hight device’s and bulk aero came in. Totally agree with Ben, the racing is more important than the lap time.
@DennisMerwood-xk8wp Maybe, but it’s also what Mick Doohan, Casey Stoner, Vale, Marc, and any other very well respected pro are saying… including the one in the video you just watched. 🫵🤡
@@samblack5313 None of those riders have won a MotoGP race in the last 4-years Sam my friend! And Marc is a crasher! 30-crashes in 2023! LMFAO! Pecco, Jorge, Bezz, Brad and DiGi love the bikes as they are. Watching them ride them all by themselves is a fantastic treat. Who needs the race eh! 2024 will be epic. Best motorcycle racing in the premier class in all its history by any criteria! BTW, Ben Spies has not ridden a MotoGP bike in decades. And was not that good anyway!
IMO the greatest racing was during the 500cc two stroke era, some of the greatest ever racers of all time starting with Ago and finishing with Rossi and in between we had Roberts, Lawson, Spencer, Rainey and Doohan, no wings or traction control and bikes that would highside at the slightest too much throttle, they took the utmost skill to master them.
I watch old 500 Gran Prix race's now, and can't believe I used to enjoy watching those slow old underpowered relics. The sport sure has come a long way since then and is so much better now, and the rider's skills have evolved with the bikes technology to a level that was unimaginable back in the 80's
@@wradford1 You're in a minority as MotoGP viewing figures and fans attending races has plummetted as today's racing is a snorefest, as for 500s being underpowered they kicked out 190 to 200 bhp in 2000 double the capacity to todays 1000cc and the strokers would humiliate todays four strokes.
@yonniboy1 185 hp is an average powered sportsbike these days. Today's Moto GP rider's wouldn't even get on one of those old 500 pos, and if they did, they would hate it. Even Lawson says that. The tires were shit The suspension was shit. So why did they ride them ? Because that's all they had back then. But even the rider's hated them. Why do you think they called them the " Unridables " But some dinosaurs like to view the so called " good old days " through a big pair of rose coloured glasses. I wouldn't waste my time riding any old 80's - 90's road or race bike bike nowadays. Because I know I would be disappointed.
What do you think MotoGP has been for years. The only thing that has changed was the technology. Nobody was complaining when slipper clutches were introduced, or when feul injection was brought. It's just the times.
@@thepsychicpeach8425 There is a difference between minor technological evolution, and major evolution that upends a level playing field and forces other manufacturers to quit, e.g., Suzuki already and possibly Yamaha and Honda. F1 limits technology all the time to make racing more safe and interesting.
Great insights and perspective. I’ve been complaining about the over-tech of both MGP and F1 machines for sometime. I don’t care that they can do 360kph. I rather see tight battles and raw rider skill any day.
@A.J.1656 The title was close, but can you tell me even 1 race where Jorge and Pecco fought the whole way for a win? The racing isn’t as good. Watch Assen 2018, then watch whatever race you thought was best this season. Not the same.
@@samblack5313 They had aerodynamics and Michelins at that race. I would definitely count 2018 as part of the modern era. I don't see how that race would serve as an example of needing to slow the modern bikes down as is the topic of discussion. I also watch the whole race. I don't think naming two riders and declaring those two must battle for the duration of a race is the standard by which the sport will be judged manes any sense at all. If you want to make an argument that the action on track isn't close, feel free to try. The championship was decided by the two contenders colliding battling for the lead in the final race of the season. That's not close enough for you?
This dude was my all time favorite. Rossie, Stoner, and Ben all day. AMA, World Super and even MGP, wish his injury did not take him out, cuz i can see him 5+ more championships easy
Agree with spies, racing is a spectacle. When there’s no passing it gets boring. Think Davi & Rossi battling it out. BSB is fun to watch, there’s no rider aids on the bike, no shits given lol
Ben Spies is my all time favorite rider! Wish you still raced. Texas miss you! As a motorcycle & motorcycle racing fan nearly all my life, Ben's comment about is really wanting a close race is accurate. However, i personally think it is cool to realize higher snd higher top speeds. Perhaps, the top speeds will enhance the engineering of the race tracks themselves in order to evolve alongside. MotoGP is pure prototype racing....imo, that should reign Supreme. Money, as an object, is fictional anyway, but if the fans are entertained and the sport continues to have enough popularity for it to make 'financial' sense, we all get to keep watching. We should not be upset when the strung out races happen but always strive to improve the number of close battles. This is only my opinion but I feel like the world is going to change so of we really are motorcycle/MototGP fans, we should learn to adapt our engagement style just as the riders adjust their riding style. Please offer any reply with kindness and openess for discussion.
Never got over the fact that tire performance went down considerably after bridgestone and I wonder which guys got hit hardest from that. @10 mins I always wanted to ask someone like him how early they loaded the throttle
He described perfectly the problem Martin experienced when he got sucked in the slipstream of Bagnaia at the end of the straight on the last race day in Valencia....days before it happened ;)
That factory bike was faster in a straight line. Jorge got a better run, a full straight length of slipstream, and he’s about 10kg lighter than Pecco, but he couldn’t even pull alongside.
Simple option for making MotoGP more interesting, in my mind... 1. Change tyre supplier back to Pirelli. They showed how WSBK having much more interesting shows without much cost of crashes causes of tyre. 2. Let the team independently choose the ECU unit rather than monopolizing into 1 manufacturer, but still regulating under terms. 3. Remove some of aerodynamics, few on the front fairing is ok, made the bike looks different than street superbike. But that silly "stegosaurus" tail was ridiculous.
We've seen some of the most exciting wheel-to-wheel battles over the last few years. I think you can change the tires and remove the aerodynamics if you just want to slow the bikes down, but we aren't currently lacking in the on track excitement.
Watching domestic superbikes coming onto the front straight at phillip island from the pit roof looks fast , then seeing the wsbk bikes exit the same corner , the noise and extra speed is so noticeable it’s awesome to watch and also exiting Gardner straight into doohan corner is mind blowing, hearing the wsbk bikes travel down pit lane the noise is fantastic, motogp down to moto3 or 500cc down to the 125cc bikes are still the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, the bikes them self the engineering and rules and what the bikes represent , the riders that ride them, I have been watching Grand Prix racing for 36 years, for me purpose built bikes interest me most, ie motorcross bikes not enduro , trials bikes, and superbikes that were built by the manufactures to go racing , ie the homologation specials of the base road bikes, that’s probably the thing that is missing from superbike is the special for me
Always liked this bloke he's had his opinions & he's first & foremost a "racer" Stoner bailed because he didn't like the direction the bikes were headed. All the aero should be pegged right back or gone & dial back the rider aids, I've never thought about the tyres but Ben had a good point. Dial everything back & Race.
11:00 I watched the Simoncelli crash/death at Sepang live. It was not electronics that drove him and his bike across the track in front of Edwards and Rossi. It was Marco himself. He used his knee to keep the bike up. He was so strong and so desperate for a good finish that once he started to lose the front, he used his body strength to stay upright. Rider and machine pivoted on the third point of contact - his knee - to come across the track in a way that's not possible on just two wheels. As a racer myself I've saved a slide by using my knee, and I'm telling you what nobody else will. Marco's aggression and strength is what made him cross the track. Edwards and Rossi were caught totally off guard an in no way could have slowed or missed driving into his neck and head.
Comes to something when BSB is more watchable as there's next to no computer input, no electrics, etc etc. It's basically a shop bike with limited improvements that makes closer racing. Seen a few ECU failure crashes and they're horrible. MotoGP bikes have outgrown all the tracks around the mid nineties. Well said Ben, totally agreed.
as a 4 year motogp viewer i 100% agree the racing gets more boring compared to before and the lap times get a few seconds faster......i just dont care that laptimes get faster i just care about who does the fastest lap in comparison and who does the most exciting overtakes
Restricting displacement is the easiest and most reasonable way to bring the field together. Moto3 250cc, moto2 500cc, and 750cc for motogp four strokes Let all the tech and aero happen at a prototype level.
I don't care about breaking all-time lap records. I just want to see all manufacturers have a chance to win and then you truly see who the best riders are.
He is so right. Aero, electronics, wholeshot. Just get rid off it all!!! Same goes for the road bikes. If you need electronics too keep you upright on your bike, you shouldn’t be riding. But manufacturers needs to sell, so that’s that…
I remember me and friends getting together in weekends at my house with my dad watching the race together, each of us supporting our own favorite riders, but man it just seems to be more fun to watch then vs now. Even proper feuds is also now long gone, everyone is smiling and apologizing, and i get that, but man i miss the intensity. I feel pecco deserves atleast two proper top notch riders to rival him if he wants to go down as one of the best.
For people saying the tech and the shytty michelin tyres allowed many different riders to win in different race. Yeah sure that good but from a motogp fans standpoint. what i want to see is champs and having a few young dogs to compete with them every week and more overtaking. Thats how i remembered motogp and got into it in the first place Rossi, lorenzo, dani, stoner was the best time for me
The exact same thing has happened with drag racing. The no prep/ drag & drive type of events are solely who has the best tune/electronics/amount of money
This is why i think WSBK is much better to watch than GP. GP is obviously amazing and those guys are ultra talented, but watching guys on production bikes that me and you can buy, plus the racing is so much better, is just better to me
I love Moto GP but it certainly not what it used to be. Ben is right, they should drop aero. Ride height devices should only be used at the start. The sprint races are diluting the sports prestige
I love the way the bikes look now days because some of those aerodynamics are getting transferred to production bikes. I see moto gp as the lab of manufacturers to test and push tec and other parts for the production bikes.
The only thing I'd change is make the Moto 2 and 3 actual prototype racing again. I'm sure heaps of manufacturers would join. More 300s and 600s are sold than ever and litre bikes are a miniscule market.
I've always said I would like to see a race that was long enough where they had to do a pit stop for fuel and tires. Like whatever it would take 35 or 40 laps I think that would make it very interesting
I'd like to see WSBK become more popular. I think the racing is better, and the fact theyre on production bikes that we all can buy just makes it more interesting. I wish Aprilia would join back to WSBK
I think they should bring back the 800cc just for safety concerns. They can have all the grip from the aero and ride height device as they want but at least the bike aren’t exceeding 240hp on average. KTM are peaking at 270hp or even higher now soon they will reach a 300hp mark. 400km/h aren’t far fetched.
prototype racing, cars and bikes, is always in that weird state where we (viewers/fans) want close racing with exciting dicing and overtakes. but they (manufucturers and teams) will always want to introduce and develop new things just because it's prototype racing. And as a competitor, in any racing class, they also inherently want to get as far away as possible to their next competitor.. they could honestly care less about close racing.
You can’t stop the march of time or the development of tech, downforce/aero is here to stay just as pneumatic valves or seamless transmissions or gas charged suspension. The GP racing over this weekend was awesome apart from the Marquez unsportsmanlike battering ram style that some of the riders have adopted - race direction and their penalties have to be more equitable or GP will become a demolition derby.
You can't hinder the spirit of a champion either. These guys are on a different level. They want to be in control, not have the bike control itself or have the outcome of a race depend on the correct settings of a computer.
Agree to a point but we've had some great battles all year, the overtakes are tougher now but they still happen alot. The main issue is having Honda and Yamaha being terrible bikes so no competition for Ducati
I’ve heard a few people have opinions on the new technology and aero etc… saying along the lines of what yall say, tighter passing zones, top speed is lower bc of the aero and just overall don’t like how advanced I guess on how the bikes are, well if you don’t want all of the motogp “stuff” watch WSBK. I like both, I have no opinion. Both sets of riders are all professionals, they’re all fast just depends on what you feel like watching🙌🏼 bless up ride safe
I will never forget 2009 wsbk, absolutely losing my mind watching our very own Texan go to a lot of European tracks for the first time and absolutely stomp the competition for the championship title.
Complaining the bikes are getting better and more efficient in MotoGP where the purpose of it is to have the MOST cutting-edge technology for riders is a bit silly.
Always wondered why they do not revert back to steel brakes, as carbon has little relevance to production bikes. This would lengthen the braking zones and increase passing zones.
@@DennisMerwood-xk8wp Track riders on superbikes can still buy slicks. Not the same slicks that GP uses obviously. The rubber compounds and construction techniques tested in racing can trickle down to production tires. 20 years ago Pirelli was far behind Michelin/Bridgestone/Dunlop, but have developed perhaps the best street/track tires after two decades as the tire supplier for WSBK. No one uses carbon brakes, and they have no trickle-down potential. Manufacturers say they are in GP to develop better products for consumers, if you believe this you have to think they would also support steel brakes..
@@sburns2421 Carbon brake technology has already trickled down. Carbon ceramic brakes are used on road cars. Porsche and BMW both offer them. These brakes developed from racing Carbon brakes.
You can watch the full podcast by heading to our 2nd channel: th-cam.com/video/cwgYbwdNaBA/w-d-xo.html
So, I just found the channel, and you are getting great interviews and, like the content on moto racing. As a Roma person, I would like to know if you are a Gypsy/Roma/Traveller? Using this name in the channel, I feel, adds a responsibility to inform and educate on the topics of Roma people and the use of the word "gypsy," which most Roma communities find to be a derogatory word (similar to the 'N" word for African Americans) that has loads of terrible history and perceptions associated with it. If you are from a GRT community, fantastic and full support, maybe do some educational stuff on your channel. If you are not, and using it as a synonym for "nomad," "free spirit," or something else, I would ask you to reconsider it. Further, as a huge MotoGP fan, I hope that the guests from MotoGP also consider the naming and how their brand is associated with a channel with a derogatory word in its name.
Love to hear Ben’s perspective on the current state of MotoGP. He was always one of my favourite writers, and I was saddened when he decided to retire from the sport. I found him to be a genuinely decent human with my interactions with him at the Indy MotoGP, when working as a track side position.
I liked Ben too but I swear they sabotaged his bike a few times. Once, his engine blew while leading one race. How often does an engine blow during a race in MotoGp ? Another time, right after the start, he started to drop back because he had a problem with his clutch lever if I remember right. Clutch lever ? Huh ? Soon after they re-signed Rossi. I think they wanted him out because they wanted Rossi back. I could be wrong but he just had some weird problems that i had never seen a rider have and haven’t seen since
"writers" lmao
@@mouser485 I would rather chalk it up to bad luck, I don't think they would do that. Engines blowing are less and less common, but it still happens.
Fantastic rider, and if MotoGP didn't go the direction it did, he would've had a lot more success. Wish they would've stayed on the 500cc and 02-06 MotoGP path, it's just not quite the same for me. 800cc and all the rider aids were a total mistake imo, and don't get me started on the F1 aero. It's become more and more about the bike just like in F1, the rider used to make much more of a difference in performance in MotoGP (not trying to knock today's stars).
@@niko7903 yeah, you might be right Niko but he just had some really bad luck that I just really do t see but maybe I saw it with Spies because I watched him more closely than any other rider. The rumor of them wanting Rossi back to team up with Lorenzo and then Spies problems just looked like a setup for failure for Ben. On a good note, he’s coming back in to racing heading up a Moto America Team or something similar. He’s not riding but be team manager. 👍
Dude, you as a motogp fan? Never knew, and that's awesome!
Thank you for having Elbows on the show!
He's a legend!
Awesome input from Ben, I interpreted it as,"Keep it simple stupid"we'd see better racing, keep the computers and electronics to the space programs🏁😎
Yep. And off our bloomin road bikes. I remember when bikes were exciting and every year they got a little better - Now every bike is more disappointing than the last one.
@@CampbellRousselle Yes, all this electronic tech doesn't make the bikes more fun. We ride for the fun and excitement and all this sh*t may make the bikes "safer" but detracts from the enjoyment overall.
The thing I like about Ben is what I like about Casey. They don't need it and can walk away, and good for them. Absolute legends fully grounded.
Actually, both Ben and Casey had to retire due to injuries. Casey had that fatigue issue and Ben a shoulder injury.
I don’t call Ben spies a GP legend
@@scottk8559 Nobody said that.
@@scottk8559just because you don’t call him a legend doesn’t mean others don’t. You said that like only your opinion matters 🤣🤦🏾♂️
This makes perfect sense as to why Moto3 is EASILY the most entertaining class
Best racing on the planet.
We need more Spies in MotoGP, what a great guy with such great comprehension of the racing.
Aerodynamics being the only largely unregulated design have done this to almost every form of racing, and F1 is the best example
Totally agree. I am really hoping that aero is banned before someone gets seriously injured or worse. These guys slipstream - time and time again we see the reliance on aero causing extremely dangerous situations in slipstream mode.
I have followed this sport for decades and couldn’t give a toss about 1.2 seconds off the fastest ever lap. I want great racing (a la Assen 2018) and I respect all of these elite riders.
I don’t want to see them hurt and Blind Freddy can see slipstream and aero don’t mix.
Ban this stuff now.
Personally I hate the electronics even more: traction control has taken away mastering the throttle and the hole-shot device has made take-offs easier and at the same time more difficult when it doesn't go perfect. Aerodynamics does foul up the air behind the bikes and that's a problem for the riders behind and makes following someone closely extremely difficult.
The problem is how much innovation should the FIM allow for? You can make the argument that Ducati and Aprilia are at the front of the pack now, because of all those new innovations and that they added to the field. But then the counter-argument is that it caused Suzuki to fold and has Yamaha and Honda hanging on the ropes.
Yep & took them years to realise it.
Wings on a bike are f& pointless for street riders.
@@tjroelsmaproblem is 300 ho is barely controllable without it.
@@Showmetheevidence- They did it on the wild 2-stroke machines, so why can't they do it on these modern 4-stroke machines? Tyres, shocks and frames have improved since then, so that would make it easier.
I'm not against electronics and/or aerodynamics per sé, but I do believe it takes a lot away from the riders. Like Spies says: sometimes you want to open up the throttle mid-corner to try and save yourself from crashing.
I also think a case can be made against some electronical systems, like the hole-shot device. In my opinion that has nothing to do with riding a motorcycle and is purely meant to improve the starts and topspeed on the straights. Traction control can be a good thing, provided that the rider can control its working dynamically and the same goes for ABS.
Aerodynamics has evolved to the point where they've now ran into the same problems as F1: all the advantage goes to the one in front and all the disadvantages go to the riders behind, making it even more difficult to follow and overtake.
Watched him live at a few different spots at Kyalami when he won in WSBK. My g*d he was fast… visibly quicker that year than almost anyone… awesome memories 😊
Ben Spies is a great example of a rider that cares about racing from all sides
Ben -“Quit finishing…”
Jase: “Quit finishing your sentences?”
Ben-“Yes”
100% agree. Get rid of the wings and ride height systems, and anything that is completely useless on the street, and "dumb down" the tires. This will lead to slower corner speeds, lower straight away speeds and will put the racing more in the hands of the riders.
Then just watch sbk then.. why make both series similar?
When he started explaining picking up the bike with the throttle Simoncelli was the first thing to pop up in my head and then he said it😢. I swear things would've been different for him if he made it to the next season where they went back to 990cc engines. I hate that GP is following the horrible trends of F1.
Spies spitting old school views and I love it! I raced back when he was a kid in Texas and he'd come by me so fast then! True legend, good dude, genuine.
Holy sht Ben is ALL grown up now! I haven't seen him since he was a doe-eyed preteen; him and his mom setup their pit next to us at Road Atlanta back in the late 90s last I saw them. He was such a good kid and his mom was always the sweetest of southern ladies.... they were both a consistent pleasure to be around. I stopped racing in 2k and never looked back, proud to see what he accomplished!
I grew up with Ben in Longview TX
We used to tease him about how incredibly hot his mom was😂😂😂
@@bigglilwayne7050 geeezzz no kidding Hot AF indeed. Though honestly I think it was mostly the... ummm... well you know... large.... ummm... being polite here... milk stations? LOL
As the engines were evolved and gained enormous amount of power, they have to find a way to keep those horses on the track. Thats where aerodynamics came into the picture. And the sprint race from a spectator's perspective was a great addition.
I’m sure he is aware of the why behind the aero, his point is focusing on how MotoGP is moving away from watching pure racing due to riders fighting it out strictly due to skill level where now it’s technology and bike advancements that dictate who wins. Here’s a good idea for one race a year, put them all on the same exact bike and the only thing the teams can change is the bike and suspension settings and see what happens.
You didn’t listen to a damn word he said.
Interesting to hear, but 2023 has been an awesome season to watch MotoGP. Close racing and open competition until the very last race. Amazing!
I think you're forgetting all the races which had all the passing in the first two laps and then everyone crossed the finish line 1+ seconds apart.
Congratulations, you are the target audience. Someone simple that just likes to watch and not think too much.
@@whiteknob7944 congratulations, just like your username, you are a knob. Suggest you watch snooker or darts rather than MotoGP as knobs are not the target audience.
It was a close title, but the racing wasn’t close. I don’t think Jorge and Pecco raced each other at any point.
Half of what he’s talking about is the danger to the riders. Not just the racing. It’s only a matter of time before we have another death.
Great to hear Ben talk about the irrelevance of lap times. He’s absolutely right, viewers don’t care about an extra few tenths, they wanna see battles. Simple as that
Ben is such an intelligent guy. Love his points of view. I'm in agreement regarding the tyres and electronics. Closer racing is what we all want, surely as racers you want that too. The aero is changing the dynamic of the overtake and the handling of the bike. We want Ben in the management for Dorna as an advisor. Would love to see you in WSBK Ben, good luck in American championship and future endeavours.
My friends and I loved MotoGp Sunday's all through the 2000's up until about 2018. We all have had a falling out with the sport, unfortunately. I certainly miss that feeling and it feels like something went missing. The Rossi era was just so fun to watch, and you can't deny the impact he had on the sport. I guess I'm just glad I got to witness all of it.
I was glad when Rossi left, and I enjoy Moto GP now more than ever since I started watching it in 1984.
But some people are afraid of change and just want everything to stay the same.
the advent of the aero age in motorbike racing is pushing MotoGP into F1 style processional laps. exactly what we don't want...
Without the strategy and the pit stops. Even worse 😂
26.11.2023 (today) JM was sucked in the rear of FB and lost 6+ places as he touched the rear tire and had to back out, the amount of rider complaints about added plastics cause a lot of issues as with the anti-squat can do the same as seen on the weekend before..
Damn straight. IDGAF about lap times. I want to see Noriyuki Haga riding like he’s somebody’s shadow 2” away from the tire of the guy in front of him. Those were the best of days.
Loved watching Ben race back in the day (beating Mladin!) and now love listening to his insights; thoughtful, experienced, and not afraid to call a spade a spade.
those were the dayz !
The racing is still good in moto gp now, but it was soooo much better a few years back before the ride hight device’s and bulk aero came in. Totally agree with Ben, the racing is more important than the lap time.
He, and so many other pro’s are so good at analyzing the race. Really good input.
He's 💯 about the electronics and aero. Less is more in motorcycle racing.
Is that what your mates at the pub told you 4forty?
@DennisMerwood-xk8wp
Maybe, but it’s also what Mick Doohan, Casey Stoner, Vale, Marc, and any other very well respected pro are saying… including the one in the video you just watched.
🫵🤡
@@samblack5313 None of those riders have won a MotoGP race in the last 4-years Sam my friend! And Marc is a crasher! 30-crashes in 2023! LMFAO!
Pecco, Jorge, Bezz, Brad and DiGi love the bikes as they are. Watching them ride them all by themselves is a fantastic treat. Who needs the race eh!
2024 will be epic. Best motorcycle racing in the premier class in all its history by any criteria!
BTW, Ben Spies has not ridden a MotoGP bike in decades. And was not that good anyway!
IMO the greatest racing was during the 500cc two stroke era, some of the greatest ever racers of all time starting with Ago and finishing with Rossi and in between we had Roberts, Lawson, Spencer, Rainey and Doohan, no wings or traction control and bikes that would highside at the slightest too much throttle, they took the utmost skill to master them.
Some made it, others were in wheelchairs. I watched and loved it.
like rally quote : "MotoGP is for boys. GP500 was for men"
I watch old 500 Gran Prix race's now, and can't believe I used to enjoy watching those slow old underpowered relics.
The sport sure has come a long way since then and is so much better now, and the rider's skills have evolved with the bikes technology to a level that was unimaginable back in the 80's
@@wradford1 You're in a minority as MotoGP viewing figures and fans attending races has plummetted as today's racing is a snorefest, as for 500s being underpowered they kicked out 190 to 200 bhp in 2000 double the capacity to todays 1000cc and the strokers would humiliate todays four strokes.
@yonniboy1
185 hp is an average powered sportsbike these days.
Today's Moto GP rider's wouldn't even get on one of those old 500 pos, and if they did, they would hate it.
Even Lawson says that.
The tires were shit
The suspension was shit.
So why did they ride them ?
Because that's all they had back then. But even the rider's hated them. Why do you think they called them the
" Unridables "
But some dinosaurs like to view the so called " good old days "
through a big pair of rose coloured glasses.
I wouldn't waste my time riding any old 80's - 90's road or race bike bike nowadays. Because I know I would be disappointed.
Love this man and his racing skills and parsing so many things most general fans don't actually understand...
I think racing should be more focused on the talent of the rider and racecraft, not gee-whiz technology.
I agree with you motoGp racing this day not as much fun like before, to much electronic
Ifou want to see talent, go watch moto3. This is diferent, this is motogp
Technology is what the sport is what it’s all about in top class
What do you think MotoGP has been for years. The only thing that has changed was the technology. Nobody was complaining when slipper clutches were introduced, or when feul injection was brought. It's just the times.
@@thepsychicpeach8425 There is a difference between minor technological evolution, and major evolution that upends a level playing field and forces other manufacturers to quit, e.g., Suzuki already and possibly Yamaha and Honda. F1 limits technology all the time to make racing more safe and interesting.
The explanation of braking dynamics with aero instantly made me a more discerning MotoGP fan. Thanks!
Great insights and perspective. I’ve been complaining about the over-tech of both MGP and F1 machines for sometime. I don’t care that they can do 360kph. I rather see tight battles and raw rider skill any day.
That's a great argument for the fancy cars, but Motogp battles are as close as they've ever been right now.
@A.J.1656
The title was close, but can you tell me even 1 race where Jorge and Pecco fought the whole way for a win?
The racing isn’t as good. Watch Assen 2018, then watch whatever race you thought was best this season. Not the same.
@@samblack5313
They had aerodynamics and Michelins at that race. I would definitely count 2018 as part of the modern era.
I don't see how that race would serve as an example of needing to slow the modern bikes down as is the topic of discussion.
I also watch the whole race. I don't think naming two riders and declaring those two must battle for the duration of a race is the standard by which the sport will be judged manes any sense at all.
If you want to make an argument that the action on track isn't close, feel free to try. The championship was decided by the two contenders colliding battling for the lead in the final race of the season. That's not close enough for you?
What you on about ? The tech has nothing to do with the fact they do 360kph. Thats the engine, not the aero or electronics
This dude was my all time favorite. Rossie, Stoner, and Ben all day. AMA, World Super and even MGP, wish his injury did not take him out, cuz i can see him 5+ more championships easy
What class feedback. He is the proper old school race mentality. We miss those days.
Ben you are amazing!
Thank you!❤
Greetings from Greece 🇬🇷
Great interview! I've been involved with racing over 50 years and don't like what MotoGP has become. I won't be renewing my video pass in 2024.
I watched Ben Spies at PPIR the last time he raced there! I was in the pits. What a race!
Its wild because Jorge Martin got sucked in Peccos draft and ran off track today just like Ben Spies says 😮.
Yeah and pecco did to digi in Qatar
Everything he said is spot on!!
Agree with spies, racing is a spectacle. When there’s no passing it gets boring. Think Davi & Rossi battling it out. BSB is fun to watch, there’s no rider aids on the bike, no shits given lol
Ben Spies is my all time favorite rider! Wish you still raced. Texas miss you!
As a motorcycle & motorcycle racing fan nearly all my life, Ben's comment about is really wanting a close race is accurate. However, i personally think it is cool to realize higher snd higher top speeds. Perhaps, the top speeds will enhance the engineering of the race tracks themselves in order to evolve alongside.
MotoGP is pure prototype racing....imo, that should reign Supreme. Money, as an object, is fictional anyway, but if the fans are entertained and the sport continues to have enough popularity for it to make 'financial' sense, we all get to keep watching. We should not be upset when the strung out races happen but always strive to improve the number of close battles. This is only my opinion but I feel like the world is going to change so of we really are motorcycle/MototGP fans, we should learn to adapt our engagement style just as the riders adjust their riding style.
Please offer any reply with kindness and openess for discussion.
Total sense being talked by ben here. Top rider, top man, Cheer GT.
Never got over the fact that tire performance went down considerably after bridgestone and I wonder which guys got hit hardest from that. @10 mins I always wanted to ask someone like him how early they loaded the throttle
I think yamaha was hit the most
He described perfectly the problem Martin experienced when he got sucked in the slipstream of Bagnaia at the end of the straight on the last race day in Valencia....days before it happened ;)
That factory bike was faster in a straight line. Jorge got a better run, a full straight length of slipstream, and he’s about 10kg lighter than Pecco, but he couldn’t even pull alongside.
Saying the same thing with 450’s now .. Hunter L. Slow this thing down ! That’s hard to imagine coming from him, so crazy
yea, the 450's are almost becoming unrideable- just look at the Supercros lap times where the 250's are almost matching the 450's-
Outdoor is where the 450’s are faster then the 250’s. Super cross tracks are just so tight and it’s all about rhythm.
450 is so unnecessary. Dangerously unnecessary.
Simple option for making MotoGP more interesting, in my mind...
1. Change tyre supplier back to Pirelli. They showed how WSBK having much more interesting shows without much cost of crashes causes of tyre.
2. Let the team independently choose the ECU unit rather than monopolizing into 1 manufacturer, but still regulating under terms.
3. Remove some of aerodynamics, few on the front fairing is ok, made the bike looks different than street superbike. But that silly "stegosaurus" tail was ridiculous.
Nice to hear from Spies 👍🏻
We've seen some of the most exciting wheel-to-wheel battles over the last few years. I think you can change the tires and remove the aerodynamics if you just want to slow the bikes down, but we aren't currently lacking in the on track excitement.
Not a lot of passing. The two title contenders never even raced each other.
@@samblack5313
What are you talking about?
Ben is absolute spot on about this. Motogp just isn't exciting as it use to be because of this.
Watching domestic superbikes coming onto the front straight at phillip island from the pit roof looks fast , then seeing the wsbk bikes exit the same corner , the noise and extra speed is so noticeable it’s awesome to watch and also exiting Gardner straight into doohan corner is mind blowing, hearing the wsbk bikes travel down pit lane the noise is fantastic, motogp down to moto3 or 500cc down to the 125cc bikes are still the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, the bikes them self the engineering and rules and what the bikes represent , the riders that ride them, I have been watching Grand Prix racing for 36 years, for me purpose built bikes interest me most, ie motorcross bikes not enduro , trials bikes, and superbikes that were built by the manufactures to go racing , ie the homologation specials of the base road bikes, that’s probably the thing that is missing from superbike is the special for me
Always liked this bloke he's had his opinions & he's first & foremost a "racer" Stoner bailed because he didn't like the direction the bikes were headed. All the aero should be pegged right back or gone & dial back the rider aids, I've never thought about the tyres but Ben had a good point.
Dial everything back & Race.
I agree 100% with Ben. Very interesting to hear this from person that actually knows what's he talking about. 👌More MotoGP guests please. 🙏
Ben Spies still IS my Idol !!!
That was very intelligent and insightful commentary.
"When's enough gonna be enough?"
That's a good question!
11:00 I watched the Simoncelli crash/death at Sepang live. It was not electronics that drove him and his bike across the track in front of Edwards and Rossi. It was Marco himself. He used his knee to keep the bike up. He was so strong and so desperate for a good finish that once he started to lose the front, he used his body strength to stay upright. Rider and machine pivoted on the third point of contact - his knee - to come across the track in a way that's not possible on just two wheels. As a racer myself I've saved a slide by using my knee, and I'm telling you what nobody else will. Marco's aggression and strength is what made him cross the track. Edwards and Rossi were caught totally off guard an in no way could have slowed or missed driving into his neck and head.
💯 💯 💯
Get rid of the aero
Get rid of rid height devices
Comes to something when BSB is more watchable as there's next to no computer input, no electrics, etc etc. It's basically a shop bike with limited improvements that makes closer racing. Seen a few ECU failure crashes and they're horrible. MotoGP bikes have outgrown all the tracks around the mid nineties. Well said Ben, totally agreed.
as a 4 year motogp viewer i 100% agree the racing gets more boring compared to before and the lap times get a few seconds faster......i just dont care that laptimes get faster i just care about who does the fastest lap in comparison and who does the most exciting overtakes
Well said Ben, as with all racing it should be down to skill and preparation rather than technology and computer control.
It has never really been like that for many series.
Ben Spies - what a G!!
Excellent input from Ben. It's a shame that Dorna and/or FIM won't listen to a word of it....
This guy sure made for good racing to watch. Him and Mat then Haga.
Restricting displacement is the easiest and most reasonable way to bring the field together.
Moto3 250cc, moto2 500cc, and 750cc for motogp four strokes
Let all the tech and aero happen at a prototype level.
I don't care about breaking all-time lap records. I just want to see all manufacturers have a chance to win and then you truly see who the best riders are.
I don’t know a ton about the technicals of racing but I’d imagine development and selling bikes with new tech has to influence this?
Nope it’s prototype
Awesome insight from Spies
Well said Ben. Couldn't agree more.
He is so right. Aero, electronics, wholeshot. Just get rid off it all!!! Same goes for the road bikes. If you need electronics too keep you upright on your bike, you shouldn’t be riding. But manufacturers needs to sell, so that’s that…
Great take on racing.
I remember me and friends getting together in weekends at my house with my dad watching the race together, each of us supporting our own favorite riders, but man it just seems to be more fun to watch then vs now. Even proper feuds is also now long gone, everyone is smiling and apologizing, and i get that, but man i miss the intensity. I feel pecco deserves atleast two proper top notch riders to rival him if he wants to go down as one of the best.
For people saying the tech and the shytty michelin tyres allowed many different riders to win in different race.
Yeah sure that good but from a motogp fans standpoint. what i want to see is champs and having a few young dogs to compete with them every week and more overtaking.
Thats how i remembered motogp and got into it in the first place
Rossi, lorenzo, dani, stoner was the best time for me
MotoGP is awesome! The racing is super close & you never really know who’s going to win from one week to the next!
Except you know it will be a Ducati lol
The exact same thing has happened with drag racing. The no prep/ drag & drive type of events are solely who has the best tune/electronics/amount of money
This is why i think WSBK is much better to watch than GP. GP is obviously amazing and those guys are ultra talented, but watching guys on production bikes that me and you can buy, plus the racing is so much better, is just better to me
I love Moto GP but it certainly not what it used to be. Ben is right, they should drop aero. Ride height devices should only be used at the start. The sprint races are diluting the sports prestige
I love the way the bikes look now days because some of those aerodynamics are getting transferred to production bikes. I see moto gp as the lab of manufacturers to test and push tec and other parts for the production bikes.
The only thing I'd change is make the Moto 2 and 3 actual prototype racing again. I'm sure heaps of manufacturers would join. More 300s and 600s are sold than ever and litre bikes are a miniscule market.
600s is also a minuscule market. Something like 90% of motorcycles worldwide are less than 300cc
Randy use to smoke the tires coming out of corners, loved it.
but lap times suffer
Fuggin great converstation!!
I've always said I would like to see a race that was long enough where they had to do a pit stop for fuel and tires. Like whatever it would take 35 or 40 laps I think that would make it very interesting
I'd like to see WSBK become more popular. I think the racing is better, and the fact theyre on production bikes that we all can buy just makes it more interesting. I wish Aprilia would join back to WSBK
I think they should bring back the 800cc just for safety concerns. They can have all the grip from the aero and ride height device as they want but at least the bike aren’t exceeding 240hp on average. KTM are peaking at 270hp or even higher now soon they will reach a 300hp mark. 400km/h aren’t far fetched.
Teams should be able to use whichever tyre they want or you end up designing a bike around a tyre
Ben was a prodigy, he was signed at 16 and even dated Jessica Biel in the early 2000s.... Despite all of that, he stayed humble
Ben should definitely be recruited to the Stewards or even the FIM. Matter of fact, he should replace Freddie for next year.
From what I saw in the sprint race at Valencia, there’s no much wrong with it.
Best comment here garry - what's to fix eh!
prototype racing, cars and bikes, is always in that weird state where we (viewers/fans) want close racing with exciting dicing and overtakes. but they (manufucturers and teams) will always want to introduce and develop new things just because it's prototype racing. And as a competitor, in any racing class, they also inherently want to get as far away as possible to their next competitor.. they could honestly care less about close racing.
You can’t stop the march of time or the development of tech, downforce/aero is here to stay just as pneumatic valves or seamless transmissions or gas charged suspension. The GP racing over this weekend was awesome apart from the Marquez unsportsmanlike battering ram style that some of the riders have adopted - race direction and their penalties have to be more equitable or GP will become a demolition derby.
You can't hinder the spirit of a champion either. These guys are on a different level. They want to be in control, not have the bike control itself or have the outcome of a race depend on the correct settings of a computer.
Quacker = ✊🏻💦
Agree to a point but we've had some great battles all year, the overtakes are tougher now but they still happen alot. The main issue is having Honda and Yamaha being terrible bikes so no competition for Ducati
All boils down to data. Ducati has 8 sets of data, Yamaha has 2. Marc can’t keep it upright so Honda doesn’t get data at all.
I’ve heard a few people have opinions on the new technology and aero etc… saying along the lines of what yall say, tighter passing zones, top speed is lower bc of the aero and just overall don’t like how advanced I guess on how the bikes are, well if you don’t want all of the motogp “stuff” watch WSBK. I like both, I have no opinion. Both sets of riders are all professionals, they’re all fast just depends on what you feel like watching🙌🏼 bless up ride safe
the guy in the white shirt adding valuable input "yeh" "yeh yeh yeh" "mhm" "right right"
good show
I agree with Ben.
I will never forget 2009 wsbk, absolutely losing my mind watching our very own Texan go to a lot of European tracks for the first time and absolutely stomp the competition for the championship title.
back to 2 stoke together with 4 stroke and no electronics would be the best change :D
This is why motocross athletes are superior
Okay
Can’t get this episode on any of my podcast apps
The 3hrs is on the gypsy tales podcast yt channel
Complaining the bikes are getting better and more efficient in MotoGP where the purpose of it is to have the MOST cutting-edge technology for riders is a bit silly.
That has never been the purpose of it.
Always wondered why they do not revert back to steel brakes, as carbon has little relevance to production bikes. This would lengthen the braking zones and increase passing zones.
And lets dump slick tyres too! Yeah right!
@@DennisMerwood-xk8wp what is the point of carbon brakes
@@sburns2421 The same point as slick tyres.
@@DennisMerwood-xk8wp Track riders on superbikes can still buy slicks. Not the same slicks that GP uses obviously.
The rubber compounds and construction techniques tested in racing can trickle down to production tires. 20 years ago Pirelli was far behind Michelin/Bridgestone/Dunlop, but have developed perhaps the best street/track tires after two decades as the tire supplier for WSBK.
No one uses carbon brakes, and they have no trickle-down potential. Manufacturers say they are in GP to develop better products for consumers, if you believe this you have to think they would also support steel brakes..
@@sburns2421 Carbon brake technology has already trickled down. Carbon ceramic brakes are used on road cars. Porsche and BMW both offer them. These brakes developed from racing Carbon brakes.