I have his interviews...from Unadilla where he told me off the record since he still had a Pro license 3 years ago, "ALL of the top national guys would rather race two strokes but if you're a factory rider you race what they pay you to race."
Nicholas Silvestri by RULE Nicholas, only by rule. If they did away with the 100% displacement advantage, a ton of Pros would go back to two strokes, namely teh top guys. The mid pack and further back guys would stay on the 4T cos they do find traction easier. But the down side is like your cars enhancements, they fool you into thinking you are a better rider than you really are...until you get in over your head adn get seriously hurt. Since the 4T boom, there are more people paralyzed on these bikes that you can shake a stick at yet no one is willing to do the studies. 4T are not as nervous as 2T and don't impart the feeling of speed, you are actually going FASTER than you think you are.
Michael James indeed..I have a 2t 250 cr and when i ride my friends 4t 450 yz it feels like a moped while i'm actually going faster around the track...
Kippuravittu Hahah, I kwno exactly what you mean. They are actually going failry fast but compared to a 2T they don't FEEL fast which is why 4T are actually MORE dangerous than the 2T. But have fun on yoru CR250, they are great bikes and in that beats the heart of teh RC250s raced by David Bailey, Danny Magoo Chandler adn Bob Hannah Steve Wise and Ron Lechien. BRAAAAP
props for hanging in there i tried 3 laps of my local track on a cr500r!! man my body ached like crazy having to conrtol an instant 65hp for 9 minutes was insane again props to you
I would have loved to try that track out. Something about it I like. You've got some really good videos on RUclips...thanks for all you do...a 2 stroke thumbs up :)
The junk yard dog from my state of taxachusetts I used to watch him ride locally here when he started out in the late 80's. He had some great battles with RC back in the day.
nice ride, real 500cc 2 strokes, nothing like racing these bikes. These were the ultimate MX racer. It takes allot of skill and stamina to ride these bikes fast lap after lap & on the gas.
I have his interviews...from Unadilla where he told me off the record since he still had a Pro license 3 years ago, "ALL of the top national guys would rather race two strokes but if you're a factory rider you race what they pay you to race." So now you know the whole 4 stroke nonsense is a lie like every other government inspired crap. Pollution my ass. MX bikes are CLOSED COURSE COMPETITION MODELS and thus EXEMPT from EPA rules. DO they regulate F1 cars or NASCAR racers? NO, its all BS. They weren't making enough money when we were on 2 strokes that we could fix ourselves, so they feed us a line of BS about how awesome 4 strokes are while billing us ten times more to fix them.
Haha, 1:00 the guy was going so fast the bike just keeps on going a ways after he was off it. Those 500s have some wicked power, give you arm pump in minutes.
yes it does and I have a scar plus smashed up goggles to prove it. I was behind my buddy's CR500. His bike pshot a soft ball rock. It must have been doing about 75 or 80 when it hit me. I was seeing stars for about an hour after that. Plus it dented my helmet.
Motocross ;a course laid over natural terrain for dirt bikes, constantly changing during the event...not smoothed out between motos....like the pampered pros of today....
how fast can those 2 stroke 500s go? im asking because I never knew such thing existed! but I want a better 2 stroke engine, lol. I have a 2001 YZ 250 2 stroke but I can imagine a 500 would tear shit up.
500s are dangerous beasts if you don't respect them, I too ride a 250 2 stroke and its insane the power difference between them,ive rode a couple over the years and I don't see the need for anything that powerful...
yes you can I believe fit a 500cc into certain 250 frames, your a animal if you want that much power. i'll stick with my 250 sx its just right for where I live in Wyoming.
if those are 500cc, then they're not riding a bike. they're riding a beast. that's the main reason why AMA abolished 500cc 2 stroke class cos of uncontrollable power.
or because there wasn't any sales to support factory involvement. Suzuki and Yamaha had already stopped making them long before the AMA dropped the class. The class died because people weren't interested in them. plain and simple.
you got it wrong. as tech evolves, 500cc were getting more powerful and dangerous to the race because of uncontrollable power. that's why ama dropped the class.. :)
I raced them back then,they were dropped because the big 4 were not making enough off the class,just like the big 4 did to 2 strokes now,in favor of the 4strokes. But 2 strokes are making a comeback,everyone I know is going back to restoring and riding the 2t.
The power these big bore two strokes produce is shocking.Even compared to the fastest 450f of today.These guys are barely getting out of third gear they was more a dune bike because they had way too much power for most tracks.I am not knocking fours at all just stating facts a four would have to be almost 1000cc to produce what these 500's had.They was scary beasts and the biggest danger was over jumping which was really easy to do lol.
james deroc Yea I remember the ama had it back in the day as well.I loved the MXDN back then the 125's raced against the 500's lol Depending on track the small bikes did fairly well vs the big bores.It also made it interesting setting up the teams with three classes....Miss them days.
Does not look like John is haveing any troubles taking the inside line to me. For those who say you can not take the inside line with a 500cc two-stroke, Well they just never tried.
I’m a Dowdy fan!! I only count 2 times the wheels leave the ground on a lap. Boring but safe! The jumps on a moto track are the equalizer! Unless it’s all turns, then the turns are😀
everyone here talking about a "fast track" when you can see it dose not seem to be that fast. Maybe its just me but his bike is not even getting maxed out. My 250 going around my track is screaming every gear..... pin it.if your not shaking getting off your bike. your not going fast enough.
Looks like that KX500 SMOKED all those 4 strokes and the 250 2 strokes to me, no control?, Evidently you can't handle that kind of POWER 🤣🤣, stick to your sissy 4 strokes
I know this vid is older...came about it...watched...I'm 53 and I'm inspired to break my bikes out right damn now...LOVE IT! Thanks
I have his interviews...from Unadilla where he told me off the record since he still had a Pro license 3 years ago, "ALL of the top national guys would rather race two strokes but if you're a factory rider you race what they pay you to race."
They just aren't competitive professionally anymore
Nicholas Silvestri by RULE Nicholas, only by rule. If they did away with the 100% displacement advantage, a ton of Pros would go back to two strokes, namely teh top guys. The mid pack and further back guys would stay on the 4T cos they do find traction easier. But the down side is like your cars enhancements, they fool you into thinking you are a better rider than you really are...until you get in over your head adn get seriously hurt. Since the 4T boom, there are more people paralyzed on these bikes that you can shake a stick at yet no one is willing to do the studies. 4T are not as nervous as 2T and don't impart the feeling of speed, you are actually going FASTER than you think you are.
Michael James indeed..I have a 2t 250 cr and when i ride my friends 4t 450 yz it feels like a moped while i'm actually going faster around the track...
Kippuravittu Hahah, I kwno exactly what you mean. They are actually going failry fast but compared to a 2T they don't FEEL fast which is why 4T are actually MORE dangerous than the 2T. But have fun on yoru CR250, they are great bikes and in that beats the heart of teh RC250s raced by David Bailey, Danny Magoo Chandler adn Bob Hannah Steve Wise and Ron Lechien. BRAAAAP
props for hanging in there i tried 3 laps of my local track on a cr500r!! man my body ached like crazy having to conrtol an instant 65hp for 9 minutes was insane again props to you
my brother used to ride mountain bike with dowd back in the early 90s in central mass. guy was unreal on a pedal bike too!
Always loved my KX500. I won more trophies on that bike in MX and Off-road then any other bike I've owned.
Great video if a beast riding a beast. Love my 97 KX500
I can't believe the speed he descends the steps without crashing, amazing.
I would have loved to try that track out. Something about it I like. You've got some really good videos on RUclips...thanks for all you do...a 2 stroke thumbs up :)
Finally! A fast motocross track. I get tired of that extreme supercross stuff.
I agree! This is all smiles!
Great ride, I love how you just....BRAaap BRAaap past the ghost rider on the first lap....
500 POWER! IT'S ALL IN THE WRIST! NOTHING LIKE IT!
music to my ears cant beat the sound of a 2stroke
The junk yard dog from my state of taxachusetts I used to watch him ride locally here when he started out in the late 80's. He had some great battles with RC back in the day.
no mention of the track location. for anyone wondering it's Farleigh castle England
this was the first main event race for the VMXDN EVO class
If ever there was a track made for the big 500s, this is it. That one tree looked a bit dangerous. Boy, that dude can ride. Simply mesmerizing!
That guy that let go of his bike probably had some major arm pump hahaha
+Gear Change Gary That was so fucking awesome, lol.
hahahahahahaha
LoVe the track so old school too!
500cc 2-strokes are the Group B of dirtbikes.
@Mike Lyons the ultra fast and dangerous rally cars of the 80's
such a nice person to meet at the track too. very friendly
awesome...ahhh those were the days.500s bring em back I say
That track was made for a 500 , I remember going from 250 to 500 , first thing i bought after the first race was a chest protector
love the track!
That track looks super fun :D
love how the 500s sound!
1:00 the bike was to powerful for him
I like how it looks like he just casually slips of the back of the bike. xD
Holy fuck I almost pissed myself HAHA
Looks like a hand grip slipped off
Was this the MXDN? which year? Thanks for posting. Awesome race!!!!
nice ride, real 500cc 2 strokes, nothing like racing these bikes. These were the ultimate MX racer. It takes allot of skill and stamina to ride these bikes fast lap after lap & on the gas.
this is true old school motocross!!
Lol at the guy at 1.00. I,ll just jump off for no reason ha ha
couldnt handle the 500 power
was this one of the stages or was it one of the final races?
I have john dowds autograph :D
Yea, well I stood next to him at the urinal. SO THERE !!!
I stood next to him and talked to him while he gave me his autograph... Lol
I have his autograph too from around 1990.
I have his interviews...from Unadilla where he told me off the record since he still had a Pro license 3 years ago, "ALL of the top national guys would rather race two strokes but if you're a factory rider you race what they pay you to race." So now you know the whole 4 stroke nonsense is a lie like every other government inspired crap. Pollution my ass. MX bikes are CLOSED COURSE COMPETITION MODELS and thus EXEMPT from EPA rules. DO they regulate F1 cars or NASCAR racers? NO, its all BS. They weren't making enough money when we were on 2 strokes that we could fix ourselves, so they feed us a line of BS about how awesome 4 strokes are while billing us ten times more to fix them.
Same
Two stroke was the past, except that it's now, the future...
After JD got out front, it seemed like an IOM clip! And he beat my all time hero JMB!!!
WOW!!!!!
Haha, 1:00 the guy was going so fast the bike just keeps on going a ways after he was off it. Those 500s have some wicked power, give you arm pump in minutes.
is that farlihgh castle
this reminds me of hawkstone park outdie of england.
open class GP's there with Eric Goberson a honda 480. and George Jobe on an SR 500 Kawasaki.
Even at his edge JMB is unstoppeble!!!!!
Looks like at a minute in he went to grab the clutch but hit the EJECT button
whole race leaders on kawi 500s
god i love kawi :D
That 500cc power!@1:00
Yeah, I'm like, WTF just happened ?! lol lol
what a sick track
Nice john,where was jmb .
0:16 that's an angy bee hive
roost from a 500 hurts so bad!
350greenS10 fuck ya . The little rocks the worse
This track is sick
what track? and where?
Yves Demaria a encore de beaux restes 🇫🇷💪
Dat ghost ride doe
Number 62:Mr Yves Demaria!
Is this what they call a GT track? Not many hills and jumps?
As said below best 500cc 2 stroke gopro
This guy knows how to ride a dirtbike for sure
Badass!
One thing fo'sho... you ain't stayin' clean in a race with a bunch of KX500's in it ;)
yes it does and I have a scar plus smashed up goggles to prove it. I was behind my buddy's CR500. His bike pshot a soft ball rock. It must have been doing about 75 or 80 when it hit me. I was seeing stars for about an hour after that. Plus it dented my helmet.
That’s my uncle right there
My profile picture is a picture of me riding quads in his backyard
that crash lolol
This bloke must be up there with his fitness. Reckon I'd be fked after three laps.
I hope john when you got your trophy.you also got a case,of old guys rule t-shirts,kick auss riding.
Is that a motocross track or a hare scramble ?
It think it's laid out that way to make it easier on those vintage bikes. It does look like a short TT or scrambles track.
It’s farleigh castle England
Motocross ;a course laid over natural terrain for dirt bikes, constantly changing during the event...not smoothed out between motos....like the pampered pros of today....
Why did the leading KX just pull up on the corner and stop?
He was looking down at his rear wheel, chances are he slipped his chain ;-)
lmao 0:50 couldn't hold on to that beast
i want to ride that track
how fast can those 2 stroke 500s go? im asking because I never knew such thing existed! but I want a better 2 stroke engine, lol. I have a 2001 YZ 250 2 stroke but I can imagine a 500 would tear shit up.
500s are dangerous beasts if you don't respect them, I too ride a 250 2 stroke and its insane the power difference between them,ive rode a couple over the years and I don't see the need for anything that powerful...
ahh, I see. Maybe I can rebuild the 500 engine and put it in a new 2014 frame just to look cool and deceive others to think its a slow bike :P lol
Richard Caballero I heard of people putting them in 250 frames, the trick is finding one, they are getting harder and harder to find.
Cant possibly make one yourself?
yes you can I believe fit a 500cc into certain 250 frames, your a animal if you want that much power. i'll stick with my 250 sx its just right for where I live in Wyoming.
I never should have sold my 500.... Oh well, I can always rebuild/save one later on.
1:02 it was to powerfull for him
Quality.
kawi 2 strokes are beast!
john dowd is still badass
Awesome
Is that Jeff Ward,in front of john...
quality watch guys
oldschool
if those are 500cc, then they're not riding a bike. they're riding a beast. that's the main reason why AMA abolished 500cc 2 stroke class cos of uncontrollable power.
or because there wasn't any sales to support factory involvement. Suzuki and Yamaha had already stopped making them long before the AMA dropped the class. The class died because people weren't interested in them. plain and simple.
you got it wrong. as tech evolves, 500cc were getting more powerful and dangerous to the race because of uncontrollable power. that's why ama dropped the class.. :)
keiannschyler No you are wrong. It was dropped because of a lack of involvement due to a lack of interest.
Scootertuner1000
ok
I raced them back then,they were dropped because the big 4 were not making enough off the class,just like the big 4 did to 2 strokes now,in favor of the 4strokes.
But 2 strokes are making a comeback,everyone I know is going back to restoring and riding the 2t.
put your helmet over the front fender, regrip, shift...I wish my 450f took the same motor maintenance.
iam one year yunger and for an old man jd kicks ass
The power these big bore two strokes produce is shocking.Even compared to the fastest 450f of today.These guys are barely getting out of third gear they was more a dune bike because they had way too much power for most tracks.I am not knocking fours at all just stating facts a four would have to be almost 1000cc to produce what these 500's had.They was scary beasts and the biggest danger was over jumping which was really easy to do lol.
MrSnapy1 motogp used to be 500 2strokes
james deroc
Yea I remember the ama had it back in the day as well.I loved the MXDN back then the 125's raced against the 500's lol
Depending on track the small bikes did fairly well vs the big bores.It also made it interesting setting up the teams with three classes....Miss them days.
MrSnapy1 indeed the days before traction control and software
Does not look like John is haveing any troubles taking the inside line to me. For those who say you can not take the inside line with a 500cc two-stroke, Well they just never tried.
I was just going to say that haha
let the big dog howl.......
Acceleration bumps for 75 yards
Power wheelie 2:05
I’m a Dowdy fan!! I only count 2 times the wheels leave the ground on a lap. Boring but safe! The jumps on a moto track are the equalizer! Unless it’s all turns, then the turns are😀
Ahaha funny crash at 55:0
Yea...that's more of a grand prix track...natural terrain. My cr500 would have eaten that track!!
3 kawis up front
125 ,250 faster lap times in pro class. I had Kx and CR 500 . Awesome bikes.
To bad nr 25 broke down.The fight was on.
I'm friends with john downwds son.
JYD only passed one fat guy the rest either fell of their bike or had bike problems lol
haha 1:00
1:00 what a goon
Lol 1:00
everyone here talking about a "fast track" when you can see it dose not seem to be that fast. Maybe its just me but his bike is not even getting maxed out. My 250 going around my track is screaming every gear..... pin it.if your not shaking getting off your bike. your not going fast enough.
500's made most of their power in the midrange. why do you even comment if you have no clue what you are talking about?
@@reactorfallout true that,,,short shift or get shucked off....
The reason the 500 class is gone is the 250 class was turning faster lap times..Plain and simple..Control vs. power..Control Wins...
That's nothing new....kinda always been that way,a close race on most mx tracks 125 vs 500,and controlled power always won.in any class 125,250 or 500
Looks like that KX500 SMOKED all those 4 strokes and the 250 2 strokes to me, no control?, Evidently you can't handle that kind of POWER 🤣🤣, stick to your sissy 4 strokes
@@billrudolph8185 I didn't hear any 4strokes in this race....
Boring track