Kyle Lewis on WTS

roostymcgee
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roostymcgee
Edited Date/Time 9/17/2022 11:40am
Great look at the career of one of my favorites, Kyle Lewis. Pretty emotional at times. Can’t believe the story about his first supercross win.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zgfq2DkQQms
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FastEddy
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FastEddy 9/5/2022 2:46pm
9/5/2022 2:46pm
That was a good interview.
Had to turn the volume up - he's such a laid back subtle spoken guy.
And yep very sad story about his first win / 87 San Diego.
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geeZ177
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geeZ177 9/5/2022 2:57pm
9/5/2022 2:57pm
One of my Favs, I have been waiting for this show for awhile. I have always like the hard workers that may or may not have been the fastest. Kyle, LaRocco, etc.
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Magoofan
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Magoofan 9/5/2022 3:14pm
9/5/2022 3:14pm Edited Date/Time 9/5/2022 3:21pm
I was just watching that episode....I listen while I work. Great interview....and yeah, the part about his dad...wow.

He was talking about Indian Dunes and racing there on the International and Shadow Glen tracks...it truly was one of the best places to race/ride. It got me to dig up some of my old racing days clippings from CYcle News.

I saved this because as a kid I'm ....like yeah!....i'm in the newspaper!.....but look at those other names I used to race with (but not in the same class).


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Searights
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Searights 9/5/2022 3:41pm
9/5/2022 3:41pm Edited Date/Time 9/5/2022 5:59pm
I remember when Kyle and Larry Ward were teammates. Always rooted for Kyle. There was also a time when he holeshot damn near every race he was in!
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Django
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Django 9/5/2022 5:46pm
9/5/2022 5:46pm
I've always been a big fan of Lewis.
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Ramrod
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Ramrod 9/5/2022 5:52pm
9/5/2022 5:52pm
Great interview and he had stellar career. So much hard work, determination, injuries and overcoming adversity.

For such a soft spoken guy he strikes me as a tough mf'r and someone who you would never mess with.
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wb173
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wb173 9/5/2022 6:04pm
9/5/2022 6:04pm
Big fan when I had Weidler Dynamics CR80 in '87. Steve built some good bikes. Made me look up to Kyle.
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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 9/5/2022 6:34pm
9/5/2022 6:34pm
Good show, still listening and haven't finished. The part where he got choked up talking about his wife standing up for him was heavy. Great work Ping.
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SteveUrchin
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SteveUrchin 9/5/2022 7:57pm
9/5/2022 7:57pm Edited Date/Time 9/5/2022 7:58pm
His pops purchased my uncles R & D 60 it scared the shit out of him!!! My grandpa said his pops was the man as well!!! Legends never die…
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Huckster 9/6/2022 3:47am
9/6/2022 3:47am
Very hard to listen to. Seemed like Ping was struggling to get Kyle to wake up.
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crowe660
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crowe660 9/6/2022 3:56am
9/6/2022 3:56am
Great listen. Moto XXX years are what I think of when I think of him. Still wild he didn’t get more factory shots. Dude could haul balls.
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Magoofan
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Magoofan 9/6/2022 8:41am
9/6/2022 8:41am Edited Date/Time 9/6/2022 3:12pm
Huckster wrote:
Very hard to listen to. Seemed like Ping was struggling to get Kyle to wake up.
There are still people in the world who don't act like media attention whores. Wink

KL comes across as a good/humble guy.
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Huckster
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Huckster 9/6/2022 2:05pm
9/6/2022 2:05pm
Huckster wrote:
Very hard to listen to. Seemed like Ping was struggling to get Kyle to wake up.
Magoofan wrote:
There are still people in the world who don't act like media attention whores. Wink

KL comes across as a good/humble guy.
Actually sounded like he was bored but ok….
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dpingree101
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dpingree101 9/6/2022 4:20pm
9/6/2022 4:20pm
Huckster wrote:
Very hard to listen to. Seemed like Ping was struggling to get Kyle to wake up.
Kyle is just soft-spoken and he takes his time articulating a thought. I really enjoyed the conversation and appreciate how close his emotions were to the surface. I can’t think of any other racer who put in 21 years in the trenches as a pro. Incredible.
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Black Diesel Bomber 9/6/2022 5:58pm
9/6/2022 5:58pm
I wish I could upload a video I took of what is probably one of Kyle's scariest crashes ever. I was on a ride with him at his favorite riding spot near his house. He would lead the way and get us into some serious trouble up there, and he never failed to scare us all by doing crazy shit that was not fun to watch. I had a small camcorder in my backpack and was video'ing him go 5th gear pinned down a massive widow-maker style hill and then skim across VW sized whoops at the bottom. Well, he hit a big rock hidden under some soft stuff and went cartwheeling and rag dolling across the whoops. Very scary crash to witness especially being out the desert far from any help.

The video is low resolution, but it's worth uploading if someone can help. There's some good commentary from someone's elderly Dad who was riding with us at the end.
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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 9/6/2022 6:55pm
9/6/2022 6:55pm
Black Diesel Bomber wrote:
I wish I could upload a video I took of what is probably one of Kyle's scariest crashes ever. I was on a ride with him...
I wish I could upload a video I took of what is probably one of Kyle's scariest crashes ever. I was on a ride with him at his favorite riding spot near his house. He would lead the way and get us into some serious trouble up there, and he never failed to scare us all by doing crazy shit that was not fun to watch. I had a small camcorder in my backpack and was video'ing him go 5th gear pinned down a massive widow-maker style hill and then skim across VW sized whoops at the bottom. Well, he hit a big rock hidden under some soft stuff and went cartwheeling and rag dolling across the whoops. Very scary crash to witness especially being out the desert far from any help.

The video is low resolution, but it's worth uploading if someone can help. There's some good commentary from someone's elderly Dad who was riding with us at the end.
I'm guessing the cam corder was pre-SD card Era? Was this the crash he talked about in the show? Said it was like his first day on the new crf450
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Black Diesel Bomber 9/6/2022 6:59pm
9/6/2022 6:59pm
Black Diesel Bomber wrote:
I wish I could upload a video I took of what is probably one of Kyle's scariest crashes ever. I was on a ride with him...
I wish I could upload a video I took of what is probably one of Kyle's scariest crashes ever. I was on a ride with him at his favorite riding spot near his house. He would lead the way and get us into some serious trouble up there, and he never failed to scare us all by doing crazy shit that was not fun to watch. I had a small camcorder in my backpack and was video'ing him go 5th gear pinned down a massive widow-maker style hill and then skim across VW sized whoops at the bottom. Well, he hit a big rock hidden under some soft stuff and went cartwheeling and rag dolling across the whoops. Very scary crash to witness especially being out the desert far from any help.

The video is low resolution, but it's worth uploading if someone can help. There's some good commentary from someone's elderly Dad who was riding with us at the end.
hubbardmx50 wrote:
I'm guessing the cam corder was pre-SD card Era? Was this the crash he talked about in the show? Said it was like his first day...
I'm guessing the cam corder was pre-SD card Era? Was this the crash he talked about in the show? Said it was like his first day on the new crf450
I haven't listened to the show yet but was planning on listening tomorrow. Is there a time stamp or any best guess for a time stamp when he talks about the crash? Yes, he was on the new CRF450 scaring us all.

The camcorder was pre-SD card era but I know I have a copy of it digitized somewhere.
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UpTiTe
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UpTiTe 9/9/2022 11:31am
9/9/2022 11:31am
Huckster wrote:
Very hard to listen to. Seemed like Ping was struggling to get Kyle to wake up.
Kyle is soft spoken, and always thinks about what he is going to say, he just doesn’t blurt out anything.

He is without a doubt one of the most intelligent riders to ride pro.
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FlaNard
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FlaNard 9/9/2022 11:34am
9/9/2022 11:34am
Big fan of Kyle since the Moto XXX days. I’ll have to check this one out for sure.
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Black Diesel Bomber 9/9/2022 11:49am
9/9/2022 11:49am
Black Diesel Bomber wrote:
I wish I could upload a video I took of what is probably one of Kyle's scariest crashes ever. I was on a ride with him...
I wish I could upload a video I took of what is probably one of Kyle's scariest crashes ever. I was on a ride with him at his favorite riding spot near his house. He would lead the way and get us into some serious trouble up there, and he never failed to scare us all by doing crazy shit that was not fun to watch. I had a small camcorder in my backpack and was video'ing him go 5th gear pinned down a massive widow-maker style hill and then skim across VW sized whoops at the bottom. Well, he hit a big rock hidden under some soft stuff and went cartwheeling and rag dolling across the whoops. Very scary crash to witness especially being out the desert far from any help.

The video is low resolution, but it's worth uploading if someone can help. There's some good commentary from someone's elderly Dad who was riding with us at the end.
hubbardmx50 wrote:
I'm guessing the cam corder was pre-SD card Era? Was this the crash he talked about in the show? Said it was like his first day...
I'm guessing the cam corder was pre-SD card Era? Was this the crash he talked about in the show? Said it was like his first day on the new crf450
Someone pointed me to the part where he talks about the crash and yes this is the one. I can tell you this hill he was wheelie'ing down 5 gear pinned makes every rider pucker just to go down it with brakes locked up. I was not going to mention the location but he did in the video and I can tell you it's a huge gnarly hill that most riders can't even make it up. You all know videos don't do justice but in the video I took he does one pass by me and it does do justice. Next pass is when he hits the rock and cartwheeled for about 50 yards. It was gnarly and right before the season.

I was lucky enough to get some of his bikes and parts, mostly the RM250's in the late 90's. I think it was '98 where he was flying at Glen Helen with the top guys on his RM250. I think he had some bike issues and still finished pretty well. I also inherited my first 4 stroke from him, it was one of his MotoXXX yzf 426 Yamahas. I was probably riding it that day when I filmed his crash.
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sandman768
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sandman768 9/9/2022 2:09pm
9/9/2022 2:09pm
Bought these original Kyle Lewis Noleen race bike side panels from a cool cat that had them collecting dust in his garage… I felt they should be cleaned up & on a bike! …. Lewis was a solid Pro for a long time…..

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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 9/9/2022 2:21pm
9/9/2022 2:21pm
Black Diesel Bomber wrote:
I wish I could upload a video I took of what is probably one of Kyle's scariest crashes ever. I was on a ride with him...
I wish I could upload a video I took of what is probably one of Kyle's scariest crashes ever. I was on a ride with him at his favorite riding spot near his house. He would lead the way and get us into some serious trouble up there, and he never failed to scare us all by doing crazy shit that was not fun to watch. I had a small camcorder in my backpack and was video'ing him go 5th gear pinned down a massive widow-maker style hill and then skim across VW sized whoops at the bottom. Well, he hit a big rock hidden under some soft stuff and went cartwheeling and rag dolling across the whoops. Very scary crash to witness especially being out the desert far from any help.

The video is low resolution, but it's worth uploading if someone can help. There's some good commentary from someone's elderly Dad who was riding with us at the end.
hubbardmx50 wrote:
I'm guessing the cam corder was pre-SD card Era? Was this the crash he talked about in the show? Said it was like his first day...
I'm guessing the cam corder was pre-SD card Era? Was this the crash he talked about in the show? Said it was like his first day on the new crf450
Black Diesel Bomber wrote:
Someone pointed me to the part where he talks about the crash and yes this is the one. I can tell you this hill he was...
Someone pointed me to the part where he talks about the crash and yes this is the one. I can tell you this hill he was wheelie'ing down 5 gear pinned makes every rider pucker just to go down it with brakes locked up. I was not going to mention the location but he did in the video and I can tell you it's a huge gnarly hill that most riders can't even make it up. You all know videos don't do justice but in the video I took he does one pass by me and it does do justice. Next pass is when he hits the rock and cartwheeled for about 50 yards. It was gnarly and right before the season.

I was lucky enough to get some of his bikes and parts, mostly the RM250's in the late 90's. I think it was '98 where he was flying at Glen Helen with the top guys on his RM250. I think he had some bike issues and still finished pretty well. I also inherited my first 4 stroke from him, it was one of his MotoXXX yzf 426 Yamahas. I was probably riding it that day when I filmed his crash.
Cool. Try to find a way to upload it
1
Merc1000
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Merc1000 9/13/2022 11:37am
9/13/2022 11:37am
Always loved Kyle Lewis. Did his wife pass away?
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crowe660
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crowe660 9/13/2022 4:38pm
9/13/2022 4:38pm
Merc1000 wrote:
Always loved Kyle Lewis. Did his wife pass away?
I was wondering if something happened too. He broke down a bit when he was talking about her being a badass for setting a doctor straight that told him he was done racing.

Kyle had a HELL of a career. It was a great podcast. Kyle and Larry are always the first guys I think of when I think of Moto XXX. Kyle and Chicken’s Japanese years are fascinating to me.
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Merc1000
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Merc1000 9/13/2022 6:14pm
9/13/2022 6:14pm
crowe660 wrote:
I was wondering if something happened too. He broke down a bit when he was talking about her being a badass for setting a doctor straight...
I was wondering if something happened too. He broke down a bit when he was talking about her being a badass for setting a doctor straight that told him he was done racing.

Kyle had a HELL of a career. It was a great podcast. Kyle and Larry are always the first guys I think of when I think of Moto XXX. Kyle and Chicken’s Japanese years are fascinating to me.
I agree 100%, and those names you listed there were always some of my favorite riders. Larry winning that Supercross in '99 was one of the best ever.
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UpTiTe
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UpTiTe 9/13/2022 8:16pm
9/13/2022 8:16pm
Merc1000 wrote:
Always loved Kyle Lewis. Did his wife pass away?
No, but they went through some stuff that brought them closer.
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Merc1000
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Merc1000 9/17/2022 7:08am
9/17/2022 7:08am
Also Kyle Lewis looks, talks, and acts just like Tommy on Shameless........
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Mallet
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Mallet 9/17/2022 11:39am
9/17/2022 11:39am
Kyle couldn't remember who's bike he rode to win the Dallas Supercross in 1987 after crashing in practice and bending his frame. It was Dean Matson's practice bike with Kyle's motor and handlebars. Pretty sure he even used Dean's suspension because his forks were bent.
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