Top 5 dirt bike racers of all time.

Zracer
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3/31/2015 12:48pm Edited Date/Time 3/31/2015 12:49pm
zehn wrote:
Did you really just label a multi-time champion ( c'ships in both disciplines) who also had a perfect season a "mediocre racer"?
Yes. 50 sx wins and only 2 championships pretty much shows that. He was so much more talented rider than his competition for so long ,only 3 titles is due to him being a mediocre racer. You guys really don't understand the difference between being a great rider and a great racer do you?
3/31/2015 12:51pm
gsxrcr28 wrote:
I think a professional or former professional in any sport will have a much more educated and accurate opinion than someone who has never been a...
I think a professional or former professional in any sport will have a much more educated and accurate opinion than someone who has never been a professional in that sport.
So true, that's why Aldon Baker is such a great trainer, ....................................he raced to so many titles.
dean122
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3/31/2015 12:56pm
Flex wrote:
Rc
Everts
Ac222
Rv
Js7
x2

RC just stands alone. Nothing else can really be said.
Everts is a damn close 2nd. The only time I worried about RC losing is when Everts was on the track with him.
AC222 is a solid 3rd.
RV is close with AC, but I feel AC is just a bit more rounded with his racecraft and experience. AC IMO has better adaptability to different track conditions.
JS7 owned 125s like nobody I've ever seen. He transitioned that into the 4-strokes and does amazing things on a motorcycle nobody has ever been able to replicate. He links together sections that seem impossible to the mortal. His speed is world class of course, but it's the issue of staying on two wheels that puts him at the bottom of the top 5.
gsxrcr28
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3/31/2015 12:56pm
Zracer wrote:
Yes. 50 sx wins and only 2 championships pretty much shows that. He was so much more talented rider than his competition for so long ,only...
Yes. 50 sx wins and only 2 championships pretty much shows that. He was so much more talented rider than his competition for so long ,only 3 titles is due to him being a mediocre racer. You guys really don't understand the difference between being a great rider and a great racer do you?
I think being 2nd on the all time win list, with numerous titles easily proves he is one of the best racers and riders of all time. There is no legitimate argument against that, the only ones who will try to believe it are a few predictable message board posters.

The Shop

Forty
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3/31/2015 1:06pm
RandyS wrote:
Who do you think are the top five dirt bike racers of all time? And your reasons. 1:RC, I don't think I really need to defend...
Who do you think are the top five dirt bike racers of all time? And your reasons.

1:RC, I don't think I really need to defend this with anyone.

2-5 in no particular order, and I'm doing more than 5 because I can't narrow it down to just 5. My thread, my rules.

MC, even though his outdoor stats aren't as good as others the effect, change and dominance he had on Supercross is unmatched, his competitors believed they were racing for second for almost 10 years.

Tie Roger DeCoster and Joel Robert. They wrote the book.

Tie Stefan Everts and Antionio Cairolli. They each owned their decade.

Tie Bob Hannah, Ricky Johnson, and Ryan Villopoto. All three could have had numbers that were greater if not for injuries, RV can still move into his own spot at the top but it will take more than winning this year. Even if he didn't win this year but stayed over there a couple more years and won he can move to his own spot. Cairolli could also if RV stayed there and didn't win.

I know the first thing that's going to be posted is this is an anti James Stewart thread, do you see Chad Reed on there? I don't think either of them belong.


If you stick with "dirt bike racers" as the criteria then the top 5 would be off road cats IMO.

I typed in top offroad motorcyclists of all time and a picture of Mike Brown popped up. Hard to argue....

Knight
Salminen
Summers
Abbot

Hell even the current guys, Russsel, Strang....Anyone that can fly through the woods like these guys for 3 hours gets my vote.

MX/SX only then IMO Stewart has to be in the mix.....I like RJ in this category, Bailey, RC, Hannah...remember he said "racers" not necessarily champions...

Henry was a GREAT MX racer, did whatever it took with whatever he had....in-fing-credible.

Magoo wasn't a great racer just a madman, but I love that guy.

Arvee of course, another great racer, Decoster, IMO Dungey should be in the conversation, if not now, soon.

Now this is going to generate some anger from a lot of people, MC was not that great of a racer, he didn't have to be.He was a very good racer of course but he got great starts and with his style he covered a SX track more efficiently than anyone else did for a long time. And his competition did not believe they could beat him, he had all comers beaten before the gate dropped, Flame away but also think about it.








RandyS
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3/31/2015 1:31pm
Well, it was stated as dirt bike because if I said MX, or SX, or MX/SX it would not fit USA vs Euro equally. But it also isn't limiting to closed course. I think MX/SX represents the deepest fields so mine were all MX/SX. Doesn't make it right or wrong, just makes it my opinion.
TriRacer27
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3/31/2015 1:32pm
Not going to make a full list but just want to state 3 things:

1. Sorry but MC doesn't belong on this list. One-trick pony.
2. Everts for sure. That guy demonstrated he could win at any level and discipline. He would've been a formidable challenge in SX.
3. RV > RC. Any list that includes RC must include RV as well. I don't care if RV doesn't win the GP title, he has already proven more deserving of the title of GOAT than RC. I know many will dispute this and I don't care. RV was just as good outdoors, and better indoors. If he win's the GP title it will only cement his superiority.

Steve125
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3/31/2015 1:35pm
Surprised you off road guys don't consider Dick Burleson. Maybe before your time?

Top american 1970 Trans Ama (4th) earning the National Motocross Champion status before the AMA sanctioned it
Followed by
8 consecutive National Enduro Championships.
8 consecutive ISDT Gold medals.

That said,
My top 5 would be
Roger Decoster
Ricky Carmichael
Bob Hannah
Rick Johnson
Jeff Stanton
anniebertmojo
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3/31/2015 1:37pm Edited Date/Time 3/31/2015 1:38pm
More then 5, but it's a great thread:

1. Gary Jones: He helped (along with his family) create the Honda CR and Yamaha YZ bikes that created a generation of racers (including today)

2. DeCoster and Joel Robert: Wrote the book on taking it to the next level (showed the world how it's done)

3. Hannah: Cocky, bad ass and made a shit ton of $. Plus he backed it up by winning and created a fan base that is still popular today

4. RJ, Bailey, O'Mara, Ward: Took training and racing seriously and elevated it to a new level of competitiveness

5. McGrath, RC, RV: MC - Brought the entertainment value into the sport, RC - took training seriously and learned to dominate, RV - Kept throttled pinned, was in shape and raked up championships
3/31/2015 1:42pm
RC
Decoster
Malcolm Smith
Stephan Everts
Jeff Fredette.

For those of you who do not know who Jeff Fredette is, he holds the record for finishes at the ISDE. He competed in 34 ISDEs, the first in 1978, the last in 2014 and finished 33, one of the single greatest records in all of motorsports. His nearest competitor completed around 30 but finished around 20 with 10 or so DNFs. To give you some perspective, Kaleb Russell would have to enter and finish for another 30 years to equal Fredette. No one will ever get close to his record.
3/31/2015 1:49pm
RC and MC for the same reasons as OP.

Kailub Russell and Charlie Mullins. These guys can't be touched on a GNCC track, plus they're WFO for three hours, not 30 minutes.

Kurt Caselli was not only a beast on a motorcycle but was a great humanitarian and expander of our sport.

Roger Decoster will always be the man.

Honorable Mentions:
JS7 is also great, RV2, RD5, CR22, KDub, AC222, Larocco was awesome to watch and great in the pits. DH19. Just to name a few.

Spartacus
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3/31/2015 1:50pm
If you're saying "dirt bike racers" then Malcolm Smith is in that top 5 ATMO.
Forty
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3/31/2015 1:57pm
RC and MC for the same reasons as OP. Kailub Russell and Charlie Mullins. These guys can't be touched on a GNCC track, plus they're WFO...
RC and MC for the same reasons as OP.

Kailub Russell and Charlie Mullins. These guys can't be touched on a GNCC track, plus they're WFO for three hours, not 30 minutes.

Kurt Caselli was not only a beast on a motorcycle but was a great humanitarian and expander of our sport.

Roger Decoster will always be the man.

Honorable Mentions:
JS7 is also great, RV2, RD5, CR22, KDub, AC222, Larocco was awesome to watch and great in the pits. DH19. Just to name a few.



I like the Larocco take, I didn't think of him, he was a great racer.

Park Boys
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3/31/2015 2:01pm
TriRacer27 wrote:
Not going to make a full list but just want to state 3 things: 1. Sorry but MC doesn't belong on this list. One-trick pony. 2...
Not going to make a full list but just want to state 3 things:

1. Sorry but MC doesn't belong on this list. One-trick pony.
2. Everts for sure. That guy demonstrated he could win at any level and discipline. He would've been a formidable challenge in SX.
3. RV > RC. Any list that includes RC must include RV as well. I don't care if RV doesn't win the GP title, he has already proven more deserving of the title of GOAT than RC. I know many will dispute this and I don't care. RV was just as good outdoors, and better indoors. If he win's the GP title it will only cement his superiority.

Your on crack if you think RV is RC's equal. Reed beat RV in half of a season more than he beat RC in his entire MX career. Indoors is debatable but RC finished on the podium more than RV from 01 on.
TDeath21
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3/31/2015 3:50pm
Racer?

AMA:

1. Carmichael
2. Villopoto
3. McGrath
4. Johnson
5. Hannah
mccread
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3/31/2015 3:59pm Edited Date/Time 3/31/2015 4:00pm
It's hard to put them in order so i didn't but ...

Everts
RC
Bayle
AC
RV
MC

I know it's 6 but I can't leave any of them out!

And I think Roczen and Herlings will join that list by the end of their careers too.
3/31/2015 4:15pm
My order:
1. André Malherbe
2. RC
3. Magoo
4. Hannah
5. Johnson
6. Everts
7. Stewart
8. Jean-Michel Bayle
9. David Bailey
10. Marty Smith
Mit12
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3/31/2015 6:10pm
This is a big IF. If RV were ti win the GP title this year I would put RV at the top of the list.

But Everts has to be the top guy as of now. Yes I am an American and think Everts is the guy.
Sully
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3/31/2015 6:18pm
NPO DeCoster Hanna Malcom Smith John Penton Bubba Stewart Obviously, RC, MC, RV, TC, RJ, MAGOO, Pomeroy,Lackey, Robert, etc.... I chose my 5 for the impact...
NPO
DeCoster
Hanna
Malcom Smith
John Penton
Bubba Stewart

Obviously, RC, MC, RV, TC, RJ, MAGOO, Pomeroy,Lackey, Robert, etc....
I chose my 5 for the impact they had on our sport, but there's been so many greats it's impossible to choose only 5.
Gotta add Mouse Mcoy (ever seen Dust to Glory? AMAZING) Kurt Caselli & Al Baker.
I'm surprised it took this long for Malcolm Smith to be mentioned. That guy was (and probably still is) an animal on a dirt bike. I'd also add Larry Roesler to the list as well. Off road/Baja/Ultracross/magazine testing; a lot of people forget what a badass he was.
stillwelding
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3/31/2015 6:45pm
Eddie Mulder
Rolf Tibblin
Paul Friedrichs
JN Roberts
Magoo Chandler
DemoDick
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3/31/2015 7:03pm
TriRacer27 wrote:
Not going to make a full list but just want to state 3 things: 1. Sorry but MC doesn't belong on this list. One-trick pony. 2...
Not going to make a full list but just want to state 3 things:

1. Sorry but MC doesn't belong on this list. One-trick pony.
2. Everts for sure. That guy demonstrated he could win at any level and discipline. He would've been a formidable challenge in SX.
3. RV > RC. Any list that includes RC must include RV as well. I don't care if RV doesn't win the GP title, he has already proven more deserving of the title of GOAT than RC. I know many will dispute this and I don't care. RV was just as good outdoors, and better indoors. If he win's the GP title it will only cement his superiority.

We all know MC spent most of his career in SX but he certainly had the skills to get it done outdoors. 9 total SX championships plus an outdoor title and he does not get the list?

I disagree.

250cc AMA Supercross Championships: 7 (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000)
125cc AMA Western Region SX Championships: 2 (1991 and 1992)
250cc AMA National Motocross Championships: 1 (1995)
FIM World SX Championships: 2
Member of Winning US Motocross des Nations Team: 2 (1993 and 1996)
Overall AMA Career Wins: 89

250cc AMA Supercross wins: 72
125cc Western Region SX wins: 13
250cc AMA National Motocross wins: 15
125cc AMA National Motocross wins: 2
3/31/2015 7:25pm Edited Date/Time 3/31/2015 7:26pm
Eddie Mulder
Rolf Tibblin
Paul Friedrichs
JN Roberts
Magoo Chandler
Don't forget KENNY ROBERTS, JAY SPRNGSTEN, STEVE WISE & DAVE ALDANA.
JPT
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3/31/2015 7:29pm
Eras make a big difference.
theToothPerry
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3/31/2015 7:31pm
Zracer wrote:
JS7 is a great rider but a mediocre racer and doesn't belong near any of the best RACER lists, I think its odd that you idolize...
JS7 is a great rider but a mediocre racer and doesn't belong near any of the best RACER lists, I think its odd that you idolize pro riders so much that you actually think their opinion means more than anybody elses. Many former pros are biased as we are . You have some "hero" issues.

1 RC
2 Everts
3 MC
4 RV
5 Cairoli
Win lists dont mean anything to you do they? You must be pretty mediocre at reading numbers.
Crush
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3/31/2015 7:34pm Edited Date/Time 3/31/2015 7:36pm
Since it says Racers... Go by championships I think.... And it's pretty hard to compare Europe to USA seeing one doesn't do supercross...

USA? RC (15), RV(9), MC(8), Ward/RJ(7), Hannah(6), JS/RD/MB(4)

Europe? Everts, Decoster, Cairoli, Geboers, Everts, Malherbe/Thorpe/Albee/Tortelli
JPT
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3/31/2015 7:49pm Edited Date/Time 3/31/2015 7:50pm
Nobody mentioned Bugsy?
Hut
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3/31/2015 7:52pm
Park Boys wrote:
Easy 1.RC 2. Too Hip 3. Hurricane 4. RV 5.MC 6.Bubba Too hard to compare GP's to AMA as they don't race SX for various different...
Easy
1.RC
2. Too Hip
3. Hurricane
4. RV
5.MC
6.Bubba

Too hard to compare GP's to AMA as they don't race SX for various different reasons.

GP only
1. The Man
2. AC222
3. Everts
4. Roberts
5. Mikkola
6. Hallman
That's how I see it. Cool
ChrisB10
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3/31/2015 7:53pm Edited Date/Time 3/31/2015 7:55pm
1. Carmichael
2. Everts
3. McGrath
4. Villopoto
5. Stewart
6. Cairoli
7. ChrisB10

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