Guy B is the owner of Vital and he commented and even asked a question... usually he just says something brief and not so nice about two-strokes... but then he makes a bunch of money working or the Big 4 manufacturers...
John, since RupX pointed out TSM on Vital today, I figured it'd be worth stopping by to clear up a couple things that I noticed.
1. You're mistaken. I don't own Vital MX. I'm an employee here.
2. As far as me making a bunch of money working "or" the Big 4...I also happened to notice in another thread that someone commented that Yamaha was an advertiser on Vital. The last time I checked, they were still interested in selling two-strokes, too. Yes, they advertise. But that doesn't dictate opinion. The same goes for the other manufacturers.
3. Yes, I occasionally have fun with some of the two-stroke aficionados over on Vital. But that's generally when they bring up the notion that there's some kind of secret society where I'm supposed to talk up four-strokes, and talk down two-strokes. Or that I'm getting paid off. To clarify for the crew here, I grew up watching and riding two-strokes. I get that they're fun to ride, cheaper to maintain, etc. Yes, I still love the smell and sound of a two-stroke, etc.
4. I did notice one other thread where there was a quote from me in Racer X. "I think two-strokes are sort of like a past relationship. You remember the good parts, and quickly forget the bad parts. There's a lot of nostalgia for the scent, and the sound, but the equipment and racing itself is better now." I don't remember the exact context of the thread that came from, but it's a personal opinion, and I'll give you an example of what I'm talking about from last summer.
During the intermission race at Unadilla during last year's National that featured both vintage and modern two-strokes, I was watching the riders drop into the Screw-U section, and back out. I also watched the pro class guys through there during one of their motos. Where a lot of the two-stroke guys were having trouble keeping the front end down, and were busy fanning the clutch, while almost universally, the four-stroke guys were motoring smoothly up the hill. There's a lot less flailing on the four-strokes. That's part of what prompted my comment.
Anyway, that's it for my quick stop by here. Have fun, and watch out for the black helicoptors.
Thank you for stopping by and clearing up some false information. I appreciate it.
Probably best to respond to your notes by number...
1. Sorry, here I assumed something that was totally wrong. In my defense, every time I've heard anything about Vital is was in the same sentence with your name. Who does own Vital??
2. This was not my full understanding.. I've mentioned it in other areas of the site before, when any media outlet sells advertising, it is difficult to say lots of bad things about them. Not a conspiracy, just smart business. Yes I have seen Yamaha advertisements on Vital, but the ones I did see were about the bikes they were trying to sell (I believe leftover four-strokes)
Also if memory serves correctly, you have done freelance photography for Yamaha. I know that when someone pays me for a job, I consider myself an employee of that company...
Yes, I mis-spelled "for" but you mis-spelled helicopter!
3. Secret society? How can we join??
4. I thought it was an interesting quote and worth repeating... believe it or not, I did get it.
The Unadilla race was a hoot!! Yes the two-strokes do require a bit more work to get around the track... we all agree to that. My question is what would happen at that same point were the 250 two-strokes and 250 four-strokes allowed to race each other... you know the joke about equal displacement??
If you read this entire thread you will notice that I suggest that members of this site (and others) be respectful of others...
As one last parting comment, why is it because some people don't agree with you about four-strokes that they are labeled crazy or nostalgic or conspiracy theorists??
Black helicopters?? Really??
Personally I would have wanted to be a fly on the wall at the AMA meeting late last year, early this year where it was decided that 250 vs 250 wasn't fair.
It would also be interesting to ask or find out why the FIM changed from 250 vs 250 for 2010..
All the two-stroke "fanatics" have been asking for, is fair rules. The current handicap does not work and is not fair.
As for responses on the forums, some folks get carried away and say silly and sometimes stupid things. It's the nature of an open forum and it goes both ways....
All the best..