Two Stroke Motocross

Two Stroke Motocross Forum => General Two Stroke Talk => Topic started by: JohnN on March 21, 2010, 05:44:23 PM

Title: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: JohnN on March 21, 2010, 05:44:23 PM
Over the past month or so, Mike has been helping me out by testing the TM125.... for some "odd" reason the bike keeps getting faster!!

Mike loves this machine and he wishes that we could use the TM 250 for Project Two 50.. .too bad the AMA has outlawed it.

Since the weather has just begun to improve here on the East Coast, he is just starting to be able to ride outdoors. In fact only started on Tuesday. He has been riding everyday, building up stamina and getting "race ready". Even though he trains hard throughout the winter, there's nothing like getting outside and riding to ensure you are ready.

For the past week he has been training using a very small track that he dubbed the "corner track". On Tuesday the fastest lap time was about 32 seconds...

Today his lowest lap time was 26 seconds.... the funny thing is that the track is now rougher than at the beginning of the week!

He told me tonight that he will get it down to 24 seconds!!

Whoo Hooo...

After getting into riding shape, he will begin the real training... in a few weeks he'll begin training with John Dowd... then it will get interesting!!  :D :D

You guys will get many updates that will be published here first...

Check out this photo!

(http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/Two_Stroke_Motocross/IMG_4327.jpg)

When I have some time, I've got to edit some video that I shot yesterday... very cool stuff.
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: offroader on March 21, 2010, 06:32:36 PM
2 thumbs up to Mike on the quick drop in lap times!It really would be great if the TM was homologated.That would draw even more attention.Can't wait to see the vids. ;D
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: 2smoker on March 21, 2010, 09:52:56 PM
What is wrong with the TM for the stupid AMA? I wanna laugh..please!
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: Hondacrrider on March 21, 2010, 09:56:06 PM
I really don't understand why the TM is illegal to race in an AMA event, could someone fill me in on why this is, although I do have the slightest suspicion that it has to do with the Japanese making money.
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: RM250 Evan on March 21, 2010, 10:04:39 PM
I believe its because there is not enough sold in the US each year?
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: JohnN on March 22, 2010, 06:19:05 AM
I really don't understand why the TM is illegal to race in an AMA event, could someone fill me in on why this is, although I do have the slightest suspicion that it has to do with the Japanese making money.

The AMA has a rule on the books called homologation (sp), this rule basically states that a manufacturer must import or build at least 400 units of a particular model before it can be raced in the Professional ranks. From the figures that I've heard they also have to pay a "fee" of up to $40,000. to the AMA for the "Priveledge" of being able to compete.

I consider this rule the "good 'ol boy rule" because it prevents any small company from competing against the Big 4. Consider how bad it would be for them if an upstart company showed up with machines that could beat the Big 4... people might actually look at these other machines before the Big 4...

Now that wouldn't want that to happen, now would they??  :o :o

Although, I think today in 2010, that some of the manufacturers are competing on new bikes, when they do not have 400 machines in the country... from what I heard the 2010 RMZ 250 is one of those machines.

I wonder how Suzuki is able to race without having enough machines in the USA???  ???
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: miedosoracing on March 22, 2010, 08:55:50 AM
I do believe the rule has been changed due to the economy. So the interesting thing, is that there now has been a couple of things that came back to bite the big manufactures. First, was the lead content law that was to hurt the chinese motorcycle industry. I heard that from a very reliable source inside the chinese realm. Then later, it was proven to be a fact. Then this rule, that now they can't even live up too.  I think TM should just show up and say ummm, show me the proof that Suzuki has imported enough, or let us race. 
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: JohnN on March 22, 2010, 10:35:07 AM
Hey Meidos,

Do you have any details on the rule change? That would be huge news!!

Thank you.
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: miedosoracing on March 22, 2010, 12:20:22 PM
Hey Meidos,

Do you have any details on the rule change? That would be huge news!!

Thank you.
First the point about suzuki. and KTM  http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/MotoRelated,20/2010-Suzuki-homologation,773364 (http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/MotoRelated,20/2010-Suzuki-homologation,773364)

Second the Homo rule now is 50 units? Maybe?  http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Motodrive,19/KTM-350-Homologation,837967 (http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Motodrive,19/KTM-350-Homologation,837967)
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: JETZcorp on March 22, 2010, 02:45:53 PM
50 units?  That's interesting, because it means there's a chance for an old name to come back into the racing limelight.  I think you guys know who I'm talking about.
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: miedosoracing on March 22, 2010, 03:09:43 PM
50 units?  That's interesting, because it means there's a chance for an old name to come back into the racing limelight.  I think you guys know who I'm talking about.

At this time, they really didn't seem to interested in pushing our market??? Not sure why. Although, they may be at their limits of production right now. They did say they are extremely busy right now...
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: JETZcorp on March 22, 2010, 03:42:27 PM
I think the waiting list is up to over a month, if we're talking about the same guys.
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: JohnN on March 22, 2010, 06:03:15 PM

First the point about suzuki. and KTM  http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/MotoRelated,20/2010-Suzuki-homologation,773364 (http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/MotoRelated,20/2010-Suzuki-homologation,773364)

Second the Homo rule now is 50 units? Maybe?  http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Motodrive,19/KTM-350-Homologation,837967 (http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Motodrive,19/KTM-350-Homologation,837967)

Hey Miedos,

Not for nothing but unless I see something on the AMA or MX Sports site, I just don't believe it. While some of the folks on Vital are in the know, for the most part I fel that some make stuff up or offer hypothetical ideas, just to talk about it...

Although it would be great, if the number was lowered to 50 units...
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: miedosoracing on March 23, 2010, 08:47:42 AM

First the point about suzuki. and KTM  http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/MotoRelated,20/2010-Suzuki-homologation,773364 (http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/MotoRelated,20/2010-Suzuki-homologation,773364)

Second the Homo rule now is 50 units? Maybe?  http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Motodrive,19/KTM-350-Homologation,837967 (http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Motodrive,19/KTM-350-Homologation,837967)

Hey Miedos,

Not for nothing but unless I see something on the AMA or MX Sports site, I just don't believe it. While some of the folks on Vital are in the know, for the most part I fel that some make stuff up or offer hypothetical ideas, just to talk about it...

Although it would be great, if the number was lowered to 50 units...
Well, the problem is, they may never let it out, but do it backroom style.
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: offroader on March 23, 2010, 10:36:24 AM
KTM probably strong armed them to make it 50 so they could get the 350 4 joke to the nats this year.I wonder if the same rule would apply if it were tm or maico.
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: miedosoracing on March 23, 2010, 12:38:23 PM
KTM probably strong armed them to make it 50 so they could get the 350 4 joke to the nats this year.I wonder if the same rule would apply if it were tm or maico.
From what I heard, wasn't KTM. Think bigger.
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: JohnN on March 23, 2010, 12:44:18 PM
KTM probably strong armed them to make it 50 so they could get the 350 4 joke to the nats this year.I wonder if the same rule would apply if it were tm or maico.

My feeling is that is was the S brand... but all of the manufacturers have been hit hard. It's probably a joint decision on all parts...

Although I'd imagine that Meidos is corect, it may only be a "back room" deal and would not be open to the smaller manufacturers..

As for the smaller brands being able to manufacture the needed 50 units... it might not be possible for 2010. The bikes all need to be built before June 1... not for nothing, the other factories (and distributors) are small guys, it would be hard to build all those machines unless a great deal of them were sold up front... kind of a catch 22 situation...

Still the possibilities are interesting!
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: offroader on March 23, 2010, 05:05:24 PM
yeah probably the s brand was a big influence but like John said probably a joint venture.Also seems the M.Alessi has now burnt his bridges with ktm so he will not be racing the 350 4 joke this year after all.
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: admiral on March 24, 2010, 05:02:03 PM
yeah probably the s brand was a big influence but like John said probably a joint venture.Also seems the M.Alessi has now burnt his bridges with ktm so he will not be racing the 350 4 joke this year after all.
you're kidding!?  what did M.Alessi and his dad do this time?
Title: Re: Mike Leavitt on the TM125
Post by: offroader on March 24, 2010, 06:47:26 PM
yeah probably the s brand was a big influence but like John said probably a joint venture.Also seems the M.Alessi has now burnt his bridges with ktm so he will not be racing the 350 4 joke this year after all.
you're kidding!?  what did M.Alessi and his dad do this time?

Haven't really heard anything yet.Some are saying ktm got rid of them.