What's it REALLY Like Racing 500 2 Strokes in the 90's?? John Kocinski Explains...

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  • Опубліковано 4 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 135

  • @ericbarnes6130
    @ericbarnes6130 5 місяців тому +54

    Eddie freaking Lawson!!!!
    4 x World Champion!
    2 X Superbike Champion!
    2 x Daytona Winner!
    Suzuki 8hr endurance champion!
    2 x Superbikers Winner!
    250 AMA Champion!

    • @MikeJones-jh5rp
      @MikeJones-jh5rp 5 місяців тому +2

      Fuck yeah .

    • @sandman1347
      @sandman1347 5 місяців тому +1

      Steady Eddie baby!

    • @claytonknight3078
      @claytonknight3078 4 місяці тому

      Eddie was the Man!!

    • @miguelcollado5438
      @miguelcollado5438 4 місяці тому +2

      Eddie should be more in talks when compared to Hailwood and Agostini.. thats the level of talent Lawson was.

    • @claytonknight3078
      @claytonknight3078 4 місяці тому +1

      Those two guys only raced one or two good racers. Lawson was the Goat in my eyes!

  • @barrycoomer8137
    @barrycoomer8137 4 місяці тому +4

    I could listen to John all day long. One clever, articulate, capable rider. He can explain things so clearly to us everyday, normal people.

  • @garyhinnells
    @garyhinnells 5 місяців тому +10

    This man was always someone that came across as a misunderstood,unusual character that race fans couldn’t quite understand but after listening to this podcast he has clarified so much that I now understand.His talent was never in question,understanding the man was but thanks to this channel we’ve been given a fantastic insight!!!

  • @oldschoolmotorsickle
    @oldschoolmotorsickle 5 місяців тому +47

    Jon was considered a “difficult” personality back in the day. I’d say he was pragmatic, with a strong analytical ability. Certainly an intelligent and self-aware individual.

    • @open-minded-oldie
      @open-minded-oldie 5 місяців тому +3

      Yes, he seems staightforward and says what he thinks, Some people don"t like that, then complain about others peoples bulls----t.

    • @rg807
      @rg807 5 місяців тому +4

      True, but every single one of those guys that could actually ride those bikes were very particular, and you can't blame them.

    • @TheWebbiewebb
      @TheWebbiewebb 5 місяців тому

      😊

    • @rolandzoske448
      @rolandzoske448 5 місяців тому

      I saw him once at the GP in Brno and was surprised at how small (in height) he was.
      As a rider, however, he was often outstanding.
      He once won the race and then threw his bike away - apparently because it made his life very difficult.
      If I remember correctly, he was then fired because of this outburst of anger.

    • @andrewSUN17
      @andrewSUN17 5 місяців тому +2

      Difficult because he was extremely talented, knew what he wanted and wasn't into getting treated like sht.

  • @metrichotrods1763
    @metrichotrods1763 5 місяців тому +16

    First time on a 500 after winter break, "you physically couldnt see" 😅😅 says it casual as coffee. You really had to be there in the 80s. Every motorsport peaked at once. Group C. Group B. 500 GPs, F1s original turbo era, pre restrictor plate Nascar in the US. Works era motocross in the FIM and AMA. Pre-steroid testing olympics. All funded with tobacco and alcohol. It was the official no cap era of planet earth, everywhere you looked.

  • @jeffreyp1575
    @jeffreyp1575 5 місяців тому +56

    Cant believe dude asked Which Eddie!!!!!???????

    • @MikeJones-jh5rp
      @MikeJones-jh5rp 5 місяців тому +8

      I think he was asking so the listeners would know?

    • @Team-fabulous
      @Team-fabulous 5 місяців тому

      The listeners should already know​@@MikeJones-jh5rp

    • @Edward3DFX
      @Edward3DFX 4 місяці тому

      @@MikeJones-jh5rpnot a motorcycle guy

    • @YouCantSawSawdust
      @YouCantSawSawdust 4 місяці тому +3

      Eddie Laycock?????

    • @Team-fabulous
      @Team-fabulous 4 місяці тому

      @@YouCantSawSawdust no better man😂😂🏁🏁

  • @davevandervelde4799
    @davevandervelde4799 4 місяці тому +6

    Doohan said that you could not close the throttle fast enough to save it. You had to keep a finger on the clutch and slip it to cut power to the rear wheel. Amazing.

  • @AVTheLimit
    @AVTheLimit 5 місяців тому +14

    John Kocinski still the Best Helmet design ever for Me

    • @marcusorme261
      @marcusorme261 4 місяці тому

      Agreed 😁👍

    • @zogzoogler
      @zogzoogler 4 місяці тому +1

      👍🏻 the best helmet designs reflect the man wearing it; Joey Dunlop - quiet understated, Shwantz splat - in yer face audacious, Lawson red stripe - cool calm collected, Phil Read - classic era cool, Barry Sheene - Playboy jokester.

    • @marcusorme261
      @marcusorme261 4 місяці тому

      @@zogzoogler That’s a good way of looking at it! 😁

  • @stevecam724
    @stevecam724 5 місяців тому +8

    One of the funniest things I remember about a brash young Kocinski was using Schwantz as a braking reference. I think after about the third time they were both howling down the staight side by side and all of a sudden Schwantz's Suzuki is lifting the rear and swerving about, Schwantz's is making himself as big as possible braking to the max and poor John realizing he's been had, never made the corner and ends up in the air mats. I don't think he ever tried that again 😆😆
    Young Acosta reminds me a lot of a young Kocinski, very brash, very young and very talented.

  • @t.0mmz115
    @t.0mmz115 5 місяців тому +11

    First helmet I got was a replica of johns eagle helmet. Was over the moon. It’s still on the shelf looking pretty

  • @Hogdog970
    @Hogdog970 5 місяців тому +6

    John's take on the corkscrew at laguna seca, is pure 90's gold.

  • @Sugar_K
    @Sugar_K 4 місяці тому +2

    That last cagiva he road… the best looking bike ever made

  • @Hammymoto
    @Hammymoto 5 місяців тому +1

    Great to see another road racing legend on here! Need to see some more of these guy while theyre still around. Get some TT riders sometime.

  • @DannyDarroux
    @DannyDarroux 5 місяців тому +7

    Really good to see John again…. I always wondered what happened to you….. a very good 2 stroke rider… world champion on 250’s…. Should have got 500 too… 👍 in his day they controlled the bike…. not electronics…. It’s taken away most of the fun in seeing riders in control and power sliding….. maybe electronics make you brave…. But you’re not in control…. Ask Frankie Morbidelli about his weekend. John was also superbike champ…. Only he and Max have achieved this double…… Rare…..! 👍😁

  • @jonlyons1033
    @jonlyons1033 4 місяці тому +1

    Jon, i dont care about the ocd thing or anything anyone has said about you.
    That photo of you knee down with both wheels at least an inch off the ground was my FAVOURITE Poster when i was a kid.
    Thanks.

  • @markmtbrider
    @markmtbrider 5 місяців тому +7

    90's WERA racer here , great stuff.

    • @jasonseiverling5354
      @jasonseiverling5354 5 місяців тому

      I see the MTB in your profile name. I was drag racing bikes for 10+ years and always have the option to go back. MTB are so much fun. Keeps your body and mind in the game.

  • @ZIPPRERZING
    @ZIPPRERZING 5 місяців тому +13

    I love the smell of Two Stroke in the Morning!

  • @sviinfinity1559
    @sviinfinity1559 5 місяців тому +2

    My childhood hero used to love this guy back when he used racing

  • @captainsensible298
    @captainsensible298 4 місяці тому

    I remember watching Johns endo at Hockenheim, he ran wide out of a fast right hander, hit a little depression on the outside of the white line, he was hard on the gas, the suspension compressed in the depression and as it released the back wheel spun well into the power and threw him off the high side. Super big hit, I thought at first it had killed him. Awesome bikes, so great to watch at the track. 120kg, 200 hp, just wicked machines. The Formula 750 more so. Yamaha built 690cc square four 2 strokes that won Daytona twice before they were banned. Eddie and Kenny were the pilots, they retarded the timing and they were still spinning the back wheel from the bank to half way down the straight. Weapons.

  • @chrisstephens6194
    @chrisstephens6194 4 місяці тому

    Very interesting, going to watch the full interview
    He didn't have a great reputation back in the day but actually seems like a decent guy

  • @Pablo668
    @Pablo668 4 місяці тому +1

    Very interesting. This man, and everyone who raced two stroke 500's with him, had massive iron balls. And an unbelievable amount of skill.

  • @ianjones7486
    @ianjones7486 5 місяців тому

    Great to hear from John. Always polarising but i'd love to read a book of his experiences. No one rode a 250 like John

  • @robertwhitten265
    @robertwhitten265 5 місяців тому +22

    Which Eddie? What other Eddie's are there?

  • @marcusorme261
    @marcusorme261 4 місяці тому

    Great interview, made my day - thanks 😁

  • @lancemurdoc6744
    @lancemurdoc6744 5 місяців тому +7

    He is right about the 500ccm. 200 hp at 145 kg, a motor curve like a light switch, no electronic, tires and chassis from another century. Rossi was special cause he was the last one who won a title on such a freaking machine. Marc is an outstanding rider, but with his hot head mindset, he would be dead on a 500ccm.

    • @stephen_crumley
      @stephen_crumley 4 місяці тому +4

      Marc Marquez would have adjusted just like everyone else. And he definitely would’ve been winning titles. It doesn’t matter what engine you put on a motorcycle frame, he would be at the very top regardless. He won the 1st 10 races of a year in a row lol, he would have been as fast as Rossi was when he was on the 2 strokes

    • @michaelmcnamara1695
      @michaelmcnamara1695 4 місяці тому

      Pretty sure they were lighter than 145, 130?

    • @lancemurdoc6744
      @lancemurdoc6744 4 місяці тому

      ​@@michaelmcnamara1695You are tight dry weight limit on a 4 cylinder bike Was 130 kg.

    • @lancemurdoc6744
      @lancemurdoc6744 4 місяці тому +1

      ​@@stephen_crumleyWe are argue both based on assumptions. My assumption based on Marcs carrier and how often he chrashed simply by ignoring the limit of his bike. Your assumption based on your own believes. I don't question his skill, I question his mind set.

    • @stephen_crumley
      @stephen_crumley 4 місяці тому

      @@lancemurdoc6744 and that mindset got him 6 moto gp world titles , 1 in moto 2 and one in 125. Those are the facts, not assumptions of my beliefs. You’re ignoring his adjustment from 2 to 4 stroke bikes of varying CC to support your incorrect beliefs

  • @AndrewDeme
    @AndrewDeme 5 місяців тому

    Really enjoyed that as it helped me connect a few dots from watching John race. Cool stuff.

  • @stefanvanrensburg6096
    @stefanvanrensburg6096 4 місяці тому

    I always liked John Kocinski, he was focused and very analytical

  • @xipingpooh5783
    @xipingpooh5783 5 місяців тому

    He has matured into a likable guy. Back in the GP days he was slightly aloof. I’m glad he is getting involved in the sport again.

  • @motocalifornia
    @motocalifornia 5 місяців тому +1

    John is the man!!

  • @seangoff3488
    @seangoff3488 5 місяців тому

    Even at a young age, his riding style on 250cc GP was perfection.

  • @jeriksson7686
    @jeriksson7686 3 місяці тому

    125, 250 and 500 the golden era of Moto Grand Prix racing!

  • @MyNameishidden-l2f
    @MyNameishidden-l2f 4 місяці тому

    Absolute legends these 500cc racers were..they were violent machines..I am happy for modern electronics age MotoGP

  • @davidharville1526
    @davidharville1526 5 місяців тому

    this has been my favorite

  • @weofnjieofing
    @weofnjieofing 5 місяців тому

    Jon did a great job on the Cagiva. He got the mist out of it. Was a difficult bike to ride

  • @fjp3305
    @fjp3305 4 місяці тому

    He really was lucky that he didn't get injured. Amazing!

  • @metrichotrods1763
    @metrichotrods1763 5 місяців тому +3

    That sound. Its a twostroke gaining about 300-400 rpm without your throttle hand moving. Youre about to go for one.

  • @davidbird380
    @davidbird380 4 місяці тому

    them cagivas were stunning

  • @zogzoogler
    @zogzoogler 4 місяці тому

    I remember Carl Fogarty ripping on Kocinski for being a cleanliness freak, and the pranks they would play on him to get in his head but mostly just to take the piss. But then Kocinski beat Fogarty at his own game in 1997. ahh the good old days.

  • @ducrob4668
    @ducrob4668 5 місяців тому +2

    I witnessed him getting arrested at Laguna Seca…I think 1991. He was in a car and pissed off the police trying to get past the traffic jam.

  • @stevenlane9272
    @stevenlane9272 5 місяців тому +19

    Searching for crash videos whilst in the middle of an interview, come on man thats disrespectful 😮

  • @luciusesox1luckysox570
    @luciusesox1luckysox570 4 місяці тому

    They weren't just motorcycle races back in the day they were called GP's, the moto bit was added later.

  • @kurtnielsen6684
    @kurtnielsen6684 5 місяців тому

    JK had the mother of all high sides at Germany. The long straight away track hockinham I think. I can’t spell it. It was BRUTAL!!!

  • @chrisvozza6530
    @chrisvozza6530 5 місяців тому

    Wow i had no idea but always thought these racers lives were pretty intense

  • @jameshisself7375
    @jameshisself7375 5 місяців тому +2

    Which Eddie? Oh dude. He's the guy that taught yer maun Mick how to ride.

  • @archstanton2818
    @archstanton2818 2 місяці тому

    Little John hauled ass !! One of the best 250 riders ever ! Plus 500s he could have done more had kenny not rushed him into it

  • @nnoddy8161
    @nnoddy8161 4 місяці тому

    Kevin Magee at Laguna Seca still rings with me. Terrible accident.

  • @smith8124
    @smith8124 4 місяці тому

    Algos 🤙🏻

  • @joshuapowers4623
    @joshuapowers4623 5 місяців тому

    I got out of a speeding ticket one night precisely because I had just finished a race. Got pulled over going 110ish on the highway on the way home, fortunately with my perfuse apologizing & sweaty helmet and suit in the trunk, I was let off with a promise to vigilantly monitor my speed the rest of the way.

  • @andygilliland
    @andygilliland 4 місяці тому

    twist the throttle till your upside down....woot wooot

  • @asa572
    @asa572 4 місяці тому +1

    "which Eddie?"
    Jas. (Insert face palm emoji)

  • @marcot3013
    @marcot3013 4 місяці тому

    Even after a trackday… going acceptable speeds in the pickup is difficult.

  • @robertwhite2032
    @robertwhite2032 3 місяці тому

    John, you raced at Daytona. Is that not a high speed track?

  • @queenslander954
    @queenslander954 5 місяців тому +1

    Anthony is gone now RIP , but John should tell about what Gobert did to his helmet.
    Which Eddie ? Mate , there was only one Eddie … ?

  • @jerrysolari1530
    @jerrysolari1530 4 місяці тому

    We were 71 Daytona 200 first turn before staggered start when rusty bradley got suck into that pack draft, killed him

  • @mm-rt4vv
    @mm-rt4vv 4 місяці тому +1

    "which Eddie?"...... 😀 really???? on 0:34 ....

  • @jamiebutler7384
    @jamiebutler7384 4 місяці тому

    Jon was a nutcase...

  • @artblakey4159
    @artblakey4159 5 місяців тому +2

    Ok, i"ll admit it, "whIch Eddie?" triggered me. Come on man.

  • @arconeagain
    @arconeagain 4 місяці тому

    Dude never stops talking about the jolt of a high side, only ever done it once.

  • @rodya_malverde
    @rodya_malverde 4 місяці тому

    Riding that bike must have been like riding an explosion. You set the fuse and see where that brought you.

  • @God_is_in_the_details
    @God_is_in_the_details 4 місяці тому

    "Which Eddie?"
    !!?!!?!

  • @thatpointinlife
    @thatpointinlife 5 місяців тому +8

    "Which Eddie?"
    Eddie Munster 🤦‍♂️

  • @robertwhitten265
    @robertwhitten265 5 місяців тому

    So Wayne Rainey was Lorenzo before Lorenzo.

  • @deanrobinson2950
    @deanrobinson2950 5 місяців тому +2

    There is only 1 Eddie

  • @Left-Foot-Brake
    @Left-Foot-Brake 4 місяці тому

    "Which Eddie?" 🥴

  • @lawsonfan5797
    @lawsonfan5797 5 місяців тому

    He did NOT just ask which one.

  • @ASD-z4m
    @ASD-z4m 4 місяці тому

    Which Eddie? Haha

  • @jackiemoon1556
    @jackiemoon1556 5 місяців тому

    Highsides are the same no matter 2 or 4 strokes, electronics won't save u, I've torn forearm muscles holding onto my 2017 gsxr, TC set at 3, it doesn't save u.

  • @Ghostdog4
    @Ghostdog4 5 місяців тому +2

    Kocinski without a doubt is a legend. Usually he is not included in the "List" when it's written out because he was also a legendary Jerk. Not approachable and never a nice guy.

  • @theriderdtm8650
    @theriderdtm8650 5 місяців тому

    ✌️😊

  • @Ron77
    @Ron77 5 місяців тому

    He talks about highsides like he's got ptsd

    • @jakecoye738
      @jakecoye738 5 місяців тому

      I've got bone spurs, road race highside. Not PTSD, but with me always.

  • @deanrobinson2950
    @deanrobinson2950 5 місяців тому

    Yeah he should stick to moto X

  • @littemisscarrage2909
    @littemisscarrage2909 5 місяців тому +1

    Eddie who not Eddie Laycock

  • @zeus-mt7wx
    @zeus-mt7wx 5 місяців тому +2

    Got some advise.
    Don’t break an interview and tell your gust, hey I want scary crashes, when he’s answering your questions.
    That is rude and downright disrespectful.
    Get professional.

  • @motorzeff
    @motorzeff 25 днів тому

    No prior homework done.. terrible

  • @Edward3DFX
    @Edward3DFX 4 місяці тому

    Fnk non motorcycle person - which Eddie !!!!!

  • @gerrievl
    @gerrievl 5 місяців тому

    Just a jealous guy who is trying to downplay the skills needed for nowadays bikes and uplaying the performance of the times he rode. Kinda sad...
    And a host who has no clue bout anything bike related. And is too lazy to talk properly.