If Stewart had been on a four stroke that battle wouldn't have happened. Stewart elected to race the two stroke all season so that there was no question when he beat Ricky's (formerly Barnett's) all time 125 MX moto win record. The best days of Bubba were on that 125, most talented rider i've ever seen
I would tend to agree, but I am willing to bet that James went with that KX125 because that bike suited him to a tee. If it's any consolation, James' only dance on a 250F was at the Glen Helen finale.
No matter how you slice it, James was undeniably fast on that KX125. The proof was in the pudding, too because NOBODY in the 125cc class was man enough to take him on after Roncada's season took a turn for the worst.
Glad you thought so. I liked that Roncada was willing to battle James Stewart, and it's a total shame this was the only time Roncada really battled with James in Motocross. Personally, this was one of the best motos of 2004 IMO -- next to Red Bud 125 moto 2.
You're right about all that. Unfortunately, once he got on the backwards frame Yamaha in 2010, his talent completely evaporated and brought out the REAL James Stewart.
@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames Incorrect, 12+ yrs as a Pro-Rider 96% riders Can't Say that. let alone 96% pros DON'T win a Pro Race...Yamaha gambled engineering concept... need a refining....What Pro-rider, Won on It First yr!
Maybe, but what I am getting at is that James has been out for the past 2 whole years now, and I do not think he is coming back after he got out of his Suzuki contract.
Perhaps, but as a racer, forget it. Eric Sorby thinks Stewart is done; David Vuillemin thinks Stewart is done. This "hide-and-seek game" he is playing is sure as heck assuring us that he is done as a racer.
No doubt it was. It's sad to see that was the only good race of the 2004 MX season w/ Stewart still out there. Of course the 125cc race at Red Bud was maybe the best one IMO. Sad that was the only race anybody really challenged Stewart physically, too.
Totally! The unfortunate part is that after this race was when Stephane Roncada's career went down the toilet. He suffered from food poisoning at High Point, and then had troubles w/ his back, and then drugs, and the rest is history. Next to this race, Red Bud Moto 2 was the last awesome race of the 2004 season. Mike Brown took advantage of James Stewart's broken clutch and stole the only other overall win of the season.
@@brandongardner3073 You're welcome. I hated to see something like that happen to Roncada, but it did. I really thought we'd see a battle in the 125 class in 2004, but it was over after it started.
Can definitely tell James is faster. But can also see the the 250f has some huge advantages on some parts of the track. If James was on a 250f for the whole year highly likely could have had a perfect season.
No argument on James being faster, but presuming that what happened at Red Bud still happened even with Stewart on the 250F, this is how the series would've looked; you take that second moto out, then yeah.
I miss a 2-stroke sound just as much as the next person, but the likeliness of that at an AMA National like it was before (not the All-Star races) is very much at a 0.
I know. I think also this happened because everyone in the 125cc class just "feared" James Stewart. It's hard to believe this was the only good race of 2004 before Red Bud when Stewart was forced to drop out due to a problem with his clutch.
MathewV21688 I know this reply was a year ago, but if you still look I’m curious on your thoughts about this: If four strokes never entered the picture, do you think James would have many more championships?
@@charliemike13 Very likely. If 4-strokes were strictly in Motocross only, and James was forced to ride a 250 in '05, that might've been the only title he'd not win. I strongly believe that the number of James' championships won would skyrocket after Ricky's retirement. Even with going to 4-strokes, you don't mess with Ricky in Motocross.
@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames I think Chad would have been close to him in super cross on 2-strokes. seems like it took him a few seasons longer to get acclimated to the four strokes.
@@hunterpendley7723 Dude, I don't disagree about being closer in Supercross. 2005 was a real example because JS was a 250cc rookie, and the 250cc class is different from the 125cc class; in the 125cc class, nobody was man enough to take James on -- in the 250cc class, they don't give a shit if your name is James Stewart, nor do they give a shit of your accomplishments in 125s.
@@derailleurmind0454 The unfortunate part is that David Bailey's comment that James staying in the 125cc class in MX in 2004 was overkill was 100% correct. 2005 was proof positive, especially riding a KX250 against 37 other 450cc bikes.
You would be right on that. The only 2-stroke riders out there were James "Bubba" Stewart (of course), and the KTM riders because KTM had supposedly used their development year when Lance Smail tested their 450cc 4-stroke in Canada in 2002. That meant that KTM wouldn't release their 250F until 2005. Brett Metcalfe was out there on a KTM, but Ryan Hughes paid for it the most because he was expected to be a title contender for 2004, granted it was very likely that Stewart would take the title since he was in the season from the beginning (unlike 2003 when he missed the first 4 races), and Stewart did with 11 wins out of 12 and 23 moto wins out of 24. Unfortunately, after 2005 was when the 4-strokes completely took over the 125cc class, and the ONLY 125cc 2-stroke rider out there was Brett Metcalfe (who moved over to Yamaha of Troy) on the aluminum-framed YZ125. Unadilla 2005 was the official death of the 2-strokes because Metcalfe jumped up to the YZ250F then. Unfortunately, this moto was the only exciting moto up until Red Bud 125cc Moto 2 when Stewart crashed twice and was forced to pull out due to a problem with his clutch. Mike Brown won that moto and the overall -- giving Stewart his ONLY loss of 2004 125cc MX. You had to feel for James Stewart because that cost him the chance of being the first (and very likely ONLY) 125cc rider to accomplish a perfect MX season -- especially after a practice crash at Indianapolis in the Supercross season cost him a chance at a perfect 125cc East SX season, too.
@GraveyDavey: I would tend to agree in that sense, but unfortunately, the writing was on the wall for 2-stroke 125s still in existence at this time. With the 250cc 4-strokes coming out for Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki, it was only a matter of time before the 250F would be the main bike of choice in the 125cc class. It wasn't official until Unadilla 2005 when Brett Metcalfe jumped up to the 250F after riding the new aluminum-framed YZ125 for most of the year.
If Stewart had been on a four stroke that battle wouldn't have happened. Stewart elected to race the two stroke all season so that there was no question when he beat Ricky's (formerly Barnett's) all time 125 MX moto win record. The best days of Bubba were on that 125, most talented rider i've ever seen
I would tend to agree, but I am willing to bet that James went with that KX125 because that bike suited him to a tee. If it's any consolation, James' only dance on a 250F was at the Glen Helen finale.
They switched to 4 strokes because of Bubba lol
I seriously doubt that. What I think was that the other manufacturers were coming out with their 250Fs, and everybody wanted one after that.
Yes you could see James getting killed on the uphills by the 4 strokes.definetly out powered but he still rode the wheels off that 125👍🏾
No matter how you slice it, James was undeniably fast on that KX125. The proof was in the pudding, too because NOBODY in the 125cc class was man enough to take him on after Roncada's season took a turn for the worst.
A great race, love watching this stuff especially the 125 vs 250f really keeps me on the edge of my seat rooting for the underdog
Glad you thought so. I liked that Roncada was willing to battle James Stewart, and it's a total shame this was the only time Roncada really battled with James in Motocross. Personally, this was one of the best motos of 2004 IMO -- next to Red Bud 125 moto 2.
Classic JS7....Full Throttle, CAT Reflexes/Body Control/ advance Calculation Mind Set. & Great team wrk...UnStoppable Combination!!!
You're right about all that. Unfortunately, once he got on the backwards frame Yamaha in 2010, his talent completely evaporated and brought out the REAL James Stewart.
@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames Incorrect, 12+ yrs as a Pro-Rider 96% riders Can't Say that. let alone 96% pros DON'T win a Pro Race...Yamaha gambled engineering concept... need a refining....What Pro-rider, Won on It First yr!
Maybe, but what I am getting at is that James has been out for the past 2 whole years now, and I do not think he is coming back after he got out of his Suzuki contract.
@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames He'll B bk, but, doesn't have too return as a Racer, lk Many may Figure.....TONS of Avenues for Th Champ!
Perhaps, but as a racer, forget it. Eric Sorby thinks Stewart is done; David Vuillemin thinks Stewart is done. This "hide-and-seek game" he is playing is sure as heck assuring us that he is done as a racer.
Nobody rode a 125 smoker like Stew did. Damn, I miss that guy.
Not going to disagree there. James was an animal riding that 125 like a 250; I don't miss the runaways he gave us though.
Who’s here after gypsy tales episode
Haha.
That was an epic battle for most of the race :)
No doubt it was. It's sad to see that was the only good race of the 2004 MX season w/ Stewart still out there. Of course the 125cc race at Red Bud was maybe the best one IMO. Sad that was the only race anybody really challenged Stewart physically, too.
What an awesome race.
Totally! The unfortunate part is that after this race was when Stephane Roncada's career went down the toilet. He suffered from food poisoning at High Point, and then had troubles w/ his back, and then drugs, and the rest is history.
Next to this race, Red Bud Moto 2 was the last awesome race of the 2004 season. Mike Brown took advantage of James Stewart's broken clutch and stole the only other overall win of the season.
@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames thanks for the info man, Very interesting.
@@brandongardner3073 You're welcome. I hated to see something like that happen to Roncada, but it did. I really thought we'd see a battle in the 125 class in 2004, but it was over after it started.
Can definitely tell James is faster. But can also see the the 250f has some huge advantages on some parts of the track. If James was on a 250f for the whole year highly likely could have had a perfect season.
No argument on James being faster, but presuming that what happened at Red Bud still happened even with Stewart on the 250F, this is how the series would've looked; you take that second moto out, then yeah.
bring back the two strokes and make racing afforadable for your average joe (like me :) )
I miss a 2-stroke sound just as much as the next person, but the likeliness of that at an AMA National like it was before (not the All-Star races) is very much at a 0.
You just ride a 2 stroke fast and loose like a maniac. No in bewteen. Thats james.
I don't disagree there.
when you're trying your best not to get beaten by a 125.
I know. I think also this happened because everyone in the 125cc class just "feared" James Stewart. It's hard to believe this was the only good race of 2004 before Red Bud when Stewart was forced to drop out due to a problem with his clutch.
MathewV21688 I know this reply was a year ago, but if you still look I’m curious on your thoughts about this: If four strokes never entered the picture, do you think James would have many more championships?
@@charliemike13 Very likely. If 4-strokes were strictly in Motocross only, and James was forced to ride a 250 in '05, that might've been the only title he'd not win. I strongly believe that the number of James' championships won would skyrocket after Ricky's retirement. Even with going to 4-strokes, you don't mess with Ricky in Motocross.
@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames I think Chad would have been close to him in super cross on 2-strokes. seems like it took him a few seasons longer to get acclimated to the four strokes.
@@hunterpendley7723 Dude, I don't disagree about being closer in Supercross. 2005 was a real example because JS was a 250cc rookie, and the 250cc class is different from the 125cc class; in the 125cc class, nobody was man enough to take James on -- in the 250cc class, they don't give a shit if your name is James Stewart, nor do they give a shit of your accomplishments in 125s.
Love how stuart single handedly showed the 2 v 4
I still believe it was rider rider rider all the way.
@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames exactly
@@derailleurmind0454 The unfortunate part is that David Bailey's comment that James staying in the 125cc class in MX in 2004 was overkill was 100% correct. 2005 was proof positive, especially riding a KX250 against 37 other 450cc bikes.
@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames absolutely
Had all potential to be the GOAT. The way he rides just wouldn't allow it to come to fruition.
roncada was hi as kite pain killers
Unfortunately, yes. That killed his whole 2004 season and the rest of his career.
Love pain killers? That's not good :P
Still couldn’t quite beat Stew either
I swear that they are mostly 250f’s
You would be right on that. The only 2-stroke riders out there were James "Bubba" Stewart (of course), and the KTM riders because KTM had supposedly used their development year when Lance Smail tested their 450cc 4-stroke in Canada in 2002. That meant that KTM wouldn't release their 250F until 2005. Brett Metcalfe was out there on a KTM, but Ryan Hughes paid for it the most because he was expected to be a title contender for 2004, granted it was very likely that Stewart would take the title since he was in the season from the beginning (unlike 2003 when he missed the first 4 races), and Stewart did with 11 wins out of 12 and 23 moto wins out of 24. Unfortunately, after 2005 was when the 4-strokes completely took over the 125cc class, and the ONLY 125cc 2-stroke rider out there was Brett Metcalfe (who moved over to Yamaha of Troy) on the aluminum-framed YZ125. Unadilla 2005 was the official death of the 2-strokes because Metcalfe jumped up to the YZ250F then.
Unfortunately, this moto was the only exciting moto up until Red Bud 125cc Moto 2 when Stewart crashed twice and was forced to pull out due to a problem with his clutch. Mike Brown won that moto and the overall -- giving Stewart his ONLY loss of 2004 125cc MX. You had to feel for James Stewart because that cost him the chance of being the first (and very likely ONLY) 125cc rider to accomplish a perfect MX season -- especially after a practice crash at Indianapolis in the Supercross season cost him a chance at a perfect 125cc East SX season, too.
He is on a 2 stroke thats why lol he works harder
Of course -- against 36 or 37 other 250Fs.
@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames lol facts
I know (lol). It wasn't hard to figure out why James had quite a bit of mediocre starts against all those 250Fs.
in my opinion. 2 strokes make you a better rider. not easy keeping such a lite bike under control. an your constantly shifting.
@GraveyDavey: I would tend to agree in that sense, but unfortunately, the writing was on the wall for 2-stroke 125s still in existence at this time. With the 250cc 4-strokes coming out for Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki, it was only a matter of time before the 250F would be the main bike of choice in the 125cc class. It wasn't official until Unadilla 2005 when Brett Metcalfe jumped up to the 250F after riding the new aluminum-framed YZ125 for most of the year.
See if u can ride a 2- stroke it's faster.
It's really all the rider, not the bike.