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Grndskpr
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 10:49 am: | 
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If you are going to play, then play to win.
SO the former gemeni(from Vr1000 fame) racing team to take care of the bikes, P.P. to race and help train Montez, Montez himself who was not only a great allaround guy but took the time to talk and explain what was going on, and still M.J. gets run over, lets see, a team with little to no experience in racing, starts up one season, and by the end of the season they are suppose to be winning races and taking all the ponits, sounds odd and far from reality, why not give them a season to get things sorted, see what happens next year, and than maybe either give credit or remove it, its really funny to hear a PRIVAte team get bashed, and a real shame, not enuff of them, and less factory teams every year, but due to his name, he gets ridden
Tell me about the Buell FACTORY team when you get a chance
Shame
R |
Davegess
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 10:58 am: |
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Come on guys get real. Jordan has accomplished more already in his life than most of us will in a life time. So it is taking him a little time to adjust to not being the greatest player in the world and finding an outlet for all his competitive juices? Big deal, how many years did it take to win his first NBA championship?
Dean Adams certainly thinks he is serious about this racign thing and going about it in the right way. Jordan could have very easily bought his way onto a winning team as a name on the bike and guy who flashed up the VIP tent but he chose the hard route. Not doing to badly at that. Give him credit for that. |
Glitch
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 11:27 am: |
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After the start of this thread I googled the news.
Read some threads on the news groups.
Read what M.J. has had to say.
For me, I'll just go by what he said, he says this season was for testing, would any of us done any different?
He said next season they would be going for it.
He said he was in it because it was fun.
Read what he says and instead of thinking M.J. think any of the user names from here.
1st year see what it's like.
2nd year you know what you're up against and go for it.
Why? because it's FUN.
Sounds like a lot of us don't it?
Even if he bails like some of you think he may it ain't gonna hurt nuthin'.
If he sticks with it...the sky's the limit! |
BadS1
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 04:04 pm: |
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Glitch you don't think he knew what he was up against???That doesn't sound like a really business savy MJ that we all know that he is.Its called clothing line and getting it visible to the racing public.If it doesn't work he'll try it somewhere else. |
Gravedigger
| | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 09:53 am: |
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So what does racing lose if he leaves, besides one race team and a possible promotional tool. Both of which they didn't have before.
(Message edited by gravedigger on August 20, 2004) |
Glitch
| | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 11:17 am: |
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BadS1: I guess what I meant is you really don't know, no matter how much research and planning you do you don't really know until you actually do it. That how I read it any way.
Gravedigger: I gottcha, point taken. |
Grndskpr
| | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 11:28 am: |
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Glitch you don't think he knew what he was up against???
The question i have to ask is do you know what it takes to run a pro race team at an AMA level??? I have no idea what it would take or even who to ask to get started, why is it the MJ should know what he is up against, it seem to make more sence to start slow and learn along the way instead of diving in making all the wrong moves, i give the man all the credit in the world, at least he started something he might enjoy, and i have seen him at the races, if he had no interest in racing, dont you think he would not bother showing up, and let the manager run the team, maybe look to promote it more, and make more money
again maybe he deserves a little slack, one more race team, if even for a year, is better than one less
R |
Wyckedflesh
| | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 11:54 am: |
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Racing isn't something you can prepare for like any other business. You can plan for any type of scenario, but there will always come along a scenario you couldn't have foreseen more often then with any other type of business. When your "product" is running ballz out at 120-160mph with 20-30 other "products" running the same speed, chance plays more fo a part of what happens then whether or not you picked the right store to sell that product in. I am certain he had the basic idea of what it would take, but chose to take a more restrained direction for the first year out, and lets be realistic, if it were Ted Turner doing this...would you expect more or less? |
BadS1
| | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 03:07 pm: |
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Roger I don't think any of us do exactly know how much it cost to run a team.But your imagination can get a good idea.As far as MJ is concerned I hope he makes a go of it.I if you remember was a Road America and he was quite visible to the public.He is promoting a clothing line point blank,now if he wins races next year that means that means Jumpman Clothing sells its merchandise,if not there will be for certain other avenues.Theres alot of racers out there that give to that sport more money and heart for the love of racing then they ever get in return.I just don't think MJ's love for the sport will continue if he's not showing profit at some point and time.Only time will tell but I hope he does well,it would be nice to see someone up there with the factory teams. |
Wyckedflesh
| | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 04:43 pm: |
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Here is an alternative angle to look at things from...When you think Jumpman and Motorcycles what do you think of? Me? I see Jeremy McGrath flying through the air doing a Nac Nac...or Travis Pastrana doing a backflip off a freestyle jump...yet here is Jordan going after Roadracing...if it were just all about his clothing line...Bubba Stewert would have been a better racer in Supercross...off the top of my head that is...food for thought? |
Glitch
| | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 04:55 pm: |
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Take a basketball star and stick him into motorcycle road racing, yep he should know what he's up against |
Stealthxb
| | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 05:06 pm: |
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I agree with Wycked
I fail to see a market for selling Jumpman to the circuit racing community. |
BadS1
| | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 09:22 pm: |
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So do I but I also fail to see MJ not making money.Your not gonna tell me he's in it to throw his money away???And Glitch when your worth the money MJ is worth yes he knows what he's doing.After as many years of star status and making the money he does you begin to be savy.He has plenty of advisor's to help make decisions.There not all made on his own. |
Glitch
| | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 09:48 pm: |
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Glitch
| | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 09:49 pm: |
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Oh, by the way, those are Hanes boxers... |
BadS1
| | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 10:21 pm: |
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Look like BVD's to me Glitch. |
Blake
| | Posted on Saturday, August 21, 2004 - 01:22 am: |
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I think Mr. Jordan has enough money that he can afford to play. Bunch of silliness gossiping about him like this. |
Blake
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 01:05 am: |
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The Michael Jordan I just saw on Two Wheel Tuesday left no doubt whatsoever that he is full bore 100% committed to professional motorcycle racing.
I never had any doubts. A man like MJ just doesn't go around doing things half assed or half hearted. He is truly into motorcycles and into moto-racing.
He stated specifically that one of his goals is to popularize the sport.
Cool! |
Blake
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 01:10 am: |
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Mike may need to come out with a new apparel line... "Lean Two"?
Hey, that's pretty darn cool. I oughta charge for thinking up this stuff.  |
Outrider
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 08:26 am: |
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Hope Michael Jordan doesn't have the same financial manager that Kareem Abdul Jabbar had. Poor guy ended up having to go back to work just to make ends meet.
Who'd a thunk investing in oriental rugs and a hotel on Newport's Balboa Peninsula would have consumed his lifelong savings?
Oh well, two different gentlemen. On the surface Jordan appears much more of a promoter and should do well no matter what he gets involved in. |
Bluzm2
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 12:29 pm: |
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It was a neat segment.
He sure makes his track bike look small!
Doesn't need to lean very far to get the knee down....
Not sure about the pale blue color combo though..
(Message edited by bluzm2 on September 01, 2004) |
Outrider
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 01:24 pm: |
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Would someone please post a pic of Michael Jordan folded up on a sport bike.
This is a mental image I just have to reinforce with the real thing! |
Blake
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 03:00 am: |
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Actually Bill he didn't look that out of sorts on the bike.
9/1/2004
In Case You Missed Michael Jordan On Two-wheel Tuesday, Here's A Transcript Of The Interview Courtesy Of SPEED
From a press release issued by SPEED Channel:
SPEED CHANNEL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: MICHAEL JORDAN
NBA legend Michael Jordan sat down with Greg White, SPEED Channel's host of "2 Wheel Tuesday" for an exclusive interview discussing Jordan's growing interest in motorcycles and his expanding ownership role in AMA roadracing. In 2004, Jordan sponsors AMA roadracer and Chicago riding buddy Montez Stewart through his Jumpman23.com brand.
White: When did you first get into riding motorcycles?
Jordan: Kids in the neighborhood -- I grew up in Wilmington, N.C. -- a lot of the kids had little dirt bikes. So, my brother and I begged my parents to get us one that we could share. We were about 11 or 12 years old and from that point forward, I loved motorcycles. I just never really get into it because of my (NBA) contracts and stuff. I started very early and I've been a fan ever since.
"My first bike was a little Honda 60 mini-bike. I almost killed myself, but I had a good time. My brother and I shared it. I was primarily the driver because I was the more aggressive one and he road on the back. When I was 12, we were racing some of the guys in our neighborhood and we took a tumble and got scraped up. And my parents always said that if we got scraped up, we were going to get rid of it, so we got long-sleeve shirts and tried to cover everything up. At dinner, blood started seeping through our shirts and they got rid of the bike a week later. So, that was the end of my motorcycle career until now."
White: During the gap in between riding motorcycles, did you follow motorcycling at all or keep up with it in any way?
Jordan: No, I got totally away from it. Then we won a championship and gave (Chicago Bulls coach) Phil Jackson a Harley as a gift. That's when I started getting the itch to get back into it -- that cruiser bike thing. Harley was making a comeback and everybody was talking about getting a Harley. I never really got into it until I retired the last time and then I didn't go out and get a Harley, I got three BMWs -- the 1200LT and couple of cruiser bikes. Then, once I got my skills back and got used to being back on a bike, it wasn't challenging. I like to twist, I like to lean and pop wheelies like when I was a kid. So, I went out and bought a Ducati 998. From that point on, I've been hooked back into riding. I ran into a couple of my buddies when I was riding with my nephew about a year and half ago and ever since then, every time I turn on the TV, I'm looking for motorcycle racing. I'm getting the motorcycle magazines. I feel like I am playing catch-up because I was away from it for so many years. I am a big, avid fan. It's in my blood right now.
White: When did you discover motorcycle roadracing?
Jordan: I didn't know anything about it. When I ran into Montez (Stewart) and some of the other guys, they had all this gear. I'm riding in jeans and a sweat top -- the first thing they told me was if you are going to be out on the streets, go get some protective gear. They sounded just like my mother, but they were right. I went and bought the jacket, boots, gloves ... everything. Once I got to know them better, they started throwing out names from motorcycle racing -- Hayden, Valentino Rossi, MotoGP. I was like 'Hold on, I've been missing something.' Then I started playing catch-up through them. I started reading the magazines and watching SPEED Channel. And once I started to see it -- I've always been a NASCAR fan; my father was a big NASCAR fan when I was growing up and growing up in North Carolina, you have to know NASCAR -- so, I knew about speed and I was very interested in it. So, when I started watching motorcycles, I was like 'This is pretty wild.' I was anxious to see what the guys were doing on the bikes and once I started watching it, I said 'I gotta get out there and do that.' So, I asked Montez how we could get out on the track and do that. He said we can go out and rent Blackhawk. I asked how much it would cost. He said about $5,000 and I said 'Done.' All I need to do is get leathers and we'll go up and start learning. It was the best day that I have had in a long time. The focus wasn't on me. I was learning from Montez. We did the track walk and the guys started giving me what they knew about roadracing, and I've been hooked ever since.
White: How exciting is it for you to be involved in AMA roadracing?
Jordan: Very exciting. I came in to give Montez an opportunity to race. I'm walking away with the most fascinating thing I've seen in some time. I've been to seven of the nine races and I would have been to all of them if my schedule permitted. I've taken my kids. I've taken my nephew. My wife is going with me to Atlanta. I've taken Charles Oakley and all of my friends. I tell them you gotta see it, because once you see it, it's gonna connect. Daytona was outrageous. Once I got down there for the big Bike Week and saw how fast they were going around the track ... I want to go to Valencia, Spain in October -- as you can see, I am starting to build my schedule around motorcycle races.
White: So, you had a day at Blackhawk and then you jumped right into the Pridmore STAR School?
Jordan: Well, I didn't jump right into it. I had to crash about three bikes first -- stunting and popping wheelies and stuff like that. The wisdom that comes with being 41 years old told me I needed to get into a class and learn the fundamentals. It's no different that having to learn the fundamentals of basketball. If you don't know the fundamentals of basketball, then you can't play. You think you can. A street player always thinks he can play until he gets in there with me or someone else. That's how I was when I was riding with the street guys. So, I decided to go learn the fundamentals of riding, so I could avoid some of these crashes. I met Jason (Pridmore) and he invited me out to Road America. I said I'd go up for a day because I really didn't have the time to go up for both days. So, I'm driving two hours to get there -- it's not like it's 30 minutes from my house -- but once I got in that class, I had to come back the next day. Now, I am looking for opportunities to get back on the track so that I can gather as much information as I can get from those guys to enhance my riding technique and my skills. (Jason) has been very nice about it and we have very similar likes in life, so I spend more time with him and the other guys at the track. Every time I am at a race, I'm talking to Josh Hayes, Roger Lee Hayden, Ben Spies and all theses guys, because I am just grasping all the information that they have. I love watching them and I'm a big fan."
White: Do you think being a professional athlete gives you a better capability to absorb information and take instruction?
Jordan: It cuts both ways, Greg. My competitive nature tells me I can figure this out on my own. But then, you have to be patient. You have to listen. You don't perfect this profession, and if you go out there thinking that you do, that's when the mistakes happen. So, you have to bring your ego down a little bit and every time I crash, that's that ego coming down a little bit saying 'Hey, you're not as good as you think.' So, no, I have no problems sitting back and learning and having him point out my mistakes ... I think it would be easier if I wasn't an athlete, because I would have that whole macho, competitive nature. If I was just Joe Blow coming off the street, you can't get out there. You don't have the athletic ability, so you've got to listen to this guy. I came from a sport where I won six championships, and I was the top of the world -- the best at what I did. Now, I'm not. So, if you don't listen to the advice these guys are going to give you, you're going to kill yourself out there. My ego is not that big. I want to enjoy it. I don't want to get hurt, but I want to maximize my opportunity. That's why I am out there right now.
White: Compare yourself as a rider before you came into the STAR school and where you are now?
Jordan: At first, when I started, I was fighting the bike. Me and the bike were never compatible. He was my enemy. I was fighting him and he was fighting me. Now, with a school and half, I am starting to connect with my bike. The more that I position the bike and position myself on the bike, the more the bike is going to respond to me. It took a couple of times -- a couple of scares -- before I was able to trust it. If I trust it, it's going to respond and that's what they teach. At first, it is awkward to do some of the things you are being told, but once you get to the point where you trust it, it is so much easier to ride ... so much less work on your legs. You find yourself not fighting the bike. You find yourself in unison with the bike. Every time I go to a roadrace, I can see the harmony you can have with a bike because these guys are really good with the way they work that bike. Rarely do you see them fall. Rarely do you see them make a mistake. They mistakes like anyone else, but you don't see them as often. That's what I am trying to get to. Don't make mistakes -- stay on the bike -- and the bike will respond to you.
White: As someone that people look up to, what advice do you give someone just getting started in motorcycling or someone out riding on the streets like you were?
Jordan: I think it's very important to get to a class and to understand the equipment you have. I think even Montez, when we talked about racing in the AMA, you could see the lights in his eyes pop wide open, because he was getting a great opportunity. But the thing that he found out is that this isn't your everyday street riders. In Chicago, he can outrun everyone on the street, but these guys are good. You can see the difference, and he's seen the difference. He's got to elevate himself to their level, so that means you've got to learn, you've got to listen, you've got to talk, you've got to pick up all the bits and pieces that you can. That would be my advice to anyone starting to ride. Yeh, I hear 'It's dangerous and it's just an accident waiting to happen,' and yeh, I know. But that's in anything you do in life. It's how you approach it that gives you the best chance to succeed at it. I would say you should approach it in a very conservative way. Learn more about the bike, learn how to utilize the bike and learn how to be a part of that bike. And the best way to do that is in classes. ... With my kids, if they want to get on a bike -- I said they can get on a bike when we get a bunch of sand, a bunch of dirt and maybe those training wheels on the back and that's how you learn. You have to learn how to fall first, before you learn how to ride.
White: Is Michael Jordan committed to AMA racing in the future?
Jordan: I came in this year in an experimental stage, just to see how people would respond to Michael Jordan in this industry. Now, I am hooked. Next year, I am looking to expand the team, looking to compete -- I want to win. I really want to make a statement about my support of this sport. ... I want to make a solid commitment through Montez and whoever else I want to sponsor. I want to be involved in this. I think it's fun and I think it's a great opportunity for corporations to be involved. ... Every time I go to the race, I have a ball, so I look to be around for awhile.
In 2004, SPEED Channel is the exclusive U.S. cable home for many of the top motor sports series in the world. In addition, SPEED's weekly programming schedule brings car enthusiast television to Prime Time Monday through Thursday. Now available in more the 66 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and the home to NASCAR TV. |
Outrider
| | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 02:40 am: |
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Blake...Thanks for the update.
Like they say a pic is worth a thousand words and the mental pic I created of MJ on a race bike is quite humorous and could probably use some fine tuning via a real image. |
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