Finest 10 bike racers of all time?
Discussion
Take into account the junk with excuses for suspension, brakes and tyres the 60s / 70s riders and even 80s riders were manhandling around tracks. Who for you are the top riders of all time?
For me, although i couldn't do it 1 to 10 in order, it's Hailwood, Agostini, Roberts, Doohan, Marquez, Rossi, Stoner, Lawson, Nieto, Surtees. Just epic racers of their time.
For me, although i couldn't do it 1 to 10 in order, it's Hailwood, Agostini, Roberts, Doohan, Marquez, Rossi, Stoner, Lawson, Nieto, Surtees. Just epic racers of their time.
Biker 1 said:
I was a massive Doohan fan. Not sure if he was the best, but he was a good watch.
Shaky Byrne I have time for - a real shame his nasty accident....
I ummed and arrd about adding Shakey to my list.Shaky Byrne I have time for - a real shame his nasty accident....
To me one of the most under-rated riders of our times. The only reason he didn't make it in WSB and MotoGP was bad ride/team combinations, he has proven he can win WSB races (as wildcard rider) on a number of occasions. I think his MotoGP move was always going to fail, shame really.
I doubt we will see him ride competitively again, gutting, as he's a real class act, and a nice bloke as well.
Biker 1 said:
I was a massive Doohan fan. Not sure if he was the best, but he was a good watch.
Shaky Byrne I have time for - a real shame his nasty accident....
He was a monster. His consistency over 5 consecutive seasons was incredible, he just suffocated all challengers. Shaky Byrne I have time for - a real shame his nasty accident....
I don't think he was ever in danger of not winning the championship. I know inuries are a factor for all racers, but his demolition of the field in the first half of 1992 was one of the best spells of career. Even with the crash and just competent medical treatment he could well have won seven titles in a row.
10 is a lot to come up with as it's hard to think of people who really stood out for their era. I can't include Doohan as his domination turned me off the sport for a bit and I didn't rate him much off the bike.
Sheene got me into the sport
Surtees I read about and how can you not think he's fab
Schwantz & Rainey battles were epic
VR46
MM93
Foggy
Sheene got me into the sport
Surtees I read about and how can you not think he's fab
Schwantz & Rainey battles were epic
VR46
MM93
Foggy
If we are talking top tens there's one man nobody has mentioned so far: Jorge Lorenzo. Won titles against Stoner, Rossi in his prime, Marquez and Dani Pedrosa. His last year on the Honda won't be remembered fondly by anyone bar his bank manager but he has to be in there.
Also, I've been to three live MotoGP races and he's won them all!
Also have to have McGuinness, Marquez, Rossi and Stoner in there. Not seen the pre Rossi era - too young.
Also, I've been to three live MotoGP races and he's won them all!
Also have to have McGuinness, Marquez, Rossi and Stoner in there. Not seen the pre Rossi era - too young.
I think it’s really difficult to call era to era. I love all bike sport and have always followed it and been lucky enough to see most famous riders since the first big race I went to which was the 92 British GP at Donington.
There’s the obvious (Hailwood, Dunlop(s), Ago, Sheene, Rossi etc) but there’s some further back that were proper good but forgotten now. Stanley Woods, Freddie Dixon etc.
The other issue I have with claiming Rossi’s a GOAT (which he may be, and I know you weren’t claiming that OP but it’s connected) is could he cope with the very, very real chance of death riders in the 60s and before had? It wasn’t an outside chance for those lads it was statistically likely for a while!
Also Hailwood would race in the 125, 350 and 500GP races in a day.
Dunno, slightly pissed pondering a bit I think it’s an interesting question but a really tough one to judge!
There’s the obvious (Hailwood, Dunlop(s), Ago, Sheene, Rossi etc) but there’s some further back that were proper good but forgotten now. Stanley Woods, Freddie Dixon etc.
The other issue I have with claiming Rossi’s a GOAT (which he may be, and I know you weren’t claiming that OP but it’s connected) is could he cope with the very, very real chance of death riders in the 60s and before had? It wasn’t an outside chance for those lads it was statistically likely for a while!
Also Hailwood would race in the 125, 350 and 500GP races in a day.
Dunno, slightly pissed pondering a bit I think it’s an interesting question but a really tough one to judge!
Hailwood and Agostini out on their own. Rossi, Doohan and Rainey pretty equal. Roberts and Sheene equal. Riders than won one championship because the favorite crashed out, fine for one season, not all time. Superbike winners, also rans in the all time standings. Spanish riders, finest crashers. Stoner finest moaner.
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