In the second of three episodes, Rick Johnson explains why he finally left Yamaha, the big Honda bait and switch, and how good the factory Honda really was.
RJ is one of the best ever and I think also great at sharing insights. It would be nice to hear him commentate more in the booth at the races or in podcasts etc...
Totally agree with what Rick said in the end. You couldn't psyche out riders from his generation. When the 90's rolled around, things were different. With the exception of Emig, Larocco and Kiedrowski, the riders from that era were afraid of McGrath. Same thing with the RC era. I remember Hannah was dominating the '83 supercross season but then Barnett stole a double-header from him. Mike Bell who was in his last year won Dallas. Broc was Bob's target the whole year but he just got better as the year unfolded. Broc won the Pittsburg and L.A. rounds. Jeff Ward had yet to win a supercross in '83 but he was always right there.
IMO, the biggest Hero of RJ was when he and Brock were on the production based YZ's. That production rule stemmed from the FIM to halt bike development in the USA only, (to disadvantage our dominant riders since 1981.), and RJ, on a "disadvantaged bike", still smoked the FIM through 1988 (further if he did not get hurt). Every USA racer who still won the MXofN for the next 8 years straight (after the 1986 USA only production rule), is a bigger hero than we or they realize. Eventually, the FIM had to directly take over our racing, in order to beat us.
Damn right you could beat them today! That’s the problem I feel with these riders is they are the 8-10 sec deficit when they get to second place and they just stay there. You, RC, Stewart, Tomac, Degan, would see it as a challenge and run them down! Never give up attitude.
Johnson would be my pick to fulltime announce supercross and pro motocross. What we have currently is mostly hyperbole and distracting. The current crop of announcers need to calm tf down. James Stewart and Jason Thomas do all right...just all right. Oh, and cancel Carmichael and Christien.
The problem is NBC. Not the announcers they hire and control. I think RC has lost IQ points working with them. When you work with stupid/dysfunctional people,---you probably become stupid too.
RJ is one of the best ever and I think also great at sharing insights. It would be nice to hear him commentate more in the booth at the races or in podcasts etc...
❤🤗🥰
It doesn’t get any better than Rick Johnson. What an absolute pro.
I’m 62 now. Love seeing the guys I looked up to as a kid
Right there with ta buddy 👊✌️
I wish I could sit down and talk to RJ, listen to RJ, for hours!
RJ should write an autobiography/motivational book.
Rick Johnson was the 80s just like Duran Duran were the 80s, a magical time growing up in that era.
This my era to race. Ricky was my vicarious mentor. I was born in the wrong state, a state with no chance of being seen.
They should make a movie about Rick Johnson. 1986-1988!
RJ was the best, long live the bad boy club......
What a great, smart guy!
On his day, fastest man in the world. In his prime, not easy for even the latest hero to tackle. 👍👍👍👍
Just love RJ !
Totally agree with what Rick said in the end. You couldn't psyche out riders from his generation. When the 90's rolled around, things were different. With the exception of Emig, Larocco and Kiedrowski, the riders from that era were afraid of McGrath. Same thing with the RC era. I remember Hannah was dominating the '83 supercross season but then Barnett stole a double-header from him. Mike Bell who was in his last year won Dallas. Broc was Bob's target the whole year but he just got better as the year unfolded. Broc won the Pittsburg and L.A. rounds. Jeff Ward had yet to win a supercross in '83 but he was always right there.
"I hated running. I had big legs...I felt like a Clydesdale running, but I would do it." 😅
Freakin coolest rider Ever.. TY for the memories Champ 🤙👊✌️
RJ had so much style
I remember watching Rick and Ward battle it out at Red Bud.
They would hit stuff differently .
This made for great racing!
RJ Red Bud 84’ was killer on that stock YZ. I had the 125 that year-what a slug that pile was!
Very good desert racer!
IMO, the biggest Hero of RJ was when he and Brock were on the production based YZ's. That production rule stemmed from the FIM to halt bike development in the USA only, (to disadvantage our dominant riders since 1981.), and RJ, on a "disadvantaged bike", still smoked the FIM through 1988 (further if he did not get hurt). Every USA racer who still won the MXofN for the next 8 years straight (after the 1986 USA only production rule), is a bigger hero than we or they realize. Eventually, the FIM had to directly take over our racing, in order to beat us.
I remember RJ a the last Carlsbad race we watched from the middle of the downhill freeway he was going 70 mph down that hard pan
Damn right you could beat them today! That’s the problem I feel with these riders is they are the 8-10 sec deficit when they get to second place and they just stay there. You, RC, Stewart, Tomac, Degan, would see it as a challenge and run them down! Never give up attitude.
Absolutely! ‘80s were the best. RJ was the baddest when he rode Yammies…🤙🏻🇺🇸
Interesting that Yamaha in Europe would run Ohlins USD forks for Hakan, Leif and Jacky but Yamaha in the US were more restricted in that area.
RJ was, and still is my man.
Johnson would be my pick to fulltime announce supercross and pro motocross. What we have currently is mostly hyperbole and distracting. The current crop of announcers need to calm tf down.
James Stewart and Jason Thomas do all right...just all right.
Oh, and cancel Carmichael and Christien.
The problem is NBC. Not the announcers they hire and control. I think RC has lost IQ points working with them. When you work with stupid/dysfunctional people,---you probably become stupid too.
For all to see on TV---and stay stupid. :)
Deegan by far the greatest most exciting rider of all time!!!!
maybe someday, calm down, that's just stupid