RC about why he left Honda | Pulp MX talks to Ricky Carmichael about Eli's Yamaha deal

Full interview available at pulpmx.com/podc...
Also on Apple Podcats - podcasts.apple...
And Spotify - open.spotify.c...

[@mitchellkalina8191]

I have so much respect for Ricky Carmichael. I feel he's one of the most underappreciated athletes of our time. Like a Babe Ruth or Michael Jordan. This guy straight up took care of fuckin business for 10 consecutive years at the highest level. Tied McGrath's single season supercross records against Jeremy fuckin McGrath! Total put your head down and get out of my fuckin way mentality. He willed his way to what he became.

[@donaldverhota7503]

Yeah that was at the end of McGraths career he had won 7 he just did not have the drive he had wen he started his career...keep in mind charmicheal was hungry and at the beginning.....if Ricky came on the scene when jermey did...it would of been like The Lakers going against the Celtics every year they both would of had less championships

[@dormantmenace]

Well he is the only one to lap the entire field.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

@@dormantmenace I was there that day, it was completely absurd. It was crazy watching how much those other guys were struggling and he wasn't even hardly phased by it. He made it look so easy it was just ridiculous.

[@wicky383]

@@djjazzyjeff1232 The funny thing is, early in his career he was terrible in the mud.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

@@wicky383 He was still doing the Chadapault and all the other jumps on the track. Most guys were singling everything like they were in the 50cc class. And he’s out there still tripling.

[@CycleCruza]

Man I miss the Stewart vs Carmichael vs Reed battles!

[@frankystyles5642]

Probably the best years of motocross ever.

[@TheCovy]

Don't we all. As well as hearing those two strokes sing.

[@floridaboyk23]

We all do

[@johntomasik1555]

They were great, no doubt. We have some pretty good depth in MX/SX now, fortunately. But the way those three were all so far ahead of everyone else was crazy.

[@derekchauvin1880]

Yeah all 2 of the chad/stew/Ricky battles we got, all 2 of those times ….

[@pags1981]

Star Yamaha seem to build their program around tailoring the bike to the rider, rather than the other way? Makes sense why Eli moved.

[@dr00andrew]

damn after dominating 01 the way he did, im surprised rc moving to honda was partially motivated by him anticipating mcgrath would be better. thats a huge sign of respect imo

[@DonkeyEvo]

This was an excellent podcast, really enjoyed the behind the scenes talk about the factory bikes and what tricks everyone was trying. That's the good stuff.

[@Johnny_Hopper]

glad to see you evolving on how you give content, these shorts are in my eyes are far better delivery.

[@Powerbandm]

You’re the man Hopper!

[@kmann328]

Will never forget RC’s first race on the RM at the mgm in Vegas. Clutch fried on of the races and he was cursin up a storm in the pits about how the bike was a pos

[@dougderby9454]

Basket came apart. Hinson and Suz made some design changes before the real season after that.

[@forty2mx955]

I think it’s the inner hub’s splines that got destroyed! Took suzuki 2 weeks find and produce a fix to the problem!

[@dougderby9454]

@@forty2mx955 Basket spun on the splines. Believe that’s what Goose said later

[@robragous]

Awesome interview. So great to see you two mending the fence and working together. Can't wait to hear Steven interview Jason Anderson in 15 years.

[@timhyatt9374]

I WILL NEVER FORGET THE FIRST TIME I MET RC IN 91 AT LORETTA LYNN'S HE WAS SO FAST AND I KNEW HE WOULD BECOME THE FUTURE AND I WAS RIGHT AND I STILL HAVE PICTURES AND AUTOGRAPHS FROM HIS FIRST PROFESSIONAL RACE IN 97 ON 125s AND TILL HE RETIRED ALL FROM ATLANTA SUPERCROSS HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TRUE LEGEND ON AND OFF THE BIKE. THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT MEMORIES RC

[@ronniewilliz153]

He's just that good. His mom is a great teacher. She's teaching degans son rn. He's a great rider an him leaving an still winning just shows how good he really was at racing. I grew up watching an riding in the 2000s I miss the good ole days of watching him.

[@mikelhernandez2965]

I was in Anaheim 2002 for friday practice, walking around the pits, was never a honda fan, more a Kawi or Yamaha lover and did not like one bit how he spanked Mc the year before so I was not a Carmichael fan either, but there I was watching his clutch being changed (always drooled at new bikes nevermind factory ones) and he was sitting there at the door of the semi, there was no one around in those fridays really, so it was him sitting there, his mechanic working in the bike and me standing there watching and trying to catch any tech tip possible, and the guy comes up to me and asks how I was doing, caught me by surprise really but didnt care much about him, he came talking to me while I kept looking at the bike, I did ask him how he liked the bike compared to the Kawi and talked a little until he told me he was going inside to rest a little and to enjoy the saturday race, its really ironic how I did not comprehend how special that moment was, he didnt win me over as a huge fan because of that, but because the guy had the biggest racing hearth you can probably have, motocross is not any kind of racing, you need the biggest balls plus the fitness and smarts that the other racing disciplines do, the guy was just relentless and beat the most natural talented guy there ever was in Stew, never was a photo guy but do I regret not taking one with him that day, I cherish that minute as one of the highlights of my life. GOAT Carmichael

[@earl6969]

Straight up G.O.A.T. in red sauce! Mega props Following since 85 cc class at Loretta's. What a wild strange trip it's been.

[@tooltime5661]

Ricky is 1st class person, his rookie year at southwick, meeting him in the pits he was a kid shows up with his backpack like a school kid! Just shredding the track on that pro circuit Kawasaki. Just down to earth. Much respect as a athlete and a great person.

[@deborahchesser7375]

That was 25 years ago, it’s hell getting old ain’t it.

[@ramboracing702]

What a legend!! ❤️RC 🤙✌️

[@williamschuman4951]

Great interview, thanks guy’s I really enjoyed it.

[@jcobra09]

Thanks for the good content! Thanks for shooting straight, 🐐. I never liked Ricky as much as I liked him on the Zuk. I still have my ‘07 RM250. It’s always ran and rides great. Confidence inspiring, nimble, flickable, you name it. Bought it in ‘08.

[@driftke70]

RC starting to talk about something super interesting THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO TALK STRAIGHT OVER THE TOP OF HIM ABOUT SOMETHING BORING

[@juanitamannn]

Why does the picture of Ricky in the beginning look like Deadpool? Yall wrong for that 😂😂

[@stevenwinnipeg3011]

It’s crazy to look back now and realize that Suzuki used to be on top

[@underthetrees4780]

I don't know if their bike was ever actually the best bike, but at one point they had Pastrana, RC and Stewart, which is insane. Unfortunately for them, I think people bought bikes based on reviews, not who rides for them.

[@jhamelin119]

@@underthetrees4780 They did make very good bikes. Strong 2 stroke engines. Very good all around bikes, didnt excel at anything, but were not bad at anything either.

[@Kephartable]

@@jhamelin119 in the 90s they always turned/handled a bit better then they rest, typically sort of down on pure power compared to Honda/Yamaha.

[@mikebrown41182]

Now this is the stuff we want to hear. Rickys thoughts on the actual bike before the switch came, honestly i was never concerned för him in regards of the two stroke, as eveyeone pointed out similarities with the Yamaha, but what made Suzuki walk the talk: Suzuki had elected to use its one-season exemption from the AMA production rule, they were proactive, similar way you see KTM these days. In all honestly for bringing out a new bike, i can remember Ricky had rear pipe issues at southwick, and one electrical i think that affected him in, the bike did start to cut, but they fixed it for the second moto. That was about it for a brand wich came out with the first 450 way later than Yamaha and Honda, and i remember Yamaha having some problems that year, Reed electrical and Ferry had some stuff going on, so Ricky was very fortunate, but also a testament to Roger and Ian / Suzuki that they managed to bring the entire program together, not to mention Goose.

[@TheShift1313]

Suz and kaw definitely played catch up on the 4t game. I had an 07 rmz 450 and it was a great bike. But you could really see the development over the few years. Boy did honda screw that deal up lol!

[@NevadaSmith2]

Pulp finally realizing that thumbnails are the key to getting KZbin views. Bout time, Steve!

[@canarc1]

Ricky was literally gene-spliced to that Suzuki. The amount of focus this dude had to keep upright on a dirt bike for so long is just mind bending.

[@animatedmammals]

I’ve talked with someone that was working for Honda at the time, and his story goes is that RC was in a press box (while injured I think), and he threw some weird temper tantrum that really pissed off the Japanese Honda guys that were visiting in the same press box. Then HRC had to say bye bye RC.

[@rmrm1002]

Their loss……

[@peaceprayer595]

I held a high level position with Honda (mostly) and Suzuki (a little bit). They were run by a bunch of old school bushido dudes so arrogant they couldn't see past their own ego. Back then, and now, it hurt Honda. Right now Suzuki dirtbikes are the result of left over malignant neglect. It's cost both of these manufacturers as the Austrians have swept the mx and offroad market with intellingence and progressive engineering that simply fixes what is wrong. Thought you might appreciate that insight.

[@animatedmammals]

@@peaceprayer595 yeah for sure, thanks. Good to know my buddy wasn’t just spewing rumors to me.

[@edwardclark3980]

Eli went with better equipment. Yamaha is always developing there program.

[@jorgejakson829]

No no no lmao star is a better team. Look at what plessinger chad reed and barcia had to say about yamahas actual factory efforts, it was so bad barcia decided to race a stock bike at one of the supercross races in europe

[@hunterpendley7723]

@@jorgejakson829 yea factory yamaha has seemingly always been a complete shit show

[@kevinmoore4887]

I thought Honda was worried about RC's Knee. That he might be done. The JS7 deal throws in a new factor.

[@keithwilson8235]

The GOAT could’ve rode a PUCH moped and won!

[@doug_errickson]

Wow, you got your guy. That was a great intv. 👍🏼 nice job Steve.

[@goingbonzo5923]

I always like RC. I was at Glenn Helen in 2004 when he finished his perfect season. His last ride on a Honda. He won the race and did a victory lap. My brother and I were at the whoop section when he came around and people were going crazy, could of been the heat and beers and whatever else. But he stalled the bike in the whoops probably because he wasn't used to going so slow. He looked around and said "OH MAN". as he watched some goon riding through the whoops section on a moped, just thrashing it. RC kickstarted that CR450 and took off. It was a good laugh.

[@merccrewlcab2385]

Any word on Triumph at all? Whats the plan? Be cool to know!

[@danielarney9729]

Not one picture of the bad ass two stroke that's worth more than most 4 strokes today.

[@ggginooo9372]

RC is the best rider ever. He has dominated as no one. The absolute goat 🐐.

[@busterakrey6659]

Ricky is great role model a nice man and become a true leader in the industry. Smart Fish !

[@Nobody-xe9fc]

I'm actually far more interested in what RC will do to help Triumph make a competent and possibly COMPETITIVE motocross bike.

[@kelliebrooks9094]

The new yamaha has the great honda front forks that honda had...an the yamaha now turns like a honda....i wouldnt be surprise if the shock linkage is excactly the same as a CR hinda linkage..that rear shock linkage is what made hondas dominate supercross...my 1988 CR 250 i could a whoop the size of a curb an easily jump over 2 cars....it was nuts how it work with the throttle i loved it...Eli was a honda factory rider dont forget...im really impressed how well Eli had adapted to the Yamaha jumping off the more stable kawi frame an onto the much more nimble yami....he has really made that look easy...dang an he riding awsum still or what...i wonder if RC ever thought any one would get close to records.....where Barnett

[@tonexotero3044]

Life is so short if you have a talent , then show up to expose the world.. because fans is there to watch you...Go James!! Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda ..race again God bless!!;🥰

[@emptyclothescrashingcars1572]

Eli on a machine he feels good on.. Look out world

[@davidhird1116]

After all these years the questions answered 👍😀

[@oldschoolltv]

I was a Honda Dealer for 35 years and Honda made some stupid decisions, not keeping Ricky no matter what, not keeping Jeremy, not signing James when he was young.

[@mickpentoney2172]

Ricky is the GOAT! He unlike other GOATS of theeir sport could influence, leverage and improve MX/SX at a level like no other time. But like MCGrath they still love to make money and stay in power other than expanding the sport where truly outside influences get involed. NASCAR made the change from good ol boys. UFC made the the change, hell hockey made the change, PGA golf to name a few. In every example the the took risk for the better of the sports future.

[@johndeer9721]

great interview you did it man!! Now let’s get bubba it will just all be complete and you can retire Steve 👍. Please don’t do that I enjoy this stuff

[@HooyahPeacock]

I heard Carmichael was all about money when I used to race. People who knew him around Hangtown said he was about money. Back in the day you couldn't argue that Honda had the best technology. The 99 factory bikes were worth 80k, damn things had a computer.

[@scottb9868]

Kawi changed there team manager a few years ago. New manager lets personal vendettas affect what parts and who he worked with.

[@jonruger]

I think Kawi letting their top European rider have 3 as well rubbed him the wrong way more than people think. It takes away from his personal brand most guys wouldn’t like that.

[@snowzZzZz]

never thought of that, but that would make sense.

[@eric6rock]

It would make sense if RC went on Yamaha 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@johntomasik1555]

Crazy how RC would dominate. Every year people would be saying that some new guy or other guy was going to knock RC off the podium, and every year RC would just twist that throttle even more and kill it. Stewart was the only one that really looked like he had a shot (to me). I think one of my favorite races was RC at the MXDN when he was on a smoker and beat Stephan Everts. RC's interview about how the other guys on the team pretty much sucked was way cool, too.

[@johntomasik1555]

@Duke Bonde Um, nope. Ain't buying it. Every year during the RC era we were told how that next fastest phenom was going to knock RC off the top. And every year RC came back and showed everyone they were wrong. There's ZERO proof Villo would be any faster than RC given the same environment. The only facts we do have is that RC won many more races and titles than Villo. That's it.

[@johntomasik1555]

@Duke Bonde Well then that settles it. RV is the GOAT,.

[@dougderby9454]

Only one RC. Sure was exciting when he was racing.

[@mseabolt45]

Who is the interviwer?

[@jmard24]

I hate when the interviewer cuts off the the guest. It’s rc! Shut your mouth and let him talk!

[@David-mo3tv]

Rc legend

[@snooks250sx]

Ironically everyone else but Mcgrath stepped up in 2002. That was probably Jeremy's worst supercross season ever.

[@ramboracing702]

Does RV still have something to do with Yam?

[@dealspeed6756]

He does, he actually test for them to help find problems with the bike and different setups

[@ramboracing702]

@@dealspeed6756 looking forward to seeing what ET can do on the yam! ✌️

[@dealspeed6756]

@@ramboracing702 if they have RV help with bike setup that would be a killer duo, RV is the only rider I would say has more raw talent than Tomac and only just, Tomac may just clime back to the tippy top again.

[@ramboracing702]

@@dealspeed6756 yeah RV was a hard racer who reminds me of how Tomac rides, it's going to be a good season! 👍

[@dealspeed6756]

@@ramboracing702 RV was a master at keeping the RPMs low and always being a gear higher than everybody else, Tomac does this as well mixed in with the ability to let the bike just do what it wants without loosing control. Going to be a very good season of racing.

[@MoT0Kr3W]

Great podcast!!

[@CaddyJim]

*RC* left *Honda* in *04* after going *24-0* in Motocross *McGrath* left *Honda* in *96* after *14-1* in supercross to only *win 2* races the following year on *Suzuki* that's what they were afraid was going to happen to *Ricky*

[@VincentAmbrosioSalad]

Won’t even lie watched Ricky ride that RM250 as a kid at Seattle super cross and I’ve wanted one ever since. Ps I’m 25 now

[@kevinoneill1516]

7:53 Ohlins forks???

[@pags1981]

RC knows his stuff, wouldn't be surprised to see Ohlins on the new Triumph MX bikes

[@8180634]

As far as I'm aware, when price is no object then ohlins is the best. This may not apply for factory guys who can get any changes they want and have a suspension tech on the payroll to make changes on the spot.

[@andrewsypula3712]

Yes. That's from Daytona SX 2020 that was a HEP suzuki bike. He beefed it in the whoops on his lap preview, and nearly wrecked. Enticknap had a similar one that year.

[@kelliebrooks9094]

I think its just time for Yamaha to step up personel...they ve been building a good bike an they probably felt like hey were gonna upgrade our bike so let upgrade to a solid champian...in our camp....basic market move i saw a few times him getting beat by his kawi in a few short straights jason anderson...that had to suck....but he winning races steady

[@juliusevola8806]

Matthes, when did Carmichael decide to start talking to you?

[@wtfftw24]

Pretty interesting pod 👍👍

[@worldssickestmedia2713]

I don't like Honda because year after year they have the fastest bike in supercross. But they never have the fastest bike out of the crate. Combine that with they have the money to gobble up all the best riders coming up through the ranks. So I loved when Carmichael went to Suzuki I loved it.

[@papikevz8803]

To be honest after rc,cr, and js no more suzuki..

[@mr.realistic9791]

If tomac don't work on his starts don't matter what bike he own it's gonna be s tough year field is stacked

[@CaddyJim]

At the end there when *Mathis* was asking *RC* if he thought he could win right away I thought he would bring up *McGrath* going to Suzuki the one year he didn't win the title

[@mikebrown41182]

Why? I disagree, Suzuki came a long way since 1997, basically mitch payton who did that bike and he also confessed in one of his interviews with Matthes that the 97 Suzuki were bad, but not to reference bike magazines as the holy grail, but go back and read about Pastranas Suzuki rm 250 for supercross, you only hear good about it, and interesting enough Ricky also had two frames to choose from before the season for the rm 250, wich no one talks about. Sure the mcgrath did not do well on it, but similar situation to when he left Yamaha for KTM, they were suppose to bring him and Langston a completely new 250, they however did not hold up to their promises.

[@dannysmith6035]

Believe Honda handles better outdoors $ Suzuki better indoors. Got a like my honda.%100!

[@dougroberts7073]

Legend

[@Vintage-406]

So what I got out of this is Honda is shisty and always has been 😂. I love the content!

[@davidmechler5333]

Ran a Yamaha engine in a Suzuki! Didn't know that!

[@abgz1206]

Looks like et3 retiring @ Yamaha

[@Aquaberrybackfist]

Not a very flattering picture you got for the goat there at the beginning😂

[@rdone1216]

You'd think the team would let the rider do whatever they want to do with the bike if their results will improve. They claim they sell bikes with wins/podiums, so if that is true why don't let the rider have control over the bike?

[@buddhistpriest1357]

I’d have gone after Stewart too! It’s a crying shame there are no American MX motorcycle companies. If we are supposed to be the most technology advanced nation, winner of the space race, winner of WW2, Winner of the Atomic bomb, winner of the MX des nations, winner of vaccine’s, NASCAR, Bass Fishing, now we’re the best car manufacturer, you name it. (Besides hockey) We are the best at everything. Imperial unit of measurements is another one. (I’m being sarcastic) Yet we can’t build a dirt bike?

[@Dullahan_SiX]

Funny thing is freewheeling sells Suzuki now

[@edwardanspach5405]

Since Honda tried that move karma got them they was off the map ken

[@craigmccall7450]

Elephant in some other room apparently... Triumph.

[@frankposas5080]

Haha 🤣🤣🤣 it's not really a hard decision to switch teams when someone else is throwing more pancakes on the table 💯🥞💰

[@reese3407]

It's the money 💰

[@konarider9472]

I see pulpmx has embraced the carrots and clickbait thumbnails.

[@PulpMX]

ATTRACTIVE thumbnails we call them.

[@KrummyProductions]

Did “anyone” ever admit or get busted to taking performance enhancing drugs?

[@Mark147KTM]

Best on Kawasaki

[@sharkiesgirl8929]

I WENT TO SUZUKI THEN ADDED ILLEGAL GAS TO MAKE IT COMPETE..😂😂😂

[@frankystyles5642]

Such a dirty clickbait move. Good interview tho.

[@mototodd]

RC and Stewart ran Suzuki out of money lol

[@abgz1206]

So it’s all about $$ … Most struggling just to get bikes to ride races

[@Tew730]

HE LEFT HONDA CAUSE SUZUKI OFFERED MORE MONEY RIGHT?

[@vaughanscott7308]

Who the fuck is stew?