What's it REALLY Like Racing 500 2 Strokes in the 90's?? John Kocinski Explains...

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Published 2024-08-04
John Kocinski speaks on his experience racing the 500cc 2 strokes in the 90's racing against legends of the sport such as Mick Doohan & Kevin Schwantz
Today's guest on the show Superbike & MotoGP Legend John Kocinski. In John's successful career, the American won the 1990 250cc World Championship, and the 1997 Superbike World Championship title. Today, he speaks on his outstanding career racing 500cc in the 90's and the current state of MotoGP.

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All Comments (21)
  • Jon was considered a “difficult” personality back in the day. I’d say he was pragmatic, with a strong analytical ability. Certainly an intelligent and self-aware individual.
  • Eddie freaking Lawson!!!! 4 x World Champion! 2 X Superbike Champion! 2 x Daytona Winner! Suzuki 8hr endurance champion! 2 x Superbikers Winner! 250 AMA Champion!
  • @garyhinnells
    This man was always someone that came across as a misunderstood,unusual character that race fans couldn’t quite understand but after listening to this podcast he has clarified so much that I now understand.His talent was never in question,understanding the man was but thanks to this channel we’ve been given a fantastic insight!!!
  • @AVTheLimit
    John Kocinski still the Best Helmet design ever for Me
  • @t.0mmz115
    First helmet I got was a replica of johns eagle helmet. Was over the moon. It’s still on the shelf looking pretty
  • @DannyDarroux
    Really good to see John again…. I always wondered what happened to you….. a very good 2 stroke rider… world champion on 250’s…. Should have got 500 too… 👍 in his day they controlled the bike…. not electronics…. It’s taken away most of the fun in seeing riders in control and power sliding….. maybe electronics make you brave…. But you’re not in control…. Ask Frankie Morbidelli about his weekend. John was also superbike champ…. Only he and Max have achieved this double…… Rare…..! 👍😁
  • @Hogdog970
    John's take on the corkscrew at laguna seca, is pure 90's gold.
  • @stevecam724
    One of the funniest things I remember about a brash young Kocinski was using Schwantz as a braking reference. I think after about the third time they were both howling down the staight side by side and all of a sudden Schwantz's Suzuki is lifting the rear and swerving about, Schwantz's is making himself as big as possible braking to the max and poor John realizing he's been had, never made the corner and ends up in the air mats. I don't think he ever tried that again 😆😆 Young Acosta reminds me a lot of a young Kocinski, very brash, very young and very talented.
  • @Hammymoto
    Great to see another road racing legend on here! Need to see some more of these guy while theyre still around. Get some TT riders sometime.
  • First time on a 500 after winter break, "you physically couldnt see" 😅😅 says it casual as coffee. You really had to be there in the 80s. Every motorsport peaked at once. Group C. Group B. 500 GPs, F1s original turbo era, pre restrictor plate Nascar in the US. Works era motocross in the FIM and AMA. Pre-steroid testing olympics. All funded with tobacco and alcohol. It was the official no cap era of planet earth, everywhere you looked.
  • @ZIPPRERZING
    I love the smell of Two Stroke in the Morning!
  • That sound. Its a twostroke gaining about 300-400 rpm without your throttle hand moving. Youre about to go for one.
  • My childhood hero used to love this guy back when he used racing
  • He is right about the 500ccm. 200 hp at 145 kg, a motor curve like a light switch, no electronic, tires and chassis from another century. Rossi was special cause he was the last one who won a title on such a freaking machine. Marc is an outstanding rider, but with his hot head mindset, he would be dead on a 500ccm.
  • Doohan said that you could not close the throttle fast enough to save it. You had to keep a finger on the clutch and slip it to cut power to the rear wheel. Amazing.
  • He has matured into a likable guy. Back in the GP days he was slightly aloof. I’m glad he is getting involved in the sport again.