Is Rossi the greatest rider ever?

**That Guy** · 20th May 2005, 13:11

Originally Posted by Jim2

No, he's not.

He's just a good guy swimming in a sea of corporatised mediocrity, a la Michael Schumacher.

Can't agree with that. When did Shoemaker give up his unbeatable combination to prove himself? And anyway as all us biking folks agree - riding a bike is 80% rider and 20% bike; not the other way round like that F1 fiasco; so not a fair comparison I think.

I do agree that there is still some corporatised flannel in MotoGP; but I think Rossi is the best ever anyway. Plus he bought me a beer once in a pub so he's the greatest.

**Motu** · 20th May 2005, 13:36

Originally Posted by That Guy

. When did Shoemaker give up his unbeatable combination to prove himself?

This year - he's not in the best car on the grid (ok,so it's the tyres,but they are made for one car) and he's nowhere...he's one of the best drivers we've ever seen - but not 7 World Championships worth.

**badlieutenant** · 20th May 2005, 13:54

rossi would be in my top 3. Its a hard call tho. There will be people who will swear that agostini was the best.
Poor old giber, I kinda want to see him win cause he can beat rossi, but old valentino has a vulcan mindfuck hold on him. Rossi will get him all upset and then not give a another thought about it

**James Deuce** · 20th May 2005, 14:23

Originally Posted by That Guy

Can't agree with that. When did Shoemaker give up his unbeatable combination to prove himself? And anyway as all us biking folks agree - riding a bike is 80% rider and 20% bike; not the other way round like that F1 fiasco; so not a fair comparison I think.

I do agree that there is still some corporatised flannel in MotoGP; but I think Rossi is the best ever anyway. Plus he bought me a beer once in a pub so he's the greatest.

Benetton '94/'95 was NOT the best car on the grid. The Ferrari in '96, '97, '98, and '99 was NOT the best car on the grid, and arguably put up a challenge beyond its capabilities with Schumacher at the wheel.

It is a fair comparision. If there was the equivalent of a Lawson, Rainey, Schwantz, and Doohan combination on the starting grid it would be a very different story. There is no where near the depth of consistent talent that we had in 500GP in the late '80s and early '90s at the moment. But there is no such combo, so we can't even begin to make a stab non-historical comparisons.

**That Guy** · 20th May 2005, 14:58

Originally Posted by Jim2

Benetton '94/'95 was NOT the best car on the grid. The Ferrari in '96, '97, '98, and '99 was NOT the best car on the grid, and arguably put up a challenge beyond its capabilities with Schumacher at the wheel.

It is a fair comparision. If there was the equivalent of a Lawson, Rainey, Schwantz, and Doohan combination on the starting grid it would be a very different story. There is no where near the depth of consistent talent that we had in 500GP in the late '80s and early '90s at the moment. But there is no such combo, so we can't even begin to make a stab non-historical comparisons.

but shoemaker never bought me a beer so he's out. An doohan once pushed me out of the way at a press conference so he's out 'cause he's a very rude man. Shwantz is a dude but I reckon Rossi would get hinm to crash before winnnig the title against him. Lawson & Rainey......I can't think of a plausible argumnet for them so I'll just take a pig headed approach. So there.

**James Deuce** · 20th May 2005, 15:04

Originally Posted by That Guy

but shoemaker never bought me a beer so he's out. So there.

And that is a very good point.

**Fryin Finn** · 20th May 2005, 15:47

Rossi the greatest. I'll reserve judgement till I see him on a dirt bike. However he is to be commended for owning an XJR1300.
I'll cast a vote for Stephan Everts

Besides - since you are all just a figment of my imagination then only I can be the greatest rider of all time

**James Deuce** · 20th May 2005, 15:57

Originally Posted by Fryin Finn

Rossi the greatest. I'll reserve judgement till I see him on a dirt bike. However he is to be commended for owning an XJR1300.
I'll cast a vote for Stephan Everts

Besides - since you are all just a figment of my imagination then only I can be the greatest rider of all time

Solipsist.

**White trash** · 20th May 2005, 16:20

Thought you wallys knew that?

**James Deuce** · 20th May 2005, 16:22

Originally Posted by White trash

Thought you wallys knew that?

Bwaaaaaar...woohohohhhooooo....bang....skkkkkkrt.. ..skkkkkrtt....shhhhhh. tinkle.

**Paul in NZ** · 20th May 2005, 16:23

Originally Posted by White trash

Thought you wallys knew that?

Oh yes... Don't fret, all us wallies recognise our ultimate wally always...

**White trash** · 20th May 2005, 16:39

Originally Posted by Jim2

Bwaaaaaar...woohohohhhooooo....bang....skkkkkkrt.. ..skkkkkrtt....shhhhhh. tinkle.

Reliving something there, big guy?

**James Deuce** · 20th May 2005, 16:43

Originally Posted by White trash

Reliving something there, big guy?

The only thing the head wally taught me that stuck in my mind.

**Ixion** · 20th May 2005, 16:45

My reverend and illustrious namesake thought most highly of Mr Stanley Woods.
(I believe that the bike in my avatar picture is the reverend gentleman with a race replica Norton of the period)