All Time Motorcycle Racer Greats?

Question

I've just answered a question and it got me thinking. Who would I put in my top ten list of all time greats? They're in order, but its an order thats very subjective and likely to change depending on the mood I'm in. I'm sure there are names that I've totally forgotten about, and would make it into the top ten on another day.

So anyway, here's my list:

1 Mike Hailwood

2 Valentino Rossi

3 Giacomo Agostini

4 Kenny Roberts Snr

5 Freddy Spencer

6 Mick Doohan

7 Eddie Lawson

8 Barry Sheene

9 Wayne Rainey

10 Kevin Schwantz

And here's a few I considered but didn't quite make it (this time) Wayne Gardner, Randy Mamola, Dijira Kato, Troy Bayliss, Carl Fogherty, Alex Criville, Nori Haga

So.........Who would you include?

Answer 1

RON HASLAM

JOEY DUNLOP (RIP)

DAVE JEFFRIES (RIP)

STEVE HISLOP (RIP)

JAMES WHITAM

too mant to mention....................................

Answer 2

Wiggysan is getting close. But honestly, how can you include Carl Fogarty? I know he was the closest thing to an English born champion since Bazza, but certainly not worthy to be listed in this league.

Answer 3

Hey Neil, happy new year,

I couldn't include ten as my memory is pretty poo, and names are just beyond me - but I did find myself nodding my head a lot at your list.

I would add that old British fella who spent about 20 years winning everything in the endurance, hill climb classes  etc. back in the 60's or something (definately black and white telly days) but I can't remember his name either!!

Oh well, I was impressed, and maybe somebody will know who the h**l I'm on about!

Answer 4

Are we talking proper motorcycle racers, or just the softies that ride tracks - 'cos you'd get a totally different list.

Geoff Duke; Mike Hailwood; John Surtees ; Joey Dunlop; Dave Molineaux etc....... and anyone who has ridden the 'toughest road-race circuit in the world' - the Isle of Man TT.

Answer 5

How could you leave out Jarno Saarinen !

I think Phil Read should be in there too, along with Joey Dunlop. You can take out Ago, Lawson and Spencer to make room for them, but Jarno is number one.

F1 driver Trulli`s father named him Jarno in Saarinen`s honour.

And just seeing Kato`s name saddens me very much. I watched that fateful race on the telly with my 2 youngest daughters who were both fans of his. Tragic.

Dingo...are you thinking about trails when you say the Brit who won everything ?

If so it was the great Sammy Miller.

Answer 6

WOW! Everybody pretty much covered it.

Answer 7

there's at least a couple of people who i would have to include and they are joey dunlop,  and david jeffries. these are true champions who attract the admiration and respect of everyone who knows them.

Answer 8

STANLEY WOODS !!!!

Answer 9

I really dont think I can start this list let alone finish it !

My real shame in life [ not that I can do much about it ] is only been 30 years young.

Yes I have seen many of the modern great, but I would to have been able to see in person many of the " Legends ". ( youtube is good, but nothing beats the smell of two stoke from a square four Sukuki as Sheene screams past !! )

OK, ill give a shot, but in NO order, ill never be able to work that out!

Vale Rossi

Mick Doohan

Kenny Roberts (snr)

Franco Uncini

Freddie Spencer ( 250 & 500 in the same year! )

Wayne Rainey

Kevin Schwantz

Geoff Duke

Mike Hailwood

Giacomo Agostini

Scot Russel

Carl Fogarty

Joey Dunlop

Steve Hislop

Phil Read

Anton Mang

Best rider never to win a World Championship : Randy Mamola.

The best racer , who went on to bigger and better things : John Britten. RIP. The man who went to Daytona in 1994 for the " Pro Twins Race ".

It should have been called " The Giant Slaying " ! Andrew Stroud showed the world that day, what one man in his shed could do. A great man, sadly missed, as are so many on my list and on the other peoples list.

[our] Sport / hobbie is so great and fantastic that some people are lost in for ever. In recent time the TT and other road event have taken to many from us.

Answer 10

Hi Neilgtti. I have thought ........and Thought .... and thought.. but other than in a diferent order and including the ones you have added...... I cant come up with anything different. Hopefully in ten yrs time I will be able to add acouple of NEW ones.

But you have put a lot of talent into a short list.