JOEL SMETS INTERVIEW
by Ian
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Joel Smets |
If I asked you what BMW and a five times World Motocross Champion had in common, you would be forgiven for saying "nothing". But the reality is that BMW has its sights firmly set in the recreational sporting off-road market. Such is the marketing machine that is BMW, that it has cleverly aligned itself with one of the most successful exponents of off road riding the world has known: Joel Smets.
The 'Flemish Lion', as Smets is affectionately known in Europe, retired second on the all-time winners list for Motocross GP's. Five world Championships is commendable in any sport but in the brutal and unforgiving discipline of motocross, durability and longevity do not always go hand in hand with speed.
Consider that Joel didn't start his racing career until the relatively late age of seventeen, and his natural ability shines more and more. Belgians in fact have won more motocross world championships than any other nationality and a look at the record books overwhelms one with 43 Belgian championships to next best Sweden with 14. Compatriot Stefan Everts amassed 99 GP wins to Smets' 57. Everts, the son of a former world champion Harry Everts, literally grew up on bikes. Smets on the other hand was named after another Belgian legend and world Champion Joel Robert, but his family could not afford bikes, so he attended races every week and tells of how he watched and made notes in his head on just how he would race when it became affordable.
Whilst this may all sound obscure to Australian audiences, it is important to understand that in Belgium, motocross is the nations number three sport after soccer and then cycling. We go the footy and the cricket but in Belgium, five thousand people each week are guaranteed to pay their money to attend local motocross races. When the GP comes to town that number triples. Motocross riders in Belgium win accolades like Sportsman of the Year and make the nightly news. We can only dream of such recognition.
So it makes sense that the technically proficient Germans would want to hook up with the popular and talented Belgian. Both parties would get what they want. BMW wanted to build an enduro bike worthy of its brand that could also compete in the market and the straight talking Smets could certainly test anything BMW made to its limits.
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The BMW G450X |
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The G450X donk |
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The coaxial swingarm pivot: constant drivechain tension, ground clearance to burn |
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The chassis: light, simple, STRONG |
So BMW now owns the Husqvarna brand but fortunately for us has kept the faith in its own enduro bike. Full of innovations, the BMW G450X boasts a coaxial swing arm pivot that passes through the engine cases and front sprocket. This eliminates the lag associated with the traditional off set increasing both chain and sprocket life. Another benefit is better traction via a longer swing arm and no sub-frame below the motor giving a good 30mm more ground clearance.
The fuel cap is at the back of the seat and the fuel cell in behind the motor keeping weight low. Fuel injection eliminates jetting woes and improves efficiency and the seat is a solid one-piece unit meaning no tearing of covers. The clutch is driven directly off the crank instead of the primary drive. This has allowed BMW to use a smaller clutch because of the higher RPM and less torque effect. It also makes the rear of the motor narrower and contributes to allowing the longer swing arm.
In a sign of leaving well enough alone, the linkless rear suspension is provided by a conventional Ohlins shock. The rear shock is so long it reminded me of a late seventies Yamaha but in BMW's case, it allows much more stroke to tune the action of the rear. Marzocchi provides the front suspension and when you look at the overall package, it is hard to deny the benefits of starting from scratch.
BMW have been able to move the motor further back, lengthen the swing arm, tilt the motor forward and then produce long straight induction tracts for the fuel injection. Ground clearance is increased, weight from fuel is centralized and lowered and the airbox is nice and high, where the tank would normally be. It certainly makes sense and a throng of media nuts and me all drooled and dribbled one by one sucking up to BMW's finest in the hope that we get to ride one when they hit the showrooms later this year.
For now, BMW Australia has brought Smets and the G450X to Australia for this weekend's 4 day Enduro in Warragul, Victoria. As part of the development of the bike in 2007, BMW entered selected enduro events with Smets to 'shake down' the new machine and start the arduous testing regime that would develop the bike. BMW managed to score points and even won a cross-country event. In 2008, BMW are tackling the World Enduro Championship (WEC) full-time having engaged another multiple world Champion, Anders Eriksson, who bagged seven Enduro titles during his career.
After three rounds of the 2008 WEC, a best result of fourth in Sweden is encouraging and speaks volumes for a new bike with a retired Champion. For us here in Australia, the opportunity to watch Joel Smets on the bike is one not to miss. After listening to Joel talk about his race career and subsequent move into enduro, I had the chance to talk with Joel and really see if those massive forearms had what it takes in the unforgiving world of BIKE ME! arm wrestling.
BIKE ME!: You didn't start racing until aged seventeen. Is that possible these days if you want to be a world champion?
Smets: It is hard but YES! I want to believe this is the case. I am confident this is so for a couple of reasons. Talent is one part but you soon know if you have speed on the track. Developing this speed is partly physical and in a sport where you do get injured, some kids are not in great health by the time they are out of their teens. Also regardless of the physical preparation, there is a mental conditioning that only peaks at a certain age and this is the same for everyone.
BIKE ME!: So how hard did you train for motocross?
Smets: I trained hard for sure. But I ate pasta and alike without any special diet because I was consistent. I wanted to be the fittest rider out there. So when others came to watch me train they could see nothing really special. What they didn't see and mostly could not match was that I trained six days a week, twice a day for eleven months of the year. This is the commitment most riders do not posses. When I raced I was always there at the end. Once we got past half way, if I was with the leaders I knew I could win. I never gave up.
BIKE ME!: You were named after Joel Robert who was
instrumental in taking the sport to America. Why do you think the Americans
stay home and don't race in Europe?
Smets: I don't think it is any reason other than America is just so big and heavily populated. They have so many people that they get great crowds and sell so much product. It is like its own world and they have the luxury for a strong competition. It is the reason baseball and basketball is so big. Nowhere else in the world is it popular but America loves it and has the population to support it.
BIKE ME!: And what of Supercross?
Smets: I like Supercross but it is not generally raced in Europe. We tend to focus on the outdoor and the Americans the Supercross. I raced the Daytona Supercross once and just missed out on the main event by one place. I was on a Husaberg enduro bike and was glad in the end, as I was not really prepared for such an event. But I like the sport and think it is a great spectator event.
BIKE ME!: In enduro you have to do your own mechanical work. How do you rate in this department?
Smets: Yeah, I am OK with the spanners. I am confident and have always been hands on in this way so no issues there.
BIKE ME!: New Zealand's Josh Coppins was unlucky not to win the World MX Championship last year. What are your thoughts?
Smets: That was so unlucky. Josh is very popular in Belgium and lives down the road from me. We would have been very happy to see him win. To have had his brake line rupture on the landing of a big downhill jump like that was unheard of. Had it been any other part of the track he would have made it but that point was bad. I hope he can win the title before the new guys come through.
Note: Coppins was leading the championship by a strong margin when the accident happened preventing him from contesting he closing rounds of the Championship. He would finish second.
BIKE ME!: Have you considered the Dakar Rally in retirement?
Smets: I have actually done it twice as a co-driver and it is fantastic and one of the greatest things I have done. I often looked out the window and thought... wow, I could do this and that on a bike, but truthfully I would never do it on a bike. The risks of crashing at such a speed are way too high and the rocks and dangers are too much. For a regular guy I would say yes but for me the need to ride at speed would only make it far too risky.
BIKE ME!: Finally, any chance of an arm wrestle?
Smets: Sure, I need some entertainment.
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Ian tries his race face on a 57 times GP winner |
You can see Joel Smets on the BMW G450X this weekend in Victoria. Log on to www.a4de.com for details and times. You can arm wrestle me any time if your forearms are big enough.
