Roczen To HRC Honda Is A Done Deal...

USMCMXer wrote:

I like KROC, I think his personality is great for the sport, I like that he keeps it light and doesn't fully epitomize the train, diet...

I like KROC, I think his personality is great for the sport, I like that he keeps it light and doesn't fully epitomize the train, diet and grind til you're dead persona some of the other top riders do, etc... Don't mis-read that as he doesn't train his ass off, because the guy is in shape and is an animal, physically. Plus, some of his social media stuff is pure gold.

Now, how will HONDA like this? Backwards hats, riding jet skis with a YAMAHA logo on them, talking about partying. All of these things that make KROC such a breath of fresh air will be things that haven't sat well with Honda brass over the past century. Think MC and his departure because they (Honda) thought they could place a ton of lifestyle restrictions on their 3 time defending SX champ or 6 time champ, counting (2) 125SX and another 250 outdoor MX title. Honda thought they could dictate how he does things? Think that'll work for KROC? I'm not sure? Oh yeah, then there is Kenny's dad. What if he comes down with another acute case of diarrhea of the mouth and slams everything HRC does, in a public forum? The $12M they were gonna pay KROC will be equally matched by the amount of money they pay lawyers and the astronomical fines doled out to KR94.

Either way, it will be interesting, that is for sure.

dcg141 wrote:

KTM is a culture of racers and riders. Honda is much more a culture of suits and engineers. Both are dead serious, but they come at...

KTM is a culture of racers and riders. Honda is much more a culture of suits and engineers. Both are dead serious, but they come at it from different angles. Honda likes to shape the customer to buy what they make, KTM makes bikes customers want. Oddly enough I think KTM understands brand way more than any of the Japanese companies. By culture I mean the company beyond just the race team.

dcg141 wrote:

KTM is a culture of racers and riders. Honda is much more a culture of suits and engineers. Both are dead serious, but they come at...

KTM is a culture of racers and riders. Honda is much more a culture of suits and engineers. Both are dead serious, but they come at it from different angles. Honda likes to shape the customer to buy what they make, KTM makes bikes customers want. Oddly enough I think KTM understands brand way more than any of the Japanese companies. By culture I mean the company beyond just the race team.

kiwifan wrote:

If KTM only makes bikes people want then why does Honda sell a truckload of bikes, because it also makes what the public want, I think...

If KTM only makes bikes people want then why does Honda sell a truckload of bikes, because it also makes what the public want, I think you are referring to the 2 stroke market of which is only a very very small percentage of it, with very low profit margins.

KTM is seen as understanding the 'brand' because it makes 2 strokes, if it did not I can guarantee you they would be seen the same as any other manufacturer.

Edit: anyway this thread isnt about Honda vs KTM, so I will stop there

kiwifan wrote:

If KTM only makes bikes people want then why does Honda sell a truckload of bikes, because it also makes what the public want, I think...

If KTM only makes bikes people want then why does Honda sell a truckload of bikes, because it also makes what the public want, I think you are referring to the 2 stroke market of which is only a very very small percentage of it, with very low profit margins.

KTM is seen as understanding the 'brand' because it makes 2 strokes, if it did not I can guarantee you they would be seen the same as any other manufacturer.

Edit: anyway this thread isnt about Honda vs KTM, so I will stop there

peelout wrote:

i think some of you bros are over-analyzing this shit

Langhammx wrote:

I think you might of missed his point on KTM. You do realize that KTM has significantly more models of dirt bikes than all the other...

I think you might of missed his point on KTM. You do realize that KTM has significantly more models of dirt bikes than all the other manufactures do, right ? With each size motorcycle, they have "options" that come stock. (Different models of each size) From the 50cc to the 500cc bikes.... Not to mention, they sell their bikes with quality parts on them and offer an extensive line of parts/ accessories to compliment their brand. Like it or not, KTM has grown to be the brand that the "customers" want to do business with. Even with their bike prices being higher than the jap bikes, they seem to sell out of many of their models, year after year.

UpTiTe wrote:

The rumor I heard is that it will make him the highest paid rider, EVER.

Ghost of Jabroni wrote:

Big-time pressure. Highly talented, charismatic, and in his prime. And also as marketable an athlete as it gets when you consider he's got both a domestic...

Big-time pressure.

Highly talented, charismatic, and in his prime. And also as marketable an athlete as it gets when you consider he's got both a domestic and international following. It's not unjustified money tbh. I just hope he can handle the pressure cooker, cause it's going to be intense.

There's a reason only a few have the mental makeup to win while under that Honda tent. Other than RC and MC (2 of the 3 greatest ever) who else has been able to deliver for the team with the biggest budget? Nobody.

Dungey will be waiting and ready. We're gonna be in for a real show next year.

kiwifan wrote:

If KTM only makes bikes people want then why does Honda sell a truckload of bikes, because it also makes what the public want, I think...

If KTM only makes bikes people want then why does Honda sell a truckload of bikes, because it also makes what the public want, I think you are referring to the 2 stroke market of which is only a very very small percentage of it, with very low profit margins.

KTM is seen as understanding the 'brand' because it makes 2 strokes, if it did not I can guarantee you they would be seen the same as any other manufacturer.

Edit: anyway this thread isnt about Honda vs KTM, so I will stop there

Langhammx wrote:

I think you might of missed his point on KTM. You do realize that KTM has significantly more models of dirt bikes than all the other...

I think you might of missed his point on KTM. You do realize that KTM has significantly more models of dirt bikes than all the other manufactures do, right ? With each size motorcycle, they have "options" that come stock. (Different models of each size) From the 50cc to the 500cc bikes.... Not to mention, they sell their bikes with quality parts on them and offer an extensive line of parts/ accessories to compliment their brand. Like it or not, KTM has grown to be the brand that the "customers" want to do business with. Even with their bike prices being higher than the jap bikes, they seem to sell out of many of their models, year after year.

kiwifan wrote:

no, I get your point, my point is that there is much more to Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha than just dirt bikes, they sell a...

no, I get your point, my point is that there is much more to Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha than just dirt bikes, they sell a ton of road bikes and need production lines for them, KTM do not have massive road bike production lines so can concentrate more on off road.

endurox wrote:

Rick Johnson had a bit of attitude when he joined Honda. He became more professional at Honda. So I assume Roczen will wear the baseball cap...

Rick Johnson had a bit of attitude when he joined Honda. He became more professional at Honda. So I assume Roczen will wear the baseball cap with the bill forward.

endurox wrote:

Rick Johnson had a bit of attitude when he joined Honda. He became more professional at Honda. So I assume Roczen will wear the baseball cap...

Rick Johnson had a bit of attitude when he joined Honda. He became more professional at Honda. So I assume Roczen will wear the baseball cap with the bill forward.

Sully wrote:

I'm fairly certain that as long as Red Bull is signing the check, Honda has no say in how Kenny wears his hat.

Holigan wrote:

His dad was complaining about a lot of guys that don't do much but stand around at RCH, while no one was focused and responsible for...

His dad was complaining about a lot of guys that don't do much but stand around at RCH, while no one was focused and responsible for the bike being the best it could be. Whether he was right or wrong about RCH, he cannot make the same complaint at Honda. I don't remember any complaints from Team Honda riders about the bike being bad over the last few decades.

moto_insider wrote:

It's a 5 year deal and is for stupid money. Canard is out. The Kawi rumors are true and that deal is done but don't have...

It's a 5 year deal and is for stupid money.

Canard is out. The Kawi rumors are true and that deal is done but don't have any details on it.

Seelys 2 year deal is not signed yet, regardless of what you might hear. He has offers from KTM and a Suzuki team but will likely be back with HRC.

moto_insider wrote:

It's a 5 year deal and is for stupid money. Canard is out. The Kawi rumors are true and that deal is done but don't have...

It's a 5 year deal and is for stupid money.

Canard is out. The Kawi rumors are true and that deal is done but don't have any details on it.

Seelys 2 year deal is not signed yet, regardless of what you might hear. He has offers from KTM and a Suzuki team but will likely be back with HRC.

seth505 wrote:

I'm not sure why most people fall back on the fact that the Japanese brands have their hand in other market segments. Aren't we talking about...

I'm not sure why most people fall back on the fact that the Japanese brands have their hand in other market segments. Aren't we talking about the motocross market?
If Samsung loses 50 million in the phone market, they don't just say "Hey we sold 60 million in TV sales, screw it, we dont' care".

Secondly, holy shit, another Kroc to Honda thread!

mooch wrote:

This reminds me of something I occasionally wonder about...What is it that Kenny Watson does at RCH? Could be wrong but the old saying of "too...

This reminds me of something I occasionally wonder about...What is it that Kenny Watson does at RCH?

Could be wrong but the old saying of "too many chiefs and not enough indians" comes to mind.

jonesaustin wrote:

yes but 12 mil now is like 7 mil 7 years ago, etc. it's not just about the number, but how that number works within the...

yes but 12 mil now is like 7 mil 7 years ago, etc. it's not just about the number, but how that number works within the the economics of the current time. Ricky Johnson getting $600k in the 1980's was a huge deal, and it still effing is.

then again, more media exposure also heightens things so maybe it IS the "biggest" salary ever. still, it needs to be addressed within context. clayton kershaw makes more than babe ruth, but who made the most impact and is most well known in the sport? that said, love KR so it's great to hear he might get those numbers, he deserves it.

MelonFan123 wrote:

the USD has nearly doubled in 7 years?? Ummmm, no.

$7MM in 2009 is pretty damn close to $7MM in 2016

RandyS wrote:

That's a lot of commitment in money and manpower for someone who has only delivered one elite class championship. And almost threw it away but had...

That's a lot of commitment in money and manpower for someone who has only delivered one elite class championship. And almost threw it away but had some help from mother nature. I like Roczen but I think Dungey and Webb may slow Hondas return to dominance.

Dirtdemon wrote:

done deal

Kenny signed before round 5 Supercross.
1 October HRC will confim

crusty_xx wrote:

You're not expected to have multiple elite class titles at age 21. Especially not when you started your pro career on another continent. The rain excuse...

You're not expected to have multiple elite class titles at age 21. Especially not when you started your pro career on another continent.
The rain excuse doesn't count btw since he won the title by more points than he made up in that race.

RandyS wrote:

Clearly nobody told MC, RC, and Dungey. Roczen has yet to dominate a series, he won the outdoor title but he was not the dominant rider...

Clearly nobody told MC, RC, and Dungey. Roczen has yet to dominate a series, he won the outdoor title but he was not the dominant rider through much of it. I believe if it hadn't rained his average finish over the second half was not enough against Dungeys average, that's all from memory though. All I'm saying is that it's a lot of money.

crusty_xx wrote:

You're not expected to have multiple elite class titles at age 21. Especially not when you started your pro career on another continent. The rain excuse...

You're not expected to have multiple elite class titles at age 21. Especially not when you started your pro career on another continent.
The rain excuse doesn't count btw since he won the title by more points than he made up in that race.

RandyS wrote:

Clearly nobody told MC, RC, and Dungey. Roczen has yet to dominate a series, he won the outdoor title but he was not the dominant rider...

Clearly nobody told MC, RC, and Dungey. Roczen has yet to dominate a series, he won the outdoor title but he was not the dominant rider through much of it. I believe if it hadn't rained his average finish over the second half was not enough against Dungeys average, that's all from memory though. All I'm saying is that it's a lot of money.

jock wrote:

How is Kenny doing now. Maybe he read this post.

moto_insider wrote:

It's a 5 year deal and is for stupid money. Canard is out. The Kawi rumors are true and that deal is done but don't have...

It's a 5 year deal and is for stupid money.

Canard is out. The Kawi rumors are true and that deal is done but don't have any details on it.

Seelys 2 year deal is not signed yet, regardless of what you might hear. He has offers from KTM and a Suzuki team but will likely be back with HRC.

moto_insider wrote:

It's a 5 year deal and is for stupid money. Canard is out. The Kawi rumors are true and that deal is done but don't have...

It's a 5 year deal and is for stupid money.

Canard is out. The Kawi rumors are true and that deal is done but don't have any details on it.

Seelys 2 year deal is not signed yet, regardless of what you might hear. He has offers from KTM and a Suzuki team but will likely be back with HRC.

kiwifan wrote:

You were way off the mark in regards to Canard being a done deal at Kawasaki !