That Honda...

MX-Files
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MX-Files
I don't know too much but just as a spectator in the stands, it seemed the Kenny's Honda was on another planet performance wise. I know the guy is in shape but man that bike was smooth everywhere..."like butta". Going into turns, exiting turns, whoops smooth. HRC efforts look like "theyrrrrre baaaaack".
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MaicoJC1
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MaicoJC1 1/8/2017 7:35am
1/8/2017 7:35am
MX-Files wrote:
I don't know too much but just as a spectator in the stands, it seemed the Kenny's Honda was on another planet performance wise. I know...
I don't know too much but just as a spectator in the stands, it seemed the Kenny's Honda was on another planet performance wise. I know the guy is in shape but man that bike was smooth everywhere..."like butta". Going into turns, exiting turns, whoops smooth. HRC efforts look like "theyrrrrre baaaaack".
Yeah it did.
joeellis
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joeellis 1/8/2017 7:37am
1/8/2017 7:37am
MX-Files wrote:
I don't know too much but just as a spectator in the stands, it seemed the Kenny's Honda was on another planet performance wise. I know...
I don't know too much but just as a spectator in the stands, it seemed the Kenny's Honda was on another planet performance wise. I know the guy is in shape but man that bike was smooth everywhere..."like butta". Going into turns, exiting turns, whoops smooth. HRC efforts look like "theyrrrrre baaaaack".
He's definitely adapted to it very well for sure. Even quicker than he did with the Suzuki which he pretty much grew up on,
Crush
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Crush 1/8/2017 7:39am
1/8/2017 7:39am
Hi setup is like watching an M3 vs Eli's commodore... Eli's bike is forward and back, body rolling see saw.

Kenny's Beamer don't move.
slipdog
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slipdog 1/8/2017 7:44am
1/8/2017 7:44am
It ain't the bike....

The Shop

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joeellis
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joeellis 1/8/2017 7:51am
1/8/2017 7:51am
slipdog wrote:
It ain't the bike....
You're probably right to some degree, but he looks better, sooner than hedid on the Suzuki is all I'll say. They have it dialed in. If not, everyone else is in serious trouble.
mauidex
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mauidex 1/8/2017 7:57am
1/8/2017 7:57am
dungy needs a start............kroc is rocking but its gonna be a fight
mmcmx
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mmcmx 1/8/2017 8:01am
1/8/2017 8:01am
slipdog wrote:
It ain't the bike....
x1000

That said, he wouldn't look that good on a yami, look at what it has done to Chad he doesn't even look stylish on it!
KennyT
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KennyT 1/8/2017 8:02am
1/8/2017 8:02am
I think Roczen would make Webbs Yamaha look the same.
Flip109
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Flip109 1/8/2017 8:08am
1/8/2017 8:08am
slipdog wrote:
It ain't the bike....
Amen
snackfedbear
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snackfedbear 1/8/2017 8:25am
1/8/2017 8:25am
His Honda has some serious torque though. Did you hear it how deep and throaty but still crisp it sounded chugging up the lips when he was hitting some of the difficult rhythm triples? Didn't even sound like he was using half the numbers the bike is capable of.

As far as the handling is concerned... It looked like it was right up there with the motor. Just watch the suspension's action in slow mo compared to the other bikes on landings/ up the faces of jumps etc.

You are all right, it aint' the bike. But the bike needs to be on par with Kenny... and that Honda is.


Side note/ observation: Roczen's style makes him much faster because he throws smoothness and soft easy transitioning out the window in a lot of sections. He flat out hits some of the sections as if he's rhythm-ing through moguls. Over clearing the first jump slightly and charging into the lip of the next face and then scrubbing it. I didn't see him clipping any landings to check up for the next lip. Like the Aussies say... Legendary.
newmann
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newmann 1/8/2017 8:33am
1/8/2017 8:33am
Team Honda Robots...



Motodave15
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Motodave15 1/8/2017 8:35am
1/8/2017 8:35am
That bike is stable, that 1st set of wheels that were getting cupped bad, his bike stayed stable the whole night, huck a buck for all other brands in that section
speed_racer
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speed_racer 1/8/2017 8:39am
1/8/2017 8:39am
Kenny is bad news for the 2017 season.
He won by 16 seconds!
Did you see how he makes up tenths everywhere, anyone remember a dude called McGrath?
He found something special in the turns with his CRF, it is part bike/confidence, it's like he has never lost the front end and has 100% trust it won't plunge him to Terra Firma.
He enters the turn faster, doesn't stall up in the turn and exits faster, sweet shit to watch, except he is crushing my guys!
Kenny turns the Honda seamless, he connects the track like a road racer.
I am not a fan but his riding is very impressive.
Last night was the start of many years dominance by Kenny?, pretty scary deal and enough to give ya arm pump when you see him riding away so quickly.
#we'rescrewed

philG
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philG 1/8/2017 8:41am
1/8/2017 8:41am
He tests on tracks with bumps, he knows how to set a bike, he pulls the tall gears and knows how to make a 450 work, as opposed to the 'look im bouncing off the limiter so i'm going fast ' brigade.

His woes at RCH were because they thought they knew best, and he left because of it.

Seely has gone well on the Honda, he knows how to ride too.

Roczen could win on any bike he is allowed to win on,
TDeath21
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TDeath21 1/8/2017 8:45am
1/8/2017 8:45am
They've always had a good bike. Now they have a rider who is on fire. Of course the bike looks better.
MBR
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MBR 1/8/2017 9:01am
1/8/2017 9:01am
Roczen is smooth, but the new CRF450R is really balanced package even in stock form. I watched my friend rode his CRF450R today for the second time (with spikes) and his riding looked unbelivable smooth and he turned really fast lap times also. I rode his bike and was 7 sec faster than my 250f (tires had a lot to do with it).
Premix
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Premix 1/8/2017 9:40am
1/8/2017 9:40am
slipdog wrote:
It ain't the bike....
Yep. 100%. Kenny could ride any bike and have the same results. People need to quit saying the bikes are to blame, it's the rider.
Sipes #412
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Sipes #412 1/8/2017 9:42am
1/8/2017 9:42am
There's a mental piece that needs to be brought up 80% rider 20% bike. That's something my dad always told my brother and I growing up we wanted the newest latest and greatest stuff but he kept that thought in our heads and it works. Ya some bikes might feel better vs other bikes but in an interview ken even said he can win on any bike his mind is in the right spot mentally and I think that's whats keeping him smooth and consistent and a threat for this season.

Pit Row

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joe412
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joe412 1/8/2017 9:59am
1/8/2017 9:59am
Yamaha's looked like they had the suspension of a triaxle and the cornering of a school bus.....Chad Reed and Cooper Webb looked super uncomfortable
Midwest_Mafia
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Midwest_Mafia 1/8/2017 10:02am
1/8/2017 10:02am Edited Date/Time 1/8/2017 10:02am
It's actually more the bike than any of you clowns will ever know.

Watch how plush and poised his suspension is in compression and rebound. High and low speed.

Fucking Dialed.

That lets him ride smoothly with less effort, allowing him to push the pace more comfortably and go harder.

That's how he won outdoors along with line choices.
davistld01
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davistld01 1/8/2017 10:10am
1/8/2017 10:10am
slipdog wrote:
It ain't the bike....
Premix wrote:
Yep. 100%. Kenny could ride any bike and have the same results. People need to quit saying the bikes are to blame, it's the rider.
Yep, I agree. But that rider has to ride the bike too. He's got to know what works for him, and be able to set the bike up to that end. The Honda is a damn good bike, but if Kenny wasn't allowed input into what he is comfortable with...it wouldn't look nearly as good. Right now, it looks like KR & Honda are mimicking the relationship that Dungey & KTM have enjoyed the last few seasons. I'm a Dungey fan...and I believe he'll be champion when the smoke clears, but it looks like he's gonna have to work for it this season more than ever!
hbdesigns913
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hbdesigns913 1/8/2017 10:20am
1/8/2017 10:20am
All rider and not the bike???? When MC went to Suzuki he struggled. Baggett has struggled since moving from a kawi. Barcia has struggled since moving off the Honda. So has Tomac. I would say the bike has a lot to do with it. These guys are the best in the world. They don't forget how to ride
TMV
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TMV 1/8/2017 10:26am
1/8/2017 10:26am
MX-Files wrote:
I don't know too much but just as a spectator in the stands, it seemed the Kenny's Honda was on another planet performance wise. I know...
I don't know too much but just as a spectator in the stands, it seemed the Kenny's Honda was on another planet performance wise. I know the guy is in shape but man that bike was smooth everywhere..."like butta". Going into turns, exiting turns, whoops smooth. HRC efforts look like "theyrrrrre baaaaack".
Or... it could be Roczen cause Seely looked just like the old Seely.
Andy_Greenney 1/8/2017 10:33am
1/8/2017 10:33am Edited Date/Time 1/8/2017 10:34am
Hire a guy like Kenny and suddenly its the bike?? Riiiight

I hope when he loses some races (which he will) you all won't mind him blaming the bike?
tek14
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tek14 1/8/2017 10:34am
1/8/2017 10:34am
Mike Alessi Honda did hit neutral when hitting big triple?
DCL36
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DCL36 1/8/2017 10:41am
1/8/2017 10:41am
it's more than just the platform, the 17 CRF 450 is an excellent base to work with and isn't going to hinder him that's for sure . Ken has an incredible team behind him together they found a setup he's very comfortable with early on, this has allowed to him have incredible confidence, and when a rider gets that kind of confidence this is what you get .
JB 19
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JB 19 1/8/2017 10:46am
1/8/2017 10:46am
Midwest_Mafia wrote:
It's actually more the bike than any of you clowns will ever know. Watch how plush and poised his suspension is in compression and rebound. High...
It's actually more the bike than any of you clowns will ever know.

Watch how plush and poised his suspension is in compression and rebound. High and low speed.

Fucking Dialed.

That lets him ride smoothly with less effort, allowing him to push the pace more comfortably and go harder.

That's how he won outdoors along with line choices.
Yeah, Reed even said in the Ausie movie of his that the days of it being 80/20 are over. It's much more the bike now.....if you know how to fully utilize it.

But super stiff suspension and rev limiters are just too cool for some people. Dude....my forks don't even move....sweet.
kiwifan
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kiwifan 1/8/2017 10:54am
1/8/2017 10:54am
tek14 wrote:
Mike Alessi Honda did hit neutral when hitting big triple?
a bike hitting neutral isnt the bikes fault, the rider did it...move on please
kiwifan
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kiwifan 1/8/2017 10:58am
1/8/2017 10:58am
ok lets get one thing straight Kenny flat out rode well, no question, did the bike play a part, absolutely it fucking did!!!

Could he have got the same results on any other bike yes IF its dialed in/setup correctly absolutely...that Honda is dialed in/setup, and I agree with a comment above about how throaty it sounded !

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