Reed's comment: "You are only as good as what you have to work with"

kkawboy14
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1/29/2017 9:17am
I don't think some of you guys get what the manufacturers want. They don't want to make their Yamaha a Kawasaki, they want him to win on their Yamaha!
APerry151
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Seabrook, TX, USA
1/29/2017 9:26am
oshow wrote:
Chad said they have known the problem since May, but wouldn't let him make the changes he needed until his awful start to this season....
I hate that aspect of the sport. I get that Yamaha wants him to win on their bike. But let him get the thing dialed, wouldn't they rather see him get good results? It's still a Yamaha...
Crush
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1/29/2017 9:35am Edited Date/Time 1/29/2017 9:35am
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.

Get the long lense out, what changes buddy?!?!

And how much of that bike is titanium or drilled out?

The Shop

ML512
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1/29/2017 9:38am
Crush wrote:
Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Get the long lense out, what changes buddy?!?! And how much of that bike is titanium or drilled...
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.

Get the long lense out, what changes buddy?!?!

And how much of that bike is titanium or drilled out?
I don't think they've trimmed too much weight compared to last year... Nothing popper out to me at the first few rounds for hardware. With Chad, there's a lot of triple clamp offset and rake changes, he may have made a swap there. I noticed the X-Trig clamps he runs aren't the same as Coopers. They're a set that the Rinaldi MXGP team uses.
oshow
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1/29/2017 9:41am
oshow wrote:
Chad said they have known the problem since May, but wouldn't let him make the changes he needed until his awful start to this season....
Here's the presser where he states it loud and clear!

2:10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgvxbZ7UuFw
Yes, exactly what I said he said
TeamGreen
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Thru-out, CA, USA
1/29/2017 9:42am
oshow wrote:
Chad said they have known the problem since May, but wouldn't let him make the changes he needed until his awful start to this season....
Here's the presser where he states it loud and clear!

2:10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgvxbZ7UuFw
Awesome points made by Chad AND Ryan...

Nothing is handed to anyone.
Crashing sucks.
The racing is better when Kenny's there.
Crush
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1/29/2017 9:46am
ML512 wrote:
I don't think they've trimmed too much weight compared to last year... Nothing popper out to me at the first few rounds for hardware. With Chad...
I don't think they've trimmed too much weight compared to last year... Nothing popper out to me at the first few rounds for hardware. With Chad, there's a lot of triple clamp offset and rake changes, he may have made a swap there. I noticed the X-Trig clamps he runs aren't the same as Coopers. They're a set that the Rinaldi MXGP team uses.
Would love to know what they've gotten that thing down too... are they allowed ti-axles and linkage stuff?
ML512
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1/29/2017 9:48am
Crush wrote:
Would love to know what they've gotten that thing down too... are they allowed ti-axles and linkage stuff?
They are. I'm going to guess that it or the Suzuki is the heaviest factory 450 in the pit. The Suzuki loses its stock air fork weight advantage...so...
twotwosix
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1/29/2017 12:11pm Edited Date/Time 1/29/2017 12:20pm
We’re back in a football stadium this weekend. Bigger track, bigger whoops. How much did that help your setup on your bike and did that just kind of get you motivated for your main event?

"Chad Reed: The stadium and the track had zero to do with my bike. What we do during the week is where it all happens. In all honesty you’re happy to be here but I’m frustrated. In May I knew what needed changing and we sat on our hands all off-season. Finally when you suck at the first race they allow you to do the things that you feel like you need to do. Finally now I can ride the dirt bike the way I feel like I need to. We’re within the window now. Now we just need to keep chipping away and try to get better."

Chad, I had read somewhere talking about you wanted to go after [Mike] LaRocco’s race main events record, which would take you into next year. At the press conference to start the season you talked about wanting to get another year or more on a contract and you had to get racing first. What do you feel about that at this point?

"Chad Reed: I feel better about it this weekend. It was frustrating the first three. Of course the record would be nice, but I think that if I’m to go for records the win record is what means the most. I check a lot of boxes with a win. Being the oldest guy to win a race I think would be pretty cool. Of course if I keep riding the way I can I think that LaRocco’s record falls. I think that I showed this weekend that I’m in it for the right reasons. I think Yamaha’s better with me there and my input and helping my teammate out and heading him in a better direction. I hope to continue that relationship there, but we’ll see what happens."


Honestly, he sounds quite upset and unhappy with Yamaha right now.
SlowMoFo
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1/29/2017 12:20pm
twotwosix wrote:
We’re back in a football stadium this weekend. Bigger track, bigger whoops. How much did that help your setup on your bike and did that just...
We’re back in a football stadium this weekend. Bigger track, bigger whoops. How much did that help your setup on your bike and did that just kind of get you motivated for your main event?

"Chad Reed: The stadium and the track had zero to do with my bike. What we do during the week is where it all happens. In all honesty you’re happy to be here but I’m frustrated. In May I knew what needed changing and we sat on our hands all off-season. Finally when you suck at the first race they allow you to do the things that you feel like you need to do. Finally now I can ride the dirt bike the way I feel like I need to. We’re within the window now. Now we just need to keep chipping away and try to get better."

Chad, I had read somewhere talking about you wanted to go after [Mike] LaRocco’s race main events record, which would take you into next year. At the press conference to start the season you talked about wanting to get another year or more on a contract and you had to get racing first. What do you feel about that at this point?

"Chad Reed: I feel better about it this weekend. It was frustrating the first three. Of course the record would be nice, but I think that if I’m to go for records the win record is what means the most. I check a lot of boxes with a win. Being the oldest guy to win a race I think would be pretty cool. Of course if I keep riding the way I can I think that LaRocco’s record falls. I think that I showed this weekend that I’m in it for the right reasons. I think Yamaha’s better with me there and my input and helping my teammate out and heading him in a better direction. I hope to continue that relationship there, but we’ll see what happens."


Honestly, he sounds quite upset and unhappy with Yamaha right now.
Didn't Eli also complained about Kawasaki wanting to set up his bike their way?
kkawboy14
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1/29/2017 12:26pm
twotwosix wrote:
We’re back in a football stadium this weekend. Bigger track, bigger whoops. How much did that help your setup on your bike and did that just...
We’re back in a football stadium this weekend. Bigger track, bigger whoops. How much did that help your setup on your bike and did that just kind of get you motivated for your main event?

"Chad Reed: The stadium and the track had zero to do with my bike. What we do during the week is where it all happens. In all honesty you’re happy to be here but I’m frustrated. In May I knew what needed changing and we sat on our hands all off-season. Finally when you suck at the first race they allow you to do the things that you feel like you need to do. Finally now I can ride the dirt bike the way I feel like I need to. We’re within the window now. Now we just need to keep chipping away and try to get better."

Chad, I had read somewhere talking about you wanted to go after [Mike] LaRocco’s race main events record, which would take you into next year. At the press conference to start the season you talked about wanting to get another year or more on a contract and you had to get racing first. What do you feel about that at this point?

"Chad Reed: I feel better about it this weekend. It was frustrating the first three. Of course the record would be nice, but I think that if I’m to go for records the win record is what means the most. I check a lot of boxes with a win. Being the oldest guy to win a race I think would be pretty cool. Of course if I keep riding the way I can I think that LaRocco’s record falls. I think that I showed this weekend that I’m in it for the right reasons. I think Yamaha’s better with me there and my input and helping my teammate out and heading him in a better direction. I hope to continue that relationship there, but we’ll see what happens."


Honestly, he sounds quite upset and unhappy with Yamaha right now.
SlowMoFo wrote:
Didn't Eli also complained about Kawasaki wanting to set up his bike their way?
Yes! Eli wanted it handle like his 250 Honda, they said no we want you to race our 450 Kawasaki.

Reed wants his Yamaha to handle like his Kawasaki, they said no, we want you to race our Yamaha

After a while they said ok we'll do it!
Crush
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1/29/2017 1:04pm
What's shocking to me is that you have this weird ass bike with little results and a reputation for being finicky...

You blame/don't help the outside team who are using your equipment...

You spend a dick load of money to bring home your former legend and to build a team for your upcoming star...

You go a whole season rebuilding and in May last year, you get word from your guy that you need work on this and that to finally move the bike forward.

And you do fuck all about it.

HOW?!?!

kiwifan
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1/29/2017 1:11pm
Crush wrote:
What's shocking to me is that you have this weird ass bike with little results and a reputation for being finicky... You blame/don't help the outside...
What's shocking to me is that you have this weird ass bike with little results and a reputation for being finicky...

You blame/don't help the outside team who are using your equipment...

You spend a dick load of money to bring home your former legend and to build a team for your upcoming star...

You go a whole season rebuilding and in May last year, you get word from your guy that you need work on this and that to finally move the bike forward.

And you do fuck all about it.

HOW?!?!

yeah the whole situation sounds a it bizzarre, almost sounds like the way Honda used to be until HRC came back along i.e. you will ride this bike and we will not make any changes you want
MX Guy
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1/29/2017 1:17pm
colonel wrote:
Maybe he wishes Ellie had her implants back?
rubarb wrote:
[img]https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKvVQmQtvWs/SPnhtagi3yI/AAAAAAAAABs/hToSCRiE7aE/s320/RyanShecklerEllieReed.jpg[/img]
What on earth
1/29/2017 1:28pm
Crush wrote:
Would love to know what they've gotten that thing down too... are they allowed ti-axles and linkage stuff?
ML512 wrote:
They are. I'm going to guess that it or the Suzuki is the heaviest factory 450 in the pit. The Suzuki loses its stock air fork...
They are. I'm going to guess that it or the Suzuki is the heaviest factory 450 in the pit. The Suzuki loses its stock air fork weight advantage...so...
Do the factories really worry that much what the rider wants to change? Is it a ride our brand type of thing or are they afraid the rider will make the wrong change? I know you can't say much but this is interesting
philG
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GB
1/29/2017 2:39pm
Man.....these guy have every resource and still takes time to get the setup correct.
Loose wrote:
F1 teams chase setup all year, same with probably all elite motorsports. Chasing that extra couple of tenths is, iIimagine very difficult especially when conditions change...
F1 teams chase setup all year, same with probably all elite motorsports. Chasing that extra couple of tenths is, iIimagine very difficult especially when conditions change every week.
Except in big teams you have a hierarchy that makes everything hard work. People who would rather not win than be proved wrong,

I have seen this first hand, watch a team blow $$$ on an idea too stupid to even contemplate for 90% of the team , yet i happens because the guy at the top wants it to be so. 120 people all wasting their time because someone designed a damper that only had one adjuster, that did compression and rebound.

Weimer said that at Kawi, he couldnt get dick shit changed on the bike , because they only wanted to run what worked for RV , sounds like Tomac had the same issues, but he skirted round it, Reed said he told them in May that the bike needed stuff and it didnt happen till this week.

In F1 , i worked on a car that had the same fatal flaws twice in 3 years, it didnt work, so they had to scrap the idea, and 2 cars later, they do it again, and it doesnt work again.

These guys know what they want , if you are clever you give it to them, if you are a dumbass you make them ride something they dont like, and you get the results you dont like.

kkawboy14
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1/29/2017 2:44pm
Man.....these guy have every resource and still takes time to get the setup correct.
Loose wrote:
F1 teams chase setup all year, same with probably all elite motorsports. Chasing that extra couple of tenths is, iIimagine very difficult especially when conditions change...
F1 teams chase setup all year, same with probably all elite motorsports. Chasing that extra couple of tenths is, iIimagine very difficult especially when conditions change every week.
philG wrote:
Except in big teams you have a hierarchy that makes everything hard work. People who would rather not win than be proved wrong, I have seen...
Except in big teams you have a hierarchy that makes everything hard work. People who would rather not win than be proved wrong,

I have seen this first hand, watch a team blow $$$ on an idea too stupid to even contemplate for 90% of the team , yet i happens because the guy at the top wants it to be so. 120 people all wasting their time because someone designed a damper that only had one adjuster, that did compression and rebound.

Weimer said that at Kawi, he couldnt get dick shit changed on the bike , because they only wanted to run what worked for RV , sounds like Tomac had the same issues, but he skirted round it, Reed said he told them in May that the bike needed stuff and it didnt happen till this week.

In F1 , i worked on a car that had the same fatal flaws twice in 3 years, it didnt work, so they had to scrap the idea, and 2 cars later, they do it again, and it doesnt work again.

These guys know what they want , if you are clever you give it to them, if you are a dumbass you make them ride something they dont like, and you get the results you dont like.

F1 teams tell the driver "drive it, we know what we are doing, we have the data"
Phillip_Lamb
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ORANGEVALE, CA, USA
1/29/2017 5:11pm
When has Chad not complained about a bike. He hates every bike.
TripleFive wrote:
Seriously, is there a bike he hasn't shit on?
uh ya his 2011 Crf450. He loved that bike and he had full control on his setup.

This has been an ongoing point of controvesy with Chad. He's always voiced his displeasure with teams being very limiting on how much they will customize the bike to a rider.
1/29/2017 5:43pm
Man.....these guy have every resource and still takes time to get the setup correct.
Loose wrote:
F1 teams chase setup all year, same with probably all elite motorsports. Chasing that extra couple of tenths is, iIimagine very difficult especially when conditions change...
F1 teams chase setup all year, same with probably all elite motorsports. Chasing that extra couple of tenths is, iIimagine very difficult especially when conditions change every week.
philG wrote:
Except in big teams you have a hierarchy that makes everything hard work. People who would rather not win than be proved wrong, I have seen...
Except in big teams you have a hierarchy that makes everything hard work. People who would rather not win than be proved wrong,

I have seen this first hand, watch a team blow $$$ on an idea too stupid to even contemplate for 90% of the team , yet i happens because the guy at the top wants it to be so. 120 people all wasting their time because someone designed a damper that only had one adjuster, that did compression and rebound.

Weimer said that at Kawi, he couldnt get dick shit changed on the bike , because they only wanted to run what worked for RV , sounds like Tomac had the same issues, but he skirted round it, Reed said he told them in May that the bike needed stuff and it didnt happen till this week.

In F1 , i worked on a car that had the same fatal flaws twice in 3 years, it didnt work, so they had to scrap the idea, and 2 cars later, they do it again, and it doesnt work again.

These guys know what they want , if you are clever you give it to them, if you are a dumbass you make them ride something they dont like, and you get the results you dont like.

Engineers ego has a lot to answer for. I can tell that you have also had arguments with an lead engineer who sits behind a desk and computer and who rarely ventures out into the workshop or real world, telling you it will and has to work because it does on his computer and in his head.
RickA
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Duluth, MN, USA
1/29/2017 6:05pm
Crush wrote:
Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Get the long lense out, what changes buddy?!?! And how much of that bike is titanium or drilled...
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.

Get the long lense out, what changes buddy?!?!

And how much of that bike is titanium or drilled out?
ML512 wrote:
I don't think they've trimmed too much weight compared to last year... Nothing popper out to me at the first few rounds for hardware. With Chad...
I don't think they've trimmed too much weight compared to last year... Nothing popper out to me at the first few rounds for hardware. With Chad, there's a lot of triple clamp offset and rake changes, he may have made a swap there. I noticed the X-Trig clamps he runs aren't the same as Coopers. They're a set that the Rinaldi MXGP team uses.
Rake changes? Are they allowed to cut the head stay off the frame and re-weld it back on? I thought they had to run a stock frame.
Crush
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1/29/2017 6:13pm
Damn it, I wanna know what the fuck this change is!!!
Braap19
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Swansboro, NC, USA
1/29/2017 6:26pm
Crush wrote:
Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Get the long lense out, what changes buddy?!?! And how much of that bike is titanium or drilled...
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.

Get the long lense out, what changes buddy?!?!

And how much of that bike is titanium or drilled out?
ML512 wrote:
I don't think they've trimmed too much weight compared to last year... Nothing popper out to me at the first few rounds for hardware. With Chad...
I don't think they've trimmed too much weight compared to last year... Nothing popper out to me at the first few rounds for hardware. With Chad, there's a lot of triple clamp offset and rake changes, he may have made a swap there. I noticed the X-Trig clamps he runs aren't the same as Coopers. They're a set that the Rinaldi MXGP team uses.
RickA wrote:
Rake changes? Are they allowed to cut the head stay off the frame and re-weld it back on? I thought they had to run a stock...
Rake changes? Are they allowed to cut the head stay off the frame and re-weld it back on? I thought they had to run a stock frame.
I think he means moving the forks up or down in the clamps. I doubt they cut the head and reweld for a little rake
mxgoon
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1/29/2017 6:26pm
The issue with his starts....is that a clutch thing or mapping?

Anyone know?
TeamGreen
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Thru-out, CA, USA
1/29/2017 6:30pm
Crush wrote:
Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Get the long lense out, what changes buddy?!?! And how much of that bike is titanium or drilled...
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.

Get the long lense out, what changes buddy?!?!

And how much of that bike is titanium or drilled out?
ML512 wrote:
I don't think they've trimmed too much weight compared to last year... Nothing popper out to me at the first few rounds for hardware. With Chad...
I don't think they've trimmed too much weight compared to last year... Nothing popper out to me at the first few rounds for hardware. With Chad, there's a lot of triple clamp offset and rake changes, he may have made a swap there. I noticed the X-Trig clamps he runs aren't the same as Coopers. They're a set that the Rinaldi MXGP team uses.
RickA wrote:
Rake changes? Are they allowed to cut the head stay off the frame and re-weld it back on? I thought they had to run a stock...
Rake changes? Are they allowed to cut the head stay off the frame and re-weld it back on? I thought they had to run a stock frame.
You can alter rake via off-set steering stem races.
avidchimp
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EGL, MN, USA
1/29/2017 6:30pm Edited Date/Time 1/29/2017 6:31pm
RickA wrote:
Rake changes? Are they allowed to cut the head stay off the frame and re-weld it back on? I thought they had to run a stock...
Rake changes? Are they allowed to cut the head stay off the frame and re-weld it back on? I thought they had to run a stock frame.
Bearings/races and clamps, Bro.
wfo4ever
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1/29/2017 6:34pm
TeamGreen wrote:
He should add a tooth and STFU
Jt$ wrote:
Classy
Good to have JT$ in the house keeping everyone in line. Thank you JT$.
Crush
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1/29/2017 6:35pm
mxgoon wrote:
The issue with his starts....is that a clutch thing or mapping?

Anyone know?
They've been having Clutch issues for ages... He had a couple races last year where he faded bad and it was clutch... and he just said in the pod that it's still bad on the starts now, especially if there is traction.

He was awesome over the gate at AusXopen, but he said cause it was rockhard.
kkawboy14
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1/29/2017 6:36pm Edited Date/Time 1/29/2017 6:36pm
Crush wrote:
Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Paging ML512. Get the long lense out, what changes buddy?!?! And how much of that bike is titanium or drilled...
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.
Paging ML512.

Get the long lense out, what changes buddy?!?!

And how much of that bike is titanium or drilled out?
ML512 wrote:
I don't think they've trimmed too much weight compared to last year... Nothing popper out to me at the first few rounds for hardware. With Chad...
I don't think they've trimmed too much weight compared to last year... Nothing popper out to me at the first few rounds for hardware. With Chad, there's a lot of triple clamp offset and rake changes, he may have made a swap there. I noticed the X-Trig clamps he runs aren't the same as Coopers. They're a set that the Rinaldi MXGP team uses.
RickA wrote:
Rake changes? Are they allowed to cut the head stay off the frame and re-weld it back on? I thought they had to run a stock...
Rake changes? Are they allowed to cut the head stay off the frame and re-weld it back on? I thought they had to run a stock frame.
He means they change the triple clamps to change the rake.

Don't get all technical tho, rake is what motocrossers use to define pulling in or pushing out the front wheel without cutting the steering stem/frame
RickA
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244
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Location
Duluth, MN, USA
1/29/2017 6:39pm
ML512 wrote:
I don't think they've trimmed too much weight compared to last year... Nothing popper out to me at the first few rounds for hardware. With Chad...
I don't think they've trimmed too much weight compared to last year... Nothing popper out to me at the first few rounds for hardware. With Chad, there's a lot of triple clamp offset and rake changes, he may have made a swap there. I noticed the X-Trig clamps he runs aren't the same as Coopers. They're a set that the Rinaldi MXGP team uses.
RickA wrote:
Rake changes? Are they allowed to cut the head stay off the frame and re-weld it back on? I thought they had to run a stock...
Rake changes? Are they allowed to cut the head stay off the frame and re-weld it back on? I thought they had to run a stock frame.
TeamGreen wrote:
You can alter rake via off-set steering stem races.
Changing offset will change the trail, not the rake. The steering head angle in relation to perpendicular ground would need to be changed for rake.

Generally they don't do that with clamps, Kawasaki tested that with Stewart and found it created some handling issues.

Post a reply to: Reed's comment: "You are only as good as what you have to work with"

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