2020 AC92 450

deanwhite51
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Edited Date/Time 3/21/2019 7:51pm
Question to the Vital viewers... as the topic is talked of so much about AC92 finding is groove and would be suited to the 450 class, I’m currently discussing the topic with a mate and would like to see others thoughts...

The factory Kawasaki team has already confirmed it will stay a 2 bike team for next season.
Having Tomac locked in and Savatgy already on the team throws a spammer in the works. ( yes Savatgy is only a 1 year contract)

But I honestly don’t believe AC92 will be on a kawi next year. I see him taking Seeleys ride and being KROCS team mate under the Factory Honda Team. The 92 and 94 under the same tent. AC chasing a change and wanting a fresh start.
Or possible, but doubted.. the JGR ride? Maybe?

Savatgy has been consistent, getting good results for a rookie and showing he has speed. I believe he will be a serious threat once he gets more seat time.
I hear a lot about saying AC92 deserves the Factory kawi ride over Savatgy. But personally, I don’t see why savatgy should loose his ride. He has been riding great and exceeding expectations. I don’t see a reason why he should loose his ride for a rookie. Including riding a lot better then Osbourne who was expected to come out on fire but going through injuries.

Thoughts on where you see AC92 in the 450 class in the near future?
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3/18/2019 6:42am
I have a feeling both Kawasaki and Honda will be putting a contract on the table for Adam. Silly season gonna be good this year.

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agn5009
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3/18/2019 6:42am
I would keep Savatgy if I were Kawi. No way I let him go, he’s been great.
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-MAVERICK-
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3/18/2019 6:45am
Savatgy isn't going anywhere.
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kb228
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3/18/2019 6:50am
Kawasaki as a brand is very loyal to their riders.

AC brought more to kawasaki than Joey did before he was even pro. AC is on track to winning a sx title, joey didnt. If AC gets this title and does well in the outdoors, he gets the ride over Joey.

Its a hard call. Joey is doing great as a rookie. Nobody thought he would do this well. AC is the better rider though. If im kawi, id sign the better rider. Tomac is fading out for whatever reason and we need to sculpt the next championship rider. That rider should have previous titles to prove they can win a title. AC could be that guy. Work on developing AC, let tomac retire after a couple years. Make AC your main guy and then bring up Forkner. Then repeat the cycle. Let forkner become the guy, then bring up hammaker after that.
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The Shop

cjg23307
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3/18/2019 7:04am
If I’m AC I go to 450 while the chance is there in my prime. If he gets injured in 250’s like Jmart if he stays down then it’s likely he will be there again 2021. But I agree I think he’s going to Honda.
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Tarz483
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3/18/2019 7:05am
With Joey only Signing a 1 year Deal
But riding very well, i would think he would want to secure his future and not wait around for Kawasaki's decision
So my Guess is That Joey has already signed somewhere else.
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Tarz483
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3/18/2019 7:07am
Or Joey And AC both stay and Eli is the one leaving??
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WCRider
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3/18/2019 7:15am Edited Date/Time 3/18/2019 7:38am
Hard to believe that Kawa could agree to have two young riders in their 450 team. I'm not saying that it's not possible but unlikely in my opinion and at the same time, I feel that the partnership between Tomac and Kawa is close to the end.
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BobKerr
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3/18/2019 7:25am
agn5009 wrote:
I would keep Savatgy if I were Kawi. No way I let him go, he’s been great.
Agree. He is 8th in the points, and that is with having a mechanical DNF one race (Oakland?) that obviously wasn't his fault. Without that DNF, he would be 7th in the points.


captmoto
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3/18/2019 7:36am
Gotta say, stay with Savagty. Why jump back into another rookie year with AC? I think Savagty is having a good year and will be stronger going into next year if he survives the outdoors.
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Motofinne
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3/18/2019 7:46am Edited Date/Time 3/18/2019 1:41pm
I think Kawasaki has a few problems on their hands. Too many riders and not enough factory 450 rides.

Tomac is what he is, 2 time outdoor champ and a guaranteed SX race winner. They would want to keep him.
Savatgy is impressing in his rookie 450 season and he is probably relatively cheap. A great second rider

Then there is the AC and Forkner problem. They could stay down one or two more years but these two (especially Forkner) are potential SX 450 title contenders. And both of these riders will be way more expensive compared to Savatgy.

The bold strategy is to let Tomac go to Honda and go with AC & Savatgy in 2020 and AC & Forkner in 2021. But that is very unlikely.

Kawasaki could really benifit of a satellite 450 team like RMATVMC KTM or MCR Honda.

Edit: One more thing. I think Matthes said in a podcast that a 3 rider team is not an option.
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Sacko
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3/18/2019 7:47am
I think Kawi has invested WAYYYY too much at this point to not give AC the ride. I see Savatgy being a great fit for one of the two rides at JGR. Savatgy has been solid and consistant all year and definitely deserves the ride at Kawi, but its going to come down to just unfortunate circumstances on the fact that Kawi has invested a ton of money on AC since he was 8 or 9 years old I beleive? Savatgy has been good enough to secure a solid ride for next year I beleive.
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731chopper
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3/18/2019 7:47am
AC will stay in 250 class next year to run the #1 and move to Factory Kawi in 2021. That’s my guess.
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WW444
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3/18/2019 7:51am
Tarz483 wrote:
With Joey only Signing a 1 year Deal But riding very well, i would think he would want to secure his future and not wait around...
With Joey only Signing a 1 year Deal
But riding very well, i would think he would want to secure his future and not wait around for Kawasaki's decision
So my Guess is That Joey has already signed somewhere else.
This x2. I'm sure other teams have already offered up a 2 year deal to Joey and I'm guessing one has already been signed. Kawi wants AC and they will get him. Buuuuuut I can see the Honda deal happening too. Its contract year so I can not wait to see what changes are made.
kb228
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3/18/2019 8:03am
Sacko wrote:
I think Kawi has invested WAYYYY too much at this point to not give AC the ride. I see Savatgy being a great fit for one...
I think Kawi has invested WAYYYY too much at this point to not give AC the ride. I see Savatgy being a great fit for one of the two rides at JGR. Savatgy has been solid and consistant all year and definitely deserves the ride at Kawi, but its going to come down to just unfortunate circumstances on the fact that Kawi has invested a ton of money on AC since he was 8 or 9 years old I beleive? Savatgy has been good enough to secure a solid ride for next year I beleive.
I like the JGR thought for joey. He can be the main guy there and he wont be expensive
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RonJon
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3/18/2019 8:07am
AC will either spend another year at PC or Eli goes to honda.
Motofinne
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3/18/2019 8:09am
cjg23307 wrote:
If I’m AC I go to 450 while the chance is there in my prime. If he gets injured in 250’s like Jmart if he stays...
If I’m AC I go to 450 while the chance is there in my prime. If he gets injured in 250’s like Jmart if he stays down then it’s likely he will be there again 2021. But I agree I think he’s going to Honda.
Yes that is the risk if he wins this season and stays down. That is why i really hope that he steps up to the 450 class.
milliebays
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3/18/2019 8:25am
AC92 will navel gaze for at least a year on the 450 before he figures it out. Tomac is more likely to leave than anyone else. ET3 needs to go do GPs honestly.
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motox331
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3/18/2019 8:30am
I'm hoping he goes to Honda. I would love to see AC and Ken under the same tent on those sick HRC bikes.
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Sacko
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3/18/2019 8:31am
Imagine Roczen AC on factory Kawi... Soo good
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zac_k3
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3/18/2019 8:33am
Crazy thinking but what if Eli went back to honda, Ac and Joey are Factory Kawis two guys and Kenny ends up back at Ktm being the second guy behind Cooper...
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zac_k3
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3/18/2019 8:35am Edited Date/Time 3/18/2019 8:52am
yz133rider
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3/18/2019 9:00am
Id like to see tomac on orange or white. I think they could set the bike up to suit his style more than the kawi
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Gus
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3/18/2019 9:24am
agn5009 wrote:
I would keep Savatgy if I were Kawi. No way I let him go, he’s been great.
I was not a fan of Savatgy but man has he impressed me. He could podium this season and might win one next year.
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Looby321
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3/18/2019 9:34am
I think it would be smart of Pro Circuit to have a couple 450’s in the stable for next year.
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3/18/2019 9:35am
i really wouldn't be so sure Tomac will be on that bike for too much longer. Way too many super fast rookies to have him out there not performing well. He really hasn't performed well enough to keep that ride in my opinion.
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3/18/2019 9:44am
zac_k3 wrote:
Crazy thinking but what if Eli went back to honda, Ac and Joey are Factory Kawis two guys and Kenny ends up back at Ktm being...
Crazy thinking but what if Eli went back to honda, Ac and Joey are Factory Kawis two guys and Kenny ends up back at Ktm being the second guy behind Cooper...
Where's Musquin in that scenario?
731chopper
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3/18/2019 9:48am
i really wouldn't be so sure Tomac will be on that bike for too much longer. Way too many super fast rookies to have him out...
i really wouldn't be so sure Tomac will be on that bike for too much longer. Way too many super fast rookies to have him out there not performing well. He really hasn't performed well enough to keep that ride in my opinion.
He’s the defending 2 time champion outdoors...
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kb228
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3/18/2019 9:53am
i really wouldn't be so sure Tomac will be on that bike for too much longer. Way too many super fast rookies to have him out...
i really wouldn't be so sure Tomac will be on that bike for too much longer. Way too many super fast rookies to have him out there not performing well. He really hasn't performed well enough to keep that ride in my opinion.
731chopper wrote:
He’s the defending 2 time champion outdoors...
Not to mention... with eli being sensitive to bike setup, he would have to start completely over with a new team and new bike. Remember 2016? Not good. Hes better off staying on the base hes already made till he retires
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3/18/2019 9:57am
AC will be on a 250 next year. Every time he's asked about the 450 next year, he brings up how he is still eligible for 250s and how he really doesn't have that much experience yet due to injuries.
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