Is Team USA Making a Mistake? Eli racing the new 2023 Yamaha at MXoN (UPDATE: He’s not)

Radical
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Radical 9/17/2022 10:30am
9/17/2022 10:30am
Yes, it's logical to race the 22. But, I noticed how fast he was riding the stock bike at Perris.
I've ridden that track and watched many pros ride there, and Eli was hauling ass on that stock bike.
It was a bit shocking how fast that track could be ridden.
Like when Villopoto switched to a new model mid season, then dominated, racing the 23 may set him on fire at Mxon.
In the video they said he's already spun laps on a fully built 23 that Star built for him.
He'll be fine on either. Looking forward to it!
Who knows, maybe he'll love it enough to race 2023 MX.
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Johnny Ringo
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Johnny Ringo 9/17/2022 11:52am
9/17/2022 11:52am
TeamGreen wrote:
2022 SX Champion
2022 MX Champion

Ya know, I’m thinking he’s doin’ jus’ fine.
Chris_Buehler wrote:
Not sure your point here.
TeamGreen wrote:
He’s more than capable enough to make a decision like this… and that’s “if” he’s even made such a decision. He didn’t win both of those...
He’s more than capable enough to make a decision like this… and that’s “if” he’s even made such a decision.

He didn’t win both of those championships by making uninformed or risky changes to his program. Also, he’s only got -1- year on this bike…during which he’s certainly tested and tried alllllll sorts of changes/different parts and settings between his Supercross and Motocross set-ups.

Just a week or so…ago…he rode the ‘23 at Perris…I think…during the A-Star demo days…& he looked pretty damn good.

I watched the videos of him on that bike…If I recall, correctly, the ‘23 he rode had Stock Suspension…?
If that’s the case…? Damn!

Also, everyone is talking like the New Yamaha has been COMPLETELY CHANGED. Hmmmmm. I’m thinking it’s more along the lines of “refined” and I can’t help but think some of those refinements are things that fall in-line with what Eli and others on Yamaha race bikes have been working on or have created -themselves- thru changes/modifications/development.

The bottom-line? Eli and Star seem to know what they’re doing.
I think the only parts that swap are the wheels and bars
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Timo
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Timo 9/17/2022 11:55am
9/17/2022 11:55am
TeamGreen wrote:
He’s more than capable enough to make a decision like this… and that’s “if” he’s even made such a decision. He didn’t win both of those...
He’s more than capable enough to make a decision like this… and that’s “if” he’s even made such a decision.

He didn’t win both of those championships by making uninformed or risky changes to his program. Also, he’s only got -1- year on this bike…during which he’s certainly tested and tried alllllll sorts of changes/different parts and settings between his Supercross and Motocross set-ups.

Just a week or so…ago…he rode the ‘23 at Perris…I think…during the A-Star demo days…& he looked pretty damn good.

I watched the videos of him on that bike…If I recall, correctly, the ‘23 he rode had Stock Suspension…?
If that’s the case…? Damn!

Also, everyone is talking like the New Yamaha has been COMPLETELY CHANGED. Hmmmmm. I’m thinking it’s more along the lines of “refined” and I can’t help but think some of those refinements are things that fall in-line with what Eli and others on Yamaha race bikes have been working on or have created -themselves- thru changes/modifications/development.

The bottom-line? Eli and Star seem to know what they’re doing.
"Refinement" new frame, new engine, new bodywork, new seat, new foot peg mounts... Chiz says its got all the good traits of the 22 with more front feel/traction so it should be a really good bike, but definitely more than a refinement.
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LouisianaMotocross 9/17/2022 1:12pm
9/17/2022 1:12pm
aeffertz wrote:
At the 34:00 mark of this video, they say that apparently Eli loves the new bike and Star has one built up for him to race...
At the 34:00 mark of this video, they say that apparently Eli loves the new bike and Star has one built up for him to race at the MXoN. Why would they do that? Didn’t they learn their lesson in 2018? Hopefully it’s not true and he races the bike he just won two titles on this year…

https://youtu.be/mpRv-y0ffVc
SX_336 wrote:
PLEASE tell me how you know which bike Eli feels better on than Eli. If you really have the ability to do this, you’re in the...
PLEASE tell me how you know which bike Eli feels better on than Eli. If you really have the ability to do this, you’re in the wrong line of work.

I guarantee you Eli AND the team have compared lap times wherever he is training on his 22 and 23 bike. If he’s faster and more comfortable on the 23, then that’s what he should race. Your opinion does not outweigh Eli’s thoughts, ability, comfort and more importantly, the data. 😉
Eli just said in an interview he always thinks he has the perfect settings in training and shows up for round 1’s and is way off. You think that would magically change for mxon?
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ML512
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ML512 9/17/2022 2:11pm
9/17/2022 2:11pm
Chris_Buehler wrote:
Not sure your point here.
TeamGreen wrote:
He’s more than capable enough to make a decision like this… and that’s “if” he’s even made such a decision. He didn’t win both of those...
He’s more than capable enough to make a decision like this… and that’s “if” he’s even made such a decision.

He didn’t win both of those championships by making uninformed or risky changes to his program. Also, he’s only got -1- year on this bike…during which he’s certainly tested and tried alllllll sorts of changes/different parts and settings between his Supercross and Motocross set-ups.

Just a week or so…ago…he rode the ‘23 at Perris…I think…during the A-Star demo days…& he looked pretty damn good.

I watched the videos of him on that bike…If I recall, correctly, the ‘23 he rode had Stock Suspension…?
If that’s the case…? Damn!

Also, everyone is talking like the New Yamaha has been COMPLETELY CHANGED. Hmmmmm. I’m thinking it’s more along the lines of “refined” and I can’t help but think some of those refinements are things that fall in-line with what Eli and others on Yamaha race bikes have been working on or have created -themselves- thru changes/modifications/development.

The bottom-line? Eli and Star seem to know what they’re doing.
Johnny Ringo wrote:
I think the only parts that swap are the wheels and bars
Suspension components carry over too.
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KTMBRO362
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KTMBRO362 9/17/2022 3:29pm
9/17/2022 3:29pm
I trust his decision, he’s pretty good at wining shit this year
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PRM31
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PRM31 9/17/2022 3:47pm
9/17/2022 3:47pm
Terrible plan if winning is the objective.
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Scottie_b205 9/17/2022 4:58pm
9/17/2022 4:58pm
I wouldn't worry about Eli. Totally different that back in 2018. He has Gilly and he doesn't has a monster cup race the following week.
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burn1986
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burn1986 9/17/2022 8:50pm
9/17/2022 8:50pm Edited Date/Time 9/17/2022 8:52pm
Nothing wrong with the bike, he’ll do fine on it, regardless of the chopped front fender. Man, dat thing is ugly.

Yamaha’s new slogan “Looks like sh-t. Runs like H-ll!” Cool
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Hcallz5
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Hcallz5 9/17/2022 9:11pm
9/17/2022 9:11pm
Hopefully it's not like the KTM like how they fixed it so good they broke it.
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Thisusernameisavailable 9/17/2022 10:19pm
9/17/2022 10:19pm
bvm111 wrote:
ahhhh he was on a completely new brand of motorcycle this year and wrecked the competition… pretty sure he will be fine if HE chooses an...
ahhhh he was on a completely new brand of motorcycle this year and wrecked the competition… pretty sure he will be fine if HE chooses an updated version of that motorcycle.
Yeah but, remember some people on this forum think that ‘new bike’ means something COMPLETELY removed from the previous platform. Something completely unconventional that will need input from NASA to figure out. Mention “new shock mount” and some of these guys shit themselves.

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PRY
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PRY 9/17/2022 11:53pm
9/17/2022 11:53pm
It's a Yamaha, no worries!
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Hcallz5
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Hcallz5 9/18/2022 12:50am
9/18/2022 12:50am
PRY wrote:
It's a Yamaha, no worries!
Couple years back we’d be saying. “It’s a Yamaha, he’s fucked!”
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Gungadin
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Gungadin 9/18/2022 1:38am
9/18/2022 1:38am
Eli is going to race the '23 once only outdoors so it's hard to see him going above and beyond to get it set up.

He is in holiday mode and will be concentrating his thoughts and energies on the important Cardiff WSX pilot.
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aeffertz
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aeffertz 9/18/2022 6:13am
9/18/2022 6:13am
Thisusernameisavailable wrote:
Yeah but, remember some people on this forum think that ‘new bike’ means something COMPLETELY removed from the previous platform. Something completely unconventional that will need...
Yeah but, remember some people on this forum think that ‘new bike’ means something COMPLETELY removed from the previous platform. Something completely unconventional that will need input from NASA to figure out. Mention “new shock mount” and some of these guys shit themselves.

You’ve been at this losing argument for nearly a year now. Give it a rest.
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Gravel
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Gravel 9/18/2022 6:38am
9/18/2022 6:38am
I’m pretty sure Star /Yamaha are eagerly waiting on someone at Vitalmx to post a poll so us morans can make the decision for them..


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soggy
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soggy 9/18/2022 6:40am
9/18/2022 6:40am
Gungadin wrote:
Eli is going to race the '23 once only outdoors so it's hard to see him going above and beyond to get it set up. He...
Eli is going to race the '23 once only outdoors so it's hard to see him going above and beyond to get it set up.

He is in holiday mode and will be concentrating his thoughts and energies on the important Cardiff WSX pilot.
Lol. I don’t think Eli gives two fucks about WSX
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pilotdude
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pilotdude 9/18/2022 10:15am
9/18/2022 10:15am
It's his and Yamaha's call. They are on the inside and know far better than we ever could. Hope the weather is not a repeat of 2018.
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quadzrulebro 9/18/2022 10:20am
9/18/2022 10:20am
pilotdude wrote:
It's his and Yamaha's call. They are on the inside and know far better than we ever could. Hope the weather is not a repeat of...
It's his and Yamaha's call. They are on the inside and know far better than we ever could. Hope the weather is not a repeat of 2018.
The weather looks pretty damn ideal for dirtcycle racing. Can’t wait to get on the plane on Friday morning!

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Thisusernameisavailable 9/18/2022 1:17pm
9/18/2022 1:17pm
Thisusernameisavailable wrote:
Yeah but, remember some people on this forum think that ‘new bike’ means something COMPLETELY removed from the previous platform. Something completely unconventional that will need...
Yeah but, remember some people on this forum think that ‘new bike’ means something COMPLETELY removed from the previous platform. Something completely unconventional that will need input from NASA to figure out. Mention “new shock mount” and some of these guys shit themselves.

aeffertz wrote:
You’ve been at this losing argument for nearly a year now. Give it a rest.
What metric are using to determine I’m losing, Webb not winning??

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lumpy790
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lumpy790 9/18/2022 3:26pm
9/18/2022 3:26pm
You guys do realize Yamaha has had this bike for a year or two don't you? So they already know what to do to it ?
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Aloe
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Aloe 9/18/2022 3:32pm
9/18/2022 3:32pm
The only mistake their making is even fielding a team for this circus
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bvm111
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bvm111 9/18/2022 11:04pm
9/18/2022 11:04pm
they’re or they are … come on sloan get it together.
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racerxx276
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racerxx276 9/19/2022 5:43am
9/19/2022 5:43am
lumpy790 wrote:
You guys do realize Yamaha has had this bike for a year or two don't you? So they already know what to do to it ?
And it wasn't until last month that they figured out that the clutch has an issue...
Mr. Afterbar
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Mr. Afterbar 9/19/2022 9:05am
9/19/2022 9:05am
bvm111 wrote:
ahhhh he was on a completely new brand of motorcycle this year and wrecked the competition… pretty sure he will be fine if HE chooses an...
ahhhh he was on a completely new brand of motorcycle this year and wrecked the competition… pretty sure he will be fine if HE chooses an updated version of that motorcycle.
His worst finishes of the season were at the first races of SX and MX. Takes time to get the settings right. Racing the ‘23 would be a mistake not only because of that, but also because they have zero reliability testing in a race situation with a rider of that caliber. I hope it’s not true.
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Mr. Afterbar
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Mr. Afterbar 9/19/2022 9:09am
9/19/2022 9:09am
Aloe wrote:
The only mistake their making is even fielding a team for this circus
Hey Sloan, nobody wants you here. Go see a shrink. Not being rude. You need one.
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soggy
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soggy 9/19/2022 10:16am
9/19/2022 10:16am
lumpy790 wrote:
You guys do realize Yamaha has had this bike for a year or two don't you? So they already know what to do to it ?
Ktm still figuring there’s out. People don’t seem to grasp that RACING a bike is far different from practice / testing.
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aeffertz
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aeffertz 9/19/2022 1:12pm
9/19/2022 1:12pm Edited Date/Time 9/19/2022 1:13pm
Thisusernameisavailable wrote:
What metric are using to determine I’m losing, Webb not winning??

That both KTM and Husky struggled and tested what works with the new bike for the entire year and the fact that NONE of their previous setups actually worked because the bike was too different from the previous model. Should I believe the people that have actually ridden the bike or some faceless internet troll that hasn’t touched either bike and insist that “they only make a mm adjustment here and a degree of change there, it’s not that different.”
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Thisusernameisavailable 9/19/2022 2:05pm
9/19/2022 2:05pm
TeamGreen wrote:
He’s more than capable enough to make a decision like this… and that’s “if” he’s even made such a decision. He didn’t win both of those...
He’s more than capable enough to make a decision like this… and that’s “if” he’s even made such a decision.

He didn’t win both of those championships by making uninformed or risky changes to his program. Also, he’s only got -1- year on this bike…during which he’s certainly tested and tried alllllll sorts of changes/different parts and settings between his Supercross and Motocross set-ups.

Just a week or so…ago…he rode the ‘23 at Perris…I think…during the A-Star demo days…& he looked pretty damn good.

I watched the videos of him on that bike…If I recall, correctly, the ‘23 he rode had Stock Suspension…?
If that’s the case…? Damn!

Also, everyone is talking like the New Yamaha has been COMPLETELY CHANGED. Hmmmmm. I’m thinking it’s more along the lines of “refined” and I can’t help but think some of those refinements are things that fall in-line with what Eli and others on Yamaha race bikes have been working on or have created -themselves- thru changes/modifications/development.

The bottom-line? Eli and Star seem to know what they’re doing.
Timo wrote:
"Refinement" new frame, new engine, new bodywork, new seat, new foot peg mounts... Chiz says its got all the good traits of the 22 with more...
"Refinement" new frame, new engine, new bodywork, new seat, new foot peg mounts... Chiz says its got all the good traits of the 22 with more front feel/traction so it should be a really good bike, but definitely more than a refinement.
F*ck dude, that knobhead aefartz is gonna have a field day with you using the word 'refined'
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Thisusernameisavailable 9/19/2022 2:11pm
9/19/2022 2:11pm
Thisusernameisavailable wrote:
What metric are using to determine I’m losing, Webb not winning??

aeffertz wrote:
That both KTM and Husky struggled and tested what works with the new bike for the entire year and the fact that NONE of their previous...
That both KTM and Husky struggled and tested what works with the new bike for the entire year and the fact that NONE of their previous setups actually worked because the bike was too different from the previous model. Should I believe the people that have actually ridden the bike or some faceless internet troll that hasn’t touched either bike and insist that “they only make a mm adjustment here and a degree of change there, it’s not that different.”
Is 3rd & 4th overall in the SX championship defined as 'struggling' these days? With Stewart recording his best season yet..

Sure, Webb didnt have much good to say about it, apart from A1... he seemed pretty happy with it there. Then his head went and his year went south.

So, Mr. Knowitall... give us your thoughts on the '23 YZ450F. 'Refined', or 'all new'?
Is Eli gonna "struggle" on it?
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