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GB
Edited Date/Time
11/15/2022 4:23pm
Interesting.
Though not conclusive, that interview leads me to believe we'll see Kenny on the Genuine Parts Honda at A1.
But do we believe the "Comfortable" statement? For sure, his results this off-season say he's telling the truth, but, its not the first, second or maybe even third time we've heard this from him, is it?
IF he is correct, are HRC missing a trick? Are HRC the 'new' Factory Yamaha/Keith McCarty and just simply cannot formulate that factory CRF to work right? Are we witnessing Genuine Honda being able to work out a bike that the official team cant, just like Star could the YZF whilst the Factory couldn't?
Of course, we have witnessed certain collaborations that work brilliantly together (Tomac & his suspension guy- remind me of his name) Tomac was a different guy when he started working with him again.
What are your thoughts?
Editor's Note: For reference: https://www.vitalmx.com/videos/features/I-Finally-Have-a-Bike-Im-a-lot-…
https://www.vitalmx.com/videos/features/Ken-Roczen-Explains-Why-Hes-Mor…
Though not conclusive, that interview leads me to believe we'll see Kenny on the Genuine Parts Honda at A1.
But do we believe the "Comfortable" statement? For sure, his results this off-season say he's telling the truth, but, its not the first, second or maybe even third time we've heard this from him, is it?
IF he is correct, are HRC missing a trick? Are HRC the 'new' Factory Yamaha/Keith McCarty and just simply cannot formulate that factory CRF to work right? Are we witnessing Genuine Honda being able to work out a bike that the official team cant, just like Star could the YZF whilst the Factory couldn't?
Of course, we have witnessed certain collaborations that work brilliantly together (Tomac & his suspension guy- remind me of his name) Tomac was a different guy when he started working with him again.
What are your thoughts?
Editor's Note: For reference: https://www.vitalmx.com/videos/features/I-Finally-Have-a-Bike-Im-a-lot-…
https://www.vitalmx.com/videos/features/Ken-Roczen-Explains-Why-Hes-Mor…
We all know that just because they could make Chase comfortable on the bike, with his alternate shock and fairly different setup preference, it doesn't mean they could put together what Kenny was looking for in the settings. That could be just as much down to the rider as the team, I'm not throwing Lars and Co under the bus, clearly they do a good job and 3 out of 4 happy campers ain't bad (across 250 and 450) but maybe a subtle, but noticeable to Kenny, miscommunication or misdiagnosis or just a difference of opinion led to it not being what he wanted, like Tomac and his preferred suspension guy you mention. Obviously the bike change muddys the waters there, but I totally get your point.
Add in the sprint races playing to his strengths .
Not sure you can read to much into it
Maybe Roczen is that in tune and sensitive to change too? Granted, he struggled with suspension set at the end with Ktm and RCH. It seems like each time he switched teams all was well again.
It will be interesting with all the speculation over the next couple weeks to see what program he puts together for next year.
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One thing is for sure, he looked freaking good in Paris.
First, he’s definitely got something to prove right now, so his mindset is a lot different than when he had a comfortable contract. He needs a ride.
Second, it’s a bit of a jab at the HRC team, no secret how that ended.
Third, I think he’s enjoying the traveling. And the different style of racing the last few months.
Also, Jett (yeah on 250, but we’re talking HRC and settings) and Chase were doing more than fine last summer when Ken was also complaining.
This is coming from a fan and I think he rode great in Paris and at Straight Rhythm. Bike looked good last weekend, but I definitely don’t believe it’s just the bike.
I do often wonder if some teams spend too much time going in too many different directions -versus- finding a good base setting and NOT venturing too far from it during a given race season/series. I recall the “Factory Yamaha’s” having all sorts of crazy (very trick and cool looking!) parts and “one off” set-ups.
Personally, I think Honda would be wise to help Genuine run a 450 Team…here in the U.S.A., that would give KR an opportunity to stay on this bike with this group of people.
Over the last few years, I know of a racer that has a team that tells him,”This is what we’ve got. Let’s get to it!” And they take all the various parts, many of which have already been thru the team “test rider” that has a good understanding of that this racer likes/needs, and go out several days a week (starting in September or October…whichever the schedule allows) and start testing their asses off. This has delivered results. Really, really good results. They don’t seem to mess with things much…at all…during the season.
Pit Row
Well said.
Same ol' Kenny...
1) He’s magically better in whoops, when comfy, go faster, soooo that’s the bike
2) 23 frame vs. 22
3) As others have said, the analogy of Star vs. Factory Yami holds with an independent team
4) JB10 testing factor, the guy is amazing in the whoops, he’s an SX specialist
I’ll concede one point, he’s probably putting more energy into his riding to prove the doubters wrong
That being said it would be sick to see him kick factory ass on a non factory bike
And...get the feeling that HRC was looking to drop Kenny anyway...maybe not for 2023, but Sexton is their future...not Roczen. I'd bet their offer to Kenny was an insult to him...and he sensed that they were giving him a reason to leave on his own so they could save face. I don't know that of course...but my "bullshit detector" has been dinging ever since HRC issued the press release.
If he could ride for Genuine Honda, and they could still source parts and tuning from HRC along with the other companies they got parts from...and if Kenny could keep RedBull & Fox as personal sponsors...he might do well, and make HRC regret losing him in the process.
Question- do you know for sure that bike he’s riding is a ‘23 chassis?
Ken continues to suffer from "run of the mouth" syndrome.
Always will be a fan of him, but man he just doesn't think before he speaks sometimes.
Post a reply to: "I finally have a bike I'm comfortable on"