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Do we really need another thread on Roczen/Suzuki?
This thread doesn’t need you in it.
He still doesn't look as comfy on the bike as he did on the Honda.
I haven’t seen the anchor come out mid race this year like it did all last year.
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He also won a race by this time last year.
He looks good on the bike, but doesn't have that smooth Kenny flow that he usually has.
Honda for 6 years, Suzuki for 1 month. I don't recall Roczen holding off beast mode Tomac on his red bike like he did on the yellow bike at A2. With that said, I would say he's great so far.
Assuming he continues to get the bike more dialed in with more seat time and testing, the only question mark is his fitness. Triple crown is not the greatest measuring stick for that, but I did not see him fade in the San Diego main so hopefully he's figured that out as well. Time will tell.
To me it seemed like he was always pushing on the current gen Honda causing a lot of small uncharacteristic mistakes.
I never said he wasn't riding well or doing great this season. Just saying he looked better on the Honda. He makes it look like the zook takes more effort to ride.
WTF.... do people not see the results he's putting down. ie: A1 - 2nd fastest lap time. Moving up/improving each week. Running a non-factory bike at the front of the pack with what....2 months of learning curve. Oh yeah....and beating factory riders on a "outdated, dinosaur with a kickstarter".
Something wrong in your head if you can't at least acknowledge the above....
Read read read.
No one is saying anything remotly close to what you are claiming.
It's not easy to control all that Suzuki power, he's just getting used to it
He definitely looked a bit out of sorts at A1. You could see the lack of seat time and setup there. I also say that knowing he was one of the fastest guys... Which is just a testament to his talent. In a matter weeks though he's already looking closer to home on the bike and trending in the right direction.
I think he will continue to look a bit more "wild" on the Suzuki becuase that chassis (and any other bike that isn't a Honda) simply allows it. You can't ride Hondas like that unless you want to get spit off. My 22 CRF scared me a few times last year with its unpredictability... Yes I know I'm very slow and don't have resources like these guys, but I consider myself a pretty decent "feeler" and a good observer. Additionally, it's not exactly a secret with anyone else I've talked to (slow to fast) that has owned or been on the bike.
I say he pulls off a couple wins this year. Only Suzuki can save themselves though.
I also can't shake this feeling that this is the year that Roczen fights for podiums and wins for all 17 rounds.
Many people say the zook has a similar stiff chassis feel just like the Honda.
Stock, the RMZ is stink bugged out and has a bad (mediocre to some?) shock. Longer linkage and the 250 shock and it's a mellow chassis.
With the Honda you have guys like Factory Connection making different linkage ratios (requires shortening the shock), pretty much everyone runs larger offset triple clamps, and then Keefer recommends shaving down frame material by the shock tower. All of that makes it "better", but not 100% great.
The Honda chassis isn't too stiff, it's too soft. The whole thing reacts like a spring, in the worst way. That's why they added material to the frame for 23. It's also why it looks like the 24 is likely getting further frame revisions.
Frame too soft... Thats is the first time I have heard that.
We missed the absolute best of Ken back when he shattered his arms. He was in his prime at that age. 2016 was when he really started showing us what he was capable of. Since then time and injuries have taken their toll. He can still kick some ass on any given night but not consistently. Bike isn't the problem. We will never know how good mega talented guys like Stewart, Herlings or Roczen could have been. Injuries robbed us of that.
I don't really understand that sentiment to be honest.
We have gotten exactly 100% of Stewart, Herlings, and Roczen. They weren't robbed of anything. Their own mistakes cost them... Which means we have seen exactly what their own decisions and career trajectory allowed them to be.
"What if" and "if only" is fun for bench racing, but it's not something to dwell on to feel cheated out of witnessing "greater greatness". Stewart may have crashed less if he slowed down a bit, but then it isn't Stewart and we would not have been as thrilled, just as an example.
Roczen is the man. He could win any night. He could very easily be in the points lead after a few more races. Amazing what one rider can do for a brand. He will absolutely sell Suzuki by doing what he is doing.
Pit Row
Fair statement. Well then them injuring themselves robbed us fans of seeing a lot more epic rides and seasons from them all.
It is fitting Roczen is on Suzukis. Both have great racing histories and can contend on any day. But the writing is on the wall, racing is not their foremost interest anymore.
Roczen looks good on the Suzuki given the amount of time he's had on it.
As far a him saving the brand? Even when RC was dominating on Suzuki's the pits at the local races still didn't have many Suzuki's in them
I won't be suprised when Suzuki quits selling dirt bikes all together. Whether it is tomorrow or five years from now. It is obvious they have little interest in developing high performance bikes, dirt or street. More money elsewhere, and their own heritage means little to the company. I understand people's loyalty to the brand, but honestly the company gives no shit about those customers.
I share the same thought. With Beta and Triumph coming into the sport, I think Suzuki is going to lose even more market shares if those bikes start doing well.
Didn't someone mention that Suzuki is barely meeting the homologation requirement? If that's the case and the sales decline, they'll be forced out of the sport.
It sure seems like the company is trending that direction. It's a shame because their bikes are not bad, they look great, but there's simply no support or much development.
A lot of dealers don't even bother bringing them in because they know they'll end up sitting on the floor for an eternity and eventually sell them at a lost. It makes no business sense.
It would be great to see them invest in their moto program, but at this point it seems very unlikely.
Let’s see how the season pans out for Kenny. Long way to go. I really liked his fight last week. Just needs to do it every time he’s on the track. As far as Suzuki, I don’t see anything changing because of him.
Sadly, I agree. Suzuki corporation has written off moto and I don't see anything bringing it back.
Crying shame considering their pedigree in racing.
That said....I think we can finally dispel the crap about the Zook being an incapable outdated dinosaur.
The fact that Kenny has to do good on a suzuki to prove the bike is wild to me...99.999% of people on this forum cant ride a RMZ to its full potential yet sit here and criticize the bike like its junk. A buddy of mine that races nationals..qualifies p15 or higher every weekend went to the Dominican to race..he picked a stock RMZ over a KTM and won on it. Its never been the bike. They haven't had a Kenny level rider since Kenny! Even JB19 won on the bike
It's not that the bike isn't capable, it's that Suzuki trades on your loyalty as a consumer and makes no attempts to improve the product despite your loyalty and money. I own a business, I know my customers work hard for their money, I constantly search for ways to increase my value to my faithful. Suzuki gives no shit about the loyalty of their consumers. Electric start to pick a polarizing feature, no you don't need it, but it's nice. EVERY OTHER BIKE HAS IT, put it on show you give a shit. Even if it does no performance good it demonstrates you are paying attention to the consumer....
Kenny is no different, if he said one more time, "it's just a dirt bike race.", last year ( paraphrase) it might as well have been tattooed on his forehead.
You do have a good point. But if they just added e start it would make the bike even heavier and people would hate more. They need a full redesign to add e start imo.
I’d just like to know if ANY of the other race engines on the other team bikes are making 40 ft-lbs…?
‘Cause, I know that the yellow bike is!
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