Like the title states, at the beginning of the season I talked a lot of shit about Ken Roczen, his career, his attitude, etc.. This season's performance has turned me around. I could not have been more wrong, he has ridden like a true champ. At this point of the season it is not a stretch, though not likely, that he could catch Honda's Chase Sexton in the battle for third for the championship. This has truly been a great season for him, and perhaps he was right all along that the Honda works bikes, or at least the team, sucked. With every wreck Chase has, it is affirming Ken Roczen's claims in a way. I can honestly imagine if he was on a Star bike, factory KTM, or maybe Kawasaki, the results would be even better for him. He certainly could have handled his very public divorce from Honda better, and it seems like Chase is having one now (though not as public), but as far as his performances, they have been stellar. Bravo for him, and as for me, only the 1,000,000th or so time I have been so very wrong. Keep up the good work KR!
I’d really like to see Kenny on the podium on a regular basis…but the top three of four have stepped their game up to a new level this year, on bikes they’ve had a lot of time to setup & a base from last year to start from. Kenny has had none of those advantages. In fact, he’s on a bike that has had few if any renovations in the last five years…and he is riding at a level that his competitors are…and pushing the Suzuki as hard as it will go. Based on those things…Ken Roczen is doing a damn good job!
I think this year proves how incredible a talent Kenny is. To do what he’s done on this bike is nothing short of amazing. Nobody thought he’d have the success he’s having, let alone win a race and be sitting where he is in the points standings. This year has been awesome to watch!
So…what’s Roczen’s contract with HEP Motorsports/Progressive? Has he signed an extension…or is he free for 2024? I thought I’d read he was on a 1-year deal.
Well, at least he can use the same bike next year … and the next… and the next
The Shop
Can we just now stop shit-talking the Suzuki?
Its not about the bike, never was, never will be.
It can be about the set-up... but that ultimately leads right back to the rider anyways, so its always about the rider, not the bike.
Agree totally and it's one of the things I like most about motocross.
Especially where us average dudes are concerned, a fast kid on an 85 or a fast old guy on a 125 will still blow my doors off.
This fall on the fire power honda, we saw the true Ken Roczen. I am a firm beliver that he would have been better off with that honda than the Suzuki.
But i understand if he opted for another brand than Honda after the fall out with HRC.
Kenny had races over the last few years where he was riding around in 12th on a factory Honda..
the bike isn’t the issue
I mean, the man has never been shy about his love for Suzuki. And a lot of owners here claim they still “feel like a Suzuki” fwiw.
He’s probably feeling nirvana lol
Not the bike, but the suspension..
Perhaps it is not about the bike, I believe the bike may be 20% of the equation, but like politics this is a topic you can change nobodies mind about. But I do believe on a team that had more resources, more testing benchmarks, and would have worked with Roczen's (unlike team Honda evidently) needs, he would be doing even better than he is now. It is easy to forget the Suzuki was a very empty canvas a few months ago.
I was wrong about Kenny too, he’s been damn impressive this year. Don’t think it was the Honda though, have you been watching the Lawrence boys? Different strokes for different folks.
The red 250 and 450 share the same frame, but that doesn't mean they handle the same. The 450 will react and handle differently due to the increased inertia, mass, etc.
I guess time will tell if it really is the bike when the Lawrence boys get on the 450 and hit the deck or not...
Jett rode the 450 pretty damn good at MXON
He rode really damn good, never said he didn't. I believe the bike is better outdoors where there as many aren't sharp, hard corners.
Yeah that is very possible, whatever is going on is pretty damn weird. Chase has had some of the weirdest crashes I’ve seen in a long time.
Back in the day, we'd call it "riding over your head". Chase is probably the fastest guy out there, and has amazing talent...but he seems to crash by pushing it past the edge too much. It reminds me of the way James Stewart would biff hard seemingly out of nowhere.
I agree with you there, I mean the literal crashes are some of the funkiest I’ve seen in forever haha just seems to get shit slammed in the goofiest of ways 😂 poor guy
Pit Row
Need more riders like KR94 in our sport. Arm injuries have limited him more than we know, and he has done very well on almost every brand! And he has been a good example for young kids and a great moto ambassador!
I really dont understand this guys,thinking they are funny,or what
Whatever. You guys are imbeciles. Ken is an amazing talent should be up front fighting for wins and you guys are like gee shucks look at Kenny riding around in 5th 6th he’s doing so good That’s Ken Effin Roczen
Ken’s comeback has been inspirational for me. Just to be competitive is enough after that arm.
Wasn’t James coaching Chase for a bit?
Wait til it meets the vintage protocol and he will clean house.
When you crash because yer riding past yer abilities it usually isn't a corner fall over or a wash out. He isn't riding past his skill level imho although his mental skill level may need a fresh top end or at least some fine tuning.
Yeah It's hard to tell I'm not a bike blamer but ever since that new Honda came out I've seen some weird things on the Honda the obvious one was Roczen at Monster Cup and obviously his big one, Gasjer also had multiple crashes where the bike pitched him off very similar ot Kenny.
Chase I think his style and setup(stiff suspension) is putting him on the ground along with rider error of course, the combination of both is most likely, whatever it is Honda has had some front end issues since 2017 particularly putting mass load on the front end.
I think this subject has been done to death, but the facts are both Roczen and Sexton were not happy with the Honda in SX last year.
Roczen ended up walking away and is doing better on a second tier team and Sexton is still crashing but has learnt to shut his mouth regarding the bike.
Draw your own conclusions from there.
You don't need to draw conclusions... It's a bike no one really wants to ride.
I don't get what you're all so hyped about? Nothing has changed. He had a win. Had a couple of podiums. And the rest of the time 5-10th. So far it's the same as the last couple of seasons. Same Kenny. It ain't the bike
funny, seems to be a lot of shit talking on the Honda but you dont like the Suzuki being shit talked about? seriously?
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