Is the Kawi a POS or ?

Outsider
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Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 7:35am
James said the kaw was a bike you had to ride on the edge to go fast.

Reed doesn't seem to be digging it too much, RV is on crutches.

Wonder where RV and Reed would be right now it they had been on a different bike...
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jeffro503
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7/21/2010 9:12am
NOT a piece of shit. It just fits certain riding styles better than some , and worse than others. It boils down to how you set it up , and what you feel comfortable on. I was on Kawi's for 15 years....and to me , nothing felt better. James never said it was a POS bike.....just that you needed to ride it aggressive. BUT....i see a LOT of AM
's out their on Kawi's and they love them........all in the setup.
peelout719
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7/21/2010 9:20am
only 2 guys on kaw's in the local pro class here... i've never owned one, didn't fit my riding style at all.
wreckitrandy
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7/21/2010 9:22am
They're all junk except the one that's winning. Just ask Bobby.
MISFIT442
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7/21/2010 9:25am Edited Date/Time 1/19/2014 7:55pm
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raddad
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7/21/2010 9:43am
There are lots of guys on them around here and they seem to love em' SC961 is a believer and so are a few local pros. I think they look damn good on the track at least at this level. As far as pros go i always thought that the Kawi was the shit and the best riders were on the team doing pretty damn good.
7/21/2010 9:44am
The Pro Circuit riders seem to like it just fine.

But for the 450 it might be a different story. Keep in mind that since Kawi came out with the 450, it has only been raced 2 seasons outdoors at a top 5 level, and only by James. Pro Circuit has 4 guys out there every year providing setup information for next year.

It's not that the 450 has less potential, it's just the lack of testing and data. When Dungey complains about his bike having some sort of issue, Suzuki has many years of experience with several top 10 riders on that bike so they have the information to go back and revisit.
Outsider
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7/21/2010 9:46am
jeffro503 wrote:
NOT a piece of shit. It just fits certain riding styles better than some , and worse than others. It boils down to how you set...
NOT a piece of shit. It just fits certain riding styles better than some , and worse than others. It boils down to how you set it up , and what you feel comfortable on. I was on Kawi's for 15 years....and to me , nothing felt better. James never said it was a POS bike.....just that you needed to ride it aggressive. BUT....i see a LOT of AM
's out their on Kawi's and they love them........all in the setup.
Well, the 250f's sure seem to work well enough.. the PC bikes anyway. I'm talking about the 450. That is the only color bike I've never owned personally, but, heard many guys say they are pigs...
Rode a buddy's KX250 once, separated my shoulder on it. Sideways
Outsider
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7/21/2010 9:48am
TriRacer27 wrote:
The Pro Circuit riders seem to like it just fine. But for the 450 it might be a different story. Keep in mind that since Kawi...
The Pro Circuit riders seem to like it just fine.

But for the 450 it might be a different story. Keep in mind that since Kawi came out with the 450, it has only been raced 2 seasons outdoors at a top 5 level, and only by James. Pro Circuit has 4 guys out there every year providing setup information for next year.

It's not that the 450 has less potential, it's just the lack of testing and data. When Dungey complains about his bike having some sort of issue, Suzuki has many years of experience with several top 10 riders on that bike so they have the information to go back and revisit.
Good point!
txmxer
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7/21/2010 9:54am
TriRacer27 wrote:
The Pro Circuit riders seem to like it just fine. But for the 450 it might be a different story. Keep in mind that since Kawi...
The Pro Circuit riders seem to like it just fine.

But for the 450 it might be a different story. Keep in mind that since Kawi came out with the 450, it has only been raced 2 seasons outdoors at a top 5 level, and only by James. Pro Circuit has 4 guys out there every year providing setup information for next year.

It's not that the 450 has less potential, it's just the lack of testing and data. When Dungey complains about his bike having some sort of issue, Suzuki has many years of experience with several top 10 riders on that bike so they have the information to go back and revisit.
Outsider wrote:
Good point!
yep. Very good post.

As to the original question...the particulars of RV's injury didn't really have anything to do with the bike IMO.
ehr400
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7/21/2010 9:57am
TriRacer27 wrote:
The Pro Circuit riders seem to like it just fine. But for the 450 it might be a different story. Keep in mind that since Kawi...
The Pro Circuit riders seem to like it just fine.

But for the 450 it might be a different story. Keep in mind that since Kawi came out with the 450, it has only been raced 2 seasons outdoors at a top 5 level, and only by James. Pro Circuit has 4 guys out there every year providing setup information for next year.

It's not that the 450 has less potential, it's just the lack of testing and data. When Dungey complains about his bike having some sort of issue, Suzuki has many years of experience with several top 10 riders on that bike so they have the information to go back and revisit.
Outsider wrote:
Good point!
Very true. Also who in the GP's are riding them well? No one I can remember. Tim Ferry did probably the best of his career on it though. RC seemed to look better on the Suzuki then the Hondas as well.
7/21/2010 10:00am
It is need of a new frame though. The Kawaski is big and bulky compared to some of the other bikes out there.

I'm not saying by any means that it's a bad bike, in fact Iv'e always fancied one myself and no one can tell for sure how Chad would be doing if he were still on the suzy. However I have a feeling he'd be doing a touch bettter than he is right now, but it was his decision to leave for the dollars so... there you go.
mxtryon231
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7/21/2010 10:03am
I don't think any of the bikes out there on the starting gate are "P's of S' " but like TriRacer27 said, it is all about testing and development of the race bike. I honestly think the lack of info and stuff to base their testing off of might be a reason why Josh Grant can't seem to get a start this season. One thing is for sure, the guys at Factory Honda and Suzuki have had plenty of testing and those bikes seem to be dialed in from the holeshot to the suspension.
7/21/2010 10:13am
TriRacer27 wrote:
The Pro Circuit riders seem to like it just fine. But for the 450 it might be a different story. Keep in mind that since Kawi...
The Pro Circuit riders seem to like it just fine.

But for the 450 it might be a different story. Keep in mind that since Kawi came out with the 450, it has only been raced 2 seasons outdoors at a top 5 level, and only by James. Pro Circuit has 4 guys out there every year providing setup information for next year.

It's not that the 450 has less potential, it's just the lack of testing and data. When Dungey complains about his bike having some sort of issue, Suzuki has many years of experience with several top 10 riders on that bike so they have the information to go back and revisit.
Outsider wrote:
Good point!
ehr400 wrote:
Very true. Also who in the GP's are riding them well? No one I can remember. Tim Ferry did probably the best of his career on...
Very true. Also who in the GP's are riding them well? No one I can remember. Tim Ferry did probably the best of his career on it though. RC seemed to look better on the Suzuki then the Hondas as well.
Can't believe I forgot Ferry rode it as well.

But still, Suzuki and Honda have more solid testing programs then Yamaha or Kawasaki, or KTM. Honda has had Windham, Millsaps, and Short racing the bikes, McGrath testing them, and the experience of Jedi Warrior type guys managing the team.

Same thing with Suzuki.

I've owned a few Kawasakis, Suzukis and Yamahas. The only big bikes I haven't owned are Hondas (I've had 2 KTMs, but they were for offroad and hardly count). The Kawis were always very solid but they do feel bigger than the Yamaha and especially the Suzuki. You have to ride them with the throttle more than the handlebars compared to the other 2.

But keep in mind that these guys ride factory bikes, and they are able to modify the handling significantly more than we can.
Lightning78
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7/21/2010 10:19am
Outsider wrote:
James said the kaw was a bike you had to ride on the edge to go fast. Reed doesn't seem to be digging it too much...
James said the kaw was a bike you had to ride on the edge to go fast.

Reed doesn't seem to be digging it too much, RV is on crutches.

Wonder where RV and Reed would be right now it they had been on a different bike...
It DID put James on the ground a lot too.....and remember before this thread gets outta hand he reiterated over and over that the bike is not a bad bike at all he just said it just rides a little different and flat doesn't suit some riders.....
TeamGreen
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7/21/2010 10:59am
Dee, Dee, Dee...

Huckster
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7/21/2010 11:15am
I owned a 09 KX 450 and could not come to terms with it. Had the suspension done, PC link, etc and still never could get comfortable on it. Great motor though.
Outsider
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7/21/2010 11:19am
TeamGreen wrote:
Dee, Dee, Dee...

So it is then.. got it.
Matthes
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7/21/2010 11:20am
I don't think that anyone one here can even talk about their Kawasaki and the ones that RV and CR ride. They are nothing like each other.

But there is no doubt that Reedy looked better on the Suzuki though, for whatever reason...it suited him.
EmDub425
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7/21/2010 11:50am
The reason Reed was way better on the Rm was because it turned way better. Go back to the two stroke days and watch Chad corner. He has always been a slide the back tire/ turn down early type of guy. The Kawi doesn't do that, and neither did the early yz 450's. Hence while he struggled on them so bad when they first came out.
WFO
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7/21/2010 12:38pm
I think Reed's problems are more than a bike issue.....
JP
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7/21/2010 12:50pm Edited Date/Time 7/21/2010 12:52pm
This thread is all over the place. I think it was about the Kawis on a pro level which should be on par with all the other bikes out there. I mean how many production parts are kept for a rider at that level, like 5??? They don't even use the same bolts to hold the shit together.

If your talking production bikes, then yeah, in my opinion they are. Not performance wise, but all the little shit that always seems to go wrong. There is a reason why you see so many Red and Blue bikes at the local tracks
Outsider
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7/21/2010 12:57pm
JP wrote:
This thread is all over the place. I think it was about the Kawis on a pro level which should be on par with all the...
This thread is all over the place. I think it was about the Kawis on a pro level which should be on par with all the other bikes out there. I mean how many production parts are kept for a rider at that level, like 5??? They don't even use the same bolts to hold the shit together.

If your talking production bikes, then yeah, in my opinion they are. Not performance wise, but all the little shit that always seems to go wrong. There is a reason why you see so many Red and Blue bikes at the local tracks
I'm talking about the pro level. Seems like everyone looks better on the Suzuki since RC.

Reed, Alessi, Dung.. all look good on yellow... Reed has struggled since going green, RV has always been on green, I wonder if he would look any better or smoother on a Zook, or is the Kawi just made for his style...
DrSweden
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7/21/2010 1:01pm Edited Date/Time 7/21/2010 1:09pm
I don't get these blame the bike things at all. Occam's razor say if it's 90%-99% rider reason for success stats then also indicate the rider is often to blame? And it's not only what you are being offered, its the abillity to communicate with the maybe new mechanic ending in guys like RC, James and RV can win on anything present and to blame Kawasaki for Reeds mental fatigue (which is for me pretty obvious) is just BS.

Face it, he discovered that RD put competition to a new or more normal level compare to last year that kind of resembled a Vet series.

I have said it thousands times, Bubba dominated on a underpowered 125 in a series where power is said to be the major factor. So, yeah, sure the KX isn't good enough for Reed. Didn't he say he was so glad to be back on KYB forks as well?
JP
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7/21/2010 1:05pm
Outsider wrote:
I'm talking about the pro level. Seems like everyone looks better on the Suzuki since RC. Reed, Alessi, Dung.. all look good on yellow... Reed has...
I'm talking about the pro level. Seems like everyone looks better on the Suzuki since RC.

Reed, Alessi, Dung.. all look good on yellow... Reed has struggled since going green, RV has always been on green, I wonder if he would look any better or smoother on a Zook, or is the Kawi just made for his style...
I don't think the bike is Reeds problem, I think it's a combination of personal "issues" and stronger competition this year. I wouldn't doubt that Alessi's problems are bike related though.
It's hard to imagine RV looking any better on another brand then he did on that Kawi last year at GH, he was Stewart fast that race.
Outsider
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7/21/2010 1:09pm
DrSweden wrote:
I don't get these blame the bike things at all. Occam's razor say if it's 90%-99% rider reason for success stats then also indicate the rider...
I don't get these blame the bike things at all. Occam's razor say if it's 90%-99% rider reason for success stats then also indicate the rider is often to blame? And it's not only what you are being offered, its the abillity to communicate with the maybe new mechanic ending in guys like RC, James and RV can win on anything present and to blame Kawasaki for Reeds mental fatigue (which is for me pretty obvious) is just BS.

Face it, he discovered that RD put competition to a new or more normal level compare to last year that kind of resembled a Vet series.

I have said it thousands times, Bubba dominated on a underpowered 125 in a series where power is said to be the major factor. So, yeah, sure the KX isn't good enough for Reed. Didn't he say he was so glad to be back on KYB forks as well?
Uhm... didn't you just put a couple threads about not being able to come to grips with a certain Honda? Whistling
DrSweden
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7/21/2010 1:15pm Edited Date/Time 7/21/2010 1:51pm
Outsider wrote:
Uhm... didn't you just put a couple threads about not being able to come to grips with a certain Honda? Whistling
Yes, and me with poor knowledge about settings, physique like a girl, talent like a retard that prefers a KX250F because it was lighter, easier more manageable power, no stalling, easier to start and seems to have better ergo for a tall guy like me proves what? So basically



You do see the diff I hope...
Outsider
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7/21/2010 1:20pm
Outsider wrote:
Uhm... didn't you just put a couple threads about not being able to come to grips with a certain Honda? Whistling
DrSweden wrote:
Yes, and me with poor knowledge about settings, physique like a girl, talent like a retard that prefers a KX250F because it was lighter, easier more...
Yes, and me with poor knowledge about settings, physique like a girl, talent like a retard that prefers a KX250F because it was lighter, easier more manageable power, no stalling, easier to start and seems to have better ergo for a tall guy like me proves what? So basically



You do see the diff I hope...
Of course, had to say that thoughWink

I agree that the comp was weaker last year for sure, but, Chad hasn't looked the same on that bike at all, even the clips I saw from the Aussie SX series, he looked slightly off... JMO
adamdf
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7/21/2010 2:29pm
My 09 kawi seemed alright, but they are definitely bigger feeling, no one can dispute that and they dont corner the best, even with the 20mm RG3 clamps i installed. How much of Reed's success or lack there of is due to the bike or due to himself, none of us will ever know. I for one think that Kawi knows how to setup a race bike, there are tons of things they can change that we simply can't or don't have the resources/time to fiddle with.....let's remember Reed missed pretty much all of supercross, had a baby etc, its been a wierd year for him, maybe he needs more time to get things straight....as said, we will never know if its the bike or not.....i would agree with what some of you posted above though, that he looked better on zook.
Jdirrrty
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7/21/2010 2:47pm
peelout719 wrote:
only 2 guys on kaw's in the local pro class here... i've never owned one, didn't fit my riding style at all.
I saw four really fast guys on Kawi's at throttle 215 the other day.

I might be biased though because I own one, but at 6'1 it seems to fit me the best size wise.

I think if you were to point the finger at a bike for doing poorly this year it would be the yamaha.

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