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Edited Date/Time
4/21/2025 9:23am
The vast majority of MXGP riders are on Austrian bikes, by far more so in MX2? Same on 450’s but to a lesser extent. This is a serious question…. I’m not trying to start an Austrian vs Japanese argument.
Because …..sandcastles in the sand…..drift into the sea….eventually….
Why would someone down vote this question!?!?
The MX2 class in Switzerland this weekend had 33 racers and there were 22 Austrian bikes, or 67%.
The 250 class in East Rutherford had 22 racers and there were 3 Austrian bikes, or 14%.
Austrian bikes are few and far between in the US 250 class/series. I wonder why the vast discrepancy?
I have no idea why the question is being downvoted but I’m also curious myself.
Maybe they have better privateer support? Do they contingency programs in MXGP?
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Jimi.
I can’t answer your question but when was the last time you see a Suzuki line up at a GP or EMX round?
Japanese MX2 teams are having a serious issue with power as compared to Austrian machines, new sound regulations this year caught them on the back foot…
The start is everything in MX2 - First Swiss mx2 moto first Japanese bike was 10th place…
I've just always chalked it up to Europeans riding/supporting a European made bike.
Because of the tuning costs. Obviously for the factory teams this is different, but for the non-factory supported teams and privateers who have to pay it themselves tuning is a big hurdle. To have a decent tuned engine for MX2 or EMX250 riders the Austrian brands have been the lets say most cost effective option in the past couple of years.
Powerful and reliable engine. Dealership and spare parts facilities.
we'll see what happens in the future
The fact that the Austrian bike has the others covered on power you’d think US privateers would also be riding Austrian, however, they’re not. Very strange.
I don’t think the explanation that Europeans “like” supporting a European company holds water. At this level it’s a business. They want to win, make money and score points. Brand loyalty doesn’t help make money or win races.
Because there are other factors at play such as the sound level that is allowed, the fuel type that is allowed, contingency programs etc
I see both sides, I do agree that the ktm group has better engine internals, while the japs have a better suspension package imo. I do believe though that the euro ktms are so good cause they can change so much more then the American rules let. I remember vialle's last year in Europe on the latest gen bike they where running the old motor or head, wouldn't be surprised if they running different bores and strokes, still at 250cc, to have the best engines possible, while in America that just cant happen.
What does the contingency look like compared to other manufacturers?
I'm sure that plays a part in why they're riding other brands.
Mxgp is also pay to race I believe, so may not make sense if the sales aren’t there for a Japanese manufacturer to pay to race in Europe. And you have brands like tm, fantic, beta and Ducati and maybe triumph already racing in the 450 class there too.
A manufacturer will spend where there is return on money. Large presence of sponsorship and local bikes sales. Consumers are patriotic with their support of local manufacturers.
Pit Row
The yz250f is pretty damn good.
Not as much manufacturer support maybe? The Yamaha factory guys run star motors, at least in the 250 class.
No.
No as in not anymore? Gertz was 100% using a star motor.
They went in-house when Hutten took over MX2.
Star motors are expensive and the tuning is quite different, even more so this year due to 2025 FIM sound rules.
Don’t think they lost power, the guys on the Yamaha bikes aren’t that good after Renaux/Geerts.
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