The Prado Mystery

TeamGreen
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7/22/2025 5:03pm
gt80rider wrote:
how did this start??  by forcing Jorge into the 450 SX class.. can u even imaging your very first ever SX race being in the 450...

how did this start??  by forcing Jorge into the 450 SX class.. can u even imaging your very first ever SX race being in the 450 class? SUPER STOOPID rule by the Nephilim running this chit... so you give him a super bad taste of racing in america, by having him nearly crash himself to death through the entire SX series.... then it's time for a full national/Superstupidcross season to start!!! 

i mentioned before about how in my Jr and Sr years in HS i could nottt wait to go to the college i had selected.. full ride and all!!!!...  however, once there, it Fn suckedddd.... i hate everything about it.... that's where Jorge is right now... he's riding like he put in his 2 week notice, over a month ago... LOLLLL

Key take away- Don't force guys that have only raced MX their entire life, into the 450 SX class...!

So…GasGas held a gun to his head and made him…

Ask to ride SX…? 🤣

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7/22/2025 5:24pm
aees wrote:
I think its 3 things:1. Setup: x seconds (bike dont turn, oversteers, bottoms out, to stiff, armpump, whatever). Shitty setup but rideable. Technically difficult to go...

I think its 3 things:

1. Setup: x seconds (bike dont turn, oversteers, bottoms out, to stiff, armpump, whatever). Shitty setup but rideable. Technically difficult to go fast but can do ok 5-10 pace for 35min. 

2. Risk: Im about to seriously crash if I do multiple fast laps on this setup: We fucked up. Can do 10-20 pace for 35min. 

3. Fuck it. I'm signing out. 15 or 25 dont care. 20-25 pace.

I think if he was in the championship you wouldn't see the 3.

But it's easy to forget that Chase just said fuck it and was out for a few weeks because he was anyway out. Prado still showing up for the races even if he is out of championship and results are shit. Webb threws in the towels every year.

I think it's partly because they need to test at race conditions. If they could get those conditions somewhere else I think they would drop out.

He’s paid to go faster than he’s comfy going.  Besides that, if he rides around 8 seconds off the pace the whole time, how are they...

He’s paid to go faster than he’s comfy going.  Besides that, if he rides around 8 seconds off the pace the whole time, how are they ever going to get data to improve the bike under race conditions?

aees wrote:
Crashing ain't getting them anywhere. Jett took a third because he wouldn't push, he could have pushed but chose not to. None of the riders will push...

Crashing ain't getting them anywhere. 

Jett took a third because he wouldn't push, he could have pushed but chose not to. None of the riders will push to the risk of crashing if there is nothing in it.

They don't need data for things that are that much off. Ain't no data going to show you what you can do if they miss like that.

When they test, they need to be able to lay down heaters, setup that allows you to go fast. And as a final test you need to be able to do a moto. Barcia and others has explained this several times. Prado felt right away it wasn't going to work. Chase rode 4 or maybe 5 laps, said the 1mm they moved the fork was not working but they couldn't change it for the restart so he didn't push second part.

RC said he could feel when he rolled to the track if an exhaust system was going to work or not when they tested.

They seem to be far off. Wonder if he will never get the spring fork to work. 

If he wasn’t pushing and got 3rd like Jett did, we wouldn’t all be scratching our heads.  At no time that I can remember was an uncomfortable Jett 8 seconds a lap off the pace.  Uncomfortable or not, at least Jett has some pride.

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Indy mxer
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7/22/2025 5:30pm
aees wrote:
No because you will end up like Tomac. Felt great on practise track, faster on the clock.Worked shit in race condition, 5 sec of on laptimes...

No because you will end up like Tomac. Felt great on practise track, faster on the clock.

Worked shit in race condition, 5 sec of on laptimes to Jett, Hunter, Sexton.

You need to be close to race conditions. 

We will give Prado 5 seconds for bike set up.I guess the other 5 can be effort? If Prado wasn’t capable no one would care. That is...

We will give Prado 5 seconds for bike set up.

I guess the other 5 can be effort? 

If Prado wasn’t capable no one would care. That is what makes this so interesting to me. How talented he is and how bad he has been. 

aees wrote:
I think its 3 things:1. Setup: x seconds (bike dont turn, oversteers, bottoms out, to stiff, armpump, whatever). Shitty setup but rideable. Technically difficult to go...

I think its 3 things:

1. Setup: x seconds (bike dont turn, oversteers, bottoms out, to stiff, armpump, whatever). Shitty setup but rideable. Technically difficult to go fast but can do ok 5-10 pace for 35min. 

2. Risk: Im about to seriously crash if I do multiple fast laps on this setup: We fucked up. Can do 10-20 pace for 35min. 

3. Fuck it. I'm signing out. 15 or 25 dont care. 20-25 pace.

I think if he was in the championship you wouldn't see the 3.

But it's easy to forget that Chase just said fuck it and was out for a few weeks because he was anyway out. Prado still showing up for the races even if he is out of championship and results are shit. Webb threws in the towels every year.

I think it's partly because they need to test at race conditions. If they could get those conditions somewhere else I think they would drop out.

He's getting beat by privateers! Some on mostly stock KX's. Quit making excuses for him. With the 450 class being so depleted, he should be top 5 on a bad day. Hell, Barcia caught and passed him easy. And he's making big money as well. Cruising around in 20th place for half a moto, not even trying on a factory bike is inexcusable for a world champion. 

It ain't the bike. 

 

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Kenny Banyan
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7/22/2025 7:10pm
GrapeApe wrote:
Has anyone addressed why he relocated to South Carolina? Seems strange he is struggling with the bike but his team and Broc Tickle and any other...

Has anyone addressed why he relocated to South Carolina? Seems strange he is struggling with the bike but his team and Broc Tickle and any other resource that can help him are in California. I assume they are having to ship suspension and motor changes back and forth cross country? Doesn't seem very efficient under the circumstances. 

aees wrote:
Probably acces to decent tracks.You heard Guillod. Even as a privateer he couldnt stay at the West coast. Smooth practise tracks, mixed level of riders on...

Probably acces to decent tracks.

You heard Guillod. Even as a privateer he couldnt stay at the West coast. Smooth practise tracks, mixed level of riders on the track.

GrapeApe wrote:
Yes the tracks are much better but he doesn't have any resources to work on his bike. Once he gets the bike close then he can...

Yes the tracks are much better but he doesn't have any resources to work on his bike. Once he gets the bike close then he can live anywhere he wants, just seems weird to leave the support of a full factory team when every single aspect of the bike is off (according to him).

It’s because it isn’t the bike.

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2

The Shop

cmotodad
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7/22/2025 7:52pm

Have we all forgotten he is coming off shoulder surgery? How long did it take for Eli to get back to speed? I know, Eli did 2 but shoulders are no joke. If you can't test at speed on a new bike, how do you know at actual race conditions, the best settings when speed picks up? Maybe his frustration is both physical and equipment induced? JMO

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11
pilotdude
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7/22/2025 8:33pm

I watched privateer Max Miller #79 on a Kawi pass Prado over the new step-up jump with a huge whip right in his face while looking back at him like, "Well?"  Prado's reaction?  Nada, zip, zilch.  Got passed by another dude and finished 19th .  

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1
7/22/2025 10:48pm

Anyone see Dan Crower commented on the Prado pulp sexton insta post, say the motor is down on torque, new motor with long rod is the reason. Can make plenty top but less torque? 
It has been mentioned Prado likes to ride really really low rpm. 

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3
7/22/2025 11:40pm

What a mess this is. Chase racing the KX will show how much of it has really been the bike...

11
LP31
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7/23/2025 1:49am
burn1986 wrote:

I can’t help but wait for a “Kawasaki and Prado part ways” headline soon.

280driver wrote:

I think the next two weeks could be make or break.

Honestly who would be opposed at this point? A mutual departure would seem best for all. Kawasaki is getting chase so they could get a true...

Honestly who would be opposed at this point? A mutual departure would seem best for all. Kawasaki is getting chase so they could get a true B rider and then Prado could go somewhere he wants to be. 

Get Marchbanks cheap for a year or two then go after Cole Davies.

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Kenny Banyan
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7/23/2025 4:17am
cmotodad wrote:
Have we all forgotten he is coming off shoulder surgery? How long did it take for Eli to get back to speed? I know, Eli did...

Have we all forgotten he is coming off shoulder surgery? How long did it take for Eli to get back to speed? I know, Eli did 2 but shoulders are no joke. If you can't test at speed on a new bike, how do you know at actual race conditions, the best settings when speed picks up? Maybe his frustration is both physical and equipment induced? JMO

Has he ever mentioned that he was having any physical ailments? If he does have something going on he’s not mentioned it that I know of. He’s just mentioned that the bike isn’t up to snuff.

1
Kenny Banyan
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7/23/2025 4:20am Edited Date/Time 7/23/2025 4:21am
Anyone see Dan Crower commented on the Prado pulp sexton insta post, say the motor is down on torque, new motor with long rod is the...

Anyone see Dan Crower commented on the Prado pulp sexton insta post, say the motor is down on torque, new motor with long rod is the reason. Can make plenty top but less torque? 
It has been mentioned Prado likes to ride really really low rpm. 

That’s interesting, because I always thought a longer stroke would give you more bottom end less rpm.

3
3
Indy mxer
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7/23/2025 4:26am
cmotodad wrote:
Have we all forgotten he is coming off shoulder surgery? How long did it take for Eli to get back to speed? I know, Eli did...

Have we all forgotten he is coming off shoulder surgery? How long did it take for Eli to get back to speed? I know, Eli did 2 but shoulders are no joke. If you can't test at speed on a new bike, how do you know at actual race conditions, the best settings when speed picks up? Maybe his frustration is both physical and equipment induced? JMO

Has he ever mentioned that he was having any physical ailments? If he does have something going on he’s not mentioned it that I know of...

Has he ever mentioned that he was having any physical ailments? If he does have something going on he’s not mentioned it that I know of. He’s just mentioned that the bike isn’t up to snuff.

More excuses. If he was hurt, don't you think he would say that instead of throwing the whole team under the bus?

8
7/23/2025 4:48am Edited Date/Time 7/23/2025 4:50am
Anyone see Dan Crower commented on the Prado pulp sexton insta post, say the motor is down on torque, new motor with long rod is the...

Anyone see Dan Crower commented on the Prado pulp sexton insta post, say the motor is down on torque, new motor with long rod is the reason. Can make plenty top but less torque? 
It has been mentioned Prado likes to ride really really low rpm. 

It was the same engine last year when he tried it prior to signing the contract and then went around and told every journalist with a video camera how much better the bike was compared to his Gas Gas.  On top of that, I’d be willing to bet the factory team could find at least as much torque as what Max Miller’s bike is putting out.  Sorry, we’re not buying it.

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burn1986
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7/23/2025 5:02am Edited Date/Time 7/23/2025 5:03am

So, if he was on the Kawi in mxgp would his results be better, and if he was on the GG in the US would results be better? Quite the conundrum 

1
ando
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7/23/2025 6:07am
Anyone see Dan Crower commented on the Prado pulp sexton insta post, say the motor is down on torque, new motor with long rod is the...

Anyone see Dan Crower commented on the Prado pulp sexton insta post, say the motor is down on torque, new motor with long rod is the reason. Can make plenty top but less torque? 
It has been mentioned Prado likes to ride really really low rpm. 

That’s interesting, because I always thought a longer stroke would give you more bottom end less rpm.

Longer rod, not longer stroke.

6
ando
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7/23/2025 6:12am

I’m wondering if there’s some subtle nuances being somewhat overlooked here.  

When Prado is blaming the bike maybe he’s meaning that it’s not good enough to win on, which would be his benchmark.  It might be not bad and good enough for fifth but to him that’s a fail.  Doesn’t excuse the lack of effort to go out and actually log some fifth place finishes though.

Also JT has mentioned a few times now on podcasts that Jorge looks physically tanked at the end of the motos; much more than he should be.  

5
Chris_Buehler
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7/23/2025 6:51am

I cant remember who said it because I'm listening to too many moto pods lately. But Max Antsie was saying people might be underestimating the difference between the works GP bikes and the production based AMA bikes. KTM over there has the bikes so dialed with any kind of hand built parts you can imagine. It just seems like if Prado isnt comfortable he's not going to push. If he's not trying to win he's fine just riding the races basically testing. Forkner kind of said something similar on Pulp. When hes back in 13th, he's not pushing hard to pass a guy for 12th. Does anyone really think Chase is going to struggle that much on the Kawi? He might be chasing settings for a little bit but no way is he out of the top 5 ever

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280driver
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7/23/2025 7:03am
I cant remember who said it because I'm listening to too many moto pods lately. But Max Antsie was saying people might be underestimating the difference...

I cant remember who said it because I'm listening to too many moto pods lately. But Max Antsie was saying people might be underestimating the difference between the works GP bikes and the production based AMA bikes. KTM over there has the bikes so dialed with any kind of hand built parts you can imagine. It just seems like if Prado isnt comfortable he's not going to push. If he's not trying to win he's fine just riding the races basically testing. Forkner kind of said something similar on Pulp. When hes back in 13th, he's not pushing hard to pass a guy for 12th. Does anyone really think Chase is going to struggle that much on the Kawi? He might be chasing settings for a little bit but no way is he out of the top 5 ever

We know the stock bike is down on power but is generally praised for its handling and forgiving chassis.  Power can be found numerous ways (stock bike wakes up with a pipe and holes in the airbox cover).  The bike just can’t be THIS far off from podium performance underneath a good rider.  

5
burn1986
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7/23/2025 8:01am Edited Date/Time 7/23/2025 8:02am

Everyone can see that Prado needs to grow up, that’s exactly what’s happening here. 

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7/23/2025 9:03am

DB is reporting JA21 is done officially at Kawi (see latest vid). This departure (which has not been pretty) and then the Prado situation must make for one miserable rig to be in right now.

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Press516
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Fantasy
7/23/2025 9:27am

What a mess this is. Chase racing the KX will show how much of it has really been the bike...

And frankly, I think it's only going to make this situation look worse...

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chasetwo79
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7/23/2025 9:41am
DB is reporting JA21 is done officially at Kawi (see latest vid). This departure (which has not been pretty) and then the Prado situation must make...

DB is reporting JA21 is done officially at Kawi (see latest vid). This departure (which has not been pretty) and then the Prado situation must make for one miserable rig to be in right now.

Everyone has known that he is leaving. Jason and Kawi haven't had any beef and it hasn't been messy. His situation and Jorge's are not related 

10
7/23/2025 9:42am

Wouldn't be something if Prado got out of his contract, went back to Europe and then Kawisaki signed Marchbanks to be Sextons teammate?

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Cbrit95
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7/23/2025 9:49am

What a mess this is. Chase racing the KX will show how much of it has really been the bike...

Press516 wrote:

And frankly, I think it's only going to make this situation look worse...

did we forget how long it took Chase to get sorted on the KTM? 

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toomanykaws
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7/23/2025 9:56am
Marchbanks would fit that 450 well. Tickle already been working with him this year.
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971_Fan
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7/23/2025 10:11am

Seeing Prado ride around in 20th was disheartening.  He needs a serious reset imo,  and I hope he gets it because his results are not matching his talent. 

1
7/23/2025 10:11am
I cant remember who said it because I'm listening to too many moto pods lately. But Max Antsie was saying people might be underestimating the difference...

I cant remember who said it because I'm listening to too many moto pods lately. But Max Antsie was saying people might be underestimating the difference between the works GP bikes and the production based AMA bikes. KTM over there has the bikes so dialed with any kind of hand built parts you can imagine. It just seems like if Prado isnt comfortable he's not going to push. If he's not trying to win he's fine just riding the races basically testing. Forkner kind of said something similar on Pulp. When hes back in 13th, he's not pushing hard to pass a guy for 12th. Does anyone really think Chase is going to struggle that much on the Kawi? He might be chasing settings for a little bit but no way is he out of the top 5 ever

One of my thoughts was something along these lines. Because the GP's can have different frames and all that, is Prado struggling because he has to be on a production based motorcycle?

I fail to believe that Kawi can't build a KX450 that puts out as much power as they want and that they can't move it around anywhere they want. UNLESS they have decided they don't want to do it. You just cannot convince me that Kawi doesn't have the ability to make their bike just as fast as the Honda, KTM or Yami.

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2
7/23/2025 10:13am
Marchbanks would fit that 450 well. Tickle already been working with him this year.

He’d be a great fill in, but unfortunately, Mitch needs him.

7/23/2025 10:22am
burn1986 wrote:

I can’t help but wait for a “Kawasaki and Prado part ways” headline soon.

If he does a tight fair race track with two 100 yard whoop section .s And I,m there on the DBP with my butter soft forks & a shock that kicks sideways into the next county .  And I get the big check with all the cotton candy & corn dogs I can eat .  His contract might be up . Or I become rich releasing whoop clipping videos. Haha 

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GrapeApe
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7/23/2025 10:30am

What a mess this is. Chase racing the KX will show how much of it has really been the bike...

Press516 wrote:

And frankly, I think it's only going to make this situation look worse...

Cbrit95 wrote:

did we forget how long it took Chase to get sorted on the KTM? 

True but despite that Chase got 3rd o/a in his first outdoor race on the KTM, and won his second race. I think Kawi would be cool with that. 

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