Jorge Prado "It was a very tough season to say the least. Cruising around every single race..."

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MotoDad32
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8/27/2025 4:50pm

Walking away from a bunch of money for any reason is more honorable than collecting a paycheck and just calling it in every weekend.

Hasn't Prado been collecting a paycheck and calling it in every weekend all year?  Well the half of the year he wasn't injured anyway.  

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KurtJ99
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8/27/2025 6:07pm

Even if Prado DOES podium on a KTM/GG at MXDN, I can’t imagine the echo chamber he lives in that says future teams will accept his lack of accountability and team trashing. Seems unreal. 

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LP31
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8/27/2025 6:24pm
jambalaya wrote:
Just for the drama, I’d love to see how he’d do on a bike similar to his GP bike at MXDN but I never held Prado...

Just for the drama, I’d love to see how he’d do on a bike similar to his GP bike at MXDN but I never held Prado in that high regard. He’s a holeshot and hold on guy who won in the absence of Herlings

He raced his factory gas gas against everyone last yr and got smoked at mxdn.

 

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The Shop

kicker
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8/27/2025 6:36pm
280driver wrote:

Great insight from Kawi’s main test rider on Prado’s setup and what was being done to help him.

https://youtu.be/_vkjt4pb_QU

Great interview in general! 

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Spoonguy
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8/27/2025 7:01pm
kage173 wrote:
Look man. I know what the story is. But, I also read between the lines. Plenty of guys have had Epstein Barr and come back the...

Look man. I know what the story is. But, I also read between the lines. Plenty of guys have had Epstein Barr and come back the next year on the same team. Hell Hammaker just dealt with it a few years ago at Pro Circuit. Nobody cancelled any contracts. 

You don't walk away from a multi-year, multi million dollar contract because you have EB and don't want to waste the team's money because you can't race....then within a matter of weeks start spending millions of your own money and countless long days to put together your own race team... and still go racing. 

It wasn’t just health, he was also dealing with the death of his friend Andrew McFarlane and wasn’t sure he even still wanted to race, his...

It wasn’t just health, he was also dealing with the death of his friend Andrew McFarlane and wasn’t sure he even still wanted to race, his first son was just born. He had a lot going on, he probably needed a month or two to get his head right. When he rode off the track at Millville, he probably was done in his head.

kage173 wrote:
Yeah, I can buy that. I think it was probably a combination of a lot of things. He had a terrible showing in Supercross defending the...

Yeah, I can buy that. I think it was probably a combination of a lot of things. He had a terrible showing in Supercross defending the #1 plate. If I remember correctly, he started the season late with injury. He has stated that he didn't like the bike, he probably did get EB, and certainly had all the things going on that you mentioned. 

My original post on this was a response to a guy saying that Reed was a superhero who would never give up and had zero resemblance to Prado. And, i was just pointing out that he actually had a terrible year with Kawi and left early just like it appears Prado will do. I'm sure they both have their reasons. But, the fact is they left early (assuming Prado leaves)

Nothing about Prado has anything to do with Reed or any other rider. This is a multi-year multi-million dollar contract Prado signed with an international multi-billion dollar international company. Kawasaki does not give fuck one about a contract signed ten years ago with some Ausie. They do not give shit one about RV when he was in Eurooe. They have share holders and board members that care about the multi-billion dollar now. And some piss ant from Spain that they pay millions to right now, with a support staff the size of the supporting cast of the Ben Hur movie shit talking them pisses them off no doubt.This dumbass is pissing off the wrong kind of people. Who does he think he is dealing with.

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VHM
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8/27/2025 11:35pm
jambalaya wrote:
Just for the drama, I’d love to see how he’d do on a bike similar to his GP bike at MXDN but I never held Prado...

Just for the drama, I’d love to see how he’d do on a bike similar to his GP bike at MXDN but I never held Prado in that high regard. He’s a holeshot and hold on guy who won in the absence of Herlings

LP31 wrote:

He raced his factory gas gas against everyone last yr and got smoked at mxdn.

 

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bvm111
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chasetwo79
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8/28/2025 12:02am

Man I wish Jason would've stayed healthy this year just to see the contrast when these bad motos happened. Give Prado, Anderson's 24 or 23 outdoor season results and we're here talking about what a successful season it would have been. Which also shows you how low the bar for being an acceptable season this year was for him. Now, no matter where he races next year, the expectations, pressure, and scrutiny is going to be off the charts. 

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aees
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8/28/2025 12:06am
280driver wrote:

Great insight from Kawi’s main test rider on Prado’s setup and what was being done to help him.

https://youtu.be/_vkjt4pb_QU

Great interview.
Kawi USA spend 8 races and Taka comes over and immediately find things that they throw in the bike next weekend that improves it drastically. 

I think Prado wont find what he need on Showa spring forks. Its well know that its difficult to run suspension that holds up well but is plush/soft at same time on springs. That's why pretty much everyone is on air on Austrian bikes and they use air or hybrid on Yamaha i guess.

40-50k for a factory frame, jesus? 😄

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8/28/2025 12:56am
chasetwo79 wrote:
Man I wish Jason would've stayed healthy this year just to see the contrast when these bad motos happened. Give Prado, Anderson's 24 or 23 outdoor...

Man I wish Jason would've stayed healthy this year just to see the contrast when these bad motos happened. Give Prado, Anderson's 24 or 23 outdoor season results and we're here talking about what a successful season it would have been. Which also shows you how low the bar for being an acceptable season this year was for him. Now, no matter where he races next year, the expectations, pressure, and scrutiny is going to be off the charts. 

Maybe Jason didn't want to ride the bike outdoors?

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mx691
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aees wrote:
Great interview.Kawi USA spend 8 races and Taka comes over and immediately find things that they throw in the bike next weekend that improves it drastically. I...

Great interview.
Kawi USA spend 8 races and Taka comes over and immediately find things that they throw in the bike next weekend that improves it drastically. 

I think Prado wont find what he need on Showa spring forks. Its well know that its difficult to run suspension that holds up well but is plush/soft at same time on springs. That's why pretty much everyone is on air on Austrian bikes and they use air or hybrid on Yamaha i guess.

40-50k for a factory frame, jesus? 😄

This!

Kawi USA spend 8 races and Taka comes over and immediately find things that they throw in the bike next weekend that improves it drastically.”

-”The team were surprised”…

W T F 

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LP31
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8/28/2025 1:57am
jambalaya wrote:
Just for the drama, I’d love to see how he’d do on a bike similar to his GP bike at MXDN but I never held Prado...

Just for the drama, I’d love to see how he’d do on a bike similar to his GP bike at MXDN but I never held Prado in that high regard. He’s a holeshot and hold on guy who won in the absence of Herlings

LP31 wrote:

He raced his factory gas gas against everyone last yr and got smoked at mxdn.

 

VHM wrote:
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Moto 2 Jett, Eli, Hunter and Tim went past him like he was standing still

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VHM
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8/28/2025 2:04am
LP31 wrote:

He raced his factory gas gas against everyone last yr and got smoked at mxdn.

 

VHM wrote:
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LP31 wrote:

Moto 2 Jett, Eli, Hunter and Tim went past him like he was standing still

Still beating a lot of the guys 2 of 3 times that weekend. With Kawi he hasn`t even been close this year.

LP31
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VHM wrote:
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LP31 wrote:

Moto 2 Jett, Eli, Hunter and Tim went past him like he was standing still

VHM wrote:

Still beating a lot of the guys 2 of 3 times that weekend. With Kawi he hasn`t even been close this year.

Its not the bike its between the ears

Tortelli

Albee

Kenny

Townley

JMB

Herlings rode a us spec ktm and smoked everyone at Ironman

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VHM
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8/28/2025 2:25am
LP31 wrote:

Moto 2 Jett, Eli, Hunter and Tim went past him like he was standing still

VHM wrote:

Still beating a lot of the guys 2 of 3 times that weekend. With Kawi he hasn`t even been close this year.

LP31 wrote:

Its not the bike its between the ears

Tortelli

Albee

Kenny

Townley

JMB

Herlings rode a us spec ktm and smoked everyone at Ironman

Herlings didn`t change brand. Vialle choosed to ride his AMA bike at MXoN with good results.

LP31
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8/28/2025 2:44am
VHM wrote:

Still beating a lot of the guys 2 of 3 times that weekend. With Kawi he hasn`t even been close this year.

LP31 wrote:

Its not the bike its between the ears

Tortelli

Albee

Kenny

Townley

JMB

Herlings rode a us spec ktm and smoked everyone at Ironman

VHM wrote:

Herlings didn`t change brand. Vialle choosed to ride his AMA bike at MXoN with good results.

He tried to not qualify on the weekend to get sacked.

He never takes any responsibility for setting the bike up.

He is bad mouthing Kawi to the world.

ITS NOT THE BIKE

Put Jett on it and he smokes the field. 

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CPR
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8/28/2025 2:58am
280driver wrote:

Great insight from Kawi’s main test rider on Prado’s setup and what was being done to help him.

https://youtu.be/_vkjt4pb_QU

aees wrote:
Great interview.Kawi USA spend 8 races and Taka comes over and immediately find things that they throw in the bike next weekend that improves it drastically. I...

Great interview.
Kawi USA spend 8 races and Taka comes over and immediately find things that they throw in the bike next weekend that improves it drastically. 

I think Prado wont find what he need on Showa spring forks. Its well know that its difficult to run suspension that holds up well but is plush/soft at same time on springs. That's why pretty much everyone is on air on Austrian bikes and they use air or hybrid on Yamaha i guess.

40-50k for a factory frame, jesus? 😄

Taka also said in an interview on Gypsy Takes that he tested the factory Showa suspension and was questioning whether it was actually any good, then rode stock suspension and it was better. 
I can’t imagine Kawi was happy with him putting that out there but Taka’s a straight up dude.

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RACING
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8/28/2025 2:59am
chasetwo79 wrote:
Man I wish Jason would've stayed healthy this year just to see the contrast when these bad motos happened. Give Prado, Anderson's 24 or 23 outdoor...

Man I wish Jason would've stayed healthy this year just to see the contrast when these bad motos happened. Give Prado, Anderson's 24 or 23 outdoor season results and we're here talking about what a successful season it would have been. Which also shows you how low the bar for being an acceptable season this year was for him. Now, no matter where he races next year, the expectations, pressure, and scrutiny is going to be off the charts. 

Maybe Jason didn't want to ride the bike outdoors?

Maybe Jason didn't want to ride at all.

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aees
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8/28/2025 4:00am
LP31 wrote:

Its not the bike its between the ears

Tortelli

Albee

Kenny

Townley

JMB

Herlings rode a us spec ktm and smoked everyone at Ironman

VHM wrote:

Herlings didn`t change brand. Vialle choosed to ride his AMA bike at MXoN with good results.

LP31 wrote:
He tried to not qualify on the weekend to get sacked.He never takes any responsibility for setting the bike up.He is bad mouthing Kawi to the...

He tried to not qualify on the weekend to get sacked.

He never takes any responsibility for setting the bike up.

He is bad mouthing Kawi to the world.

ITS NOT THE BIKE

Put Jett on it and he smokes the field. 

Jett got third because his shock setup was off a few weeks ago. He aint smoking anyone if the bike isnt near perfect.

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PNWMXer
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8/28/2025 4:40am
VHM wrote:

Herlings didn`t change brand. Vialle choosed to ride his AMA bike at MXoN with good results.

LP31 wrote:
He tried to not qualify on the weekend to get sacked.He never takes any responsibility for setting the bike up.He is bad mouthing Kawi to the...

He tried to not qualify on the weekend to get sacked.

He never takes any responsibility for setting the bike up.

He is bad mouthing Kawi to the world.

ITS NOT THE BIKE

Put Jett on it and he smokes the field. 

aees wrote:

Jett got third because his shock setup was off a few weeks ago. He aint smoking anyone if the bike isnt near perfect.

Third is still a hell of a lot better than riding around at 50% and acting like a spoiled brat.

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aees
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8/28/2025 4:56am
LP31 wrote:
He tried to not qualify on the weekend to get sacked.He never takes any responsibility for setting the bike up.He is bad mouthing Kawi to the...

He tried to not qualify on the weekend to get sacked.

He never takes any responsibility for setting the bike up.

He is bad mouthing Kawi to the world.

ITS NOT THE BIKE

Put Jett on it and he smokes the field. 

aees wrote:

Jett got third because his shock setup was off a few weeks ago. He aint smoking anyone if the bike isnt near perfect.

PNWMXer wrote:

Third is still a hell of a lot better than riding around at 50% and acting like a spoiled brat.

well, 50% gave him 6th. So 100% would have gotten him championship then.

He has ridden at 90-98% of the leaders pace, being uncomfortable and "riding around".

Can take the first or the second, you chose.

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280driver
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8/28/2025 5:02am
aees wrote:
Great interview.Kawi USA spend 8 races and Taka comes over and immediately find things that they throw in the bike next weekend that improves it drastically. I...

Great interview.
Kawi USA spend 8 races and Taka comes over and immediately find things that they throw in the bike next weekend that improves it drastically. 

I think Prado wont find what he need on Showa spring forks. Its well know that its difficult to run suspension that holds up well but is plush/soft at same time on springs. That's why pretty much everyone is on air on Austrian bikes and they use air or hybrid on Yamaha i guess.

40-50k for a factory frame, jesus? 😄

mx691 wrote:
This!”Kawi USA spend 8 races and Taka comes over and immediately find things that they throw in the bike next weekend that improves it drastically.”-”The team...

This!

Kawi USA spend 8 races and Taka comes over and immediately find things that they throw in the bike next weekend that improves it drastically.”

-”The team were surprised”…

W T F 

Not accurate.  He said he came over from Japan with new parts that they installed and immediately found made a big improvement.  Not sure why people want to make it look like the US Kawi team is inept.  In this case they just didnt have access to new factory parts until the factory test rider brought them here.

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Silas444
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8/28/2025 5:05am

If anyone here has ever actually ridden a motocross bike with skill, then you know that they can feel like a miracle at 5/10ths, still really good at 7/10ths, and then feel like a complete death trap at 11/10ths - especially once you're tired. I think Prado firmly believes this about the KX now and doesn't care what it takes to free himself from what might happen if he stays on that bike and pushes it to 11 for the next two or three years. And I don't blame him. If you already have money (and he does), your HEALTH should trump everything else by a country mile, even the sacred reputation of the Great Green God, Kawasaki. This from a man who's current race bike is a Kawasaki - and I love the damn thing.

Prado is willing to speak the truth with candor even if it costs him both a fortune in cash and his reputation in the industry. In my weird little world, that's a man worth knowing. 

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8/28/2025 5:06am Edited Date/Time 8/28/2025 5:07am
280driver wrote:

Great insight from Kawi’s main test rider on Prado’s setup and what was being done to help him.

https://youtu.be/_vkjt4pb_QU

The biggest takeaway for me was the fact that Febvre is on a production frame and swingarm.  This means that there is no reason Prado couldn’t get his bike setup identically to what is currently leading the world championship.  It is hard to believe that the best he can do on the world championship leading bike is somewhere outside the top 10.  Either A) Prado isn’t trying at all, or B ) the level of racing is really that much higher in the AMA.  

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Indy mxer
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8/28/2025 5:11am
aees wrote:

Jett got third because his shock setup was off a few weeks ago. He aint smoking anyone if the bike isnt near perfect.

PNWMXer wrote:

Third is still a hell of a lot better than riding around at 50% and acting like a spoiled brat.

aees wrote:
well, 50% gave him 6th. So 100% would have gotten him championship then.He has ridden at 90-98% of the leaders pace, being uncomfortable and "riding around".Can...

well, 50% gave him 6th. So 100% would have gotten him championship then.

He has ridden at 90-98% of the leaders pace, being uncomfortable and "riding around".

Can take the first or the second, you chose.

He got 6th because so many fast riders were out. Probably would have gotten 10th. And he was getting beat by privateers riding a factory bike. 

Flame me all you want, he's acting like a pussy. Needs to grow some balls, take some accountability and move on.

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30minmotos
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8/28/2025 5:25am Edited Date/Time 8/28/2025 5:26am

The take I’ve seen repeated many times of ‘“ even stew rode until he cartwheeled on the pos jgr 2010 that he hated” is one of the most inbred takes I’ve seen.


Yeah totally 👌 , you should blindly push until you could end your season or your career rather than having brains.


Even mathes repeated that line on pulps show this week. I love most of what mathes does and the content, but that’s such a shit take.



He did go on to say, look he’s 6th overall In points, it’s not even bad honestly. He just needed to keep his mouth shut because American  to euro translation is not going well. As much as Americans want people to be open, they actually just want political robot canned answers lol.

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KurtJ99
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8/28/2025 5:27am
280driver wrote:
Not accurate.  He said he came over from Japan with new parts that they installed and immediately found made a big improvement.  Not sure why people...

Not accurate.  He said he came over from Japan with new parts that they installed and immediately found made a big improvement.  Not sure why people want to make it look like the US Kawi team is inept.  In this case they just didnt have access to new factory parts until the factory test rider brought them here.

“they just didnt have access to new factory parts until the factory test rider brought them here”
This tells me Kawi USA wasn’t doing all they could as soon as they could. Taka brought them here on request, why not sooner given the urgency?

Hindsight is 20/20, perhaps Kawi USA thought they were almost there on setup perpetually, and then finally raised the alarm for Taka’s help late. But it does beg the question given Kawi USA’s reputation (from Tomac days) as being hard to work with. 

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280driver
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8/28/2025 5:49am Edited Date/Time 8/28/2025 7:10am
280driver wrote:
Not accurate.  He said he came over from Japan with new parts that they installed and immediately found made a big improvement.  Not sure why people...

Not accurate.  He said he came over from Japan with new parts that they installed and immediately found made a big improvement.  Not sure why people want to make it look like the US Kawi team is inept.  In this case they just didnt have access to new factory parts until the factory test rider brought them here.

KurtJ99 wrote:
“they just didnt have access to new factory parts until the factory test rider brought them here”This tells me Kawi USA wasn’t doing all they...

“they just didnt have access to new factory parts until the factory test rider brought them here”
This tells me Kawi USA wasn’t doing all they could as soon as they could. Taka brought them here on request, why not sooner given the urgency?

Hindsight is 20/20, perhaps Kawi USA thought they were almost there on setup perpetually, and then finally raised the alarm for Taka’s help late. But it does beg the question given Kawi USA’s reputation (from Tomac days) as being hard to work with. 

The team had already developed a number of different parts they could use to get the bike working for each riders specific wants.   They ran through all the previously developed parts and found they needed something new/different for Prado.  Those new parts were developed, tested, manufactured and flown from Japan and then installed and tested again here.  None of this happens overnight.  

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aees
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8/28/2025 6:23am
280driver wrote:

Great insight from Kawi’s main test rider on Prado’s setup and what was being done to help him.

https://youtu.be/_vkjt4pb_QU

The biggest takeaway for me was the fact that Febvre is on a production frame and swingarm.  This means that there is no reason Prado couldn’t...

The biggest takeaway for me was the fact that Febvre is on a production frame and swingarm.  This means that there is no reason Prado couldn’t get his bike setup identically to what is currently leading the world championship.  It is hard to believe that the best he can do on the world championship leading bike is somewhere outside the top 10.  Either A) Prado isn’t trying at all, or B ) the level of racing is really that much higher in the AMA.  

He also said Febvre has been there forever. The whole bike is built around Febvre.

It's like asking Jett to ride Tomacs setup and expect a podium.

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