Posts
73
Joined
2/10/2025
Location
Allegany, NY, USA
With Ken Roczen stating Suzuki is stepping back in, could we see them try and grab a guy like Shimoda for a 450 ride in 2027? I know Lars has stated they would field a third 450 for Jo, and i doubt Honda will let him slip away?. This is just me being hypothetical, if Suzuki is looking to come back into the sport and take a big swing, this could be their guy. The way Ken Roczen sounded, they will have a new RMZ in the next year or two. The DRZ got a complete overhaul, GSXR lineup is following not far behind, would only make sense the RMZ's are coming next.
First thing first. There would need to be a new RMZ. Then there would need to be a factory Suzuki team. To see that all unfolding within the next year is pretty far fetched.
No, Jo is working on a two-year extension with Honda...so no way for 2027.
Honda would be stupid to let Jo go. They can always find budget for another 450, he’s fast and exciting and he seems to fit in so well with Honda and the Lawrence’s. If they let him go they are idiots
Also could say the same for star and Eli.
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Free shipping: VITALMX
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
MC and RC would like a word with you.
Those are all good points and valid but they’ve never gotten in the way of good riders leaving treats.
You could argue that Honda Management is vastly different than those days.
Not to mention Valentino Rossi..
Eli tied Yamaha’s (where the money for the 450 riders comes from) hands by not committing to anything more than a year at a time with a looming retirement. When Eli decided to stick around a couple more seasons Yamaha had already made plans with and commitments to other riders.
Why would Shimoda want to ruin his career?
As someone beat me to say, very different team at Honda now. Plus, they were probably stupid to let them go back then too.
I always have thought Jo would be good at KTM. He’s got a little bit of Dungey style with a touch more flair. He’s prudent and a little too polite sometimes. I’d like to see what he could do with a steel frame and Decoster’s mental management.
But he’s not going anywhere.
One of the teams that wanted him was Rockstar Husky
One thing to maybe consider -
I watched a video about Shohei Ohtani and how the Dodgers paid a huge amount of money for him but in doing so, the Dodgers had gained an entire country of Japanese fans and merchandise sales sky rocketed. Then again, baseball is huge in Japan and I'm not sure how big Moto is there
When I first heard that rumor I just couldn't believe Jo not being on a Japanese brand.
Who said Suzuki was making a comeback, or investing in mx bikes? Pretty sure their next move is to cut the RMZ for good.
I thought Jo went backwards when he went to Honda from PC. The Hondas looked a little down on power then, but they seem to have solved that this past year. Jo adapted well to them and they are working well with both 250 and 450 these days.
Check out the home page
https://www.vitalmx.com/features/kens-keenness-suzuki-engage-once-more
Pit Row
Kawi should have offered him a 450 ride for next year or he should have went to them for one. Seeing how good RJ has been should be a lesson and camping out in the 250 class. Imagine if RJ got on a 450 2-3 yrs ago. Kitchen too. Chasing that 250 title.
Oh the homepage. 😎
Well, I’m glad I was wrong 👍
I would pump the brakes on Suzuki getting more involved. Let's see a e start first.
Seems unrealistic for Suzuki to change course and get a team up and running that quickly. However the alliteration of Jo Shimoda from Suzuka on a Suzuki would be amazing.
LoL...do you think Roczen's credibility as a source is a wee bit more credible than the BS you made up all on your own?
Correct. I was told 1 year but that was many weeks ago.
Made up? How old is the RMZ? Hmm, I can’t imagine why I would be skeptical.
I just dont see Honda letting a rider of the calibre of Jo go, RC and MC yes they let go, but he is a talent and the Japanese thing has to be massive for them
Post a reply to: Jo Shimoda Factory Suzuki