Who gets the second spot at Kawi?

10/10/2025 6:17am Edited Date/Time 10/10/2025 6:21am

Since we are digging deep and going way back in time for a fill in rider, my vote is for Rick Melon. If he could take that Frankenstein to victory surely he can make the Kawasaki work #winnerstakeall #pradoissoft

s1200 Rick Melon
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soggy
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10/10/2025 6:30am
davistld01 wrote:

After his MXON 450 performance, Honda would be foolish to not do whatever is necessary to keep him.

But would Jo be foolish to stay?? Jo needs a three year deal- 2026 on 250, 27-28 on 450. Can HRC promise Jo a 450 seat with the...

But would Jo be foolish to stay?? 

Jo needs a three year deal- 2026 on 250, 27-28 on 450. 

Can HRC promise Jo a 450 seat with the Bros in 27 and beyond?? 
If they can’t, Jo might well be looking elsewhere.. 

Lars has said multiple times that they'd make it work to give a 450 seat

Talk is cheap. Do we know Honda has a 450 option in the offer?

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10/10/2025 6:47am
But would Jo be foolish to stay?? Jo needs a three year deal- 2026 on 250, 27-28 on 450. Can HRC promise Jo a 450 seat with the...

But would Jo be foolish to stay?? 

Jo needs a three year deal- 2026 on 250, 27-28 on 450. 

Can HRC promise Jo a 450 seat with the Bros in 27 and beyond?? 
If they can’t, Jo might well be looking elsewhere.. 

Lars has said multiple times that they'd make it work to give a 450 seat

soggy wrote:

Talk is cheap. Do we know Honda has a 450 option in the offer?

Honda most likely dumps Hunter after next year. The team can't afford both Lawrence salaries for much longer unless they totally dump the 250 program.

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kage173
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10/10/2025 6:59am
HonDawg17 wrote:

Honda most likely dumps Hunter after next year. The team can't afford both Lawrence salaries for much longer unless they totally dump the 250 program.

Agreed. Also, Hunter deserves to be a number 1 rider on a team. 

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The Shop

aeffertz
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10/10/2025 6:59am Edited Date/Time 10/10/2025 7:48am

Fuck it, if they want a younger kid to develop into a 450 guy and none of the existing PC guys want to move up, just send Temmerman out there. He'd fare better than Masterpool in SX like some people keep suggesting.

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-MAVERICK-
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10/10/2025 7:15am
HonDawg17 wrote:

Honda most likely dumps Hunter after next year. The team can't afford both Lawrence salaries for much longer unless they totally dump the 250 program.

Nope. Both guys extended their contracts. 

Weege mentioned it this summer. It just hasn't been announced. 

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10/10/2025 7:33am
HonDawg17 wrote:

Honda most likely dumps Hunter after next year. The team can't afford both Lawrence salaries for much longer unless they totally dump the 250 program.

kage173 wrote:

Agreed. Also, Hunter deserves to be a number 1 rider on a team. 

He really does. But he won't get that opportunity soon. Unless Triumph makes him an offer. Ducati is locked and I haven't heard anything from Triumph's 450 riders.

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Bearuno
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10/10/2025 7:36am Edited Date/Time 10/10/2025 7:46am
HonDawg17 wrote:

Honda most likely dumps Hunter after next year. The team can't afford both Lawrence salaries for much longer unless they totally dump the 250 program.

"the team can't afford....."

Honda can afford Any level of payment  required to retain a Motocross rider / riders.

It's utter peanuts compared to their other outlays.

But, Honda have  shown, over many, many years, that they will believe, eventually, that 'they' don't need a rider / riders, it's all down to their  machines prowess.......... 

Understand - the money they spend on MX and SX etc, is Not about selling , what is, in the grand scheme of things for their sales of 'product', a paltry number of competition level Dirt Bikes, it's about promoting the Brand, Honda, and All  of their myriad range of products. 

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Blake522
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10/10/2025 7:44am

Call up Blake Bagget

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10/10/2025 7:50am

Do separate deals for SX and MX. get someone like JH46 or Shane for SX, someone versatile and consistent. Then do something with Guillod, Coldenhoff, etc for MX. that way you can get the outdoor testing started early to help Chase. 

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davistld01
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10/10/2025 7:51am
HonDawg17 wrote:

Honda most likely dumps Hunter after next year. The team can't afford both Lawrence salaries for much longer unless they totally dump the 250 program.

kage173 wrote:

Agreed. Also, Hunter deserves to be a number 1 rider on a team. 

Honda won't "dump" Hunter. But...I believe, no matter the love he has for his brother and father, he's seen that he can win races but knows he will always be in Jett's shadow if they're on the same team. I agree with kage that Hunter is good enough to be the #1 rider on any OEM factory team in the paddock. It wouldn't surprise me if he jumped from HRC Honda in 2027 all on his own.

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Teej317
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10/10/2025 8:08am
TriRacer27 wrote:
Do separate deals for SX and MX. get someone like JH46 or Shane for SX, someone versatile and consistent. Then do something with Guillod, Coldenhoff, etc...

Do separate deals for SX and MX. get someone like JH46 or Shane for SX, someone versatile and consistent. Then do something with Guillod, Coldenhoff, etc for MX. that way you can get the outdoor testing started early to help Chase. 

Fully agree with this train of thought. It actually seems to be a more common situation nowadays. I also agree with what someone said earlier about Marchbanks not entertaining a one year deal. He definitely deserves a 2 year home but I don't think Kawi is ready for that. Guillod is going to be a SOLID pick up for somebody. He won't embarrass himself in SX but come outdoors that dude rips.

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10/10/2025 8:28am Edited Date/Time 10/10/2025 8:29am

What about Justin Hill for SX and Coldenhoff or Guillod for outdoors? No offence to Glenn or Valentin but I can’t see either of them staying healthy for a full SX season unfortunately.


Edit: looks like someone suggested this just a few posts up. Guess I should read the whole thread before posting lol.

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chasetwo79
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10/10/2025 8:36am
chasetwo79 wrote:
I am aware. I am saying if this got resolved faster he'd have been there and staying in America. He left because he didn't want to...

I am aware. I am saying if this got resolved faster he'd have been there and staying in America. He left because he didn't want to take a 1 year deal with KTM. Not because he wanted so badly to go back to the GPs 

Did you talk with him about that?

😏

It was well known that his preference would've been to stay in the US. The Kawi seat wasn't open at decision time. If it was, I think they easily go with Tom. Who would've been a better fit for the seat? Besides maybe Jo who isn't taking it

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10/10/2025 9:11am

Too bad Hunter isn't moving on now. Chase and Hunter on Kawi would be a dynamic duo. My guess is Kawi will look for a short-term rider and make a push for either Hunter or Joe when available.

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Press516
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10/10/2025 9:35am

I like Coldenhoff for the ride outdoors, but he doesn't seem to fit the criteria...  Not young, not upcoming, etc.  

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ATKpilot99
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10/10/2025 9:42am

Where's Ferrandis going ?

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10/10/2025 10:33am
chasetwo79 wrote:
It was well known that his preference would've been to stay in the US. The Kawi seat wasn't open at decision time. If it was, I...

It was well known that his preference would've been to stay in the US. The Kawi seat wasn't open at decision time. If it was, I think they easily go with Tom. Who would've been a better fit for the seat? Besides maybe Jo who isn't taking it

I wouldn't be as sure as you are that his preference was to stay in USA...

Radical
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10/10/2025 10:37am

Lars has said they would run three 450's

Have you considered what might happen if Lars' budget gets stretched by the Lawrences? Honda won't have a bottomless pit of money to throw at MX...
Have you considered what might happen if Lars' budget gets stretched by the Lawrences? Honda won't have a bottomless pit of money to throw at MX. If another manufacturer approached Jett and offered him lots more money, HRC will have to match it to keep him. What if this stretches Lar's budget that he can no longer afford Jo? Would he NEED Jo? If Jett & Hunter are 1-3.. He will always NEED a 250 guy too..
3strokemx wrote:

The Japanese manufacturers will always find a way to support a Japanese rider at the highest level.

Jo's earned a 450 ride based on his skills, not because of his race.

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10/10/2025 10:46am

Could Barcia be a candidate ? he said that he did not had anything signed yet. i would do  a 1 year deal with him and then take kitchen next year.

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DonM
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10/10/2025 11:28am
Could Barcia be a candidate ? he said that he did not had anything signed yet. i would do  a 1 year deal with him and...

Could Barcia be a candidate ? he said that he did not had anything signed yet. i would do  a 1 year deal with him and then take kitchen next year.

He's going to TLD Ducati. 

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plink01
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10/10/2025 11:41am
scootch wrote:

Stew is coming home 🙏

Could package him up with Mookie and get a two for one deal. BOGO. Lawrence's vs Stewart's, the ultimate showdown. Feld would love it. I think there is some merit to it.

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wicksy85
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10/10/2025 12:45pm

Luke Clout SX Only deal

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Front242
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10/10/2025 1:42pm
Could Barcia be a candidate ? he said that he did not had anything signed yet. i would do  a 1 year deal with him and...

Could Barcia be a candidate ? he said that he did not had anything signed yet. i would do  a 1 year deal with him and then take kitchen next year.

DonM wrote:

He's going to TLD Ducati. 

that's not official yet

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10/10/2025 2:07pm
But would Jo be foolish to stay?? Jo needs a three year deal- 2026 on 250, 27-28 on 450. Can HRC promise Jo a 450 seat with the...

But would Jo be foolish to stay?? 

Jo needs a three year deal- 2026 on 250, 27-28 on 450. 

Can HRC promise Jo a 450 seat with the Bros in 27 and beyond?? 
If they can’t, Jo might well be looking elsewhere.. 

Lars has said multiple times that they'd make it work to give a 450 seat

soggy wrote:

Talk is cheap. Do we know Honda has a 450 option in the offer?

And if they do, is it just one year? Because what does just one year on a 450 do for Jo? I had someone tell me in another discussion, Lars said they will make room for him you idiot. Ok, lets see if Jo gets a deal with a coupke years on a 450

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10/10/2025 2:14pm

Lars has said multiple times that they'd make it work to give a 450 seat

soggy wrote:

Talk is cheap. Do we know Honda has a 450 option in the offer?

And if they do, is it just one year? Because what does just one year on a 450 do for Jo? I had someone tell me...

And if they do, is it just one year? Because what does just one year on a 450 do for Jo? I had someone tell me in another discussion, Lars said they will make room for him you idiot. Ok, lets see if Jo gets a deal with a coupke years on a 450

Exactly. Jo needs to be looking for a secure seat with a lengthy tenure, stability and commitment. 

And it looks as if The Hunters are red for life & Honda are very satisfied with that. 
If I was Jo, I’d be wary of putting all my eggs in the red basket after 2026. 

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AZ35
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10/10/2025 2:28pm

Within 2-3 years I wouldn't be surprised to see Jett, Hunter, and Jo on their "own" team program with Honda supplying works bikes- but they do their own team sponsor deals. Kind of like what Chad Reed did but with multiple riders and factory bikes.

Seems like Hunter and Jett want to stay together, and they love Jo, Honda may or may not be open to 3 450 riders salaries but if they do their own deals as a team package could be a more lucrative scenario for all involved. Or not, I don't know shit. 

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mx691
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10/10/2025 2:30pm Edited Date/Time 10/10/2025 2:31pm
TriRacer27 wrote:
Do separate deals for SX and MX. get someone like JH46 or Shane for SX, someone versatile and consistent. Then do something with Guillod, Coldenhoff, etc...

Do separate deals for SX and MX. get someone like JH46 or Shane for SX, someone versatile and consistent. Then do something with Guillod, Coldenhoff, etc for MX. that way you can get the outdoor testing started early to help Chase. 

And if so, let Guillod race Daytona!

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davistld01
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10/10/2025 2:35pm
ATKpilot99 wrote:

Where's Ferrandis going ?

Ducati with Barcia?

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