Strange to see Prado as Kawasaki`s best 450 rider this season, but maybe not that strange when we look at the SMX standings.
Only 3 other Kawi riders in Top 50. Why is that?
Is the power too vet friendly and linear for the best riders?
Weight? Second heaviest after Suzuki.
Any reliability issues that keep privateers away from the brand?
Yamaha: 15 bikes (30%)
KTM/GasGas/Husq.: 13 bikes (26%)
Honda: 11 bikes (22%)
Kawasaki: 4 bikes (8%)
Suzuki: 4 bikes (8%)
Beta: 2 bikes (4%)
Ducati: 1 bike (2%)
After Febvre title (I believe) Kawi gets better.
That's interesting, it would seem to indicate few successful independent teams choose Kawasaki. Is that because of performance, or manufacture support? I don't know the answer, but it you follow the $ I would assume Kawasaki just doesn't do much for them.
Almost the same stat for MXGP where I find 3 Kawis in top 50.
Only 2 Gas Gas and only 3 Huskys watch out Prado those bikes must suck too! Or, maybe this stat is more a reflection of manufacturer support and contingency then a bike's performance potential?
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Was it 2 or 3 years ago there were a bunch of Kawasakis because their contingency program was so much better then everyone elses?
Do they pay less now?
...And do you think the dealers who are discounting KXs for $5999 are pulling the type of margins to be handing out bikes for privateer kids to trash?
No, but others boosted their's to match. Ex: Yamaha's is now the same.
I remember Keefer was positive about Kawasaki`s program some years ago.
There where 2 riders i remember interviewed, Logan C was maybe one?
Contingency money was major reason, and that Kawi was easy to get decent setup on, good engine to build from.
I think that all changed when they released the 2023 450.
The Kawasaki is a sold 450 option. In my opinion the privateer numbers will always reflect the bike that takes the least amount of work to make it competitive at the level they are riding. Contingency will be a close second place.
The Yamaha can be pulled out of a crate and raced at this level. Paired with great contingency and there you go.
WLNT Kawasaki Canada Phil Nicoletti 2025 Canada 450 champion
PRMX racers have done well Clason, Harrison, Yoder, Boespflug, Chambers, Mark Fineis
ISRT - International Supercross Race Team Frederic Noren, Bubba Pauli, Logan Leitzel, Nicholas Lapucci (one national) Max Miller
Each brands contingency plan also motivates privateers towards the brands.
The bike was the same from 2019 through 2023. Why would the 2023 have changed anything at all?
Divide your KTM/Husky/GasGas stat by 3 and it looks pretty similar to Kawi. Aren’t they all separate just the same platform? Wonder what the stats look like in SX only, seems there are a ton of Kawasaki in that discipline
Not sure if it would be correct to split them since they share a lot like engine, steel frame and WP suspension. Basically the same bike?
I find 7 Kawasakis in SX only.
It’s literally about the same going back to when Tomac was on Kawi.
An update: 3 of the 4 riders are switching teams
Prado --> KTM
Anderson --> Suzuki
Harrison --> Yamaha
Phil, the Canadian champ is also back to Yamaha after a year on the Kawi.
It's absolutely mind blowing we have people on this Earth that really believe the KX is a bad bike.
After being a Suzuki owner on this forum, this situation is fucked.
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Interesting that there’s almost zero satellite/independent teams that ride Kawasaki.
I’d say weight. Outdoors, weight isn’t such a problem but indoors it is. The Honda and Kawi both gained weight in ‘25. The KTMs and Yamaha are significantly lighter, and feel lighter.
the youtube and reddit people have found there way to vital.
and also that Kawasaki is a bad bike is the reason teams aren’t using them…
C’mon people, you can do better.
Half of the people commenting don't even ride
There are independent teams and privateers on Kawasaki’s and I know several racers that were on other brands in 2025 that will be on green for 2026
I think this has a lot to do with it. Privateers are looking for the cheapest option, and although the bike itself can be bought cheap, it needs a lot of work to be competitive at a high level.
Kawi = Chitshow!!! been that way for many years now
they spend all that money, and get zero results.. year after year after year...
Engine of the most expensive thing to upgrade and the kawi is perceived as slower than ktm/yamaha/honda.
Uncorking the muffler and letting more air into the filter does a lot and is not expensive at all. Have people that say it’s slow actually ridden the bike??
You mean like Honda between Carmichael and the Huntah Bros? That was like a 20 year gap. Kawasaki has only been since Eli left, and Prado just didn’t live up to the hype. I’d be quite surprised if Chase can’t get them back to the tip of the spear.
A Canadian and MXGP championship were both won by vet riders on KX450s this year. The bike’s not the problem.
I’m liking Chase’s chances of a podium at A-1 a lot better than Prado’s.
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