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I thought Reeds take on pulp was pretty cool/interesting. He said it's really more about how the rider gels with the team than the bike itself.
I'm a simple man. I see Ai, I downvote.
They’re pretty strict on these contracts - going to the week before they authorize him to make any announcement about a new bike, and not before an official departure pr.
Not really a backpedal. I still think KTM is garbage. But that's my opinion and all I've heard is how Eli will have a bitch of a time on that bike. Suspension issues and Rear shock fade is not a good sign.. The riders want KYB on those bikes to bad but KTM won't get off their high horse and realize how ass their suspension really is. I've seen more KYB conversions on KTM's in the last 5 years than I've heard over the previous decade..
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The death of the blue pig era happened at A2 in 2022, thanks to Eli. I saw it live, Jan 30th 2022:
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/I-witnessed-a-horrible-death-at-Anaheim-2-last-night,1398939
I'm happy to see Eli get off that fugly black/blue freestyle Yamaha. Deegan can continue to carry the torch for that freestyle looking bike as fits his Mulisha background. But it's about time Eli gets off of it and upgrades his aesthetic on the redbull pumpkin.
The fugly black/blue Yamaha has been the ugliest bike in the pits for years and now ranks 10th in the looks department behind all other brands. When is Yamaha going to pull their heads out of their asses and go back to their roots with some good looking blue/white bikes? Or red/white, or white/purple, or yellow/black, etc. Anything other than the horrible black/blue freestyle eye sore that's it's been for years now. I'll be stoked to point my cameras toward Eli again for his farewell stint on the pumpkin.
Millville 2022 enough said! Bike wide open every where,Motor revving so loud you could hear it on the tv broadcast about to blow up ! Love the guy, He is great for the sport and hopefully he has a few more wins in the tank on the pumpkin .
The Eli we see today is a mature veteran. Not much is gonna shake him. As long as Roger has input...Eli will be given everything the team has to offer. He doesn't need his hand held or motivational pep talks. He may not beat Jett but you're not gonna hear any excuses. Dude is a boss.
Honestly he should have the ‘23 title and the ‘25 title too but things happen.
I remember that race, Eli was so fast that day.
St. Louis 2022
'23 sure. '25? He hardly looked like the guy to beat. 5-1-7-4. As far as switching, I dont see why its a big deal. We've already seen him on Honda and Kawi. I think I still picture him on a Kawi as far as what brand he should be most associated with. Way more epic mx rides on green. He got much better starts on the Yamaha. Beast Mode is from his god awful starts on the Kawi
@ML512 is there any chance you can reach out to the tomac camp and get an interview before he gets formally announced at KTM? I'm dying to know what he thought of different bikes he rode as he was deciding and anything else he wont be able to discuss after the contract starts.
Eli’s Star Era was a sight.
I expect he’ll crush it on the Katoom, too.
So Star has chosen Cooper Webb and Justin Cooper over Tomac? Tomac is better than both of them. Star powerhouse team huh?
This thread needs more photos and less bullshit.
Man the factory YZ250s are timeless machines.
Just my humble opinion. Eli is going to get whatever the efff he wants suspension, clutch and bike wise. KTM will not stand in his way. If he wants it, Eli's going to get it.
comprehension and understanding has never been your strength. Emotional swings and being a fake tough guy on the other hand…
Pit Row
Not a chance in hell he gets a cable clutch unless it's down the centre of hydraulic brake line.
He might get KYB inserts but he won't get a shock.
What good would it do running the cable down a hydro unit? WTF are they going to do...hide the cable adjuster under the seat?
I've got something interesting to tell you. 99% of this sight is hearsay...not hard facts. No one actually actually knows contracts until its officially announced. He could sign with Ducati, Triumph, Hep, HRC any of them. Until they actually announce it, we all get to play a guessing game. And my guess before was that Yamaha or Bobby will find the money to keep him. My guess was wrong, sue me. All I care about is that the guy is still on the track. He's the last of the true grit Legend riders who absolutely abuse their machine every time they're on it. All these other guys detune the bikes now..its sad.
It's a outrageous as your answer
Huge Eli & Yamaha fan myself. Bummer to see them part ways. So many good memories and I’m for sure going to miss the sound of that Yamaha being abused around the track.
I think that they chose Deegan over Tomac.
If they didn't have Deegan ,I think they would have tried harder to keep Eli.
No matter what You think of Deegan, he is young and likely will be racing at the highest levels for longer than Eli will be at this point. I don't think it was an easy decision for them, but unlikely they could afford all 4 guys on 450's .Also Yamaha may not want to keep doing contracts so short term with Eli being in and out, doing contracts a series at a time for a while. Eli and Deegan would have been a sick team, maybe on par with HRC and the Lawrence's .
Cooper looks to be getting faster and faster. Webb won the SX title so he has that #1 plate. And Deegan's got a big potential upside. Solid team .
Not sure they chose anyone over Eli. Eli said he was retiring so they signed guys. Then when he didn't retire they didn't have the budget to add him.
It doesn't get brought up much, but I remember his success on the Kawi too. To my eye, this is a better/cleaner look than anything Yamaha has put together in the last 4-5 years. Regardless of my personal preference, I want to see him ride the wheels off the KTM (and want to see Sexton pound on his new Kawi).
I think he looked that way on the 22 Yamaha but ever since the chassis change in 23 he has not looked near as good outdoors.
Wait so is the goal to abuse your bike or go as fast as possible 🤔 far out man
I was kinda hoping the Kawi rumors were true, just to see him ripping again on the green. 😎
Post a reply to: Yamaha Says Farewell to Eli Tomac