RV back to Kawasaki

agn5008
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3/5/2026 10:30am
AMetts wrote:
I don't know why they announce these things like its a big deal. Good way for Kawasaki to get some publicity and for RV to make...

I don't know why they announce these things like its a big deal. Good way for Kawasaki to get some publicity and for RV to make some more cash with his legendary status but do we really care about what company is giving free bikes and a salary to be an "ambassador" 

Same with ZachO with Beta they announced it like he was coming back to race nationals or something on it, I don't blame the manufactures or the riders for signing these deals but like who cares. 

I don't know why they announce these things like its a big deal. Good way for Kawasaki to get some publicity”

You answered your own question. 

Why do you have issues with companies releasing cool videos of amazing riders? Not everything has to be looked at negatively. Kawi pays a video production company to make a cool video of a guy they’re paying money to represent their brand. Kawi makes money through sales, pays the video producer and athlete. People get paid, which in return helps pay their bills and feed their families. I’m failing to see what the major malfunction is here? 

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5
3/5/2026 10:41am
bestmx wrote:

We're never getting the 300 are we?

RDnutz wrote:
I had a 2002 Kawi KDX220R that I really liked and was basically bulletproof over the 20 years I owned it. I don't know the last...

I had a 2002 Kawi KDX220R that I really liked and was basically bulletproof over the 20 years I owned it. I don't know the last year that 220 was sold, but Kawi ought to revive it with some updates and work with someone to develop a big bore 300 kit for it. Maybe aim it at the GNCC and hard Enduro crowd 1st and if it takes off, they could offer variants for other moto users that would buy Austrian, Beta, Sherco, etc.

The last gen KDX 220 with some cleaned up porting in a modern chassis with good suspension would be an incredible bike. I have an 05 200EXC and it is one of my favorite engines I’ve ever ridden. Blows me away KTM stopped selling them, glad Beta is keeping the 200 two stroke alive though. It’s the perfect in between IMO

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Nairb#70
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Ivoryton, CT, USA
3/5/2026 10:44am

Mc back to yamaha, that would be a great swap.

It kinda seemed bass awkward huh.

3

The Shop

jambalaya
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Spring Valley, CA, USA
3/5/2026 10:51am

Are they going to hire Weimer so he feels safe?

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AMetts
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Lincolnton, NC, USA
3/5/2026 10:53am
AMetts wrote:
I don't know why they announce these things like its a big deal. Good way for Kawasaki to get some publicity and for RV to make...

I don't know why they announce these things like its a big deal. Good way for Kawasaki to get some publicity and for RV to make some more cash with his legendary status but do we really care about what company is giving free bikes and a salary to be an "ambassador" 

Same with ZachO with Beta they announced it like he was coming back to race nationals or something on it, I don't blame the manufactures or the riders for signing these deals but like who cares. 

agn5008 wrote:
“I don't know why they announce these things like its a big deal. Good way for Kawasaki to get some publicity”You answered your own question. Why do...

I don't know why they announce these things like its a big deal. Good way for Kawasaki to get some publicity”

You answered your own question. 

Why do you have issues with companies releasing cool videos of amazing riders? Not everything has to be looked at negatively. Kawi pays a video production company to make a cool video of a guy they’re paying money to represent their brand. Kawi makes money through sales, pays the video producer and athlete. People get paid, which in return helps pay their bills and feed their families. I’m failing to see what the major malfunction is here? 

If you read my post you notice I said I don't blame the company or the rider for these deals, I was more commenting on the way they announce it like its a huge rider signing that's lining up for the season. 

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Ozy
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2267
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USA
3/5/2026 11:03am

Back where he belongs? I still thing Ryan needs to change his last name to Villomoto

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pkiczuk
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404
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Location
Colchester, CT, USA
3/5/2026 11:19am

Mc back to yamaha, that would be a great swap.

Mc back to Honda, THAT would be a great swap

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4
JBlain619
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1847
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Location
Severna Park, MD, USA
3/5/2026 12:07pm
davis224 wrote:

1st step for him taking over for Mitch when he retires?

Thats the rumor.

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2
3/5/2026 12:10pm
AMetts wrote:
I don't know why they announce these things like its a big deal. Good way for Kawasaki to get some publicity and for RV to make...

I don't know why they announce these things like its a big deal. Good way for Kawasaki to get some publicity and for RV to make some more cash with his legendary status but do we really care about what company is giving free bikes and a salary to be an "ambassador" 

Same with ZachO with Beta they announced it like he was coming back to race nationals or something on it, I don't blame the manufactures or the riders for signing these deals but like who cares. 

Ironically enough, ZachO did race one of their bikes at a national event. Sportsman A at the Palatka, FL GNCC last weekend. Won the class and the overall. Not moto, but still, at least he still rides competitvely at some level. 

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3/5/2026 12:17pm Edited Date/Time 3/5/2026 12:26pm
bestmx wrote:

We're never getting the 300 are we?

RDnutz wrote:
I had a 2002 Kawi KDX220R that I really liked and was basically bulletproof over the 20 years I owned it. I don't know the last...

I had a 2002 Kawi KDX220R that I really liked and was basically bulletproof over the 20 years I owned it. I don't know the last year that 220 was sold, but Kawi ought to revive it with some updates and work with someone to develop a big bore 300 kit for it. Maybe aim it at the GNCC and hard Enduro crowd 1st and if it takes off, they could offer variants for other moto users that would buy Austrian, Beta, Sherco, etc.

Rickyisms wrote:
The last gen KDX 220 with some cleaned up porting in a modern chassis with good suspension would be an incredible bike. I have an 05...

The last gen KDX 220 with some cleaned up porting in a modern chassis with good suspension would be an incredible bike. I have an 05 200EXC and it is one of my favorite engines I’ve ever ridden. Blows me away KTM stopped selling them, glad Beta is keeping the 200 two stroke alive though. It’s the perfect in between IMO

i have a 220 kitted 06 kdx200 that Jeff Fredette set up and rode at the 06 ISDE in NZ, i have put a set of kx125 forks on it and it still goes well, epic bike in the bush, 

8
Jkawi
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CA
3/5/2026 12:20pm

Even without any testing effort from RV I think it could be good for Chase. I get the feeling RV doesn't beat around the bush. He might just tell Chase to shut up and ride the damn thing for a week or 2.

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3
Spooner
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Kansas City, MO, USA
3/5/2026 12:25pm
johnk408 wrote:

Back to Thor from fast house too. Isn’t he part owner in canvas as well?

Doubt he has any part since his sister is no longer married to Michael Leib.

4
3/5/2026 12:26pm
johnk408 wrote:

Back to Thor from fast house too. Isn’t he part owner in canvas as well?

I think that ended when leib and his little sister ended 

1
Brad460
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Richfield, WI, USA
Fantasy
3/5/2026 12:37pm

Stopping on my way home from work to buy a KX

I like how they listed the the 6 x 450 and 4 x 250 titles - Reminder of what the KX was/is capable of..

6
1
dingaling
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AU
3/5/2026 12:42pm Edited Date/Time 3/5/2026 12:43pm
Screenshot 2026-03-06-07-43-34-44 40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12

Jake Weimer right about now

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11
3/5/2026 12:43pm
davis224 wrote:

1st step for him taking over for Mitch when he retires?

JBlain619 wrote:

Thats the rumor.

Go on….

4
3/5/2026 12:43pm
Brad460 wrote:
Stopping on my way home from work to buy a KXI like how they listed the the 6 x 450 and 4 x 250 titles -...

Stopping on my way home from work to buy a KX

I like how they listed the the 6 x 450 and 4 x 250 titles - Reminder of what the KX was/is capable of..

Good bike for the masses like us. But at an elite level, it's another story. 

1
4
3/5/2026 12:44pm
dingaling wrote:
Jake Weimer right about now
Screenshot 2026-03-06-07-43-34-44 40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12

Jake Weimer right about now

Opposite. Factory Kawi was a clown show for him. 

2
4
Moto Nomad
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3/5/2026 12:45pm

These brand ambassadorships are pretty meaningless to me because everyone knows it has nothing to do with the quality of the bike, but the amount of the check. And it's weird when riders are associated with brands they never raced. RV at Kaw makes a lot more sense.

12
3/5/2026 12:45pm
Jkawi wrote:
Even without any testing effort from RV I think it could be good for Chase. I get the feeling RV doesn't beat around the bush. He...

Even without any testing effort from RV I think it could be good for Chase. I get the feeling RV doesn't beat around the bush. He might just tell Chase to shut up and ride the damn thing for a week or 2.

I don’t think he beats around the bush either an I fully believe RV was one of those guys that was able to adapt to the bike rather than adapt the bike to him. Never seemed like the guy that tried to make the bike perfect, more like get the bike as good as he could then adapted to it from there. 

4
dingaling
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3/5/2026 12:49pm
dingaling wrote:
Jake Weimer right about now
Screenshot 2026-03-06-07-43-34-44 40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12

Jake Weimer right about now

Opposite. Factory Kawi was a clown show for him. 

You think he's happy about it? 

Not saying it's right but Im guessing he's feeling pretty abandoned by the industry right about now. Even when you're right the moto industry does that when you speak out

jmo443
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3/5/2026 1:09pm
Jkawi wrote:
Even without any testing effort from RV I think it could be good for Chase. I get the feeling RV doesn't beat around the bush. He...

Even without any testing effort from RV I think it could be good for Chase. I get the feeling RV doesn't beat around the bush. He might just tell Chase to shut up and ride the damn thing for a week or 2.

Yeah Rv is going to step in and say “yeah Chase, bikes not the problem you are”. Meanwhile you can quote Rv on how he had to win first motos against dunge till they got the new bike at dilla because his bike would beat the shit out of him by end of second moto. Rv did make the bike work for him and I think he went a different way that Chase is/will go(ing). But yeah unless he thinks he can get out there and put in faster laps I see him keeping his mouth shut and enjoying the paycheck. 

3
JBlain619
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3/5/2026 1:14pm
davis224 wrote:

1st step for him taking over for Mitch when he retires?

JBlain619 wrote:

Thats the rumor.

mattyhamz2 wrote:

Go on….

I was told that RV has inquired about purchasing PC.  I'm not sure if it's PC as a whole or just the race team.

2
Brad460
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3/5/2026 1:15pm

Good bike for the masses like us. But at an elite level, it's another story. 

He did win a SX on it this season- Cant be that bad, no?

4
1
RDnutz
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Dolores, CO, USA
3/5/2026 1:25pm Edited Date/Time 3/6/2026 8:07am
Rickyisms wrote:
The last gen KDX 220 with some cleaned up porting in a modern chassis with good suspension would be an incredible bike. I have an 05...

The last gen KDX 220 with some cleaned up porting in a modern chassis with good suspension would be an incredible bike. I have an 05 200EXC and it is one of my favorite engines I’ve ever ridden. Blows me away KTM stopped selling them, glad Beta is keeping the 200 two stroke alive though. It’s the perfect in between IMO

interestingly, Beta doesn't sell the 200 or 250 X-Trainer into US. I was thinking to go that way to replace the KDX. Only the 300 which I bought and has exceeded my expectations. 

Back to the KDX models- they actually sold a KDX250 back in mid-80s I think? I wonder if they could punch that motor out to 300 and modernize a bit and drop into the last gen KDX 220 chassis (modernized)? Might hit the market faster than the rumored "new 2T" they've been teasing forever now...

- Edit: Kawasaki actually made the KDX250 into the 1990s and had wrapped it into a more modern chassis. This could be a viable starting point for a really "new" KDX300 I would think...

1993 KDX250 - Kawasaki 2 Stroke - ThumperTalk

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3/5/2026 1:25pm
Jkawi wrote:
Even without any testing effort from RV I think it could be good for Chase. I get the feeling RV doesn't beat around the bush. He...

Even without any testing effort from RV I think it could be good for Chase. I get the feeling RV doesn't beat around the bush. He might just tell Chase to shut up and ride the damn thing for a week or 2.

They’re paying RV to sign autographs at dealer meetings. I think it would be counterintuitive to have him involved with Chase and the race team as RV has reiterated the same complaints other former riders have of the team. 

2
Jkawi
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CA
3/5/2026 1:26pm
Jkawi wrote:
Even without any testing effort from RV I think it could be good for Chase. I get the feeling RV doesn't beat around the bush. He...

Even without any testing effort from RV I think it could be good for Chase. I get the feeling RV doesn't beat around the bush. He might just tell Chase to shut up and ride the damn thing for a week or 2.

jmo443 wrote:
Yeah Rv is going to step in and say “yeah Chase, bikes not the problem you are”. Meanwhile you can quote Rv on how he had...

Yeah Rv is going to step in and say “yeah Chase, bikes not the problem you are”. Meanwhile you can quote Rv on how he had to win first motos against dunge till they got the new bike at dilla because his bike would beat the shit out of him by end of second moto. Rv did make the bike work for him and I think he went a different way that Chase is/will go(ing). But yeah unless he thinks he can get out there and put in faster laps I see him keeping his mouth shut and enjoying the paycheck. 

Doesn't that prove what I said though? He could say, "the bike will never be perfect Chase, put some time in on it and get it decent." Then he can say, "I had that bike beat the crap out of me and couldn't win a second moto to save my life, if you are a champ you'll make it work man". Bike was shitty and he still won. Against Dungey for that matter.

Then again, maybe you are right, maybe he will just keep his mouth shut and just be an ambassador. I don't know. But, what I am saying is if he ends up talking to or helping to Chase, I think it could be a positive for him. That's all.

1
krjr
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USA
3/5/2026 3:15pm
AMetts wrote:
I don't know why they announce these things like its a big deal. Good way for Kawasaki to get some publicity and for RV to make...

I don't know why they announce these things like its a big deal. Good way for Kawasaki to get some publicity and for RV to make some more cash with his legendary status but do we really care about what company is giving free bikes and a salary to be an "ambassador" 

Same with ZachO with Beta they announced it like he was coming back to race nationals or something on it, I don't blame the manufactures or the riders for signing these deals but like who cares. 

But what if you’re wrong? On the last part

1
ohh_454
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Nuevo, CA, USA
Fantasy
3/5/2026 3:48pm

Kawis about to tell Chase, “look at how fast RVs going with his settings from 2014, see just shut up and ride” 🤣🤣🤣

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