Panic Button for Chase/Kawi?

3/6/2026 8:01am
Matt414 wrote:

I don’t think they hired him with realistic chances of a title. Wins, yes, title. Not very likely. 

They don’t hire a rider of that calibre, pay him multiple millions and not have extremely high expectations. Only having One win so far has been...

They don’t hire a rider of that calibre, pay him multiple millions and not have extremely high expectations. Only having One win so far has been a disaster. 

Sure, they didn’t hire Garrett with championship expectations..

Matt414 wrote:
I am not saying this season isn’t a disaster. I don’t think they hired him to win a title. I think they hired him to win...

I am not saying this season isn’t a disaster. I don’t think they hired him to win a title. I think they hired him to win races when he can. 

No way you’re being serious?

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nskerb
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3/6/2026 8:25am
Matt414 wrote:
I am not saying this season isn’t a disaster. I don’t think they hired him to win a title. I think they hired him to win...

I am not saying this season isn’t a disaster. I don’t think they hired him to win a title. I think they hired him to win races when he can. 

If that is honestly what you believe, then you must also think that no other rider currently under contract is hired to win a title with the exception of Jett. Cmon man.

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Motofinne
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3/7/2026 11:52pm
MXMattii wrote:
I'm looking forward to the progress that Marchbanks will make. He was good at Daytona but that ain't a real supercross track, but if he can...

I'm looking forward to the progress that Marchbanks will make. He was good at Daytona but that ain't a real supercross track, but if he can do the same in the next rounds, Chase is the problem. Because in the interview from @LewisPhillips with Broc Tickle you literally hear that Broc is still working intensive together with Marchbanks. On the other side you've Sexton, who fled to the other coast and is pretty ignorant, deaf, stubborn about Tickle' his ideas and suggestions. Brings in Chiz to test his Kawasaki...

Don't know for sure but I guess it was Joel Smets who once said: "Your fastest set-up isn't always your most comfortable set-up" and he also said: "You just need to adapt yourself to the material you get". He knew what he was talking about. He raced with fast, high CC, blunt power bikes who nobody was ever comfortable on!

Motofinne wrote:
I do want to put a pretty big asterisk on Marchbanks Daytona. First, like you say Daytona is the outlier track of the season. It's completely...

I do want to put a pretty big asterisk on Marchbanks Daytona. First, like you say Daytona is the outlier track of the season. It's completely different. Secondly, the 450 class was thin at Daytona and will still be on the thinner side in the future. There are quite a few riders out by now that automatically should put Marchbanks in around 10th no matter how he rides.

 

But sure, it was a step forward. I would just not yet claim that this result is proof that Kawasaki has figured things out.

I think the asterisk was warranted.

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VHM
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Fantasy
3/11/2026 4:03pm

I know Chase was looking for a feeling and so does Febvre it sounds like. Reminds me of Prado last year when he talks about missing confidence and riding safely.

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Jub
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3/11/2026 8:20pm
VHM wrote:
I know Chase was looking for a feeling and so does Febvre it sounds like. Reminds me of Prado last year when he talks about missing...

I know Chase was looking for a feeling and so does Febvre it sounds like. Reminds me of Prado last year when he talks about missing confidence and riding safely.

MXGP doesn't really mean much. They can be on a fully custom frame and I'm sure Kawi wouldn't let it slip if they were, given the US issues.

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chasetwo79
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3/11/2026 9:32pm
VHM wrote:
I know Chase was looking for a feeling and so does Febvre it sounds like. Reminds me of Prado last year when he talks about missing...

I know Chase was looking for a feeling and so does Febvre it sounds like. Reminds me of Prado last year when he talks about missing confidence and riding safely.

Jub wrote:
MXGP doesn't really mean much. They can be on a fully custom frame and I'm sure Kawi wouldn't let it slip if they were, given the...

MXGP doesn't really mean much. They can be on a fully custom frame and I'm sure Kawi wouldn't let it slip if they were, given the US issues.

He's on the same bike he won the MXGP title on and he looked great all weekend. Stop it

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Tyler D
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3/11/2026 11:03pm
VHM wrote:
I know Chase was looking for a feeling and so does Febvre it sounds like. Reminds me of Prado last year when he talks about missing...

I know Chase was looking for a feeling and so does Febvre it sounds like. Reminds me of Prado last year when he talks about missing confidence and riding safely.

Jub wrote:
MXGP doesn't really mean much. They can be on a fully custom frame and I'm sure Kawi wouldn't let it slip if they were, given the...

MXGP doesn't really mean much. They can be on a fully custom frame and I'm sure Kawi wouldn't let it slip if they were, given the US issues.

itd be funny if it came out eventually that kawi is using considerably thicker gauge extrusions for their main spars than anybody else for safety or something. 

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Motofinne
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3/12/2026 1:57am Edited Date/Time 3/12/2026 2:13am

I'm pretty sure that someone did an interview with Pyrhönen during last year and he said that the GP team runs a stock frame, or at least they haven't done stuff with it that would be illegal in America. Just because GP teams can do whatever they want doesn't automatically mean that they all are on prototype frames that would be illegal in America.

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Snapper
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3/12/2026 2:43am
VHM wrote:
I know Chase was looking for a feeling and so does Febvre it sounds like. Reminds me of Prado last year when he talks about missing...

I know Chase was looking for a feeling and so does Febvre it sounds like. Reminds me of Prado last year when he talks about missing confidence and riding safely.

Kinda weird. Before watching that I wondered if it was down to the track as there's nothing like that surface in Europe. Maybe they're on a new bike or frame? If it's the same then it's odd for him to say what he did cause he won the title on it last year.

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CPR
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3/12/2026 2:52am
Motofinne wrote:
I'm pretty sure that someone did an interview with Pyrhönen during last year and he said that the GP team runs a stock frame, or at...

I'm pretty sure that someone did an interview with Pyrhönen during last year and he said that the GP team runs a stock frame, or at least they haven't done stuff with it that would be illegal in America. Just because GP teams can do whatever they want doesn't automatically mean that they all are on prototype frames that would be illegal in America.

I think Kawi changed to the production frame the year before last?

3/12/2026 4:42am

I get all the testing and "searching for a feeling" but one thing that I can't buy are guys on the same bikes, like Romain Febvre in this instance, that are very successful on a given bike, generation of a bike did not change in offseason, he had entire offseason for testing and training and they still claims that they are "searching for a feelign". This is either and excuse to say "there were faster guys, I got beat and couldn't do anything about it" OR I don't know what you did during offseason. 

The only explanation I would see it that, it's impossible to replicate on the test track how beat up is the track in MXGP moto 2. Especially on the new venue.

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Flatliner
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3/12/2026 5:20am

That searching for a feeling is aa cop out phrase that needs to go away.  They want it plush but stiff,  low in the rear but a planted as heck front end,  power , but not too much hit.  The list goes on and on.

Setup IS important.  Searching for a feeling is a magical phrase to throw in any time you're not riding well, or tuck the front for the umpteenth time in your career.

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Johnny Ringo
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3/12/2026 5:29am
Flatliner wrote:
That searching for a feeling is aa cop out phrase that needs to go away.  They want it plush but stiff,  low in the rear but...

That searching for a feeling is aa cop out phrase that needs to go away.  They want it plush but stiff,  low in the rear but a planted as heck front end,  power , but not too much hit.  The list goes on and on.

Setup IS important.  Searching for a feeling is a magical phrase to throw in any time you're not riding well, or tuck the front for the umpteenth time in your career.

Agreed. The “set up” talk that has taken over the last 10 years is an epidemic that needs to go away.

 

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3
3/12/2026 5:37am

Kawi is trying to get a new frame with possibility of it ready early to mid outdoors like the RV / Weimer era. 

This generation will be replaced for next year. 

Current generation frame geometry is putting to much “stress” on rear shock and the heat buildup is causing fade quickly and thus changing handling as shock speed changes comp/rebound when heated. 

This is a testing year for Chase in SX and most likely MX to. 

1
3/12/2026 6:18am
Kawi is trying to get a new frame with possibility of it ready early to mid outdoors like the RV / Weimer era. This generation will be...

Kawi is trying to get a new frame with possibility of it ready early to mid outdoors like the RV / Weimer era. 

This generation will be replaced for next year. 

Current generation frame geometry is putting to much “stress” on rear shock and the heat buildup is causing fade quickly and thus changing handling as shock speed changes comp/rebound when heated. 

This is a testing year for Chase in SX and most likely MX to. 

Are you sure about the changes to the kx450? On pulp they said the changes to the frame weren’t going to be significant? 

3/12/2026 6:30am
VHM wrote:
In the latest MXGP magazine from page 54:https://issuu.com/mxgpmag/docs/mxgpmag0145 

In the latest MXGP magazine from page 54:

https://issuu.com/mxgpmag/docs/mxgpmag0145

 

8643.png?VersionId=hQnZFTAVz.gL2UuNCT9838644

Well, that completely debunks peoples thoughts that the MXGP KX450 is some sort of magical works bike and that's the only reason Romain won on it.

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aees
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3/12/2026 1:56pm Edited Date/Time 3/12/2026 2:36pm
Flatliner wrote:
That searching for a feeling is aa cop out phrase that needs to go away.  They want it plush but stiff,  low in the rear but...

That searching for a feeling is aa cop out phrase that needs to go away.  They want it plush but stiff,  low in the rear but a planted as heck front end,  power , but not too much hit.  The list goes on and on.

Setup IS important.  Searching for a feeling is a magical phrase to throw in any time you're not riding well, or tuck the front for the umpteenth time in your career.

Agreed. The “set up” talk that has taken over the last 10 years is an epidemic that needs to go away.

 

Its because of the stiff competition, and sensitive bikes and how fast they can go today. If you don't have a near perfect bike, and someone else get there. You are fucked and behind.

Every pro rider from Carmichael to RD has said, you can't not stand still, or you get left behind. Leaving the bike at "95%" isn't an option. 

It's so funny when guys with a minute slower lap times on an outdoor track, trying to tell every pro for the last 20 years "just ride the bike" 😄

The only rider in the top 5 speed not changing his bike every weekend or still searching, is Prado. But he ain't winning either.

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Spoonguy
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3/12/2026 2:44pm

Chase did sign on to ride the damn thing.

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Johnny Ringo
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3/12/2026 3:00pm
Flatliner wrote:
That searching for a feeling is aa cop out phrase that needs to go away.  They want it plush but stiff,  low in the rear but...

That searching for a feeling is aa cop out phrase that needs to go away.  They want it plush but stiff,  low in the rear but a planted as heck front end,  power , but not too much hit.  The list goes on and on.

Setup IS important.  Searching for a feeling is a magical phrase to throw in any time you're not riding well, or tuck the front for the umpteenth time in your career.

Agreed. The “set up” talk that has taken over the last 10 years is an epidemic that needs to go away.

 

aees wrote:
Its because of the stiff competition, and sensitive bikes and how fast they can go today. If you don't have a near perfect bike, and someone...

Its because of the stiff competition, and sensitive bikes and how fast they can go today. If you don't have a near perfect bike, and someone else get there. You are fucked and behind.

Every pro rider from Carmichael to RD has said, you can't not stand still, or you get left behind. Leaving the bike at "95%" isn't an option. 

It's so funny when guys with a minute slower lap times on an outdoor track, trying to tell every pro for the last 20 years "just ride the bike" 😄

The only rider in the top 5 speed not changing his bike every weekend or still searching, is Prado. But he ain't winning either.

This isn’t F1 dude

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3
3/12/2026 3:12pm

I ain't reading 23 pages. The dude never should have left KTM. 

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1
3/12/2026 3:13pm

Agreed. The “set up” talk that has taken over the last 10 years is an epidemic that needs to go away.

 

aees wrote:
Its because of the stiff competition, and sensitive bikes and how fast they can go today. If you don't have a near perfect bike, and someone...

Its because of the stiff competition, and sensitive bikes and how fast they can go today. If you don't have a near perfect bike, and someone else get there. You are fucked and behind.

Every pro rider from Carmichael to RD has said, you can't not stand still, or you get left behind. Leaving the bike at "95%" isn't an option. 

It's so funny when guys with a minute slower lap times on an outdoor track, trying to tell every pro for the last 20 years "just ride the bike" 😄

The only rider in the top 5 speed not changing his bike every weekend or still searching, is Prado. But he ain't winning either.

This isn’t F1 dude

Bingo. 

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aees
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3/12/2026 4:34pm

Agreed. The “set up” talk that has taken over the last 10 years is an epidemic that needs to go away.

 

aees wrote:
Its because of the stiff competition, and sensitive bikes and how fast they can go today. If you don't have a near perfect bike, and someone...

Its because of the stiff competition, and sensitive bikes and how fast they can go today. If you don't have a near perfect bike, and someone else get there. You are fucked and behind.

Every pro rider from Carmichael to RD has said, you can't not stand still, or you get left behind. Leaving the bike at "95%" isn't an option. 

It's so funny when guys with a minute slower lap times on an outdoor track, trying to tell every pro for the last 20 years "just ride the bike" 😄

The only rider in the top 5 speed not changing his bike every weekend or still searching, is Prado. But he ain't winning either.

This isn’t F1 dude

The best riders in the world for multiple years disagree with the weekend warriors 😄

You think 2015 Tomac on a KTM or a Kawi would have won with a minute? Nope. Zero chance. That's why he hasn't been close to repeat it.

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jasonv43
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3/12/2026 4:52pm
giphy 42.gif?VersionId=Wq0181Nbo
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Johnny Ringo
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3/12/2026 4:53pm Edited Date/Time 3/12/2026 4:53pm
aees wrote:
Its because of the stiff competition, and sensitive bikes and how fast they can go today. If you don't have a near perfect bike, and someone...

Its because of the stiff competition, and sensitive bikes and how fast they can go today. If you don't have a near perfect bike, and someone else get there. You are fucked and behind.

Every pro rider from Carmichael to RD has said, you can't not stand still, or you get left behind. Leaving the bike at "95%" isn't an option. 

It's so funny when guys with a minute slower lap times on an outdoor track, trying to tell every pro for the last 20 years "just ride the bike" 😄

The only rider in the top 5 speed not changing his bike every weekend or still searching, is Prado. But he ain't winning either.

This isn’t F1 dude

aees wrote:
The best riders in the world for multiple years disagree with the weekend warriors 😄You think 2015 Tomac on a KTM or a Kawi would have...

The best riders in the world for multiple years disagree with the weekend warriors 😄

You think 2015 Tomac on a KTM or a Kawi would have won with a minute? Nope. Zero chance. That's why he hasn't been close to repeat it.

Of course they will disagree because that would mean they would have to look in the mirror and place some blame on themselves 

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MXMattii
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3/12/2026 6:21pm

Does anyone have inside info about how he and the team are working with each other at the moment?

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826
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3/12/2026 6:29pm
aees wrote:
Its because of the stiff competition, and sensitive bikes and how fast they can go today. If you don't have a near perfect bike, and someone...

Its because of the stiff competition, and sensitive bikes and how fast they can go today. If you don't have a near perfect bike, and someone else get there. You are fucked and behind.

Every pro rider from Carmichael to RD has said, you can't not stand still, or you get left behind. Leaving the bike at "95%" isn't an option. 

It's so funny when guys with a minute slower lap times on an outdoor track, trying to tell every pro for the last 20 years "just ride the bike" 😄

The only rider in the top 5 speed not changing his bike every weekend or still searching, is Prado. But he ain't winning either.

I thought Roczen was on record as saying he barely touches a clicker all season, I believe on Pulp. 

Or am I mistaken? 

9
Spoonguy
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3/12/2026 6:57pm
aees wrote:
Its because of the stiff competition, and sensitive bikes and how fast they can go today. If you don't have a near perfect bike, and someone...

Its because of the stiff competition, and sensitive bikes and how fast they can go today. If you don't have a near perfect bike, and someone else get there. You are fucked and behind.

Every pro rider from Carmichael to RD has said, you can't not stand still, or you get left behind. Leaving the bike at "95%" isn't an option. 

It's so funny when guys with a minute slower lap times on an outdoor track, trying to tell every pro for the last 20 years "just ride the bike" 😄

The only rider in the top 5 speed not changing his bike every weekend or still searching, is Prado. But he ain't winning either.

826 wrote:

I thought Roczen was on record as saying he barely touches a clicker all season, I believe on Pulp. 

Or am I mistaken? 

Ian Harrison has stated neither do Tomac or Prado.

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NicNak
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3/12/2026 8:23pm
Spoonguy wrote:

Ian Harrison has stated neither do Tomac or Prado.

Ian recently said he has one rider not making changes (Prado) 

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NicNak
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3/12/2026 8:24pm
826 wrote:

I thought Roczen was on record as saying he barely touches a clicker all season, I believe on Pulp. 

Or am I mistaken? 

He changed from a rekluse auto clutch to a regular one recently 

2

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