Panic Button for Chase/Kawi?

Johnny Ringo
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5/18/2026 7:14am
soggy wrote:

Bummer for garret if he loses his ride. Justin cooper would make sense but I’m not sold on Hampshire or mookie because of age/ injury concerns. 

Motofinne wrote:
That was always the big risk for him. A one year deal leaves you in a shitty situation if you don't overperform if there are better...

That was always the big risk for him. A one year deal leaves you in a shitty situation if you don't overperform if there are better riders available. And Marchbanks has barely, barely been on par. Shitty situation for him but he hasn't performed to warrant the ride over guys like Cooper, Mookie, RJ if those riders are available and willing to sign for Kawasaki.

The good thing is that he has the summer to make an impact and maybe sway the management to keep him.

soggy wrote:

Unfortunately I do t think outdoor results really sway decisions anymore. 

Dylan had to go to a privateer team not long after he won an outdoor title. 

He had two years to back it up and didn’t, while also being hard to work with 

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ohh_454
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5/18/2026 8:04am
soggy wrote:

Bummer for garret if he loses his ride. Justin cooper would make sense but I’m not sold on Hampshire or mookie because of age/ injury concerns. 

Motofinne wrote:
That was always the big risk for him. A one year deal leaves you in a shitty situation if you don't overperform if there are better...

That was always the big risk for him. A one year deal leaves you in a shitty situation if you don't overperform if there are better riders available. And Marchbanks has barely, barely been on par. Shitty situation for him but he hasn't performed to warrant the ride over guys like Cooper, Mookie, RJ if those riders are available and willing to sign for Kawasaki.

The good thing is that he has the summer to make an impact and maybe sway the management to keep him.

soggy wrote:

Unfortunately I do t think outdoor results really sway decisions anymore. 

Dylan had to go to a privateer team not long after he won an outdoor title. 

He had a Star offer for ‘24, Dylan choose the privateer route thinking it was going to be better, probably the same with leaving DV too. He wanted to be on that Honda for his whole career is what I think he said lol

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1
5/18/2026 8:07am
Motofinne wrote:
That was always the big risk for him. A one year deal leaves you in a shitty situation if you don't overperform if there are better...

That was always the big risk for him. A one year deal leaves you in a shitty situation if you don't overperform if there are better riders available. And Marchbanks has barely, barely been on par. Shitty situation for him but he hasn't performed to warrant the ride over guys like Cooper, Mookie, RJ if those riders are available and willing to sign for Kawasaki.

The good thing is that he has the summer to make an impact and maybe sway the management to keep him.

soggy wrote:

Unfortunately I do t think outdoor results really sway decisions anymore. 

Dylan had to go to a privateer team not long after he won an outdoor title. 

ohh_454 wrote:
He had a Star offer for ‘24, Dylan choose the privateer route thinking it was going to be better, probably the same with leaving DV too...

He had a Star offer for ‘24, Dylan choose the privateer route thinking it was going to be better, probably the same with leaving DV too. He wanted to be on that Honda for his whole career is what I think he said lol

Seems like the new gen Yamaha 450 is worse outdoors than the last. 

Eli and Dylan were beasts on the old bike. 

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ohh_454
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5/18/2026 9:50am
soggy wrote:

Unfortunately I do t think outdoor results really sway decisions anymore. 

Dylan had to go to a privateer team not long after he won an outdoor title. 

ohh_454 wrote:
He had a Star offer for ‘24, Dylan choose the privateer route thinking it was going to be better, probably the same with leaving DV too...

He had a Star offer for ‘24, Dylan choose the privateer route thinking it was going to be better, probably the same with leaving DV too. He wanted to be on that Honda for his whole career is what I think he said lol

Seems like the new gen Yamaha 450 is worse outdoors than the last. 

Eli and Dylan were beasts on the old bike. 

His results were better in ‘23 on the new gen Yamaha outdoors than they were on the Honda he wanted. But ya, they were beasts on that ‘22 Yamaha, hearing Tomac on that bike was insane lol

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The Shop

VHM
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5/27/2026 12:13am
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5/27/2026 6:55am
VHM wrote:

more "changes". Ugh.

Anything top 5 is a huge win for him. 

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DonM
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5/27/2026 7:24am
VHM wrote:

more "changes". Ugh.

Anything top 5 is a huge win for him. 

So they are finally doing what everyone else on works Showa suspension  has been doing all year…..Time to remove the clowns at the top….the real question should be what took them so long…

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Camp332
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5/27/2026 7:45am

I think it was the Thursday Matthes, JT, and Weege show where Steve said Chase tried to find another ride before outdoors. Not sure if he was just joking around but he snuck that little remark in very quickly, then they moved on. Anyone catch that?

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NickoBrap
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5/27/2026 8:26am Edited Date/Time 5/27/2026 8:26am
Camp332 wrote:
I think it was the Thursday Matthes, JT, and Weege show where Steve said Chase tried to find another ride before outdoors. Not sure if he...

I think it was the Thursday Matthes, JT, and Weege show where Steve said Chase tried to find another ride before outdoors. Not sure if he was just joking around but he snuck that little remark in very quickly, then they moved on. Anyone catch that?

He's been saying that in that same fashion for like a month or more now too. I don't think it's really a joke at all. 

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soggy
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5/27/2026 8:40am
VHM wrote:

more "changes". Ugh.

Anything top 5 is a huge win for him. 

DonM wrote:
So they are finally doing what everyone else on works Showa suspension  has been doing all year…..Time to remove the clowns at the top….the real question...

So they are finally doing what everyone else on works Showa suspension  has been doing all year…..Time to remove the clowns at the top….the real question should be what took them so long…

doesnt mean it will work though.

4
5/27/2026 9:10am

I have a feeling it's gonna be a tough summer for Chase. If he doesn't like the bike and we have Eli, Deegan, Prado, and the Hunter Bros. And the Coenans for a couple of races. 

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Falcon
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5/27/2026 9:23am Edited Date/Time 5/27/2026 9:24am

I was watching the Main Event blog last night and DB's take is that if Chase stays flat and level throughout this summer, it will be a win. I kind of agree. Be workmanlike, try to find a good setting, power through and gain some decent results, and prepare to be elite again for the next SX season. 

EDIT: Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUIG3RP9pvE 
It's on "lead story #5."

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DonM
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5/27/2026 10:28am

more "changes". Ugh.

Anything top 5 is a huge win for him. 

DonM wrote:
So they are finally doing what everyone else on works Showa suspension  has been doing all year…..Time to remove the clowns at the top….the real question...

So they are finally doing what everyone else on works Showa suspension  has been doing all year…..Time to remove the clowns at the top….the real question should be what took them so long…

soggy wrote:

doesnt mean it will work though.

Well it is team Kawi….They are the architects of their own misfortune…..

  •  
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Money
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5/27/2026 11:18am

Sounds like sexton is on active ride suspension now…..

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Kyle978
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5/27/2026 11:44am Edited Date/Time 5/27/2026 11:44am

If I'm a Kawi 450 team member right now I am making sure my resume is tightened the fuck up, especially if I'm in the suspension or engine department. All these salaries just to have Twisted doing engine/mapping and Active Ride valving stock suspension...

Kawi team manager role consists of taking a handful of production bikes, drop them off at Twisted and send suspension to Active Ride, go home and have a beer. 

Mechanic scrubs the frame, installs 3rd party engine and suspension, also goes home and has a beer. 

Maybe a lap on your MTB down Luge before the beers. Sounds like a great gig while it lasts.

 

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5/27/2026 11:57am
Kyle978 wrote:
If I'm a Kawi 450 team member right now I am making sure my resume is tightened the fuck up, especially if I'm in the suspension...

If I'm a Kawi 450 team member right now I am making sure my resume is tightened the fuck up, especially if I'm in the suspension or engine department. All these salaries just to have Twisted doing engine/mapping and Active Ride valving stock suspension...

Kawi team manager role consists of taking a handful of production bikes, drop them off at Twisted and send suspension to Active Ride, go home and have a beer. 

Mechanic scrubs the frame, installs 3rd party engine and suspension, also goes home and has a beer. 

Maybe a lap on your MTB down Luge before the beers. Sounds like a great gig while it lasts.

 

It's evident Kawi needs to clean house, it all starts at the top! 

3
Motofinne
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5/27/2026 12:50pm
Falcon wrote:
I was watching the Main Event blog last night and DB's take is that if Chase stays flat and level throughout this summer, it will be...

I was watching the Main Event blog last night and DB's take is that if Chase stays flat and level throughout this summer, it will be a win. I kind of agree. Be workmanlike, try to find a good setting, power through and gain some decent results, and prepare to be elite again for the next SX season. 

EDIT: Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUIG3RP9pvE 
It's on "lead story #5."

Yeah and i want to win the lottery.People on that level that aspire to win don't just accept that 5th and 8th is what is on the table and we go again next year.

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Jkawi
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5/27/2026 1:04pm
251a709d01894ad5b03ff296ee768583
runic121 wrote:
Your bit is so faded. And here's a real photo:

Your bit is so faded. 

And here's a real photo:

image 3013.png?VersionId=iypE9

The Master and the Diaper...

Your one to talk?

2
The Wolf Man
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5/27/2026 11:00pm
runic121 wrote:
Your bit is so faded. And here's a real photo:

Your bit is so faded. 

And here's a real photo:

image 3013.png?VersionId=iypE9

The Master and the Diaper...

Jkawi wrote:

Your one to talk?

Do you mean 'you're'? 

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LP31
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5/28/2026 1:42am

Your mom is calling you for dinner. Your favorite, dinosaur chicken nuggets and french fries

251a709d01894ad5b03ff296ee768583

Mum will be proud of that image.

LP31
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5/28/2026 1:53am

I like Chase seems like a nice kid.

I don't understand the following,

Hated the Honda couldn't trust the front end had to get off it. Didn't even say by to Lars..

Then cant get the KTM to go through whoops pre season and is going around them. Then doesn't like or trust the KTM. Apparently at some stage they weren't talking to the team.

Goes to Kawi and tells Matthes on a tailgate of a ute/ truck that he will have no issues. Somehow spends 3 mths on his set up and after round 1 throws that all away for a pro circuit 250 set up. Now months on still lost trying Active ride stock forks.

Surely this bike isn't that bad, maybe time to look in the mirror.

Star for 27 I guess!

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Mavetism
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5/28/2026 3:21am
LP31 wrote:
I like Chase seems like a nice kid.I don't understand the following,Hated the Honda couldn't trust the front end had to get off it. Didn't even...

I like Chase seems like a nice kid.

I don't understand the following,

Hated the Honda couldn't trust the front end had to get off it. Didn't even say by to Lars..

Then cant get the KTM to go through whoops pre season and is going around them. Then doesn't like or trust the KTM. Apparently at some stage they weren't talking to the team.

Goes to Kawi and tells Matthes on a tailgate of a ute/ truck that he will have no issues. Somehow spends 3 mths on his set up and after round 1 throws that all away for a pro circuit 250 set up. Now months on still lost trying Active ride stock forks.

Surely this bike isn't that bad, maybe time to look in the mirror.

Star for 27 I guess!

Where does it come from that he hated the Honda? I always thought it just because he didn't like the situation with Jett coming up and only looking at being the #2 rider from now on?

The KTM deal is just as weird as with Kenny back then. Kenny also won on the KTM and looked great in his whole rookie season, even won the outdoor championship as an rookie vs Dungey on the KTM. But still didn't like the bike somehow and signed with RCH.

I'd guess Chase signed with Kawi long before outdoors last year even before the disaster with Prado happened. I'd be curious if that would have changed anything with his decision leaving KTM and signing with Kawi. I mean something is obviously going on with that team, there is no way two proven top guys all of the sudden look like that on the bike, even though Chase won races this year but that probably shows how good he is. 
It's easy for us to say "The bike isn't bad", "it's not the bike, it's the rider".

But we have now seen two units look night and day on the Kawi. If Prado is a consistent podium guy while battling for wins while Chase is "chasing" top 5 finishes this summer, that only puts the nail in the coffin for me.


 

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VicDaMoan03
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5/28/2026 3:48am
Mavetism wrote:
Where does it come from that he hated the Honda? I always thought it just because he didn't like the situation with Jett coming up and...

Where does it come from that he hated the Honda? I always thought it just because he didn't like the situation with Jett coming up and only looking at being the #2 rider from now on?

The KTM deal is just as weird as with Kenny back then. Kenny also won on the KTM and looked great in his whole rookie season, even won the outdoor championship as an rookie vs Dungey on the KTM. But still didn't like the bike somehow and signed with RCH.

I'd guess Chase signed with Kawi long before outdoors last year even before the disaster with Prado happened. I'd be curious if that would have changed anything with his decision leaving KTM and signing with Kawi. I mean something is obviously going on with that team, there is no way two proven top guys all of the sudden look like that on the bike, even though Chase won races this year but that probably shows how good he is. 
It's easy for us to say "The bike isn't bad", "it's not the bike, it's the rider".

But we have now seen two units look night and day on the Kawi. If Prado is a consistent podium guy while battling for wins while Chase is "chasing" top 5 finishes this summer, that only puts the nail in the coffin for me.


 

He talked crap about the Honda (and the KTM) for days when he rode there. Yes the Lawrence thing at Honda and management thing at KTM where problems but he did bash those bikes too.

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truck
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5/28/2026 3:58am

Chase won championships and lots of races on Honda and ktm regardless of how he felt about the bike or the team. Always a head scratcher to me when people try to act like the kawasaki experience is just more of the same. It's not.

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LP31
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5/28/2026 4:26am
truck wrote:
Chase won championships and lots of races on Honda and ktm regardless of how he felt about the bike or the team. Always a head scratcher...

Chase won championships and lots of races on Honda and ktm regardless of how he felt about the bike or the team. Always a head scratcher to me when people try to act like the kawasaki experience is just more of the same. It's not.

Nah its the same thing.

Put Jett or Hunter on Kawi and they win.

 

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matze
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5/28/2026 4:33am
truck wrote:
Chase won championships and lots of races on Honda and ktm regardless of how he felt about the bike or the team. Always a head scratcher...

Chase won championships and lots of races on Honda and ktm regardless of how he felt about the bike or the team. Always a head scratcher to me when people try to act like the kawasaki experience is just more of the same. It's not.

Yes lol. Its amusing tho

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VicDaMoan03
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5/28/2026 6:16am
truck wrote:
Chase won championships and lots of races on Honda and ktm regardless of how he felt about the bike or the team. Always a head scratcher...

Chase won championships and lots of races on Honda and ktm regardless of how he felt about the bike or the team. Always a head scratcher to me when people try to act like the kawasaki experience is just more of the same. It's not.

It’s the same thing. Yes and he won races on the Honda, KTM, and Kawi. Yes it’s a different level on the Kawi, but it’s the same thing.

1
soggy
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5/28/2026 6:46am
LP31 wrote:
I like Chase seems like a nice kid.I don't understand the following,Hated the Honda couldn't trust the front end had to get off it. Didn't even...

I like Chase seems like a nice kid.

I don't understand the following,

Hated the Honda couldn't trust the front end had to get off it. Didn't even say by to Lars..

Then cant get the KTM to go through whoops pre season and is going around them. Then doesn't like or trust the KTM. Apparently at some stage they weren't talking to the team.

Goes to Kawi and tells Matthes on a tailgate of a ute/ truck that he will have no issues. Somehow spends 3 mths on his set up and after round 1 throws that all away for a pro circuit 250 set up. Now months on still lost trying Active ride stock forks.

Surely this bike isn't that bad, maybe time to look in the mirror.

Star for 27 I guess!

Chase has said they need to work on the cornering of the bike but all we hear is that they are working on engine and suspension. Sounds like they need to focus on the chassis and or this is where Kawi is inflexible and Chase is frustrated about that. 

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Paul333
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5/28/2026 8:23am

Wait so you can win two SX races and the bike sucks?

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5
5/28/2026 8:29am
Paul333 wrote:

Wait so you can win two SX races and the bike sucks?

Just ask JS7.

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