Podcast Q&A

Everyone loves the details on bikes that never were, or the testing process. 

Any or all stories you have about the YZ150F

Also would love to know if there is an RMZ or WR450 dual sport floating around to match the CRF450L

If you really want the ratings, tell us what was in Davi's locker haha 

What sectors of powersports are doing well and which are hurting? How is Stark doing? What’s the next big “it” accessory or item? Is the growth of our sport in the professional real translating to more dirt bike riding as a whole? 

What are the riders saying between themselves about the new schedule with the Playoffs and slightly different schedule? Do they like the extended season because of the increased payouts, or are we going to see more SX/SMX only riders? Thinking more of what they're saying off the record 

When was the last time DC or someone from MX Sports did a sit down, long form interview? Seems to be growing issue in pro and amateur racing. 

Make Lewis give us all the dirt on sexton. 

• Are the tire grooving "patterns" something the team develops, or something that comes from Dunlop?
• Is the move away from billet fork lugs a cost thing, or rider preference in feel?
• What is the most time consuming parts to test and validate? I am thinking like triple clamps take a while to swap, whereas mapping can be done relatively quickly to load a new map in or swapping a wheel already mounted to a different tire to test?

Thanks!

Serious question, how much effort does the AMA put into helping Harley riders not wear helmets versus keeping tracks and trails open for us. I have ridden for 50 years, and have repeatedly been told to support the AMA, yet I fail to see them put any effort into my end of the sport. I worked with my states department of natural resources and the AMA didn't even return phone calls, emails, letters, etc.. What do they do for dirt riders in a practical sense besides enforce rules at races. Do dirt bikers need our own organization?

Will Farres be Triumph's second 450 rider in MXGP next year?

Bench racing question: Given that most professionals who have rode the kawasaki say it favors a "rear steering" type of rider, do you think Levi Kitchens riding style seems the most suited to having success on the 450, out of the current crop of racers in both classes? 

Which riders did you think would stay in the industry but didn't?  

1. Does Suzuki currently have a motocross engineering team and test rider(s)?
2. For ML, describe strengths and weaknesses of the KYB vs. Showa forks (for this; Yamaha and Honda's versions). Specifically looking towards '27 Honda.
3. Does Febvre use the stock '26 frame, or something different such as a '27 or factory unique frame?

How are the newer brands of Ducati, Triumph, and Beta faring overall in this tougher economy? Are there any concerns about their long term viability in the sport with many consumer budgets stretched thin?

This probably wont work for this week, but it would be perfect for late September: 

get someone at Kawasaki within the KX327 program to deep dive into the development, the delays, and the marketing methodology behind releasing a random big cc 2 stroke motocross platform. Where did it start? Why? Who's idea? What were the hurdles and chief design considerations.  Were there any holdover engineers from the last twostrokes?  What was the real demand signal from the market (I refuse to believe the demand signal was social media commentary)

Similar to the literature that has been done about Nakamura-san and the YZF400, it would be interesting to know what has changed about producing a 2 stroke, from Kawasakis perspective. 

The bike has been released but it's as if it's still veiled. 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fxr-one-on-one-ken-essex/id349470184?i=1000772220065

Any new or returning(off schedule in 2026) rounds for sx?

Love you big Lew. Don’t forget this part. 

Would you guys consider adding more transcripts of recordings for those of us who can’t listen or watch videos?

How much did it cost (1 year) for you to run your team? How many bikes did you go thru? What were the differences in Mumford and Schocks practice and race bikes? 

Are any plans in the works to bring the Atlanta Georgia Supercross back indoors? With Factory Husky winding down operations, any big name sponsors or teams stepping up to fill the void, and hire talent left behind in the closure? Last, is Roczen winning a Championship in 2026 gonna light a fire in the Suzuki world to produce something new? I know know the old running joke of "Bold New Graphics" for the last decade, but really - is anything new and exciting in the pipeline at Suzuki?

Is the talked about MXGP/AMA combined race during the regular season going to happed?

Thanks ML, nice to know you value our opinion.

Does MXSports have recommended track prep standards (when not affected by weather) as far as ripping depth, water amount, soil amendments such as mulch? Are tracks reprimanded if they don’t follow recommendations?

Why aren’t regional entries capped with qualified riders? 

 

DC was on Gypsy Tales two years ago.

What was the technical issues that caused Herlings DNF’s?