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2398
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3/4/2013
Location
Galveston, TX, USA
Edited Date/Time
22 hours ago
Who will be the next championship caliber rider to go to Kawasaki?
Obviously Kitchen is a likely transfer.
My wife and I were talking, I think there is potential Kawi flashes some serious money and Cole Davies makes the jump. I just don’t see Davies and Deegan working on the same team long term.
Others like Beaumer and Shimoda are likely bids too
Any top caliber champion type rider that wants to win won't touch Kawi with a barge pole unless they get their shit straightened out.
Malcolm, it seems?
https://racerxonline.com/2026/10/28/malcolm-stewart-joins-monster-energy-kawasaki-garrett-marchbanks-returns-to-team-for-second-year
Old news really...
Yes, Malcom on Kawi is old news.
I’m talking in 2028 and beyond, top caliber, championship, podium consistent, top 5 rider.
Fortunately Kawasaki is currently selling the most bikes in the US of all of the manufacturers, so hopefully they'll spend some money to turn things around.
What if Garrett and Mookie do it this year?
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Top caliper?
I'd say Brembo, Nissin, ByBre, then BracTec in that order.
Takes a risk on FACTORY KAWASAKI? Really?
Yes, they just had two riders exit early from their contracts but they were also two of the most finicky riders in paddock. It's not a great look for them, but I am certain Kawi will figure out whatever the secret sauce is in the near future.
Remember when Suzuki's were under powered in the 2-stroke era? Remember the '09 gen CRFs? Remember the 2010-gen YZ450F? Or KTMs before the Roger D and Dungey revolution?
All manufacturers and factory teams have their dips, then rebound and come back swinging. Seems Kawasaki can only go up from here.
Also, Marchbanks seems quite comfortable on the green machine. And I have a feeling it's going to jibe pretty well for Malcolm too.
"Fortunately Kawasaki is currently selling the most bikes in the US of all of the manufacturers"
Do you have a source?
what shit?.......you don't know anything about their "shit". My guess is Malcom will have some nice finishes as well as Garrett. Febvre did just fine on Kawasaki:
2020 MXGP 4th
2021 MXGP 2nd
2022 MXGP 14th (missed 10 GPs due to injury)
2023 MXGP 2nd
2024 MXGP 5th (missed 4 GPs due to injury)
2025 MXGP 1st
2026 MXGP 2nd
get the right rider (mainly a guy who can win and doesn't QUIT and the bike is good). i believe the team can be more flexible with trying new things, but that is an issue with all teams to an extent.
https://powersportsbusiness.com/top-stories/2025/12/10/kawasaki-surges-to-no-1-in-the-u-s-motorcycle-market-as-harley-falls-to-third-reports/
Davies is locked up at Star for a while, I don’t think he’s going there anytime soon.
Dang, you got me good lol
I’m not aware of Davies current contract, best I find on google is he signed a multi year in 24.
I’m thinking 28 he could be open to moving 450 and signing a new contract. I’m sure Bobby will want to keep him, but there will be other offers for sure
The Kawi that Febvre rides and the Kawis they have here in the states are very different bikes. It is not a comparison that works.
Marchbanks may seem comfortable and for all I know he is, but his options are also very limited. It is unlikely he would land another factory ride on a major manufacturer if he left Kawi so it is in his best interest to keep his mouth shut even if he was unhappy with the bike. He just doesn't have the same leverage as Sexton does in finding a new ride.
It’s going to be a few years I’d guess.
I read the same thing a month or two ago.
Kawasaki USA landed a new leader who I believe came over from Japan.
When this happened was when the news came out that Kawi sold the most bikes in the America.
I suppose a quick search may answer this.
I also saw the article showing Kawasaki sold more bikes than other manufacturers, but that includes road bikes, I haven't seen any breakdowns showing off road by model and brand.
Idk but we need to get Vince Friese off of Kawi. Too much of a coincidence that everything is going to shit since he started riding them. 🤨
Pit Row
Didn’t this thread already get started?
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/moto-related/so-who-goes-burning-buildin…
I'm just impressed that factory Kawi picks are apparently kitchen table topics in your household! 😄
Pics of wife or it didn't happen!
Things are never usually as good, or bad, as they seem.
The apparently broken pipeline from PC to the Factory Team is a recurring issue for them.
If I were them I would be making plans to get Hammaker and Kitchen there in short order.
We desperately need SX to start soon 😂
Multiple M/C industry news sources have reported it, several months ago.
Google is your friend. I don't feel compelled to provide you with news you have missed.
I've read here on Vital that Febvre's riding a stock frame, so the bikes are very similar.
He’s signed a 450 deal for 28-29.
i like mitutoyos
Kevin Sherman
That’s like saying the Yamaha TimGajser couldn’t get a win on or be competitive on this year except a couple races is the same as the Star Yamaha, it just isn’t which is why Tim has been testing Star equipment. A team makes a bike perform better or worse for a rider.
Yes Marchbanks isnt in the position to be openly unhappy with the bike. As harsh as it sounds but its truth.
Good example for this, when Sextons bike cut out mid air which ended his season, Marchbanks had also issues with his bike on that day. He was pointing down when going by the mechanics area. Lewis asked him about this afterwards and he just refused to answer.
Post a reply to: Who takes the risk on Kawasaki?