Chatter Box: Davi Millsaps 1

For 2013 we get to see Davi Millsaps return to his roots with Suzuki, where he moved up through the amateur ranks, and had his first factory ride. This time around he’s hooked up with the Rockstar Energy Suzuki crew, and he’ll be on a production-based RM-Z450.

Vital MX: Tell me about your scooter. Is this factory stuff, non-factory stuff? Is it stock? Where are we at?

Davi Millsaps: It’s non-factory stuff but what we have I feel is just as good if not better. I like the bike; I love it. The whole team’s working really hard to get all the stuff handled, especially it being their truly first shot at the 450 class other than a couple years ago with Hahn. This is their first full-time, full program, everything. They’re working really hard on it and I’m pumped to be a part of it.

You were saying even the factory guys run a lot of stock stuff?

That’s what I’ve heard. They run production linkage and stuff like that. The bike can’t really be that gnarly because it has to be something that the rest of the people can buy, except for the engine and maybe some stuff that’s lighter or whatnot. But I’m happy with my bike. Even if we don’t have factory support I’m still behind these guys and the Rockstar team 100%.

When we were talking earlier, you were saying that going the more production route was some of your decision?

It was. Just so I felt like if I went over here I could kind of have a say in what I wanted and help develop the team and the bike that I’m riding. It was a big decision on my part and the team that’s around me as far as Ezra and Brock helping me out, and Britney, Pablo...just everyone. So it was a big decision on all of our parts; we all kind of leaned this way. It’s been working good so far.

Does it actually give you a little more flexibility, too?

Well, it’s kind of a big team deal. Everything’s included in the team. I got to keep my helmet, which was cool, but everything else is included. It gives me a lot more breathing room as far as flexibility and the matter of what I can put on my bike and what I can’t. If I want to try something I can, instead of having I’m not allowed to try it. So I think that was definitely a big decision that we looked at for sure. I think we’re headed the right way.