All-Japan National Pit Bits are finally up! Sugo 2017

ML512
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6/6/2017 11:40pm Edited Date/Time 6/7/2017 11:05pm
Well, got held up...but here she be! Pit Bits from the 2017 Sugo All-Japan National round I attended over the weekend...enjoy!

http://www.vitalmx.com/photos/features/Vital-MX-Pit-Bits-2017-Sugo-All-…



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wsc96
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6/7/2017 12:15am
Finally Tongue
David934
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6/7/2017 12:56am Edited Date/Time 6/7/2017 1:03am
I enjoy it, many thanks. And when we can find here something about your riding experience?
Rotaholic
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6/7/2017 1:11am
Well done Micheal, just enough info to make us all fizz, cant wait to wheel one of those suzuki's out the door.

Ride report?
tempura
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6/7/2017 3:23am
Nice photo's
Always cool to see works race bikes.
Did you get the chance to chat with any riders or teams?

The Shop

wsc96
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6/7/2017 3:51am
I'm interested in the whole story. Not usual to be staying at such a high rise motel when heading back and forth to motocross tracks. How was the whole experience?
Steve125
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6/7/2017 4:58am
That was awesome! Great job as usual! I didn't detect any jet lag at all in that report.. lol
tempura
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6/7/2017 5:47am
I did comment on the homepage, but I can't seem to view the comments.
I mentioned about the air box grate on the Narita team crf250. Those air box grates come standard in Japan (in fact, the air box itself is also different than the US version). Most people remove those grates straight away when they buy the bike.
6/7/2017 6:22am Edited Date/Time 6/7/2017 6:25am
Half way through and I'm going cross eyed... sensors for everrrryythannggg

Some really fascinating stuff for us moto junkies to wrap our brains around. Thought it was pretty interesting about how the Big 4 all have factory riders on both KYB and Showa so they can "keep track of what each brand is up to"

Thanks for your due diligence ML!! Surely you must be taking notes when doing these aside from just clicking off photos, yea??
GD2
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6/7/2017 6:36am
Woo!
mxb2
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6/7/2017 6:38am
Great stuff, thanks,. Need the zook ride review please.
FGR01
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6/7/2017 9:38am Edited Date/Time 6/7/2017 9:39am
Great photo series. Just like being there.

Note, it's IA2, not AI2. (International-A class).

Let me know if you need a translator/"cultural expert" to go with next year! I'll also test ride works bike if pressed! hahaaa Or hire one of our Vital guys already over there.
Tracktor
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6/7/2017 9:53am
Badass stuff-

The new Suzukis look great. I like my last one even though it was a POS mechanically. The new design looks interesting.

Anyone run a helmet other than Shoei or Arai over there? Obviously the Japanese made connection just funny to see.

Looks like they pretty much all use starting blocks? Heck, my oldest is just under 6' and still prefers them at times.............
Crush
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6/7/2017 10:07am
Love pit-bits. Maybe my favourite web article each week, cheers ML!
mxtech1
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6/7/2017 10:17am
Hey why is there so much English visible?

Graphics, advertisements, gear, rigs, etc.

I would have thought there would be more of a conversion to the Japanese language a lot of that stuff.
Myke
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6/7/2017 10:24am
Thanks!!
JBecker 72
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6/7/2017 11:24am
Those new Suzuki 450s look good. Also good to see my 16 KX450F will still look current. Laughing
Jmicmoto13
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6/7/2017 2:35pm
mxb2 wrote:
Great stuff, thanks,. Need the zook ride review please.
X2 Yes!! Please!!!
tempura
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6/7/2017 4:45pm
May just be the dumbest observation of all but what is all over Naritas seat?!
Good observation.
I'm pretty sure it's Salt.
A Japanese tradition, it's to clean the bike of any bad luck or ward off any bad spirits.
I sometimes find a sprinkle of salt on my seat from someone in the paddock at my local track.,
ML512
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6/7/2017 8:21pm
Bump.
kzizok
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6/7/2017 9:17pm
Thanks ML512. found this on youtube: https://youtu.be/ZvhrmExRwkI many more Sugo videos from this user https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJZwU-K3wvFbV3zTVRleNoA/videos
Thanks ML512.

found this on youtube:

https://youtu.be/ZvhrmExRwkI

many more Sugo videos from this user

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJZwU-K3wvFbV3zTVRleNoA/videos


There is no one there. Looked like about 15 on the gate? Spectators? Is that normal?
tempura
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6/7/2017 10:25pm
Thanks ML512. found this on youtube: https://youtu.be/ZvhrmExRwkI many more Sugo videos from this user https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJZwU-K3wvFbV3zTVRleNoA/videos
Thanks ML512.

found this on youtube:

https://youtu.be/ZvhrmExRwkI

many more Sugo videos from this user

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJZwU-K3wvFbV3zTVRleNoA/videos


kzizok wrote:
There is no one there. Looked like about 15 on the gate? Spectators? Is that normal?
No, that gate doesn't seem normal to me. Looks unusually empty (spectators) around the track also.

Strangely, although most of the bikes are designed and made here (Japan), motocross doesn't have a huge following at all. It's viewed as expensive, noisy and dangerous.
Plus, a lot of people live in tiny apartments with nowhere to store their bike and equipment, and are forced to rent a one of those storage containers on top of the general costs.
Japan has a big consumer culture, but people generally like to spend in electronic stores, fashion and eating out.
A lot of riders I meet are middle aged, own a house and a van kind of people.
FGR01
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6/7/2017 11:05pm
Yep, don't forget the small tracks that are few and far between and the crazy expensive toll roads meaning any trip to the track can be very long and costly.

Going to a National at Sugo almost has the feel of a local race in the US. You can move around easily and have completely free access to the pits all day. The teams are mostly operating out of straight trucks, no big semis.
280driver
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6/8/2017 4:23am
ML, did you hear anything about the '19 KX450?
David934
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6/8/2017 4:46am
Crush wrote:
Love pit-bits. Maybe my favourite web article each week, cheers ML!
This
PRM31
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6/8/2017 5:04am
Starting blocks. Awesome!! Those of us with th shorter inseams can appreciate those!

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