Whats up with the Kwaka's

[BrisZX9R]

Ok…. So can anyone speculate enough to come up with a semi valid reason why both the GP and SBK Kwaka Bikes are going so poorly the last few years?… especially this year!

I know Hopkins did pretty well a couple of weeks ago… until he crashed out. I think he’s a fantastic under valued rider; I was wrapped to hear he was coming to the green side. But he’s not achieving his potential… or is it the bike isn’t allowing him to achieve his potential?

The same goes for Ant West…he is really struggling this year… I think Ant is a great rider… but this year… well… maybe struggling is not the word. He and Melandri seem to be competing for the wooden spoon.

So Kwaka have two pretty good riders in GP and the SBK riders aren’t too shabby… so why can we not seem to get on the podium. Hell sometimes the big green isn’t even finishing the race.
It’s got so bad my missus is giving me sh*t about how bad the Kwaka is every time we sit down to watch either race. Kwaka has to get better... or I’m going to be widowed!

[DaveGPz]

Ducati struggled until they got a rider who could ride the bike... maybe the designers aren't talking to the engineers aren't talking to the mechanics aren't talking to the riders? Stoner was in the win it or bin it camp in 2006, but caught the eyes of the managers and got the chance... is Ant too conservative because he feels this might be his last chance? He's got the talent, but does he believe it? On the other hand, de Puniet's doing OK this season as long as he avoids Rossi. Basically - I dunno, but it'd be nice too see the Kwakas up there.

[Nanna10r]

Nutshell, Drive off the Corners. IT DONT DO IT.

Flush all the electronic gidgets & we'd be doing OK.

my2cs.
Cheers Nana

[Mitch]

I sort of agree with Nanna, Ant did real well on bikes with no/limited electronics eg 250cc or the WSS. Now he his dealing/learning a whole new ball game that he has never really been exposed to before.

Hopkins is a great rider, but he isn't good at developing a bike, for some reason he just can't do it. At Spewzuki it was Jnr that did all devolopment work, then a fair bit of that fell on Vermin when he showed up. Lucky for Hopkins the bike was half decent already and he could 'ride around' things that weren't 100%.

I have a feeling that we will see Ant back in WSS next year, but I am hoping he gets one more crack at Moto GP.

RE what is wrong with the Kawka??? I really don't know, last year we had Burgess saying it was the bike that could take a big leap forward and start running at the front, now it seems that it was a big leap backwards. And what's going on with the SBK guys? I reckon we are fighting the same evil as in the GPs, electronics. The SBK is all about traction control, launch control, wheelie control and anti spin gizmos, and the package we have is just not up to scratch. The WSS has limited electronics and the ZX6R with Foret on board came 3rd in the championship last year.

[HemiDuty]

Yeah I agree, electronics seems to be the make or break of it these days. I think it would do Kwakasaki a lot of good to partner up with an auto electronics firm who is NOT already in bed with one of the other factory teams.

Ant is a great rider, but I don't think he has what it takes to go all the way in MotoGP. Hoppers could do really well if the bike does get sorted. A factory supported satelite team or two wouldn't hurt things for them. And Kawasaki needs better riders in SBK. Either that or they need to leave SBK altogether so they can concentrate properly on not looking so rubbish in MotoGP.

But I think the biggest problem Kawasaki have with racing applies to an International, National and production level - Lack of proper racing ambitions and support. They never seem to spend the same amount of money, time and effort on racing as the other brands, and don't throw enough of the right people at it. I know just from having raced at club level here in Australia how much easier it is to race other brands. I am a fan of Kawasakis, but I know I can get a Yamaha (or Honda or even Suzuki) and set it up for racing easier than with a Kawasaki. There are more parts, there is more support and know-how, and I guess it is just more of a done thing. Out of the box a Kawasaki is a great bike, but is always harder to get sorted for racing because of the above reasons.

hemiduty = Drmsby Middleton

[BrisZX9R]

it's funny how journos, some riders, and fans are all saying the same thing.... get rid of all the electronic gizmo's and let bikes be bikes and riders ride...

I also agree that if Kawasaki had a satelite team or 3... it might help out.

How does Kawasaki expect to get a lions share of the market if they are limiting the $$$ and involvement they put into racing internationally???

[Black Magic]

Well my theory is out the window- I thought it was all Randy's fault but he's gone so I guess we can't blame him.