I know this isn't really ATV-related, but it's a question I'm sure many of you would be helpful in answering for me. I'm a huge RC fan. As some of you may know, he's switching over from Big Red to Suzuki next supercross season. I'm very sad to see him leave with all the records and great history he has with Honda. Anyway, you've pretty much been living under a rock if you haven't heard all the buzz about the new RMZ450 bike from Suzuki. They're talking about it like it's going to be god's gift to 4-stroke motocross. With all the current success Ricky is having on the Honda CRF450R(completely undefeated), why is he planning on switching back to the 2-stroke RM250 next season? I figured there was no way he would look back from 4-strokes now, especially with all the hype surrounding the new 450 from Suzuki. Any ideas?

 

Not exactly sure but I bet it has something to do with money.

 

OK, I'll try to shed some light on this subject. I have a friend who is a former factory Suzuki mechanic and a personal friend of Ricky's. He told me that Ricky was beginning to feel serious pressure from within Honda. What Honda was doing was something that they have begun to do to a lot of thier paid riders: try to control their name and likeness. This is exactly why Jeremy McGrath left them. They want to have exclusive rights to a rider's marketability, meaning that Fox (or any other sponsor) cannot use Ricky in advertisements without paying Honda. It's essentially the same thing that Harley started doing about a decade ago. A rider can almost double their income with outside endorsements. They were also going to restrict Ricky's personal activities. No wakeboarding, no mountain biking, no street bikes, etc. Honda has an impeccable reputation with customers, but they are absolutely ruthless with their employees. Originally, Ricky was seeking a two-year contract with Honda, but they only offered him a one-year deal. That told Ricky that they had no long term plans for him. They eventually did offer a two-year deal, but the damage had already been done. Plus, they were going to force him to ride the 450 both indoors and out. He's only riding it right now because he said he would try it for the motocross season. I have lost a lot of respect for Honda over the past few years because of their business dealings.

As far as the Suzuki deal goes, they offered Ricky what he wanted: control of his name, personal freedoms, and the choice of bike to ride. They also offered him a two-year contract, with the possibillity of a third year if he wants it. Ricky is a two-stroke rider, plain and simple. His style and size are much more suitable to the 250. Roger DeCoster can see this, and he is going to give Ricky the support he needs. Ricky could go undefeated on a Bultaco. Look at what he did on the KX. That was a competitive bike, but with Ricky aboard, it was a world beater. He just has everyone's confidence in themselves shattered. They all know he is going to be fast, and they defeat themselves mentally before the gate even drops. With his run-n-gun style, it is much easier for him to recover from a mistake on the the ringer. If he really does want to give the 450 a shot, Suzuki has an ace up their sleeve. The AMA has a one-year exemption that allows factories to race full-works, unobtainable-by-mere-mortals bikes for development purposes in the pro classes. That said, they could build a very special bike for Ricky if he wants it. At this point, he doesn't want to ride the 450, but he could change his mind (unlike at Honda). And to answer the pundits, yes, Suzuki is going to pay him a lot of money. His contract is in the $4 million per year range (double what Honda was paying him). But the money wasn't the deal breaker for Honda. There is something that every man and woman on Earth desires, and that is RESPECT. At Suzuki, Ricky will get all the respect he wants.

 

LEMME SEE...


MONEY[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

Great response 69HemiGTX. I'm sure we'll see him on the new 450 in the outdoor series.

 

Hmmm,,,, Let's see,,,,Suzuki is giving him a real nice raise, choice of rides, respect, and personal freedom...

Honda,,,well,,,,If you have ever had any dealings with Honda, you know they are an egomaniacal, power and control freak corporation. 69HemiGTX sounds like he has the inside scoop.

I deal with Suzuki all the time...They are a really nice company to work with. Like a family instead of a ruthless corporation. RC's blood pressure will drop a few points for certain. He's chosen wisely. Sure hope he keeps winning.

Can we get Bubba Too????????

 

id heard that about RC, but what about James Bubba Steurt?. i havent heard much abut him. is he still moving up to a kx250?

maybe he'll be able to give ricky a run for his money[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

 

Honda will not be able to buy a Championship this year........................ GOOD!!

 

Although I am a atv person....I LOVE THE PRO MX!!!!!! I just cant seem to get enough and
always been like that. Carmichael , BUBBA S., Windham, get my drift the list goes on and on.
To me it doesn't matter what these guys ride, I'm very glad that RC is turning his back on Honda,
and coming to the Suzuki ride of course,It's gonna put all of us back where we all belong...
ON TOP!!! These guys are all GIFTED in what they do, even the ones who don't even see the podium have great speed, but of course that goes un-noticed because of" no-fear" up in front of the pack. Don't really know where you all live but I live near Albany NY, and if you ever get a chance to see these guys at UNADILLA NY, It's a MUST!!!! "Gravity Cavity" is the most truth in
what a person has for GUTS!!! I was planning on taking my son there to see them on 17th - 19th
for his first time, tv just doesn't cut it what it's really like to see the "REALITY" of what it is to be there in person!! INCREDIBLE FLIGHT takes place and the crowd is in the state of AMAZEMENT!!!
It's truly ELECTROFYING! It's nice to see that there are BIG CHANGES coming up for some of the riders, but I really belive that the machine does little for ONES ABILITY!!! I wish I knew RC on a
PERSONAL LEVEL..He's a CLASS ACT ! I hope I can get him to sign an autograph for my son!
I could just keep writting and writting , I appreciate someone bringing up this topic!

 

I think that was a great decision for RC to make that early in life so he doesn't get burned out to early from all of the demands from Honda. Agreed that they have some great cutomer service , but are hell on thier employees. If you are going to be on top then you should be the one calling the shots as it was mostly your own talent that got you there. A good rider can win on any bike he his on. After seeing how Honda has treated riders in the past no wonder the guys that ride for them are usually just starting out in the big scheme of things. Then the riders and mechainics catch on after a while. All the riders are to them, are just tools and if you think they are more than you are kidding yourself. When you have a company Like Honda that is on top and dumps milloins into a racing program them they will do whatever it takes to stay on top and keep that "rep" they have because it sells.