Sexton's problem is not the Kawasaki

Since Chase Sexton's move to Kawasaki, almost every mixed result has been blamed on the bike. After the second AMA Pro Motocross However, this view is met with opposition in Hangtown – namely from two riders whose opinions carry weight in American motocross.

Ryan Villopoto and Ricky Carmichael do not primarily see the KX450 as the cause of Sexton's current situation.

Villopoto rides the KX450 himself

Villopoto made no secret of his opinion on the Tite 24 podcast that he considers the criticism of the motorcycle to be exaggerated. The former Kawasaki factory rider stated that he regularly rides a stock KX450. Apart from the handlebars, he rides the motorcycle practically in its factory condition.

He is therefore convinced that much more is possible with the Kawasaki than the recent results suggest.

Villopoto doesn't see the recurring crashes as solely a motorcycle problem. At some point, a rider has to accept the characteristics of a motorcycle and adjust their riding style accordingly.

Carmichael recalls previous championships

Ricky Carmichael also rejects the notion that a motorcycle must be perfect to win races. The record champion pointed out that many titles have been won on motorcycles that had their weaknesses. The crucial factor, he said, is not whether problems exist, but how the rider and team deal with them.

They both agree on this point: Anyone who has spent enough time on a motorcycle knows its limits. From this point on, it's no longer just about technical modifications, but also about making the best possible use of the existing strengths.

Marchbanks provides the counter-argument.

Villopoto's reference to Garrett Marchbanks was particularly interesting. While the discussions surrounding Sexton and the Kawasaki repeat themselves week after week, Marchbanks finished fifth in the day's standings in Hangtown with a sixth and a fifth place.

Of course, nobody would claim that Marchbanks is currently riding at the level of a Chase Sexton. Nevertheless, his weekend shows that the Kawasaki is not automatically an obstacle to competitive results.

This is precisely where their argument begins.

The criticism is not directed at Kawasaki.

No one disputes that the Kawasaki still has development potential. However, that's true for almost every motorcycle in the paddock. What's remarkable about Villopoto and Carmichael's statements is that both now place more responsibility on the rider than on the machine.

A position that not everyone will share.

The discussion is likely to continue in the paddock. However, Villopoto and Carmichael are clearly contradicting the widespread theory that the Kawasaki alone is responsible for Sexton's problems.