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Hopper Signs with Kawasaki

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Jul 10 2007, 11:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i wanna nail his girl

haven't your heard, she wants to nail you too
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Jul 10 2007, 02:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i wanna nail his girlhis now fiance you mean.

donny hotel when he announced his engagement and bought everybody a beer. nice lad but got a bit out of hand. she is lovely


1987:attachment]
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Jul 10 2007, 03:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>out of hand??...meaning?

only that he was celebrating with all his family there and got a bit drunk.

in the end his mum had a go at him in the foyer in the early hours of the morning after some bar antics the other side of where he should of been.
to the annoyment of the bar staff

the guy was an absolute legend and unlike some others he didnt mind people being in his face and he was just having a laugh.

good luck to him
 
Well, IMO the Suzuki is slightly a better bike than Kawasaki right now, though both are competitive this season, but I guess Kawa pays more (2M per season)

Capirossi ... I doubt it, despite his experience he's a crap development rider (acknowledged by himself) so IMO it will be Randy and Hopkins then.
Motociclismo says there could be a 3rd bike in the box (an upgraded 2007 bike) so West may still remain in MotoGP. Though it will depend in the result of the few next races.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teomolca @ Jul 10 2007, 03:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well, IMO the Suzuki is slightly a better bike than Kawasaki right now,

Well Hopkins fans better hope not, because if this is the case then DePuniets riding would be even more impressive and he might give Hopper some trouble next year.
 
As much as I love Suzuki I do think the Kawasaki is just as good, when they get some better riders we'll see just how good it is.
 
Well it should be interesting to see what happens. A few thoughts. Suzuki has let him languish for many years without any serious or major improvements. Their riders deserved a greater effort into the racing program. It’s no coincidence that Suzuki gets a championship once a few decades. Generally their bikes suck at the MotoGP level and it takes a special rider (consider that their last two champions were Roberts/Schwantz) and special season to take one to a title. Unfortunately at the moment, it looks like Suzuki is/was headed in that direction. But who knows if they will make it up the mountain.

As far as Hopkins is concerned. Well put yourself in his shoes for a moment. If, as somebody mentioned, it is a move "sideways" well consider that this is a major increase in pay. With the added potential of bringing in a serious sponsor as Monster into the sport we all love. So who here wouldn't be willing to ride a bike with fairly equal potential but for a lot more money?

Now if moving to Kawasaki, is a "step down" as was suggested, well how much of a step is it really? Kawasaki, more than Suzuki, has had a horrible showing in MotoGP. However, something has changed in the marketing of this brand that indicates a more serious attempt to focus on their racing success to gain market share. So as far as the two brands go, it is debatable which is in fact better, though at the moment I would give the edge to Suzuki on the track, Kawasaki is on the move. But consider this, they have gone after top prospects like Melandri and Capirossi, and managed to land Hopkins (who perhaps was the most sought after non-signed rider). And they gave him a major pay raise. So what does this indicate about their focus on racing? (Food for thought).

Oh and as far as Melandri being better than Hopkins (as was mentioned on this thread). I really doubt that. Consider this. Melandri was on a good machine last year and scored some masterful wins. However, Hopkins has been on a poor machine for five years, and just when they make a small improvement to the Suzuki, he shows what he can do still on a sub-par machine. I think they are both above average riders who have been on poor machines this year. But let me ask you, considering how Melandri has criticized his bike (throughout the season) and recently his declaration of throwing in the towel, whom would you rather have on your team? Will he tolerate a bike that perhaps he’s’ not happy with? Yes he has talent, but is he really that much more talented than Hopkins? I don’t think so, but considering their attitudes, I give the edge to Hopkins.

Either way, I hope all the best for Hopkins and hope this is the decade for change in taking Kawasaki to the championship circle.
 
I agree with RJ.
Its been awhile since I posted here in the GP sub-forum but I had to post when it came down to my fav rider and my new fav brand.

Hopper is the best American on the grid (opinion) and one of the most talented riders on there (fact).
Kawasaki is my new fav brand because of 1. Hopper rides it now. 2. I own a Kawasaki (Bought it a little over a month ago).

GO GREEN!
 
My first reaction is that this is a mistake for Hopper, one of the best riders on the grid in my opinion. Based on this season inparticular this has to be called a backwards step, maybe its for the money maybe its for a fresh challenge and maybe he feels the kawasaki bike is better than is immediately apparent.

It will be interesting to see how good the kawasaki 800 really is with a good rider and hopefully Hopper can help develop the bike to be competing for wins and podiums regularly.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ Jul 11 2007, 01:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well it should be interesting to see what happens. A few thoughts. Suzuki has let him languish for many years without any serious or major improvements. Their riders deserved a greater effort into the racing program. It’s no coincidence that Suzuki gets a championship once a few decades. Generally their bikes suck at the MotoGP level and it takes a special rider (consider that their last two champions were Roberts/Schwantz) and special season to take one to a title. Unfortunately at the moment, it looks like Suzuki is/was headed in that direction. But who knows if they will make it up the mountain.

As far as Hopkins is concerned. Well put yourself in his shoes for a moment. If, as somebody mentioned, it is a move "sideways" well consider that this is a major increase in pay. With the added potential of bringing in a serious sponsor as Monster into the sport we all love. So who here wouldn't be willing to ride a bike with fairly equal potential but for a lot more money?

Now if moving to Kawasaki, is a "step down" as was suggested, well how much of a step is it really? Kawasaki, more than Suzuki, has had a horrible showing in MotoGP. However, something has changed in the marketing of this brand that indicates a more serious attempt to focus on their racing success to gain market share. So as far as the two brands go, it is debatable which is in fact better, though at the moment I would give the edge to Suzuki on the track, Kawasaki is on the move. But consider this, they have gone after top prospects like Melandri and Capirossi, and managed to land Hopkins (who perhaps was the most sought after non-signed rider). And they gave him a major pay raise. So what does this indicate about their focus on racing? (Food for thought).

Oh and as far as Melandri being better than Hopkins (as was mentioned on this thread). I really doubt that. Consider this. Melandri was on a good machine last year and scored some masterful wins. However, Hopkins has been on a poor machine for five years, and just when they make a small improvement to the Suzuki, he shows what he can do still on a sub-par machine. I think they are both above average riders who have been on poor machines this year. But let me ask you, considering how Melandri has criticized his bike (throughout the season) and recently his declaration of throwing in the towel, whom would you rather have on your team? Will he tolerate a bike that perhaps he’s’ not happy with? Yes he has talent, but is he really that much more talented than Hopkins? I don’t think so, but considering their attitudes, I give the edge to Hopkins.

Either way, I hope all the best for Hopkins and hope this is the decade for change in taking Kawasaki to the championship circle.
Spot on with the hopper/melandri comparison. I personally think Melandri should be the last of any riders chased down. Throwing in the towel is pathetic from any guy at this level and such an insult to his team and sponsors. I never understand how some can say a rider is 'too good' for a factory team. It's complete ......... Suzuki are willing to offer him full factory support and he's too good. No ....... way.

As far as Hopper, I think its nothing but a great move for him. When Kawasaki nabbed Ichiro Yoda from Yamaha, they got the experience they desperately needed at this level. Ditching Harold Eckl, bringing everything in-house, restructuring the team and chasing down 2 quality riders is evidence these guys are really wanting to compete at the front. If Kawasaki allow the team to continue the way it is I'd say 08 is going to be a very good season.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Captain Snow @ Jul 10 2007, 08:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Its been awhile since I posted here in the GP sub-forum but I had to post when it came down to my fav rider and my new fav brand.

GO GREEN!
Haha, I knew this topic would have you come out of the shadows buddy. Nice to hear from you.

So does this mean you will be trading in that Suzuki banner for a green one? Nice. I'm very hopeful to see what Hopper can do for team lean green machine. All my Kawasaki friends are stoked.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (vale4607 @ Jul 10 2007, 08:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Ditching Harold Eckl, bringing everything in-house, restructuring the team and chasing down 2 quality riders is evidence these guys are really wanting to compete at the front.
Great point. I had read about this and wondered what their next move would be, now I know.
 
I'm definitely going to be intrigued to see how Hopkins can perform on another motorcycle. However i do question whether he will be able to out perform Randy DePuniet and whether this will be any kind of career boost for Hopkins. Next year will be his 6th season in grand prix racing and i am starting to feel that he doesn't have what it takes to be a champion in the future, i feel like there are younger less experienced riders that have a greater chance of being world champion in the near future. I'm not just talking about the likes of Stoner and Pedrosa, i even believe that Toni Elias is more likely to take the crown than Hopkins regardless of motorcycle.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rgvneil @ Jul 10 2007, 08:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm gutted I thought John would have stayed.
Besides it's not a step up is it it's a step sideways.

agreed
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chanchan @ Jul 10 2007, 07:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>only that he was celebrating with all his family there and got a bit drunk.

in the end his mum had a go at him in the foyer in the early hours of the morning after some bar antics the other side of where he should of been.
to the annoyment of the bar staff

the guy was an absolute legend and unlike some others he didnt mind people being in his face and he was just having a laugh.

good luck to him
Thanks for the insight. I met him and his girl at California Speedway during an AMA round. The guy was as cool as say talking to an old friend. Looks like a roackstar and has the girl to prove it, but treats everybody like a regular person. The guy is down to earth.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ Jul 10 2007, 08:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Thanks for the insight. I met him and his girl at California Speedway during an AMA round. The guy was as cool as say talking to an old friend. Looks like a roackstar and has the girl to prove it, but treats everybody like a regular person. The guy is down to earth.

this was the same hotel as where we met JB, pedrobot, the hoff , alberto puig and Casey.

really good night, all down to earth and willing to chat
 
hmmmmmmmmm - the jurys still out for me - i don't think John is ever going to set the world alight @ suzuki - he's been there a long time and althought the bike failed to show any real balls during the 990 glory years it's certainly looking a bit more like the ticket in the new 800 era.

Vermuelens recent performances have kind of outshone John and therefore I think perhaps a move to Kwak might just be what he needs - i only hope that they give him the bike he deserves and we can finally see what he's capable of.

Besides - like Al - i'd quite like to nail his bird
<
 
Sellout.

Good luck at Monster Kawasaki John. Although I don't think the 3mil per season wages are going to buy him a world championship.
 

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