Why does Yamaha only represent 10% of the ama 250 class?

[adaguy]

I am a proud Yamaha owner with a question. I noticed that in the 250 ama class there are very few yamahas, Reed being one and I have only noticed just a few others. Did Yamaha drop the ball with its rider program? What is going on.

[00YZ426FMRCD]

I was wondering that too....Reed needs some teamates that can get in the mix like Tedesco and Byrne do for Carmichel and Stewart. Yamaha should give Nick Wey a factory ride!

[yamaharider324]

that would be sweet giving nick wey a factory ride with yamaha

[grayracer513]

It was different before the 4-strokes took it over almost entirely. The YZ250 was the working man's works bike for several years. The majority of the Privateers ran them. But for the last 2-3 years, it's been very difficult for a private guy to run anything but a CRF450. Things should start to change soon in the private ranks. But I would like to see Yamaha pursue some more high caliber riders.

[moochie]

I'm not familiar with the Honda/Suzuki contingency payout structure...does Honda and Suzuki pay the pros in the national races more than Yamaha?

[Doug.]

Yamaha should give Nick Wey a factory ride!

That's a good idea...but so far every time Nick has gotten a factory ride he has lost focus and his results have gone down the drain. Instead, I think he should continue to build his MDK Motorsports team. Nick podiumed in Orlando!

[Doug.]

I'm not familiar with the Honda/Suzuki contingency payout structure...does Honda and Suzuki pay the pros in the national races more than Yamaha?

Contingency is only available to amateur riders. The factory guys don't get contingency for winning or doing well in races, they get a salary plus win bonuses. On average, a factory star in the 450 class who wins a Supercross or Motocross race gets $100,000.

[HFD267]

Heath Voss

[grayracer513]

Heath Voss

OK, I'll bite. What exactly does that mean?

[crfdaddy]

heath voss is another rider in the 250 class. they probably look at someone in the 125 class that has to move up or is doing well. a couple years ago i was racing some muddy creek races that is in the lorretta lynn area i saw a guy there that was beating some of the pro's bad not sure but i think his name is kevin walker and he rode a yamaha to. he is fast

[moochie]

Contingency is only available to amateur riders. The factory guys don't get contingency for winning or doing well in races, they get a salary plus win bonuses. On average, a factory star in the 450 class who wins a Supercross or Motocross race gets $100,000.

uhh...Thanks captain obvious ?

Actually the contingency programs are NOT just for "amateur" riders. Of course your right about a factory rider not being eligible for the manufacturers contingency program. I'm referring to a privateer pro rider in a national series.

For example, a pro rider on a Yamaha would win the following in the AMA 250/450 national supercross series from the Yamaha contigency program...

1st - $20,000

2nd - $15,000

3rd - $10,000

My question was related to whether Honda has a better contingency program for the pros (non-factory).

I looked up the Honda contingency program and they are paying out quite a bit more to the pro riders in the national AMA SX series... guess that would be one good reason we might see more non-factory pros riding Hondas...

1st - $50,000

2nd - $25,000

3rd - $15,000

Of course, both companies pay down further than 3rd but you get the idea.

[adaguy]

Ahhh-Ha! Thank you for the answer, that makes perfect sense now.

I am surprised to see any Yamahas with the privateers based on the prize structure. As loyal as I am to Yamaha it would make no sense to race them in the ama when you could win double the amount on a Honda. Thanks again for your wisdom.

As a note to Yamaha, GET WITH THE PROGRAM! Perception is reality, and the perception is that Yamaha isn’t competitive because nobody is riding them.

[riderman329]

rumor has it that nick wey will be factory Kawi next year, or factory support from them for the MDK team.

also Josh Hill a really fast Amature rider, who killed every one at Loretta's in the 125 B stk/mod class in 05' , and top 3 at the TX nationals in the A class 06' has signed on ride a Factory Yamaha yz250f (first 125 class rider since K dub)

[grayracer513]

heath voss is another rider in the 250 class.

I know that. But what does it have to do with why Yamaha is not better represented, unless he's saying that Voss chases everyone off, or no one wants to ride a Yamaha because he's on one.

[RoughR1der]

I know that. But what does it have to do with why Yamaha is not better represented, unless he's saying that Voss chases everyone off, or no one wants to ride a Yamaha because he's on one.

i think he simply meant HV is another yam rider....

[HFD267]

Heath Voss, Factory Yamaha.

[bruntz505]

Ahhh-Ha! Thank you for the answer, that makes perfect sense now.

I am surprised to see any Yamahas with the privateers based on the prize structure. As loyal as I am to Yamaha it would make no sense to race them in the ama when you could win double the amount on a Honda. Thanks again for your wisdom.

As a note to Yamaha, GET WITH THE PROGRAM! Perception is reality, and the perception is that Yamaha isn’t competitive because nobody is riding them.

? If you look at the payouts,Yamaha doesn't fall off as much between 1st and 3rd either,35k or 10k difference between podium positions,that says that Honda only wants to support you if you win,too.Plus,don't forget that Honda is a proud supporter of the SIERRA CLUB.At least Yamaha fights for our rights.

[grayracer513]

Heath Voss, Factory Yamaha.

He did it again. Can you write a complete sentence?

[MXrider101]

He did it again. Can you write a complete sentence?

hahahaha

[HFD267]

Somebody said Chad Reed needed a team mate. I just pointed out that he has one in Heath Voss even though he IS usually forgotten and oft injured.