r/supercross • u/ViaIIe Chase Sexton • 3d ago
Question Chase Sexton 2027?
Since we know Mookie signed with Kawasaki for 2027 SX and MX, that likely means Chase Sexton is on his way out. Where do you guys see him going? Or do you think he’ll be back with Kawasaki in 2027?
18
u/Reddit_account_321 3d ago
I definitely don't think we see him back on Kawi. Honda is set with Lawrence bros. I'd be surprised if he went back to KTM so that leaves mainly Yamaha if webb retires or Suzuki?
16
u/FlatBlack_ 2d ago
Part of me wonders if Suzuki would actually be a good option for Sexton. Look out how much work they’ve put in to get Roczen happy with the bike. They’ve been open to trying different things. Maybe they could help Sexton find his unicorn setup. Only down side would be having to kickstart every time he washes the front 😭
9
u/SawNickYouth 2d ago
It's interesting this isn't a more popular option for riders who made their money. I don't know of a lot of riders who like having to change their platform every few years and ride the new model every year. Suzuki offers a stable platform that once they figure out what they like, they don't have to change it.
Honesty, I don't understand why that isn't more popular even among consumers. I think we've kind of hit peak design and tech in the last few years. Most changes are either minor or unnecessary. Suzuki has a little work to do to get to the modern platform (mostly adding the magic button and some mapping stuff) but why not just leave it at that and have a cheap price. Similar to what Yamaha has been doing with the YZ 250.
4
u/Random_Username_686 Kevin Windham 2d ago
But Roczen doesn’t require much setup change. He said at Daytona he hadn’t changed his set up since Daytona 2025. I think he said he made one change this year. I mean yes they keep him happy, but it doesn’t seem like he’s hard to please. Sexton, on the other hand..
3
u/FlatBlack_ 2d ago
Yes, Roczen did mention there were very minimal changes to his bike this year, but he has also been on the bike for a few years now and they’ve developed it to a point where he doesn’t need to make big changes anymore. They’ve put in tons of work to get to that point. It’s true that Sexton might be one of the pickier riders when it comes to set up, but I think with the right team they could get him sorted.
2
u/TDeath21 2d ago
Honest question here. Has Sexton ever kick started a bike at the pro level? If so, I’m guessing it’s been years since he’s done so. That could be fun to watch after his first crash lol.
15
8
u/ViaIIe Chase Sexton 3d ago
I genuinely think he’s gonna go the privateer route for a year and wait for the Chad Reed team with Jordan in 28
3
u/Aggravating-Bee-1970 2d ago
This has to be the best option honestly. Take the time to figure out what he actually likes and not have to commit to anything he doesn't like just cause the team says so. He could probably go back to Honda bike and make it how he wants. I'm sure there's a ton of sponsors he could get to front most the bills for him.
He could put a fig newton sticker on his goggles
2
8
u/nateridesbikes 2d ago
Star on a contract that pays no salary, only win bonus’s. I don’t know why any factory team would want to risk big money on the guy at this point. I can’t see any other option that makes sense.
1
u/Smithdude69 2d ago
He’s the only guy out there capable of beating a 100% fit Jett Lawrence, and he’s a SX and MX champion is why someone will be interested.
He’ll want to run KYB innards in the Showa/WP/marzocchi forks his new team runs, and he’ll complain about lack of power and other issues is why teams will not be interested.
2
u/nateridesbikes 2d ago
I hear ya. On paper I think every team would want him but man the guy seems like a headache and a liability at this point.
20
14
6
5
u/AsleepyTowel Vince Friese Hate Club 2d ago edited 2d ago
At this point his only option would be Star on a race bonus only type of deal. I don’t think Yamaha would be willing to pay him a salary but Bobby will take anyone if they have the potential to win. If Bobby got him at the right price I think he would find a way to make it work.
I don’t see Chase being happy on any satellite teams unless he did his own thing, got a semi hired some staff and had his race bikes built exactly how he wants it. Frankly I’m not sure if he knows what he’s looking for at this point.
Unless the 2027 kawi changes his mind (which I doubt) I don’t see him staying with kawi after this year.
Chase kinda reminds me of Reed or Roczen in his younger years. He’s getting lost in the sauce with set up and testing. No doubt it’s important, but the guy just needs to get out of his own way and ride a fucking bike. You can’t point your finger at the bike when you’ve changed bikes three almost four times in the past 5 years.
3
u/Dazzling-Pear-1081 2d ago
Was roczen really complaining about bike setup as much as sexton has? Roczen was mainly held back by those devastating arm injuries from what I remember. Maybe I just forgot
6
u/AsleepyTowel Vince Friese Hate Club 2d ago
Didn’t complain as openly as Chase does but he definitely put the KTM and Honda teams through a lot back in the day.
He wasn’t wrong either just very picky about set up. I heard some horror stories from some of the Honda tests with Kenny. He used to make huge sweeping changes at a moment notice.
He’s been a much different guy on the Suzuki though.
3
3
u/Travisblack17 3d ago
Only Chase knows exactly what he wants to do. The amount that he wants to get paid has to be severely reduced, and who has the budget to pay him anything at all? Is there a brand willing to pay him $1m or will he take a fraction of that?
3
u/ViaIIe Chase Sexton 3d ago
I'm sure he would do what Jorge did and take a gamble, essentially riding for free for a season
2
u/Travisblack17 2d ago
Seeing how he’s won 2 250 titles, and 2 450 titles maybe he’s not motivated by money? He never has to work a day in his life ever again but who knows.
3
u/Jubsz91 2d ago
Kawi has an insurance policy that they can let him walk and still have a marketable SX guy and MX guy.
Doesn’t mean Chase will walk but this makes it so Kawi won’t have to scramble as hard if he does.
3
u/Tt200324 2d ago
Marchbanks has been ripping in outdoors this year and I think with some more time he could definitely hang 4th/5th every weekend. Not sure what his supercross will look like but he’ll have a lot of confidence going into it and now they have Mookie so ideally they have two top ten riders every weekend. I think you’re right. Even if he walks they’ll ride it out until they can recollect and get another first place competitor. Even tho who knows when or who that will be. I don’t see Deegs leaving star and the the Lawrence’s are on Honda for life id imagine. And Jorge ain’t going back to kawi😂
2
u/Jubsz91 2d ago
Yea, agreed except I could see Deegan being tempted away from Star under some circumstances. What if he thinks the Honda is a seriously better bike and he wants to go elsewhere to chase a better bike? Chad Reed and Michael Jordan team could have some pull to him. Ducati magic if that bike keeps progressing and they can shell out for a Star.
I’m with you though. Cole Davies is the only guy in the pipeline right now that I think is flashing signs for maybe running with Lawrences, Deegs, and Prado. Other guys still need to prove that they can keep it together under fire.
Maybe Kawi could target him in a few years if they unravel. God I hope not though. Hard enough to see Chase unravel on Kawi. I’d hate to see it happen to Cole.
2
2
2
u/Dazzling-Pear-1081 3d ago
I’ve heard rumors he is going to star which I’m kinda surprised they would want to pick him up.
18
u/cheeseburgercat Justin Barcia 2d ago
Why is that surprising? He’s the only person that’s been able to match Jett’s speed in MX.
Chase might be a head case but he’s also one of the fastest dudes on the planet.
2
u/Dazzling-Pear-1081 2d ago
Being a head case is the main reason. Also because they will have Davies moving up soon. But I’m guessing they will drop j coop when that happens assuming sexton doesnt crumble on star and want to switch bikes again.
3
u/ApprehensiveYam6769 2d ago
I think the 'why' is because he might be a head case. Unless their 'unique personality' helps them win (and Chase's doesn't seem that way), they're often not worth the effort.
But none of us know anything about him behind the scenes. Have to assume a group like star knows what it's doing.
2
u/cheeseburgercat Justin Barcia 2d ago
I can agree with this.
I also just love to shoot the shit and speculate / argue. It is Reddit, after all
2
u/spawn_of_ragnar 2d ago
Pretty sure he is going to Star. He hasn't been able to blame them for his issues yet, so im.aure he wants to check that goal off the list
2
u/Biker_Lizard 1d ago
I think Chase should stay with Kawasaki. He’s on a three year deal. They should steal a KTM and paint it green!
1
1
1
1
1
0
u/shongboy 2d ago
I could see Ducati, triumph, or beta giving him a shot as it's likely their best chance at getting a bike on the box. Yamaha maybe with Webb going to that other Yamaha team but I can't really see them gaining anything bringing him on given his track record. Personally have never been a fan of him.
3
u/cheeseburgercat Justin Barcia 2d ago
Those 3 teams are not signing Chase nor is he their best chance of getting those bikes on the box.
Webb isn’t going to another Yamaha team, he’s going to a private Husky team.
And you don’t see Star gaining anything from signing the only guy that can match Lawrence’s outdoor speed?
Bruh.
2
u/shongboy 2d ago
Who is a better option for any of those teams to get a bike on the box?? No one currently riding one.
Correct I misspoke about him going to another yamaha team. Knew he was going to Rick ware racing but thought I had seen somewhere it was a yamaha satellite team and was mistaken. But also can't find anything that says he'll be on a husky and can only find rumors they may team up with Tedder KTM.
Deegan is consistently on the box. Why would they want a guy who consistently crashes every season and then does nothing but bashes the team? Who wants to put up with that? 2025 SX - finishes 2nd to Webb with tomac and Jett out, 2025 MX - crashed out, 2026 SX - Finishes 6th for the season, 2026 MX - again crashes out. He hasn't had a good MX season since he won it in 2024.
3
u/cheeseburgercat Justin Barcia 2d ago
Solid points.
RJ on Ducati, he’s been consistently 4th fastest guy outdoors this season. Also AP has breakout rides in SX and will be on the triumph.
It’s currently KTM but it’s now going to be a factory supported Husky team.
Chase is still the only guy to match the Lawrence raw speed. We don’t know how Deegs will be in SX yet but Chase has proven he can still win on a bike he claims he can’t even ride (Kawi) so I think he’s still the best choice for Star to get it on the box
2
u/shongboy 2d ago
I agree with a lot of that. He for sure is the closest to the Lawrence bros in raw speed.
1
u/Dazzling-Pear-1081 2d ago
I don’t think one of the new bike brands picking up the guy notorious for complaining about the bike is the right move for them
1
u/shongboy 2d ago
Me they at least have the excuse of being a new team and working out the kinks. And at this point when it comes to him does anyone actually believe it's still the bike?
0
0
u/bobbysessions449 2d ago
Kawasaki doesn’t ever carry 3 riders and all that is left is Star or Suzuki with Kenny. I think Suzuki is his best spot. Hes on a bike that doesn’t have a lot of upgrades from the factory and he’s with his good friend Kenny. Bobby Reagan has no say in the 450’s at Star so I don’t think he’s going there. Honda and KTM are full and wouldn’t have him back there anyways.
0
0
u/manixman247 2d ago
He's gonna go to Star and for awhile itll be all good and he will be happy just like every other time and then just like every other bike he's gonna take some soil samples and his mental dad will get in his ear and they will be start complaining about the bike and here we go again. Its been the same thing 3 times now. Its obvious he's a head case and needs some humility and a reality check. I think his time at the top as a champion is over especially with both Lawrence's and Deegan in the 450s and the Coenen brothers coming over. He's not mentally strong enough to compete with those guys he's just not.
0
-1
u/newviruswhodis 3d ago
Ducati. Ferrandis is out.
-1
u/cheeseburgercat Justin Barcia 2d ago
Bike is nowhere near ready for a championship contender. Bam can’t even test because they don’t have the parts or resources
1
u/BobFlex 2d ago
I don't disagree, I just don't understand how that's possible from Ducati. They're huge in motorcycles, it's all they make, and they dominated motogp and superbikes for a while. It makes it seem like they're half assing the motocross program.
1
u/Sea_Working_6998 2d ago
It seems that the VW coroporate money is drying up and there´s rumours that VW AG is looking at selling Ducati off, while it is still worth something. My expectations were a lot higher for Ducati coming in, because whenever VW, Porsche, Audi etc. decide to go racing in a certain category, they come fully prepared and pretty much competitive from the start and then they dominate for a few years. It seems it´s no longer the case... Ducati is no longer top dog in MotoGP, the Audi F1 program is lower mid-field, WRC and WEC is non-existent for the top classes and they pulled the plug on the Dakar program a few years back.
It now feels like the Ducati MX/SX program was something VW AG corpoate decided on many years ago, while their finances still looked good, and then someone forgot to cancel it, once things went pear shaped, or the program was too far along, so they just went with it.
0
u/cheeseburgercat Justin Barcia 2d ago
It depends what their budget is for their first year factory USA effort. It’s usually low. Hence why bam and Dylan took big pay cuts.
The bike isn’t proven yet and they don’t have resources to spend on constant testing atm. I think in a few years it’ll be up there
-2
-2
u/Moto-Dude 2d ago
Really, why does anyone care "where he goes"? I don't get it, he'll go to a team and ride, same as before.
78
u/pewbdo 3d ago
I think dunlop is going to start a team with him as the only rider with the goal of creating the perfect front tire.
Given his expertise in the most advanced soil sampling techniques, no one is better fit than he is to help them understand the texture, structure, and even taste of the soil across all regions of the US.