Before and After ... Suzuki and Kawasaki

'Greener' pastures for former Kawasaki riders

The demise of Team Kawasaki's ATV motocross support has yielded positive results for at least three riders who saw great success piloting KFX450R quads last season. Chad Wienen, Josh Creamer and pro rookie Cody Gibson are all on strong teams for 2010, but Creamer and Gibson share one thing in common. They will both compete on Suzuki LTR450's this year. Wienen took a tour of duty with the Rockstar/Makita/Yoshimura team in 2008 with mixed results. Can the LTR yield a championship for one of the former Kawasaki stars?

Before...

Cody Gibson dominated the Pro-am ranks last season on a Kawasaki KFX450R by winning both Pro-am titles. The young rider looked to have a spot all but wrapped up with Team Kawasaki before the factory pulled all its ATV support.

 ...After

Gibson will enter his rookie year in the Pro class on a Mushin Racing LTR450. Look for Gibson to be a threat if he has improved his endurance during the off season. Check out the  Mushin Racing team  announcement at ATVRiders.com.

Before...

Josh Creamer developed the KFX450R into a contender as the now defunct Team Kawasaki's longest supported pro rider. Creamer lost his green ride when Kawasaki pulled its funding for ATV motocross last fall.

...After

Fans of number 9 got a treat this week when Creamer posted some pics of him training on his new Rockstar/Makita/Yoshimura LTR450 in Florida on his Facebook page. If Suzuki can build him a DNF-free quad like they have for Dustin Wimmer and Doug Gust, then expect Creamer to be on the podium a lot. Check out Josh Creamer's profile at SuzukiCycles.com.