by Eric Johnson
5 Minutes with... Chad Reed
Wednesday, January 23, 2013 | 8:00 AM
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Throughout his career, TwoTwo Motorsports Honda's Chad Reed has been a winner. Being a winner isn’t just about actually winning, but it’s a mindset. And Reed’s championships and his amazing podium percentage (120 podiums in 150 starts – 80 percent) are evidence of this attitude. But he started out 2013 off the podium two weeks in a row. Both finishes were fourth place, missing the podium by only one spot, but this was still unacceptable to Reed. So he went to work. And at Anaheim 2, round three of the 2013 Monster Energy/AMA Supercross Series, he took a step forward, landing third place, and ending up on the podium.
Yeah, I didn’t know today was going to happen like that. Thursday at the first Anaheim he came up to me and we had a heart-to-heart. It was an interesting talk and at that point I knew Kevin was done at the end of this year. It was pretty cool. To have respect, not only as two fierce competitors over the years, but as friends. For him to come and ask my opinion and get my feeling on certain things, I thought was pretty cool. As recently as Thursday we were out at the test track and he said, “Remember my talk with you at Anaheim 1?” I said, “Yeah.” He said, “I’ve decided in a couple weeks I’m going to announce it.” And I said, “Wow, in a couple weeks.” And he said, “Yeah, but I’ll finish out the season.” So I knew the announcement was coming, but he said he was going to finish out the season. I think talking to him today, there’s just certain rhythm sections on the track and certain things he’s not comfortable doing at speed anymore and he’s not willing to lay it on the line. I think at that point you know, and that was my advice to him from my cousin Craig Anderson just recently retiring. With what he told me, it was parallel with what Kevin was telling me. So I just said, “Man, what’s the difference between 19 and 20 years and 14 more races, when you’re just not going to be happy and you could possibly get hurt?” He’s had an awesome career and it’s going to be sad to not see him out there, actually.
Racer X: How much of your progress over the last few weeks has been at the test track, and how much of it has been in your riding itself?
Chad Reed: It’s frustrating because all off-season we struggled with certain things. We showed up at the first race and we struggled with those same things. You’ve been doing it long enough to think that you would have it all sorted, but you’ve been doing it long enough to also know where you need to be to be fast and competitive. I didn’t have that feeling at Monster Cup, I didn’t have it at Anaheim, I didn’t really have it at Phoenix. We had flashes of it this weekend, so it is what it is and we’re getting closer. Sometimes you have to start from the ground up. I probably would put it to that point where sometimes you have to hit rock bottom with settings and direction and you’ve got to piss some people off and get emotions going to find the way.
So did you get fired up at some people? Because you can be a fiery guy...
I haven’t been fiery for a few years, so I guess it was time to get fiery.
Reed collected his first podium of 2013 at Anaheim 2.
Simon Cudby photo
You’ve said in the past that as you develop your riding and you get faster, your settings change a little bit. Was that part of it at all or was it just that you were so far off in the first place?
I can’t even really talk about what we’re struggling with. The thing is, I need a certain feel. To quote Cole Trickle [Days of Thunder], there’s only so much I can do with a race bike. [Laugh] So get me within the window and I’ll do the rest.
Even in Phoenix, it seemed like, in first practice, you were pushing a little bit before it was timed. Was that just you trying to see where you were at?
Yeah, I mean, the effort is there and the want is there, but the comfort hasn’t been there. So it’s not like I’ve been rolling over and trying to just ride it out. I’m trying to do what I can do with what I’ve got to work with. And we were a lot better today. We didn’t go from left field to right field and end up in the middle field. The motorcycle we showed up with this weekend we raced with, so it’s a good stepping stone.
Reed is currently third in points.
Simon Cudby photo
Yeah, I didn’t know today was going to happen like that. Thursday at the first Anaheim he came up to me and we had a heart-to-heart. It was an interesting talk and at that point I knew Kevin was done at the end of this year. It was pretty cool. To have respect, not only as two fierce competitors over the years, but as friends. For him to come and ask my opinion and get my feeling on certain things, I thought was pretty cool. As recently as Thursday we were out at the test track and he said, “Remember my talk with you at Anaheim 1?” I said, “Yeah.” He said, “I’ve decided in a couple weeks I’m going to announce it.” And I said, “Wow, in a couple weeks.” And he said, “Yeah, but I’ll finish out the season.” So I knew the announcement was coming, but he said he was going to finish out the season. I think talking to him today, there’s just certain rhythm sections on the track and certain things he’s not comfortable doing at speed anymore and he’s not willing to lay it on the line. I think at that point you know, and that was my advice to him from my cousin Craig Anderson just recently retiring. With what he told me, it was parallel with what Kevin was telling me. So I just said, “Man, what’s the difference between 19 and 20 years and 14 more races, when you’re just not going to be happy and you could possibly get hurt?” He’s had an awesome career and it’s going to be sad to not see him out there, actually.
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Need to get a real track and quitr screwing with go=carts !
http://twitter.com/BAMMBAMM51/status/293901139924111361/photo/1
Really want to see Reed get some wins this year. Really pulling for him. As crazy as this season has been he may be there at the end if he keeps it on two wheels.
So how much of his struggles are mental? Can't see the bike being as bad as he makes it out to be.....seems TC and Barcia's are dialed pretty good. I know they're on factory teams but you can't tell me that Reed's team with all their connections don't have similar info to run with?
I know, I harp on it a lot, but at the level those riders are at, it boils down to C&C! Reed is full of Confidence, the missing ingredient, Comfort.. Chad says it best " the comfort hasn't been there".
GO back to YOT {Yamaha of Troy} LOL !
@thatcatschaaf Hey whats up
You want to get comfy quit and sit in the easy chair ! LOL !
@ BD25
I'm headed to your place to get that track in order.We are going to have an MX THROW DOWN
You might want to check the current point standings before comparing Reedy with JS…
Chad has never had RC4-JS7 or RV2 speed and he never will. He backed into Championships when the real throttle twisters got injured going for wins.
Sloan, Track is in good shape, worked it his weekend, had a few riders come out and take advantage of the sunny weather..remember "Call before you haul"
So tired of people saying , Reed has never had the speed of RC, Rv or Js!! Reed had the championship, in his hand in 2010 till JS pushed him off the track. Every year he has only been a couple of points away. That's going as far back as MC. He's been in the hunt every year. Get ur facts straight! He'll be right there again this year.
I'd give a little respect for Reed. He is a real racer. Always pushing it to go faster and not giving up. Never happy with anything but a win. Always there at the finish. And it seems like he always has the same mindset at the races, he is there to win if he can.
And racers at his level need a bike to "feel" right to be fast. If keyboard racers could get a clue. Getting comfortable at the speeds these racers go? They are not simply hanging on trying to finish, they are cool, calculating and "in charge" of what they are doing. Their machines need to be reacting they way they need it in order to focus on what they need to do to go faster. It IS a different level of racing, and the reason that not every rider can win on any machine unless it can be set up correctly for the rider. And Reed has not said the Honda is bad.....he said he is working with them to get the bike correct for him.......
Windham and Reed are both class acts in this sport. Fast, professional, work with sponsors (and not in the media) and mindful of fans. Good guys that go fast and were able to mature in this sport.
@ BD25 lol Hey I'm bringing Zack Bell and Trent Martin
Come on Speedy Reedy!!! Really want to see you on top of the box this weekend. Hope it comes together this weekend!!!
Some of the comments here implying he is blaming the bike for his performance are SPOT ON! News flash this is a mechanical sport. They are not riding production machines, they are pushing the envelope every weekend, and they each have their own style and way of riding. To say that Barcia and Canard have it soughted and that he therefore has no excuses is just.....naive. Once they've got the base figured, then the big changes will stop and he will gain that confidence. His only issue is time. How long will it be before he is comfortable, and how big will the points difference required (if any) be?
@ LangstonFan
Fair enough but we're going into round 4....if they don't have the base setup yet he should fire his whole team and his test rider (himself).....the 'Base' should have been in place before A1....
@gpgreen--I think everyone knows he had the speed.. He did something Stewart couldnt ever do.. He took 6 wins in a row against RC.. RC just had a large enough points lead as long as he got 2nd every race he would still take the title, and thats what he did.. Reed was always fast enough..He does have 2 supercross titles you know..
@pzzacorner, RC was healthy when Reed took those 6 wins.. RC said he had nothing for him at that time.. And the next year when RC sat out for his knee injury, he said he was pissed because he wanted revenge for Reed taking those six races in a row.. Because he said Reed flat whipped him during those races.. RC just said that in an interview just recently.. Sounds it sounds like Reed had "RC speed" then..
CR and JS7 reality check,time to retire plain and simple,RC knew it was time and went out the GOAT and could probably remount and make a podium,they both had to great careers so let the young guys takeover
@ripdown...Come on man , that's just ridiculous. If that was the way it is, a lot of riders and team members would be looking for a job. I know it's cold(-1F) but, really? I can't name one rider that said the bike is good to go for the year at A1.
Miso....
never said good to go...they're always tinkering but LangstonFan implied they didn't even have a base setting yet? Stay focused when you're reading.....a little early for the pipe..lol
Reed is just an emotional aussie- once he gets one good ride under his belt he will be fine. He was RV fast last year before the digger. Still only 3 races in girls.
@ripdown...Never too early. I was just pointing out it is a little harsh too say a rider or team member needs to be fired because the bike is not the way a rider wants it. Okay, I shouldn't have said, "good for the year". Give it 5-6 rounds then if they are still chasing settings then, maybe, let heads roll.
I really wonder if they are making excuses as well. They had that 2013 Honda last September in testing.. Air forks were being tested 6 months ago.
Who knows, we sit here and speculate. I believe RC slowed up to let Reed win those races, I remember them clearly. However I also remember Reed was on it a few times and RC couldn't keep up.
From what I have been told, Kawasakis switch to Showa was political. The factory teams much purchase the components believe it or not, and Kayaba didn't bring enough to the table. I am sure they will figure it all out, but Tomac has the benefit of a good test rider in LaRocco. Mike enjoys doing it.. I have no idea who is testing for Kawi while RV is training.. Every little bit of feedback helps.
I think RV had my third favorite riding style of all time. To this day, watching McGrath is truly poetry.. There never has and never will be another rider that's as graceful as McGrath on a bike in my eyes.
@mar40--Reed IS 3RD IN THE POINTS... And you say he should retire??? Really??
@Rick--You really believe RC would slow up and let anyone win??? From the interview with RC in Dirt Bike, RC really wanted some payback, and hurt his knee and couldnt get it.. So I dont think RC lat Reed do anything. Reed was just on it right then..
Nice to see EJ is back in the trenches, I've always enjoyed his articles.
I would like to hear a racers undilluted opinion for once without having to dicipher all the code-talk and filling in the blanks. Reed might be the best at avoiding answering questions that aren't supposed to be answered, but it would still be nice for a change.
I will assume he's talking about forks because 99% of the crashes we see nowadays are front-end washouts & front-end related.
I think if RC4 geared up and tried qualifying for Oakland he would be carried out on a stretcher attempting the whoops on lap 2. Too many twinkies!! Just my opinion
Many prefaced their posts last year with "I'm normally not a Reed fan", but I am betting this year that disclaimer is not part of online posts as much. Two Two is as real as they get in professional sports.
i think the reason that he didnt have a base set is because he chose to do some australian supercross races. which is vastly different competition level than what it is here in the US. that probably led to a feeling that they were ready and probably have been running something similar to what they ran in Australia, for A1 at least. so now they are scrambling to get the right settings which im sure they will find here in the next couple weekends. when they get that all fixed watch out cuz reed will be charging hard for those podiums
Did somebody here say that Reed "had the championship in his hand in 2010 until JS pushed him off the track"?? Did somebody really say that?? More accurate to say that Reed may have had the championship in his hand in 2010 when he had an 18 point lead after the first race.......oh, but then he proceeded to lose seven in a row.......so much for that i guess!! LOL
Chad Reed mentioned something on MXA's site about knowing what he needs to change, but getting there "politically" is the problem. So there might be something he wants to change, but Honda won't let him. Changing out the dual exhaust would be my first guess, but it's also possible that he might not have access to everything Trey and Justin have.
@nicgill4--Are you goofy?? What else does the GOAT have to do for some of you idiots??? He owes nobody nothing, he was easily the hardest working and most successful racer of all time, he dominated for 10 years and won 15 titles, and some of you idiots bag on him for finally enjoying life for once...nicgill4--you arent much of a real fan for sure, and I guess you are built like Adonis too..
i think it is his bike he keeps getting better and better and the year in mx where hehad his big get off he said that when he got factory bike or more factory support thats when he started being out front all the time but i dont think reed can handle that speed each time he was the fastest man out there in mx or sx he ate it
@MX40--my guess is the forks, he probably wants KYB instead of the Showa air forks, it is the same thing that has been giving RV fits..
@ MC40 ... I agree. Dualies are for trucks!
I guess you all didn't see the Movie Days of Thunder and the quote that Chad made.He is not blaming the bike he is talking about himself.
I think once he finds the flow he will be more confident and be charging for the wins because he isn't feeling it now but is consistent and still up front
@gpgreen @theysaidwhat - just to clear up SX history, 2010 was RD's championship year, CR scored two 19th place finishes at the first two rounds with crashes and pulled out with injury, JS won A1 and grabbed a 14th and a 3rd before he pulled out with an injury.
@gpgreen - you're referring to 2011.
@theysaidwhat - no idea what series any racer had an 18 pt lead after the first race?
Reed has never had the speed of RC, Rv or Js.
Reed said in an interview earlier in the week (on this site) that he was not really worried about points. Perhaps he needs a refresher on how the points system works???? Come Vegas, he might be worried.
Yes I think RC slowed up. I watched a few races this weekend from 03 I believe, and there were instances when Carmichael laid-up and David bailey called it. RC even had a tantrum because Tim Ferry was getting involved and cut him off a few times. RC wanted no piece of Reed because he had the title secure and he didn't need to win, it was obvious. RC was ways smart and savvy when it came to titles.. In the beginning of the season I think Reed was faster, RCs low rider cr250 was having issues getting thru the whoops and Reed was a stud In the whoops.
Reed is awesome, I became a fan of his when he went to Suzuki. I like all these riders with personality.. Reed has flare
Flair. I agree Ryan, every point counts no matter what. It's a simple excuse to justify poor performance
So many variables between the track, the rider and the bike. I'm sure for Reed it is a combination - but if he feels this uncomfortable, I'm pretty sure it's not something that just the rider can overcome alone. He's been around long enough to know and he genuinely sounds frustrated at more than himself.
As for him never having championship speed - Alessi said it really well. These guys are riding 450F's than can toss them off at a moments notice. And when the push and push and push they get closer to the limit of mistakes. And mistakes hurt. It's easy for us to tell him to ride faster, but if it results in injury - what was the point?
Lastly, don't ever discount luck. Plenty of champs are only champs because they had numerous wrecks where they didn't go down. I would rather be lucky than good any day.
airforx smarforx, my Hodaka had airforx tire nozzle at the top, just pump em full, and when they bleed down to comfertable feeling , thats when ya gotta put the hammer down, for those laps. Simple. Now Suzuki had those all figured out in 78, soooo Id get me a set of 78 RM forks, easy as pie.
Reed talked about how much he loved the bike during the off season. Then he got to the races with the young guns and all of a sudden the bike is an issue? HA
I don't think you're fooling to many people there Speedy Reedy. Face it. You're an old fish swimming in a tank of hungry young sharks.
I think Reed has the heart and determination, I wouldn't count him out yet, but he can't stop the years from going by, and I think thats 75% of the problem,.....yes younggun syndrome.
How quickly we forget. I remember Reed chasing RV down a few times last year before he got hurt. He showed every bit as much speed as RV. But the tracks they are building are getting out of hand. Reed as much as said that Windham wasn't comfortable through some of the sections at speed, contributing to his retiring. When does the sport hit the limit? Alligator ponds between the triple jumps? Pits of fire? Collision course starts (oh yeah they already did that). How many other sports show x-rays of all the Ti fasteners holding riders limbs together between motos? At some point you reach the age where the risk isn't worth the return, and Chad may be there. They need to back off the radical track designs and make them safer so the pros can have longer careers. I WANT to see CR and KW and RS7 and the rest of my favorite riders have longer careers much more than I want to see crashes. Other sports spend millions on safety, where is the AMA?
ALL THE CLINTONS SHOULD BE TARED AND FEATHERED !! LOL !
What,, another rider having some bike issues? No way... I thought that was only JS who had bike issues when he rode Yams?
@persona ,, well said on your last post. All Reed would say on Twitter (before the season started) was "#Bring on 2013!" Not saying that much anymore...
@xcountryfreak,, Yes, he did chase down RV, and thats why he got hurt.. Just like KW got hurt when he was trying to keep up with JS last year. When you ride on the edge, getting hurt becomes more common..
We are only 3 races in and guys are saying guys are done and they should retire and dumb crap.. Give it a rest. Reed has the speed, he is in 3rd freakin' place.. Guys saying he was never fast enough are idiots.. He finished 2nd in 2011 when everyone was healthy, sounds like he had speed to me.. And he is coming to terms with a new suspension, it happens.. Guys saying he should have had it set before the season are clueless.. You find out alot under race conditions that you cant duplicate riding practice laps.. Reed will be fine..
Reedy is an awesome rider and I feel his trouble is really not the bike but a mental block from many angles....been the team owner,,rider and having a nasty crash last year are all playing on his riding out of comfort zone....deep down in his mind is if he crashs again its all over and the fear off that can play on anyone but he has more too loose,so he needs a really good mental teacher and I know who can do that for him...me,,,give me a call Chad I am a mind expert and also an aussie lol
I believe settings can have a huge impact, but when there is no improvement week after week after week it is hard to accept the settings angle.
Since we saw a huge improvement for Reed in one week, I'm willing to accept that settings are an issue for him and the improvement in those settings had a lot to do with the improvement in his riding. I also think RV had similar issues and we saw a pretty big improvement from 16th with 3 falls to 2nd with one fall to 1st with zero falls. I guess we can demand that these racers give no other reason than sucking since anything other than that is usually called an excuse by many. I appreciate Reed because while it can be construed as whining, he gives a lot of insight into the issues without really saying them. Such as it being political and can't be talked about. Not many will say much more than "we're working on things and will get better".
his problem is he is to much of a hard ass! and he dont like the air fork so instead of doing all his riding and his off season races on the air for trying to figure them out. He was being all rebellious and running his conventional forks. The only problem with that is he is part of factory honda now and they have say so in what he runs. And in case it isn't obvious they have some sort of contract with showa that requires them to run these forks regardless of what the rider wants. these riders are very particular and it the game being so mental they dont even want to give the forks a chance. Instead they would rather say screw the testing I want my old forks. chads setting is there he just has to find it but I also think he thought he was just gonna waltz in and run RV's pace like he thought he was gonna do last year
I somewhat agree about RC slowing up when Reed won a bunch of races to end the year. I really don't want to say RC slowed up, as that takes credit away from Reed. I do think he rode cautiously though, unlike how RC normally would ride. He would've taken a win if he could but wasn't going to go ballzout to get it. He knew 2nd each time out would get the job done. He also knew that a crash and injury or broken bike would be disaster. A win would just be all the better if the opportunity came. RC didn't win all his titles on speed alone, there was a fair amount of thinking involved at times. Mostly it was just speed though.
@auscan I agree with what you are saying two two motorsports will not survive if he goes out with an injury again he is having a hard enough time keeping sponsors around since we are in an age where contracts dont mean anything anymore
@jeramey,thanks for the support.....Chad my not know he has an underminding factor and the mind controls a lot of degrees that we do not accept or understand and I have watched Chad for many years now and can see he is one determind rider...how do I know I was the same as him way back in the eighties in oz and while everyone around me had sponsers and great bikes I choose to ride stock out of the crate bikes and I blew them away by beating the best and I know I did it on mind control....so for Chad he needs a little help and once he overcomes his mental fright lookout 2013
Reed is having a hard enough time keeping sponsers around?? This is news to me..
CR is scary. He gets his "I"s, "we"s and "you"s mixed up a lot. I don't think that's a good sign.
Reed is done he never dominated for championships when he was in his prime and he never will. He talks crap on guys that are clearly faster than him if they fall and he finishes ahead of them. Now when the younger guys can beat him with the same bike he is riding he blames the bike. He won't finish third in this championship if he even finishes.
When Reed wins, he doesn't complain. When he doesn't win, he does. This is not news. Nor is it unique to CR22. Most riders find something to blame when they can't get in the zone. Heck, that's true for almost everyone. He just needs to ride hard and deal with the fact that there are other guys out there who are very fast. He's probably not going to win many more races in his career. Word.
Hey RacerX, when I say "word" - you're supposed to close down the comment section. That means the truth has been laid down and the subject is closed. Hello? Is this thing on? lol
SuperSXFanMan
You better change thant name screw ball.. Your name goes no where and that red hyper text means your a douch'e !
I didn't think the 2013 Hondas were that radically different from the 12's ??????
chad has always been my fav rider allthou trey is very close
He will be there in the mix im sure, if you read all the storys and watch the clips
its the new air fork he is not happy with and him saying hear that he got upset , fiery! just someone, it will be honda for not allowing him the fork setup or parts with that system the trey and bam bam have. they look comfy .
just becuse he has cash doesint mean he can just buy factory parts , some are only for the factory contracted riders and chad is no dought a bit pissed that all his team does representing the honda motorcycle does not allow him those parts he wants. but you can understand honda holding parts back , they pay trey and bambam not chad.
Yes bd200 as soon as he got hurt bel ray his biggest sponsor last year bailed on him and one of his other sponsors screwed him on that whole Australian supercross deal they apparently agreed to fund it or help fund it but than did not come through he didn't go into details saying who it was but he was on twitter talking shit about how he doesn't even know why he bothers signing contracts anymore because nobody holds up to their end of the bargain
Bel Ray bailed on him, and its kinda BS, because they got back into the sport with him. I am unaware of the other sponser that bailed. But he isn't sporting Skullcandy on his fenders/jerseys either. He will be fine, the guy is always in it. And he is still a class act. I have to give props to JS7 also, the new gear thing is pretty cool.