Guest: Jay Wilson

Jay Wilson talks about his role with Yamaha Japan in developing the production bikes versus his racing, what life is like in Japan for him and his family, how he ended up there, his relationship with the Lawrence's and Eddie Warren, his racing in the USA, bike talk and much more. --- CHAPTERS --- 01:18 Intro and Jay Wilson welcome 02:51 Jay's Tenere adventure bike tour in Japan 08:06 Japanese championship season and wrist injury recovery 12:25 Commercial 13:41 Developing young Japanese riders (Shoma, Nakajima) 15:08 Testing role vs race prep balance at Yamaha 21:34 How Jay became a skilled test rider 25:06 Honda's production/race team synergy with Lawrence brothers 27:38 Yamaha's shootout success and Honda chasing Yamaha's feel 45:43 Mud races and brutal Japanese track conditions 45:43 Frame/hanger/spoke torque testing minutiae 50:18 Next big innovation in production motocross bikes 51:53 Why Yamaha's KYB suspension stays consistent 53:53 Tim Gajser's struggles vs Jeffrey Herlings switch to Honda 56:34 Jay's Motocross of Nations near-miss and injury story 59:22 Why Jay moved to Japan and signed with Yamaha 1:06:28 Life in Japan with wife Misty and daughter Poppy 1:13:21 Commercial 1:14:05 Jay's US Supercross privateer/Star Racing experience 1:21:57 Possible return to race an MXGP for testing 1:21:57 Growing up with Hunter and Jett Lawrence 1:25:37 Hunter Lawrence's rise and riding efficiency 1:30:03 Darren Lawrence's coaching genius 1:32:48 Steve's YZ450F gripes: motor, clutch, chassis 1:36:57 Wrap-up and thanks to Jay Wilson 1:38:15 Sign-off