Interview:
Taylor Kiser - GNCC Yamaha YFZ450 Pro ATV Racer
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#6
Taylor Kiser - 10 Quick Facts |
| Birth
Date: |
11/12/1986 |
| Weight: |
185lbs |
| Hometown: |
Alva, Florida |
| ATV: |
Yamaha YFZ450 |
| Started
Riding: |
8 Years Old |
| 1st
ATC/ATV: |
Suzuki LT250R |
| Favorite
Track: |
River Ranch |
| Favorite
Food: |
Steak |
| Favorite
Drink: |
Mountain Dew |
| Hobbies: |
Fishing, Boating |
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Taylor
Kiser made his Pro GNCC debut in 2007 aboard
a Yamaha YFZ450 and even in his rookie year,
he managed to ride his way to a top 10 position,
finishing an impressive 7th in the pro points
race, placing even higher than some of the more
seasoned pros.
Taylor’s
impressive 2007 results caught the attention
of Tim Farr and KTM and is wasn’t long
before Taylor was invited to try out for the
KTM racing team, which would be making it’s
debut in 2008. Kiser went on to claim five
top five finishes for the year, including
three trips to the podium aboard his KTM 450
XC.
Unfortunately
for Kiser, the recent downturn in the economy
has forced many manufacturers to cut back
their racing efforts for 2009, including KTM.
Those cutbacks resulted in Kiser being cut
from the team in 2009, but he was not left
out in the cold. This year, Kiser will be
returning to his familiar Yamaha YFZ450 and
is anxiously awaiting the start of the ‘09
GNCC season. We recently had the opportunity
to talk to Taylor about his new ride and his
thoughts on the upcoming season.
ATVriders.com: Taylor, rumor has it you will
be riding a Yamaha for ’09, is that
true?
Taylor Kiser:
Yes, I’ll be on a YFZ450 as a support
rider for Yamaha.
ATVriders.com:
Will you be part of a team or is it going
to be a solo effort?
Taylor
Kiser: It’s
just me!
ATVriders.com:
How do you feel about making the switch from
KTM 525XC to Yamaha YFZ450?
Taylor
Kiser: I
feel pretty good about it. I was on a Yamaha
in 2007 so it’s a pretty easy switch
for me. I feel faster and pretty confident,
so I have some high goals set for myself.
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In 2008,
Taylor Kiser signed on with
KTM GNCC Team to race the all-new
525XC in the GNCC Series with Adam
McGill and Tim Farr as team manager,
and in his first year on the KTM,
Kiser was able to move up and claim
the #6 plate for 2009
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ATVriders.com:
Why didn’t your contract get renewed
with KTM for 2009?
Taylor
Kiser: The
economy played a big part in that. KTM had
to cut back to one rider for 2009 and since
Adam (McGill) had the better finishes for
the 2008 season, he stayed on board.
ATVriders.com:
Are you disappointed that things worked out
that way?
Taylor
Kiser: Yes
and no. I’m glad that I have the opportunity
to do my own thing this year and I have a
pretty good program in place, but it was good
riding for KTM as well.
ATVriders.com:
How was it working with Tim Farr and Adam
McGill?
Taylor
Kiser: It
was great! Tim is the best about making sure
the bikes perform well and that everything
is taken care of, not to mention that he’s
a really great guy and a good mentor. As for
Adam, it was always fun. There was never a
dull moment!
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In 2007,
Taylor Kiser made his GNCC Pro ATV
debut, and claimed "The
Triton" opening round win
in his home state of Florida on the
Yamaha YFZ450
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ATVriders.com:
Will it be an easy transition for you to go
back to riding a Yamaha YFZ450 since you were
on one back in 2007?
Taylor
Kiser: I
feel really good about the switch. It’s
been really easy for me. I already feel comfortable
back on the YFZ and I feel even faster than
before.
