Swapmoto Race Series Racer Profile | Taiki Koga

Swapmoto Race Series Racer Profile | Taiki Koga

Age: 21

Hometown: Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan

Classes: 450 Pro

Sponsors: Kawasaki, ADA, SoCal MXTF

 Taiki Koga is a Japanese rider who frequently travels to California to train. He just recently won the All Japan IA2 Championship and is ready to test the waters in America this year as he is planning to contest the 450 MX Nationals. We sat down with Taiki and asked him how training at SoCal MXTF has been so far and what we can expect for 2019. 

Taiki, congratulations on the All Japan IA2 championship! Tell me about your season?

Last year was up and down, I had many problems, but overall a good year. After I won, I felt so good and happy. I received many congratulations message.

You left the Narita Race Team to start your own privateer team. Was it difficult?

Yeah, it was pretty difficult, but I had many sponsors. My family and my friends support me!

I noticed that you raced a 2017 Honda CRF250R. Why did you choose that over a 2018 model?

Because I didn’t get support from Honda, and I had many 2017 bikes. Maybe four or five bikes. Being a privateer we funded the money ourselves. I rode a 2018 bike, but a 2017 bike is better so that’s why I chose it.

 Please tell me about your program for 2019. You are moving up to a 450?

This year, my target is MX Pro National and try for the top 15 or top 10. Next year, I want to ride Supercross, so I need practice, maybe start around summertime. Then Supercross debut! I moved up to a 450, the transition was weird at first because I’ve never ridden a Kawasaki.

You come to California to train with MXTF SoCal. Is training in California an advantage?

 Training in California is better than in Japan because there is nice weather, many tracks, and a lot of fast guys. Japan doesn’t have many tracks, we only have maybe two or three tracks in Kyushu and maybe 10 or 15 in Honshu.

You have been to our races before. How do they compare to races in Japan?

They’re very different because Japan races last a long time and your races are quicker and have more competition, triple than what Japan has.

 When there are other Japanese riders in California training do you treat them like your enemy or best friend?

Best Friends!

 How long will you be here training before the season starts in Japan?

Around two more months, I’ve already been here for a month. I’m not racing in Japan, just in America for Nationals. Right now I have my visa, but just for six months. I have to win to stay here!

 What are some things you like to do away from motocross? Any hobbies?

I love two wheels, so mountain bike and dirt bikes. Sometimes I watch YouTube.