Interview with Steve Bonsey: 2WheelTimes.com Exclusive

By Michael Hannas
Photos courtesy of Riles and Nelson

Salinas, California’s Steve Bonsey may be able to walk around the San Francisco Supercross without even being noticed, but things will be different in Madrid where he will be living this year.  While the twenty-year-old is relatively unknown even in his home state, the grand prix rider will have a hard time going out of the house in GP-crazy Madrid without being accosted by screaming fans.  It seems like Bonzer, as he is known, actually enjoys being just a regular guy, and was just happy to be watching a Supercross race without having to sign autographs.

2WheelTimes caught up to Bonsey to see what he thinks about moving up to the 250 World Championship for 2009 after two decent but less than earth-shattering years in the 125 class, after basically getting thrown to the wolves.  You see, while he has been racing dirt track since he could walk, his first grand prix was also only like his second or third road race ever.  You’ll also see when you read on that in addition to riding tips and career advice, he seems to have picked up his sense of humor from King Kenny Roberts as well.

2WT: You have a new team this year along with a new class.  What do you know about the Aprilia Madrid team?  Who is your crew chief and mechanics?  What level of bikes are you going to be riding?

SB: Well to be completely honest with you, I’m not sure the names of crew chief or mechanics (laughs).  Aprilia Madrid is a new team to the World Championship from CEV but it has many experienced people involved so I don’t think being new should be a big problem. The bike that I am riding is a step below the factory bike, it is a kit bike.  Not quite as fast, but I’ll just ride the wheels off it, and it should be good enough, or I’ll make it good enough! (laughs again)2WT: Have you ridden the bike yet?

2WT: Have you ridden the bike yet?

SB: Nope, haven’t got my chance to ride the beast yet, but I’m waiting for the next test which is around mid February. I am really excited to get on a bike that has a bit of power.

2WT: Now you have a new helmet deal as well with Vemar. Any ideas for your Bonzer Replica?

SB: Actually I just got off the phone with Bill from Vemar asking me for helmet designs. I’m going kinda red, white and blue with it, but it was just ideas so I have to wait and see what they come back with. I’m not too flashy, I like simple designs.

2WT: Now I heard you moved to Madrid for the season?  Are you all moved in?  How is it living there?

SB: Well I was supposed to be there in January now it looks like February. But I’m sure I’ll like Madrid, even though I do love living near to the ocean. I’m sure I can make do over there.

2WT: Now a lot of people, myself included, think the 250 will suit your size and riding style a lot better than the 125 did.  What do you think?

SB: Oh for sure! I’m a dirt tracker and I turn with the rear wheel, and I’m used to having power and weight. The 125 was too touchy. It’s like racing an XR 100, they sure are fun but if you bobble you just lost five positions. You definitely don’t want to let them fall off the RPM's.

2WT: Some Euros may argue that if you aren't racing minimotos by age 8 and 125s by 13 you aren't going to make it to MotoGP.  However, looking at the foundation for the careers of some of the top MotoGP riders, like Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden, who both started in dirt track at a young age and then moved to 125GP machines and up to 250GP machines, it would seem like the path you are taking is the best preparation for MotoGP.  Do you agree?  What has dirt track taught you that you couldn't have learned any other way?

SB: I agree 100%. Dirt track teaches you things you can’t learn anywhere else. You learn the edge of control and traction. Dirt track shows you how to slide but at a minimum so you’re not losing time and still getting it to steer with the rear end. And that’s one thing I haven’t got to show yet is my dirt track skills on a road race bike because I’m on a 125.

2WT: What are your goals for next year?

SB: My goals are to finish as many races as possible and learn as much as possible within that year so I can come out swinging the following year, hopefully on a factory machine. But at the end of this year I would like to be Top 7 in points or around there.



2WT: Now last year, you seemed to start the season pretty strong, almost getting on the podium in Portugal, and then it seemed like you struggled as the season went on.  Was there bike issues, or did the other guys get faster, or what?

SB: Yeah, I definitely came out with a bang. But I think it was a mixture of both, the new RSA factory bike was a little rocky in the beginning and by mid season Aprilia really started getting that thing down. Those bikes would pass me down the straight and sometimes I wondered if they had overdrive or what…those things definitely weren’t lacking any power.

2WT: Now you probably have less seat time on a road race bike than most guys who just do track days.  I mean, you only rode a road racer a couple of times and then went straight to 125GP with KTM.  You now have two seasons under your belt, but besides riding your race bike at the races and official practices, do you ever get a chance to practice on a road race bike?

SB: To be honest the last time I was on a road race bike was Valencia GP.  I never get a chance to just go out and ride them.  I have went and rode motocross many times this winter but the only road race practice I seem to get is during the season on a GP weekend.

2WT: What do you do to keep your skills sharp instead?

SB: Flirt with girls of course! (starts laughing hysterically) No, I like to do enduro and motocross and dirt track. I think riding trails is the best thing, when your flying through trails not knowing if someone is coming the other way and watching for trees branches and rocks on the trail, not to mention the cliff next to you.