OK.....
FYI, I spoke with the Banebots folks and they are looking into this in more detail.
Here is the link to the 42mm 144:1 gearbox:
http://banebots.com/pc/MP-42nnn-550/MP-42144-550
On this page, you will find two separate links to the KOP M2 motor as the replacement motor for this gearbox.
In addition, if you look at the gearmotor specs listed on the above page, multiply the no-load RPM of 134 out by the 144:1 gearbox reduction, and ye gets 19296 RPM, which is the RPM of the
M2 KOP motor, not the non-legal M1.
I do wonder if perhaps Banebots is shipping some gearboxes with the older M1 motor alongside gearboxes that have the newer M2's. It seems all new gearboxes are ADVERTISED on the Banebots website as having the M2's installed. The Banebots rep I spoke with indicated the M1's were phased out as the preferred 550 "months" ago.
I am waiting for a response from FIRST/Banebots before proceeding. Before the robot shipped, I actually didn't check to see if I could tell any physical difference between the motor on the robot and the one in the KOP. I suppose I will check out our spares and see how they compare.
The proper response from FIRST to me would seem to be that if teams are comfortable using a reportedly 40% less powerful motor that is otherwise identical to the KOP RS-550, physical size, mounting pattern, and all, and are happy with its current performance on the robot, they should not be forced to waste time and money paying for and swapping in a more powerful motor at their first event because they were provided with incorrect information.
The proper response from Banebots to me would be to first communicate whether M1 42mm gearmotors are still being sold alongside and characterized as M2's. If they find this is the case, they must go through their current 42mm inventory and replace any M1 motors they find with M2's. This will bring them in compliance with the performance specs advertised on their website.