KTM details lap time surprise from its 850cc MotoGP engine

[cirian75]

https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/1088106/1/ktm-de...

KTM boss Pit Beirer says the brand’s MotoGP test team was “very surprised” at the lap times achieved by its 2027 850cc engine during its first outing at Jerez last week.

No time given but I'm betting the simpler lighter more torque bias long stroke 850 is not that far off the all signing all dancing 1000cc transformers.

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

Jerez isn't a circuit where the huge aero and ride height devices make much difference. There's only a couple of really slow corners and two just about straights. Great place for checking the handling though!

For the other stuff, I'd be heading off to the Red Bull Ring!

[Tam_Mullen]

Marquezs Stabilisers said:

Jerez isn't a circuit where the huge aero and ride height devices make much difference. There's only a couple of really slow corners and two just about straights. Great place for checking the handling though!

For the other stuff, I'd be heading off to the Red Bull Ring!

Indeed, I'd be willing to bet (without even having done the slightest bit of research!) that the delta between MotoGP and Moto2 at Jerez might be one of the lowest of any track on the calendar. I expect if they were testing at a horsepower track, like Mugello, Sepang or Buriram, they might notice a bigger lap time difference.

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

Tam_Mullen said:

Indeed, I'd be willing to bet (without even having done the slightest bit of research!) that the delta between MotoGP and Moto2 at Jerez might be one of the lowest of any track on the calendar. I expect if they were testing at a horsepower track, like Mugello, Sepang or Buriram, they might notice a bigger lap time difference.

Jerez 2025:

MotoGP Q2 Pole Quatararo 1:35.610 - perhaps the fact Yamaha got pole is all you need to know that it isn't a horsepower track.
Moto2 Pole: Gonzalez 1:39.858 (+4.2 seconds, +4.4%)

Mugello 2025

MotoGP Q2 Pole: M. Marquez 01:44.169
Moto2: Moreira 01:49.745 (+5.6 seconds, +5.4%)

Sepang 2025

MotoGP Q2 Pole: Bagnaia 01:57.001
Moto2: Holgado 2:02.858 (+5.8 seconds, +5%)

and one that isn't a horsepower track:

Sachsenring 2025

MotoGP Q2 Pole: M. Marquez 01:27.811
Moto2: Dixon 1:33.487 (+5.7 seconds, +6%)

So it seems your viewpoint bears out.

[hondajack85]

This is where you find out that the best top speeds all 2025 made the chassis suffer and the bike would have been faster if they didn't chase horsepower.
Like when honda thought hang on lets make a v3 instead.

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

hondajack85 said:

This is where you find out that the best top speeds all 2025 made the chassis suffer and the bike would have been faster if they didn't chase horsepower.
Like when honda thought hang on lets make a v3 instead.

There's a fine balance. This year's KTM had loads of grunt but ate tyres. But then, Yamaha went chasing corner speed and that's hardly worked out (admittedly with a Z list rider line up bar FQ20). Then you'll always get guys like Doohan and Marc who will always want a bike their team mates can't tame