Has MotoGP lost something for you??
Discussion
Was watching the boys last night, and couldn't help but think something was missing. Yeah, I know 200cc, but I just thought the bikes "looked" smaller, and therefore thought I was watching a 250 race or something! I know, I know,look at the corner speed etc, but i kinda liked the massive grunt and the tank slaps, the 100 yard wheel spins etc etc....Someone tell me we're still gonna get that this year.....else I might have to favour the WSB 
Bit difficult to tell at this early stage realy but I thought practice was excellent and as exciting as ever, Haydon was still backing it in (although this technique will not work so well on these bikes hence his times), I think sliding of bikes under power was numbered the day they started testing traction control & nothing to do with the smaller engine size, lets face it they are still pumping out 220bhp in a 160kg machine! it WOULD still slide 
Its the closeness of racing that makes WSB and MotoGP so entertaining, the sliding is fun to watch I remember the dukes when they first came out with Cap and Baylis
awsome! but it would get booring afetr a while IMO where as the close racing changes its facets constantly.
Must admit though, the 1st WSB round was some of the best racing I've seen from that Championship, but I bet this weekend prooves MotoGP still cuts it, cant wait, I'll be in Barcelonas sun watching it this weekend
Its the closeness of racing that makes WSB and MotoGP so entertaining, the sliding is fun to watch I remember the dukes when they first came out with Cap and Baylis
awsome! but it would get booring afetr a while IMO where as the close racing changes its facets constantly. Must admit though, the 1st WSB round was some of the best racing I've seen from that Championship, but I bet this weekend prooves MotoGP still cuts it, cant wait, I'll be in Barcelonas sun watching it this weekend
Remember we have not seen an end of a race type situation yet with harder tyres sliding like crazy on the last 5 laps or so..it`s all been softish tyres/gunning for lap times ...but yes ..for me TC on the 1000s was a step backwards after 500`s in terms of excitement ...
Proper big highsides are almost a thing of the past...remember Checa`s triple sulko at Jerez a few years back on the 2 stroke Yam...He almost went into orbit...
However we`ll see..they clearly have the power to smoke it if the software will allow..
Proper big highsides are almost a thing of the past...remember Checa`s triple sulko at Jerez a few years back on the 2 stroke Yam...He almost went into orbit...
However we`ll see..they clearly have the power to smoke it if the software will allow..
Well the basics are 190cc less than last year, maybe a little smaller in size but the weight of the bike is exactly the same as last year. They are all running 4cyl bikes (if they ran a 5 they'd get a weight penalty, if they ran a triple they can run lighter). So the speed increases are down to development and they say, corner speed. Although for a bike to weigh the same as last years bigger engined bikes to carry more corner speed I'd say tyre development helps a lot.
But lost something? Wait until the first race, then decide
But lost something? Wait until the first race, then decide
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Tuesday 6th March 12:21
Think of it like this......
The 500cc Grand Prix bike was like a Butchers Cleaver - Not very subtle and huge uncontrollable power
The 990 MotoGP bike was like a Samurai Sword - Subtle controllable power
The 800 bikes are like a Surgeons Scalpel - Meticulous control of effective power
You will see some awesome and very close racing, sadly not condusive to those grown in the WSBK fold as the style will suit the 250 boys. Rossi, Pedrosa, Stoner, Melandri will all know how to use these weapons extremely well.
I can't wait, this year will be awesome!!
The 500cc Grand Prix bike was like a Butchers Cleaver - Not very subtle and huge uncontrollable power
The 990 MotoGP bike was like a Samurai Sword - Subtle controllable power
The 800 bikes are like a Surgeons Scalpel - Meticulous control of effective power
You will see some awesome and very close racing, sadly not condusive to those grown in the WSBK fold as the style will suit the 250 boys. Rossi, Pedrosa, Stoner, Melandri will all know how to use these weapons extremely well.
I can't wait, this year will be awesome!!
Desmotip said:
Still love it, though I prefer the sound of the 990s.
PVA - where are you watching it? I was thinking of going to a bar to watch it, but don't know where it's being shown.
PVA - where are you watching it? I was thinking of going to a bar to watch it, but don't know where it's being shown.
No particular place Desmo, will be on TV in hotel so can always watch it there, but I would imagine (knowing Spanish & MGP) it must be on in nearly every bar with Pedrosa being shouted at every bar stool
are you in Barcelona then?
I'm off in about 2 hours
18 degrees and full sun for 3 dyas according to weather 
Edited by pvapour on Thursday 8th March 11:11
i think the new bikes look awsome... 
It's (allegedly) somewhere around 220bhp with the weight being the same as last year (a bit under 150kg? 
). They lose out on top speed, but gain corner speed due to 16" wheels (as opposed to 16.5" last year). I think this is why last years times have been beaten....whether the same would happen on a 'fast' circuit, we have yet to see.
If teams want to run a 3 cyl engine they can reduce weight by 7.5kg & if they want to run a 5cyl they must add weight (can't recall how much). Last year there was no weight penalty for running 5cyl as opposed to 4cyl.
Don't take this as 'gospel', it's just what I can remember the commentator saying earlier this week
). They lose out on top speed, but gain corner speed due to 16" wheels (as opposed to 16.5" last year). I think this is why last years times have been beaten....whether the same would happen on a 'fast' circuit, we have yet to see. If teams want to run a 3 cyl engine they can reduce weight by 7.5kg & if they want to run a 5cyl they must add weight (can't recall how much). Last year there was no weight penalty for running 5cyl as opposed to 4cyl.
Don't take this as 'gospel', it's just what I can remember the commentator saying earlier this week
Edited by yoda954 on Thursday 8th March 12:55
yoda954 said:
It's (allegedly) somewhere around 220bhp with the weight being the same as last year (a bit under 150kg? ). They lose out on top speed, but gain corner speed due to 16" wheels (as opposed to 16.5" last year). I think this is why last years times have been beaten....whether the same would happen on a 'fast' circuit, we have yet to see.
If teams want to run a 3 cyl engine they can reduce weight by 7.5kg & if they want to run a 5cyl they must add weight (can't recall how much). Last year there was no weight penalty for running 5cyl as opposed to 4cyl.
Don't take this as 'gospel', it's just what I can remember the commentator saying earlier this week
). They lose out on top speed, but gain corner speed due to 16" wheels (as opposed to 16.5" last year). I think this is why last years times have been beaten....whether the same would happen on a 'fast' circuit, we have yet to see. If teams want to run a 3 cyl engine they can reduce weight by 7.5kg & if they want to run a 5cyl they must add weight (can't recall how much). Last year there was no weight penalty for running 5cyl as opposed to 4cyl.
Don't take this as 'gospel', it's just what I can remember the commentator saying earlier this week
Edited by yoda954 on Thursday 8th March 12:55
yeah that sounds about right
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