Yooperbikemike's 2014 MotoGP Thread

Smart move..lock down the krumpit, before your career goes in the crapper on the TT.

I know, harsh, but my armchair has very scratchy upholstery.

Ducati considering running Factory team in "open" class in 2014?

Executive summary: Softer tires and more fuel may give the "open" bikes a theoretical advantage and sophisticated electronics may not matter as much with the softer tire...

Just saw that. Here's hoping they do it (and it works).

You linked yourself.

Imagine that would piss HRC right off being beaten by bikes with a spec ECU.

Go ahead, keep your proprietary software.
-Dorna

Nicky got some new Honda bikes and a Truck. All's good in the Kentucky hood.

Here´s hoping they do anything that works.

No signature model yet?

Nope..Honda sells plenty of bikes here. They do not need to pimp out their American rider's local celebrity to sell more. Not to mention, him hopefully beating the Ducs will sell plenty on its own. LOL

Well, they did sell a RC51 Hayden replica after he won the AMA championship...

Forgot about that.

Yeah, but he won on it, so it sold itself. LOL

English summary of the GPOne story up on my site http://motomatters.com/news/2014/01/08/ducati_considering_racing_motogp_as_open.html

Interesting.

Looking forward to the season!

Nicky back on the Honda should be great and hopefully he can get some top 5's. Edwards back on the Yamaha, sure he's stoked about that. Crutchlow on the Duc! If things go poorly Cal will definetly have something to say about it. Also it'll be interesting to see how the competition between him and Dovi heats up. Would have loved to see Cal riding the M1, but unfortunately that slot is taken up by the 46 plate. Redding should be interesting to watch on the Honda, terrible luck he had at the end last year with his injury. Really hoping he kicks some ass. Marquez I'm sure will run away again, and I really hope Dani gets the boot after this year from the Repsol team. Been waiting for that since the end of 06' Rossi I don't believe will win a race, let alone stand on the podium this year. His times running out, and I'm not happy he got rid of Burgess. The Espargaro's I believe will be battling hard, and Bradl will be fighting more for the top spots. Of course this is all my opinion. I still wish Stoner would come back. What a great rider.

+1. Anything that loosens the grip of the Honda cabal is a step towards a better show.

And from Ducati perspective - a couple of podiums would justify all.

Stoner didnt know himself

I am confused by these statements in the above story:

What is meant by "aggressive throttle response"?
How does having more fuel alleviate aggressive throttle response?

Engine mapping to achieve fuel range can be at the expense of driveability. Duc racers have all complained of this. Lots of power, but too harsh a delivery.

Now, the TT has way more problems than just this, but it's a start.


All in all, I can see this move (if it happens) possibly paying out huge for them in the long run. All the reasons that Krop stated in the article make it very appealing.

But,

there's no such thing as a free lunch. What I wonder at is where is it going to cost them?

When the racers open it up from the apex at full lean, they want the power to feed in gently and smoothly at first.

Too sharp wears out the rider and the tyre.

It's hard to get the response smooth on very lean mixtures.

More fuel than the miserly factory limit would let them run richer.

I imagine it must also make them heavier tho, for the earlier part of the race. The weight minimum applies at the end of the race, does it not?