Post up all talk, comments, etc... about the 2010 Motogp Season-

Sepang test, the first of the limited testing schedule in pre-season got underway this week. Fiat revealed their biek livery for the season, which is pretty much the same as the previous 2 yrs, but oh well, look at HRC/Repsol, they have hardly changed that bikes graphics in the last 15yrs or more!

Something interesting from Honda though-
http://www.motomatters.com/news/2010/02 ... denti.html

IIRC in the past Gresini Honda got one of the factory spec bikes to use in the season, and I think that mid season last year DePuinet got a factory spec ride, or was trying to angle one for this year. This should hopefully up the competition somewhat with the satellite teams. We'll see!


Finally, this was a long time coming if you ask me, more proof that they can't stand eachother-

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2010/ross ... aring+data

Then there is the Moto2 topic: http://www.motogp.com/en/MotoGP+Basics/Moto2

yessir! I'm actually quite excited about moto2. I never really followed much of the 125 or 250's even though I know the racing is a bit tighter in those lower classes, I hardly know any of the guys though.

Since two-smokes were banned in CA, that's the reason they didn't run 125 and 250's at laguna. I was hoping that with the moto2 class in 2010 that they (FIM/Dorna) would allow the Moto2 class to run at Laguna. They will be at Indianapolis (along with the 125's) but not at laguna. AMA is generallly the other 'bill' for Laguna and I don't watch that series either. At least we get to see the Ben in person on a GP bike this year though!

But getting back to moto2 I think it was a wise choice to change to this format. It makes more sense since if they are trying to drum up interest in the class, makes a hell of a lot of sense to do it with machines that are mass produced for consumers. I think over in Europe they still make 50-125cc two-smokes but there hasn't been a two smoke street bike made here in ages. If they're trying to get americans into it, that is the way to go. Another 2 months about.....oh well.....

I am just depressed with seeing all of the knowledge on the 2 strokes and the riding being thrown out the door. Hopefully other manufacturers besides HRC will glean some information later on when other companies can participate.

They're heading back to Sepang this week for another test. Love this pic of the Yamaha from last test, the tuning fork logo is gleaming!

Moto2 bikes are producing roughly what our bikes 'tweaked' can produce-

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2010/02 ... 5_bhp.html

125hp! Granted as they say everyone is on the same spec engine which levels the field, but didn't the two strokers produce slightly more HP than that? I thought they did. I know the 125's didn't come near there, but for the 250's I thought for sure they were at or above that. The 800's now produce what, 225+ down from 240 of the 990 days.

Interesting-

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2010/02 ... _2012.html

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Weekend news wire -

Lorenzo will test in Qatar this week-
http://www.motomatters.com/news/2010/03 ... _test.html

Rossi "I would feel like a traitor going to Ducati?"

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2010/03 ... oing_.html

recall how a few weeks ago he himself swore that no more of the topic would be discussed. Ha!

Some good comments on the bottom of this story. Personally I think it's way too risky, not that he couldn't do it, but if he wanted to really go out on top, switching to Ducati isn't the best option imho. He already can't stand Lorenzo, there is no way he'd want to share a garage with Stoner.

check out the times from yesterdays qatar test-

Pos No. Rider Bike Time Diff Prev Laps
1 46 Valentino Rossi Yamaha 1'55.402 0.000 64
2 27 Casey Stoner Ducati 1'55.717 0.315 0.315 48
3 11 Ben Spies Yamaha 1'55.954 0.552 0.237 44
4 5 Colin Edwards Yamaha 1'56.540 1.138 0.586 59
5 14 Randy De Puniet Honda 1'56.588 1.186 0.048 54
6 4 Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1'56.811 1.409 0.223 65
7 99 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1'56.838 1.436 0.027 45
8 69 Nicky Hayden Ducati 1'56.855 1.453 0.017 77
9 36 Mika Kallio Ducati 1'56.923 1.521 0.068 72
10 26 Dani Pedrosa Honda 1'57.047 1.645 0.124 60
11 65 Loris Capirossi Suzuki 1'57.099 1.697 0.052 40
12 33 Marco Melandri Honda 1'57.605 2.203 0.506 63
13 40 Hector Barbera Ducati 1'57.822 2.420 0.217 62
14 7 Hiroshi Aoyama Honda 1'57.888 2.486 0.066 75
15 58 Marco Simoncelli Honda 1'57.891 2.489 0.003 63
16 41 Aleix Espargaro Ducati 1'57.898 2.496 0.007 67
17 19 Alvaro Bautista Suzuki 1'57.960 2.558 0.062 56


Ben had a crash late in the session but still was able to retain 3rd. Today is final day of the test then race season starts in about 3 weeks. judgng with the strong form spies has shown in preseason, he will probably do better than most think he will.

Riders calling for an earlier start to the night race in Qatar-

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82282

I can't say that I don't agree with them. I think they should start it earlier, but then the lower classes will start earlier and be racing in dusk, so I'm not sure if that would be wise, as dusk in the desert would probably be a bit glary if you ask me. I dunno. April 11th can't come soon enough though.

Lorenzo says hes happy to stay at yamaha-

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2010/03 ... ngsid.html

A lenghty but good discussion topics/preview of the 2010 GP season.

http://www.motomatters.com/report/2010/ ... lden_.html

The anticipation (for me) is bigger than the Saint's going to the superbowl! I'm also very intrigued with Moto2 and I've already told the enemy of fun that I will be watching TWO races on sunday starting around noon my time! I just hope it doesn't rain like it did last year!

Is it me or does the rizla blue look a tad darker and not as baby blue? Actually looks kinda cool deeper blue.

If you want hi res shots of these go to this link and click on the photos:

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2010/04 ... bikes.html

Stupid Question: After looking at the great looking rides, the Yami is the only one that does not offer a full skirt/fairing that the boot tucks up against. It hides the shock and maybe provides better aerodynamics? I do not know. However, what is preventing the shock from overheating after a few laps? I mean, shock warmers are used to keep the shock fluid up to the operating temp for the start, but after the start, is the extra long skirt causing more heat build up in the shock causing more fade, compression or dampening issues during the race? Was just curious if anyone of you would know.

didn't read a thing....don't want any spoilers.....who knows where to get the races online....i'm so slack

tks

J

The ducati also doesn't seem to cover the fork boot either (if that's what you're talkin about) I know that in colder temp races they will sometimes put a plastic skirt over the brake rotor to help keep heat in, but for forks I had never really thought about it! I dunno much about fork oils and how they work good or bad in various temps. Even my reading the motogp tech book they didn't go into that aspect!

steve- re-read about my shock question. I was not asking about the front forks.

Rossi pulled a Jorge-

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2010/rossi+crash+training

Seems to be ok though minor bruising!

hahaha, the rossi nose dive pic

The Motegi race this weekend, in light of the volcano in Iceland has been cancelled. so, no race till Jerez on May 2nd. They said they will run Motegi in October when they're doing the Malaysian and Australian GP's, which is when they USED to run Japan and where it should be imho. I mean they're already on the hemisphere, all the equipment, bikes, teams, trailers, etc. Kinda dumb to me to make an excursion to the far east, then go back to Europe only to later in the year go back again for 2 more races there, should have kept it as the triple flyaway if you ask me.

Cant be couch riding when you're riding dirty. Gotta be on your feet. Fuggin break your back otherwise.

pretty cool interview with Nicky Hayden-

http://www.motomatters.com/interview/20 ... _new_.html

I know Jerez isn't the best suited track for the Ducati, so I can just hear everyone now when he doesn't do well there, and Dingo manages to scrap it for 3rd or whatever (he did crash/runoff before!) I agree we probably won't know if Hayden is indeed on a newfound run of good form until places like Catalyuna or Mugello, places the ducati excells at. I of course certainly hope that he's not good one week and sucky the next.