Moto GP Austria

[LowRyter]

My goodness, MotoGP just gets better every race.  The top two guys were just at it the entire race.  The ending was incredible.

[fotoguzzi]

It was.. those two definitely the top 2 riders this year.

[tommy2cyl]

Would have liked to seen Quartararo on a full factory bike.  That kid is the real deal.  Difficult dilemma for the brass at Yamaha to see their factory riders getting beat by this kid.  Really stoked on Dovi's win.  Plus, for MM to race that hard at this stage of the championship, very impressive.  Probably making a few top guys at Honda pull their hair out, but hey, that's why he is on your bike.  Best show on the planet.

[mechanicsavant]

I think E. Hemingway was right when he said something to the effect of.
“There are only 3 true sports in the world, Bull fighting,Mountain climbing & Motor racing. Every thing else is a game.” 

[Yukonica]

Would have liked to seen Quartararo on a full factory bike.  That kid is the real deal.  Difficult dilemma for the brass at Yamaha to see their factory riders getting beat by this kid.  Really stoked on Dovi's win.  Plus, for MM to race that hard at this stage of the championship, very impressive.  Probably making a few top guys at Honda pull their hair out, but hey, that's why he is on your bike.  Best show on the planet.

"Would have liked to seen Quartararo on a full factory bike."
It appears he doesn't actually need it. Just find him 10 kmph so he isn't swallowed on the straights.
Now I'm waiting for 44 to get his feet on a podium.
I agree this era is by far and away the best show on the planet.

[Darren Williams]

And after last years debacle for Yamaha, who would have predicted Yamaha would have 3 of the top 5?

[drbone641]

Best mano y mano I’ve watched in a long time. I knew it was on for real when MM tried to push Dovi off on the straight. Dovi is obviously over MM’s bullying tactics and gave back what he was getting.  Awesome last turn move on the best last lap. We applauded in the living room lol

[LowRyter]

I read that Yamaha finally figured out the software package

[Darren Williams]

I read that Yamaha finally figured out the software package

Looks like they have gotten much better in the dry. Wet mapping still not too good.

[oldbike54]

 Shayna Texter doesn't need software .

 Dusty

[Huzo]

Shayna Texter doesn't need software .

 Dusty

She would if everyone else had it.
Take the software away from Moto GP and Casey Stoner would return...

[LowRyter]

Shayna Texter doesn't need software .

 Dusty

Think again.  Those new bikes have fuel injection and are pretty sophisticated.  One of the main reasons the Kawasaki killed the XR- anyway, that was told to me a long time AMA Expert 5 years ago.  Aren't all the bikes computer controlled now?

[oldbike54]

 The XR was still the dominant bike until the FTR was introduced , Smith won one title on the Kawasaki and it took years of development to make that happen . Remember who won the first OKC mile in dominant fashion on an XR ? Modern FT bikes are still reliant on the rider's throttle hand and ability to locate traction . Basically modern GP bikes can be whacked open , the software takes over .

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

The XR was still the dominant bike until the FTR was introduced , Smith won one title on the Kawasaki and it took years of development to make that happen . Remember who won the first OKC mile in dominant fashion on an XR ? Modern FT bikes are still reliant on the rider's throttle hand and ability to locate traction . Basically modern GP bikes can be whacked open , the software takes over .

 Dusty

I guess you're right.  I never see those GP riders ever wreck or high side.   

[LowRyter]

Looks like they have gotten much better in the dry. Wet mapping still not too good.

IIRC Yamaha had an advantage until the rules were changed for a common ECU mandatory among all competitors.  It looks like it's taken Yamaha a couple of years to program the new box. 

[oldbike54]

I guess you're right.  I never see those GP riders ever wreck or high side.   

 Sure they do , and the best riders are amazing , the speeds and lean angles a GP bike can operate at are breath taking . But modern GP bikes are techno marvels , modern flat track bikes are still completely dependent on the rider . GP races are all held on incredibly consistent surfaces , dirt tracks can vary dramatically in surface conditions from the beginning of a race until the end . Dirt track is more elemental , less reliant on technology .

 On a side note , the ancient XR could still be competitive on short tracks or in low traction conditions , remember Sammy gave Mees fits two years ago on an XR after Mees had moved to Indian . The problem is , the bottom end of the XR was based on the really ancient KR designed to handle 45 HP at 7,000 RPM's , the last generation XR was making slightly over 90 HP at 9,500 RPM's , turning the crankshafts to shrapnel after about 2 hours of racing , and at over $10K for a bare crank , the racers couldn't afford it anymore .

 Dusty

[Darren Williams]

The electronics, while good, are only a part of the puzzle. The last race was a good case in point. MM chose a soft rear while AD put on a medium and at the end of the race MM was having issues hooking up coming out of corners and AD's better decision to go with the medium played  a huge role in his win.

If the electronics were that good, you wouldn't see guys spinning up coming out of corners with no drive and the occasional resulting highside. Those guys can't just whack the throttle open and hold on or they will be lounging in the gravel traps after going for a short flight.

[Darren Williams]

Just saw where Zarco is leaving KTM at the end of the season. Can't say I am that surprised, but to hear he told them he was leaving before securing a ride next year was a bit shocking. In his interview he said he didn't have a "manager" and was working with KTM and didn't have an avenue to talk to other teams.

[tommy2cyl]

Quartararo sets new lap record at Silverstone FP 2 by over 7 tenths of a second.