1st 2018 MotoGP bike testing....

[Arizona Wayne]

....is this 3 days @ Sepang track.  Timed results & rider remarks are listed @ http://www.roadracingworld.com.  It's early days but if you are as avid a fan as me you might want to read it some.

[LowRyter]

I read that Jorge and Vale are both happier with the new bikes.  Duc has improved turn in and Yamaha has gone back to '16 bike design. 

[Yukonica]

Day 1: four Ducatis inside the top five.
There are at least five legitimate title contenders, six if you take Zarco into account.
Closer to a dozen riders capable of reaching the top step on any given weekend.

[mtiberio]

Miller looks like a duck to water on the Ducati.

[Yukonica]

Miller looks like a duck to water on the Ducati.

Yeah, that is encouraging. Hope he has a trouble free season. Like his attitude.
Media-wise he could be their next Rossi ~ always on for the camera.

[Arizona Wayne]

Son of a gun...........Loren zo ended up with the fastest time on the last day.  Miller looks fast too on the Ducati.   Dani finished 2nd.

[Huzo]

Yeah, that is encouraging. Hope he has a trouble free season. Like his attitude.
Media-wise he could be their next Rossi ~ always on for the camera.

Yeah but he has to become more likeable and not whinge like Casey did.
Also don't say four letter words on camera !!
Rossi was/is a media God.
Jack never looks as "happy" as Valentino or Marc do, but I sure wish him a trouble free season and hope he can score some (dry) podiums, and finish 2018 in the top five.
In and around Zarco, Vinales, Crutchlow, et al...on any given race day with the obligatory win in the pissing rain.
Casey Stoner "owns" Phillip Island, but I'd love to see Jack with a three year lease !!!
Ultimate dream ?
Casey return with Jack in a two man team on factory Ducati's...
I reckon Casey could force their hand, they LOVE him.

[LowRyter]

man,  do all the new bikes have ugly fairings on them like Ducs and Yamahas?  Dorna needs to ban that shit.

[Arizona Wayne]

man,  do all the new bikes have ugly fairings on them like Ducs and Yamahas?  Dorna needs to ban that shit.

Haven't noticed yet and in racing results is more important than looks.    Besides they're still trying to decide what parts of their bikes are best for this years actual races.  In the end bikes may not look like they do right now.  A paint job can make a big difference too. 

[LowRyter]

Wayne.     If you haven't seen the photos, why comment?

[Arizona Wayne]

Wayne.     If you haven't seen the photos, why comment?

I've seen some photos but like I've said it's still early days on what the bikes are going to look like when they actually start racing.  I know some teams are testing with different front fairings right now that have different looks.  They have yet to decide what fairings they are going to use later.  Some of the bikes have black fairings until they decide which 1s they are going to decide to use.  Far as I'm concerned it's still too early to know exactly what the bikes are going to look like until later. 

[LowRyter]

Well Wayne, you've seen them or haven't noticed?  The photos I saw were painted bikes.  I think they're ugly.

We all have our opinions and if you like them fine.  But when you say you haven't noticed, then you say you saw some photos, I find it confusing.

My larger point is I hope they don't get into a huge aero war.  I thought they were banning this stuff after Ducati ran that ugly fairing last year.  And then I saw the new Yamaha (all painted with sponsors logos BTW) and thought "oh no."

[Arizona Wayne]

Yes I've seen some of the painted bikes that look like their final product.  Whether they're pretty or not isn't important to me.  What matters is if they work better than the competitions or as good.  The racing isn't a beauty contest.  It's a speed contest.  Function over form.

[LowRyter]

Wayne, so you haven't seen the photos?

[Arizona Wayne]

Wayne, so you haven't seen the photos?

Exactly what photos are you referring to?    I've seen the Ducati, Honda, Yamaha new GP photos.

[LowRyter]

The fairings with wings and tunnels are ugly IMO.  And an aero war could be bad for the sport if it gets out of hand.  I thought they banned extreme aero after the ducati from last year. 

[Arizona Wayne]

The fairings with wings and tunnels are ugly IMO.  And an aero war could be bad for the sport if it gets out of hand.  I thought they banned extreme aero after the ducati from last year.

They supposedly did, but apparently Honda and/or Yamaha changed their mind.  Ducati was not too happy this happened. 

[Yukonica]

The fairings with wings and tunnels are ugly IMO.  And an aero war could be bad for the sport if it gets out of hand.  I thought they banned extreme aero after the ducati from last year.

The tunnels weren't banned. It was the winglets. The tunnels were a response to banning the aileron. The ban was to keep riders from being slashed by a thin edge during close quarter riding. There were design requirements for the tunnels; mostly around rider safety.
The teams can test (within time limit of the sanctioned track time) all sorts of bits and pieces up to Qatar. Then they have to declare which bits are this year's bike and engine. The big teams can choose two body configurations, the teams win no recent wins (satellite and Suzuki) are given a few more options over the season and development teams (KTM) can experiment as much as they can afford. I could be wrong in the fine details but that is the gist of Dorna leveling the playing field.
Are the air-dams ugly? Lorenzo probably doesn't care. They work. This is about fast.

[Arizona Wayne]

I have no clue what the 'tunnel' reference is about. 

[Yukonica]

I have no clue what the 'tunnel' reference is about. 

The original winglets were just a straight out 'fin'. When they were deemed unsafe, the teams added outer support to the fairing. Effectively keeping the airflow pressing down but offering a bigger/blunter surface should it hit a competing rider.

 

[LowRyter]

I have no clue what the 'tunnel' reference is about. 

well, just look at the photos that you've might have seen or not.

[Arizona Wayne]

I am aware of the original winglets(which were outlawed) and the new version but did you guys name this yourselves a tunnel?   

[LowRyter]

Wayne,  I have good enough vision to look at photos, that you may or may not have seen, to know what the tunnels are.   


I am not commenting on your vision.   

[Yukonica]

To Huzo:
"Also don't say four letter words on camera !!"
           ~ it's a cultural thing; example, Pete R 

"Rossi was/is a media God."
           ~ that will never change. Once a deity...

"Jack never looks as "happy" as Valentino or Marc do," 
          ~ maybe it is his results. Hard to smile with a whipped butt even when you are world class. 

".. but I'd love to see Jack with a three year lease !!!"
            ~ are you Australian? I heard they might re-write the anthem: In joyful strains then let us sing; another win for Jack our dear. 

"Ultimate dream ?   Casey return with Jack in a two man team on factory Ducati's..."
            ~ you are obviously not Italian. 

"I reckon Casey could force their hand, they LOVE him."
          ~ mmm? I think Ducati is preparing itself for a Championship win by a European rider ~ they have two contenders in the saddles

It is going to be an excellent year. Enjoy!

[Huzo]

To Huzo:
"Also don't say four letter words on camera !!"
           ~ it's a cultural thing; example, Pete R 

Well mate.
With no disrespect to you or Pete.
Yes I'm Australian, I was BORN here.
Pete has a turn of phrase that is a quaint mix of undeniable British wit, mixed in with a goodly dose of Australian vernacular.
But make no mistake Yukie...
There are a few four letter words used regularly in Aussie language beginning with "F" and the third letter of the English alphabet, that I could slide surreptitiously into my sentences to enhance the meaning, but I choose not to.
I suggest mate that there is NOTHING on which you can school me, regarding Australian cultural influences, although feel free to try.
However..
Using the "in and out" word on international television coverage is not conducive to attracting future endorsement opportunities and is not the way to engratiate yourself to the viewing public.
While we're on the topic of Aussie cultural mores, you seem to have gotten a bit of a handle on such things, where did you pick those up ??

[Yukonica]

Well mate.
With no disrespect to you or Pete.
Yes I'm Australian, I was BORN here.
Pete has a turn of phrase that is a quaint mix of undeniable British wit, mixed in with a goodly dose of Australian vernacular.
But make no mistake Yukie...
There are a few four letter words used regularly in Aussie language beginning with "F" and the third letter of the English alphabet, that I could slide surreptitiously into my sentences to enhance the meaning, but I choose not to.
I suggest mate that there is NOTHING on which you can school me, regarding Australian cultural influences, although feel free to try.
However..
Using the "in and out" word on international television coverage is not conducive to attracting future endorsement opportunities and is not the way to engratiate yourself to the viewing public.
While we're on the topic of Aussie cultural mores, you seem to have gotten a bit of a handle on such things, where did you pick those up ??

No direct handle on culture nor any want (or ability) to school anyone. We share a commonwealth background.
My family 'settled' on Vancouver Island in the early 1900's.  Many of our core values have the same origin barring the first boat trips.
You make a good point on the endorsement front. I can't recall profanity coming from the lips of VR.

[Huzo]

No direct handle on culture nor any want (or ability) to school anyone. We share a commonwealth background.
My family 'settled' on Vancouver Island in the early 1900's.  Many of our core values have the same origin barring the first boat trips.
You make a good point on the endorsement front. I can't recall profanity coming from the lips of VR.

No worries mate.

[LowRyter]

Motogp threads generate more hate & controversy  than politics, guns and religion around here.     


Keep it up.   


Always notice that the real mechanical guys like Chuck and Pete don't care about it?   

[Darren Williams]

It's SPORTS, it's supposed to be passionate.

JL posted great time on the last day, after many were wanting off the Duc at the end of 2017. In a way I am hoping he solves the traction issues over the full race laps and rides to the top, although he is not one of my favorite riders. Dovi looks like Mr. consistency again and should compete again.

Yamaha. Went from the best bikes on the circuit in 2016 to a puzzle with the 2017. Poor Zarco getting the 2017 dumped on him. Jury still out if they have solved traction problems with the 2018.

Honda looked strong focusing on long sessions instead of speed laps. Figure they will be strong with the new engine.

Rest look to need to keep developing, but Aprilia might be watching Zuk and KTM pull away from them.

Can't wait for Thailand tests in a couple weeks.  And I agree with John that the aero fairings look ugly but also agree with Wayne that it's all about results.  I guess as long as they don't get to crazy I'm OK with them.

[Yukonica]

It's SPORTS, it's supposed to be passionate.

JL posted great time on the last day, after many were wanting off the Duc at the end of 2017. In a way I am hoping he solves the traction issues over the full race laps and rides to the top, although he is not one of my favorite riders. Dovi looks like Mr. consistency again and should compete again.

Yamaha. Went from the best bikes on the circuit in 2016 to a puzzle with the 2017. Poor Zarco getting the 2017 dumped on him. Jury still out if they have solved traction problems with the 2018.

Honda looked strong focusing on long sessions instead of speed laps. Figure they will be strong with the new engine.

Rest look to need to keep developing, but Aprilia might be watching Zuk and KTM pull away from them.

Can't wait for Thailand tests in a couple weeks.  And I agree with John that the aero fairings look ugly but also agree with Wayne that it's all about results.  I guess as long as they don't get to crazy I'm OK with them.

Agree entirely that sport needs passion to be what it is: entertainment. Great entertainment at that.

I'm not anchored to one brand or one rider but I'd sort of like to see Ducati and Ducati battling it out... to an 100% Italian championship settled at the last round. ~ Or a title for VR so he can retire gracefully.

The other wish would be for KTM to podium. A team with the backing of a motorsport giant can't be called an underdog but seeing them build from nothing to where they are is impressive. (and I like PE~ he seems well grounded). Who knows? That trellis might be their foundation for a Panigale killer in the future.