video: Inside Yamaha YZRM1 2012

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video detail of Yamaha YZRM1 2012





source: youtube

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HRC: 1000cc only unleashed in 5th and 6th gears

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HRC executive vice president Shuhei Nakamoto believes the biggest difference with the new 1000cc MotoGP bikes will only be felt in fifth and sixth gears.

“Even with the 800cc we had to reduce the power up to fourth gear,” he said. “So compared with the 800, with the 1000cc we have more power in fifth and sixth gear.

“Straight-line speed is a bit faster, but time gained is only in fifth and sixth gear acceleration. And because top speed is higher you must brake sooner. 

“Cornering performance depends on chassis and tyres, which are not so different to 800cc, although the weight has increased. Of course, I expect the lap time to be better than the 800, but not a big difference.”

During the opening test of 2012, at Sepang, Honda's reigning world champion Casey Stoner dipped slightly under his best 800cc lap time from last year's winter tests. Further lap time improvements are expected in the second test later this month.

No official top speeds were recorded at Sepang, but the Hondas were said to be fastest through unofficial speed traps set up by some teams.

Yamaha's 2010 world champion Jorge Lorenzo has expressed concerns about the increase in top speeds with 1000cc bikes, but seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi thinks the risk is minimal.

“At the fast tracks the top speed will be quite impressive, but I don't think it will be more dangerous,” said the Ducati rider.

The highest official MotoGP top speed is 349.3km/h (217.1mph) by Dani Pedrosa during practice for the 2009 Italian Grand Prix at Mugello. Pedrosa was riding an 800cc RC212V.

The highest top speed of the previous 990cc bikes was 343.3km/h (213.6mph) by Honda's Makoto Tamada, during qualifying at China's Shanghai circuit in 2006.

source: crash.net

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Why the MotoGP weight limit changed

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Late last year, the proposed minimum weight for 2012 MotoGP machines changed in the space of six weeks.

After a meeting of the Grand Prix Commission at the Valencia season finale on November 5 it was announced that the minimum weight for the new 1000cc bikes would be 153kg (three kg more than for the previous 800cc bikes).

However, this figure then rose to 157kg after the next Grand Prix Commission meeting on December 14.

Honda seems to be among the most surprised by December's additional 4kg and the factory's reigning world champion Casey Stoner made his views clear during a post-Sepang Q&A with title sponsor Repsol.

"It is rather frustrating. We already had the bike developed and then they decided to change the regulations, so we had to add 4kg to the weight of our bike," he said. "This is a disadvantage for us, because the bike was already developed with a specific weight in mind, and now we have to add more. 

"This affects the bike. It isn't something that you notice much in your general riding, but unfortunately you do feel it quite a bit mid-corner. We have to try to adapt a little more and overcome this, but it is disappointing that the decision was made so late on."

During the Sepang test, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta explained why the additional 4kg rise had happened 'so late'.

It seems to have been caused by a 'misunderstanding' in the Grand Prix Commission, where decisions are made regarding MotoGP rule changes. 

The Commission is composed of Dorna (commercial rights and event organisation), FIM (governing body), IRTA (teams) and MSMA (manufacturers), but the voting structure depends on the type of proposal being discussed.

"There was a proposal made by Dorna and IRTA, for the Valencia Grand Prix Commission meeting, to raise the minimum weight to 160kg," said Ezpeleta. "Because it was difficult and expensive for the CRT [privateer] bikes to reduce their weight. So if everybody is able to run the same minimum weight that would help CRT.

"We proposed the weight increase, but the MSMA said that the unanimous decision of the MSMA is against it. If the MSMA decision is unanimous [the Grand Prix Commission] cannot approve the rule, because it is a technical rule.

"Later on when the minutes arrived, [it turned out] that it was not unanimous. It was by majority. If the opposition of the MSMA is not unanimous we have no obligation to follow that.

"Then at the meeting of the Grand Prix Commission in December we said 'I'm sorry, the other day we had a misunderstanding about whether the MSMA decision was unanimous. I consider if it is not unanimous we have the right to impose that.'

"Finally instead of 160kg we requested 157kg [for 2012] and this was approved, by majority of the Grand Prix Commission."

MotoGP minimum weight will then rise to 160kg for 2013.

by Peter McLaren from crash.net

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The 'law anti-Honda' benefits Rossi and Lorenzo

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The key is in weight. The Ducati masterstroke in asking the World MotoGP promoters an increase of minimum weight of the new 1000cc bikes, moved to request that Dorna FIM, manufacturers and pilots and it was incredibly approved the overnight (the request was after the Valencia GP), has revealed after the first test of the preseason is a 'law anti-Honda' motorbikes since the golden wing team are the only ones that do not improve, or do so little about his time last season.

When Valentino Rossi suggested, during the Grand Prix of Valencia, the new 1000cc should weigh a little more to make a competitive bike Ducati was not a gathering of bar comment. Valentino knew very well to say what Ducati had already done the 'suggestion' to Dorna, and more importantly, I knew that Honda had already 'packaged' the new RC213V weight ciñéndola establishing the rules so far. After the change of standard fattening of four kilos, Honda has not 'unpack' your motorbike, shot a torpedo, a missile, a shell ... and not know how many things have been said that it was, but simply added weight, while Yamaha has completed the preparation of the new M1 aware of a new standard of weight, and of course the Ducati brand new made from November until now.

So the missile Casey Stoner now has four kilos of ballast, overweight, over ... and that, in a line of 1,500 meters is not noticeable, but when you have to put the bike in a curve from 180 to 40 per hour and also raise it to make a change of direction ... that things change and it is as if these four kilos of carry hanging where it does not sound.

Dani Pedrosa and advanced it on Saturday: "Weight gain is the most negative of the new bike," he said without wanting to delve much on the topic or pick fights. But Stoner, who defends the title and know that change can cause more of a headache, it has since the outcry: "It is quite frustrating because we had developed the bike and it was then decided to make a new rule, so we we had to add 4 kilos more. That is a disadvantage for us because the bike had already been developed, designed for a certain weight and now have to add more, and that affects the bike. It's not something we notice much in the pilot in general, but unfortunately at the time to maneuver through the curve itself is quite noticeable. We must try to adapt a bit more and get over it, but disappointed that they decided to do so later. "

Honda surely think, and it is true, that with four kilos or so the bike is so superior to the rest going to see them come and see what happens in the first half of the season before undertaking structural changes to the prototype. However, making a simple comparison between the times that marked the pilots in the pre-season test at Sepang last year with the 800cc bikes, and this year marked the 1000cc, you can check that both drivers most improved Jorge Lorenzo are with the new Yamaha and Valentino Rossi on the Ducati GP12. The Honda, or have worsened their records, such as Pedrosa, or have improved very little, as Stoner. The Australian, with the 800, shot last year in 1.59.665, just 0.058 seconds slower, nothing. Dani What is worse, with a more powerful bike has shot almost half a second slower ... The other manufacturers have improved their records: Lorenzo in more than 0.7 seconds, 0.6 Rossi, Spies in almost 0.2, Barbera over 0.4, to give examples of drivers who continue with the same bike from year to year (Hayden, injured, to our knowledge today, should not be significant).

So, Yamaha and Ducati improve, Honda stagnates or worsens, and one more thing. Valentino, who is the most knowledgeable of all this, said after the test was satisfied because "we are close to Lorenzo", like the Yamaha's reference to follow ... and other data, while last year Stoner spoke wonders your new bike "I feel increasingly comfortable with the RC212V and I have really wanted to get to Qatar" , and Lorenzo left demoralized the first test of 2011, now the trend seems to have reversed, and the unrest has left Australian Sepang, while Lorenzo and Rossi both have done very satisfied.

source: motocuatro

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Dani Pedrosa - Q&A

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A Repsol generated interview with Dani Pedrosa after this week's Sepang test

Q:

How did the first 1000cc test in Sepang go?

DP: 

The test went well. We were able to try out a lot of things considering that it was the first time back for us. Obviously the bike is more powerful and takes more out of you physically, so to be tired at the end of the third day is fairly normal."

Q:

Do you note the difference between the 800cc and the 1000cc bikes?

DP: 

Definitely. The 1000cc is a tougher ride. I have had to strengthen my shoulders after the injuries that I suffered last season. I have tried to get a good foundation physically in order to withstand more of a load. I have been able to see the demands of the bike in this test and have my references regarding what I need to improve upon.

Q:

The weight of the bike has gone up from 153kg to 157kg. Do these 4kg change things?

DP: 

Yes, you can feel the weight increase –above all under braking and when you are changing direction. This is the least positive aspect of the change in cylinder capacity, but we will be working to adapt to it.

Q:

What differences have you found between this year's 1000cc and the bikes (990cc) of your debut year in MotoGP back in 2006?

DP: 

The main difference is that this season's bikes allow you to brake later and corner more quickly. However, if we compare times then they are fairly similar.

Q:

Last year's Moto2 class was very tight. Do you think that Marc Márquez will be a title challenger again in 2012?

DP: 

I think that Marc has shown that he is a great rider and that he has a lot of talent, so I am sure that he will be fighting for the title. From what he showed last year he is going to be the favourite for the title, although there are other riders who will be looking for the win."

Q:

The Moto3 category begins this year and we will see riders like Miguel Oliveira and Álex Rins —CEV champion in 2011— making their debuts. What are your opinions about these new talents?

DP: 

Moto3 is a completely unknown class and we will not understand how the bikes will perform until the season is underway. Likewise with who will be the favourites or who will step up after the initial stage of the season. Both riders need to learn the tracks, although Oliveira knows a few of them already. The experience that you pick up when you start out in the World Championship is very important –even more so in a class like Moto3 which is more open.

source: crash.net

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Suzuki planning MotoGP comeback?

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Suzuki announced their withdrawal from MotoGP at the end of last season, but it appears that the Japanese manufacturer are already working on their return to the series.

As the remaining MotoGP teams are testing ahead of the 2012 season, Suzuki test rider Nobuatsu Aoki is observing from the sidelines to gain an understand of the level of competition.

Speaking to GPOne.com, the former GP rider revealed that Suzuki already have a 1000cc prototype, he said: "I went to the track with the new 1000 just last week and someone at the factory said that we could return as early as 2013, next season."

The only element that is holding back the Japanese manufacturer is a stable regulation for them to plan towards, as MotoGP's future could head down the path of CRT machinery.

When pressed on the specification of a 1000cc GSV-R, Aoki remained coy, ""It's a 1000, and has four cylinders, I cannot say much."

source: visordown

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1000s could mean less traction control, says Casey Stoner

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Reigning world champion Casey Stoner believes the introduction of more powerful 1000cc engines in MotoGP in 2012 might actually reduce the influence of electronic rider aids like traction control.

Although the new generation 1000cc engines are expected to hit top speeds of over 215mph on faster tracks like Mugello and Catalunya, Stoner doesn’t believe the extra horsepower compared to the 800s will result in a higher level of electronics required.

One issue for the new 1000s is going to be how to successfully put the expected 250bhp to the ground to gain rear grip, with teams having to cut power at some tracks on the smaller capacity 800s to find traction.

The influence of electronics in the modern MotoGP era has been criticised by most riders who say gadgets like traction control, engine braking and anti-wheelie have negated rider skill and made the racing boring and processional.

Calls to lessen the number of electronics though has always been fiercely opposed by the factories, who use MotoGP as an arena for developing new technology that eventually filters down to production machinery.

But during tonight’s Repsol Honda team launch in Malaysia tonight, Stoner said: “In my opinion we might be able to use them (electronics) a lot less. We might be able to stop, pick it up and squirt it out of the corner a bit more without being on the edge of the tyre so much.

"With the torque of the engine also you actually get a lot more traction in many ways so you’ve got more control with a slide and you get more grip. To go fast enough sliding isn’t the way to go fast but I do find that in a few corners sliding can make you a little bit quicker.

"But unfortunately that’s not the fastest way round, so we will still have to reduce that. If we were putting on a show they’d be easier to slide but unfortunately we’re there to try and win races and the fastest way round the track is to keep the wheels in line.”

source: MCN

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1000cc switch to help Ben Spies

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Yamaha expects the introduction of the new 1000cc MotoGP class to help American rider Ben Spies mount a challenge for more victories in 2012.

The Texan’s factory Yamaha team boss Massimo Meregalli believes the style required to ride the new generation 1000s will favour Spies, who won the World Superbike title for the Japanese factory back in 2009.

Although Spies collected his maiden MotoGP victory in Assen last season, his first season with Yamaha’s official factory squad often disappointed and he only scored three other podiums in Catalunya, Indianapolis and Valencia.

In a recent MCN exclusive interview with Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis, he said that Spies would need to improve his results in 2012 in his second season as team-mate to Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo.

Jarvis said: “Except for his race win, Ben's cumulative race results were disappointing and I'm sure he would be disappointed and I'm not satisfied. We expect more than one race win (in 2012) from Ben without doubt.

"It's a competitive world, we are here to win, so we want to have the two very strong riders going into 2013."

But Meregalli is confident Spies can rise to the challenge and he told MCN: “I think this move will be a bigger help for Ben. His style is suited more to the bigger capacity bikes and he already proved in Brno the first time he jumped on that bike, even though he was injured, he could do a great job.

"Also in Misano he was very fast and I think his performance on the 1000cc bike will be better than the current 800. The bikes will suit his riding style much more. Usually he likes to brake really deep and open the throttle as early as possible and as aggressive as possible.

"I think with the 1000cc you should have less corner speed, so in this way he should have less of a disadvantage compared to Jorge’s style, which is all about fast corner speed and perfectly suited for the 800s. The 800s favoured the guys from 250s more and this was one of Lorenzo’s strong points.”

source: MCN

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MotoGP Engine Change

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After five years of 800cc racing, MotoGP engine capacity will increase back up to 1000cc this season. 

Here's a look at how each manufacturer reacted to the previous capacity change, from 990cc to 800cc, for 2007... 

Ducati: 

Ducati, which had switched back to a 'screamer' engine design for 2007, stunned its rivals with a massive top-speed advantage at the start of the season. 

The four Ducatis led the speed charts at round one (Qatar) with the next best bike, the Honda of Dani Pedrosa, 7km/h from the top. The fastest Yamaha was just 13th and some 15km/h down on Casey Stoner's Ducati! 

Stoner went on to claim his and Ducati's first MotoGP title, winning ten races in the process. However the next best Ducati rider, team-mate Loris Capirossi, was only seventh in the championship. Capirossi's Motegi win was to be the only non-Stoner Desmosedici victory of the 800cc era. 

Stoner's title victory was also the first for tyre manufacturer Bridgestone, with Michelin being beaten for the first time in 500cc/MotoGP since 1991. Ducati had switched to Bridgestone in 2005. 

Yamaha: 

Although Valentino Rossi and Yamaha won four races, they spent much of the season battling engine and tyre issues. 

A pneumatic-valve version of the M1, aimed at closing the performance gap to Ducati, failed on its race debut with Rossi at Misano, while continued chatter problems prompted the Italian to split from Michelin at the end of the season. 

Rossi lost second in the championship to Dani Pedrosa when his engine failed at the Valencia finale. It was an especially bitter blow since Rossi was riding with fractures in his hand to try and claim the single point needed to secure the runner-up spot - and was back on the 'normal' spring-valve engine. 

Honda: 

Honda, equally caught out by Ducati at the start of the year, pushed hard to catch-up but was forced to wait until round ten for its first win with the RC212V, at the hands of Pedrosa in Germany. 

Pedrosa won again at the Valencia finale to steal a surprise second in the championship and, in a sign of how much ground HRC recovered, Pedrosa also set the fastest top speed ahead of the factory Ducatis. 

However team-mate and reigning (990cc) world champion Nicky Hayden rarely looked comfortable on the compact RC212V and slipped to eighth in the championship, with three podiums. 

Gresini's Marco Melandri, who also claimed three podiums, was the second best Honda rider after Pedrosa, finishing fifth in the championship. 

Suzuki: 

Suzuki enjoyed its best season of the four-stroke MotoGP era, claiming what would be its only 800cc race win with Chris Vermeulen in the wet at Le Mans, while team-mate John Hopkins scored four podiums on his way to a GSV-R best of fourth in the championship. 

Kawasaki: 

Despite losing lead rider Shinya Nakano to Honda and splitting from team manager Harald Eckl, Kawasaki's first 800cc machine showed better than predicted form in the hands of Randy de Puniet. The Frenchman took two front-row starts and then a first MotoGP podium at Motegi. It was the ZX-RR's fourth, and final, grand prix rostrum. 

KR212V: 

The combination of a Team Roberts chassis and Honda engine resulted in two podiums and sixth in the 2006 championship for Kenny Roberts Jr. However the less competitive 2007 engine saw Jr score just four points from seven races and he handed the machine to brother Kurtis from Donington Park onwards. Kurtis scored ten points during the remainder of what was to be the final season Team Roberts. 

Ilmor: 

The Ilmor team, headed by Formula 1 engine guru Mario Illien, had made its MotoGP debut at the tail end of 2006, but withdrew after the opening round of the 2007 season, citing a lack of sponsorship. Andrew Pitt and Jeremy McWilliams were to be the team's riders. 

source: crash.net

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Dani Pedrosa "With so many unknowns 1000cc"

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For the first time in the 800cc out of the top-3 of the championship last year (4 °, mocked by the now former team-mate Andrea Dovizioso), inevitably Dani Pedrosa is preparing the best in view of the 2012 season. The return of 1000cc made ​​me happy tri-World Champion, comfortable riding the new Honda RC213V (fastest time in testing at Valencia last November), ready to give "show" for a championship that promises very interesting.

" I think with the 1000cc will be a better show , "says Dani Pedrosa to Canarias7 . " The top riders will be able to better exploit the new motion with respect to what happened with the 800cc. There are many unknowns: the tires in 2012 are an important variable, it is difficult to make at this time a ranking on values ​​in the field. For our part, we are satisfied after the first test of the potential of the Honda, even if they are convinced that their opponents will be able to answer .. "

On holiday in Lanzarote in Playa Blanca, Dani Pedrosa is taking advantage of this long winter break to recover from the "infirmities" of last year.

" At this time I'm trying to prepare myself physically fit. Dall'infortunin of Le Mans have not been able to rest and complete recovery: now with this period of rest I can do exercises that will allow me to introduce myself well for the first test. I hope in a season with no problems: I prefer to forget in a hurry in 2011, also because I have confidence in the new year .. "

source: bikeracing.it

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New 1000s not a throwback to 2006, warns Nicky Hayden

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Nicky Hayden has warned fans not to expect a throwback to the spectacular racing and tyre smoking slides of the 990cc MotoGP era when the new 1000cc world championship gets underway in Qatar on April 8.

The last time MotoGP raced close to a 1000cc capacity was in 2006 when Hayden triumphed in a dramatic last round title shootout with current factory Ducati team-mate Valentino Rossi in Valencia.

But Hayden reckons the huge advances in electronic rider aids and the super grippy performance of Bridgestone tyres means there will be no repeat of the spectacular and close racing of 2006.

When asked by MCN this morning for his thoughts on riding the new Ducati GP12 this season during the Bologna factory’s annual team launch at the magnificent Madonna di Campiglio ski resort, the Kentucky rider said: “Life has changed since 2006 other than engine size and I think it will be a lot different from the last 1000s. The tyres have come a long way and the electronics are so much more advanced than they were in 2006. I hate to ruin it for the fans that think they are going to see tyre smoking and sideways style but until they limit some electronics, those days are gone. I think these bikes will be closer to the 800 style.”

Hayden missed the chance to evaluate Ducati’s new GP12 in Valencia back in early November after he was ruled out by a broken wrist suffered in a first corner crash during the last race of 2011.

But he used the time on the sidelines to watch the test from trackside to gauge the performance of the 1000s and he added: “At the Valencia test I watched out on track and the lines and style didn't look a lot different than 800s but I think it will somewhere in between. I've ridden the 1000 and it does have lot more torque off the bottom that I like and top speeds are going to be fast and I like a fast bike.  A lot will be down to wheelie control on the tight tracks. We will have the power but being able to use it will be the big thing and finding the right balance with wheelie control.”

Speaking exclusively to MCN, Hayden added: “I’m looking forward to the new era and it is something fresh and new. The fans and the riders are going to like it and hopefully it makes the racing better. I like the sound better and you can definitely see them coming off the corners they get off faster. It will be interesting when everybody goes to Sepang on a big fast and flowing track to see the lap times because in Valencia you can’t really open the throttle and open them up. I think it is going to be better racing and we are going to see some fast top speeds.”

source: MCN

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21 Bikes on 2012 MotoGP Grid

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At least 21 bikes, including nine 1000cc machines featuring tuned production-based engines with prototype chassis, will contest the 2012 MotoGP world championship.

Next year’s grid will be made up of 12 prototype machines entered by Honda, Yamaha and Ducati, while the rest of the line-up will be completed by CRT machinery, including the Suter/BMW to be ridden by Colin Edwards for Forward Racing.

Applications for nine CRT bikes were approved during a meeting of the Grand Prix Commission in Madrid on Wednesday, which also includes the Aspar entries for Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaro, the Speed Master effort featuring Anthony West and the Gresini FTR-Honda squad that will field Michele Pirro.

British team boss Paul Bird will also be on the inaugural 1000cc MotoGP grid with James Ellison. Bird plans to use Aprilia’s RSV4 motor but has not yet confirmed his chassis plans for the campaign, which gets underway in Qatar on April 8.

A short statement regarding next year’s grid was released by the FIM today and read: “A list of MotoGP class entries for 2012 was considered by the Commission. The list contained nine entries plus one reserve entry using CRT machinery of various types.

"Participation of all CRT entries was approved by the Commission on the understanding that the granting of CRT Status was subject to review by the Grand Prix Commission at any time.”

With 21 bikes on the grid, that is four more than started the 2011 season when the entire field was made up of full prototypes.

Only three factories though remain involved in MotoGP following the decision of Suzuki to suspend its premier class racing activities until 2014.

source: MCN

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FTR to build chassis for new Gresini 1000cc project

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British specialists FTR will design and build the chassis for Fausto Gresini’s new Honda CBR1000RR-powered MotoGP project in 2012.

The Italian team owner has chosen the Buckingham company, who have also built a new chassis for the Spanish-based BQR squad using a Kawasaki ZX-10R motor.

FTR have also been heavily involved in the manufacturing of Ducati’s new conventional twin spin aluminium chassis, which broke cover in Valencia last week when Valentino Rossi tested the new GP12.

Gresini will run one privately developed 1000cc machine (CRT) in 2012 and one prototype RC213V bike leased off Honda for Spanish rider Alvaro Bautista.

Gresini is yet to confirm who will ride the CBR1000RR-FTR machine and he said: “It is a source of great satisfaction that we have reached an agreement with FTR Moto to take part in the new MotoGP series, CRT.  The battle between the Claiming Rule Teams will be an exciting one and we are entering it with great enthusiasm. Our willingness to take part was always based on the condition that we had the right technical partner and with FTR Moto and a Honda CBR1000R engine we believe we can build a competitive bike for this new category. It is a new adventure that appeals to our racing spirit and it could prove to be the future of MotoGP. We will work our hardest and I am sure we will have great results together.”

FTR boss Steve Bones, who originally worked on a project with Gresini that would have used an Aprilia RSV4 engine, said: “We are absolutely delighted to start up a partnership with Team San Carlo Honda Gresini and to join them on a new adventure in MotoGP. Team Gresini have shown over the years that they are technically competent, as their numerous successes prove, and we are sure that will continue alongside FTR on this new adventure. The growing interest in the new MotoGP-CRT category is exciting for all of us and we can't wait to get on track as soon as possible to start developing the bike and breaking new technical boundaries.”

Gresini signed Bautista immediately after the final race in Valencia following the tragic death of popular Italian rider Marco Simoncelli in Sepang last month.

source: MCN

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Casey Stoner confident new Honda will get faster

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Casey Stoner believes Honda’s impressive new RC213V machine has plenty of room for improvement, despite the Aussie and team-mate Dani Pedrosa’s domination of last week’s 1000cc test in Valencia.

Pedrosa topped the two-day test session with Stoner a close second as HRC kicked off the 1000cc era dominating just as it did at the end of the 800cc era.

Only Stoner managed to lap within a half-a-second of Pedrosa and the 2011 world champion is confident the RC213V can become a much more potent package ahead of the start of next season in Qatar on April 15.

The 26-year-old is still looking to dial out a chatter issue that has emerged from the new generation Bridgestone tyres.

Stoner is happy with grip and warm-up performance with the softer construction rubber Bridgestone has developed for 2012, but he has been hindered by a chatter issue since his debut on the RC213V at Jerez back in May.

The Repsol Honda rider told MCN: "I’d like to see a few more things improve with the bike for the next test in Sepang but I think everybody else is going to be in the same boat. Now we need to understand better the 2012 tyres because the feeling is quite a lot different with them. Performance seems quite good but we have a few problems with chatter. We find the front tyre gives us quite a lot of chatter and that is something we are trying to improve and the new bike helped with that slightly but we’d still like to improve it more.

"The first version of the chassis, I preferred the balance of the bike but the second version I tried in Brno reduced the chatter quite a lot, so if we can find something in the middle either with set-up or a different stiffness with the chassis, maybe this is the answer.  Something we had also in the 800s was a lack of feeling and chatter coming from the rear on the way into the corner and it is something we still need to improve with the 1000, but we know we’ve got a couple of directions to try. But number one target right now is less chatter, though we still need some better engine braking improvements and corner entry stability with the rear."

Stoner said he would get more of an indication of the potential of the RC213V when winter testing resumed in Sepang on January 31 and he added: "We’ll see how it goes in hotter conditions. We know from this track (Valencia) in the past not to rely too much on what we find out. Too many times we have left here really happy and gone to another track and it has been a disaster. Sepang is where everything will really start. We got some direction from this test but Sepang is where we’ll start to find out what settings start to work best."

And after winning 10 races in an outstanding 2011 campaign, Stoner also said that his motivation would not be an issue next season as HRC tries to win the inaugural 1000cc series.

He added: "We had such a great season this year and I’ll definitely have motivation for next year. At this point I’m tired and it has been a long season. After we won the championship of course I was still motivated but testing is not my favourite thing to do. I’m already thinking about next season more than the test."

source: MCN

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Repsol Honda end 2011 on top in Valencia Test

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The second and final day of testing at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia saw Repsol Honda riders Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner once again finish first and second on the timing sheets.

Under perfect conditions with no wind and an air temperature of 20 degrees, Pedrosa completed 45 laps and recorded the day's fastest time with a 1'31.807 on lap 12. Team mate Stoner did 33 laps on his RC213V and logged the second fastest time of the day on his 15th lap with a time of 1'31.968.

This final testing day of 2011 saw both riders fine tuning elements of their 2012, 1000cc machine. As well as testing the new 2012 Bridgestone tyres, both riders worked on general set up of the machines, Pedrosa also worked on engine mapping and rear shock set up, and Stoner focused on reducing chattering in the front. Feedback from both riders will be taken back to HRC in Japan, to further develop the RC213V in preparation for the next test, taking place at the end of January 2012.

Dani Pedrosa:

“We had another good day of testing today. Basically we've been working on the engine mapping, to better manage the power of the bike, and with the rear shock. The changes we've done on the bike from Brno to here have been positive and we finish the year with a good feeling. It will be interesting to go to Sepang and continue working under very different conditions, with harder tyre compounds and a much higher track temperature. In general, I'm leaving Valencia in a good mood, more for the improvements we've made than for the lap times, which are not so important for me in winter testing.”

Casey Stoner:

“Everything has gone pretty well to be honest, on the first day we just needed to compare the bike to the one we tested earlier in the year. There have been a few small improvements especially in terms of the bike working with the new 2012 tyres. The front tyre gives us quite a lot of chatter so this is something we are trying to improve and the new bike helped with that slightly but we'd still like to improve that point a little more. Something we've had since last season with the 800's is a lack of feeling and some chatter coming from the rear on the way into the corner which is something we still need to improve with the RC213V but we believe we know the direction to go in to improve this situation. Overall it's been a positive test and it's the end of a long season! I'm looking forward to going home now and having some rest, enjoying time with family and friends and preparing for the arrival of our child in February, then we'll be back in Sepang revitalised and ready for 2012.”

Repsol Honda press release

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Valencia Test draws to a close with Pedrosa quickest

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The Official two-day MotoGP Test at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia concluded on Wednesday, with Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner fastest on their factory Hondas. The Test also saw Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso wrapping up their first rides of the 2012 Yamaha M1, Valentino Rossi trying out an experimental Desmosedici GP12, Álvaro Bautista testing the 800cc RC212V and a range of CRT bikes on track.

Repsol Honda riders Pedrosa and Stoner were the pace men, the Spaniard recording the best lap of 1’31.807 in the morning with his Australian team-mate 0.161s behind with his best effort. The two were the only riders under 1’32” as they worked on a chatter issue encountered on Tuesday, and HRC Test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi supplemented their feedback on a third machine.

Ben Spies managed to get within half-a-second of the top time, as the American shouldered the Yamaha Factory Racing workload. Spies rode 75 laps on Wednesday to add to the 73 he did on Tuesday, focusing on a new engine specification and electronics.

Dovizioso completed his first Test on a Yamaha, riding the 2012 M1 on Wednesday alongside new team-mate Crutchlow. The Italian concentrated on getting himself comfortable on a new machine as Crutchlow and his crew set about correcting a wheelie issue, and the Brit was the last rider to get within a second of Pedrosa.

The Ducati Team made progress with Rossi and Test rider Franco Battaini, the latter riding Nicky Hayden’s bike after the American injured a wrist in Sunday’s race. Rossi continued to work on adapting to the new Desmosedici chassis, an experimental frame which will be further adapted according to the feedback gained here for the next test at Sepang.

As well as on-track testing there were off-track negotiations taking place too, and Bautista put pen to paper on a deal with the San Carlo Honda Gresini team for 2012 on Wednesday. Eager to start work immediately he headed out on the RC212V which Hiroshi Aoyama ended the 2011 season with, and by the end of the day had completed 55 laps.

Another rider on this year’s Honda was Stefan Bradl, and the German Moto2 Champion put in another solid day’s work on the LCR team’s machine, with a decision on his future still to be made.

Héctor Barberá concluded his first Test with his new Pramac Racing team satisfied with the improvements made to the Desmosedici, likewise Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) was out on the GP12.

The CRT progress continued too with Carmelo Morales leading the way on the Team Laglisse’s BMW/Suter machine. Iván Silva and the Inmotec project were also on track, as was Moto2 rider Yonny Hernández with BQR’s FTR/Kawasaki. The session was briefly red flagged just before 2pm local time when Gapam’s Federico Sandi crashed, but action resumed shortly after with the Italian escaping any harm.

All CRT machines, along with the 1000cc prototypes on track, tested Bridgestone’s 2012 compounds too, with positive feedback.

source: motogp official

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Valentino Rossi tests Ducati GP12 with new frame

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Valentino Rossi has started evaluating Ducati’s new twin spar aluminium frame at the Valencia circuit in Spain this morning.

The nine-times world champion was one of the first on to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit once wet patches had dried up under blue and sunny skies.

The new chassis is a conventional twin spar aluminium version and has been designed to give Italian Rossi and team-mate Nicky Hayden more front-end feedback, while also curing an understeer issue that hampered the pair last season.

Rossi has set a best time of 1.33.857 so far. Spaniard Dani Pedrosa is currently the fastest rider on track with a 1.32.939 on board Honda’s new RC213V machine.

source: MCN

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'CRTs future for MotoGP', says Gardner

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MotoGP's grid looks set to increase next season thanks in part to the addition of the new Claiming Rule Teams.

Dorna are looking at the production-based CRT bikes as the future of the sport, which is something the 1987 500GP champion, Waybe Gardner agrees upon. Harking back to days when the GP grid was filled with factory entries alongside numerous privateer outfits.

“Dorna have said CRT is the future of the sport and, although I’m not quite sure how it will all play out, I think I have to agree.” said Gardner in his website column. “If it means reducing the power of the manufacturers in the process, so be it. MotoGP needs an idea that will put more affordable bikes on the grid and improve the entertainment value of the package.”

He revealed that one manufacter strongly opposes Dorna on the introduction of the new rules, but realised that MotoGP needs smart marketing to boost grid numbers - especially considering the sorry state of only 10 finishers at Phillip Island, questioning why any potential sponsors could get excited about that.

“In reality, it’s the factories that instigated the move to four-strokes, massively increasing the costs for everybody involved. And it’s the factories that are imposing massive leasing prices on satellite teams, which is a major factor in declining grid numbers. As a result, MotoGP is now unaffordable for just about everyone.”

“The problem is that for many years, it’s been engineers, not marketing people, making all the key decisions. Engineers don’t care if racing is entertaining or not. They don’t care if it’s boring, or if no one tunes in to watch on TV. They just want to develop their technology and win races.”

Gardner also ponders on whether the introduction of CRTs will bring around a return of the GP fields from the 80s, using the example of 1985 when Honda ran one factory NSR500 for Freddie Spencer and Yamaha two YZRs for Eddie Lawson and Raymond Roche – whereas the rest of the grid were made up of competitive privateer machines like the Honda triples and Suzuki RGs.

Carmelo Ezpeleta has envisioned that in years to come, the production-based CRT machines will make up the majority of the grid.

source: visordown

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Honda to test RC213V on Monday

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Newly crowned MotoGP champion Casey Stoner has revealed that Honda will be staying on at Sepang to test its 2012 1000cc bike on Monday, immediately after this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.

"We're testing the 1000cc bike on Monday after the race, with the Championship now wrapped up, we can concentrate on the development of next year's machine, so I'm also looking forward to that," said Stoner.

The Australian will be seeking his tenth win of the season in this weekend's penultimate round, when Repsol Honda look set to add the Teams' title to the Riders' and Constructors' crowns secured in Australia last Sunday.

"After clinching the title in the last race at Phillip Island we go to Malaysia with a lot less pressure and we can just look forward to the race," said Stoner. "It's disappointing to hear that Jorge [Lorenzo] is unlikely to be there, we had hoped that his recovery from the operation would mean he could race there but we'll miss him there again. 

"After pre-season testing in Sepang we proved to be competitive so we will arrive there positive and look to enjoy the weekend." Eight rider/days of 1000cc testing with MotoGP riders are allowed before the end of the 2011 racing season. Ducati has already used all eight days, while Honda has so far used five days and Yamaha four. Suzuki is still to confirm its 2012 plans.

The 2011 racing season ends at Valencia on November 6, after which an official two-day test will be held. Another Repsol rider, Moto2 title contender Marc Marquez, is expected to confirm his 2012 plans at Sepang this weekend.

source: crash

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Marc Marquez coy on 2012 MotoGP switch

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Marc Marquez remains coy about whether he will move to MotoGP in 2012 if he wraps up this year’s Moto2 world championship.

Marquez seized the lead in the Moto2 title race for the first time this season after he finished second in Japan last Sunday, and speculation remained rife in the Far East that he wants to move to MotoGP in 2012.

Honda insiders confirmed to MCN that the Japanese factory has received an approach from Marquez’s management to move to MotoGP in 2012, but only if he wins the Moto2 crown.

Marquez’s Repsol-backed Moto2 squad had asked to reserve an RC213V 1000cc machine for the highly-rated 18-year-old.

But Marquez has hinted that he will stay in Moto2 for one more season before moving to MotoGP in 2013.

“Next year we will see but I think at the moment Moto2 is my place," he said in Japan.

Marquez’s team boss Emilio Alzamora told MCN: "All is possible but of course there is a lot of interest in the factories for Marc. Honda for the future has a big interest in Marc and I don’t know if that is for next season or not. Yamaha also would like to have a future with Marc, so nothing is decided. To continue in Moto2 is not a problem. He is young and he has a lot of time. When Marc goes to MotoGP it will need to be with a perfect situation with a factory bike and the perfect team."

source: MCN

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