1000cc coming back to MotoGP!!!!

Suh-weet!!!!

 

wiiiiiiiiiiiin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I don't like this one bit - especially the limit of 4 cylinders - it will effectively kill WSBK.

Go back to 990cc, fine - but let there be rules for different engine configurations. That's what made MotoGP (and old Indy 500 / F1) so cool.

 

They had no choice. With the cost of engines only at 1M per season for privateers, they decided to allow production based engines. The guys running World Superbike can pound sand over this. What they forget is that the class started out based on production motors, the Norton Manx as an example. Doesn't mean I don't like WSB, I was one of the originators of that class, ran a pumped up Honda 750 in the equivalent class in the 60s and 70s.

Art

 

They're "returning" to 1L? Were they ever one liter? I thought it was 500cc (two stroke), then 990cc, now 800cc, and now going to 1L.

Either way, there are so many driver aides (launch control, traction control, anti-wheelie, ride-by-wire, engine braking, etc) that 1L is safer with those power levels than in the past before all of the gizmos attached to that. 250HP+ here we come!!!

 

Number 1, I agree, maybe, but why impose engine configuration and maximum bore in a 'prototype' category?

What would be wrong with a V6 or V8?

Remember Laverda or Guzzi?

I suppose they will play with a rev liiter to cut the power.

 

In practice by limiting the bore they have effectively capped the redline to 16k or so. Each rider also only gets six engines for the year, further putting pressure on the engineers to get "enough" power at lower max rpm for the engine to live approximately one thousand miles. Production literbikes already have similar dimensions, the new BMW uses an 80mm bore. One interesting thing is that there is nothing to prevent a manufacturer from running an engine with a shorter stroke and a displacement closer to 800cc. If fuel restrictions are still in place the smaller engine may actually prove to be better. If they are legal you can be assured they will have them available just in case...

As far as production engnes go, it will be interesting where the line is drawn between production and prototype. I would guess (granted two years is a long time) that the engines we see in MotoGP circa 2012 will have little resemblence to their manufacturer's production counterparts. Billet cases, major internal differences, exotic induction components, probably the only thing in common will be the spark plugs and the oil filter.

I actually don't see this damaging WSBK as the original 2002 MotoGP change did. At that time the Japanese decided to quit getting stomped by Ducati and devote their resources to GP. What has happened in the meantime is that private superbike teams have replaced the factory teams (except Ducati Corse). Now these private teams are merely supported by the Big Four rather than being factory-funded efforts. I don't see any of the current WSBK teams save possibly Ten Kate moving to MotoGP. The costs are simply multiples more to be in GP. Meanwhile for the manufacturers WSBK offers a relatively cheap series to showcase their production bikes.

 

This is my beef - maybe not the V6, but Honda's V5's are legend. Aprilia did try a triple, and twins would be available, but doubtful anyone other than Ducati would consider.

Given the Ducati four has been pretty amazing, don't see that happening.

I always viewed MotoGP and the predecessor as the equivalent to F1 - cutting edge technology, no holds barred. WSBK was (and remains) production based, so there's a clear differentiation between them.

That's not to say that 1 liter MotoGP bikes will be production-based, but I could see that happening if costs became a concern. Maybe far fetched, but I don't want to see MotoGP blur with WSBK.

 

More like 300HP. Remember F1 cars make 800 - 900 HP on 2.4L. The bikes will have at least 300 HP, perhaps not at first, but soon. Wonder what they will do for tires? I think they are running 16.5" wheels, 8.5" wide, so I would guess that they will need to go to 9 - 10" wide rears, with the fronts, 5 - 6" wide. Probably still not enough rubber on the ground though.

I've ridden a Yamaha 990, and it was totally awsome, and would have been unrideable for me without tc.

Art

 

You're saying you rode a YZR-M1?!?! When and where?!

The 990s were 240PS+ so for sure they can make 250...I think F1 cars were hovering over 900 with the 3L and were pushed down to 750 with the two cylinders coming off. They probably gained back a little more HP before the engine freeze. Hopefully MotoGP doesn't go down the path of F1, which is become really boring technologically.

 

I'm kind of shocked they are going with 1000cc instead of 990cc. I guess they didn't want to 'hamper' honda since they had a V5 which is now illegal. This way all manufactures have to make brand new engines. I'm sure Honda and Ducati will keep the V4, and Yamaha will keep the inline 4. I'd love to see the Aprillia Cube come back...maybe with the new engine management systems it'd be rideable!

Seems like good news for Rossi and Hayden though...back to the bikes they really love.

Just think, Rossi has a chance to win titles on the 125, 250, 500, 990, 800 and 1000!!!

 

Las Vegas 07. An outrageous vehicle. Waay too fast. Reminded me of 73, 74, when I first got a ride on a TZ 700. No straight aways anymore. Difference is now I'm a lot older and a huge bunch slower.

Art

 

MotoCzys... discuss.

 

Pipe dream.

 

Seems to be some sort of drug mixed in the racing and machine shop tooling that makes some people believe that they can compete. 99.99% of them are committable, but occasionally, they get the job done. Don't think that is the case here though.

Art

 

Well thankfully John Britten and (to a lesser extent) Erik Buell didn't feel this way

I am intrigued by MotoCzysz, but I'd much rather see Aprilia or KTM back in the fold.

 

I raced against Erik in the 70s. A very decent guy.

Art

 

It seems the prudent thing to do for Czysz would be to put together a Moto2 team for 2011-12. Use the Honda engine and test his new front end and the unique rear suspension system that the MotoCzysz has been using. At least this way he might have some idea if these systems actually work and provide the advantages he claims at the 10/10'ths that real racing provides. While it wouldn't be the the same ego gratifying activity as having the entire bike done his way, it would add legitimacy to his program.

This way he can be working on his counter-rotating contraption and by 2013 attempt to enter the premier class.

 

Yeah its true and in future it will be the best one available also. Because of many reasons.