'08 Suzuki ready for Sepang testing

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>Nobuatsu Aoki will ride an early prototype of Suzuki's 2008 GSV-R as a wildcard entry in this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.

The 36-year-old test rider for Rizla Suzuki will ride a third bike for the team alongside Chris Vermeulen and John Hopkins, and he will make his first MotoGP start for nearly two years on Sunday.

"I am really looking forward to the race and it is a great honour for me to be the first person to ride the 2008 GSV-R in an event," said Aoki, who will ride the bike in the post-race test on Monday as well.

"It is still in a prototype stage, but we have already done some testing on it and are very confident it will be good.

"I cannot wait to get racing again, it feels like a very long time since I last competed."

Aoki's last MotoGP race was at Valencia in 2005, where he made his second appearance of the season for Suzuki.

autosport.com

That's great news

hoppers face will be a picture if this bike blows the wheels off everyone else

Does anybody remember the last time the "test" rider entered a race? Haha, I'm sure both Suzuki regulars are hoping he DNFs.

What gets me is that he gets a prototype bike. I thought they ALL had prototype bikes.

Don't you think if suzuki had something hot, Chris and John would get it?

My money says he Aoki to beat Roberts, and that is about it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Traverser @ Oct 17 2007, 09:57 AM) [snapback]95692[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>


My money says he Aoki to beat Roberts, and that is about it.

Why must you kick a man when down.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Racejumkie @ Oct 17 2007, 11:28 AM) [snapback]95695[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Why must you kick a man when down.


I have nothing against all the Roberts, just stating the facts

But, another reason for kicking HRC.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Traverser @ Oct 18 2007, 02:57 AM) [snapback]95692[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
What gets me is that he gets a prototype bike. I thought they ALL had prototype bikes.

Don't you think if suzuki had something hot, Chris and John would get it?

My money says he Aoki to beat Roberts, and that is about it.


I agree ... he will beat Roberts because Roberts will "DNF"!

My money says Aoki to win the race by a mile and the Kawasaki's to be near the bottom of the grid. If that happens, Hopkins expression will be priceless

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Traverser @ Oct 17 2007, 05:57 PM) [snapback]95692[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
What gets me is that he gets a prototype bike. I thought they ALL had prototype bikes.

Don't you think if suzuki had something hot, Chris and John would get it?

My money says he Aoki to beat Roberts, and that is about it.


07 GSVR is reliable and proven....

'08 GSVR might be better, but is not proven to be reliable etc so is a risk to give to . i think hopper will be on the 07 bike only and no 08 parts will go near the #21 bike...for obvious reasons...

Spies will be testing the 800 monday.

I'm just glad to see they have an all new machine. The motor obviously will stay V4 (sorry Valentino) but the power has to come up. I hear all the time that the frame they have is the same one they had on the 2 stroke. Now a new frame and maybe just maybe we'll be in the game.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gsfan @ Oct 18 2007, 09:17 PM) [snapback]95849[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I hear all the time that the frame they have is the same one they had on the 2 stroke

Thats nothing short of a lie.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xx CURVE xx @ Oct 18 2007, 02:29 PM) [snapback]95810[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Spies will be testing the 800 monday.


This will be very interesting indeed.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xx CURVE xx @ Oct 18 2007, 02:29 PM) [snapback]95810[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Spies will be testing the 800 monday.


Any predictions on his times, given that Race Pace for Suzuki's today was in the mid 2:03s?

If Spies can hit somewhere in High 2:03s or Low 2:04s then he maybe he could make a difference, but if he's above Aoki's time then he's not going make much of difference....and before you ask, Yes, Ben Spies has riden around Sepang before for testing apparently.

If Spies can lap faster than Davies/aoki. Then he is doing something. Now I would liek to see if he can get close to Edwards. Faster than the Dunlops Tech3 of course but close to Edwards.

Spies would certainly throw a shot across the bow of the paddock if he can achieve that feat.