2009 R1

With Yamaha italia apparently reducing their budget next season and both the factory riders heavily rumoured to be moving on, how do you guys rate Yamaha's chances to finally crack the world superbike championship.

The big bang type engine's power delivery could potentially put the bike ahead of all the other 4's on tyre life and torque, and hopefully reduce Ducati's advantage in similar areas. Additionally does anybody have any information about the other factories and if they have any similar technology coming through for next year?

I read in MCN recently that Rob Mac racing and Yamaha are looking to increase the level of their BSB effort, with more support and possibly two bikes. In Britain we could be in for history to repeat itself, at this early stage my monies on James Ellison.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Sep 11 2008, 05:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Quality!!!


Awesome news!

Pete

It depends who replaces Corser and Haga...

Sykes is a good choice and Guintoli has recently tested the bike but an actual WSBK front runner would be a good choice.

And seeing that GSE will race R1 next year in BSB, it would be quite easy to tempt Shakey for WSBK iso BSB.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Sep 11 2008, 08:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Awesome news!

+1

Sykes is good but it will take him a while to get up to the front. By midseason next year he should be in the top ten maybe top 5.

He has to learn new tracks but no doubt he will be competitive

If not Byrne, why not go the young route and sign Leon Haslam to partner Sykes.

None of them will be champion in 2009 but they could be very strong in 2010.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Sep 11 2008, 06:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>With Yamaha italia apparently reducing their budget next season and both the factory riders heavily rumoured to be moving on, how do you guys rate Yamaha's chances to finally crack the world superbike championship.

The big bang type engine's power delivery could potentially put the bike ahead of all the other 4's on tyre life and torque, and hopefully reduce Ducati's advantage in similar areas. Additionally does anybody have any information about the other factories and if they have any similar technology coming through for next year?

I read in MCN recently that Rob Mac racing and Yamaha are looking to increase the level of their BSB effort, with more support and possibly two bikes. In Britain we could be in for history to repeat itself, at this early stage my monies on James Ellison.

The big bang is marketing fluff. It will sound exactly like Rossi's bike and it will feel amazing. The engine will have a short operating life and it will require intensive maintenance. Yamaha will make out like bandits if people like the sound.

It remains to be seen whether or not it will be successful in WSBK. Yamaha outspend most in MotoGP and they have Rossi. I'm not sure the big bang will produce what Yamaha need to put them on a championship.