2014: Weak rider market, + Hayden and Ducati

clarkjw

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So, Bradl to Ducati? Get the scoop!!!

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I don't believe in scoops. Or exclusives. That's why I am a bad journalist.


 


Bradl to Ducati is a realistic option, especially if Crutchlow goes to LCR. We'll see.

Journalists get it wrong sometimes? The horror.

clarkjw

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And yes, only seen twice. Give yourself some credit. That Italian guy who always asks incoherent questions is WAyyyyy worse

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Like I said, you need to pay more attention. Everyone rolls their eyes at all my questions. .... 'em.

clarkjw

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Wasn't a dig at Krop, which I'm guessing he knows. Just respindin to some of the comments saying Hayden wasn't wanted in the paddock.


I love u Krop...even though u turned down my Motegi invite all those years ago

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Jason my man, you're back...what was the last thing I said to you???

I think Audi would risk the best German rider on an Auducati only when the bike is more competitive. 

clarkjw

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@ michealm

 

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You may have said it even earlier, but we had a whole thread on here which I think David started where he said he had seen a 2012 Honda with the covers off and it looked as though it had a 90 degree V angle, as opposed to the narrower V angle on the 800 which was a development of the 990 V5, which didn't need to be a V90 to be balanced because of the 5 cylinders; there was also considerable discussion that a 90 degree V had been a traditional architecture for their racing superbikes, and that they seemed philosophically opposed to balance shafts as an engineering solution.


 


You obviously know  much more about engineering and engines than I do (most  probably do), but I don't think anyone has ever suggested that the Honda engine was no more compact than the Ducati engine in dimensions just because they both have a 90 degree angle; as I understand it even the Desmo gear is among factors which make the Ducati engine less compact. I don't underestimate the resource deficit Ducati have always had, and again as I understand it they entered GP racing with the 990 formula because they could basically put 2 of their traditional V/L2s together. You are obviously correct that designing a new engine architecture, particularly mainly  to suit motogp regulations which are subject to change, sometimes apparently capriciously, would have been a huge undertaking for a firm the size of Ducati. I guess VW/Audi have the resources to do it now if they so choose, but not necessarily the will.


 


As the German guy says, an alternative might be to let them have or develop tyres which suit their bike.

thedeal

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But not as comical as the lengths you go to when you want to have a pop at people.

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Guilty,but you havnt been here long enough to know that Migs has sang one song for a very long time. Hayden hayden hayden.....

clarkjw

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I saw the rc211v engine naked at Motegi in 2009. It was 90 and nothing like the v5.

If u want some insight into the V5, look up the Honda VFR sport tourig bike. That engine is derived from the old honda

I posted in the Bradl thread, but Audi are helping with making an engine but that takes huge time and effort.


Btw, if u get a chance find the Honda race factory videos. They are phenomenal. It's like a bunch of hittori hanso's working on engines.

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Sure, if you saw the 800 (EDIT which was the rc212v, the 990 was the rc211v, I constantly confuse the honda motogp bike terminology) naked then I am quite prepared to believe you that it was a 90 degree V all along, in which case you really did lead the world, since pretty well everyone including David Emmett assumed it wasn't. It would be internally consistent since Honda really don't seem to like balance shafts, and have  to my knowledge made only one roadgoing bike with a narrow angle V, which was specially engineered not to require a balance shaft.


 


(further EDIT) We seem to be talking at cross purposes. I am in  no way an engineer, but I followed all this last year because I was interested , and I have checked and I don't think I am wrong. Spalding eventually got Nakomoto to come clean on the rc213v 1000 engine having  a 90 degree V, but Nakomoto specifically said that going to the 1000 had allowed them to widen the angle from the 800/rc212v bike. I am aware of the VFR 1200, which was the bike i was referring to as the only roadgoing Honda narrow angle V bike, a 76 degree V4 where the crankpins and firing order gave internal balance allowing the omission of a balance shaft.   

JohnnyKnockdown

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Guilty,but you havnt been here long enough to know that Migs has sang one song for a very long time. Hayden hayden hayden.....

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And as Hodor goes into the sunset the Hayden song will be done.....

JohnnyKnockdown

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Guilty,but you havnt been here long enough to know that Migs has sang one song for a very long time. Hayden hayden hayden.....

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Fair point

Krop. Does the general consensus in the paddock feel that Ducati will never be able to field a competitive bike? They have languished the majority of their GP career in mediocrity . Going back to the 990 days they were wildly inconsistent and have only gone downhill sense. I feel they are fighting a losing battle that everyone else recognizes but them. Does anyone in the business believe they will put it together someday? I sure dont

JohnnyKnockdown

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Krop. Does the general consensus in the paddock feel that Ducati will never be able to field a competitive bike? They have languished the majority of their GP career in mediocrity . Going back to the 990 days they were wildly inconsistent and have only gone downhill sense. I feel they are fighting a losing battle that everyone else recognizes but them. Does anyone in the business believe they will put it together someday? I sure dont

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The sense I get is that everyone thinks it will be very hard for them, but that they should be able to build something competitive for podiums. Only question is whether that's before or after Marlboro pulls the plug.

Perhaps Hayden and Ducati deserve each other afterall. Both showed some early signs of promise, with one outstanding year against the odds to take the ultimate prize, followed by season after season of mediocrity.


 


And they both never forget to tell us that "we are working really really hard". Because, you know, all the other teams are just sitting around playing with themselves or something.

clarkjw

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Hayden will be in GPs next year

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Riding what?

BJ.C

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Riding what?

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Pillion with Edwards.