<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Apr 30 2009, 07:26 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What makes you think that as soon as the 990's would be reinstaed that any of the factories would use the old engines? Since the end of the 990 aera electonics has evolved imensly and smaller engine with less rotational mass has proven a lot faster in the corners. They would work like hell to get the best from both worlds. Fast entry, with little room for alternative lines, and controllable power out. And finally excessive power on the straights that would be for little use.
If they could make the bikes faster the old way then fine, but they aren't. It was a period they excisted but it's gone and will never come back. To blame it on 800's is just an excuse, it's the aids and general knowledge about making bikes faster that has evolved way past that point.
I'd compare it to the old rally cars from the 80's. Fun cars to watch with +800hp and <u>way </u>slower than todays 300hp cars.
Good analogy. But I'd sooner watch a +800bhp Audi Quatro from the '80s with Blomquist at the wheel than today's faster 300hp cars..actually I'd be equally satisfied watching Roger Clark race a Ford Escort Mk.1 in the 1970's but that's by the by. It doesn't bring 'em back, but then it doesn't stop me eulogising either - and it's the same for the 990's. Perhaps that's why I derived more pleasure watching Sheeny race a Classic Manx Norton after the British GP in 2002, than the actual main race.
Who said anything about reinstating the 990's? What made you think I thought that the factories would use the old engines?...when did I mention straight line speed. Sea air gone to your head?
Talk to any dirt tracker worth his cinders, and they'll crack a toothless grin, and cackle something about excess power on tap.
I'm fully aware of the technological evolution of this series, as I'm also aware of the devolution of it's entertainment value.
Why preach Babel?..you're not saying anything we don't already know, or haven't discussed before. Sure, I'm not alone in my lament for the 990' s but I'm not the only one to mourn the loss of the 500cc class or the 250's come to that. You want to go over old ground
again then let's go up that well trodden path..but it's a tiresome ramble.
Two years ago this class was emasculated to 800cc. This horsepower reduction was an attempt to slow everything down, precipitated by the tragic death of Daijiro, and ironically HRC's designs on a capacity reduction. Of course, during testing, before one of these mini-bikes had even been raced in anger- if that's possible- it became immediately obvious that it wouldn't be long until they were inside the 990 lap times. So it didn't work, the electronics began to prevail. A prototype class predicated on the rise of the machine - its mission to exterminate any freedom and expression on the racetrack and to subjugate by sensor, sacrificing individual control by means of electronic implants. 'The Late Apex' has died an artistic death, the functional future is subservient obedient predictable monorail. So safety aside, it was also to the detriment of entertainment...the bikes began to evolve around other things that made them go faster...which weren't in the engine department anymore. The costs have spiralled...the much mooted standard ECU, two day race meetings, one bike team and outlawing of carbon discs are all moves to reduce these and also engender closer racing. To redress the damage that has been done.
I don't understand the point of your response Babel. You are one of - if not -the most knowledgeable contributer to this forum on technical matters, but like our other resident 'engineer' you are sometimes intentionally contrary and condescending.
Your recent demolition of BM's absurd drivel on the subject of gyroscopes and gps systems was one of the most entertaining threads I've ever read on here. Don't direct it at me.
Question Babel, now that I come to think of it...these systems are now so sophisticated that they can determine the optimum/viable speed that Casey's GP9 can almost autopilot around any given corner. I tend to agree, this technology is irreversible, I don't think that's what you want or that's what Dorna want to see - but it's certainly what the MSMA are intent upon. It's like excessive sampling in music, blanket CGI in movie making, or photoshop rendering three generations in the dark room suddenly obsolete. Why should I be afraid to express my luddite purist view of racing, and why shouldn't we be wary of technological impositions? - because IMO that's what it is tantamount to. IMO there's nothing truly liberating about a mobile phone
It's Dyonysus vs Apollo...the former as a symbol of the fundamental, unrestrained aesthetic principle of force, art and intoxication versus the Apollonian principle of sight, form, beauty and logic and reason. Like I said, I love the chaos and the cathartism of the 990's, I loath the functionality and the inhuman technicality of the new era. Read Nietzsche's 1886 work Beyond Good and Evil, or for a lighter (heavier? alternative), listen to Hemispheres by Rush
Bikes and Bike racing should be about expression, and the individual, which is what inspired Vale's move to Yamaha.
Talking of which, what do you think your man Vale would add to this thread on the matter? He's say it needs to recapture the
spectacle of the 990's, and traction control should be put back in the wrist. If you think that's just me wishfully 'jizzin' off, over my 'archaic' Duke video archives, then suck it and see - don't take me literally there - start
yet another thread on the subject and put it to the straw poll as opposed to the straw man arguments that you pointlessly weave.
