Did the 990's became extinct too soon?

I always read opinions (and have often expressed mine) that the move to 800's were a joke for its intended purpose (SAFETY) given that today's bike are almost as fast (if not faster over a lap) than their 990 predecessors.

The main argument regarding the safety angle is that the 800's now take faster corner speeds to compensate for the lost of middle-high end power provided by the 990's (which enabled some riders to use the point and shoot style on taking a corner), and most (if not all) of the accidents occur at the corners rather than the straights.

However, had DORNA stuck with the 990's, how much faster would they have been compared to earlier versions? How would they compare to the time set by the 800's now?

How would the tire war have panned out?

Given the leap in electronics now, would the 990's still have been a better show than what we have today?

What do you think?

800s suck.
990s were mens bikes

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Jun 11 2008, 01:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>800s suck.
990s were mens bikes


i agree the 990's should return especially with bringing in the 600cc, theyshoulda done what rossi said and let them develop 1190's that would have seperated the men from the fools.


is there anyway i can compare the amount of offs 800's vs 990's cos i think the 800's are more dangerous....

There was no need for 990s... too much unusable power.

The 800s are faster over one lap, and potential to be as quick as the 990s.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (an4rew @ Jun 11 2008, 08:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>There was no need for 990s... too much unusable power.

The 800s are faster over one lap, and potential to be as quick as the 990s.

Well thats the point of GP race bikes...TOO much power, not just enough power.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (an4rew @ Jun 11 2008, 09:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>There was no need for 990s... too much unusable power.

The 800s are faster over one lap, and potential to be as quick as the 990s.

The subject has been discussed extensively earlier in another thread.

800 was HRC bad idea and it could be bcoz of Pedrosa

That awwsome 990 need to rev to about 15000 to 16,000 rpm only and the most, peak power (240 to 270 bhp for Honda V5) achieved just around 14500 rpm, thus engine can last longer and optimum on the efficiency? ..But the lesser 800 need to rev up till 18,000 to 20,000 to achieve top speed and when braking..Horsepower of 220 to 240hp can only be achieve when engine rev at around 17000 rpm in comparison with superbike 13,500 rpm (240bhp)..that is suck...800 also has less torque..

We can't compare the lap time with the last of 990 as the last 990 development was probably in year 2005, as in 2006 all manufacturer were concentrating on developing 800 bike and it has been 3 years since tire war btw stone and mich..

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Jun 11 2008, 10:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well thats the point of GP race bikes...TOO much power, not just enough power.

Exactly. I think thats why we're seeing races that aren't as close and new riders who jump right on and go fast. If the bikes are limited to exactly the right amount of power from the start, theres no skill involved in managing the power. Like Nicky often said, with the 990s its down to the guy in the saddle who has the balls to give it more gas.

Now its whoever has exactly the right grid spot/tire/electronics/mojo/lucky rabbits foot/breath mint combination on race day.

BRING BACK THE 990s!! I HOPE YOU'RE READING THIS DORNA!!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (an4rew @ Jun 11 2008, 07:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>There was no need for 990s... too much unusable power.

The 800s are faster over one lap, and potential to be as quick as the 990s.



WHAT!!!! Tires are what make lap times. Had the 990's still been here you could probably count off another second or so off everyone's lap times as of right now. Because of the top speed alone, not to mention that the torque curve would be increased and the power could start lower in the RPM range and really grunt out of corners.

Tell Sete that he had too much unusuable power and he will cry about how Rossi had so much more unusable power. The skill of the rider determines how much power is usable and how much is not.

In my opinion, if the 990's were still around you would see top speeds of around 230 MPH but I dont think that safety would be any worse really. Maybe in the case of something like the Nakano tire explosion at Mugello. But in everyday crashes I think it would be better actually. Riders would not have to fly into corners like they are forced to now. And the racing would be better because the power can compensate for mistakes.

Just my opinion.

990's equaled closer racing IMO. Thats all I really want to see at the top level. This season is only close in numbers. The actual races have been quite boring. OH well, whats done is done and it doesn't look to be changing anytime soon. Who's for a 14 bike grid??

990's equalled evolution; 800's equalled devolution...a backwards step - which is ironic in view of the recent technological advances of top class GP prototype racing which is now stymied by full on electronics and unecessary emasculation and is almost half a litre short of Rutters BSB proddy North West domestic racing Duke.....JEEZ

More power Curve when he said...too much power, not just enough power. Ask Vale which he'd rather ride..the 990 with TC set at zero, or a pocket bike mini moto 800 with TC which "goes up to eleven" - and they've buggered up the close racing to boot.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Eagle088 @ Jun 11 2008, 03:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>WHAT!!!! Tires are what make lap times. Had the 990's still been here you could probably count off another second or so off everyone's lap times as of right now. Because of the top speed alone, not to mention that the torque curve would be increased and the power could start lower in the RPM range and really grunt out of corners.

Tell Sete that he had too much unusuable power and he will cry about how Rossi had so much more unusable power. The skill of the rider determines how much power is usable and how much is not.

In my opinion, if the 990's were still around you would see top speeds of around 230 MPH but I dont think that safety would be any worse really. Maybe in the case of something like the Nakano tire explosion at Mugello. But in everyday crashes I think it would be better actually. Riders would not have to fly into corners like they are forced to now. And the racing would be better because the power can compensate for mistakes.

Just my opinion.
+1