Honda ditch 08 bike in favour of 07 bike for Qatar

Qatar MotoGP: Nicky Hayden to run 2007 Honda in first race

By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

06 March 2008 13:26

Nicky Hayden will ride a 2007 factory Honda RC212V when the 2008 MotoGP season kicks off in Qatar this weekend.

One of the machines that Hayden finished last season on has been hastily flown to the Middle East from Japan after HRC was stung into action by the dismal testing performances of Nicky Hayden and Repsol team-mate Dani Pedrosa last week in Qatar.

The pair finished only 14th and 15th in the historic night test last week, and official confirmation of the shock move is expected at 5pm local time in Qatar.

An old bike has also been delivered for Spaniard Pedrosa.

The switch back to old machinery comes at the end of a nightmare pre-season for American Hayden.

The 2008 RC212 fell well below expectations and a new pneumatic valve engine was dropped because of persistent problems.

Recently Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa have been riding using a 2007 spec motor housed in the 2008 chassis, but the disastrous Qatar test saw Honda finally bow to Hayden’s repeated request to roll out last year’s complete machine.

While Hayden and Pedrosa have struggled, the factory pair have been overshadowed by the likes of Randy de Puniet and Andrea Dovizioso.

They are both riding the exact same specification of RC212V that Pedrosa used when he won the 2007 Valencia MotoGP.

“At one point at the test we were last and second last and that isn’t good. I guess it stung Honda but give them credit.

“It couldn’t have been easy to explain to the bosses that they wanted to roll out last year’s bike.

“I first asked about switching to the old bike after Phillip Island but they really didn’t want to take that step back.

Sometimes though you got to go back to move forward,” said the American.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/s...armotogpnickyhaydentorun2007hondainfirstrace/

Big news IMO, who would have expected this?

Ofcourse this is MCN...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ Mar 6 2008, 02:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Qatar MotoGP: Nicky Hayden to run 2007 Honda in first race

By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

06 March 2008 13:26

Nicky Hayden will ride a 2007 factory Honda RC212V when the 2008 MotoGP season kicks off in Qatar this weekend.

One of the machines that Hayden finished last season on has been hastily flown to the Middle East from Japan after HRC was stung into action by the dismal testing performances of Nicky Hayden and Repsol team-mate Dani Pedrosa last week in Qatar.

The pair finished only 14th and 15th in the historic night test last week, and official confirmation of the shock move is expected at 5pm local time in Qatar.

An old bike has also been delivered for Spaniard Pedrosa.

The switch back to old machinery comes at the end of a nightmare pre-season for American Hayden.

The 2008 RC212 fell well below expectations and a new pneumatic valve engine was dropped because of persistent problems.

Recently Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa have been riding using a 2007 spec motor housed in the 2008 chassis, but the disastrous Qatar test saw Honda finally bow to Hayden’s repeated request to roll out last year’s complete machine.

While Hayden and Pedrosa have struggled, the factory pair have been overshadowed by the likes of Randy de Puniet and Andrea Dovizioso.

They are both riding the exact same specification of RC212V that Pedrosa used when he won the 2007 Valencia MotoGP.

“At one point at the test we were last and second last and that isn’t good. I guess it stung Honda but give them credit.

“It couldn’t have been easy to explain to the bosses that they wanted to roll out last year’s bike.

“I first asked about switching to the old bike after Phillip Island but they really didn’t want to take that step back.

Sometimes though you got to go back to move forward,” said the American.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/s...armotogpnickyhaydentorun2007hondainfirstrace/

Big news IMO, who would have expected this?

Ofcourse this is MCN...

It has been reported also by GPone.

Excerpt from the article:
"Apparently, after the new bike suffered from serious grip problems during the night tests, while the 'old' satellite RCVs were shining at the front, someone must have decided to return to the past.
.....
"Honda already did something similar in 1984: just before the Germany GP at Nurburgring, Freddie Spencer asked to use the old 3 cylinder bike instead of the new 4 cylinders. Fast Freddie then made the pole and won the race on the old bike…"

The complete article is here (in Italian):
http://www.gpone.com/news/News.asp?NNews=1653

Pedrobot must be happy if this is true!

Honda to run last year's bike in practice

By Toby Moody Thursday, March 6th 2008, 13:45 GMT

Dani Pedrosa during testing at QatarHRC works team Repsol Honda will run last year's bike in Qatar tomorrow in order to compare it with their current machine.

The Japanese squad have brought some of last year's bikes to Qatar in an attempt to keep up with the pace of the 'privateer' 2007 specification machines that have gone so well in recent testing.

Crates arrived today at the Losail circuit and the team are going to run with one of each bike to start tomorrow evening when the first practice session gets underway.

Honda have looked unable to match the pace of rivals Ducati during winter testing, with Yamaha also showing promising pace.

Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa said the decision to bring the old bikes had been taken by the team.

"At the moment we need to compare, that is why two bikes are here," the Spaniard said.

The mechanics have been rebuilding the bikes that were used last year, and have had to ask some of the privateer teams for some parts or tools to enable them to construct the bikes for tomorrow.

Under current rules, MotoGP teams can scrutineer more than two bikes.

Autosport running a slightly different story.

Translation: Nicky will be testing all year, again. It doesn't look good.

Whatever it takes,good luck to `em.Didn`t Nicky go a little quicker on that bike at the tail end of `07?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 6 2008, 03:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Translation: Nicky will be testing all year, again. It doesn't look good.

He may end up worse than last year given the pace of support he seems to be getting from HRC....Don't give up hope Jumkie...Nicky pull a mirable out of his pocket.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 6 2008, 07:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Translation: Nicky will be testing all year, again. It doesn't look good.

If its a bad season I'll be a a little hypocritical and blame Pedrosa. If its a good season I'll give all the credit to Hayden and his hard work and determination.

WTF is up with Honda, they really are in a quandary over there technology. Even Yamaha look to have a few things figured out. I hope this is all just mind games heh I keep hoping that they have something up there sleeve like they say they do.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MigsAngel @ Mar 6 2008, 08:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>He may end up worse than last year given the pace of support he seems to be getting from HRC....Don't give up hope Jumkie...Nicky pull a mirable out of his pocket.
Thanks for the attempt at the pep talk Migs, but really I’m bummed out today. On the cusp of a season that I’ve been looking forward to in hopes that Hayden bounce back from a dismal year (both in rider performance & equipment development); it looks like I’m in for a difficult and frustrating year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 6 2008, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Thanks for the attempt at the pep talk Migs, but really I’m bummed out today. On the cusp of a season that I’ve been looking forward to in hopes that Hayden bounce back from a dismal year (both in rider performance & equipment development); it looks like I’m in for a difficult and frustrating year.

I think Nicky should be on the phone to his agent making sure he gets a proper ride for 2009....but unfortunately Nicky is a Honda boy top to bottom and would rather return to the AMA as Duhamel 2009 retirement replacement than leave the Honda 'Family'....he is too damned loyal...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MigsAngel @ Mar 6 2008, 09:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think Nicky should be on the phone to his agent making sure he gets a proper ride for 2009....but unfortunately Nicky is a Honda boy top to bottom and would rather return to the AMA as Duhamel 2009 retirement replacement than leave the Honda 'Family'....he is too damned loyal...

sigh

Yup Migs, You're right. Another year of eating humble pie for me. (Maybe this is God's way of character building).

Hey Ben, do we have a miserable dejected emoticon?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SackWack @ Mar 6 2008, 11:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If its a bad season I'll be a a little hypocritical and blame Pedrosa. If its a good season I'll give all the credit to Hayden and his hard work and determination.

WTF is up with Honda, they really are in a quandary over there technology. Even Yamaha look to have a few things figured out. I hope this is all just mind games heh I keep hoping that they have something up there sleeve like they say they do.

You beat me to it,WTF is wrong at Honda.They will probably be the 3rd best bike in Gp this year.In todays AMA SB qualifying,the closest honda was 9th,behind of course Suzuki [top 3 spots],Yamaha,and Kawasaki.In World Superbike the highest Honda is 5th.Something is going on at HRC,and it aint good.

Honda is the winningest (if there is such a word) manufacturer in MotoGP. The reason for their success is their appetite to try new things. they've got it right more times than not. Once in a while they have to back track to sort things out. That's par for the course.

And most of us thing that the factroy riders have it made...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 6 2008, 07:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Translation: Nicky will be testing all year, again. It doesn't look good.

It's not that bad Jumkie. By the end of 2007 Hayden had the bike figured out. He did have to ride it without electronics which made the 07 RC shred tires, but maybe Michelin have worked on their compounds.

There is one thing for certain though. He has no shot at a win.

Glad to see 08 is starting exactly the same as 07.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Mar 8 2008, 02:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It's not that bad Jumkie. By the end of 2007 Hayden had the bike figured out. He did have to ride it without electronics which made the 07 RC shred tires, but maybe Michelin have worked on their compounds.

There is one thing for certain though. He has no shot at a win.

Glad to see 08 is starting exactly the same as 07.

And what does that mean??? Casey will kick there ... again unless Honda has something hidden???? ohh may be we should ask Mick Doohan??? But I wish Nicky all the best i really like him!!!

What a load of bollocks.

Hopefully this will not hinder his season.

Honda I hate you.

Suzuki is doing the exact same thing as Honda. They are testing the old bike with the new to try to solve their massive handling problems.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gsfan @ Mar 7 2008, 01:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Suzuki is doing the exact same thing as Honda. They are testing the old bike with the new to try to solve their massive handling problems.
Hopkins may have been on to something. Come on Nicky, get your agent on the phone.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Mar 7 2008, 09:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Hopkins may have been on to something. Come on Nicky, get your agent on the phone.

Look at the bright side buddy, Hayboy has won the title, and Pedrosa is looking very unlikely to ever achieve that. Unless he buys the pole slot and overtaking is banned. Then the wee .... will walk it.

Pete

Nicky will make the best of what he has and surprise us riding on determination alone,thats for sure.