Is this era one of the greats?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Oct 26 2009, 10:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You couldn't be more wrong, i'm not the one who has posted these figures and pointed to them to strengthen a point. If you read the quote you just use, i even pointed out their very limited use in this discussion. Just like you said, there are many other factors

Unsure Tom.

You seem to say that because nobody was killed (thankfully) in the latter years of the 500cc era it supports your view that they (the bikes) became somewhat more 'user friendly'. Is that a correct take on your basic point (although not your entire argument which if I understand it is that latter year 500cc and early 990cc are likely similar in 'rideability')?

Now, apologies if I read it wrong but if not, then my point still stands and that is basically that circuit safety (amongst other factors) has definitely played a part in decreasing serious injury that results from the sport (although sadly we still, and all to often get reminders of those dangers).





Gaz

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Oct 26 2009, 09:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Sorry have you changed sides? I said: "I don't think that the 990's were more viscious than the 500's" You tell me thats wrong and go on to argue in support of my statement.
I apologise, I misread your post.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gaz @ Oct 26 2009, 07:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Just because I can (and from memory)

You should add McCoy as well (RedBull Yamaha to Kawasaki) who would likely be a very good example of which is easier if one compares his 'incidents' from an observation viewpoint

And probably others







Gaz
God yes, a ridiculous omission on my part - hard to think of a more entertaining spectacular rider on a stroker.

McCoy is actually another example of a rider who favoured the 500's over the 990's - much like Rossi, he would doubtless contend that being harder to master, the rider made the difference.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>(Tom @ Oct 26 2009, 09:14 AM)
Sorry have you changed sides? I said: "I don't think that the 990's were more viscious than the 500's" You tell me thats wrong and go on to argue in support of my statement.

the ultimate back peddle

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Oct 25 2009, 10:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>But Tom, the people that rode them both do.

Physically handling a 990 is a different argument to managing and controlling the lightswitch like power band of a 500cc gp bike. Of course the 500's ferocity was tamed towards the end of their tenure, but they were still a ..... to ride - as EVERY RIDER WHO HAS RACED BOTH WILL TESTIFY. Rossi, Barros, Capi, Hopper, Checa, Sete, Haga, Jezza, Van De Goorberg, Kenny Jnr etc etc, they all say the same.......Tom disagrees with them.

We are talking engine characteristics here. Torque on tap made the big 990's far more amenable than the 500's, it doesn't hold that everyone adapted to them. The jockey like two stroke school definitely had problems muscling the big diesels around, and coping under braking. Pedders was the exception to this, and was phenomenal from the off, Daijiro, ominously never looked comfortable. Other riders such as Abe were never able to convincingly make the switch.

If only you were as familiar with engine characteristics Tom, as opposed to search engine characteristics, of which you are an undisputed authority.

Arrab, this post did not help my headache. Laughing uncontrollably while hung-over is not a good combo. Borrowing from the words of Rossi when first riding one of those ‘tame by comparison 500s’… "Ah FAAAACK my head hurts!”