KRJr

Yeah, he`s fast. But in the face of the dominant Rossi and the dawning of Pedrosa, then with Hayden, Melandri and Capirossi fighting for the front, I don`t think there's too much room left up there for KRJr. But, hey. Stranger things have happened.

Maybe the Honda engine given to him isn't as good as those on Nicky's and Dani's bike.

But nice to see him riding amongst the front runners neverless.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dazza @ Jul 14 2006, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>But nice to see him riding amongst the front runners neverless.

Michelins can do that to ya

Michelins are good everywhere, KrSr has said many times that without Michelins you're just wasting your time, you will not win the championship.

Though Bridgestone are doing a great effort and have good tires too almost every where.

I think Kenny has now a bike as good as he's ever had. The 2000 Suzuki was good, but not as good as the NSR, it was a set of rare circumstances that made that championship posible. Lots of rain (KrJr is really good on wet surface) Rossi was just a rookie, Doohan was out, Crivillé was already sick ...

Him and Hopkins are going to be high up in qualifying nearly every race, but they don't quite have the race setup needed to contest with the big boys.

He'll be the 5th/6th guy all way through, which if you look at his previous results, wouldn't be bad!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RallyeRon @ Jul 14 2006, 05:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>After poor results for a world champ after 2000, it seems like 'ol Junior still has some fire in his belly. And now that he practically has a Honda on michelins, how well can he go?

My guess is he can go well but the new boys are better.
You're pretty right on there Ron. He's going to go very well but the guys at the front now are just too good and KRJR is getting on. It's too bad these circumstances didn't present themselves earlier in his career instead of now when he's already 34ish and will retire within the next few seasons.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ros @ Jul 14 2006, 05:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Maybe the Honda engine given to him isn't as good as those on Nicky's and Dani's bike.
No one seems to know exactly what level KR's RC211V motor is at. I tend to believe it would be nearly identical to those of Tamada, Stoner and Elias. Melandri and Pedrosa get trick components from time to time and Hayden's motor is different and less powerful than the rest, about 2mph down.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RallyeRon @ Jul 14 2006, 06:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Can anyone imagine what hopper would be doing if he was on michelins?!?

He's one stubborn boy staying with Suzuki!!! He just wants to be there to reap the rewards when/if Suzuki come good.
It gets harder and harder for me to cheer for him when he repeatedly makes the same mistake. There's no question in my mind that he would be a front runner on a Honda/Yamaha/Michelin package. Hopefully he'll get wise after the 2007 season and abandon ship.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (teomolca @ Jul 14 2006, 06:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Michelins are good everywhere, KrSr has said many times that without Michelins you're just wasting your time, you will not win the championship.

Though Bridgestone are doing a great effort and have good tires too almost every where.

I think Kenny has now a bike as good as he's ever had. The 2000 Suzuki was good, but not as good as the NSR, it was a set of rare circumstances that made that championship posible. Lots of rain (KrJr is really good on wet surface) Rossi was just a rookie, Doohan was out, Crivillé was already sick ...
Senior is exactly right at this point. Like you said, Bridgestone are getting better at every single track but they still have their tracks that they struggle with. Michelins don't struggle anywhere. I'll agree to that statement about Roberts, it was a series of unpredictable events and Roberts made the best of it. I wish he would have gotten hooked up with Honda around that time but racing isn't made up of "shoulda, coulda, wouldas."

Yeah, Bridgestone are getting better, but not at Honda`s level... yet.

Even if Hopper hadn`t been stubborn, he`d be on a Bridgestone Ducati now. So he still wouldn`t be on the good rubber, but it`s a step in the right direction, isn`t it?

I`ve seen KRJR do at least one test with his new tyre suppliers this year. Anyone think the Frenchies are trying to glean as much info from him on where Bridgestone are, just to keep on top?

They would be foolish not to. Why else would he be testing at their track? He's no championship hopeful like Pedrosa, Rossi or Hayden nor is he a Michelin Man for life like Edwards. My guess is you're right on Richo, putting the screws to him to see where they stack up in comparison to Bridgestone.

And stealing whatever progress Bridgestone are making to keep the gap between the two wide open. Sounds about right to me.