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That looks like a tricked up 750SE.

They revisited the ED1/ED2 styling with a project bike in 2006 I think which was a transverse six, but sadly the 'Katana' brand was appended to scooters and in the US the very staid and soulless GSX-F series.
 
Daniboy said:
Hd0z50c.jpg

Ducati's way round the winglet ban, I preferred last years version.!
Click to expand...

I don't have a problem with it. If the form functions - it's works for me. I remember when racing leathers first started showing up with the hump at the neck. It really disturbed me. I thought it looked grotesque. Now I don't even notice it. If Ducati's design catches on - nobody will give a thought in a few years.
 
Keshav said:
I don't have a problem with it. If the form functions - it's works for me. I remember when racing leathers first started showing up with the hump at the neck. It really disturbed me. I thought it looked grotesque. Now I don't even notice it. If Ducati's design catches on - nobody will give a thought in a few years.
Click to expand...

Apart from looking awkward I think there is a safety issue, in a crash the side ducts are large enough to collect a riders arm or foot at the right angle, much more unsafe than what it's replacing imo .
 
Keshav said:
I don't have a problem with it. If the form functions - it's works for me. I remember when racing leathers first started showing up with the hump at the neck. It really disturbed me. I thought it looked grotesque. Now I don't even notice it. If Ducati's design catches on - nobody will give a thought in a few years.
Click to expand...

I think it will look less harsh when painted also. What boggles me at the moment is the rider is going to get seriously buffeted from that, and surely the extra drag will negate any cornering advantage.

Daniboy said:
Apart from looking awkward I think there is a safety issue, in a crash the side ducts are large enough to collect a riders arm or foot at the right angle, much more unsafe than what it's replacing imo .
Click to expand...

Good point.


Day 3 testing, Lorenzo looks quick out of the blocks today.

1. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 54.607s [Lap 8/10]
2. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 54.990s +0.383s [12/18]
3. Maverick Viñales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 55.085s +0.478s [10/14]
4. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 55.202s +0.595s [7/8]
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 55.406s +0.799s [6/6]
6. Aleix Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 1m 55.457s +0.850s [10/14]
7. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 55.567s +0.960s [11/11]
8. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 1m 55.660s +1.053s [4/11]
9. Alvaro Bautista ESP Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 55.832s +1.225s [6/17]
10. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 56.005s +1.398s [3/12]
11. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 1m 56.088s +1.481s [11/18]
12. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 56.095s +1.488s [5/11]
13. Johann Zarco FRA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 56.111s +1.504s [14/19]
14. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 56.176s +1.569s [11/11]
15. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 56.542s +1.935s [10/10]
16. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 56.567s +1.960s [3/20]
17. Alex Rins ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 1m 56.595s +1.988s [8/13]
18. Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* 1m 57.105s +2.498s [10/16]
19. Pol Espargaro ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 57.220s +2.613s [4/12]
20. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 57.585s +2.978s [15/15]
21. Mika Kallio FIN KTM Test Rider (RC16) 1m 58.060s +3.453s [19/19]
22. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 58.393s +3.786s [8/15]
23. Karel Abraham CZE Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP15) No Completes Laps [0/1]
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Daniboy said:
Apart from looking awkward I think there is a safety issue, in a crash the side ducts are large enough to collect a riders arm or foot at the right angle, much more unsafe than what it's replacing imo .
Click to expand...

My gut feeling is that the likelihood of that happening is pretty damned small. Some folks expressed similar concerns about the handlebar guards. We've all watched countless crashes in races and practice and instances where the bike strikes the rider are relatively few. There's no such thing as risk free racing. Designers, engineers and riders doubtless weigh what they consider to be an acceptable degree of risk, against the perceived benefit. There's barely a square inch of any GP bike that designers haven't engineered for longevity and rider safety. On the whole, in crashes - bikes fall away from the rider and at a much higher rate of speed due to the difference in mass and frictive surfaces.
 
Last edited:
#22 said:
I think it will look less harsh when painted also. What boggles me at the moment is the rider is going to get seriously buffeted from that, and surely the extra drag will negate any cornering advantage.


Good point.


Day 3 testing, Lorenzo looks quick out of the blocks today.
Click to expand...

I can't imagine that with all the money Ducati spent on wind-tunnel time - that they'd create something that doesn't flow. I'd love to see the wind flow graphics generated by their testing.

Re: Lorenzo - it's more than I could have hoped for. I hope this is really pointing to his being competitive - rather than it just being a result of Ducati once again pulling more ponies out of their hat. I already admire him as a rider - but if he puts you-know-who to shame while on the Ducati - he'll really be a hero.
 
I knew as soon as Herve signed Folger that he would be my rider of choice in the top class. So far, I am very happy with his results. Folgass!
 
Keshav said:
My gut feeling is that the likelihood of that happening is pretty damned small. Some folks expressed similar concerns about the handlebar guards. We've all watched countless crashes in races and practice and instances where the bike strikes the rider are relatively few. There's no such thing as risk free racing. Designers, engineers and riders doubtless weigh what they consider to be an acceptable degree of risk, against the perceived benefit. There's barely a square inch of any GP bike that designers haven't engineered for longevity and rider safety. On the whole, in crashes - bikes fall away from the rider and at a much higher rate of speed due to the difference in mass and frictive surfaces.
Click to expand...

Fair points but as the original winglets were banned on safety reasons don't you think this is less safe than those?
 
Daniboy said:
Fair points but as the original winglets were banned on safety reasons don't you think this is less safe than those?
Click to expand...

I was never convinced of they're being unsafe. Folks were all in an uproar about them - as if they were made of Sheffield steel. They didn't have sharp edges and were constructed from carbon fiber - which has relatively little mass.

If you take into consideration how sophisticated today's racing leathers are and how well armored they are in all the most important places - I don't see much cause for concern. I mean if one digs deep enough, one could hypothesize some freakish thing happening like the brake lever snapping off and piercing the faceshield of the helmet, or a section of smashed windscreen breaking off and slicing the rider's exposed throat, but the chances are infinitesimally small.

I will say that on further consideration - that looking at the design, that @22 makes a good point in that it does very much appear, that the design would be funneling air right up at the rider. But anyone who's ridden at speed knows there's going to be buffeting at 210 mph regardless of how well tucked in the rider is. Those fairing don't create a magical calm space behind them. Fairings are designed not for rider comfort, but for efficiency. The Ducatis were clocked with highest speeds at the Qatar test - so I'm guessing that the new design isn't hindering the bike.

Curious to hear Dr. No's take on this.
 
Last edited:
Keshav said:
My gut feeling is that the likelihood of that happening is pretty damned small. Some folks expressed similar concerns about the handlebar guards. We've all watched countless crashes in races and practice and instances where the bike strikes the rider are relatively few. There's no such thing as risk free racing. Designers, engineers and riders doubtless weigh what they consider to be an acceptable degree of risk, against the perceived benefit. There's barely a square inch of any GP bike that designers haven't engineered for longevity and rider safety. On the whole, in crashes - bikes fall away from the rider and at a much higher rate of speed due to the difference in mass and frictive surfaces.
Click to expand...

Good post, come to think of it there are pegs, wheel spokes, and a whole lot of other stuff that can impale a rider. Wasn't it Motegi 2005 where Melandri got his ankle impaled by his footage?

Keshav said:
I can't imagine that with all the money Ducati spent on wind-tunnel time - that they'd create something that doesn't flow. I'd love to see the wind flow graphics generated by their testing.

Re: Lorenzo - it's more than I could have hoped for. I hope this is really pointing to his being competitive - rather than it just being a result of Ducati once again pulling more ponies out of their hat. I already admire him as a rider - but if he puts you-know-who to shame while on the Ducati - he'll really be a hero.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree and would like to see some more pictures of the fairing, the ones so far are at an angle that makes it look like they would exit air right to the inside of the riders forearm area.

Fingers crossed for Lorenzo too, I'm fully expecting him to be uncompetitive at certain tracks but I'll take it if he can be at the front more often than not.

Keshav said:
I was never convinced of they're being unsafe. Folks were all in an uproar about them - as if they were made of Sheffield steel. They didn't have sharp edges and were constructed from carbon fiber - which has relatively little mass.
Click to expand...

Only Fools and Horses reference? ;)
 
#22 said:
Good post, come to think of it there are pegs, wheel spokes, and a whole lot of other stuff that can impale a rider. Wasn't it Motegi 2005 where Melandri got his ankle impaled by his footage?



I tend to agree and would like to see some more pictures of the fairing, the ones so far are at an angle that makes it look like they would exit air right to the inside of the riders forearm area.

Fingers crossed for Lorenzo too, I'm fully expecting him to be uncompetitive at certain tracks but I'll take it if he can be at the front more often than not.



Only Fools and Horses reference? ;)
Click to expand...

"I used to miss my dad. Then I learned to punch straight."
 
Either Marquez is sandbagging in a major way, or there is an issue with the bike. Not once in testing has he gone for an all out attack. I'm tendinding to think the latter. The bike is solid over distance, but not blazing fast
 
I will go with distance testing and nothing major for MM, only because Pedrosa did well. While their styles are different, and Dani is slightly smaller than Marc, they aren't that different. Marc "should" always be faster than Dani, in my opinion. MM results are surprising, and would make me a little nervous for his good competition, except Bautista and Redding are ahead of him on today's time sheet. So we KNOW these times may mean nothing what-so-ev-ar.

Lorenzo seems to be getting along okay with the Ducati, which could mean BIG problems for others in the field.
 
Daniboy said:
Fair points but as the original winglets were banned on safety reasons don't you think this is less safe than those?
Click to expand...


Different kind of safety issue (based on your thoughts of the new fairing)

The concerns with the old wings were two fold.

1. If they break off and are left laying on the track they can become unsafe to tyres etc

2. The possibility of the broken piece left on the track being flicked up and striking a rider or the remnants of that left on the fairing cutting a rider in a fall.

Your point of arm/hand caught, which may be real (in some way tough to tell for sure without fore/aft pictures and measurements) is a different type of safety issue/concern
 
Iamapony said:
I will go with distance testing and nothing major for MM, only because Pedrosa did well. While their styles are different, and Dani is slightly smaller than Marc, they aren't that different. Marc "should" always be faster than Dani, in my opinion. MM results are surprising, and would make me a little nervous for his good competition, except Bautista and Redding are ahead of him on today's time sheet. So we KNOW these times may mean nothing what-so-ev-ar.

Lorenzo seems to be getting along okay with the Ducati, which could mean BIG problems for others in the field.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure which is more alarming, his lack of time attack speed, or the number of times he has been down in pre season testing. He is making a lot of mistakes or the bike isn't allowing him to push. Vinales has led every test with record breaking speeds and has yet to see the wrong side of the pavement. He is looking ominous .
 

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