The bikes?

It's only the first race and it was held in pretty extraordinary conditions, but what do folks think of the bikes?

The Ducati seems to be as fast as ever (in Stoner's hands - although I believe Melandri had the highest speed through the trap) but it's speed advantage seems to have been reduced.

The Yamaha must have the vote for the most improved machine - especially the air valve motor version. Yamaha must be delighted with their result last night and (hopefully) are as desperate to roll out the FIAT engines to the Tech3 team as I am to see Toseland/Edwards using them.

The 07 Honda is ok but not a winner.

The 08 Honda looks rapid enough with a toddler on it's back.

The Suzukis are destined for mid pack glory (again)

As are the Kwackers (again).


Any thoughts?


Snorvey

its hard to tell because this is a track with quite a short straight but the honda and yam looked faster than last year. i think the ducati and the honda have a tad more grunt than the yam looking at pedro pass rossi down the straight. may have been a traction thing but i think its was the power.

I thought all bikes looked very shiney last night, like they had icing over it

roger, doesn't qatar have on of the longest straights (1km) of all gp's??

The Yamahas are much improved on the previous year, though the Ducatis (at least the factory ones) still dominate. Suzukis seemed to struggle last night, but they may improve at a different circuit.

Hondas and Kawasakis are average, depends more on who's riding them really.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Marijke @ Mar 10 2008, 12:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I thought all bikes looked very shiney last night, like they had icing over it

roger, doesn't qatar have on of the longest straights (1km) of all gp's??
it is a long straigh until you compare to places like shanghai and mugello, that where the big power becomes obvious. losail just always looks smaller than it is to me

Yamaha has improved a lot, in terms of top speed, The bike Dovizioso was riding is the 07 Honda Pedrosa and Hayden used to fly past Rossi in the straights, and Dovi could hardly keep up with Rossi in the straight.
And considering the results of the rest of Yamaha riders, it may actually be the best bike on the grid right now (at least given the special conditions). We'll see on a normal track at daytime.

Ducati seems pretty much the same as last year, very fast, but requiring a special style that apparently only Stoner has. Cause Melandri and Capi sucked compared to him.

Suzuki seems to have taken a little step backwards. Though maybe it's just the change of Hopkins for Capirossi.

Kawasaki seem to have taken several steps backwards, one injured rider and one crap rider is not helping either.

Honda seems to be in trouble again with the new bike, HRC brought the '07 bikes also so clearly they have a lot of problems with the '08 bike, but as always with Honda, they have the resources to fix it. The key point is how much will it take them to fix it, cause last year it took them too long.
The privateers should make the most of the initial races cause the 07 Honda from the last few races of last year was a great bike (look at Dani's results) but they wont get any new parts,

My 2 cents

It still is the 3rd longest strait in GP regardless.Rossi got what he wanted,he demanded Stones,he got them,he demanded more power,he got it in the form of 10mph over last year.He is quickly running out of excuses.Getting stuffed by a rookie on the last lap told me something.The blood is in the water and these youngsters are no longer afraid to to go after it.Its still early and that was a so called Michelin track because of the temps but a lot of people should be worried.A Bridgestone dominated on an other wise Michelin night.Think of what is going to happen when they get to the Stone tracks.Another thing i noticed is,there is a close comparison to Rossi fans and Dale Earnhardt Jr fans.When their guy is not winning,the sport sucks,Dorna= Nascar has ruined the series,im not watching anymore,the other guy [Toyota=Ducati] has more power than we do.But when their guy is winning,all is well in the universe.On another thread someone said,at least when Rossi was dominating,the races were close.For the most part that is ........,Rossi would follow Gravelplow,or Biaggi,or whoever for 3/4 of the race,make a pass and put 2-3 seconds on them in the next 2-3 laps,And there were plenty of races that had margins of victory in the 6-7 second range when he was on the Honda.In short,its time to put up or shut up for Rossi.Saying they need to forget the setups they used with Michelin is another excuse,Burgess is not a ....... ..... and im sure he didnt have a brain fart and revert back to a Michelin set up come race time.Im sure they figured out in the first day of testing that those set ups were no good.Maybe,just maybe their is something to the Rossi only specials that the other riders used to complain about.