Welcome Nicky Hayden!

#22 · Nov 17, 2015

I know it's hard to accept Jums, but Nicky is now a WSBK rider and not a GP rider. So I thought I'd continue to farewell thread into the more relevant forum.

So who's buying a WSBK video pass for 2016?

#22 · Nov 17, 2015

Nicky looks fairly happy to begin with!

Nicky Hayden has called his switch to World Superbike with Honda a 'fun' challenge after enjoying his first day getting to grips with the CBR1000RR during winter testing at Aragon.

After over a decade in MotoGP, the 2006 world champion has moved to the Ten Kate Racing Honda squad for next season and will team-mate Dutch youngster Michael van der Mark. The American made his first track outing on the Honda World Superbike machine on Monday (16 November) in his opening winter test alongside fellow the WSBK squads of Kawasaki and Yamaha.

Hayden says he has plenty of things to get used to in what will be his rookie World Superbike campaign, but is confident he has already discovered a positive feel with the bike and is relishing the challenge ahead of him.

“My first time on the Honda CBR1000RR, I have a lot of work to do to adjust to different things,” Hayden said. “The first day went very quick. We started the job and we've seen where we need to improve more and we'll keep going. It is still pretty early days.

“It my first time racing a production bike and it is a different motorcycle but truthfully it is still a motorcycle. The forks, suspension, tyres, brakes and engine are different but I've got to remember not to come crazy. It is a bike and we have to ride it. I was able to get close to feeling the limit and the faster you go the more fun it is.”

Assessing the task of switching from MotoGP to the World Superbike arena, Hayden is upbeat for the test and says as long as he and the Ten Kate Honda squad can create a solid working relationship and he can find the speed to fight towards the front he will revel in his rookie WSBK campaign.

“I'm looking forward to some of the changes, change is fun,” Hayden explained. “I'm going to some new tracks for the first time and some new countries to race.

“New is not always bad, it is exciting and motivating. It is a new chapter to my career but like I said it is a similar approach so I want to try to enjoy it, that is always nice, and if I'm fast enough I'm sure it'll be fun. I need to fit in with the team and learn to work with everybody and how to get what I feel with the bike across to them so they can help me so we can battle on track at the front.”

Hayden also feels it is too early to set a target for the 2016 season after a single day of testing and says there is still lots to learn over a very short period of time.

“I don't have a set number yet but for sure I want to be as competitive as possible,” he said. “We know these days are going to go fast. Luckily we were here at Aragon, a track I already knew, so I could get straight to work on the bike and not have to learn a new track so that was convenient.”
Read more at WSBK News - Hayden hails 'fun' first outing with Ten Kate Honda

WVMotoGP99 · Nov 17, 2015

Probably not a move that Nicky wanted to make, but has me thinking..

I will watch more WSBK next year than I have before since Nicky moved over. Will WSBK get a measurable or sizable fan bump from Nicky joining?? You think there enough "band wagon jumpers" like me that tv ratings and the like will increase? Or to few yanks interested to make a difference.

Jumkie · Nov 17, 2015

I hope so. In perfect world, the events of the final stages of GP should have turn a few people off, but we all like train wrecks. Regardless, Nicky will draw some to Wsbk, but I'm not sure it it will be a significant tick on ratings. He missed his opportunity two years ago, when he should have taken the Ducati factory ride. Now I'm afraid it will be a repeat of the last two years on a Honda. Nothing creates excitement like winning. The season Ben Spies won it was well watched. The grim reality is the parity is in this order: Kawasaki, Ducati, Aprilia...now maybe even Yamaha, then Honda. In other words, Nicky traded the RCV-RS for the equivalent in Wsbk. Of course there is always hope. Regardless, I will be watching. When I first started going to Laguna Seca it was to watch Wsbk. Back then it was a reasonable draw while the racing was fantastic. One thing that Wsbk has on GP is that the RACING has always generally been better. There have been many races that would make GP go bonkers. Also, Wsbk does not have divas. All well level headed racers. Blue collar types. The thing is that now that Wsbk is a Dorna property, it will never be allowed to compete with GP. Unlike when the Flamini brothers owned it, who seems to relish in challenging notions that GP was the pinnacle of the sport.

Hollywood · Nov 17, 2015

I doubt he will draw a lot of fans over to WSBK, he is not on a competitive bike.

propagandhi · Nov 17, 2015

Aprilia the third best bike? Right behind the buell,right?
The kawa was at its best with virtually unlimited engine tuning.
Under evo rules sykes looked like what he is. One of the top riders . nothing more nothing less.
The yam will be up to speed quickly. That bike has the basis to challenge for best bike sooner than later

AntG · Nov 17, 2015

Nicky should be able to piss all over them but then he is riding the Fireblade which is like Usain Bolt running the 100 metres while carrying an anvil.

Arrabbiata1 · Nov 17, 2015

AntG said:
but then he is riding the Fireblade which is like Usain Bolt running the 100 metres while carrying an anvil.

Supposedly this wasn't the case when Johnny Rea was saddled with the ride - we were lead to believe that he was ...... Not any more it seems? - wrong, apparently he's simply on the best bike.

propagandhi · Nov 17, 2015

Arrabbiata1 said:
Supposedly this wasn't the case when Johnny Rea was saddled with the ride - we were lead to believe that he was ...... Not any more it seems? - wrong, apparently he's simply on the best bike.

Because it's rigged! The florma wanted a brit champion to milk it. And chaz sounds like a surfer from cali, tom is basically Scottish and Leon looks like a ...wherever overweight Muslims are from. Rea on the other hand. ..raaiit fookin on mait! Hence the fifth valve on his bike alone

levigarrett · Nov 17, 2015

Arrabbiata1 said:
Supposedly this wasn't the case when Johnny Rea was saddled with the ride - we were lead to believe that he was ...... Not any more it seems? - wrong, apparently he's simply on the best bike.

Valdi point of course but I think Rea had a propensity for delivering self inflicted wounds. I believed the Honda to be an underperforming machine when Rea rode it, just as I do now. I don't see Nicky doing particularly well on the bike in the dry.

I have and will continue to keep my SBK video pass current. I enjoy the series, not as much as GP clearly but it's still a joy to watch with or without Nicky.

Bern1 · Nov 17, 2015

Well, I always love to watch Nick. Would love to see him win.

#22 · Nov 17, 2015

Big improvement from Hayden on day 2:

1- Jonathan REA / Kawasaki ZX-10R: 1’50.3 
2- Chaz DAVIES / Ducati Panigale R: 1’51.0
3= Tom SYKES / Kawasaki ZX-10R: 1’51.1
3= Alex LOWES / Yamaha YZF-R1: 1’51.1 
5- Xavi FORES / Ducati Panigale R: 1’51.3 
6- Michael VAN DER MARK / Honda CBR1000RR SP: 1’51.5
7- Nicky HAYDEN / Honda CBR1000RR SP:  1’51.8
8- Sylvain GUINTOLI / Yamaha YZF-R1: 1’52.5 - See more at: WorldSBK

WVMotoGP99 · Nov 18, 2015

I realize probably should be a different topic, but the Yamaha's seem to be running pretty darn good right out of the box.

Back to point, nice to see Nicky catching up to the pack.

propagandhi · Nov 18, 2015

Agreed. Like I said, yam will do great. Someone much smartee than me convinced me its the basis for a perfect sbk,much like the mighty rsv4. Look out for lowes. This championship will be between rea and him

Hayden just a tenth behind, that is important and good. I feel a good dog fight between him and vdm coming up. Good consolidation that those two uber exciting riders can't actually play a role in the wc

#22 · Nov 18, 2015

...., after the last 2 years in MGP, I'll be happy to see Hayden inside the top 10 for 2016...at least we might see him on TV then!

AntG · Nov 18, 2015

Arrabbiata1 said:
Supposedly this wasn't the case when Johnny Rea was saddled with the ride - we were lead to believe that he was ...... Not any more it seems? - wrong, apparently he's simply on the best bike.

Johnny actually made the bike look good, wasted so many years on that thing though, carried Honda for several years, won Suzuka and did a good job standing in for Stoner at Repsol Honda, should have had a decent full time GP ride years ago. I remember when he pushed Kiyo all the way in 2007 BSB, he'd only just turned 20.

AntG · Nov 18, 2015

propagandhi said:
Because it's rigged! The florma wanted a brit champion to milk it. And chaz sounds like a surfer from cali, tom is basically Scottish and Leon looks like a ...wherever overweight Muslims are from. Rea on the other hand. ..raaiit fookin on mait! Hence the fifth valve on his bike alone

Ironic considering Rea is Irish.

Willski · Nov 18, 2015

levigarrett said:
Valdi point of course but I think Rea had a propensity for delivering self inflicted wounds. I believed the Honda to be an underperforming machine when Rea rode it, just as I do now. I don't see Nicky doing particularly well on the bike in the dry.

I have and will continue to keep my SBK video pass current. I enjoy the series, not as much as GP clearly but it's still a joy to watch with or without Nicky.

Come on Levi, give it up. Admit it, you sort of like Rea now.

J4rn0 · Nov 19, 2015

Jumkie · Nov 19, 2015

2016 Wsbk calendar

https://m.motomatters.com/news/2015/11/19/2016_world_superbikes_provisional_calend.html

Welcome Nicky Hayden!

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