Westy the next one out of GP?

bonnielass

Joined Mar 2007

2K Posts | 0+

Alpha Setti 5

• Aug 14, 2008

• #21

You all know silly seasons coming up don't you, there's gonna be rumours flying all over the show.

I reckon Marco could do well on a Kwaka. I think he is better at development then a lot of people give him credit for.

 

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pepik128

Joined Jan 2007

91 Posts | 0+

Queensland Australia

• Aug 14, 2008

• #22

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kawzx7R @ Aug 15 2008, 02:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Every bike except the ducati has put one of it's riders in the hospital, some more than once this year also, so what's your point?
My point is that the Kawasaki sucks.

 

K

KawZX7R

Joined Jun 2008

69 Posts | 0+

USA

• Aug 14, 2008

• #23

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pepik128 @ Aug 14 2008, 03:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>My point is that the Kawasaki sucks.

Your reasoning is the Kawasaki sucks because it put hopkins in the hospital. So did the Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda. They must suck too using the same rationale.

 

ROCKGOD01

Joined Jun 2008

2K Posts | 6+

America

Discussion Starter
• Aug 14, 2008

• #24

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bonnielass @ Aug 14 2008, 08:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You all know silly seasons coming up don't you, there's gonna be rumours flying all over the show.

I reckon Marco could do well on a Kwaka. I think he is better at development then a lot of people give him credit for.
marco is a good rider however I don't see him going to Kawasaki and doing better development on an inferior machine. If he couldn't develop a proven championship machine how is he going to fair with a green turd?

 

S

SackWack

Joined Nov 2007

3K Posts | 1+

Paso Robles, CA USA

• Aug 14, 2008

• #25

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bonnielass @ Aug 14 2008, 11:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You all know silly seasons coming up don't you, there's gonna be rumours flying all over the show.

I reckon Marco could do well on a Kwaka. I think he is better at development then a lot of people give him credit for.


Please tell me about it.

 

basspete

Joined Oct 2006

3K Posts | 197+

Living the dream in Scotland

• Aug 15, 2008

• #26

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Anders GUZZI @ Aug 14 2008, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I agree,Melandri could be fast on the Kawasaki but only if it fits him.But i don't think he would be much of a help to develope it either.
As i think very few riders would be tempted to go to Kawsaki if it's not for a big pile of money,probarbly not so many teams would ask for Melandri either.So if Melandri don't get a Gresini ride,he would almost be the best alternative for Kawasaki.At least he is familiar with Bridgestone and has more experience than West,so he would be an easier option compared to a rookie.
I'm surprised that Hopkins would want an experienced-testrider- sort of rider as a teammate.
I thought he wanted to be in charge him self of what to use and so on.

I think it's maybe dawning on Hopper that his way isnt working. Granted, the guy came fourth last year, but he has to hit the sharp end more if he wants to take the next step. And to be brutal, he has to start winning races.

Pete

 

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djm

Joined Jul 2008

251 Posts | 0+

• Aug 15, 2008

• #27

i voted both. while i don't think the kaw compares to say the duc or the yam, i don't think it's entirely the bike that is the problem.

its been pointed out already that west doesn't seem to know how to setup the bike. a prime example is laguna. pretty sad for hacker to just come in, jump on, and out perform the guy. hacker is a more experienced rider, and developed the .... out of the 10r. if you guys remember the 10r was a big pile of .... the year before, so props to hacker. but kinda points to west's issues. setup.

and it seems that hopkins hasn't been labled a wrecker (or maybe he has, and i havent' heard it), but maybe it's more his fault than the bikes.

without having two people developing the bike, the kaw is going to be even further behind the other bikes. so it's going to look worse as the season progresses. vicious cycle. the more hopkins wrecks, the less time he has on the bike, the more he pushs it past its limits when he gets back to get some results.

 

T

Tom

Joined Feb 2006

9K Posts | 0+

West Yorkshire, UK

• Aug 15, 2008

• #28

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Aug 15 2008, 09:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>And to be brutal, he has to start winning races.

Pete

For now he needs to work on just staying on it. It is hard to develop a bike from the gravel trap.

 

basspete

Joined Oct 2006

3K Posts | 197+

Living the dream in Scotland

• Aug 15, 2008

• #29

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Aug 15 2008, 04:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>For now he needs to work on just staying on it. It is hard to develop a bike from the gravel trap.


Fair point Tom!

Pete

 

Andy Roo

Joined Jul 2008

2K Posts | 14+

Tweed Valley Australia

• Aug 15, 2008

• #30

Kawasaki need to get some real good photos of the Yamaha, work out the weights and the angles and build one of those.

And then paint it revolting green.

Westy needs to be on a bike someone else developed. Westy used to be a boxer and as much as I want the guy to do well he just ain't got the smarts...

I voted both.

 

T

Tom

Joined Feb 2006

9K Posts | 0+

West Yorkshire, UK

• Aug 15, 2008

• #31

West's problem is that his teammate (who should be developing the bike) is underperforming and West is still awful compared to him, while the bike still doesn't get better. Kawasaki need someone who knows how to win motogps.

 

W

Wander

Joined Jun 2008

623 Posts | 0+

Finland

• Aug 16, 2008

• #32

I'm wondering, looking at the quali results and reports... Why the hell does West always seem to be about 2x better on the wet compared to driving in the dry?

 

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frosty58

Joined Sep 2005

8K Posts | 1+

washington DC, USA

• Aug 16, 2008

• #33

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Andy Roo @ Aug 16 2008, 01:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Kawasaki need to get some real good photos of the Yamaha, work out the weights and the angles and build one of those.
didn't mclaren get in trouble doin that in f1?

 

A

Anders

Joined Dec 2007

743 Posts | 0+

Sweden

• Aug 16, 2008

• #34

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Aug 15 2008, 09:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think it's maybe dawning on Hopper that his way isnt working. Granted, the guy came fourth last year, but he has to hit the sharp end more if he wants to take the next step. And to be brutal, he has to start winning races.

Pete
Yes,the rider makes bigger difference than some small differences on the bike is what i think anyway.
I don't think Nakano for instance is going to become much faster than De Angelis,especially not before he and Gresini has learned to use it's potential.

 

ROCKGOD01

Joined Jun 2008

2K Posts | 6+

America

Discussion Starter
• Aug 16, 2008

• #35

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Wander @ Aug 16 2008, 03:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm wondering, looking at the quali results and reports... Why the hell does West always seem to be about 2x better on the wet compared to driving in the dry?
He was born with flippers.

 

D

dph67

Joined Jul 2008

292 Posts | 0+

Swindon. Wiltshire

• Aug 16, 2008

• #36

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Wander @ Aug 16 2008, 03:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm wondering, looking at the quali results and reports... Why the hell does West always seem to be about 2x better on the wet compared to driving in the dry?

The rain is a good leveller for all types of motorsport. This is normally when you see good riders come to the front, and not the good bikes, anyone remember Mamola? I say hats off to Westy for his performance today, it says a lot about him and the bike

 

A

an4rew

Joined May 2007

2K Posts | 0+

N. Ireland

• Aug 16, 2008

• #37

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mr-brightside @ Aug 16 2008, 10:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The rain is a good leveller for all types of motorsport. This is normally when you see good riders come to the front, and not the good bikes

I agree but lately when i've been watching the wet weather racing with electronics its kind of slow and generic stuff if you ask me.

Its maybe harder to push the limits in the dry than it is to go like the rest in the wet nowadays.

 

Andy Roo

Joined Jul 2008

2K Posts | 14+

Tweed Valley Australia

• Aug 16, 2008

• #38

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Aug 17 2008, 12:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>didn't mclaren get in trouble doin that in f1?

Not plans, just photos - there just has to be something the green team can do.

It also occurred to me in a blinding moment of clarity that there was talk earlier of running a three-bike team for Kawasaki (when Marco comes on board - that is the big question I guess).

With three riders developing they have someone in reserve when Hopper throws it down and has some time off and leaves everything to the hapless Westy.

Or it may be a case of "all of us are dumber than any of us" and they still go backwards.

 

D

dph67

Joined Jul 2008

292 Posts | 0+

Swindon. Wiltshire

• Aug 16, 2008

• #39

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (an4rew @ Aug 16 2008, 10:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I agree but lately when i've been watching the wet weather racing with electronics its kind of slow and generic stuff if you ask me.

I've gotta say it was a breath of fresh air for me to see everyone backing it in and sliding it out today. Looked just like the 990's used to do in the dry!

 

basspete

Joined Oct 2006

3K Posts | 197+

Living the dream in Scotland

• Aug 17, 2008

• #40

Actually, I think it's time that Kawasaki gave Westy a better team mate. Funny but it seems to have gotten a lot better when Hopper was injured an not riding it.

Pete