Not much talk of AM and I am not sure why. Signing him might even help keep MM from seeking greener pastures.
I would like to see Zarco on the bike and prospering as a rebuttal of KTM and to some extent Yamaha.
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Joined Mar 2016
2K Posts | 2K+
FNQ
Joined Feb 2017
584 Posts | 370+
Acadiana
Possibility, but unlikely. Only if Honda believes Zarco would do better job at WSBK than Bautista. I'm sure Zarco does not want to leave MotoGP.
Regarding Alex ... why would Honda want him? Beating Lüthi does not guarantee he has top 10 potential in MotoGP.
No disrespect to Alex but realistically he won the title because everyone that had beaten him previously had moved up to MotoGP.
I would say HRC can get anyone they want tbh. Contracts generally have a buy out clause in them and it’s not like HRC can’t afford to buy out a contract. Zarco is probably the leading man right now but his ok results on the easier to ride 2018 bike do not mean he will do well on the 2019 bike as I’m sure HRC are aware.
Joined Feb 2017
584 Posts | 370+
Acadiana
What is this 2019 bike is harder to ride business.
Here is the info I'm aware of.
Honda added more power to the engine. There has been no mention of any other changes to the bike.
Honda said Marc is great champion and coped immediately with more power.
Crutchlow said riding it is problematic (or something along the lines).
OK, so the top end is stronger now, more top speed and better acceleration on 5th and 6th. Anything below this is electronically restricted and the full power is not used - and wasn't used before. So how exactly makes this change bike harder to ride and how it "completely changes the nature of bike" as some have alleged?
My BS meter is on high. Honda praising their champ, not surprising, is it? Crutchlow telling how hard he has to work - hardly a scientific argument.
I'm all ears if someone can shed some light on this "harder to ride" business.
Here is the info I'm aware of.
Honda added more power to the engine. There has been no mention of any other changes to the bike.
Honda said Marc is great champion and coped immediately with more power.
Crutchlow said riding it is problematic (or something along the lines).
OK, so the top end is stronger now, more top speed and better acceleration on 5th and 6th. Anything below this is electronically restricted and the full power is not used - and wasn't used before. So how exactly makes this change bike harder to ride and how it "completely changes the nature of bike" as some have alleged?
My BS meter is on high. Honda praising their champ, not surprising, is it? Crutchlow telling how hard he has to work - hardly a scientific argument.
I'm all ears if someone can shed some light on this "harder to ride" business.
Joined Jun 2008
1K Posts | 365+
USA
Good point! But I think we wont know until after the Valencia test. I did hear Matt Birt said, reliable sources have stated that Alpinestars have been request to put a HRC/Repsol suit together for Alex.
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Joined Jun 2008
1K Posts | 365+
USA
The bike has lost the front end feel and is now a bit more difficult to turn. Those are the two complaints.
Joined Aug 2013
902 Posts | 509+
USA
with regards to the 2019 Honda, more power also effects how the engine slows the bike (engine braking) and enters corners.
you have to think that Zarco is the favorite for the ride, he's experienced and available, and he's a Red Bull athlete. however I think with Marc currently in negotiations for a contract, and likely advocating for his brother behind the scenes, Alex may be given serious consideration... or at least a test (this after hearing about an alpinestars repost suit being made for him).
that said I dont think Zarco nor Alex has a riding style that fits current factory Honda.
you have to think that Zarco is the favorite for the ride, he's experienced and available, and he's a Red Bull athlete. however I think with Marc currently in negotiations for a contract, and likely advocating for his brother behind the scenes, Alex may be given serious consideration... or at least a test (this after hearing about an alpinestars repost suit being made for him).
that said I dont think Zarco nor Alex has a riding style that fits current factory Honda.
I suspect this has been addressed but...
More power and torque = more engine braking = more pitch / overloaded front = more bracing/stiffness = less front end feel.
More power and torque = more engine braking = more pitch / overloaded front = more bracing/stiffness = less front end feel.
Joined Feb 2017
584 Posts | 370+
Acadiana
This is BS. Well, technically yes, if you have got bigger engine then there is more engine braking power. But as long as the displacement and compression ratio remain the same there is no difference in engine braking. More power is achieved by burning more fuel or burning it in a more efficient way. These factors do not influence engine braking power.
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Exactly. When I was selling off a couple of supermotos, I had to explain to potential buyers why the KTM was a better engine than say a DRZ or even some comparable Huskys, because it has much less engine braking than street bikes which (assuming one has developed braking skills) makes for much more settled turn entry. When folks talk about the merits of two-strokes vs four-strokes, that is a point that many people miss. Personally - I think that's a big part of why so many guys who came up in the two-stroke era are so much better on the brakes.
Joined Feb 2017
584 Posts | 370+
Acadiana
Exactly what?
Are you trying to tell us MotoGP bike is like a spaceship which uses fuel for slowing down? I've got news for you.
1. Displacement of MotoGP engine cannot be changed, it is set by rules.
2. Internal combustion engine does not use fuel for engine braking.
Are you trying to tell us MotoGP bike is like a spaceship which uses fuel for slowing down? I've got news for you.
1. Displacement of MotoGP engine cannot be changed, it is set by rules.
2. Internal combustion engine does not use fuel for engine braking.
Joined Jan 2016
801 Posts | 401+
Uk
When Honda built the more powerful 2019 bike they had to use a new chassis with an extensively modified steering head area, in order to get the improved air flow through and into the airbox.
Unfortunately they didn’t envisage the instability during braking and turning that this would cause. The 2019 engine isn’t compatible with the 2018 chassis either so it wasn’t an easy remedy either.
Marquez was pragmatic deciding he could live with the problems as he felt the power gain was worth it. He’s got around a lot by hammering on the rear brakes to calm the bike and has even tried the scooter style rear brake since taking the title.
Lorenzo and Crutchlow didn’t adapt as well and have struggled all year, Lorenzo suffering crashes that have led to his retirement.
All riders have complained, Cal in particular has been very vocal on BT Sports.
Hopefully 2020 will see a much improved bike!
Unfortunately they didn’t envisage the instability during braking and turning that this would cause. The 2019 engine isn’t compatible with the 2018 chassis either so it wasn’t an easy remedy either.
Marquez was pragmatic deciding he could live with the problems as he felt the power gain was worth it. He’s got around a lot by hammering on the rear brakes to calm the bike and has even tried the scooter style rear brake since taking the title.
Lorenzo and Crutchlow didn’t adapt as well and have struggled all year, Lorenzo suffering crashes that have led to his retirement.
All riders have complained, Cal in particular has been very vocal on BT Sports.
Hopefully 2020 will see a much improved bike!
Joined Aug 2013
902 Posts | 509+
USA
lots of other factors, anything that rotates can factor in to the engine braking, size and weight of the components, gearing, any number of ratios, even how the throttle bodies are positioned. Motogp bikes also have engine braking controls, granted its more primitive these days with the unified software, though depending on how the butterflies are designed will change how the bikes engine braking works.
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
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