Why nicky may not be gone from HRC/Honda

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kngadrok @ Jul 7 2008, 08:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>you R1 (assuming) guys kill me
Don't tarnish us all with the same brush! (A proud 04 R1 owner for three years and counting, although the 2008 Fireblade is the first real temptation to get me off The One).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jul 7 2008, 08:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Watch Hayden get a one year extention, win the championship in 2009 then get canned by HRC. It would be perfect.
Too perfect.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MigsAngel @ Jul 8 2008, 02:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Back on topic:
Nicky is hungry for wins....and like Austin says Nicky ain't working for free neither....and that is what he meant by the post race interview 'push the deals along'....right now you would imagine his services as racer and test mule are not necessary at a premium to other teams.....so he needs to show he is worth the salaries and length of contracts he is seeking...
I think that those capabilities would certainly be welcomed to potential suitors but likely are not the attributes they are looking for when searching for a new rider. His testing has proven valuable during his stay at HRC and I'm sure Ducati, Kawasaki or Suzuki would like to have someone in their lineup who has had a hand in developing a world championship motorcycle. Or at least riding one in Kawsaki and Suzuki's case.

But ultimately, as Migs said, Nicky needs to up his pace to prove to Ducati that he is still capable of running at the front. Because paying a multimillion USD annual salary for a test rider is not what Ducati need, nor can they afford it.

I've owned and my family has raced Ducatis for a number of years, and proper maintenance is the key to their survival. Checking/adjusting valve clearance and belt tension aren't really hard procedures if you're even modestly mechanically inclined, and in my view at least doing these things is part of the charm of owning a Duc. They're not like other bikes. They're Italian hot rods, with all the good and bad that entails. But we raced the same hot-rodded 900 engine for 4 years with no major mechanical issues - and won our share of races with it.

As for Nicky, I'd love to see him give the Duc a try. His time at HRC is over, and he got his title. In my view it's better for him to have a go with the factory Ducati than ride a satellite bike with virtually no chance of winning.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jul 8 2008, 08:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Too perfect.


I think that those capabilities would certainly be welcomed to potential suitors but likely are not the attributes they are looking for when searching for a new rider. His testing has proven valuable during his stay at HRC and I'm sure Ducati, Kawasaki or Suzuki would like to have someone in their lineup who has had a hand in developing a world championship motorcycle. Or at least riding one in Kawsaki and Suzuki's case.

Bank it homie
those were my thoughts as well bro, & I think B4 next season we'll have realized that nick was more sought after than we all thought
just speculating

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mjpartyboy @ Jul 8 2008, 02:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Don't tarnish us all with the same brush!
never bro, I respect everyone's desire to ride whichever bike they choose

I am happy to see some of you are or have been happy Ducati owners. I agree that with any bike you have to make sure that upkeep is a priority. I don't care what bike you have if you don't care of your machines they will not take care of you.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mjpartyboy @ Jul 8 2008, 03:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Don't tarnish us all with the same brush! (A proud 04 R1 owner for three years and counting, although the 2008 Fireblade is the first real temptation to get me off The One).
dude, shoot me a pic of your bike. proud R1 owner myself.