Yamaha extends Rossi contract to 2018

I must admit the constant circles in the arguments on here do indeed confuse me. I also admit that I may not analyse others posts to the same extent as some, however I read not just your post but others, which all seemed to me to say the same thing. I responded as I see it.
I also refuse to invest the time to go back and re read it but that just me.
I'm quite sure I'm right and everyone else is wrong but hey ho.

black101 said:

I must admit the constant circles in the arguments on here do indeed confuse me. I also admit that I may not analyse others posts to the same extent as some, however I read not just your post but others, which all seemed to me to say the same thing. I responded as I see it.
I also refuse to invest the time to go back and re read it but that just me.
I'm quite sure I'm right and everyone else is wrong but hey ho.

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Logic can be challenging sometimes.

It can indeed. To me anyways[emoji3]

WVMotoGP99 said:

If Rossi finishes in the top 3 this year, and top 4 the next and top 5 the next, it is a 100% win and cash cow for Yamaha.

You folks seem to forget this sport is first and for most about selling bikes.. Rossi still sells bikes. Outside the US any ways.

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WV. Its about the technology. Honda uses GP to as a testing grounds for increasing fuel effiency on scooters and small liter bikes

black101 said:

Your assumption, because it fits your narrative, that I blindly support VR. This is not the case but I do admit to trying to apply a little balance when considering events. MM didn't do VR out of the title in 2015, JL did, by winning it.
DP did indeed run wide, not much, but enough. However so did JL, enough for an MM pass anyway, it's just that MM made no overt attempt to capitalise.

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Double

michaelm said:

Double

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I see what you did there. [emoji846]

michaelm said:

I don't think it is just about money for the Japanese marques though, but rather there are elements of some arcane form of Japanese ritual combat to gp bike racing for them. The same commercial imperatives would have applied to Honda, but they made no pretence about parting less than amicably with Rossi. I think there are also aspects of tradition/philosophy for Honda at least, Sochiro Honda having been very much a racing guy.

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Yes.. There is a portion of having to beat your rivals in combat.. Can not deny that.

JohnnyKnockdown said:

WV. Its about the technology. Honda uses GP to as a testing grounds for increasing fuel effiency on scooters and small liter bikes

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So, you are saying if they only got to test bikes, made no money, and the end result meant nothing, they would still be racing?

Couldn't they do that on a track in Japan for about 10% the cost?

Competition drives innovation.

black101 said:

I see what you did there. [emoji846]

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You could tell that I initially thought the post I made immediately before I turned off my phone to get on a plane hadn't got through?

To continue the discussion, because MM had made ambitious lunges in the past or has always tried to get to the front early in races in the past doesn't mean he is obliged to do so in every race in all circumstances for the rest of his career. He didn't in the recent race when I assume nobody would have thought he had the motive of helping JL against Rossi, which I believe was Jumkie's point.

WVMotoGP99 said:

So, you are saying if they only got to test bikes, made no money, and the end result meant nothing, they would still be racing?

Couldn't they do that on a track in Japan for about 10% the cost?

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When Honda hires engineers they all work first in the race department. They want them to learn in a ever evolving, cutting edge, and innovative enviornment. Your lawnmower was probabaly engineered by the same guy that created seamless transmissions. They always want to be the smartest guy in the room. Racing gives them the breeding ground to help them find the cutting edge.
Oh, and they like ....... winning so its a win win proposition. Pun intended

JohnnyKnockdown said:

When Honda hires engineers they all work first in the race department. They want them to learn in a ever evolving, cutting edge, and innovative enviornment. Your lawnmower was probabaly engineered by the same guy that created seamless transmissions. They always want to be the smartest guy in the room. Racing gives them the breeding ground to help them find the cutting edge.
Oh, and they like ....... winning so its a win win proposition. Pun intended

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I know more than a few Honda engineers.
None of whom have been within a bull's roar of the race dept.

JohnnyKnockdown said:

When Honda hires engineers they all work first in the race department. They want them to learn in a ever evolving, cutting edge, and innovative enviornment. They always wants to be the smartest guy in the room. Racing gives them the breeding ground to help them find the cutting edge.

Oh, and they like ....... winning so its a win win proposition. Pun intended

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Yeah, sounds about right, but, they could do all that running in 23rd place with Junkie riding the bike. (Just picking Jumkie) If it was only about tech, they would not be paying rider 10s of million dollars a year to ride the balls out if it. Like I said, no bike company, (no team in NASCAR, F1, WSBK, or MotoAmerica) is running just for tech.

Rossi has his seat because he is the most popular rider, brings the most fans, has the most endorsements and get the most folks looking at Yamaha and Yamaha products. And all that pays for the tech and research.

WVMotoGP99 said:

Yeah, sounds about right, but, they could do all that running in 23rd place with Junkie riding the bike. (Just picking Jumkie) If it was only about tech, they would not be paying rider 10s of million dollars a year to ride the balls out if it. Like I said, no bike company, (no team in NASCAR, F1, WSBK, or MotoAmerica) is running just for tech.

Rossi has his seat because he is the most popular rider, brings the most fans, has the most endorsements and get the most folks looking at Yamaha and Yamaha products. And all that pays for the tech and research.

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The 2017 showroom floor gixxer has 10 level TC, launch control and up and down quick shifter.
The CBR 300 gets 79 mpg
Innovation sells

J4rn0 said:

The length of the contract is to ensure that he will end his career at Yamaha. Those saying that Rossi had nowehere else to go are speaking out of spite, because no doubt there is Suzuki ready to welcome him. Aprilia as well (and KTM) would gladly paint the #46 on their fairings, assuming Rossi was nterested in doing a Lawson-Cagiva type of pre-retirement.

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It's not that he had no place else to go. It's that at this late in the game he's not about to learn a whole new bike or develop one. He's amongst old friends on a bike he knows well with a crew he can readily communicate with. He's not about to leave his comfort zone at this late stage of the game. And with Yamaha he's got what amounts to a golden parachute of support and a guarantee of years of being paid to do public appearances where he can bask in the love of his adoring public.

J4rn0 said:

The length of the contract is to ensure that he will end his career at Yamaha. Those saying that Rossi had nowehere else to go are speaking out of spite, because no doubt there is Suzuki ready to welcome him. Aprilia as well (and KTM) would gladly paint the #46 on their fairings, assuming Rossi was nterested in doing a Lawson-Cagiva type of pre-retirement.

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J4, I would say that I do not wholly agree here as without the backend history with the brand thence bringing Rossi will cost a lot in terms of dollars and whilst yes, it may repay in multitude, the lack of that prior history may reduce the income.

I say this as the Rossi to Ducati move shows the manner in which Rossi and his team will respond if they are not on the receiving end of that which they require or demand in order to be competitive and/or win.

Couple with the sheer fact that Rossi of 2016 is not Rossi of 2014 or Rossi of 2006 then the ROI is much reduced and IMO a large risk in terms that VR will continue to 'sell himself to the brand that allows him to dictate terms'.

His past will and has caught up in some respects as there comes a time when yes, great to have him but the ROI given his years are near over is not worth it (all IMO of course)

WVMotoGP99 said:

I think we are on the same page.

I agree with your opinion that he does not have any options in the "top tier" of teams. Also agree that he would not and will not ride for one of the lesser teams, even though I think KTM or Apillia would sign him and give him a big check.

When half the fans in the stands are Yellow Boppers, I think that has to correlate to fat Yamaha pockets.

Basically, I think we agree on everything.. Well maybe not on the degree he plays in sells bikes..

Let's recap...

Agree
1 - Yamaha is it for the money
2 - Rossi was signed as much for his past glory has his future potential
3 - Rossi ego will not let him ride for anyone else
4 - Other small teams would take him just to have his face next to their product, because they are in it for the money as well.

Not so much
1 - Rossi still is cash cow of product endorsement

4 out of 5 is stellar on this site!!!!!!!!

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Wouldn't be surprised if owners of this site, Crash and others were kicking in a few bucks. Without Rossi to ..... about traffic would be reduced here by about 85%.

WVMotoGP99 said:

If Rossi finishes in the top 3 this year, and top 4 the next and top 5 the next, it is a 100% win and cash cow for Yamaha.

You folks seem to forget this sport is first and for most about selling bikes.. Rossi still sells bikes. Outside the US any ways.

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Not even in those positions as no matter where Rossi finishes his position is always reported upon and it cannot be understated that he is news as he generates and creates news

JPSLotus said:

.........

I already showed Rossi being at, or not at Yamaha had little impact on sales in Southeast Asia, which flew directly in the face of some bold claims being made here.

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As they say JPS ............big whoop (not having a go either).

There is much more in terms of income that Rossi generates than pure bike sales and I am sure that from Yamaha's view, it isn't all about bike sales.

Look around and see how many Yamaha shorts/caps/Jackets are sold and (sorry to say Libby as I do wish it were so) very few will be sold due to Lorenzo or Yamaha but because Rossi rides a Yamaha.

Then of course (and away from Yamaha) are the Rossi replica paraphernalia such as Helmets, Leathers, dolls (I know, sickening), stickers, club memberships that may or may not have anything to do with Rossi but will generate dollars if sold at Yamaha dealers, shops and stands

We may not want to accept it (it personally shots me in some way but I do not begrudge his business nous) but Rossi is big business and as such brands want to associate with him and as such he will repay Yamaha no matter what the cost in dollar terms (and yes, I fully expect melt downs and a lot of bad press ............... but again, bad press is still better press than no press)

I so wish it were not true but it is ............. such is today's world of the personality producing dollars rather than the substance produced (...., look at the Kardashians for an example of bandwagonning dollars)

black101 said:

To compare VR sitting behind MM last weekend and MM sitting behind JL at Valencia 2015 is hardly accurate.
The belief here is that VR doesn't have the pace or commitment to make a pass stick at the front whereas MM does, proven by his re pass on DP at Valencia.

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Is it groundhog day?






Now where is that Punksatawny Phil?

JohnnyKnockdown said:

WV. Its about the technology. Honda uses GP to as a testing grounds for increasing fuel effiency on scooters and small liter bikes

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To be sure. But gotta say, after 6 weeks in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia - no question that the Honda livery that's most prominent for bikes and scooters made in the last ten years is the Pedrosa/Marquez Repsol one.


M1 replicas... Not so much. Repsol replicas - on every street corner.