Author Topic: 2019 MotoGP thread (Read 1529 times)

Black Hills · « **on:** November 19, 2018, 09:34:48 AM »

with the new season starting tomorrow what are your thoughts?
can JLo hang with MM on the Honda?
are Yamaha's problems behind then, and can a 40 year old compete?
Will Suzuki have more in store?
Can Zarco make the KTM competitive?
What about Dovi and the Ducati team?

garry · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2018, 04:51:16 PM »

I suspect JLo will struggle for the first season, much like his time at Ducati. I'm more interested in the team dynamics.
I'm sure Rossi is still competitive, but we'll have to see how the bike does.
I expect Suzuki will continue to improve and do well.
I think Zarco is going to struggle on the KTM, at least moreso than the year-old Yamaha.
Ducati will continue to be strong.

Black Hills · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2018, 04:57:00 PM »

How about young Can Oncu, flash in the pan or next big thing.

biking sailor · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2018, 06:02:55 PM »

JLs style doesn't seem to fit the Honda even more than it did with the Duc. He never got along with his teammates at Yamaha, or Duc, so I agree with Garry that it will be interesting to see how he gets along with MM. "recommend switch to map 8" and "-1".

Not a VR fan but he seems to still have the drive and physical ability, so barring an injury or Yamaha throwing a clunker engine in 2019, I think he will be competitive. The last two races he had good race pace.

MM said Suzuki will be seriously challenging for podiums next year, I believe him and think Rins has the skills.

Zarco is a very talented wild man. How many KTMs will he throw down the road after burning up the tires early before he can be disciplined enough to be a regular on the podium? How much will DP help in bike development? Smarter guys than me will have to chime in but gonna be fun to watch either way.

Wil CS departure (to Honda?) hurt Ducati? DP9 will be a question mark but AD will be solid as usual, I suspect.

Can't wait for the testing to begin.

Max Wedge · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2018, 10:58:32 AM »

Quote from: Black Hills on November 19, 2018, 09:34:48 AM

with the new season starting tomorrow what are your thoughts?
can JLo hang with MM on the Honda?
are Yamaha's problems behind then, and can a 40 year old compete?
Will Suzuki have more in store?
Can Zarco make the KTM competitive?
What about Dovi and the Ducati team?

I hope it will some way/some how be televised here.
Yes
Yes-with the right conditions
Yes
Yes, occasionally
Same.

Black Hills · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2018, 12:01:44 PM »

I gave in and bought the videopass. I think it is worth after using it for the last half of the season.

R Doug · « **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2018, 06:52:46 PM »

Is the JLo nickname official? Regardless, I'm going with it for "George"

Black Hills · « **Reply #7 on:** November 20, 2018, 09:19:25 PM »

Haha I’m not sure it’s just less typing so I went with it?

R Doug · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2018, 05:10:57 AM »

When I saw the auto-renewal change for the MotoGP Video pass hit my car yesterday, I knew I was in for an evening of watching testing at Valencia.

motodog650 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2018, 11:47:15 AM »

How much easier is the Yamaha to ride compared to the Honda ?

At least five positions forward based on Morbidelli's times...

Black Hills · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2018, 12:31:56 PM »

apparently.... I was surprised that Zarco didn't do better? Next week will be interesting.

Blunder · « **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2018, 10:32:26 AM »

Quote from: motodog650 on November 21, 2018, 11:47:15 AM

How much easier is the Yamaha to ride compared to the Honda ?

That depends on who's riding it and which way Yamaha develops the M1. Vinales favors a bike setup that is almost the complete opposite of Rossi's.

The new Sepang satellite Yamahas will be the new Tech 3 squad with probably similar results.

The Yamaha will still be down on power compared to the Hondas and Ducs but will handle better than both and brake better than the Honda.

That's only my opinion, man.

biking sailor · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2018, 05:57:16 PM »

Marquez interview on day 2 of testing. He said he wasn't able to push to the maximum because he was "forbidden to crash".

I just thought that was funny.

garry · « **Reply #13 on:** November 23, 2018, 06:41:07 PM »

The MotoE and new Triumph-powered Moto2 bikes were testing today. Kinda interested in how both classes sort themselves out with the new hardware.

mugwump · « **Reply #14 on:** November 25, 2018, 05:16:43 PM »

I was stunned when I read some of the names, Sete Gibernau and Randy De Puniet.

squeezer · « **Reply #15 on:** November 29, 2018, 12:48:07 AM »

Bummer news from WSBK. Ten Kate declared bankruptcy. Honda switched teams, and told Ten Kate too late for them to put together a deal with someone else. They sounded pretty bitter.

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/world-superbike-ten-kate-racing-declares-bankruptcy-starts-legal-proceedings-against-honda/

Black Hills · « **Reply #16 on:** November 29, 2018, 03:25:11 PM »

That's it for 2018. Lorenzo appears to be getting along with the Honda, Ducati appears to have even more riders near the front than before, Yamaha??? and Zarco appears to be struggling with the KTM.

It's a long time til March.......

motodog650 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 30, 2018, 12:43:36 PM »

Quote from: Black Hills on November 29, 2018, 03:25:11 PM

Zarco appears to be struggling with the KTM.

You can have your very own KTM RC16 to struggle with for a small fortune:

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/ktm-offering-two-rc16-motogp-racebikes-for-sale-to-the-public/

R Doug · « **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2018, 01:27:47 PM »

Cool. For the wealthy collector and track aficionado, that would be a neat acquisition that comes with a few neat perks.

garry · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2018, 03:17:57 PM »

Quote from: motodog650 on November 30, 2018, 12:43:36 PM

Quote from: Black Hills on November 29, 2018, 03:25:11 PM
Zarco appears to be struggling with the KTM.

You can have your very own KTM RC16 to struggle with for a small fortune:

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/ktm-offering-two-rc16-motogp-racebikes-for-sale-to-the-public/

If you did pull it out for a few track days, could you find basic consumable parts? I mean, if you just paid north of $250K for a bike you have money to spend, but can you actually get the parts?

Black Hills · « **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2018, 03:27:19 PM »

any of you guys loan me some KTM cash??

motodog650 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 30, 2018, 03:59:38 PM »

Quote from: garry on November 30, 2018, 03:17:57 PM

If you did pull it out for a few track days, could you find basic consumable parts? I mean, if you just paid north of $250K for a bike you have money to spend, but can you actually get the parts?

Most mortals can't utilize a modern day liter bike to it's full potential, much less something like a GP bike. Not many could ride it at the level it needs to be ridden at to make it work properly I would think. Museum queen...

biking sailor · « **Reply #22 on:** November 30, 2018, 06:23:22 PM »

I would be scared to death to ride it, but it would be kind of a fun scared. And probably go slower than how slow I go on my bikes.

garry · « **Reply #23 on:** November 30, 2018, 08:27:19 PM »

Quote from: biking sailor on November 30, 2018, 06:23:22 PM

I would be scared to death to ride it, but it would be kind of a fun scared. And probably go slower than how slow I go on my bikes.

Remember the Desmosedici? $75K a pop? A local guy bought not one, not two, but THREE of them. He used to take one to track days and let friends ride it. So there are people out there that will ride things like that. Sadly, the dude passed away. I haven't heard what, if anything, happened to his extensive collection of motorcycles and famous race bikes. Pretty chill dude. You'd never know he was worth a bunch of money. RIP.

Blunder · « **Reply #24 on:** December 07, 2018, 07:40:05 AM »

Quote from: biking sailor on November 30, 2018, 06:23:22 PM

I would be scared to death to ride it, but it would be kind of a fun scared. And probably go slower than how slow I go on my bikes.

Id dunno about, wih today's modern engine, brake, traction and wheelie controls some settings could be found to make anyone comfortable.

The old 500 2 strokes? Not so much.

biking sailor · « **Reply #25 on:** March 31, 2019, 07:14:18 PM »

Who's gonna be at COTA for the MotoGP?

Dketchum · « **Reply #26 on:** March 31, 2019, 07:50:52 PM »

Quote from: biking sailor on March 31, 2019, 07:14:18 PM

Who's gonna be at COTA for the MotoGP?

I will be. 7th straight year to the Marquez fest...it helps that I live about an Hour away. ☺️

kneescrubber · « **Reply #27 on:** March 31, 2019, 09:17:03 PM »

Morbidelli. Seriously? Don't be another Simoncelli. You just took out a potential teammate and made your mentor apologize for you.

kendenton · « **Reply #28 on:** April 01, 2019, 02:45:07 PM »

I'll be there, only missed one year so far.

squeezer · « **Reply #29 on:** April 01, 2019, 03:35:48 PM »

Quote from: kneescrubber on March 31, 2019, 09:17:03 PM

Morbidelli. Seriously? Don't be another Simoncelli. You just took out a potential teammate and made your mentor apologize for you.

And he was having such a killer race up until then. I'm writing it off to the exuberance of youth.

heinee · « **Reply #30 on:** April 01, 2019, 10:34:26 PM »

The rookie class has some serious speed this year. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them snags a podium this year.

Mark

squeezer · « **Reply #31 on:** May 04, 2019, 09:25:02 AM »

Qualy for Jerez: just wow.
I see lots of soul-searching in the factory Yamaha squad's future.

kneescrubber · « **Reply #32 on:** May 04, 2019, 01:17:10 PM »

Quote from: heinee on April 01, 2019, 10:34:26 PM

The rookie class has some serious speed this year. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them snags a podium this year.

Mark

Quote from: squeezer on May 04, 2019, 09:25:02 AM

Qualy for Jerez: just wow.
I see lots of soul-searching in the factory Yamaha squad's future.

Goodness gracious.

biking sailor · « **Reply #33 on:** May 04, 2019, 01:27:38 PM »

"Let me show you big guys how it's done", said the Yamaha satellite team.

Black Hills · « **Reply #34 on:** May 05, 2019, 01:06:55 PM »

and then faded to nothing.......

squeezer · « **Reply #35 on:** May 05, 2019, 06:37:52 PM »

Yeah, but they looked good doing it.

kendenton · « **Reply #36 on:** May 05, 2019, 10:22:14 PM »

Poor Fabio...

Black Hills · « **Reply #37 on:** May 06, 2019, 07:25:18 AM »

maybe Yamaha should start looking at the satellite team for advice. they seem to be able to make the bikes work better than the factor guys?

heinee · « **Reply #38 on:** May 07, 2019, 08:03:20 AM »

Quote from: heinee on April 01, 2019, 10:34:26 PM

The rookie class has some serious speed this year. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them snags a podium this year.

Mark

Oh crap! I was almost right?! 😨

I was soo bummed for Quatararo..

Me thinks Yamaha has backed themselves into the 'too stiff frame syndrome' that ended Rainey's career. But, then Rossi has two second place finishes on the factory bike too..so what do I know.

Mark

Black Hills · « **Reply #39 on:** May 07, 2019, 08:22:14 AM »

I was hoping Zarco would have the KTM working better by now...

kendenton · « **Reply #40 on:** May 07, 2019, 09:19:47 AM »

Quote from: Black Hills on May 07, 2019, 08:22:14 AM

I was hoping Zarco would have the KTM working better by now...

Reportedly he gave an expletive-laden interview to French press. It is not a happy marriage.

https://www.reddit.com/r/motogp/comments/bk751t/can_someone_translate_what_he_zarco_or/

he loses the front, can not pick his line and the chassis is fucking shit and controlling the power is fucking shit

Black Hills · « **Reply #41 on:** May 07, 2019, 09:40:22 AM »

I think he has a lot of problems off the bike as well. hopefully this helps him.
https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/919466/1/zarco-talks-jeanmichel-bayle-recruitment

It's hard to say why a rider with his obvious potential goes to the worst bike on the grid?
Unrealistic belief in his skills?
Money?
Promises of glory?

Not that it is unusual, Rossi and Lorenzo come to mind......

squeezer · « **Reply #42 on:** May 14, 2019, 03:04:07 PM »

2019 FIM Sidecar World Championship
https://youtu.be/Zjcw96FrRnA

I don't follow this, but it's a gas to watch. And it raises the fun debate question:
Can we really call these things motorcycles?

kneescrubber · « **Reply #43 on:** May 15, 2019, 12:29:31 PM »

Nice!

Black Hills · « **Reply #44 on:** May 17, 2019, 02:11:54 PM »

what is the deal with chains all o fa sudden? I don't remember chains falling off or breaking since I started watching back in the 80's now MM, Lorenzo, and now Rossi?

motociclista · « **Reply #45 on:** May 17, 2019, 11:55:34 PM »

I think it's just speculation, but one theory is that teams are experimenting with different amounts of swingarm flex. If you make the swingarm a little more flexible, it could allow the chain to get out of alignment and jump off the sprockets. Truth or BS? I don't know. But I've talked to some knowledgeable people who think it's possible.