2009 MotoGP - Rnd 17 - Valencia - Page 8

faffi · 13-11-2009, 06:59 PM

The bike has seen little or no development by Honda. That likely means that the frame/swingarm is the same and the basic engine is the same as Katoh raced. Suspension probably has received some upgrades, and the engine can probably be tuned better today what with the added knowledge added year by year. But by no means is it a new construction, nor has it seen any HRC involvement worth mentioning.

Finally, Aoyama had only one bike, meaning that if he crashed during practice and did enough damage, he couldn't race. Nor could he switch between two bikes to maximize QP time.

Cal · 13-11-2009, 07:24 PM

I reckon would have ploughed some cash into that thing when they realised that Aoyama was a championship chance.

darren · 13-11-2009, 07:30 PM

Foreshore.

Browndog · 13-11-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faffi

The bike has seen little or no development by Honda. That likely means that the frame/swingarm is the same and the basic engine is the same as Katoh raced. Suspension probably has received some upgrades, and the engine can probably be tuned better today what with the added knowledge added year by year. But by no means is it a new construction, nor has it seen any HRC involvement worth mentioning.

We don't know that, unless you've got some inside info. Honda have done stranger things than throwing money at an older bike just so it will win. They still pull a title with minimal effort.

faffi · 13-11-2009, 07:52 PM

I've read several places that the bike is basically a 2001 model. Normally, I would be more sceptical than I am this time. However, since he never received a spare bike, it seems quite obvious that this whole thing didn't matter all that much to Honda.

Still, there is no doubt that the bike has been refined since 2001. One could also argue that by then, bikes haven't really improved all that much at that refining could be just as sensible as building something entirely new. It worked pretty well for Doohan from 1992-1999, didn't it

Backmarker · 14-11-2009, 03:36 AM

I'll tell you for sure that the motor and Frame are not anything like a 2001 model.

Yes, honda stopped development of their customer 250s in 2001, Yamaha the same in 2003, and Aprilia about the same time. And yet, they keep getting faster and faster. Pedders Honda was a cracker, equal to the Apes at the time.

Most the non factory bikes aren't using Honda frames, but rather there are 2 aftermarket suppliers..mainly a manufacturer called Burning Blood

Browndog · 16-11-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faffi

The bike has seen little or no development by Honda. That likely means that the frame/swingarm is the same and the basic engine is the same as Katoh raced. Suspension probably has received some upgrades, and the engine can probably be tuned better today what with the added knowledge added year by year. But by no means is it a new construction, nor has it seen any HRC involvement worth mentioning.

Finally, Aoyama had only one bike, meaning that if he crashed during practice and did enough damage, he couldn't race. Nor could he switch between two bikes to maximize QP time.

Actually we are both right. David Emmett from "MotoGP Matters" has done an interview with Hiroshi Aoyama's team about the bike.
He wrote, "Hi Cam,
I did an interview with Aoyama's crew chief at Estoril, and asked him
a bunch of those questions. There'll be a story on it in the next
issue of the American motorcycle magazine Road Racer X."

He was kind enough to show me the interview but asked me not to share the contents. I can say it's extremely interesting and worth looking out for.

On a side note I read this as well ....

Quote:

Casey Stoner said he was looking forward to getting back to training, and going into the off-season without needing surgery. He is now "70% sure" that the mystery illness that has plagued him this season is down to lactose intolerance, as he accidentally ate something which had lactose in, and suffered a minor return of symptoms over the weekend. Part of Stoner's winter will involve more tests, to try and nail down the problem for certain.

Fenris · 16-11-2009, 10:37 AM

Yeldarb · 16-11-2009, 11:05 AM

hard onnit

lindsaymac · 16-11-2009, 11:09 AM

I believe I've seen Vicko and Yeldarb striking similar poses; never realised they were Ducati riders.

13-11-2009, 06:59 PM	#141
faffi A.S.A.N. Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: No(r)way Posts: 14,889	The bike has seen little or no development by Honda. That likely means that the frame/swingarm is the same and the basic engine is the same as Katoh raced. Suspension probably has received some upgrades, and the engine can probably be tuned better today what with the added knowledge added year by year. But by no means is it a new construction, nor has it seen any HRC involvement worth mentioning. Finally, Aoyama had only one bike, meaning that if he crashed during practice and did enough damage, he couldn't race. Nor could he switch between two bikes to maximize QP time. __________________ If it isn't broken, rip it apart and find out why

13-11-2009, 07:24 PM	#142
Cal Hotshot Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hills S/E Melbourne Posts: 10,056 Blog Entries: 32	I reckon would have ploughed some cash into that thing when they realised that Aoyama was a championship chance. __________________ ♪ ♫ I asked you for a table dance, you came over and put your hands in my pants ♪ ♫ - Steel Panther Grog Blog

13-11-2009, 07:30 PM	#143
darren Wombat handler Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Southgate NE NSW. Posts: 11,854	Foreshore. __________________ Theres two days a year I never worry about- yesterday and tomorrow.

13-11-2009, 07:52 PM	#145
faffi A.S.A.N. Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: No(r)way Posts: 14,889	I've read several places that the bike is basically a 2001 model. Normally, I would be more sceptical than I am this time. However, since he never received a spare bike, it seems quite obvious that this whole thing didn't matter all that much to Honda. Still, there is no doubt that the bike has been refined since 2001. One could also argue that by then, bikes haven't really improved all that much at that refining could be just as sensible as building something entirely new. It worked pretty well for Doohan from 1992-1999, didn't it __________________ If it isn't broken, rip it apart and find out why

14-11-2009, 03:36 AM	#146
Backmarker Track refugee Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Rhône Alps, France Posts: 2,675	I'll tell you for sure that the motor and Frame are not anything like a 2001 model. Yes, honda stopped development of their customer 250s in 2001, Yamaha the same in 2003, and Aprilia about the same time. And yet, they keep getting faster and faster. Pedders Honda was a cracker, equal to the Apes at the time. Most the non factory bikes aren't using Honda frames, but rather there are 2 aftermarket suppliers..mainly a manufacturer called Burning Blood __________________ "Your just stupid enough to try it, and too stupid to fail" Me mate Ted

16-11-2009, 10:37 AM	#148
Fenris Orangutanasaurus Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Perth, WA Posts: 5,690

16-11-2009, 11:05 AM	#149
Yeldarb On the wagon Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Foothills of greatness, Albury Posts: 5,080	hard onnit __________________ Bikes are about corners. Not being the first to the next one.

16-11-2009, 11:09 AM	#150
lindsaymac Can't reMember Join Date: May 2005 Location: CoffZarbour N S bloody W Posts: 9,754	I believe I've seen Vicko and Yeldarb striking similar poses; never realised they were Ducati riders. __________________ Two things my granddad was fond of saying, "You're a long time dead" and "There are no pockets in a shroud". ....reckon he might have been on to something, eh?.

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