800cc MotoGP bikes as quick as the 990cc bikes?

[.....]

From www.motorcycledaily.com

With testing of the new 800s wrapping up at Valencia following the final race of the 2006 MotoGP series, one thing is already clear. The 800s are quick . . . very quick! In fact, some riders are quicker on their brand new 800s than they were on their fully-developed 990s just a few days ago. Why?

A few years ago, a major print magazine here in the United States ran a test of Suzuki's GSX-R models displacing 1000cc, 750cc, and 600cc in a comparison. Although the bikes weighed roughly the same (within a few pounds of each other), the bikes with the smaller engines (and lighter, rotating engine internals) felt much lighter, and carried much higher corner speed. This is why the 800s, weighing roughly the same as the 990s, can carry much higher corner speed -- a comment echoed by virtually all of the riders. The gyroscopic effect of the rotating engine parts is much smaller with the lower displacement, and therefore the bikes change direction better, and place less pressure on the tires mid-corner.

The trade-off, of course, is outright power and acceleration. At various circuits, the 990s will undoubtedly be quicker, but at Valencia the trade-off probably favors the higher corner speed of the 800s. At many tracks the 800s will also achieve similar top speeds on the straight-aways -- owing to the fact that traction control is pulling power from the 990s on corner exits, and pulling less power from the 800s on those same corner exits.

In any event, it certainly looks like the 800s will match, and in many instances, exceed the performance of the 990s in terms of lap times next year.

So really what was the point of going down to 800cc? If it was for safety then that is a bit pointless as the cornering speeds are actually higher.

[Silver]

Valencia Test Times (note the different engine sizes)

Wednesday 1st November 2006
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha 990, 1’32.70
2. Toni Elias (SPA) Honda 990, 1’32.73
3. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda 990, 1’32.90
4. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha 800, 1’33.10
5. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki 800, 1’33.14
6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati 800, 1’33.17
7. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Suzuki 800, 1’3318
8. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda 800, 1’33.21
9. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati 800, 1’33.43
10. Alex Barros (BRA) Ducati 990, 1’33.64
11. Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda 800, 1’33.66
12. Jeremy McWilliams (IRL) Ilmor 800, 1’35.80
13. Andrew Pitt (AUS) Ilmor 800, 1’36.60s

Thursday 2nd November 2006
1. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda 800, 1’32.66
2. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Suzuki 800, 1’32.69
3. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki 800, 1’32’95
4. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati 800, 1’33.96
5. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati 800, 1’33.02
6. Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda 800, 1’33.03
7. Alex Barros (BRA) Ducati 990, 1’33.40
8. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha 800, 1’33.78
9. Jeremy McWilliams (IRL) Ilmor 800, 1’35.90
10. Andrew Pitt (AUS) Ilmor 800, 1’36.40

[_Will_]

[colin1]

does this mean there will be 800cc road bikes at some point ?
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

[Silver]

[Rookie]

If it's all about the gyroscopic forces inside the engine cocking up 990cc corners, I bet the cornering will be a lot smoother as well as faster on the 800s. I'm not entirely happy about that, I like the twitchy cornering you always see, makes for interesting viewing.

[Gazdaman]

[Silver]

Yeah, means they could be really nailing it through the bends, so I guess we could see more riders lowsiding it (if they get it wrong). Should be interesting, because the smaller, lighter bikes with less power should really suit the riders who have come up through the two stroke classes (Pedrosa, Stoner, even Rossi)...

[G]

[Annabella]

[Mr.Everready]

So the question comes....Why are they spending $millions developing new bikes when they arn't slower than before ? I thought that was the whole idea of having the smaller capacity bikes.

I do remember also hearing on Eurosport at some point that some of the 250's corner faster in certain corners than the 990's.
____________________
the undemocratically unelected mod of the Scottish section

[G]

The 250s weigh about 35kgs less and have simpler engines, so you'd think they 'should' corner faster.

[McJamweasel]

[Silver]

[Deano]

just to add my thoughts.

if this was all in safety the easiest way of slowing the bikes down would be too reduce the the fuel load allowed per race. a certain amount of litres per race and then the manufacturers would have to come down in cc or loose the revs to become more fuel efficient.
they could also give more allowed fuel for alternatives fuels to help promote developing other combustion engines or the like.

[i_am_tim]

[Silver]

No, I am unaware of any rules stating that MotoGP bikes cannot be sold on the road. The simple truth is that it's unlikely to happen since the MotoGP bikes are prototypes, highly tuned, use very specialist parts and cost a fortune.

[G]

[Chiz]

Superbike bikes have to be homogolated i think. So even if they sell more than the quota, unless they're homogolated they still can't race.

[NSR Mick]

[fredsredhat]

from what i've read the 800s seem to be a bit "peakier" and rev happy. so similar top speeds, faster corner speed and ultimately 2 stroke esq power delivery, all in the name of rider safety?

[Silver]

[fredsredhat]

what is the difference on top speeds? i cant see it being more than 10 - 15 mph. (a crash at those speeds the exact mph isn't the main concern?) my thoughts are about rider safety. it should be easier / safer for them to ride a bike, not go chasing the revs / powerband. that road leads to highside city surely.

[Gazdaman]

At this level I think safe is a relative term.

Gaz

[G]