Interesting comments regarding riding style - Edwards

[steveyb]

It is no wonder he now feels left behind, 'cos he is.
His style has been pants for a MotoGP bike for years. His all sat up, straight arms, head out in the wind style has not worked well on a MotoGP bike since the end of the 990cc era and even then.
It was OK on an old heavy Superbike, but not on MotoGP bike.
You have to fold your body into the bike and get on the ground with these things now, just witness Marquez and Bradl.
Will be very hard for him to adapt I think.

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/200204/1/colin-edwards-playing-with-the-pivot.html

[GD66]

Why is he even there ? You can't tell me his results have any impact on bike sales in the US, and he produces about three acceptable results a season. On the one opportunity he had to win a GP, he blew it deluxe. Was a very good superbike racer, but a long time ago now. Always irks me when he gets a seat each year largely on the premise of being "a good guy"' but that seat would be much better filled by someone from the long queue of young potential stars.
And jeez he talks some crap.

[tail_end_charlie]

Why is he even there ? You can't tell me his results have any impact on bike sales in the US, and he produces about three acceptable results a season. On the one opportunity he had to win a GP, he blew it deluxe. Was a very good superbike racer, but a long time ago now. Always irks me when he gets a seat each year largely on the premise of being "a good guy"' but that seat would be much better filled by someone from the long queue of young potential stars.
And jeez he talks some crap.

My thoughts on that question:
First, he wants to be there. He loves riding bikes as fast as he can, and he's not so wrapped up in winning that he can't apprciate just being out there on the best (cough cough, ignore CRT) bikes in the world. Thats why he's doing it even though he's not winning.
Second, he has a lot of expierence and is a good 'development rider' for the teams. Seeing that NGM has been playing with a different chassie/engine combo every year, this is probably pretty critical to the advancement of the bike.
Third, he has a huge following of fans, both in the US and around the world. Granted, not as many as VR, JL, DP, MM, (CS?), but he is probably as popular as any one else on the grid, which makes him a big sale to the sponsers. And lets face it, that's really the most inportant people you have to satisfy, because without the sponsers, there would be practically nobody out there racing. CE has a personality unlike anyone else in the paddock, and he can easily get as much or more attention from the media than 2/3 of the rest of the riders. That is exactly what the sponsers want. And he was only out of the top 10 once while riding factory and satellite bikes (twice if you count his year with Aprilla).

So what you end up with is a team with an expeirenced 'old hand' that brings a lot of media attention as well as some serious skill in leading bike development paired with a 'young gun' that will go balls out on anything, but not quite know how exactly to optimize a bike.

[Shaun Harris]

My thoughts on that question:
First, he wants to be there. He loves riding bikes as fast as he can, and he's not so wrapped up in winning that he can't apprciate just being out there on the best (cough cough, ignore CRT) bikes in the world. Thats why he's doing it even though he's not winning.
Second, he has a lot of expierence and is a good 'development rider' for the teams. Seeing that NGM has been playing with a different chassie/engine combo every year, this is probably pretty critical to the advancement of the bike.
Third, he has a huge following of fans, both in the US and around the world. Granted, not as many as VR, JL, DP, MM, (CS?), but he is probably as popular as any one else on the grid, which makes him a big sale to the sponsers. And lets face it, that's really the most inportant people you have to satisfy, because without the sponsers, there would be practically nobody out there racing. CE has a personality unlike anyone else in the paddock, and he can easily get as much or more attention from the media than 2/3 of the rest of the riders. That is exactly what the sponsers want. And he was only out of the top 10 once while riding factory and satellite bikes (twice if you count his year with Aprilla).

So what you end up with is a team with an expeirenced 'old hand' that brings a lot of media attention as well as some serious skill in leading bike development paired with a 'young gun' that will go balls out on anything, but not quite know how exactly to optimize a bike.






Very well said, and HE IS a bloody top bloke also

[steveyb]

Very well said, and HE IS a bloody top bloke also

Absolutely no question about that and about his popularity.

But, and it is a bit but (not a big butt), is it really such a good idea to be basing development decisions on results from a rider who rides the bike "incorrectly", for want of a better word?

It is a bit like asking Kevin Schwantz to develop a MotoGP bike. Great rider, but look at the style those guys had back then. They wouldn't last 5 mins in a modern GP race with that style.

Food for thought.

[Shaun Harris]

Absolutely no question about that and about his popularity.

But, and it is a bit but (not a big butt), is it really such a good idea to be basing development decisions on results from a rider who rides the bike "incorrectly", for want of a better word?

It is a bit like asking Kevin Schwantz to develop a MotoGP bike. Great rider, but look at the style those guys had back then. They wouldn't last 5 mins in a modern GP race with that style.

Food for thought.






Yes food for thought, but ( small one) it is there money and they seem to think he is giving good feed back still! You do not need to be a winner to be a very good test development rider

[AllanB]

There is more than one way around a corner. Maybe his bike needs to be adapted to suit his style not the other way around.

[steveyb]

Ah, but you seem to miss the point that the best development riders are also able to run near the pointy end of a race in the championship they are developing for. Otherwise you are developing a bike for a speed that is not able to win races and at the speed that is needed, your bike may no longer work.
Colin has not run near the front for many years now.
The riders in MotoGP that are at the pointy end no longer ride the bikes the same way they did when he started.
I think that it is all well and good for him to be able to provide good feedback to the team, but if that feedback is to make the bike suit him, which is to say, slow in comparison to his competitors, then that feedback is ultimately useless.
Don't get me wrong, I like him as a bloke (except for that awful tobacco chewing) and his record is good, but I just think that his day is done. But, if the bill payers want him on board, then on board he will stay I guess.

[wharfy]

if the bill payers want him on board, then on board he will stay I guess.
The customer is not always right, but they are always the customer...

[codgyoleracer]

Absolutely no question about that and about his popularity.

But, and it is a bit but (not a big butt), is it really such a good idea to be basing development decisions on results from a rider who rides the bike "incorrectly", for want of a better word?

It is a bit like asking Kevin Schwantz to develop a MotoGP bike. Great rider, but look at the style those guys had back then. They wouldn't last 5 mins in a modern GP race with that style.

Food for thought.


Might make a tiny difference but buggerall, - I guarantee that yet " another new style " will arrive and that will then be the "pants". Feel, and god-given talent is the bottomline

[Crasherfromwayback]

Feel, and god-given talent is the bottomline

Boom. There you have it.

[Asher]

While he is far behind the aliens he didnt do too bad last season. Was second fastest CRT rider behind Alexis in championship points and im pretty sure he was fastest CRT at more than 1 race.

Although i would imagine his sponsors must bring a bit of money into a team meaning he is a good development rider and helps to pay for those developments

[FROSTY]

Ah, but you seem to miss the point that the best development riders are also able to run near the pointy end of a race in the championship they are developing for. Otherwise you are developing a bike for a speed that is not able to win races and at the speed that is needed, your bike may no longer work.
Colin has not run near the front for many years now.
The riders in MotoGP that are at the pointy end no longer ride the bikes the same way they did when he started.
I think that it is all well and good for him to be able to provide good feedback to the team, but if that feedback is to make the bike suit him, which is to say, slow in comparison to his competitors, then that feedback is ultimately useless.
Don't get me wrong, I like him as a bloke (except for that awful tobacco chewing) and his record is good, but I just think that his day is done. But, if the bill payers want him on board, then on board he will stay I guess.
Stevey-there is ONE thing he is VERY good at. That is giving feedback to the "backroom boys"That is a lost art imo

[Shaun Harris]

Stevey-there is ONE thing he is VERY good at. That is giving feedback to the "backroom boys"That is a lost art imo




exactually the main point I thought he had missed also frosty

[steveyb]

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/201970/1/colin-edwards-to-retire-at-end-of-2014.html

http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2014/MotoGP+Feature+Interview+Colin+Edwards

[Shaun Harris]

[QUOTE=steveyb;1130705675]






every one that knows you steve already knew that anyway- seriousy though, bloody good on him for realising and admitting his time has been, he has been one of the very best ambassadors for motorcycle racing world wide. This announcement also shows just how much of a dam fruit cake Rossi is by being able to change and adapt from his very long carreer as a racer from the old days

[willytheekid]

THIS is what I think of when-ever Collin Edwards is mentioned


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFzjk7vZkY0

One the greatest race's in superbike History!...its more a boxing match than racing:laugh:
...but this is the man at his prime, and one of the best races of his life IMOH (look up race one & race two vids...just an amazing battle between the Duc & HondaV4)

...the texas Tornado!

[HenryDorsetCase]

He seems like a nice man who would be great company at a BBQ with some beers and stuff.

[quickbuck]

...just an amazing battle between the Duc & HondaV4!

Umm, looks mor elike an RC51 to me.... VTR1000SP-1 as opposed to RC45 (VFR750).

[willytheekid]

Umm, looks mor elike an RC51 to me.... VTR1000SP-1 as opposed to RC45 (VFR750).

:facepalm: Your Dead right...(well, mostly...SP-2)

Ive just got V4s on the brain lol.

[Crasherfromwayback]

He seems like a nice man who would be great company at a BBQ with some beers and stuff.

I reckon too. What's this *stuff* you refer to though?:baby:

[GD66]

We're one round in and he's pulled the pin. So he'll have a full season of touring round saying goodbye, then exit gracefully. Once you announce retirement, the "little bit extra" valve ceases to function, so there's a MotoGP seat wasted again. I agree he has been good, and that 2002 WSBK finale at Imola was a screamer, but once again he'll be nothing more than a field-filler.
18 months overdue, and that's being kind...:apint:

[HenryDorsetCase]

I reckon too. What's this *stuff* you refer to though?:baby:

Dallas cowboys cheerleaders mainly.

mmmMMMMmmmmm

[Shaun Harris]

I reckon too. What's this *stuff* you refer to though?:baby:







God dam texas and the mexicans and MARY JANE

[Crasherfromwayback]

[QUOTE=Moto-Dynamix;1130705748]mexicans /QUOTE]

Here's one I prepared earlier.

296048

[Metastable]

People in the know have said he is very good at developing bikes others can ride .... and he was good at telling the tire companies important feedback. Never met him, but as others have said he seems like a top notch dude. His Texas Boot Camp seems awesome too.

I to will always remember Edwards for that battle with Tory B. Fantastic! If I remember correctly he won every race after his first son was born.... including that beauty.

[Shaun Harris]

[QUOTE=Moto-Dynamix;1130705748]mexicans /QUOTE]

Here's one I prepared earlier.

296048










Thats her, yum yum yum

[Crasherfromwayback]

[
Thats her, yum yum yum

I'd like her to have my babies.

[steveyb]

Her chest looks a bit painful. The area must need numbing.

Numm numm numm numm.......

[Shaun Harris]

I'd like her to have my babies.





Its illegal to give away children mate

[Rcktfsh]

He seems like a nice man who would be great company at a BBQ with some beers and stuff.

He dooesn't seem to like hanging round when the barbie fires up

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/Rocketfish/EDWARDS_FIRE_2-1.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Rocketfish/media/EDWARDS_FIRE_2-1.jpg.html)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/Rocketfish/EDWARDS_FIRE_3.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Rocketfish/media/EDWARDS_FIRE_3.jpg.html)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/Rocketfish/EDWARDS_FIRE_4.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Rocketfish/media/EDWARDS_FIRE_4.jpg.html)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/Rocketfish/EDWARDS_FIRE_5.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Rocketfish/media/EDWARDS_FIRE_5.jpg.html)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/Rocketfish/EDWARDS_FIRE_6.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Rocketfish/media/EDWARDS_FIRE_6.jpg.html)

[Mental Trousers]

We're one round in and he's pulled the pin. So he'll have a full season of touring round saying goodbye, then exit gracefully. Once you announce retirement, the "little bit extra" valve ceases to function, so there's a MotoGP seat wasted again. I agree he has been good, and that 2002 WSBK finale at Imola was a screamer, but once again he'll be nothing more than a field-filler.
18 months overdue, and that's being kind...:apint:

So anyone that announces they're retiring at the end of the season is a wasted seat then??

Anyone in MotoGP deserves to be there whether they're at the front or bringing up there rear. Doesn't matter who it is, those guys are there because that's where they should be.

I bet you'll see him put in some results that are better than he has done previously now he has no reason to preserve himself or the machinery.

[GD66]

:wings::killingme:whistle: ...not expecting much, mate....

[GD66]

COTA qualifying : First Open class bike : 4th :Espargaro Forward Racing Yamaha 2:3.24

Edwards 7th Open class bike Forward Racing Yamaha 2:6.74

4.5 secs down, and 1 sec ahead of last, in a home GP.

I really don't expect him to jump up and start producing much now that he's pulled the pin. Been good, but I'll be amazed if he doesn't just phone it in this season.

[Crasherfromwayback]

COTA qualifying : First Open class bike : 4th :Espargaro Forward Racing Yamaha 2:3.24

Edwards 7th Open class bike Forward Racing Yamaha 2:6.74

4.5 secs down, and 1 sec ahead of last, in a home GP.

.

Yep. Might as well stay home when the circus leaves.