MotoGP 2013

[Mental Trousers]

It doesn't sit the same reletive to the frame though.

Ducati front slugs point nearly straight forward. There is a consistent opinion that this creates too long a wheel base or something, and the bike lacks front end grip/feel.

I personally think, that if the story is true about Bridgestone's current tyres not suiting it are true, for at least one third of the meetings (because there are three manufacturers), the whole feild should be running on a tyre that does suit the Ducati.

See how that plays out.

Honda used a different layout for the gearbox, they put it up high like they have been in their road bikes. That made all the different because the engine was shorter (front to back) and the cylinders were much more vertical as well as the weight of the gearbox being carried higher. It also meant a longer swingarm, which means more control over suspension movement and better grip. The movement of the weight is also better.

[Crasherfromwayback]

How about a carton on a Ducati winning a race next season? I'll bet there's one.

Done deal. You'll be oweing me one shortly anyway!

[ecko_nzed]

Once on a Ducati that is. 1 carton of Steinlager (ie 24 bottles).

Done.

Except make mine Heineken

[Crasherfromwayback]

Done.

Except make mine Heineken

No worries mate!

[GD66]

With Crutchlow in, I spose Spies is over.

Spies rides the Pramac bike. Occasionally. Or did. After he's missed most of the season with ongoing chest muscle issues, then Jorge and Dani turned out and raced with broken collarbones, his clout must be disappearing daily. Really don't know what happened there, you couldn't lay a glove on him on a superbike, but it seems psychologically he's a shot duck these days, and I doubt he'll ever get back to where he once was.

Regarding Crutchrot not working the front too hard, it seems most of his qual crashes have been front-end dumps. With the Ducati's recent history of flicking the front away while still upright at the very commencement of braking (Catalunya and Silverstone spring readily to mind), I'd say he's got some work ahead of him.
He has also displayed that instead of blinding speed during the race, he struggles to make up places in the early stages, then has to work his way through what's left towards the end. But he's a determined bugger, and is one tough hombre, so I'm sure he'll give his best each time out as always...

[Drew]

Honda used a different layout for the gearbox, they put it up high like they have been in their road bikes. That made all the different because the engine was shorter (front to back) and the cylinders were much more vertical as well as the weight of the gearbox being carried higher. It also meant a longer swingarm, which means more control over suspension movement and better grip. The movement of the weight is also better.

If you look at the picture I posted, the Ducati gear box is quite obviously down low, with teh output shaft the rear most part of the engine...Except for a large chunk of cast ally for the swingarm to mount to of course.

Gearbox position is not limiting how short the motor is.

The inout shaft and clutch sitting so low however, could be of interest though. Spinning mass lower than the axle height, might not be the ideal.

[denill]

Spies rides the Pramac bike. Occasionally. Or did. After he's missed most of the season with ongoing chest muscle issues, then Jorge and Dani turned out and raced with broken collarbones, his clout must be disappearing daily. Really don't know what happened there, you couldn't lay a glove on him on a superbike, but it seems psychologically he's a shot duck these days, and I doubt he'll ever get back to where he once was.

Your opinion, but not mine.

I am convinced that psychologically he is TOUGH. So I reckon that while some injuries are able to be ignored, others can be exacerbated. We are all just flesh and blood. No matter what the mind set.

I will not write him off yet. But he will still be riding a POS.

[GD66]

I am convinced that psychologically he is TOUGH.

I will not write him off yet. But he will still be riding a POS.

I kind of agree : his efforts to get it done in the AMA series, where he was the only bloke to actually get inside Mladin's head and then flog him on-track, were astounding, and he was dominant in world supers, but I think his horror GP year on the Yamaha where all sorts of weird shit happened has really tested his resolve, and I feel has dented his armour quite badly. But for sure he is tough, so hopefully he can get back up to the pace again. I've certainly enjoyed his stint in commentary, he is intelligent and entertaining. Wish him the best, but as you say, the bike...

[Mental Trousers]

If you look at the picture I posted, the Ducati gear box is quite obviously down low, with teh output shaft the rear most part of the engine...Except for a large chunk of cast ally for the swingarm to mount to of course.

Gearbox position is not limiting how short the motor is.

The inout shaft and clutch sitting so low however, could be of interest though. Spinning mass lower than the axle height, might not be the ideal.

They're all related. Move the gearbox and the clutch is in a different place and so is the output shaft.

The layout Ducati have chosen means the gearbox is in the way. They've got a relatively short swingarm mounted high up and the output shaft is toward the rear, a trade off they made to keep the engine long and low, the way Preziosi wanted it.

[Crasherfromwayback]

AMA series, where he was the only bloke to actually get inside Mladin's head and then flog him on-track,

Ummmmm...not sure he actually did that. And it was never a flogging either.

[Tony.OK]

Pol Espargaro signed 2 yr contract with Tech 3. No room for Redding then!

[pritch]

Did you read that? The last couple paragraphs imply that the bike still has the slugs too far forward.

Well I've only read it about four times but fail to see what you are reading into it. Also that pic shows the motor tilted back. It's a long time ago now but I seem to recall the figure of 18 degrees was mentioned. That happened about the same time they moved the gas tank.

I was listening to the MotoPod podcast this afternoon and there was a discussion of the infuence of Audi on Ducati. The consensus was that there will be changes. Anybody reluctant to make changes will themselves be changed.

[GD66]

Ummmmm...not sure he actually did that. And it was never a flogging either.

What ? He beat him three years in a row. By Mladin's standards, that's a flogging. I know the points weren't widely spread, in fact one year it was bloody close. But losing three in a row had Mladin spewing deluxe....

[tail_end_charlie]

Well I've only read it about four times but fail to see what you are reading into it. Also that pic shows the motor tilted back. It's a long time ago now but I seem to recall the figure of 18 degrees was mentioned. That happened about the same time they moved the gas tank.

I've seen the 18 degrees quoted as well. What I'm not sure of is when they actually tilted it back. That Solid Works drawing that Drew posted up was from the GP12. So the question that I have is: was that before or after they did the 18 degree rotation.

[Crasherfromwayback]

What ? He beat him three years in a row. By Mladin's standards, that's a flogging. I know the points weren't widely spread, in fact one year it was bloody close. But losing three in a row had Mladin spewing deluxe....

Don't get me wrong...having met Mladin I've no doubt at all he was fair eating himself up on the inside. But pretty sure each of those three titles Mladin won more races head to head, which whilst it's not the same as winning the title...it ain't no flogging either. I was at Laguna Seca in 2007, and I've gotta say that the AMA Superbike race was easily as good as the GP to watch. Mladin and Spies just went hammer and tong for every single lap. By the 2nd or 3rd lap they had like 10 secs on 3rd place back. They were unreal. Didn't let up for a second...and no quarter given. I always think it was a crying shame that Mladin never got another crack at the GP boys after his ill fated Cagiva outing. A waste I feel.