Schumacher tries a motorbike

[Bob]

Michael Schumacher swapped four wheels for two at Ferrari’s test facility, riding steering one of Ducati’s MotoGP bikes.

His average lap time - reportedly around 2'15'' - was about 25 seconds slower than that recently recorded by Ducati's MotoGP star Loris Capirossi .

[TonyB]

25 seconds of the pace probably isn't that bad you know. The guy doesn't even ride. I wonder what most of us could manage?

[Bob]

25 seconds of the pace probably isn't that bad you know. The guy doesn't even ride. I wonder what most of us could manage?

Actually, he is a very keen biker. But you're right - 25 seconds off the pace is still damned quick.

(I once worked out that the guy that set the lap record at a circuit where I did a track day could have lapped me in less than 3 laps! So I never insult anyone's lap times!)

[avgas]

25 seconds of the pace probably isn't that bad you know. The guy doesn't even ride. I wonder what most of us could manage?

With me i think that at first i would be 30 mins slower on my lap, then 2 hours slower on the 2nd lap.....then they would never see the bike again

[Storm]

I like your thinking, I like it a lot

[DMNTD:Me]

Maybe him and Valentino are gonna swap places year after next?

Geeeez I'd be happy just to get a crack at/on it

[Lou Girardin]

Schuey has a Duc Monster and around 7 VRods.
But it shows the difference in rider/driver input between MotoGP and F1. Rossi was 3secs slower in the F1 car.

[bugjuice]

yeah, but what was Rossi's lap time in an F1 car when he tried? Wasn't it roughly the same as the 'test' drivers time?

[Motu]

But Rossi can lose it and spin through the gravel trap,and Ross will just give him a stern look.If Schumacher loses it he might be out of a couple of races next year,the risk is just too great.I don't think I'd be pushing it too hard either.I've seen the photos of him on the bike,he's not hanging off,although you don't know when/where the shots were taken...so 25 secs is pretty damn good for someone not hanging off the bike with his kneee scrapping.Just goes to show the old fart knows how to make good times on a race track....I'm not a Schumacher fan at all,but you can't help but respect his outstanding skills.

[el milanes]

I've wanted to post it since yesterday!
Here's a couple of photos:
http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/S...humacher.shtml
(lacking in style a bit, ay?)

[limbimtimwim]

Actually, he is a very keen biker. But you're right - 25 seconds off the pace is still damned quick.

I remember seeing a Ducati Monster formally owned by him on ebay. For some reason he took a holiday in the US and purchased a monster (Or two) he signed the tank and sold it to a dealer. Who then raked in the $$ when they sold it :-)

[bugjuice]

I remember seeing a Ducati Monster formally owned by him on ebay. For some reason he took a holiday in the US and purchased a monster (Or two) he signed the tank and sold it to a dealer. Who then raked in the $$ when they sold it :-)

yeah.. you or I try doing that and they'll chase you down the road and make you wash it off..

[DemonWolf]

bahahaaaa... they wouldn't do that if you purchased it.... though you would lose about $4k off the price!... hahahaaaa

[GN1NiteStnd]

25 seconds of the pace probably isn't that bad you know. The guy doesn't even ride. I wonder what most of us could manage?

Well my time would be looking good until i come off,
-probably on the first corner.

[dveus]

But Rossi can lose it and spin through the gravel trap,and Ross will just give him a stern look.If Schumacher loses it he might be out of a couple of races next year,the risk is just too great.

Exactly. I wonder how he convinced ferrari to let him have a ride at all, some of their contracts are pretty tight as to just how many risks they can take outside of F1.