MotoGP 2014

[Shaun Harris]

For a while people thought the CS advantage was his trust in the electronics package, he just yanked open the throttle & let the electronics sort it out . In fact he had the electronics wound back, his advantage was throttle control & feel.
Are you saying that electronics are now so good, feel is no longer relevant. If that was the case Lorenzo should not be suffering a form slump due mainly to a lack of confidence in the feel or feedback from his tyres
I suspect MM would beat the rest on pretty much any type of bike . Same as Rossi , Doohan, Roberts, Hailwood & Surtees all managed to do for a period.

MM is the most complete racer we have seen since Rossi at his absolute best. Like Rossi says , he wishes he was 22 again.

NO I was not saying feel is not important, I was saying that MM and his team use them to the max and good on them for doing so, and YES MM is deff a freak

[merv]

Have I not been paying attention, because I hadn't seen until now they are going back to 17" wheels mentioned in the comments of Michelin getting the tyre job?

http://www.motomatters.com/press_rel..._to_devel.html

[Shaun Harris]

Have I not been paying attention, because I hadn't seen until now they are going back to 17" wheels mentioned in the comments of Michelin getting the tyre job?

http://www.motomatters.com/press_rel..._to_devel.html

Recent announcement man

[Drew]

Hmmm, I wonder if that's got much to do with superbikes already having done that. Essentially meaning that most manufacturers have already done a shit load of design around sidewall behavior for that size.

[BMWST?]

Hmmm, I wonder if that's got much to do with superbikes already having done that. Essentially meaning that most manufacturers have already done a shit load of design around sidewall behavior for that size.

Michelin have experience with many wheel sizes

[Drew]

Michelin have experience with many wheel sizes

I am aware of this. But since any experience older than the last two years is not relevant any more, their 16.5in tech is old hat.

You are forgetting that no one other than Bridgestone has spent time working on GP tyres for a good few years. They are out of the loop with the current tech of bike geometry and shit.

So for the last half of next year, I expect to see testing for each track doubled. In order for teams to get the hang of the new hoops, and Michelin to get the hang of putting them together.

[BMWST?]

I am aware of this. But since any experience older than the last two years is not relevant any more, their 16.5in tech is old hat.

You are forgetting that no one other than Bridgestone has spent time working on GP tyres for a good few years. They are out of the loop with the current tech of bike geometry and shit.

So for the last half of next year, I expect to see testing for each track doubled. In order for teams to get the hang of the new hoops, and Michelin to get the hang of putting them together.

Agree totally but their knowledge and past experience must count towards the new venture.

[Drew]

Agree totally but their knowledge and past experience must count towards the new venture.

There is no single part of any wheeled vehicle, that has more money spent on development than tyres. Their previous experience counts for very little when it comes to making tyres stick, and last a whole race on current machinery...except maybe the Ducati, but that hasn't changed for five years except in engine size. It's still poo.

[pritch]

Their previous experience counts for very little when it comes to making tyres stick, and last a whole race on current machinery...except maybe the Ducati, but that hasn't changed for five years except in engine size. It's still poo.

Thing is part of the reason the Ducati became uncompetitive was the Bridgestone tyres. Honda and Yamaha changed frames to suit. Honda went through a whole series of frames before they got it right apparently. So much for spec tyres saving money...

WSBK went to 17 inch wheels because they are trying to make the bikes more like what's in the shop. Even to the point of stick-on headlights. Don't know the logic behind moving to 17s in a prototype class. Or even if there is any logic involved?

[Asher]

As part of Michelin's tender they may have demanded 17" tyres. I wouldnt be surprised if Michelin where the only ones who made a tender, because there arent really any other manufactures able to supply MotoGP.

[sil3nt]

As part of Michelin's tender they may have demanded 17" tyres. I wouldnt be surprised if Michelin where the only ones who made a tender, because there arent really any other manufactures able to supply MotoGP.

Pirelli and Dunlop both considered going MotoGP but neither put in a tender. Dunlop already have moto2 and moto3 and Pirelli have WSBK.

[BMWST?]

Pirelli and Dunlop both considered going MotoGP but neither put in a tender. Dunlop already have moto2 and moto3 and Pirelli have WSBK.

Was a bit of a jack up wasn't it,Michelin really the only one in a position to actually do anything,esp in such a short time span

[Asher]

Metzeler was the only other option in my mind that would put in a tender. Not sure if they are a big enough manufacturer to supply the GP

[pritch]

Metzeler was the only other option in my mind that would put in a tender. Not sure if they are a big enough manufacturer to supply the GP

I thnk Metzeler are in bed with Pirelli so they may feel they are doing enough?

[Moise]

I thnk Metzeler are in bed with Pirelli so they may feel they are doing enough?

Metzler are owned by Pirelli and make most of their bike tyres.

Pirelli make all the F1 tyres as well so I can't see them wanting to do MotoGP unless they ditched WSBK.

Good on Michelin for taking it on. It's definitely a risk following on from Bridgestone, just look at what happened to Pirelli in F1.