Yooperbikemike's 2012 MotoGP Thread

[HarveyMushman]

Originally Posted by yooperbikemike

Fate worse than death, but not as bad as CRT.

Yes. I noted the GPOne rumors said Nick turned down Ducati's WSBK offer, not WSBK. Seems a top WSBK ride would have to be better than a B-grade MotoGP ride.

[mike54]

Originally Posted by HarveyMushman

Yes. I noted the GPOne rumors said Nick turned down Ducati's WSBK offer, not WSBK. Seems a top WSBK ride would have to be better than a B-grade MotoGP ride.

I'm sure he's talked to Roger about what WSBK is like. I wonder what Nicky's plans for dirt track are. He used to talk about coming back to the US to race dirt track but I haven't heard him mention it for a while.

[Pantah]

Originally Posted by mike54

I'm sure he's talked to Roger about what WSBK is like. I wonder what Nicky's plans for dirt track are. He used to talk about coming back to the US to race dirt track but I haven't heard him mention it for a while.

Yeah he mentioned his dirt track a lot when he was competitive in MotoGP. That was with Repsol. I am sure he's as frustrated as any rabid Nicky fan over his decline in competitiveness. I doubt the 'mile' is on his mind at all. He stated he wants to stay on MotoGP. Obviously, he thinks he can win another championship. He's at a really big inflection point in his career. He's got to turn the last stone before he settles.

WSC is nothing to him if he has a MotoGP option. As we've all witnessed, riders can survive a privateer ride in WSC to go on to greatness with only a little more help (Max). Melandri has shown it barely matters what he rides, he can be a force. Nah, Nick isn't there yet if he can muster an option. I think and hope he can.

[ErikY.]

Originally Posted by mike54

I'm sure he's talked to Roger about what WSBK is like. I wonder what Nicky's plans for dirt track are. He used to talk about coming back to the US to race dirt track but I haven't heard him mention it for a while.

Probably because the "Dash for Cash" and the 1st prize at a Mile add up to about 6000$ if I remember.

Don't get me wrong; I saw him rip a Duc around the Indy Mile and it was a thing to behold, but I don't think the money's there, and he's still young. I don't know what Chris Carr was making with all his sponsorship, but I suspect that a MotoGP income might be a bit higher, and Carr had to be near the top of the pay scale. A guy I talked to who was also racing there had a Chevy van, himself for a crew, and was a Drywaller most of the time.

Forgive my numbers and guesswork, but you see what I'm saying.

[DC2wheels]

According to crash.net we have this incredible quote from none other than VR

“It's the Italian Grand Prix, so everyone, including myself, must make an extra effort to do well in our home race."

This seems to imply that at other races VR and Ducati have not been working as hard as possible?

Ah ha! THAT explains why the Rossi turnip truck has been languishing back near the CRT bunch. The truth comes out. They have just been sandbagging for a season and a half!

It's diabolical.....lulling everyone into a very false sense of security. It's the LAST bike any of the front runners would be expecting. Bwahaha.

Wait 'till 46 rockets right past the HRC guys, bumps Jorge aside and disappears into the distance.


.........and pigs will fly.

[yooperbikemike]

[crozz]

Originally Posted by jersey jim

He's currently doing better than Rossi on his satellite bike (14 points ahead right now). If I was an up and coming rider with a Ducati offer I'd have to take an honest look at my own talent and ask myself, "Do I really think I'm as good as Casey Stoner?" (Of course, they'd all answer yes.....) Because if you can't ride on the limit like Casey can, lap after lap, you're not going to win any championships on the current bike.

But if he wants a crack at a championship, then he needs a factory ride. It think he's willing to take the risk, and pray that Ducati turn things around so he's on the right bike at the right time. A satellite bike gives him no chance of a championship.

[Turder]

Done deal, Pedrosa&Marquez for Repsol Honda.

[bikerfish]

I think Nicky will be out at ducati. maybe they'll build him a mile bike for indy as a going away present! Rossi and Crutchlow on the ducs next year, battling for 7th and 8th

[Chuckracer]

Originally Posted by crozz

But if he wants a crack at a championship, then he needs a factory ride. A satellite bike gives him no chance of a championship.

To be more specific, if he wants a shot at a championship, he needs to be on a Yamaha or Honda factory bike.

Going to Ducati is not the path to get that done.

This is Cal's first year in MotoGP, and he's having a good run but he need to stop believing his own press.

[DC2wheels]

Originally Posted by bikerfish

I think Nicky will be out at ducati. maybe they'll build him a mile bike for indy as a going away present! Rossi and Crutchlow on the ducs next year, battling for 7th and 8th

Maybe CC is the next "win it or bin it" guy on the Duc.

With NH being shown the door (or so goes the current thinking) I now want to see the CRT bikes pick up some speed and have 46 behind them. Just hope CC isn't gonna' regret riding a turnip truck.

Hey JB, those 80 seconds of fix happening soon? ..........any day now..............any day.........

[Pantah]

Krop posted this. Pretty interesting! Ktm is making some really sweet products these days. Very pretty to look at and functional too!
http://www.motomatters.com/news/2012...acer_just.html

The picture's a little big, but it displays KTM's new found fit/finish. We bought three new KTMs since Feb. #1 son bought a beautiful 350 EXC-F dual sport and won his class (4th overall bike) with it in the Mexican 1000 couple months ago. Amazing little thing that recorded a top speed of 96mph on his GPS on the desert. #2 son bought a sweet KTM XC 200 smoker. Now that is a proper woods bike. Maybe 10 inches wide below the bars and 208lbs. Meanwhile I took delivery of a new KTM 690R to replace my old 950. Absolutely gorgeous motorcycle, and the most powerful production single ever built. Needs wheely control, though. Anyways, take a look at this pretty little thing from KTM. Look at the chassis!

[tehdutchie]

Dani and Marc to race together in 2013...

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/p...n+Repsol+Honda

[jersey jim]

Originally Posted by crozz

But if he wants a crack at a championship, then he needs a factory ride. It think he's willing to take the risk, and pray that Ducati turn things around so he's on the right bike at the right time. A satellite bike gives him no chance of a championship.

I know, but you have to look at the track record, except for Stoner it's been a MotoGP career killer. And even he had his issues. It's even ruined Rossi's chances at the all time win record. Stoner had to ride that thing to the absolute limit every damn lap of every race to win on it, all due respect to Cal but he can't seem to get through a race of dicing with his teammate without throwing one of the best balanced bikes in the paddock into the kitty litter.

[mdubya]

Honda will be testing a completely new bike after Mugello, trying to solve the problems that are limiting them to only first and second place:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sp...-mugello-test/

Meanwhile, Ducati will try a new handlebar config and change chewing gum compounds.