Quote from: OT on February 04, 2012, 10:31:19 AM
If there's merit in this "more physically demanding" observation, then strength and stamina will definitely play an increasingly important role as the season progresses....watch for the bigger guys (e.g., VR) to have an advantage.

I agree...

but only if the bike is close.

Quote from: ducpainter on February 04, 2012, 10:35:34 AM
I agree...

but only if the bike is close.

Yep.  Possibly more of an advantage to The Ben at the moment... 

http://superbikeplanet.com/2012/Feb/120207b.htm

reading between the lines, I am betting Jorge is worried about how knackered he'll be after a whole race on a 1000cc beast....

Quote from: zooom on February 07, 2012, 09:16:25 AM
http://superbikeplanet.com/2012/Feb/120207b.htm

reading between the lines, I am betting Jorge is worried about how knackered he'll be after a whole race on a 1000cc beast....

I think he might be worried more about beaning it at over 200mph.

Yawn.  Just more of the same.  Honda on top, Yami chasing, Ducati consistently behind.

Maybe the Yami won't get killed quite as much on the straights this year, but I don't imagine things looking much different other than more Yamis being interspersed between the Hondas (in part b/c there are fewer factory Hondas). 

I'll be REALLY happy to be proved wrong. 

Quote from: zooom on February 07, 2012, 09:16:25 AM
http://superbikeplanet.com/2012/Feb/120207b.htm

reading between the lines, I am betting Jorge is worried about how knackered he'll be after a whole race on a 1000cc beast....

Or maybe he's worried of a return to his high-siding days of old.

Watched the last race of the 2011 season again last night. SPEED TV, as you all know, shows a lot of last season's races during the off season. Was hoping The Ben would win that one after passing Stoner and all the other Hondas and leading into the last turn on the last lap. But as we all know Stoner was just playing cat and mouse and powered out of the last turn to nip The Ben at the line. He got a hell of a drive and it showed the Honda's power.

What self-respecting racer says their bike is TOO FAST???  He kray-zeee.  

Like some of the articles have said, George went from 250s to 800s and has never ridden the big block bikes. Vale seems to like the difference in the way the 1000cc motors deliver power, as well as The Ben. Stoner damn sure isn't complaining either! It will be a very interesting year for sure. More of the same as well as something different. And something different is what DORNA wants... factory entries or not. 2013 will be the real test with everyone using the same ECU.

Quote from: fastwin on February 07, 2012, 04:33:57 PM
2013 will be the real test with everyone using the same ECU.

But then it's not much of a prototype bike anymore, is it?

Quote from: DRKWNG on February 07, 2012, 04:59:26 PM
But then it's not much of a prototype bike anymore, is it?

sure it is...

Don't they all pretty much use the same electronics anyway?  I don't see how a spec ecu will change much.

Quote from: Jester on February 07, 2012, 10:20:56 PM
Don't they all pretty much use the same electronics anyway?  I don't see how a spec ecu will change much.

Oh, you weren't kidding.

iirc, the spec ECUs used in formula 1 are designed in such a way that the organization can police the ban on traction control but still allow the teams to write custom software for the respective platforms.

Quote from: derby on February 08, 2012, 07:11:40 AM
iirc, the spec ECUs used in formula 1 are designed in such a way that the organization can police the ban on traction control but still allow the teams to write custom software for the respective platforms.

Ah.  Well, if that's the case, then I can see the bikes still being "prototype".  But if there's any limitations on the engine control code that is written for each bike?  Not so much...