Quote from: duccarlos on January 31, 2011, 06:02:27 PM
Considering that Stoner won on the unridable Ducati, I think he will just be plain fast on the Honda. I have him winning the title this year.

winning on the "unrideable" ducati vs crashing like mad on the "perfect" rc211v...

Quote from: duccarlos on January 31, 2011, 06:02:27 PM
Considering that Stoner won on the unridable Ducati, I think he will just be plain fast on the Honda. I have him winning the title this year.

When did the Ducati become "unridable"?

Last year Stoners head was full of visions of Vale leering over the naked body of his new bride every time he mounted that bike. I think prolly at that level, racing is 99.9% mental and Stoner's head just wasn't in it... When he showed flashes of brilliance and kicked everyone's ass, was the bike "unridable" then too?

Quote from: tufty on February 01, 2011, 07:03:17 AM
When did the Ducati become "unridable"?

Last year Stoners head was full of visions of Vale leering over the naked body of his new bride every time he mounted that bike. I think prolly at that level, racing is 99.9% mental and Stoner's head just wasn't in it... When he showed flashes of brilliance and kicked everyone's ass, was the bike "unridable" then too?

<wooosh>

Quote from: tufty on February 01, 2011, 07:03:17 AM
When did the Ducati become "unridable"?

for anyone but stoner, 2007.

and i don't think his crashing last year was mental.  there were real issues with the front end that no one could ride around, even casey.

Quote from: gm2 on February 01, 2011, 10:32:25 AM
for anyone but stoner, 2007.

and i don't think his crashing last year was mental.  there were real issues with the front end that no one could ride around, even casey.

very insightful comments about how the spec tire changed the game:

Quote from: zooom on January 31, 2011, 06:00:40 PM
Mamola gives his .02 on what to expect...

http://www.sportrider.com/news/146_1101_randy_mamola_gives_his_unique_view_on_valentino_rossi_and_ducati_2011_motogp/index.html

Quote from: derby on February 01, 2011, 10:39:50 AM
very insightful comments about how the spec tire changed the game:

Interesting article. 

The Ducs looked downright slow in today's testing. Of all the major teams, they have the longest to go to become competitive.

Quote from: OT on February 01, 2011, 05:39:35 PM
Wait....Stoner won the title on Bridgestones, didn't he...so is the Bridgestone spec tire used in 2010 that much different than the one he won on?

Or am I off by a year?

Yes he did.

Wasn't Ducati the only one using 'Stones that year?

Maybe the tire was made for the bike.

It's explained in Mamola's article, which I should have read before I posed my question (something I've been guilty of since 1st grade) 

Article is also interesting in that his comments seem (to me) to paint Rossi's great challenge more as just getting the bike to work as a championship contender, less as Rossi's quest for another title.  I suppose if Rossi can accomplish the former then the latter has a big chance of falling in place.

they weren't the only ones using bridgestones, but they were the only championship-capable team on 'em.

in those years, the tires were indeed built specifically for the bikes, not the other way around like it is now with the control tire.

Quote from: derby on February 01, 2011, 06:00:26 PM
they weren't the only ones using bridgestones, but they were the only championship-capable team on 'em.

in those years, the tires were indeed built specifically for the bikes, not the other way around like it is now with the control tire.

Zook doesn't count.

Quote from: ducpainter on February 01, 2011, 06:14:05 PM
Zook doesn't count.

i seem to remember at least one of the honda teams on 'stones, too.

Quote from: derby on February 01, 2011, 06:19:07 PM
i seem to remember at least one of the honda teams on 'stones, too.

That's why we keep you here. 

Someone has to remember. 

Quote from: ducpainter on February 01, 2011, 06:54:40 PM
That's why we keep you here. 

Someone has to remember. 

uh huh...

kawasaki was running 'em, too... i just remembered. 

so... all the ducatis, kawasaki, suzuki, and at least one of the honda teams... ~10 bikes?