MotoGP Qatar 2015 ****Spoilers****

[Triple J]

Main thing both VR and JLo are complaining about, is breaking and bad tire deterioration (WRT HRC). This since last year.

...and for all of their complaining, they came in 1st and 4th this weekend, ahead of both Hondas. There were also more Yamahas in the top 10 at the end of last season than Hondas.

Riders complain about their bikes...it's what they do, regardless. Something can always be improved. I just think all of the talk that the Honda is a better bike is BS. Different, sure, but the results don't show that the Honda is better overall. MM is just making it look better (like Stoner did with the Duc in 2007).

[ducpainter]

I don't underestimate Yamaha. I did say that they sucked the whole weekend. If anything I'm saying not to put too much stock on the Ducs. They have obviously improved, but they still need to prove themselves to be consistent the rest of the year.

Now, the bombshell that I will drop is I'm completely convinced that if one of the Aliens was riding the Duc, they would have won. If only Rossi was riding it last night...

If Rossi was riding it chasing Dovi...

the tire would have been gone by lap 18.

[duccarlos]

If Rossi was riding it chasing Dovi...

the tire would have been gone by lap 18.

And he would still have still passed him. I like Dovi, but he ain't no Alien.

[duccarlos]

...and for all of their complaining, they came in 1st and 4th this weekend, ahead of both Hondas. There were also more Yamahas in the top 10 at the end of last season than Hondas.

And this is not a fair comparison either. The satellite/open Yamahas are much closer to the M1 compared to the satellite/open Hondas. If anything Honda has provided subpar equipment, except for 1 factory like bike that is now ridden by Crutchlow. The Turd with his crappy arms was still able to manage top 10, even with MM describing his bike as the "bull". The Yamahas seem to be a lot less physically demanding, which is probably their biggest advantage when taking into consideration a 22+ lap race and the reason they are almost always out qualified. Rossi is the master of maintaining a high race pace since he probably has some energy in reserve.

[ducpainter]

And he would still have still passed him. I like Dovi, but he ain't no Alien.

Dovi passed Vale several times...just not at the right time.

These guys are all aliens. They have good days, and bad days. Some have the bike to do the job, and others don't...and that changes track to track and race to race.

[kopfjäger]

These guys are all aliens. They have good days, and bad days. Some have the bike to do the job, and others don't...and that changes track to track and race to race.

Don't confuse folks with facts, they just want to pregnant dog and complain. 

[Triple J]

And this is not a fair comparison either.

I agree on the Open bikes, but the satellite M1 isn't any closer to Factory than the satellite RCV. The two satellite Yamahas last season (Tech 3 - P. Esparago and B. Smith) both finished higher than the two satellite Hondas (LCR - S. Bradl & Gresini - A. Bautista). Remove the one Open Yamaha last season from the top 10, and the Yamahas still outnumber the Hondas.

On top of that, Honda came in 1st and 4th, Yamaha 2nd and 3rd with their so-called inferior bikes. Also, each of the factory Yamaha riders had more wins than the factory Honda rider not named Marquez!

I don't think either bike is inherently better, they're just different. Either one is just as likely to win a race. They may get out-qualified, but that just means the Honda is more suited to setting a single fast lap...not that it is an inherently better package.

Anyway...time will tell. This has the potential to be a fantastic season. 5 or 6 bikes (depending on the 'bot) that are capable of winning is awesome! 

[duccarlos]

I agree on the Open bikes, but the satellite M1 isn't any closer to Factory than the satellite RCV. The two satellite Yamahas last season (Tech 3 - P. Esparago and B. Smith) both finished higher than the two satellite Hondas (LCR - S. Bradl & Gresini - A. Bautista). Remove the one Open Yamaha last season from the top 10, and the Yamahas still outnumber the Hondas.

Only 1 Satellite RCV was factory spec, Bradl's, and that bike was wasted on him. Bautista was running Showa and Nissin parts. I'm convinced that Bautista on the LCR would have had better results. You can closer compare the Forward Racing Yamaha to the Gresini, which does make the better point since I believe Aleix was probably more consistent than Bautista.

On top of that, Honda came in 1st and 4th, Yamaha 2nd and 3rd with their so-called inferior bikes. Also, each of the factory Yamaha riders had more wins than the factory Honda rider not named Marquez!

Don't disagree, but I don't think that highly of the Turd.

I don't think either bike is inherently better, they're just different. Either one is just as likely to win a race. They may get out-qualified, but that just means the Honda is more suited to setting a single fast lap...not that it is an inherently better package.

Like I mentioned, the Yamaha being easier to ride is probably a better package for race day compared to the more physical Honda. The big advantage that everyone did mention was the seamless gearbox. As the engineers figure out the Yamaha gearbox, you will see these "disadvantages" disappear.

Anyway...time will tell. This has the potential to be a fantastic season. 5 or 6 bikes (depending on the 'bot) that are capable of winning is awesome!

I think that we will see again 4 guys really capable of winning. MM, the Yamahas and Dovi. Iannone still needs more time in the saddle to really develop. He shows some glimpses and 1 year on the factory bike will just get him there that much quicker. I can't wait for the current lot of guys to retire and give the Moto2 guys from the past few years a chance to move up. Leave MM, Rossi and Crazy Joe. Open up the rest of the factory seats to the young guys.

[ducpainter]

Don't confuse folks with facts, they just want to pregnant dog and complain. 

The Human Condition.

[kopfjäger]

The Human Condition.

[OT]

There are only 4-5 contenders out there, so debates about bike manufacturers are somewhat moot.

Gotta respect the Duc's 356 km/hr (221 mph) on the front-straight.  Seems, with that extra power, cornering/handling becomes a little bit less crucial as the rider can offset less-than-perfect technique or a missed racing line with some added power coming out of a turn....

Austin may be a perfect track for the Duc, no?

And, even Rossi can take some credit for that bike, as his walking away from Ducati is probably a big reason they finally did something about it.

[ducpainter]

There are only 4-5 contenders out there, so debates about bike manufacturers are somewhat moot.

Gotta respect the Duc's 356 km/hr (221 mph) on the front-straight.  Seems, with that extra power, cornering/handling becomes a little bit less crucial as the rider can offset less-than-perfect technique or a missed racing line with some added power coming out of a turn....

Austin may be a perfect track for the Duc, no?

And, even Rossi can take some credit for that bike, as his walking away from Ducati is probably a big reason they finally did something about it.

Power has never been the Duc's weakness.

Using it has.

Who are these 4 or 5 contenders of which you speak?

[m9hundo]

^ how may times did Dovi blow the first turn after the straight? The guy was gunning it and either forgot to brake or the brakes are not working

[HotIce]

And, even Rossi can take some credit for that bike, as his walking away from Ducati is probably a big reason they finally did something about it.

There has been "management changes" at Ducati, which are more likely the reason of turning into the right direction.
Until you remove the old management and engineering layers which are attached to the old design, you are going to have troubles switching to a new one.
Even if on paper they agree on the change of direction, they will try to put sticks in your wheels, to prove that their old design is better than the new one.
Experienced that myself many times. Serving them the boot is the only way to move forward 

[1.21GW]

Question: when was the last premier class race with two ducs on the podium?