Kawasaki Out Of MotoGP

[Shadow]

The GP grid is shrinking and so will the viewing audience, too many two bike races in the last half of last season.

Wait until the 250 class changes to four stroke and see how many teams drop out.

Kawasaki did the right thing, why would you want to spend $65 million a year to run at the back of the field, money would be better off spent else where in this economic climate.

 

[motochick]

Well this is the year for Motogp to prove itself. The economy sucks all over the world and they need to put on a good show. I think people want to see more races like Laguna (last year) or WSBK will be the premier series to watch.

The 800cc change was the biggest mistake that started the whole downward slide. It didn't do what they intended (slow the bikes down and cut costs). It did the opposite, lap times up and bikes are more expensive to develop because of all the electronics required to conserve fuel while producing all that horsepower. I mean the corner speeds are so fast now that many of the older tracks are now seen as dangerous because of the amount of speed these bikes carry through the corners without adequate runoff. I'd really like to see a move back to the 1000cc spec and base it loosely on their production engines. It would sell more bikes and cut costs. Without Valentino's huge rockstar-like persona, I think this series would be in trouble right now.

just my 2cents

 

[Shadow]

I think people want to see more races like Laguna (last year) or WSBK will be the premier series to watch.

WSB is for close racing, GP is for processions.

The 800cc change was the biggest mistake that started the whole downward slide. It didn't do what they intended (slow the bikes down and cut costs). It did the opposite, lap times up and bikes are more expensive to develop because of all the electronics required to conserve fuel while producing all that horsepower. I mean the corner speeds are so fast now that many of the older tracks are now seen as dangerous because of the amount of speed these bikes carry through the corners without adequate runoff.

Spot on, should have let the 990's continue on, would have saved teams millions, the viewers are paying for it now.

The top teams have so much money to continue development, especially in the electronics the smaller teams have no chance.

Remove all electronic aids and bring it back to what it should be, rider skill like it was in the two stroke days.

 

[El Toro]

MotoGP is to push the envelope of technology.

AMA or FIM Superbike is to give the masses a chance to cheer about something they can go buy.

These forms of racing, i.e. MotoGP vs. Superbike, are very far apart and have little in common. I'm not sure why they get compared. They both serve a useful function, and five years from now, they will both continue to serve the same function, unless Dorna loses sight of the historic objectives of MotoGP as the venue where everything worth getting excited about in Superbike appears first.

FWIW, Kawasaki is conducting private tests with Olivier Jacques as the test pilot. The idea of a third party taking over the team for 2009 is still alive.

https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Kawasak...t+Eastern+Creek

 

[Shadow]

I am not comparing them, I like most people just want to see good close racing like it should be.

The last 2 seasons of GP have been poor compared to past seasons.

The last half of the 08 season was pathetic, GP is not about two bike races.

People keep on saying that MotoGP is to used push the envelope of technology.

Well if that's the case I can't find which GP bike/team runs or ran a linked ABS system.

F1 has been boring for a long time but it is attracting more spectators lately because some electronic aids have been removed and now the drivers have to actually drive the car, and it does change things a lot for the better.

Should be the same with GP, get it back to rider skill.