[rsheidler]

Re: Final Combined Wed/Thu Superbike and 600 Laptimes from Daytona Tire Testing

From what was posted on another site, Roberts' and Gobert's 600 times involved bypassing the chicane, and that DiSalvo's 1.53.031 was actually the fastest.

Either way, these times are amazingly close to those of the Superbikes!

 

[rsheidler]

Re: Final Combined Wed/Thu Superbike and 600 Laptimes from Daytona Tire Testing

Another site lists Gobert at 1:51.998 but says

"Note: Aaron Gobert said that he straight-lined the chicane on his fastest 600cc lap, and that his actual best lap was a 1:53.00. There is no telling from the raw transponder data who did or did not cut the course on any given lap."

As I understand, there were no spotters to officially determine which lap times from the transponders are actually valid.

 

[3917]

Re: Final Combined Wed/Thu Superbike and 600 Laptimes from Daytona Tire Testing

looks like the 750's are that far back.

 

[SeanAlexander]

Re: Final Combined Wed/Thu Superbike and 600 Laptimes from Daytona Tire Testing

Aaron's admission that he cut the chicane on that lap, is why he is listed at a 1:53.0 I didn't hear anything about Roberts admitting same, that is why his 1:52.5 stands as the fastest on my listing.

 

[rsheidler]

Re: Final Combined Wed/Thu Superbike and 600 Laptimes from Daytona Tire Testing

You may be right about Robert's time -- amasuperbike.com had reported that several riders had jumped the chicane, and implied that they ASSUMED Roberts was one of those because his time was suspect.

Of course, given my personal feelings towards Roberts, I didn't have much trouble believing that he would have jumped the chicane without owning up to that as did Gobert. That is just my personal bias showing through.

Cheers

Bob

 

[KPaulCook]

The death of the V-Twin continues

Looks like the inline 4 1000cc bikes are doing well for their first time out. Go inline 4s. Just think how much faster the 4 s will be after some more track time.

 

[rsheidler]

Re: Final Combined Wed/Thu Superbike and 600 Laptimes from Daytona Tire Testing

Given that the Thursday session was very short, before once again being rained out, I am not sure that we can reach any conclusions about the 750s vs 1000s -- note that on Wed, EBoz was well ahead of Mladin, Yates and Co.

My guess is that, relatively speaking, Daytona is a bit more favorable to the 1000s than most other tracks, with so much of the track being WFO.

Right now, it looks like we have 3 distinct configurations that are right in the thick of things -- V-twins, Inline 750s bored to 800 and 1000s with more limited mods. Each will have different strengths and weaknesses.

Looks like it could be one Hell of a season (and I was one of the big skeptics about the AMA rule change).

Bob

 

[rsheidler]

Re: The death of the V-Twin continues

Hi KPaul

The times for the 1000 Suzukis are really impressive, especially considering how recently the AMA finalized the 2003 rules. I don't know who is responsible for this development -- the factory engineers or Yoshimura (I suspect the latter). I am sure that they were able to draw somewhat from the Formula Xtreme bikes, but the allowed mods are more restrictive so there is still a lot of new work that had to be done.

That said, this is probably the track where the 1000s could be expected to have the best chance. More than any other AMA track, it is a horsepower track. My guess is that, even with fairly restrictive modification rules for the 1000s, they should be able to match, or beat, the more radicaly modified bored out 750s in power. The liability is in turning.

Fundamentally, one of the advantages of the V-twin (and to a lesser extent, V4) configuration is better mass centralization -- especially of the reciprocating mass. For the 750 superbikes, this is mimimized because extensive lightning of crankshafts, rods etc are allowed. For the 1000s, not only is the crank a bit longer, but no lightning is allowed. That long, heavy spinning crank will strongly resist rapid change in direction -- especially important in quick left-right transitions. This, more so than other rules limitations, is what handicaps the 1000s under the current AMA rules.

That is one area in which the WSB rules (if and when they ever finalize them!) could be a bit more favorable to the 1000s. It looks like they will be allowed more internal mods, similar to on the 750s, but using NASCAR-style restrictor plated to limit the power output.

As to the alleged "death of the V-twin" -- did you take note of where Gobert placed the 998? Ducati have never done well at Daytona, and I won't bet on them to win this year either (although that's who I will be cheering for), but it certainly appears that they are serious about contending for the championship.

Bring on the racing!

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Buzglyd]

Re: The death of the V-Twin continues

Daytona is a high speed, high horsepower track. It's a bit unique compared to the rest of the race schedule. Sooner or later they are going to have to turn you know.

I'll be rooting for Gobert on the overrated, overhyped, overmarketed Ducati. I'm sure you noticed his lap times were with the frontrunners.

 

[KPaulCook]

Excellent Post

Thanks you make some good points stuff I didn't know about

 

[intruderman]

Re: The death of the V-Twin continues

Overmarketed? I've seen lots of Japan commericials on TV but no Ducati ads.

 

[Buzglyd]

Re: The death of the V-Twin continues

Those aren't my words. I'm just beating KPaul over the head with his words about Ducati.

 

[10440]

Re: Final Combined Wed/Thu Superbike and 600 Laptimes from Daytona Tire Testing

Cycle News is quoting Mladin -- http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=4166 -- as saying that his big Gixxer is actually slower on the banking than Eboz's punched-out Kaw. The Suzuki is apparently making more power than it can get to the ground.

 

[KPaulCook]

You forgot one Buz

You forgot "Ducatis the Harleys of sportbikes" Buz.

 

[gr8shandini]

If Bostrom doesn't win the AMA he should become a girl.

 

[jmeyn]

Getting to Know You...

Congratulations to all in the KPaulCook thread above. He's a pretty good guy when you get to know him, isn't he? Brave, too. A little suicidal, but brave.

 

[nokneedragin]

Wheel speed

I remember some data aquisition posted from Daytona last yeat had the bike rear wheel speed at 180+ mph on the straight, but the bike itself was down 5+ mph from that. It seams that they are actually spinning the rear all the way around the track.

 

[DucButt]

Re: Getting to Know You...

MO without KPaul would be like MO without Burns. They're two of the reasons I'm a regular reader. Good on ya jmeyn.

 

[417]

Re: Last time I looked the RC51 was a V-Twin

So much for death of the V-Twin. However I can see the fours being developed pretty quick. Out hjere in new Zealand the GSXR1000 and R1 are doing very well in production based superbike racing courtesy of Andrew Stroud (remember him) and others. Honda tried the RC51 last year but within our rules were no where near competitve enough so they have given up with it. Results of this weekends races here http://www.silver-bullet.co.nz/news.php3?id=2038 remembering its summer here now.

Cheers

Merv.

 

[jmeyn]

Re: Last time I looked the RC51 was a V-Twin

New Zealand should be banned for good weather.