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BMW4VWW · 02-18-2003, 10:13 AM

The lack of the 999's front fairing "wings" on this 200mph motorcycle makes one wonder if they are more of a styling exercise than a functional aerodynamic aid. Do Fomula racing rules forbid these spoilers? Should Sean add them to the Atlantic scooter? Inquiring minds want to know. VWW

drthompson65 · 02-18-2003, 10:20 AM

Zoom Zoom!

Joe_Momma · 02-18-2003, 10:45 AM

No freakin' honda's at the IRTA test. Ducati might post the best numbers if not for Yamaha/Barros and Aprilia/Edwards trying to do the same. Looks like Suzuki's new bike is pretty good and Kawasaki's bike is atleast as fast as Suzuki's bike from last year.

Grover · 02-18-2003, 11:05 AM

"Do Fomula [sic] racing rules forbid these spoilers?"

Yes... in GP. The WSBK rules state that aerodymanic features such as the "wings" to which you refer are only allowed if they are standard equipment on the homologated version of the motorcycle. So, by putting them on the 999, Ducati gets to keep them in WSBK.

Some marketing genious must have conducted a survey and found that by reducing the COD by .000001% with these wings they might win every race in WSBK this year by an extra .02 seconds, and that the added margin of victory would sell enough bikes to make up for the number of people that won't buy the bike because they find those wings completely effing hideous.

rsheidler · 02-18-2003, 11:20 AM

It is disappointing that Honda will pass on the first IRTA round -- I hear that they decided to test privately at Sepang instead. I believe that this will be the first appearance (at least semi-public) for the 2003 version of the RC211V -- prior tests were with the 2002 version with a few new parts.

I am speculating that they may have gone back to look for some more speed, after seeing the times from Yamaha and Ducati in earlier tests. That may be why they are passing on the IRTA test, to be sure the new version is really ready.

Too bad that we can't get some TV coverage of the IRTA tests.

Bob

rsheidler · 02-18-2003, 11:30 AM

Very nice writeup and pictures. Certainly more interesting and comprehensive that what I have found on any other sites. Try keep Yossef busy doing more of this!

I also wanna hear more about Sean's scooter exploits -- especially if he can post some shots of squids getting passed on Angeles Crest!

Bob

BMW4VWW · 02-18-2003, 11:35 AM

Scuse me Kingfish, I thought I was ko rekt wit my use of de woid fomula. VWW

KPaulCook · 02-18-2003, 12:34 PM

" the other with paired cylinders firing simultaneously. But early tests suggested that this version placed excessive stress on components, so engineers decided to focus their attention on the conventional configuration" It's only a matter of time before the ugly 999 gets replaced by a production version of the MotoGP V-4. Times are changing Duc fans Get used to it!

Love the article by way. Thanks MO

BadCop · 02-18-2003, 12:42 PM

I think Honda is going to Sepang for a couple reasons:

1. They want to test against their most recent benchmark with the newest version.

2. They don't want to show their hand too early if their speed is even faster than before.

SpongeBOB · 02-18-2003, 12:46 PM

Am I seeing "HRC" on the crankcase?

Just kidding.

02-18-2003, 10:13 AM	#1
BMW4VWW Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,833	Re: Ducati MotoGP Bike Intro Feedback The lack of the 999's front fairing "wings" on this 200mph motorcycle makes one wonder if they are more of a styling exercise than a functional aerodynamic aid. Do Fomula racing rules forbid these spoilers? Should Sean add them to the Atlantic scooter? Inquiring minds want to know. VWW

02-18-2003, 10:20 AM	#2
drthompson65 Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Brooklyn Park, MN Posts: 238	Re: Ducati MotoGP Bike Intro Feedback Zoom Zoom! __________________ 2000 Honda CBR 929RR (Sold) 2002 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (Sold) 2003 Honda RC-51 (Sold) 2004 Ducati 999 Mono Yellow (Wrecked May 06) 2006 Ducati 999S Mono Black (Replaced Wife June 06) 1972-2000 A collection of mini, dirt, and road bikes to vast too list..

02-18-2003, 10:45 AM	#3
Joe_Momma Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 585	Re: Ducati MotoGP Bike Intro Feedback No freakin' honda's at the IRTA test. Ducati might post the best numbers if not for Yamaha/Barros and Aprilia/Edwards trying to do the same. Looks like Suzuki's new bike is pretty good and Kawasaki's bike is atleast as fast as Suzuki's bike from last year.

02-18-2003, 11:05 AM	#4
Grover Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 175	Re: Ducati MotoGP Bike Intro Feedback "Do Fomula [sic] racing rules forbid these spoilers?" Yes... in GP. The WSBK rules state that aerodymanic features such as the "wings" to which you refer are only allowed if they are standard equipment on the homologated version of the motorcycle. So, by putting them on the 999, Ducati gets to keep them in WSBK. Some marketing genious must have conducted a survey and found that by reducing the COD by .000001% with these wings they might win every race in WSBK this year by an extra .02 seconds, and that the added margin of victory would sell enough bikes to make up for the number of people that won't buy the bike because they find those wings completely effing hideous.

02-18-2003, 11:20 AM	#5
rsheidler Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,459	Re: Ducati MotoGP Bike Intro Feedback It is disappointing that Honda will pass on the first IRTA round -- I hear that they decided to test privately at Sepang instead. I believe that this will be the first appearance (at least semi-public) for the 2003 version of the RC211V -- prior tests were with the 2002 version with a few new parts. I am speculating that they may have gone back to look for some more speed, after seeing the times from Yamaha and Ducati in earlier tests. That may be why they are passing on the IRTA test, to be sure the new version is really ready. Too bad that we can't get some TV coverage of the IRTA tests. Bob

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02-18-2003, 11:30 AM	#6
rsheidler Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,459	Good Job! Very nice writeup and pictures. Certainly more interesting and comprehensive that what I have found on any other sites. Try keep Yossef busy doing more of this! I also wanna hear more about Sean's scooter exploits -- especially if he can post some shots of squids getting passed on Angeles Crest! Bob

02-18-2003, 11:35 AM	#7
BMW4VWW Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,833	Re: Ducati MotoGP Bike Intro Feedback Scuse me Kingfish, I thought I was ko rekt wit my use of de woid fomula. VWW

02-18-2003, 12:34 PM	#8
KPaulCook Banned Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 2,756	Good bye V-Twins " the other with paired cylinders firing simultaneously. But early tests suggested that this version placed excessive stress on components, so engineers decided to focus their attention on the conventional configuration" It's only a matter of time before the ugly 999 gets replaced by a production version of the MotoGP V-4. Times are changing Duc fans Get used to it! Love the article by way. Thanks MO

02-18-2003, 12:42 PM	#9
BadCop Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 32	Re: Ducati MotoGP Bike Intro Feedback I think Honda is going to Sepang for a couple reasons: 1. They want to test against their most recent benchmark with the newest version. 2. They don't want to show their hand too early if their speed is even faster than before.

02-18-2003, 12:46 PM	#10
SpongeBOB Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 66	Re: Ducati MotoGP Bike Intro Feedback Am I seeing "HRC" on the crankcase? Just kidding.