Well...Lorenzo's not going anywhere

[kawasakirob]

Lorenzo signs with Yamaha for 2013 -2014. I dont think this is a fluke. These guys are pretty square on.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jun/120612o91.htm

Would be kinda fun to get a poll going to see who can guess whom rides for who next season...maybe make this a sticky? Winner gets a free kick in the nuts/nutless area?

[kawasakirob]

Now that I think about it, I think Yamaha also stated that Rossi signed for a few more years...and then he bailed to Ducati....now I'm thinking to hard

[tecknojoe]

I just want cal to kick spies out

And edwards brings back yamaha to SBK and kills the fuck out of those pussys

[kawasakirob]

Edwards rocks. He has become one of my favorites. Have not payed much attention to him previously but within the last few years...he just makes me laugh with some of the stuff he sais. And who doesn't want to go to his boot camp? Interestingly he said the most memorable bike he's ever ridden was the RC51 back in his WSBK days. Found that pretty cool

[tecknojoe]

I hate RC51s but yea he kicks ass

[kawasakirob]

Really!? Wow. Your the first person I know who doesn't like them. Why don't you like them?

[Sean]

Good for Jorge. He's a great rider and will keep doing good things for Yamaha. Doubt they'll ditch Spies yet, they'll probably give him another year and then kick him to the curb. But who knows, both Dovi and Cal have been riding better then Ben.

And edwards brings back yamaha to SBK and kills the fuck out of those pussys

I can get on board with this. I hate to see him struggling on a CRT.

[Cars-R-Coffins]

Really!? Wow. Your the first person I know who doesn't like them. Why don't you like them?

Over weight, under power vs comparable inline 4's

[kawasakirob]

Over weight, under power vs comparable inline 4's

understandable

[tecknojoe]

Really!? Wow. Your the first person I know who doesn't like them. Why don't you like them?

I just think they're hideous clunky old machines. I started riding in 2009 so they're definitely before my time. I see them on the track and I just don't like looking at them.

Since it was before my time, I kind of struggle to figure out why people freak out when they see them for sale and such. kinda just, meh

an RC8R though. Now there's a twin

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Doh! I been Ninja'd! Anyways, here's another take on it:
http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/ro...k-with-yamaha/

[rybo]

I just think they're hideous clunky old machines. I started riding in 2009 so they're definitely before my time. I see them on the track and I just don't like looking at them.

Since it was before my time, I kind of struggle to figure out why people freak out when they see them for sale and such. kinda just, meh

an RC8R though. Now there's a twin

Youngsters....

The reason the RC51 was so popular (and why it's such a cool bike) is that it took advantage of the rule package in SBK at the time. Prior to that the bikes that Honda raced at the SBK level were 750cc V-Fours that were homologation specials, and virtually unobtanium. When the RC51 showed up they took advantage of the 250cc bump that the 2 cyl got over the 4 cyl and then put Edwards on it to win some titles.

If you have not seen the season finale of the 2002 SBK season, it's a must see. In my mind one of the greatest races of all time with Bayliss on the Ducati and Edwards on the Honda duking it out for the championship in the final race. Pure awesome.



Now - a couple pieces of the puzzle are in place

Stoner- retiring
Lorenzo - Yamaha
Hayden - (looks like) staying with Ducati

Then:

Rossi - (Prediction) To San Carlo on a factory Honda
Pedrosa - (Prediction) Staying with Repsol Honda
Marquez - (Prediction) Dorna will abandon the "rookie rule" and he will go to Repsol Honda
Dovi - (Prediction) - To Honda Satellite team
Crutchlow - (Prediction) To take Rossi's seat at Ducati
Spies - (Prediction) To remain with Factory Yamaha

[Ghost]

Really!? Wow. Your the first person I know who doesn't like them. Why don't you like them?

Joe's not the only one, I hate RC51s in stock trim. The race bikes might be something else, but the mass market bikes suck.

[tecknojoe]

Youngsters....

The reason the RC51 was so popular (and why it's such a cool bike) is that it took advantage of the rule package in SBK at the time. Prior to that the bikes that Honda raced at the SBK level were 750cc V-Fours that were homologation specials, and virtually unobtanium. When the RC51 showed up they took advantage of the 250cc bump that the 2 cyl got over the 4 cyl and then put Edwards on it to win some titles.

If you have not seen the season finale of the 2002 SBK season, it's a must see. In my mind one of the greatest races of all time with Bayliss on the Ducati and Edwards on the Honda duking it out for the championship in the final race. Pure awesome.



Now - a couple pieces of the puzzle are in place

Stoner- retiring
Lorenzo - Yamaha
Hayden - (looks like) staying with Ducati

Then:

Rossi - (Prediction) To San Carlo on a factory Honda
Pedrosa - (Prediction) Staying with Repsol Honda
Marquez - (Prediction) Dorna will abandon the "rookie rule" and he will go to Repsol Honda
Dovi - (Prediction) - To Honda Satellite team
Crutchlow - (Prediction) To take Rossi's seat at Ducati
Spies - (Prediction) To remain with Factory Yamaha

Aaaaaand there's why I mentioned it's before my time

that is pretty cool, i'll have to go look up some of those races. to date probly one of the best races I've seen was the final race of BSB last year. several lead changes on the last lap and hopper barely getting beat out at the last second

I still don't like looking at those hondas

[kawasakirob]

Another interesting fact ( like Rybo mentioned) is there are rumors that organizers will be changing "the rookie rule" which I personally don't agree with(changing the rule) if this happens, it could throw a lot of predictions off and it will be an utter mess for teams trying to obtain riders(headache)

Glad to see Kawi again up in the runnings of WSBK with Sykes, I think it's been SINCE the 750era that they have been without a top runner.


Predictions:

Rossi( Ducati, I still don't see him going back to a Honda)
Hayden ( stays put)
Pedrosa ( staying with Repsol)
Crutch low ( moving to Repsol)
Dovi ( joining Lorenzo on the factory M1)

Up and coming riders to stick with satellite teams. I don't think Dorna will change back the rookie rule, it would cause a HUGE controversy and piss a lot of people off... Rightfully so

[rybo]

Some interesting fodder for discussion about the rookie rule:

http://superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jun/120614wsx.htm

[kawasakirob]

[Ghost]

Rossi - (Prediction) To San Carlo on a factory Honda

That's what I'd like to see, but still not sure it'll happen.

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Youngsters....

The reason the RC51 was so popular (and why it's such a cool bike) is that it took advantage of the rule package in SBK at the time. Prior to that the bikes that Honda raced at the SBK level were 750cc V-Fours that were homologation specials, and virtually unobtanium. When the RC51 showed up they took advantage of the 250cc bump that the 2 cyl got over the 4 cyl and then put Edwards on it to win some titles.

If you have not seen the season finale of the 2002 SBK season, it's a must see. In my mind one of the greatest races of all time with Bayliss on the Ducati and Edwards on the Honda duking it out for the championship in the final race. Pure awesome.



Now - a couple pieces of the puzzle are in place

Stoner- retiring
Lorenzo - Yamaha
Hayden - (looks like) staying with Ducati

Then:

Rossi - (Prediction) To San Carlo on a factory Honda
Pedrosa - (Prediction) Staying with Repsol Honda
Marquez - (Prediction) Dorna will abandon the "rookie rule" and he will go to Repsol Honda
Dovi - (Prediction) - To Honda Satellite team
Crutchlow - (Prediction) To take Rossi's seat at Ducati
Spies - (Prediction) To remain with Factory Yamaha

Agree 1000%. Great end to the season. The twins have always enjoyed a displacement advantage in WSB, right from the start.

[sprtbkbabe]

Marquez - (Prediction) Dorna will abandon the "rookie rule" and he will go to Repsol Honda

Nice Spleeny!

Looks as if Honda has found a way to manipulate DORNA and get their Spanish rider on after all:


http://www.motomatters.com/news/2012..._for_2013.html


Pedrosa may feel slighted and move to another ride, IMO now...

[salsashark]

Looks as if Honda has found a way to manipulate DORNA and get their Spanish rider on after all:

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2012..._for_2013.html

Pedrosa may feel slighted and move to another ride, IMO now...

At the rate DORNA is being bent by Honda, by 2017 it's going to be Repsol and 8 satellite Honda teams...

[rybo]

another prediction wrong on my part - Ben Spies is leaving Yamaha.

Like the weatherman, I'm throwing out a new prediction:

The new forecast:

Yamaha Factory

Jorge
Dovi

Honda Factory

Pedrosa
Marquez

Ducati Factory

Rossi
Hayden

Tech 3

Smith
Crutchlow

San Carlo

Bautista
Spies

Pramac

Leaving the series

AB Cardion

Fields first "production" Honda GP bike under Abraham

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Spies on a San Carlo Honda would be interesting, so, I hope it's a good move for him and the team. Dovi would certainly be a great replacement.

[rybo]

Spies on a San Carlo Honda would be interesting, so, I hope it's a good move for him and the team. Dovi would certainly be a great replacement.

Just a guess from me really

So far the only thing I've gotten right was that Dorna was going to drop the rookie rule so that Marquez could move to the factory honda.

s