Interesting MotoGP article in SPEED

[ZDM]

STM: Practical Solutions to MotoGP?s Woes - Motorcycle USA

[dburkland]

Originally Posted by ZDM

STM: Practical Solutions to MotoGP?s Woes - Motorcycle USA

Interesting read however I do disagree with the point regarding carbon fiber brakes. As Motogp is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing much like F1 is for cars, I believe they should be able to use the best technology out there however with exceptions. A control ecu is a must if we want racing to be more competitive again. Just my $0.02

[tye1138]

It is a good article, I disagree with a few things.

I don't think manufacturers are in MotoGP to sell bikes. Manufacturers arn't in F1 to sell car's, so why in MotoGP to sell bikes? Manufacturers are in GP to demonstrate their ability to develop machines that win races, to basically "show-off" their design ability.

The writer of the article is mixing up World Superbike/BSB with MotoGP.

The prototype series MotoGP will never be like WSBK/BSB, its just impossible. MotoGP needs to be a step ahead of WSBK/BSB and right now they are barely quicker.

I like the single ECU rule, if they go no TC.
I like GP going with Pirelli superbike tires, thats also a good idea to save money.
I like the idea of the motors being more production based, force manufacturers to use a production motor.

But doesn't that sound like WSBK/BSB? Where is the divide?

[crashman]

In my opinion the problem with MotoGP is too much regulation. It will correct itself if left alone but people constantly mess with the rules. I can see limiting electronics but the fuel rules and spec tires have taken from the show. We need more prototype in MotoGP. Leave the spec racing for the minor leagues! People still want to watch the best of the best. If the bikes are the limiting factor something is wrong!

[rodericb]

The key difference between MotoGP and SBK is that the former aren't supposed to run "production" bikes/componentry and the latter are. Each don't mind stepping on the toes of the other to a degree and MotoGP are threatening to push the boundaries a bit where previously they did keep their distance.

None of the manufacturers sell a street bike which has much "MotoGP" in it - the biggest thing being that none of them sell a V4 (yeah, the obvious exception being the Desmosedici but that's no GSXR competitor). Maybe the difference, going forward, could be the materials used and with MotoGP speccing slightly more exotic materials than SBK.

I was thinking about suspension and stricter regulation on what SBK could use (i.e. production forks but with some internal changes allowed) but then SBK aren't struggling like they used to. So they're not gonna come to the party!

Control ECU/electronics package would probably be a good start anyways.

[ZDM]

.....Of course there are quite a few issues presnted in the article that are up for debate.....not sure if the author was suggesting that Win on Sunday, sells on Monday applies to GP racing....and some WSBK/GP issue's were "cloudy"....however the main point is that GP racing is no longer a vaiable avenue for sponsorhip dollars, not when there a 4-5 front runners in a field of 17, reduced to 13+/- by the end of the race. If sponsorship dries up, so goes technological advancement, then GP racing is and no longer has been the pinnale of racing....for it to survive the manufacturers must show their trickest stuff....and to be honest, there's not much further they can go regarding techological advances...lets face it! Years ago there was room to grow, now just how many "tricks" are left in the bag...not many....Honda transmission is one....if the go to "spec" competition than it is no longer GP racing as we have known it.....it is WSBK ...or MotoGP2 racing.
IMO the best all around ticket is WSBK and MotoGP2 ....no doubt....fans can closely associate their bikes with the racing bikes, especially when manufacturers do special livery packages....and racing needs the fans and for that matter the sponsors to have that "living vicariously thru" aspect to feed their success.

[erik822]

Originally Posted by tye1138

I don't think manufacturers are in MotoGP to sell bikes. Manufacturers arn't in F1 to sell car's, so why in MotoGP to sell bikes? Manufacturers are in GP to demonstrate their ability to develop machines that win races, to basically "show-off" their design ability."

Manufacturers are absolutely in MotoGP to sell bikes. They use MotoGP to build their brand by demonstrating their brand's superior design. Whether you can buy the bike as you see it on the track, is immaterial. You can buy the feel of that bike and that brand, and that's where the money is.

I should also add that being in MotoGP to make money is not the same as actually making money by being in MotoGP.

[tye1138]

Originally Posted by ZDM

IMO the best all around ticket is WSBK and MotoGP2 ....no doubt....fans can closely associate their bikes with the racing bikes, especially when manufacturers do special livery packages....and racing needs the fans and for that matter the sponsors to have that "living vicariously thru" aspect to feed their success.

BSB and World Supersport need to be added to that list. With Hopper and Zemke racing in BSB, it should be an "American's" dream series!

Special livery packages are gay, every time I see the 1198 Bayliss I shutter. Most people who buy the special livery because its different and in the Japanese world where different is rare, people go for it.

Racing has fan's, just not in the United States. So far this season, races have been 80k+ spectators or more, they're expecting 100k+ at the next round. When that same series comes to the US, they will be lucky to have 40k show up! MotoGP is still the most watched 2 wheel racing in the world, its still broadcasted on the BBC live (which is a big deal) the big sponsors still exist, its not going anywhere. Changing the rules, just complicates things and forces the teams to spend yet MORE money on NEW development. If they want teams to stop spending money, they could put a development ban on things like the motor and electronics. They could also force the like manufacturer teams to share the same bike, as in all Honda's on the grid are identical. That mixed with a ban on development would STOP the teams from spending excess money, yet but be able to run their special spanky machines.

Originally Posted by erik822

Manufacturers are absolutely in MotoGP to sell bikes. They use MotoGP to build their brand by demonstrating their brand's superior design. Whether you can buy the bike as you see it on the track, is immaterial. You can buy the feel of that bike and that brand, and that's where the money is.

Yes, MotoGP is about demonstrating a manufacturers ability to build a superior design.

But if you look at which manufacturers are doing well financially, Ducati is at the top of the list and they're utterly failing in MotoGP. Honda and Yamaha are the two top brands in MotoGP and the two of them are basically floundering on the showroom floor. Neither manufacturer has done any major update to their sport bike lineup since 2009, as they arn't selling any.

So as I said earlier, branding in MotoGP has nothing to do with selling bikes. Sure, it has to do with manufacturer awareness, that I will agree with. Hit up Ducati island at Laguna Seca and perhaps you might wanna buy a Ducati. But that is the location they sell bikes, not by you watching Valentino on the track.

If you wanna be successful in selling bikes, MotoGP is the last place you need to be.

World Superbike and British Superbike are probably the two top series for manufacturers to be in and guess what, neither one has much "factory" support and only a few factory teams.

[SPS996]

Moto GP is where manufactures unveil and develop there engineering skills, the writer of the article got it all wrong these are not bikes that that will make the show room floor. But some of the technology might make it to our bikes down the road. I think there would be more bikes on the field no matter the cost if there were more sponsors and there would be more sponsors if there was more TV coverage Speed SUCKS all they do is talk about nascar. They air MOTO GP on the starting grid with out even the warm up lap an when the race ends that's it no commentary. In Mugello speed went to commercial just as Lorenzo was about to pass Stoner. Speed SUCKS.

[tye1138]

Originally Posted by SPS996

I think there would be more bikes on the field no matter the cost if there were more sponsors and there would be more sponsors if there was more TV coverage Speed SUCKS all they do is talk about nascar. They air MOTO GP on the starting grid with out even the warm up lap an when the race ends that's it no commentary. In Mugello speed went to commercial just as Lorenzo was about to pass Stoner. Speed SUCKS.

The United States is a mere tip of a needle in the world of motorcycle racing, we are a side-note. In Europe BBC ONE (equivalent to NBC/ABC/CBS) broadcasts ALL MotoGP races live and Eurosport broadcasts everything else live. People in the US don't understand motorcycle racing because lets face it, you can't "see" the riders faces whilst they ride, so us dumb-ass American's don't know which guy is which. Lets face another fact, Billy Bob in Mississippi isn't going to watch MotoGP because "them be faggot european's all dressed up in leathers on them there TV" and its true! America's attitude towards european sports is very negative, do you think the World Cup is broadcast on NBC?! The biggest sporting event in ALL countries besides the US, isn't even broadcasted on national TV in the US!

If you like European sports, you must pay for a subscription based service to see them online, its that simple. Likewise, many europeans like US TV and they use proxy servers to get onto Hulu, which is something we here in the US take for granted.

Sponsors of MotoGP don't care about the US market anywhere near the european market, as cross marketing is very unusual outside of sports drinks. For instance, an American telecom company isn't going to sponsor a MotoGP team because most of the races are in europe, not because there arn't very many people watching it on TV.