Are electronics turning Moto GP into a glorified videogame?

[NickyD999]

This is the question that caused a bit of debate with a friend of mine. We both agree that electronic aids take some of control out of the rider; one of us has gone so far to say that older riders like Loris Capirossi that have come from an era where your right wrist is your traction control have to retire and make way for a new generation of video game riders like Casey Stoner. This is where an argument ensued, beings a rider like Stoner, who has really good confidence in the electronics of his bike and can be at full lean and not hesitate to open the throttle wide open, basically turning the throttle into an on/off button, does that turn riders such as him into a video game type rider? Is that a fair anology to make? Do older riders struggle more with the new technology?

One of us is a Rossi fan and one a Stoner fan, so naturally this argument morphed into whether or not Stoners success is based largely becasue of his bike, tires and electronics and if he wishes to prove this assumption wrong he must jump ship to another factory ride like Vale did and keep winning.

I tried to word this in an unbiased way, what are your thoughts on the above subjects?

[Rainman]

They all have electronics controls.....

moot point in my eye.

[AZ_Scott]

I'd prefer not to have so many electronic "aids" on the bikes, but unfortunately it's the way of the world nowadays. You can't stop technology.

But you still need to be able to ride a bike at 150 mph with your knee on the ground, and do it better than 15 other guys who are really good at it. That takes some large brass ones.

As long as motorcycle racers still face the possibility of being killed or seriously injured at any given second of a race, it's anything but a "game"...

[AJCJR]

i was reading an article in road racing world magazine and hopkins stated that on the old 500cc bikes you had to watch when go through the turns and you would get on the gas later, now because of electronics he stated you just whack the throttle once threw the apex and the bike does the rest.

i rather not see electronics but it may make for better racing. I think in a sport like formula one where you have a couple of teams that can win it sucks because of no passing but moto gp seems very interesting and the races are exciting, if it comes to the point like F1 where its basically how you qualify then a change should be made.

just my .02

[Ducatibob749S]

Are we really discussing this again? This topic is becoming like the oil and tire choice topics around here.

[Chuckracer]

If ya can't say nothing nice, Bob...


I wish there were less controls, but hopefully the "Powers That Be" will not let it get too silly. They've backed down on F1 electronic controls (I think), so maybe Dorna will see the writing on the wall.

I don't think they will ever go away, and if a little bit is safer for the rider, then great.

[DucmanST3]

I'm not a big fan of electronics, the less the better...
As for Stoner, it amazes me how many reasons folks can invent to explain his success, anything at all except for the fact he may be really talented..
Personally it is my belief he is in possession of alien technology
Why he refused to share this with other Ducati riders has also been the subject of widespread speculation