Photo #635 - GSX-RR

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Photo #634 - Brembo

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KTM RC16, Ready to MotoGP 2017 Race ?

Austrian firm KTM has been surprisingly open about its plans to return to MotoGP in 2017. After its prototype RC16 had a shakedown at the Red Bull Ring, photos of the first iteration of the new design were revealed. There’s still more than a year before this bike will have a serious shot at racing, though wildcard appearances in 2016 are possible as testing goes on, so the machine that lines up on the grid for the first 2017 round might look quite different. Even at this stage it’s an intriguing bike, mixing tried-and-tested ideas with novel engineering solutions.

Comparison with this year’s MotoGP machines is fruitless – by the time the new KTM starts to race there will be new regulations, including the adoption of a standard ECU, as well as new Michelin tyres on 17-inch wheels instead of the current 16.5-inch Bridgestones. But the KTM, even in its early state, is already revealing some secrets.

As well as being a works MotoGP machine with the financial might of Red Bull backing it, KTM RC16 is set to be the basis of KTM’s much-heralded, track-only "production" superbike offering. Although the firm claims not to be interested in making a road-legal variant, it does have plans to offer a high-priced production racer aimed at either privateer competitors or wealthy trackday enthusiasts.

Test rider Alex Hofmann and KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer were both pleased with the bike’s first run, and a second machine is already being built ahead of another test before the end of the year, when second tester Mika Kallio will get to try it out.

KTM RC16 Engine

We can’t see it in these pictures, but under the fairing there’s a 90º V4 built to the 1000cc limit. To have a chance, the works version will need pneumatic valves and a seamless-shift transmission, but plans for a production bike don’t include either.

It’s not entirely new ground for KTM. The firm created a pneumatic-valve "GP1" 990 V4 for a stillborn MotoGP project in 2003, eventually racing the engine for half a season in 2005 with the Roberts team. Like Aprilia’s RS Cube three-cylinder, the KTM engine struggled due to a lack of rideability – something that would easily be fixed with today’s far more advanced electronic control systems.

KTM RC16 Chassis & Suspension

While a V4 engine is a favoured MotoGP format, the KTM RC16 pictures show an installation similar to Honda’s RC213V, with a side-exhaust and an under-seat pipe. Yet the RC16’s chassis is not like any of its rivals. Instead of an aluminium beam frame, KTM uses its usual steel trellis design.

Steel tubular frames are easy to make and modify in both geometry and rigidity, which will be hugely valuable during the bike’s development. Negatives are the large number of welds involved, which mean that it’s near-impossible to make two frames that are absolutely identical. The welds themselves can also have slightly different flex characteristics.


KTM uses WP suspension on the RC16, no surprise given that it owns the company. It’s another potential double-edged sword for the bike. Developed specifically for the KTM RC16, the WP fork and shock will be tailored precisely to KTM’s requirements, but the firm doesn’t have the huge back catalogue of experience to draw on that rival Öhlins does.

It’s been nearly a decade since any non-Öhlins-suspended bike has won a MotoGP title: Hayden’s Showa-sprung Honda in 2006 was the last, and WP simply doesn’t have the same pool of data that its rival does when it comes to knowing which options to work with.

Aerodynamics

KTM doesn’t appear to be trying to rewrite the aero book – at this stage the priority will be on creating as few variables as possible so the engine and chassis design can be honed. The overall look isn’t dissimilar to some of Suter’s designs around the nose and tail, while the side panels have been designed for testing. Gill-like air vents in the sides are on separate panels that can be removed or swapped for others to alter engine cooling.

As the rest of the bike is developed and KTM closes in on the final engine and chassis designs, we can expect the bodywork to start to evolve as its aerodynamics and cooling become more refined...

Reactions to the Rossi Saga

Valentino Rossi kept swinging after the last MotoGP race of the season. At a packed post-race briefing to a seemingly partisan crowd, the multiple world champion displayed outward good humour and ever-active charm as he continued to accuse Márquez of being "Lorenzo’s bodyguard" and protecting the Yamaha rider rather than trying to pass him. Key people in the paddock were asked about their thoughts on Rossi’s accusations – here’s what they had to say...

Lin Jarvis (Yamaha Crew Chief)

"The last 10 days have been a little bit tough. It’s never easy to manage any champion, any single champion, and its even more difficult to manage two. We’re very happy to be here and I congratulate Jorge on achieving this third Moto GP championship with us. I listened to the explanations of Marc and Dani and Jorge on the race and I take their explanations at face value and I have no reason to go against that."

Shuhei Nakamoto (HRC)

"Absolutely there is no doubt Marc was pushing to win the race today. Our target was to try and beat Jorge with a 1-2 Honda finish with Marc and Dani. There was no meaning to do anything else, I don’t understand why Valentino thinks Marc was helping Jorge."

Jeremy Burgess (Rossi’s Former Crew Chief)

"I always thought this year would be very interesting. In the second half of last season Vale outscored everyone else so the key this year was for him to bring that momentum into all 18 rounds. The plan was working well except Lorenzo was the one who didn’t give up. Sadly things appeared to start unravelling in Valentino’s mind at Phillip Island. I’m still a huge Rossi fan but I wonder if he can put another season together like this. I’d love to think he could as he just fell five points short of his 10th title."

Nicky Hayden (2006 MotoGP Champion)

"It’s a shame only one guy gets to take home the title, both Lorenzo and Rossi have done fantastic seasons. I know how much this title would have meant to Rossi but it doesn’t always work like that. But Jorge’s ability to lead every lap and do those fast laps I can tell you that is really impressive, I know how hard it is to have the mental concentration and fitness to do that."

Mark Webber (Former F1 Driver)

"Today there were three Hondas in the race, Lorenzo and then the two Hondas behind. There was no pressure from behind at all, Marc did the whole race and when Dani arrived Márquez raced, it was frustrating to watch."

John McGuinness (IOM TT Legend)

"You can’t take anything away from Lorenzo to win from pole and leading every lap and it is a pity he is getting kicking for winning, he did nothing wrong. The fairytale ending would have been Rossi winning the championship at 36 and it was frustrating to see him getting the rear of grid start and running around in fourth and unable to make a race of it."

Martin Brundle (F1 Driver)

"I’m a big MotoGP fan and I came here to Valencia hoping to see Valentino Rossi win a 10th championship. But Lorenzo won it in style and you cannot take anything away from him, leading every lap from pole after a great qualifying. I know a lot of people will question whether Marc was trying hard enough or not and if Pedrosa could have made his move stick on Márquez maybe he had a better chance of a run at Lorenzo."

Photo #633 - Desmosedici's Exhaust

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KTM RC16 MotoGP - Test 2015

Foto: Facebook (KTM Factory Racing)

Photo #630 - YZR-M1 Exhaust

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Motorcycle Art - Suzuki GSX-RR MotoGP 2015

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Photo #626 - Jorge Lorenzo's Office

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MotoGP Honda RC212V 2007 Prototype Edition

Spesification MotoGP : LCR HONDA (HONDA RC212V) MOTOGP

Engine features: Four stroke liquid cooled engine, V4, DOHC 4
Displacement: 800cc
Maximum Power: over 210 HP
Maximum Speed: over 325 km/H
Gearbox : Six speed cassette type gearbox with alternative optional ratio
Clutch : Fully adjustable multi plate slipper clutch
Exhaust : Titanium
Overall lenght : 2050mm to 2070mm up to circuit lay out and specification
Overall height : 1125mm
Overall width : 645mm
Weight : 148kg
Fuel : 21 litres capacity ELF
Oil : ELF
Chassis Features: Aluminium twin spare frameFully adjustable steering and geometryFully adjustable LCR magnesium tripple clamp
Suspensions : Front Fully adjustable Öhlins TTX20 upside downRear Fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 Pro-link type link
Tyres : Michelin
Wheel : Marchesini
Brakes : Brembo front four piston caliper314mm carbon discRear twin piston caliperVentilated steel disc

Ducati Desmosedici MotoGP Edition

Spesification MotoGP DUCATI TEAM (DUCATI DESMOSEDICI GP8)

Mesin :liquid-cooled, 90 degree V4 four-stroke, desmodromic DOHC, four valves per cylinder.
Kapasitas :799cc
Maksimum Power :more than 200hp
Maksimum Speed :in excess of 310 kph/192 mph
Transmisi :Six-speed cassette-type gearbox, with alternative gear ratios available. Dry multiplate slipper clutch. Chain final drive.
Karburasi :Indirect Magneti Marelli electronic injection, four throttle bodies with injectors above butterfly valves.Throttles operated by EVO TCF (Throttle Control & Feedback) system.
Fuel :Shell Racing V-
PowerOli :Shell Advance Ultra 4
Rangka :Tubular steel trellis-style chassis, pressed aluminium swing-arm.
Suspensi :Ohlins upside-down 42mm front forks and Ohlins rear shock absorber, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping.
Ban :Bridgestone 16.5" front and rear
Rem :Brembo, two 320mm carbon front discs with four-piston callipers. Single stainless steel rear disc with two-piston callipers.
Berat :148kg

MotoGP Yamaha YZR M1 2008 Rossi Edition

Spesification FIAT YAMAHA TEAM (YAMAHA YZR-M1)

Mesin :Liquid cooled inline four-cylinder, four stroke
Tenaga :Around 154.5 kw (210 horsepower)
Top Speed :In excess of 320 km/h
Transmisi :Six-speed cassette-type gearbox, with alternative gear ratios available
Chassis :Aluminium twin tube delta box, multi-adjustable steering geometry/wheelbase/ride height. Aluminium swingarm
Suspensi :Ohlins upside down front forks and Ohlins rear shock, all adjustable for pre-load, high and low-speed compression and rebound damping. Alternative rear suspension links available
Ban :- Michelin, 16.0 front, 16.5 in rear, available as slick,Intermediate and wet tyres on Jorge Lorenzo’s YZR-M1- Bridgestone, 16.5 front, 16.5 in rear, available as slick,Intermediate and wet tyres on Valentino Rossi’s YZR-M1
Rem :Brembo, two 320 mm carbon front discs, two four-piston callipers. Single 220 mm stainless steel rear disc, twin-piston calliper.

MotoGP Suzuki GSV R 2008 Vermeulen Edition

Spesification SUZUKI (GSV-R 2008) 2008

Type Mesin :4 stroke water cooled V4Kapasitas
Mesin :800ccMaksimum Power :225+ ps / 18,000rpmValve Control and
Type :Pneumatic (air control), DOHC four-valve
Karburasi :Fuel injectionLubrication
System :Wet sump (Motul Lubricants)
Clutch :Dry multi plates (back torque reduction type)
Transmisi :Six speed low friction constant meshFinal
Drive :ChainFrame
Type :Twin spar aluminum alloy frame
Suspensi :Front: Inverted type telescopic (Ohlins)
Rear: Link type (Ohlins)
Ban :Bridgestone
Wheels :Front and rear: 429mm (16.5 inches)
Brake System :Front: Double carbon disc (Brembo)
Rear: Single steel disc (Brembo)Overall
Length :2080mmOverall
Width :660mmOverall
Height :1150mm
Wheelbase :1450mm
Weight :148+kg
Fuel Tank :21LEstimated
Top Speed :330+km/h

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