Preziosi: 2012 Desmosedici '90%' new

Lets hope its not 90% shite then.

Posted: 11/01/2012 at 16:31

"The rider makes a difference". Makes the BIGGEST difference Phil..this does hum a bit of "we're sure we had it right in the first place, and still think we do, but we've been forced into this by JB and crew"...

Stop resting on the Stoner laurels and actually FIX THE SODDING BIKE SO MORE THAN ONE PERSON CAN RIDE IT!!!

Getting cross now...

Posted: 11/01/2012 at 17:23

hopefully this design gives more front end feedback that both VR and NH is saying there is a lacking of.

Posted: 11/01/2012 at 18:24

Ok, so actually listening to the interview, or at least the part thats on motogp.com, what hes actually said is that the only thing left over from the bike tested at Valencia is the tripod clamps and the headstock. Everything else is brand new to facilitate better weight distribution (something VR was whinging about all year) and so as to give the squad a bike that is essentially setup in the middle of the adjustment in every area.

So, they have listened to what they've been told (to an extent). I still stand by my thoughts that Bologna still think that Casey could ride the CF frame so its right, and everyone else "just has to get used to it".

Posted: 11/01/2012 at 18:53

I suppose the issue is going to be getting the best out of a massively unknown bike. I'm hoping it works well and I'm hoping the fact it's been done so quickly works. Not testing the perimeter frame until so late in the day, especially with the problems at hand was odd for me, especially when the season was wrote off on testing.

If the adjustment is well calculated though, and the bike is a capable winner and just needs the right settings dialled in and a fast rider, then it could start switching the pack about which will be fun.

At the end of the day, VR, NH, MM, LR and more have tried and failed on that bike, the only guy that could ride it was the guy that was (not) happy to, but did ride it well over the limit every single time he got on it, and most of the time it worked out, but most of the time isn't good enough for a calculated attempt at a championship.

I can really see where Stoner gets a lot of his thinking from, having a GP8, 9, 10, 11 or 11.1/12 as a training mule is possibly amazing, because anything else you ride should feel much better.

Seeing other riders come out in practice or quals and take a few laps to come out and get upto speed, and then Casey just gun it straight out.

I for one massively hope this iteration works, not just because I want to see Vale on the top again (which I personally do), but I think if this really doesn't start going forward then eventually Ducati will end up pulling out and joining Kawa and Suzuki which would leave Honda and Yamaha... So based on that Forza Vale for 2012. I'm starting to feel good on this because if they've actually gave JB and Co what they're after then the chances are it'll do pretty well.

Posted: 11/01/2012 at 22:58

Was reading last night, that they're taking both bikes for the 1st time to Sepang. The GP11.1 and the GP12. Which Ducati have never done before. HRC and Yamaha do it as a matter of course. Back to back testing, compare and contrast. I'm just wondering if this is something else the crew have insisted on? Wouldn't surprise me.

They have done SOME testing with this frame, just not a lot. It was always gonna be an unknown, as we all know, this is a totally new direction for them. I'll put money on LOADS of FTR people being at Jerez and Sepang. And the Ohlins boys will certainly be working overtime.

Posted: 12/01/2012 at 08:52

I think it's a good idea to run the old vs new to see the differences, I was surprised to find out they didn't do that anyway, short of the laptime it's hard to notice what other feel has changed other than from rider memory. I suppose you'll get better words from a rider if you stick him out on the new then immediately the old.

Agreed about FTR and Ohlins. Are Bridgestone present at all tests anyway? even private ones?

Either way, I can see them putting the time and effort in to run through quite a few of these frames and maybe other bits before they're 'appy with it. It'd be nice for it to be ready for Qatar, but even getting near the front there would be a result.

Posted: 13/01/2012 at 09:02

I think it adds to the start of the first race. I think there is going to be so much pressure on Rossi and the rest of the crew to perform. Proof is going to be in results not trying every setting or change of component or bike....
vinnychoff

Posted: 13/01/2012 at 10:28

So how do you propose they work out a base setting for the new bike then? Pull settings out of a hat?....LOL.

Posted: 13/01/2012 at 10:40

True, results are what it boils down to, but when given a good package, results are ultimately what the JB/VR combination are very good at delivering. Bearing in mind Honda went through nearly 20 iterations of it's chassis before it finally got it right towards the end of 2010 says how long these things can take. So I do have doubts as to whether or not Ducati can get this thing going straight off the lights for the first race. But I've worked in massive companies and smaller/medium companies. The smaller ones tend to get things done faster so maybe this will go in the favour of Ducati, time will tell.

Posted: 13/01/2012 at 10:41

Another point to add, you can only find an ideal setting by winding something fully in, then fully out and working towards what you might define as the 'middle'. The 'middle' might not be say .50 if the start is .0 and the end .100

You might find the middle at .65 with a range of +/- .15 so you could goto 0.50 at the bottom or .80 at the top. The issue with this years bike is they'd be at .100 and need to go further but the bike had nothing to move or shuffle about.

With the best will in the world, the best 'setup' guys cannot win if you limit what they can change and setup. With the data from last year, i'd be expecting a very different performance this year.

Posted: 13/01/2012 at 12:00