MotoGP: Side-on special

Some say he's a machine - but Stoner's the bloke to beat in 2008

WITH JUST a few weeks until the start of the MotoGP season we thought it'd be a good idea to get some decent side-on shots of all the major teams so you know what to look out for come the first race in Losail, Qatar on March 9th.

Many of the teams are claiming well over 220bhp from their 800cc engines, and with tyre and traction control technology moving forward faster than you can say 'wind it wide-open out of every corner and hang on for dear life' we're sure to see circuit records tumble in 2008.

So here they are in all their glory. Enjoy.

Desmosedici GP8 - over 200bhp from 800cc

Ducati Desmosedici GP8 Specs

Frame - Tubular steel trellis-style chassis, pressed aluminium swing-arm
Front Suspension - Öhlins upside-down 42 mm front forks
Rear Suspension - Öhlins rear shock absorber, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping
Front Brakes - Brembo, two 320 mm carbon front discs with four-piston calipers
Rear Brake Single stainless steel rear disc with two-piston calipers
Tyres - Bridgestone 16.5" front and rear
Dry weight - 148 kg / 326 lbs
Exhaust - Termignoni
Engine - Liquid-cooled, 90 degree V4 four-stroke
Timing system - Desmodromic DOHC
Valves - Four valves per cylinder
Capacity - 799 cc
Maximum power - more than 200 HP
Maximum torque - n/a
Top speed - In excess of 310 kph / 192 mph
Transmission - Six-speed cassette-type gearbox

Final Drive - Chain
Clutch - Dry multiplate slipper clutch
Carburation - Indirect Magneti Marelli electronic injection, four throttle bodies with injectors above butterfly valves
Ignition - Magneti Marelli

Hayden's RCV212 - a strong contender for 2008

Honda RC212V Specs

Engine - liquid-cooled four-stroke DOHC 4 valve V-4

Displacement - 800cc

Frame - Twin-tube

Front suspension - Telescopic fork

Rear suspension - New Unit Pro Link

Front tyre - 16”

Rear tyre - 16.5”

Overall length - 2050mm

Overall width - 645mm

Overall height - 1125mm

Wheelbase - 1440mm

Road clearance - 125mm

Weight - 148kgs

Fuel tank capacity - 21 litres

Estimated power output - 220bhp+

Estimated top speed - 310k/ph

Is this the bike to take Rossi to the title?

Yamaha M1 Specs

Liquid-cooled, in-line, 4-cylinder, 4-stroke with 20-valve DOHC
Displacement: 800cc
Ignition: Yamaha CDI with adjustable mapping - NGK spark plugs
Carburation: Fuel injection
Lubrication system: Wet sump - Motul Oils
Data recording: 2D
Maximum power: More than 200ps
Maximum speed: Over 320 km/h
Transmission Type: 6-speed cassette-type gearbox, with alternative gear ratios available
Primary drive: Gear
Clutch: Dry multi-plate slipper clutch
Final drive: Chain - DID

Frame type: Twin-spar aluminium frame, multi-adjustable steering geometry, wheelbase, ride height, with aluminium swingarm
Front suspension: Fully-adjustable Öhlins inverted telescopic forks
Rear suspension: Braced aluminium swingarm with single Öhlins shock and rising-rate linkage
Front/rear wheels: Marchesini 17.0 inch front, 16.5 inch rear, available in a variety of rim widths
Front/rear tyres: Bridgestone, 17.0 inch front, 16.5 inch rear
Front brake: Twin 320mm carbon discs with radial mounted four-piston Brembo calipers
Rear Brake: Single 220mm ventilated stainless steel disc with twin-piston Brembo caliper
Weight: 145kg

Can Capirossi smoke 'em on his Rizla Suzuki?

Suzuki GSV-R Specs

Engine - 4 stroke water cooled V4
Displacement - 800cc
Max Power - 225+ ps / 18,000rpm
Valve Control and Type - Pneumatic (air control), DOHC four-valve
Carburation Type - Fuel injection
Lubrication System - Wet sump (Motul Lubricants)
Clutch - Dry multi plates (back torque reduction type)
Transmission - Six speed low friction constant mesh
Final Drive - Chain

Frame Type - Twin spar aluminum alloy frame
Suspension - Front: Inverted type telescopic (Ohlins)
Rear - Link type (Ohlins)
Tyres - Bridgestone
Wheels - Front and rear: 429mm (16.5 inches)
Brake System - Front: Double carbon disc (Brembo)
Rear: Single steel disc (Brembo)
Weight - 148+kg
Fuel - 21L
Estimated top speed - 330+km/h

Kawasaki's ZX-RR - still green and very mean

Kawasaki ZX-RR Specs

Engine - Inline four-stroke four cylinder
Induction System - DOHC Pneumatic system, four valves per cylinder

Displacement - 798cc
Lubrication - Wet sump
Fuel System - Electronic Fuel Injection
Exhaust System - Titanium, four-into-two-into-one system

Maximum Power - In excess of 200 BHP

Maximum Speed - In excess of 300 km/h

Gearbox - Six speed, cassette type
Primary Drive - Gear
Clutch - Dry multi-plate slipper clutch
Final Drive - Chain
Lubrication - Wet sump

Frame - Aluminium twin-spar
Front Suspension - Inverted telescopic forks
Rear Suspension - Unit-trak Monoshock
Steering Damper - Hydraulic Adjustable
Bodywork - Carbon Fibre
Wheel Front - 16.5"
Wheel Rear - 16.5"
Tyres -Bridgestone

Brakes - Front: 2 x 314mm carbon discs
2 x radial mount, monoblock, four piston calipers
Rear: 1 x 200mm ventilated steel disc 1 x two piston caliper

Wheelbase - 1460mm
Overall Length - 2080mm
Castor (Rake/Trail) - Variable
Seat Height - 850mm
Dry Weight - Over 148kg
Fuel Capacity - 21 litres

The Rest

Toseland's Yamaha M1 reminds us of a 90's Norton QXR

Dovizioso's Honda looks a treat in silver

Gresini's RCV212 Honda

Team Pramac's Desmosedici GP8