Dorna 600cc specs...

[derby]

From the RRW article:

"6.2 Minimum Total Weight: 135kg for 4-cylinder
130kg for 3-cylinder
125kg for 2-cylinder"

I can't imagine anyone would run a twin for a 10kg advantage, or even a triple for 5kg.

that's what i get for skimming the article... 

in the 2-stroke days, team roberts tried taking advantage of the lower minimum weight of the 3-cyl w/ the proton-KR. honda also ran a nsr500v (twin) in addition to their nsr500 v4.

[superjohn]

no air valves, rpm limits, very limited fuel work, 17" wheels (what?!), spec ECU, no TC/fancy electronics, no carbon brakes, no fancy materials

so basically the only thing that's "prototype" is the chassis.

...it's wss with gp frames and no electronics.

That's probably close to being right, though there's nothing that precludes manufacturers from using prototype motors, but with the rules I'm not sure what advantage they could have. Speed had a good article with some comparisons to Supersport and MotoGP

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-new-moto2-600s-could-debut-in-spain-2009/

They also stated that since the limit is on RPM's and not linear piston velocity, that a long stroke 4 cylinder that had the capability to rev to 16,000 would have an advantage.

[gm2]

maybe there are more recent threads about this.. i didn't look very hard.

anyway, 47 teams/91 riders have applied to race Moto2   

http://www.crash.net/MotoGP/News/147624/1/47_teams_apply_for_moto2_entry.html
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/May/090530b981wsa0.htm

[Spidey]

This is gunna be interesting. 

http://www.crash.net/MotoGP/News/148024/1/moto2_matches_bautista_race_lap_record.html

[mitt]

This is gunna be interesting. 

http://www.crash.net/MotoGP/News/148024/1/moto2_matches_bautista_race_lap_record.html

that's crazy.  It will be only a short time till all the mfg's are using 4 strokes, just like the 500cc to 1000cc shift.

mitt

[Spidey]

It's gonna be even faster than the 500cc 2strk /990cc 4strk switch.  There was a year (2002?) where the 990s ran with the smokers.  Next year is *supposed* to be like that for Moto2, but nearly every team that registered for Moto2 is running the 600cc.  Of something like 90 entries, there were only 2 or so smokers.  So much 2010 being a transition year.

Edit:  I derby'd.  gm2 posted the links above. 

http://www.crash.net/MotoGP/News/147624/1/47_teams_apply_for_moto2_entry.html
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/May/090530b981wsa0.htm

[gm2]

that's crazy.  It will be only a short time till all the mfg's are using 4 strokes, just like the 500cc to 1000cc shift.

mitt

like, say, 2011....?  

[mitt]

like, say, 2011....?  

That is mandatory right?  I figure there will be a lot of early adopters like there was in the 1000cc.

smart ass 

mitt

[Spidey]

Yeah, 2010 they can run either 2 stroke or 4 stroke.  2011 is 4 stroke only. 

[Spidey]

FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix - Moto2 / 250cc 2010 World Championship announcement -


The Selection Committee comprising delegates from the FIM, Dorna and IRTA met on the 11th June to consider applications from teams wishing to participate in the Moto2 class in 2010. It was decided to provisionally offer entries in this class to 27 teams (41 riders). A further 10 teams were placed on a reserve list and, regrettably, it was necessary to refuse applications from 10 teams. The teams provisionally accepted will have until the Portuguese Grand Prix to confirm the details of their entry including the team structure, machines to be used and riders contracted. Decisions on the teams accepted will be made in Estoril based on this information. Due to the overwhelming interest in this new class and the quality of the initial applications it is the intention of FIM, Dorna and IRTA to accept an entry significantly larger than the current 250cc class.

[Speeddog]

How long will it be until one of these can qualify fast enough to get on the big bikes' grid?   

I think that's not too likely, but it'd sure make me laugh.