2009 MotoGP Round 6 - Catalunya (Race Spoilers)

[sbrguy]

i agree that the curb is coming up but that is what another 2 inches tops? then ok you do have the camber working for you.. so let's say that is another 2-5 inches of lean clearance.. but still that is insane!!!

you are talking the guys handlebars are probably what, 1 foot or maybe 14-16 inches above the ground if it was level at that point?  that is ridiculous!!

but still that has got to be even a bit crazy for those guys at that particular turn "damn you know the pavement is literally 5 inches way from my shoulder right now... and my head only like 10 inches from the ground at this point"...

no doubt those guys are super talented beyond belief, its just really strange seeing that humans can make bikes corner like that.

[Spidey]

MotoGP guys get high mid-50s for their lean angles.  Hell, even Michelin Pilot Power 2Cts are supposed to give you something like a 54 51.2 degree max lean angle.  Well, that's what it looks like. 

It looked like Spies repeatedly dragged his shoulder on the curbing at Miller.  I don't remember the turn, but it was a downhill chicane with a left hander immediately after a right hander.

P.S.  Those guys are not human.

[derby]

what i think is funny is you guys goin' gaga over that pic when ben does this on flat pavement:



not to take anything away from any of these guys, though.

note: the 16(.5) inch tires have a TON of sidegrip. if you actually look at the profile of the tire, it'd make sense.

hell, even the "tall" dunlop 17in slicks have a crazy-large side contact patch.

[Jester]

no doubt those guys are super talented beyond belief, its just really strange seeing that humans can make bikes corner like that.

Nothing but a bunch of electronics, smoke, and mirrors.   

Occasionally they put the lean angles up on the television during the GP races and I've seen em crack into the 60's before.  They get pretty flat even without the curbing/camber help.

[derby]

Occasionally they put the lean angles up on the television during the GP races and I've seen em crack into the 60's before.  They get pretty flat even without the curbing/camber help.

60s?! try 70s...

[Spidey]

I've had a bike at a 270 degree lean angle.   

Don't they get some insane lean angles for a fraction of a second as they plunge down the Corkscrew?  Is that where the Stoner pic is from?

[Jester]

Nice find derby.  First time I caught a 70!   

[sbrguy]

oh come on, that's not even close to impressive.... like someone else said, its "ALL" traction control and electronics and other technical gizmos.. you can put anyone on those bikes and within 10 min anyone is pulling 60 degree lean angles no problem 

sure he may be getting to 70 degrees of lean angle but that is easy he is "only" going about 60mph. 

there is nothing challenging about that, its just way too pedestrian of a speed.  heck i go 104km/hr every day on the interstate (in a full upright position though).