WSBK Round 13-Portimao....Spoilers

[zooom]

The SPEED broadcast was Johnathan Greene and Steve Martin and the Honda V4 they mentioned is in re: the supposed RC213V based road bike that Honda CEO said they were going to build ala what Ducati did with the 990GP bike-Desmosedici, but could perhaps be a slightly larger number of bikes in comparo...will it be enough for homologation for racing?...no one knows...what is known is that Rae makes that ancient Fireblade move...

same announcers BTW were batting around that Checa had been in talks with Kawasaki to be seated alongside Sykes...

Speaking of Sykes...I was getting excited of the potential of him having a shot at the championship before his motor gave up the ghost.

[duccarlos]

Actually Checa is currently testing the 1199. That's a good indication that he will be racing it next year.

[Speeddog]

So the Apes are running 5spd gear boxes?  And did anyone else hear the announcers in race 2 mention that Honda is looking at fielding a V4 in 2014?

As far as the Apes, I suspect you mis-heard, or they mis-spoke.
Perhaps only using 5 out of the 6 gears on track.
AFAIK, the transmissions are homologated, I'd be shocked to learn that they had homologated a 5-speed.

There's rumors of a new V-4 Honda(s), both street legal and MotoGP production-racer.

Street legal one would be good, that Fireblade is legal for vintage class racing, I think.

[DRKWNG]

As far as the Apes, I suspect you mis-heard, or they mis-spoke.
Perhaps only using 5 out of the 6 gears on track.
AFAIK, the transmissions are homologated, I'd be shocked to learn that they had homologated a 5-speed.

Announcer might have mis-spoke, but he plain as day said that the Ape had a 5spd box just as Max was ripping it down the straight.

[fastwin]

Zooom, I believe there was a post in the Silly Season thread a couple of days ago about Loris Baz inking a deal with Kawi for next year with Sykes. I see Checa on the 1199.

[OT]

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/racing/ducati-1199-panigale-clean-slate-weight-wsbk/

[DRKWNG]

Honda V4. 

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/honda-v4-sport-bike/

[fastwin]

I had a V4 Honda... it was an '83 Interceptor, back when 16" front wheels were the cool thing. I'd like to think the latest version will be better.

Is it just me or do I not need all the electronic traction control shit for a damn street bike? How is it that I have ridden for 48 years without it? Why pay for all that shit if you really don't need it? I've never ridden an ABS bike but that seems a whole lot better than TC. I'm calling bullshit. It's just an expensive sales tool. "Wow, look! We have traction control on our bikes!! It's like a MotoGP bike. Quick, come buy one!!"

I have some motor ECU bullshit on my '08 Busa and honest to God I have never touched the switch. I think I am old enough to handle full power... it's called the throttle. If you can't manage that you have no reason to be riding motorcycles. It's like the trigger on a gun. If you don't know how to use it then stay away from it.

End of old fart rant.

[MadDuck]

I had a V4 Honda... it was an '83 Interceptor, back when 16" front wheels were the cool thing. I'd like to think the latest version will be better.

Is it just me or do I not need all the electronic traction control shit for a damn street bike? How is it that I have ridden for 48 years without it? Why pay for all that shit if you really don't need it? I've never ridden an ABS bike but that seems a whole lot better than TC. I'm calling bullshit. It's just an expensive sales tool. "Wow, look! We have traction control on our bikes!! It's like a MotoGP bike. Quick, come buy one!!"

I have some motor ECU bullshit on my '08 Busa and honest to God I have never touched the switch. I think I am old enough to handle full power... it's called the throttle. If you can't manage that you have no reason to be riding motorcycles. It's like the trigger on a gun. If you don't know how to use it then stay away from it.

End of old fart rant.

Another old fart votes