WSBK Donington---Spoilers

[ducpainter]

Not a lot of SBK love this year, so it seems.

Sykes is back with the double...The first race between Sykes and Rae was something to watch.

Rea not far off with two seconds...

Chaz Davies brought the Panigale home for two 3rd places.

I feel bad for Guintoli...a reigning world champ shouldn't have to ride that Honda.

[MadDuck]

With Yamaha rumored to be returning to WBSK next year Honda better step up the pace though for some reason it seems Honda has never really cared about Superbikes. Maybe Guintoli could go ride for Yamaha? That might be something.

[Uncle Mofo]

http://paologozzi.gazzetta.it/en/2015/05/25/english-ducati-need-a-four-cylinder-to-beat-kawasaki/

[ducpainter]

http://paologozzi.gazzetta.it/en/2015/05/25/english-ducati-need-a-four-cylinder-to-beat-kawasaki/

It will have to be a V-4.

No way Ducati will build an inline IMO.

[Uncle Mofo]

It will have to be a V-4.

No way Ducati will build an inline IMO.

I agree, they could use what they learned in Moto GP over the years with the V4

[ducpainter]

I agree, they could use what they learned in Moto GP over the years with the V4

...and be able to afford to build however many hundreds of bikes to homologate it.

Can we imagine the price of the new limited edition, race ready, 1000 V-4 road bike?

[Uncle Mofo]

...and be able to afford to build however many hundreds of bikes to homologate it.

Can we imagine the price of the new limited edition, race ready, 1000 V-4 road bike?

I believe that you need 1000 to be homologated, I'm sure there are some deep wallets out there willing to buy one.  Lots of 1199 and 1299 owners will be upset in return lol

[MadDuck]

Aprilia ran their 1000cc V-twin and then built the V-4. It wouldn't be that hard for Ducati to do likewise. They are just stubborn.

[OT]

Aprilia ran their 1000cc V-twin and then built the V-4. It wouldn't be that hard for Ducati to do likewise. They are just stubborn too high priced for the market.

Suggested edit...

[Triple J]

Ducati's V4 would be too high priced due to the desmo. Aprilia's V4 is cheaper than Ducati's current bike.

Ducati should for sure build a V4. It's is a fantastic motor configuration.

That said, what Ducati really needs is a SBK that handles really well. Look how out of shape Chaz is on that thing, compared to the Kawis he's chasing, or any other bike around him really. He has a tough time maintaining their pace over a full race distance.  

To the race...nice to see Sykes return, even if I think he is a whiner. Rea was smart to back off in race 1, even though I would have loved to see that battle. Sykes doesn't really have anything to lose...Rea definitely does at this point.

[Raux]

Hmmm a ducati frameless design having issues on the track, sounds familiar.

[duccarlos]

Chaz has always said that the issue is not handling. The 1199 is not the GP09 through 14.2. Unless the Ape dramatically went downhill, the Panigale has been very competitive this year. The Kawis are simply dominant. They have arguably the best 2 riders on the overall best package.

[Raux]

Think about what the ape doesnt have.... ducati gp chief

[Triple J]

The Ape is doing just fine. The problem is the others have caught up. The WSBK rules this season are closer to the EVO rules of before, so less mods allowed. With the previous rules, the Apes and Kawis were basically untouchable, and the 1199 was a dog. The new rules have lessened the Ape/Kawi advantages, and helped the 1199. The Kawi has fared the best though, and is still a force...in large part due to Sykes and Rea (especially Rea), who are probably the best riders on the grid.

The 1199 is more competitive this season, but it always looks to me like Chaz is riding the wheels off the thing to keep pace. He looks like he is working harder than everyone else. The 1199 isn't the GP 13/14 for sure, but I don't think it's a great race bike either.