Michael Dunlop is still "open to proposals" for a Superbike deal for the 2020 TT, not having signed with anyone as yet. https://www.bikesportnews.com/news/news-detail/dunlop-still-looking-for-tt-superbike-deal-in-2020 Please choose the new Fireblade - pretty please ! Remember when he won the Senior on the new GSX-R - amazing that. It would be amazing if he took the new Fireblade to victory in the TT
Different disciplines aren't they. Really hope the new blade has great success but the point remains, it will need one of those 3 onboard to win at the TT.
I would have it the other way round - the TT being the greater test of rider skill and the Superstock bikes being much more like a road bike. A reminder of Michael Dunlop winning the Senior on the Gixer ( am in the crowd standing up at the back row with the camera when Michael Dunlop pulls into the pits )
Well, no. No doubt that TT is for bravest of this world, but it's way behind BSB/WSBK/MotoGP and precision ride. TT doesn't allow you to push the bike how you would do in ideal conditions. It's all about compromises to survive and not crash on crappy roads with white marks all over them.
Sorry I'm not sure what you're getting at. The challenges of the TT is different to short circuit racing for bike and rider.
In MotoGP you have to use Michelin tyres, Dorna issued ECU and software by Magneti-Marelli and standard issue IMU. BSB has standard MoTec ECU with no electronic controls allowed. For the TT the Superbikes are what you buy and you can use the electronics that are already on the bike, which can also be reflashed You are not all issued with standard software and electronics like in MotoGP. Also you can change the tyres to what you want Dunlop and Metzeler are the two biggest rivals - you can use whichever you think is best. TT superbikes do very close to 200 mph through the speed trap - actual speed (about 320 kmh). The fast riders on the big bikes lap the 37 mile circuit at an average 130 mph - the lap record is even higher. I have great respect for BSB and MotoGP - but the TT is in another league :
Can't argue with that. The biggest challenge is not to smack against the brick fence after a high side off a crappy bumpy road surface.
It's wsbk spec pretty much. Who cares how much they go on straights? Obviously the bikes are geared for straights as there are many of them.
You have to have sufficient power to turn the gearing in that distance. It is an indication of the performance of the racing bikes. Dorna Sports owns MotoGP, WSBK and BSB. They are interested in television rights so they want to be able to sell close exciting racing and the regulations are arranged to make that more likely. The TT is not like that.
My point is the Fireblades results at the TT this year can't be used as a yard stick because it's unlikely to have a rider who can challenge the top 3 or 4 regardless. You seem to be saying the TT is irrelevant all together, which I don't agree with but that doesn't matter. I think success at the TT for the Fireblade this year would be finishing all the races with good pace and being there or there abouts. Fingers crossed. I hope it does well at BSB and Wsbk also. Would be a calamity if it doesn't considering how aggressively Honda have changed direction with the Fireblade.
I didn't say TT is irrelevant, it's fun to watch of course. The problem is that not many top riders have courage to race there, and I understand why. Who knows if Redding/Marquez tried it, maybe we would see new type of champions/fast laps. Hicky did excellent job, but there are many faster riders out there.
The TT may be a bit special for the Brits, in the same way that Suzuka 8 hours is special for the Japanese and Daytona is special for the Americans. Agreed the top racers avoid the TT because it is dangerous and the circuit takes time to learn, with not much chance to practice there either. Prize money is also not so big considering the amount of risk. The bikes are not primitive bikes. BMW and Honda have been involved with the race effort there. The bikes are not so restricted to Dorna imposed regulations with everyone having to use the same ECU software the same IMU and tyre supplier. Anyway there may be faster riders than Hicky, but not at the TT there isn't - he is the current lap record holder. Is Rossi better, faster - not at the TT he isn't.
You can't compare MotoGP to TT riders, it's like comparing Hussain Bolt to Kipchoge and saying one could beat the other in the other's event. No doubt the Aliens could trounce someone like Hicky at BSB, but stick them on the TT and my money would be on Hicky for at least 2 years. Don't forget the TT used to be part of the GP circus until it was removed for being too dangerous, and so it is likely most MotoGP riders wouldn't even compete on it.
100%.... No other bigger test for man and machine! On the roads anyway. Plenty of other hardcore events off road. The Northwest must feel like a parade lap compared to the TT. Massive respect to anyone involved. Really excited about this year
I believe the TT is a good reference point for a good fast roadbike. Thats why i said lets see what happens with the new blade and the latest BMW. I agree that its highly unlikely that anybody from motogp or WSBK would trouble Hicky and co at the road racing. He is a good short circuit rider but he is an amazing road rider.
The q is not whether TT is different from cc racing, of course it is. The q is, cc racing is the best way to check motorcycle and risers abilities, as this is a closed, very controllable, very repeatable environment. TT is not even close there, as there are so many factors that can affect the experiment that is done on public roads.
Yes, my sentiments exactly. Closed Circuit is repeatable with smooth surface and plenty run off, gravel traps. The TT is more of normal road conditions for a road bikes, weather, changing surfaces, incline, declines, cambers, little or no run off, narrow and plenty more to test a road bike especially in superstock form.
Michael Dunlop's BMW S1000RR HP4 Race - TT bike Gorgeous looking bike and all top spec - not even WSBK legal. No one is messing around here......they mean business....Honda will have to step up to the mark Here is Hicky taking one for a blast - looks like evening practice.
