EJ25RUN
04-20-2009, 04:28 PM
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq16/EJ25RUN/biaggi12kj.jpg?t=1240259011http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq16/EJ25RUN/pedrobot67.jpg?t=1240259342
Dani Pedrosa hit 210.4mph aboard his RC212V during qualifying for last week's Grand Prix of Qatar, besting the previous top speed record of 207.8mph set by Max Biaggi at the same track in 2004 aboard the 990cc RC211V. 800cc GP bikes are now officially faster than the 990s they replaced.
And it wasn't just Pedrosa who broke the previous record. Mika Kallio hit 210.0mph on a Pramac Ducati, Casey Stoner's Ducati GP9 reached 209.5mph and 2009 Yamaha M1-mounted Jorge Lorenzo did 209.4mph. Valentino Rossi only managed 207.7mph.
800s bested 990 lap records from their first pre-season tests in 2007, but this is the first time an 800 has exceeded the top speed of the old, larger capacity bikes.
One of the reasons Dorna cited for reducing engine size back in 2007 was to reduce top speeds and make racing safer and more competitive. It looks like it succeeded, but only for two years.
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I count this as a minor achievement really. The 990s rivaled the 500s in greatness and i credit all of my interest in bikes to the RC211V. The 990 years provided better racing and excitment. In fact, all the great sliding vids from Motogp come from the 990 era. I say bring us the 990s again or get rid of the traction control. In a couple more years, the premier championship won't matter as WSBK will be on everyone's mind.
Dani Pedrosa hit 210.4mph aboard his RC212V during qualifying for last week's Grand Prix of Qatar, besting the previous top speed record of 207.8mph set by Max Biaggi at the same track in 2004 aboard the 990cc RC211V. 800cc GP bikes are now officially faster than the 990s they replaced.
And it wasn't just Pedrosa who broke the previous record. Mika Kallio hit 210.0mph on a Pramac Ducati, Casey Stoner's Ducati GP9 reached 209.5mph and 2009 Yamaha M1-mounted Jorge Lorenzo did 209.4mph. Valentino Rossi only managed 207.7mph.
800s bested 990 lap records from their first pre-season tests in 2007, but this is the first time an 800 has exceeded the top speed of the old, larger capacity bikes.
One of the reasons Dorna cited for reducing engine size back in 2007 was to reduce top speeds and make racing safer and more competitive. It looks like it succeeded, but only for two years.
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I count this as a minor achievement really. The 990s rivaled the 500s in greatness and i credit all of my interest in bikes to the RC211V. The 990 years provided better racing and excitment. In fact, all the great sliding vids from Motogp come from the 990 era. I say bring us the 990s again or get rid of the traction control. In a couple more years, the premier championship won't matter as WSBK will be on everyone's mind.