| Author | Message | ||
     Fast1075 |
The rule on connecting rods is very unclear. It says the rods are to be "similar material" to the stock rods, and cannot be lighter. Steel and titanium are both metals, is that "similar"? The larger question and the ultimate determining factor is how well can the heads flow?. Rules say anything other than welding can be done to the heads. | ||
| Jaimec |
Yeah well... they got the mistaken idea that their frameless design (developed in MotoGP) was the cat's pajamas because Stoner was so successful riding it. What they didn't understand was that Casey Stoner could put a Honda Zumo Scooter on the podium, it just didn't matter. Unfortunately, mere mortals couldn't get the damned thing to change direction at all and that got carried over into their Superbike as well. First thing Carlos Checa complained about when he rode one was that it wouldn't turn. Sadly, I think Ducati invested way too much money into that thing to change course any time soon (though they eventually did in MotoGP after Rossi BEGGED them to lose the frameless design). Maybe history will repeat itself. Gigi seems to be making great strides with Ducati in MotoGP, so maybe that'll eventually trickle down to their Superbike as well. | ||
| Ebmachine |
It looks like MV Agusta put together a WSB model of their F4 to be entered in 2015. The F4 SBK makes 210 HP and has titanium rods and valves along with lighter pistons and a new head. It cost $46,000. It meets the requirements for 2015 and the titanium rods will be allowed because that is what comes stock on this limited edition bike. Titanium rods and valves are light, strong, and help make the 210 HP by keeping the motor together at high RPM. http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes /mv-agusta-f4-2015-makes-210hp/25778.html I heard the EBR 1190RS has titanium rods and valves and was rated at 175HP. They sold for a lot of money and I think they never sold them all, so they are still available. EBR needs to get the HP up a bit more as Niccolo has said. They have an excellent bike. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I heard the EBR 1190RS has titanium rods and valves and was rated at 175HP. They sold for a lot of money and I think they never sold them all, so they are still available. EBR needs to get the HP up a bit more as Niccolo has said. They have an excellent bike. The problem with using the RS is that they were not produced in sufficient numbers to meet WSBK homologation requirements. They only had to produce 100 RS's to qualify for AMA but IIRC they had to build 1000 RX's to qualify for WSBK. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Larry Pegram posted this update to his Facebook page yesterday:
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| Mog |
With all the flying around and deals going down amongst the WSB teams..... how many actual EBR WSB pilots are there to be this year? Canepa, May, Yates, Pegram... others possible? quantity____?  | ||
| Classax |
Just two, Pegram and Canepa for WSBk. They're still trying work something out for MotoAmerica. | ||
| Classax |
Its going to be interesting to see how Pegram gets on. Judging from Laguna last year May was a few tenths quicker in qualifying but the worm put almost 3 seconds on him during the race. In the AMA he always managed to be in the second teir of guys so we'll see if that translates into occasional top 15's in WSBk. Canepa looks to be a full 3 seconds quicker on the EVO DUC. Other interesting observations: *everyone but the EBR boys seemed to be able to drop a full 1.5-2 seconds off their race times for qualifying. * Canepa threatened 8-13 every race | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Class - interesting comment about how May was quicker in qualifying, but Pegram was ahead 3 seconds. I say 'interesting' because it doesnt mesh with your earlier comment "According to the time sheets May was a few tenths quicker than Pegram all weekend at Laguna, and was racing him for that point, on a set up that everyone acknowledged was not as good as Pegram's. Hence the sweeping changes. You May yet see May on the bike in WSBk if God forbid anyone gets hurt or Pegram realizes why no other team principles are also riders at this level." | ||
| Ljm |
Perhaps I can clarify some on May and Pegram. May ran ahead of Pegram in the race until near the end when he blew a clutch and limped it across. At that point, Pegram passed and finished ahead. And that is not to deny Pegram's performance. He rode well and positioned himself to take advantage of any opportunities. (Message edited by ljm on January 05, 2015) | ||
| Classax |
Exactly, May seemed to have stepped up his pace for WSBK even though the Worm was typically a bit quicker in AMA. I was mainly posting in response to the comments that The Worm will be an improvement. Where as I think May was progressing and might have actually been a better ON TRACK pick with the Worm running the team. Times will tell. In their one head to head meeting in WSbk it appeared as though May was poised to earn the inter team victory before the mechanical. Where as back in the AMA Pegram was the perennial 4 or 5th with May and Yates in the 10-14 spots. That said Pegram brings WAY more to the table off track, to include a TV show and his own sponsors. So for about the same track position you also get free media and additional sponsor money? No brainer, just remember May was quicker when the inevitable tenths splitting starts. | ||
| Jscott |
In case anyone is interested, Geoff is selling some Hero EBR items on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/sch/dubeau99/m.html?_nkw=&_arm rs=1&_ipg=&_from= | ||
| Hughlysses |
In case anyone is interested, Geoff is selling some Hero EBR items on eBay. I also posted the link to the classified section. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Pegram: Canepa at EBR is going to be a big help http://www.crash.net/wsbk/news/212843/1/pegram-can epa-at-ebr-is-going-to-be-a-big-help.html | ||
| Bads1 |
Personally I see Pegram not doing any better then May on his best day. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Back to square 1 with a rider without track knowledge. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I think Pegram said in one article that he has ridden at least some of the tracks. Hopefully having Canepa as a teammate who IS intimately familiar with every track will help Pegram learn the tracks he's never ridden. | ||
| Bads1 |
Pegram is a great guy met him a few times. Still..... hes at the end of his Career and has been for 3 plus years. He couldnt get it done with a Graves Yamaha. He couldnt get it done with a WSB spec Ducati 999 in his slightly younger years. Im hoping to see improvement but they need more then these guys | ||
| Fresnobuell |
CHrist, one would think that there is a shortage in qualified racers. Pegram? C'mon man. His riding technique reminds me of a trackday rider. EBR can do better. But then they could have done better than Yates. That one still baffles me. Someone at EBR must like over the hill racers. Do they work cheap? | ||
| Bads1 |
I wonder how May feels about Pegram??? lol | ||
| Mcgiver |
If I recall, Pegram's unique riding style is a result of an old hip injury. | ||
| Classax |
Again, Pegram makes sense only because of all the OFF TRACK upside he brings to the table. I wouldn't expect him to do much better than May did last year towards the end of the season. The rule changes may help bring the EBR closer to the middle but its kind of like a trackday in terms of skills out there. You have your fast novice guys, who are simply out classed by the fast intermediate guys, who in turn are out classed by the advanced guys. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Testing in Portugal next week; EBR is supposed to be there: http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/world-superbik e-testing-to-resume-january-14-in-portugal/ Larry posted to Facebook tonight that he's back home for 6 days, then off to Italy to make sure the team is ready for testing. | ||
| Nobuell |
Hughlysses, Have you ever thought about changing your name the sleuthlysses?  | ||
| Vagelis46 |
5 more days for the 1st 2015 WSBK test in Portimao ! ! ! | ||
| Hughlysses |
From Larry Pegram's and Team Hero/EBR's Facebook pages, posted earlier this morning: 
(Message edited by Hughlysses on January 19, 2015) | ||
| Hughlysses |
Posted to Canepa's FB page this morning: 
(Note the bike in the background has dual front disks.) (Message edited by Hughlysses on January 20, 2015) | ||
| Vagelis46 |
YES .... both ZTL and 2-disc setups will be tested ! ! ! Great news ! ! ! ZTL for the rain setup , 2-discs for the dry setup ? I wish the conventional muffler is not affecting the height setup , as it did last year ...... (Message edited by vagelis46 on January 20, 2015) | ||
| M2typhoon |
I see an entirely new tail section and possibly a new subframe as well. Can you say.. BACK IN BLACK!!  | ||
| Dennis_c |
I know they have more HP this yr. but what did the other teams do? |
