| Author | Message | ||
     Spatten1 |
Check out this link: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2006/Jan/060119a4.htm After three days of testing, US Superbike champion Mat Mladin has now scored the fastest time of the Phillip Island test. Mladin is testing on the Australian land mass with Yamaha WSBK, Foggy Petronas and Alstare Suzuki including current and two-time WSBK champion Troy Corser. At least one day remains in the multi-day test but it's unknown how many of the WSBK teams will continue to test. Corser was the early—and much heralded—fast rider of the test, which led to much chest-thumping by the pro-WSBK crowd. Corser uses spec tire Pirellis while Mladin is on Dunlop tires. Corser has raced and ridden at Phillip Island for years while Mladin has not lapped the place since 2000 when he tested the RGV500 Suzuki GP bike. Mladin suffered a huge, bike-bending crash on the first day of the test, high-siding at high speed in the "Hayshed" portion of the Phillip Island track. Hayshed is usually a fourth-gear or so corner and if you're going to make a short list of Places I Never Want To Highside At it may not head the list, but it's on there, in perpetuity. | ||
| 12r |
Interesting...anyone got the lap times ? | ||
| Moboy516 |
they are posted at roadracingworld.com | ||
| Spatten1 |
Test over, Maldin fastest. http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2006/Jan/060120t.htm However, as the writeup notes, Mladin has Dunlops and all the WSB riders are stuck with Pirelli spect tires. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Yeah, but WSB is the only series on a spec tire. They don't put an asterisk after the champions name in other series with a (but so-n-so was on x brand tires or he would have won) Sounds like sour grapes to me. They were all (including Mladin) dealing with cross winds and less than optimum traction. (Message edited by diablobrian on January 20, 2006) | ||
| Trojan |
You are comparing apples to oranges when comparing WSB GSXR1000 K5's to AMA GSXR 1000K5's. Different specs, different series, different suspension, different tyres. The only true test would be for them all to ride the same bike. If Mladin is that good and that confident he'd take a pay cut and go win the World Superbike Championship wouldn't he? But then he didn't win it the last time he tried did he? | ||
| Jscott |
I agree with Trojan about comparing apples to oranges, but I think if Mladin was on Corser's team he'd put a hurtin on the rest of the SBK grid. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I wonder how different the bikes are. For the most part works suzuki parts should be nearly equivalent. It's not like either one is a privateer effort after all. Both have homologation standards based on the same production bike. Frame, body, and motor wise that is. Suspension components, triple clamps, brakes, and wheels should be the major differences right? AMA superbikes easily made it past WSB tech during the laguna races of years past. I remember there being some question of if the reverse would be true. But that was a couple of years ago I'm not sure if Mladin is running 16.5" wheels, but that hasn't been seen as an advantage on higher speed tracks where high speed stability is a concern. They were mostly used on technical tracks unless they standardized on them to make it easier on dunlop  I'm just interested in the answers. If there is a serious difference in the bikes I'm sure I'm not the only one that would like to know what it is. Does anyone have the specifics? Or links to the rule books? | ||
| Diablobrian |
12r: here are the best overall lap times for the test in question, Phillip Island jan 2006, as reported by mcnews.com.au. 1. Maladin.........1m32.2 2. Corser..........1m32.79 3. Martin..........1m33.40 4. Kagayama........1m33.68 5. Abe.............1m34.5 6. Gimbert.........1m34.6 7. Nakatomi........1m35.1 8. Jones...........1m35.6 | ||
| 12r |
Thanks Brian. That's an impressive time for an SBK at Phillip Island. Not sure how similar the bikes are but Suzuki have said they won't be able to make 'another factory Superbike' for Biaggi this year and if he does ride for them it'll be on a kitted Suzuki. The bikes for Mladin, Corser and Kagayama were mentioned in the same sentence. No truth in the rumour that Max has asked for a clause in his contract to the effect that he only has to race once on Sunday... | ||
| Benm2 |
I thought I read that WSB also ran spec fuel, and that its octane was lower than what AMA might allow. Don't know for sure, though. | ||
| Heads |
GO the aussies,  | ||
| José_quiñones |
Click Here to read the rest of the story | ||
| Spatten1 |
Stellar comments from Mladin regarding the entire controversy. http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2006/Jan/060122a.htm | ||
| Spatten1 |
Two observations: 1) Mladin loves to get into the heads of other riders 2) He is the smartest champion I can remember. His writing is more entertaining and well thought out than most magazine hacks. | ||
| 12r |
Great link Scott. Lucid as ever and a refreshing change from the usual racer spiel. | ||
| Benm2 |
Some interesting things I read from the FIM’s PDF file listing the World Superbike Technical specifications. Yes, the FIM allows unlimited cams. But, the motors need to run on regular unleaded fuel. From what I’ve read the Motor Octane Number is the lower of the two numbers used to calculate the “Octane” number at the gas pump. (R+M/2, the “R” is the Research Octane Number). So, it looks like the WSB superbikes are required to run on fuel that is basically equivalent to Super Unleaded Pump Gas. Mladin’s comments on them using the same fuel seem suspect to me. 2.4.5 Fuel All engines must function on normal unleaded fuel with a maximum lead content of 0.005 g/l (unleaded) and a maximum MON of 90 (see also Art. 2.10 for full fuel specifications). 2.4.6.19 Cylinder Head *1000cc Three and Four cylinder machines a. Valve diameters, including stem, must remain as homologated. b. Valves must be made of the same basic material as the homologated valves. 2.4.6.20 Camshaft Camshafts may be altered or replaced from those fitted to the homologated motorcycle. | ||
| Blake |
Without comparable tires, it don't mean much. Simply check the old WSB track record prior to implementation of spec tires. Mladin is a world class rider no doubt, but it ain't fair to compare his lap times to those of the WSB guys riding on spec tires. Not even close. Tires make a HUGE difference. In 2004 at Laguna Seca, the AMA superbike racers were going significantly faster than the WSB guys on their spec tires. Sa | ||
| Spatten1 |
It is unfair to compare the two. However, it is very funny to see how upset Mladin can get other riders/teams. One of the guys at Ferrachi told me he used to do it on pupose when he was riding for them and he thought it was a real crack up. As bright as he appears to be, he may just be needling them to the max, knowing that a comparrison is not fair. | ||
| Rocketman |
Though they didn't post the times, MCN UK reported today that Aus Steve Martin was the second fastest at the end of the WSB Philip Island test, on his Foggy Petronas. Rocket |
