MotoGP - moto3??

[Marc.com]

Moriwaki and other Japanese shops have already been running 250 Moto3 bikes in their domestic series based CRF250X engine, very popular class. The kids start out as 8-10 year olds on NSF100 4T, by 12 they are starting to switch across to 4 stroke 250s.

So you have a bunch of Japanese 13 year old with 5 years road racing under their belts. You have to be hell good to win anything with grids of 40 bikes at club level and several clubs. 100, 150, 250 4T represent a chance to develop young riders toward MotoGP that some motorcycling associations will embrace and the rest will get elft behind.

http://www.moriwaki.co.jp/global/product/ccr_md250.php

[Mike52]

by 12 they are starting to switch across to 4 stroke 250s.

Have watched those 12 year olds racing at Morgan Park [ Warwick ] they are very fast and have no fear.
4 wide in the corners.

[Marc.com]

This means that all classes of Moto GP will no longer be racing specialised prototypes by year 2012, with Moto GP 1000s becoming more production engine based and closer to Superbikes.

Its not surprising really in these tougher economic times, MotoGP almost died due to lack of teams in 2009, now factories will be able to link their development of Moto GP bikes much closer to their production engines and see a better return on their investment.

As for the spectators I think satisfaction comes from watching close bar banging racing than worrying about lap times. Like the V8 Supercars formula.

[zorroz]

Honda have released the real Moto3 bikes. That is no CRF motor!!
http://www.mcnews.com.au/

[Lozza]

This means that all classes of Moto GP will no longer be racing specialised prototypes by year 2012, with Moto GP 1000s becoming more production engine based and closer to Superbikes.

Its not surprising really in these tougher economic times, MotoGP almost died due to lack of teams in 2009, now factories will be able to link their development of Moto GP bikes much closer to their production engines and see a better return on their investment.

Problem is the 1000cc CRT production based bikes are a over 6 seconds a lap slower than a 800 so gap will be larger with a full prototype 1000.
Who is going to ride them? Can't see many wanting to stump up mega bucks to be lapped within 5 laps by the leaders. The engine is not the issue, the issue is getting a 250HP to the ground and the subtlies in the frame in getting the Bridgestones to work.
Factories want to work on electronics, they know how to make engines and frames, using less fuel and engines lasting longer is what they are in MotoGP for

[Marc.com]

Problem is the 1000cc CRT production based bikes are a over 6 seconds a lap slower than a 800 so gap will be larger with a full prototype 1000.
Who is going to ride them? [/quote]

From what I understand everyone will be riding them as the rules will require the engine to be production based. Who knows you may even see a 'control engine' like in the 600s, you just lease them off Honda. But I doubt it as production base means every man and his mother have an engine they can use, look for Aprilia and those who are out front on superbikes to have a good shot at MotoGP.

Back to the 125 replacement 250s, you can whip down to your friendly local Honda dealer and order Moto3 bike if you have a lazy $38000 ..... plus don't forget to save a little for the HRC kit.
What was i reading about twice the price of a 2 stroke 125. Could that be a glimpse of the 2012 CRF engine they have given us.

[JohnnyO]

Back to the 125 replacement 250s, you can whip down to your friendly local Honda dealer and order Moto3 bike if you have a lazy $38000 ..... plus don't forget to save a little for the HRC kit.
What was i reading about twice the price of a 2 stroke 125. Could that be a glimpse of the 2012 CRF engine they have given us.

Marc i reckon the sump is too low and the countershaft too high for a dirt bike engine..

[Marc.com]

Marc i reckon the sump is too low and the countershaft too high for a dirt bike engine..
[/quote]

Maybe you are right, though it would be hard to imagine that the erst of the Japanese manufacturers are not going to follow Husaberg and Yamaha down the mass centralisation tunnel.

[JohnnyO]

True..the Husaberg really is a nice thing to ride with that new engine.

[Lozza]

1000cc MotoGP will be 2 tiered, the factory teams and Claiming Rule Teams (CRT) they get a few more engines per year and a few litres more fuel. Dorna hoped it would shake the factories to the core, they don't seem to be overly worried.

http://motomatters.com/analysis/2011/07/07/is_motogp_s_claiming_rule_teams_a_doomed.html

[tony27]

I thought I'd read somewhere that 800s were still able to be run with at least 1 team considering doing so, that would make it a 3 tiered series

[Davey Crocket]

Its all crap now.....Honda got what they wanted......someone else should start up a separate series and run the 2 strokes.....I bet the big teams would love that....and go too it.....I 'll bet you that if they did a "carbon" footprint of the 4 verses 2 stroke the 4 smoker would loose (sorry about using the "C" word).

[ji107]

They are cheaper than stated previously, only $22990 and order cut off date is Aug 31 2011