Who is Faster on the Track?

[MN72Busa]

Ok, great input....now, knowing what we know about GP bikes, and current motorcycle design, is there a lot of improvement in performance the motorcycle can still undergo?

If you were to take what we know now about motorcycles, and consider the platform old technology, or atleast the general 2 wheeled concept, think about this. What if the motorcycle trend was to concentrate on handling instead of just raw power. Maybe make the bikes longer, possibly wider, more stable, better tire technology, much more advanced / possibly not ieven nvented suspension technology. Could / can we push the limits much more than we have at this point. Ive been told MotoGP bikes are going to be limited to 900 cc's in the next few years...if this is true, wouldnt we than feel the need to focus much more on handling?

To compare an F1 car to a street car is obserd....completely different except that both have 4 wheels. Now, lets take motorcycles...heck a guy can plop down 10K and have something considerably close to an AMA superbike. for a hunderd thousand a guy can get into MotoGP territory (no not the same, but close). Maybe if teams had multi million dollare R&D budgets, maybe motorcycles could completely redesign what performance on a motorcycle could be. Im just trying to think outside the box here a little, so bare with my ideas, but is it that far fetched to believe with a limitless amount of cash, a new bike could be developed that would shatter F1 performance? Or is it just a fact that we have come to a point, where only minor developments are made each year, and we have hit the wall as far as performance?

 

[Revlis]

MotoGP os currently at the very edge of the performance envelope. There is simply no more power to add with any real result until other technologies catch up. Specifically tires.


Add some better rubber, a fresh design, and some new technology over the next 10 years and we will prolly see some real gains, otherwise I believe that motorcycles have hit a bit of a technology wall... So light+ 240hp= ragged edge...

 

[Shanling]

I know this thread is a year old but I just happened upon it. In last Friday's edition of the USA today, they had a comparison between the cars from INDY, F1 and NASCAR. This was because of Indy's hosting of three different races each year. The INDY cars had a better top end, better lateral Gs, and were faster from 0-100 then F1 and NASCAR. I live in Indy and would have thought the F1 would have them all beat and was surprised at the articles findings. I was happy to see that an unrestricted Busa could out-run a car from NASCAR though, top end wise that is.

 

[Revlis]

It's a matter of gearing and intent... Indy cars run full slicks, F1 limited to grooved tires, But Put ANY F1 Car against ANY Indy Oval Running Snooze machine, and watch the Indy car get lapped all day on a road course.

Indy cars are good for Ovals, on a real race course though

everything fades in an F1's mirrors. But I would be highly suspect of ANYTHING you read this time of year regarding Indy Cars in a US publication. Especially USA Today, Indy and CHAMP are barely surviving, they need all they hype they can get, all the publicity they can muster.

Much Like NASCAR all the innovation and real competition has been drummed out of the cars and the series long ago, everything is restrictor plate, balasted, on and one. Sure there is LOTS of passing, but it's not really much of a race. It's a Series based on Mediocrity and "averages".

I hear NASCAR becomes more fun though depending on how many beers you've had. Hell I know it's true for Golf, so there might be something there.

 

[Shanling]

I hear NASCAR becomes more fun though depending on how many beers you've had.  Hell I know it's true for Golf, so there might be something there.

Actually, the women in the stands start looking better with more beer as well. Come to think of it, everything gets better with more beer! I think your on to something here!!!

 

[DaCol.]

F1
Indy
GP bike
If F1 cars were set up to run the oval at Indianapolis, they would run Indy cars into the ground there too......

"OH" Soooooooo Right you are

 

[Shanling]

F1
Indy
GP bike
If F1 cars were set up to run the oval at Indianapolis, they would run Indy cars into the ground there too......

"OH" Soooooooo Right you are

Based on what the USA Today story indicated, that is physically impossible. If the INDY car will out accelerate, out corner and has a higher top end then the F1, it is physically impossible for the F1 car to beat it on the "four left turn" Oval at Indianapolis. Put some thought into that...

Hmmm...I am an F1 Car and cannot accelerate as fast as an Indy Car. I am an F1 Car and I cannot go through the corner as fast as an Indy Car. I am an F1 Car and my top speed is 10 MPH slower than an Indy Car. I am a smart F1 car and realize that I CANNOT beat the Indy Car.

Guys - I have been around Indy Car racing for 30 years and until I read that article, I would have picked the F1 car in a heartbeat. I was just as surprised but I can face facts.

And yes, the IRL is struggling. Why do you think they have latched on to Danika Patrick with such a fervor? They need their star and right now she is it. NASCAR didn't need her and thats why she didn't go! She hasn't even won a race yet! She is pissed because last year she was getting the best engines on the team and Bobby isn't giving them to her this year so she will be switching teams but she isn't leaving the IRL. Ooops, did I change gears? Hehehe

 

[Bigbody]

racing anyone would be good fun

 

[DaCol.]

I guess if it's in USA Today or any newspaper it must be TRUE

I wonder what the F-1 or the Indy Car guys would say

? I know the ones who have gone from Indy to F-1 just climb out of the cars looking like

. But maybe not since their cars are faster

 

[Charlesbusa]

Just a guess but I'll say:
1. F1
2. Indy
3. Moto GP bike

+1

4 wide tires and wings for more corner speed!