| Author | Message | ||
     Rick_a |
It was a mixed bag. They were the fastest bikes out there, but were taken out by belt issues later in the race.      | ||
| No_rice |
"belt issues" as in they broke it? and some how i really need to get ahold of that lower fairing...! | ||
| Rick_a |
Not broken, as so much as shredded. The explanation was that the race tires shed rubber into the pulley causing belt tension to increase, and eventually causing cords to start breaking. These cords then wrapped themselves around the wheel and gave rider and crew an issue. They dropped out after a fire due to belt material stuck to the exhaust that continued to smolder every time the bike was ready to go. If I remember correctly, I believe the other 1125R entry didn't make it out due to dry brake issues.  | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
I can understand keeping the belt for weight savings but I guess they're just not practical for the track unless they make a fully enclosed guard like the one on my 03. I'm diggin' the bare frame and swingarm. Did both teams do that themselves or are those special bikes? | ||
| Court |
The belt. . .like several elements of new technology will get sorted out. I expect the 1125R to gain some notice in racing circles. I've a feeling we've not yet been made aware of it's full potential. That is a cool looking frame and swingarm. | ||
| Bombardier |
That Geico sticker sure minimises the scoops. Looks better than the standard view. | ||
| Etennuly |
I'm diggin' the bare frame and swingarm. Did both teams do that themselves or are those special bikes? Powder coat has weight. Ounce here and an ounce there, makes big differences for racers. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Maybe they should get a hold of Saintly, and get a chain conversion. He's pretty reasonable, and his chains don't shred. Uses 530 if I recall correctly. Just my .02ยข | ||
| Dano_12s |
Is this the first belt drive to race @Daytona? | ||
| Reepicheep |
Nice rash on the Geico logo above... looks like the pods did their "other" job perfectly. | ||
| No_rice |
those are some really bad problems. like i need another bike to eat belts! and i am surprised that the preproduction ones didnt have any of those problems being run hard at the track as much as they did. i know i checked out the rubber spackle all over the rim and rear end of the bike a few times. there was ALOT. i didnt think about it getting on the exhaust. i would think one of those would have lit up. | ||
| Court |
Which would appear to make a properly set-up belt a stroke of genius. Belts have mass that hangs there and turns to inertia when in motion. It'd ought to work well. | ||
| Barker |
Look ma no belt guards!   Put the belt guards back on. maybe make some CF race belt guards. I'm sorry but I must ask, did they ever test the bike before they race it?  Also the chain might be solution because the team can swap sprockets sizes with ease. (different gearing for different tracks) | ||
| Dobr24 |
Maybe the Free Spirits belt tensioner should be installed to allow a little give. | ||
| Blake |
I think it's the lower fairing that most minimizes the heat exchanger air intake nacelles. Testing? A privateer team with a brand new machine, never before raced? You'd always like to have some serious testing, but it is doubtful that any 1125R team was able to get much testing in before the event. | ||
| Dynasport |
I'm sorry to ask such basic questions, but I have never followed motorcycle racing (outside of motorcross when I was young anyway) and there are some things about Moto-ST racing that I don't understand. Is it correct that each division is HP and weight limited, so that a bike such as the 1125r, and others I am sure, must actually run with less HP than the bike makes stock? So, to race you have to detune the bike in some way? Why is that? I can see different catagories, but in a race such as that it seems to me everyone would be running the same HP, i.e. the max HP for the division. If that is the case I would think the difference would come down to rider and team, not which bike you were on. Outside of belts or brakes not working anyway. So, where would the bragging rights of an 1125r winning be for the bike. Wouldn't it be for the rider and team? I must be missing something here. Please educate me. Dan | ||
| Interex2050 |
Dan, There is still a big difference in power delivery and chassis. This is were the low unsprung weight, chassis rigidity and the juicy torque curve come in handy. Not to mention various other factors. | ||
| No_rice |
so how far did it get before it had to give up? and i always thought dry brakes were way better than wet brakes! apparently i dont know what "dry brakes" would mean? | ||
| Thumper74 |
Loss of brake fluid? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I'm just excited that SOMEONE covered the "dog bone"! They'll get it all sorted out. The real question is how'd it do before they had to stop. Sounds like it had a good showing up until then. Every failure is one more way in how not to make a light bulb. | ||
| No_rice |
notice the different(gp) shift setup on them. | ||
| Glitch |
Dynasport, simply put... It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian that shoots the arrow. Evenly powered bikes makes for exciting racing. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
notice the different(gp) shift setup on them. Not until you made me look. I think a chain would be the way to go for racing IMHO. | ||
| Elvis |
They'll get it all sorted out. The real question is how'd it do before they had to stop. I only "watched" in online, but it must have been something to see. When I logged on they were in 8th place, but consistently running times that were as good as or better than the leaders (found out later that they must have been so far back because of the crash and radio issues). They were moving right up the field. I was only going by the transponder positions that were posted, but you could see them narrowing and then moving into 7th, narrowing and moving into 6th etc. I went to do some things and the next thing I knew, they were out in the lead and holding solidly onto it (this was probably a little more than half-way through). I went to do some other things, and the next thing I knew, they were 6 laps back (so that must have been the belt change-over). As frustrating as it was, I'd rather see it shake out this way than have them consistently a couple seconds off the pace for a solid 4th place finish. Even though they didn't place, they sent a wake-up call to the leaders. That's one fast bike, two great riders and one skilled, experienced team. This is going to be an entertaining series! Start planning your trips now. I may try to go down to Virginia. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Got a listing of race dates and locations? | ||
| Barker |
Provisional 2008 Schedule http://www.moto-st.com/Schedule/ | ||
| Dynasport |
Dynasport, simply put... It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian that shoots the arrow. That is what I was saying. Thanks for confirming it. | ||
| Barker |
"I'm just excited that SOMEONE covered the "dog bone"!" Have you seen or heard this "dog bone" replacement?  take a listen: http://web.mac.com/nick.caro/iWeb/D&D.html (Message edited by barker on March 03, 2008) | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Barker, Wanna go to Barber on the 20th date? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Have you seen or heard this "dog bone" replacement? HOLY CRAP! No I hadn't heard it. I don't much care for the looks, but I LOVE the sound! Raspy pissed off. |
