New Moto2 rules published

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72441

I admit I'm rather new here: which series in the USA has a "claiming rule" ?

 

How likely is it that by 2011 (or 2012), road going 600s will already
have
- Oval throttle bodies
- Dual butterflies
- Variable length inlet trumpets
- Traction control
- Launch control
- A real 17k rev limit
- It's also not inconceivable they'll have 16.5" wheels so Bridgestone
and Pirelli can jack the price of a pack of three sticky tyres again.
Specifically so they can win in WSS600

In which case the base engine specs on this class will be below what you
and I can buy from the showroom. If there's any showrooms left.

But, and it's a big but, MotoGP2 appears to allow a free camshaft and no
restrictions that would limit cylinder head design and compression
ratio. So they could potentially be quite a bit faster than WSS600 even
before you get to the completely free chassis components. Is 3/4 of
MotoGP type power possible within this rule set? 165-170 hp?

 

Yeah, but the point is that they're outlawing technology that might
easily be on production machines in the showroom by the time the series
starts. We've seen some of this stuff on 1000s this year[1]. It's not a
huge leap that we'll see that and the rest on 600s by 2011.

Take a 2009 R6, and tune it as high as it will go without going to
titanium rods. You can increase compression, flow the head, use any cam
profile you can get away with, fit bigger valves. What horsepower is
achievable in a race bike? More than WSS600, but how much more? If
WSS600 is making 140-145 now, 155 should be possible.

[1]
- Twin butterflies. Suzuki
- Variable length trumpets. Yamaha
- Traction control. Kawasaki and Ducati, Alternate maps, Suzuki
- Oval inlets. Ducati.
- 17k rev limit (marketing, 16.5 real). Yamaha

 

What will the racing be like? Surely that is the only question that
counts.

At present, 250's and 125's have a very clear "ranking" in relation to
each other and to MotoGP. Is MotoGP2 going to provide that distinct
weight/handling/agility mix that generates such thrilling fights in
the 250 class?

I'm no engineer at all, and I have trouble visualizing, say, a "budget-
design" 4-cylinder 600 as a distinct racing beast as related to MotoGP
and 125.
Nor am I an economist, and I can't imagine the big factories pouring
resources into relatively low-tech steel pieces that anyone can claim.

The F1 grand prix crisis has been about money only, whereas I thought
the 250 class problem was purely external politics/regulation about
two-stroke smoke. If the FIM want only to be rid of two-strokes, for
heavens sake don't throw away the excitement too. The 250 class has
been a huge huge contributor to the popularity of motorcycle racing,
and of course has been the ESSENTIAL (very few exceptions) ladder into
MotoGP.

What will the racing be like?

 

Ouch! So my heat of the moment grouch about the new class was not
sound. Let's wait and see who's willing to build the motors (do you
think there will ever be three different configurations?), who buys
them, who funds strong-enough teams. And yes, WSS has seen some
stupendous racing.

Meanwhile I shall have to get back at SOMEONE on this ng, just to re-
channel your kicking! ;-)

 

Sniff, sniff, eh, stinky bait and way too easy. Heh, sorta' like you...