World Superbikes 2013

[Hoops]

Was up at 4am to watch the WSB qualifying from Phillip Island in beautiful HD. Shame Chaz didnt go so well on his BMW but Marco definitely has the pace and bike seems to be going ok bar the front end chatter - have to say i love Carlos and the Panigale looked and sounded sublime - i think Eugene on RSV4 could be a real contender this year but you can never discount Carlos the salty old sea dog!! Dont like the Gold Bet colour scheme on the BMW so will be sticking to the BMW Motorrad Motorsport colours on my bike for sure - will be keeping a close eye on Marco on his number 33 but fingers crossed Chaz can keep on the pace and fire in some decent finishes - i was surprised to see Jonny Rea struggling on the Honda but you can never count him out, that guys got huge conkers and never gives up - glad his team mate Leon is going fairly well with the new team esp after a bad end to the 2012 season with BMW - and fingers crossed for good old Tom Sykes, love that bloke, love his riding style and ive always had a soft spot for the Kwaka and would love to see him win it this year and bring it home for the Brits - however, as always, its a long season and anything can happen :victorious:

 

[fatbob]

You need to put a spoiler alert on the message fella
I'd avoided the results
Me own fault

 

[Hoops]

Sorry Bob - my mistake!! Did you watch the races yet? I wont say too much but race 1 was pretty eventful!!!
Shame to hear that Silverstone may be cancelled this year - hope that gets resolved!

 

[thompsp]

Dont like the Gold Bet colour scheme on the BMWa

Fully agree with you there Hoops - the bike looks really rubbish in those Gold Bet designs IMO too, especially next to that stunning Panigale!
Shame really, as I think the team will do very well this year and it could've made the Beemer more desirable ....and in turn perhaps make our machines worth a little more???

 

[Hoops]

Fully agree with you there Hoops - the bike looks really rubbish in those Gold Bet designs IMO too, especially next to that stunning Panigale!
Shame really, as I think the team will do very well this year and it could've made the Beemer more desirable ....and in turn perhaps make our machines worth a little more???

Shame they couldnt have worked on a variation of the Motorsport tri colours - but i guess they have to go with the colours of their main sponsors over and above what looks good - and gotta say again, just how awesome does the Panigale look!!??

 

[Shug]

In two minds about the livery. Fully expect that if it starts winning big, it'll become very cool At the moment, though, agree that it's not conventionally nice.

Chaz did well in race 1, was happy for him - shocker in the second! Bit of a gamble to walk off the Aprillia (even a private one) onto the BM, that's been a bit of a poisoned chalice for some. Marco was lucky to walk away from race one and I thought did really well in 2. Certainly looked like the second best bike after the 'Prillers. PI always flatters Ducati - I think they'll have more work to do at other tracks, but a positive start from them, pace-wise.

 

[unionjack]

Those Aprillias are suspiciously quick. Have they been up to their rule bending again.

 

[Shug]

Those Aprillias are suspiciously quick. Have they been up to their rule bending again.

TBH the only bending they can get up to now is that they are essentially a Moto GP bike with headlights - not something sneaky you can ban them for. Kudos to Aprillia to actually doing it. The CRT bikes are clearly just detuned (as the engines have to last longer) RSV4 engine/chassis combos with more aerodynamic bodywork.

 

[Shug]

To add - and the CRT experience (how many teams giving them data?) must be helping them set up the superbike too, despite the totally different tyres.

 

[fatbob]

Yeah the prilla was very fast
The engine limit should help
The panini was easily capable of winning too

 

[Hoops]

That Panigale looks utterly sexual in every way!!!

 

[unionjack]

TBH the only bending they can get up to now is that they are essentially a Moto GP bike with headlights - not something sneaky you can ban them for. Kudos to Aprillia to actually doing it. The CRT bikes are clearly just detuned (as the engines have to last longer) RSV4 engine/chassis combos with more aerodynamic bodywork.

Remember the 'factory option' gear driven cams.

 

[unionjack]

That Panigale looks utterly sexual in every way!!!

Wash your mouth out!

 

[Shug]

Remember the 'factory option' gear driven cams.

Which were banned over a year ago. Since that, I think they've had some pretty close scrutiny from every angle (thanks to their speed) and there's nothing on the bike that can be bending the rules. Fact is, they built a Moto GP bike and stuck numberplates on it, whereas everyone elses options (including BMW) have been more traditionally evolved from road bikes. You have to hold your hands up to Aprillia - they were looking to go into Moto GP, started down a development path, took a long, hard look and realised that they could get the coverage for dominating Superbikes if they released a roadgoing version of the thing. Now, not easy to get from prototype to working road bike, but they managed it. Now they are reaping the rewards.

 

[Hoops]

And dare i say it - ive 2 friends who owned S1000RR's last season and have both just bought full fat factory RSV4's for this year - oops!