DEBUNKING MOTOGP BIKES

As the 2019 Motogp season rages commentators talk of swingarm spoilers, chassis flex and variable flywheel weights. Neil Spalding investigates the three big reasons why Motogp is now so good…

The three big reasons why the current crop of Motogp bikes are so amazing.

IN THE FIRST half of this decade Motogp rules had got complicated. Series organisers Dorna wanted to simplify things and establish a fairer playing field, one that would reduce the advantage enjoyed by long term contestants and encourage other factories to play. So for 2016 the rule book was given a refresh; the software was standardized and the new software was designed to make things simpler while allowing less electronic control of the bikes.

Previous attempts to slow down the top factory bikes had led to a restrictive five engines per rider per season, with an engine specification that was frozen from the first race of each year. With only five engines to last a season the idea was that power outputs would be restricted to guarantee engine longevity. But lasting a whole season with those restrictions required very expensive construction and maintenance techniques as well as very sophisticated throttle software. The new rules allow successful factories seven engines per rider per year, still with a specification frozen at the start of the year. Less successful entrants can have nine engines and be allowed to change the specs during the year.

During the first 14 years of the fourstroke Motogp era power outputs and the software’s ability to control that output had improved. The sudden shock of dumber electronic controls and the increase in the number of engines available changed the way the engines were built. They could rev higher and made more power, but there was no ‘lean running’ software and throttle control was less accurate. Power levels jumped 20-ish bhp on the stronger engines from Honda and Ducati, but riders complained about engine controllability.

At the same time the rules were refreshed control tyre supplier Bridgestone withdrew and Michelin came in. Tyre design makes a huge difference to the design of the bike so new tyres require a new bike. And making a bike to suit the tyres is very difficult. That process was made even more difficult by Michelin needing to develop their tyres, so chassis were being developed to suit tyre designs that kept changing.

Michelin were persuaded to accept an annual design freeze last year.