Pedrosa: 1000cc bikes 'demanding'

Thu, 02 Feb 13:02:00 2012

Dani Pedrosa has described Honda's new RCV 213V as "the most physically demanding" MotoGP bike he has ridden.

MOTORCYCLING Dani Pedrosa in practice at Aragon MotoGP - 0

The 26-year-old Spaniard made the assessment after winding up third quickest on the final day of testing at Sepang, leaving him behind his world champion team-mate Casey Stoner and Yamaha's Jorge Loreno.

Pedrosa has won races on both 990 and 800cc machinery in MotoGP since his debut in grand prix racing's premier class in 2006, but the Spaniard believes that doing so on the new for 2012 1000cc bike will be even more difficult.

"This bike is physically more demanding [than the 800], you feel the power in the acceleration, the speed under hard braking and also the extra weight, and three days of testing here in Malaysia is very tiring," Pedrosa said.

"This morning when I woke up I was pretty sore and stiff, but once I got running, it was a little better. I will keep working hard physically to prepare for the second test."

Like most other bikes, Pedrosa's machine suffered from excessive chatter during the test, leading to analyses of electronic and suspension set-ups being undertaken at Sepang.

Although the problem has not been cured on the Honda, Pedrosa said that he could feel significant progress had been made during the three days.

"It's been worth it to do a general test of the engine, chassis and tyres and overall it is the biggest test we have done on this bike and we have good data to analyse and can start to build up points we need for the second test," he added.

"The biggest point to improve is on braking, and we are also working on the electronics to improve the management of the power and the grip level.

"The chatter is still there, I know it's something very difficult to fix, but I'm sure Honda is working hard on it. In general, it's been a positive test for us and we will come back here in three weeks with new ideas."

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Comment 1 - 18 of 18

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  1. @ brixtonian mr stoner did hone his skills too in 125­ and 250gp's on factory kit only he didn't win a­ championship on them like the other guys

    From glyn689, on Fri 17 Feb 18:32
  2. as we say in england his spanish so his a poo pipe­ shagger and takes it up the tradesmans,his too skinny­ has collar bones made of swiss cheese and arms made of­ pipe cleaners,wots that other spanish riders name yrgay­ he takes it up the poo pipe,he rides the yam that rossi­ built not as well mind,there only one GOAT ROSSI

    From liz, on Thu 9 Feb 8:19
  3. looks like it's going to be too much for­ him.....bikes very demanding...mmmm

    From K8Jim, on Tue 7 Feb 5:53
  4. I amazed & pleased that Stoner has such a large­ & loyal fan base ready to sing his praises. WHilst­ Lorenzo & Rossi were honing their skill winning­ 125, 250 & (500cc) Moto GP championships, Stoner­ had to wait for an exceptional bike to win his FIRST­ RACE EVER in his SECOND season of Moto GP.

    That­ Stoner's 2nd championship came when Lorenzo was­ left to develop the already championship winning­ Yahmaha after the departure of Rossi, doesn't seem­ to stick in the memories of of those who love to HATE­ both Rossi & Lorenzo (I believe there are 9­ Championship titles between them -most of them coming­ back to back).

    Stoner is good, but he's yet to­ really prove himself by winning at the very least, back­ to back titles as the other "aliens" have­ done so since their emergence in the top class. Who­ know's maybe this year he'll earn the respect­ of a greater fan base, rather than one that simply­ loves to hate "continentals" (I thought­ I'd throw that one in the mix just to see if it hit­ a nerve).

    From Brixtonian, on Mon 6 Feb 22:34
  5. Stoner's Good, Rossi's Great,­ Dani's....well, Dani is small Petit even, by the­ fifth race of the season in Catalunya he will be too­ tired to lift his head.
    Sorry Dani fans but he's­ finished before it's started.
    MOTO GP is for MEN­ not for LITTLE BOYS hahaha

    From carlobh2003, on Sun 5 Feb 21:54
  6. Rhihfdrs Rhihrgs just what are you talking about Stoner­ is miles in the lead in the lead of what ? its testing­ you pillock no one is in the lead, yes hes fastest in­ testing please understand we havent started the­ season yet all kinds of development can go on that­ could transform any bike from a dog to a rocketship or­ visa versa

    From JOHN A, on Sun 5 Feb 3:12
  7. Repsol Ross you giant "Bumder"

    From MARK, on Sun 5 Feb 0:23
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    The Rossi fans are either deluding themselves or really­ are that thick. The reason Stoner is miles in the lead­ is because he is be far the fastest rider. All the­ other Honda riders are SLOWER than the­ Yamaha''s.
    Take away Stoner and Yamaha would­ have won the title AGAIN in 2012.
    Stoner will wiin the­ title on a Yamaha or Honda because he is by far the­ fastest most naturally gifted rider.
    The only way Rossi­ will win the title again is if he has a 1second bike­ advatage over the rest. Like he had in the Yamaha days.

    From Rhihfdrs Rhihrgs, on Sat 4 Feb 22:23
  9. I cant see how anyone can predict the season ok Stoner­ was fastest in testing but testing is what it is, to­ give the teams a base to work to, have the others got­ more to work with, is Honda at the peak of its­ developement , these questions will be answered in­ time, again dont predict the season after the first­ race Stoner can wring the neck of a bike and ride it­ like a dirt track machine but can he come out of a­ scrum of 4 or 5 bikes on the last corner in the lead ­ i believe others can but not Stoner he has to be on his­ own to win

    From JOHN A, on Fri 3 Feb 21:54
  10. Good luck for 2012 dani, i'll have everything­ crossed, great to meet you and chat for a while (much­ to everyone else's annoyance in the queue LOL) at­ the NEC, lets take it to casey this year and please­ please please- STAY FIT!!!!! #26

    From REPSOL ROSS, on Fri 3 Feb 18:22
  11. John A
    I'm affraid it looks like another Stoner­ year to me. Just think he did his best lap on the­ second lap of the day.
    I know the conditions go down­ hill from that time of the day. But the writing is on­ the wall my friend.
    In the past in, testing Valentino­ was always the man to beat. Now it is Stoner, and he­ probably had at least another second in him as well! ­
    Lets hope he does not dominate even more, as he is a­ boring racer. Valentino and other champions before him,­ was not frightened to mix it with the opposition, until­ the last five laps and then pull out a winning margin­ over the rest.
    Respect to Jorge, but I'm sure he­ would have stamped his authority if he could. And he­ didn't.

    From Perenialnovice, on Fri 3 Feb 17:29
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Hi
    Yep Danni you blew your chance to ever win a­ Chamchip when not doing it on the 800cc
    Sad but true­ with all the Money Honda spend on you and they got­ nothing:)
    Cheers Claes

    From Claes, on Fri 3 Feb 9:41
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Only place for this guy to win something is the Moto2­ trust me :p

    From ben1766, on Fri 3 Feb 3:54
  14. stoner is a limp wristed tool

    From Stuart, on Fri 3 Feb 3:39
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Hey john so was dani and dovi on the best bike ooh w8­ Stoner is the pure racer whahaha

    From ben1766, on Fri 3 Feb 3:38
  16. Exactly, all you can get from the teeny boppers is how­ wonderful Stoner is, christ its only a few days of­ testing and already Stoner is 2012 champ listen to ­ them, last year he was on the best bike but not­ Necessarily the best rider lets see how good he is if­ all the bikes get up to speed

    From JOHN A, on Fri 3 Feb 3:25
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Maybe another 12 chassis could help !!

    From M, on Fri 3 Feb 3:17
  18. Very informative, nice to get some feedback of what is­ really going on at these tests from an intelegent­ rider.

    From know it all, on Fri 3 Feb 1:25
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