GP Silverstone 2023

Cant see a post about it and its worth the shout - what a great result, all of the Aprilia riders look strong crazy to think Japanese bikes are just dead and nowhere to be seen and another DNF for Marc.

all the aprilia’s were in the top ten !!

First GP I've watched all year bloody awesome races brilliant to see the apes kicking arse. Couldn't believe how different the bikes look with all the wings and spoilers.

JimmyV4 wrote: Japanese bikes are just dead and nowhere to be seen and another DNF for Marc.

It has a lot to do with the demise of the superbike as a sales force and changing markets. Honda sell more bikes worldwide than all the rest put together but most of their bikes likely go to markets that probably have never watched MotoGP or wsb and they certainly don’t buy fireblades. Ducati and I guess KTM are much more focused on large capacity bikes that don’t share those emerging markets so their outlook is different. Piaggio is very much western focused currently sales wise which is the main audience for MotoGP etc.  I think historical prestige keeps some jap marques in the series but is there any ongoing prestige in running an outdated bike around mid pack ? As your results drop the quality of rider willing to get on it will drop also. 

JimmyV4 wrote: im surprised geeze id of thaught you to be a die hard race fan, it was brillient to see Aleix Play Baggy like a cheap flute.

JimmyV4 wrote: the thing is i think they did want to win but couldn't and it took the wind out of there sails - the demise of the superbike really gets me, but then i have always connected that to the modern soft scared iphone mcdonalds vaping 2.0L diesel type bloke.

sports bike riders from the super bikes heyday are now generally an older demographic and want different things from riding. They are now buying bikes to ride/tour on without needing a chirpractor post ride. They are not being replaced by younger riders at anywhere near the same rate.  Bikes just don’t have the appeal to the young they had to our generation unfortunately. 

legend88 wrote: The Japanese manufacturers have been outspoken about their dislike for the wings / aero rules and the massive increased costs that they have brought into the class. Yamaha for example are just not playing the game and therefore are nowhere. I think they are making a stand in an attempt to get Dorna to change the rules to remove the aero development. I have to say, I totally agree with them, the bikes are ugly and that has translated to the road bikes. The RSV4 example looks MUCH better without the wings

that is possibly Yamaha’s thinking but it does suggest they want to reduce costs because the perceived reward doesn’t justify the outlay.  Problem is, if you reduce aero you alienate the brands that have gained most from it and invested in it.  Once you’ve opened that can of worms it’s hard to close it.  I agree on the looks. The Ducati looks like it got hit up the arse by a lorry. 

Interesting article that reflects what we have been saying.