the new 800cc gp bikes

[fizzwheel]

I think this year its going to be about bike setup and development more than ever. Hopper is already saying that wth the increased levels of side grip chatter is already a problem. We saw Rossi suffer with it badly this year as well.

Originally Posted by weazelz

fine, turn-in is quicker, but I don't see how that increases corner speed once lean is established

Cornering speed derives from both trajectory and lean angle. Faster turn-in means also later turn-in which means wider trajectory and thus allowing greater corner speed, with the same lean angle.
Make no mistake, the difference is diminutive, 0.5 seconds faster on a 2 minute track like Sepang, is like 0.3% improvement.

what is side grip chatter? what did it do to rossi during last season?

The problem in question causes unsettling vibration through the frame of the bike when the bike is at extreme lean angles I believe and Yamaha could not resolve it with the 2006 bike. Their best fix was to place the 2006 engine in the 2005 frame.

so its like when your bike runs rougher cuz it hasnt been maintained in awhile, only for top of the line bikes. is it always a problem with racers to a small degree?

A few points.

Colin Edwards was not yamahas first choice rider. Or even second choice.

Alex Barros is a great rider although never a world champ. If he gets a good bike then I still think he can do well. Ditto with Carlos Checa. It's the man not the machine.

If the 800s are two stroke 250 like then a 4 time 250 champ should do really well....