So yoiu think the MotoGP riders of today are talented?

[flymo]

very cool to watch. On the other posts though I dont think its really that easy or even necessary to compare modern GP riders to those of yesteryear. They ride with the best equipment they can get their hands on at the time.

If a GP500 bike was faster around a lap then they would still be riding them (assuming the class allowed it of course) so I dont really buy the balsy bit.

Hardly the same level but I started racing on a mental little MZ250 single, brakes were crap, handling didnt exist. I used to tip it into a corner and then just let it do its thing, if you messed with the steering mid corner you got spat off the side. I didnt feel any braver riding that after then riding on a FZR400 and then a CBR600 on track. The more modern bikes simply felt more precise and easier to go faster on. I dont suppose it really matters either way provided everybody else is on the same machinery.

I was amazed to find out that Crutchlow's World Supersport pole lap on the Yamaha R6 at Donington last year was faster than any 500GP lap there, ever. Just shows how far and fast things move on.

Cracking video, but then those mile ovals are generally pretty good to watch regardless of the bikes they're using. I don't think it really reflects on the ability of top level bike racers past and present, which imo is probably on a slight upwards trend, on average.

I've always said bring back the 500GP that'll shut that Stoner up.

[flymo]

It wasnt that long ago that Steve Hislop had the lap record around Donnington, faster than a MotoGP lap on his superbike.