Agreed, and pretty much like everything else on the MotoGP grid. That swingarm just screams Honda to me. Funny how rule sets have the propensity to homogenize things even in the most competitive environments.

As for obtaining one, I'm simply not willing to shell out that kind of money for bike - any bike. OK - maybe if it was a "hover bike".

As for KTM being competitive, I wish them well, but I don't see their staying long. Frankly, I think they'd be better off in WSBK from a marketing standpoint. It's certainly done Aprilia and Kawasaki no harm. Why BMW is so half-hearted about racing, is inexplicable. I suppose if you can outsell everyone without the overhead, good on ya.

With the rule changes coming and everyone being on the same ECUs the playing field is being levelled. Not saying they will be competitive but I wouldn't write them off either.

I hope your wrong also. Don't forget Red Bull as a sponsor. They have had a V-four on the grid already and Kenny Roberts thought it was a pretty good motor. You are right about the rider being a very important piece of the equation and Mika Kallio is not a bad test rider. I see Steffen Bradl or Andea Dovisioso as good candidates for a rider. Even Crutchlow would fair well as at least he's willing to ride past the machines capability. I excited to see where this all leads. There are a lot of Moto two riders that wuold love to step up to the big show and many show great talent. I'd take Zarco or Maveric Vinalas in a heartbeat.

I don't think KTM are planning a factory team. They are planning to sell these bikes to teams. It's up to the team to sort out their own riders. I don't think they will challenge Honda and Yamaha but no reason given time that they couldn't challenge Suzuki and Aprilia.

I read somewhere that KTM no longer own WP suspension.

KTM have experience with high review four stroke motors from the Moto3 class. They know how to make reliable power so don't think that will be too much of an issue for them to overcome (they've got a year and a half to work the bugs out). The electronics will require a bit of effort to get over the learning curve but again, not insurmountable.

Wish them luck.

Nerd - you coming to crashfest next year?

I'm sure it will happen. No idea how many SD's there will be but I would go for a couple of days in August at Cadwell regardless of what others are doing anyway.

If you can make it without busting the bank or getting sacked / divorced then my offer from last year remains. No point in coming all this way and not getting your feet wet!!

270hp? That sounds like a pretty impressive number on paper.

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/ ... more-99995