800cc MotoGP Bikes Close in on 350 km/h
Although the 800cc MotoGP machines heralded in a new era of more 250 like handling and an approach to racing which left fans lamenting the fire breathing 250 bhp 990 weapons, it hasn’t taken long for the smaller machines to surpass even the outright speed of their bigger brothers with Dani Pedrosa registering almost 350 km/h (217 mph) at Mugello.
During the opening practice session for tomorrow’s Italian MotoGP, Pedrosa’s Honda was clocked at 349.3 km/h which is almost 217 mph. To put this into perspective, the last time the big 990 machines raced at Mugello, Caey Stoner recorded just 334 clicks (yeah like just is the right word to choose for 207 mph on a motorcycle!).
As has long been the case with aerodynamics being so critical in top speed, being short and light means the rider is able to tuck in better on the long straights with predictable results. Following Dani’s Honda was Mika Kallio’s Ducati at 348.1 km/h and then Rossi’s Yamaha a little slower again at 344 km/h.
When we look at height and weight, sure enough Mr Personality is the lightest and shortest at 51kg (112lbs!!) and 158cm (5’3″). Mika Kallio claims his weight is 58kg with a height of 165cm, whereas 3rd fastest Rossi is a more normal height at 182 cm (just under 6′) but still light at 67kg.
The Ducatis still are making plenty of horsepower because in the first practice session Rossi was 0.8 seconds a lap faster than Pedrosa and 2.5 seconds faster than Kallio suggesting he was entering the straight faster than the 2 riders who ultimately clocked higher speeds.
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