This great article from MotoGP and Formula1 Blog definitely show us how good our rider is (and how talented he is)




MotoGP : 2008 - This is how Rossi adapted to Bridgstone tyres

Posted by Samura at 9:36 PM
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Big credit for my pal in Solomoto who gave me this picture which I think can explain why Rossi suddenly become so fast on the Bridgestone tyres, faster than the world champion on his Duke. Rossi took a different approach to his bike because he is using Bridgestone tyres whereas his friends (Lorenzo, Toseland and Edwards) are with Michelin.

Actually, Bridgestone's engineers already told Fiat Yamaha if they want to make the bike works great on the Bridgestone, the fastest way is to move the weight of the bike at the rear, to achieve this means the frame of Yamaha M1 must be extended for 8 mm, there was also a new steering plate (left 2nd row picture), which is a few mm in the front fork; while at the rear, the swing arm was shortened. These two changes make an great impact to the geometry of the frame, which means it moves forward both the front and rear wheel. In this way the load on the rear wheel is greater, and this helps to bring work better for the Bridgestone tires.

The first introduction of the new swing arm (8 mm shorter) was in Shanghai China (2008), please take a look at the first upper left picture where you still can see the welding of the swing arm. Valentino said shortly that he can feel the bike better and can ride as fast as Stoner. So, it will be no wonder if he takes the win in Mugello.

As for the other team, I can see the problems are far from over for them (satellite teams), like San Carlo Honda - Honda Gresini, (the team uses Bridgestone) who has been asking Honda to do the same as Yamaha did to Rossi, but it seems no more update from HRC, instead of the new clutch.

Thank u for the Solomoto (spain).

Not much riders can do such thing. Definitely needs a good talented rider for adapting so well.

*how's my english...*

Hey, that's pretty interesting. I guess he did conquer the tyre change quickly... with hindsight. After Qatar, it was all a bit doom and gloom about him having to adapt to the new tyres... but WHAM! He's conquered the mountain...

I haven't a clue how to apply half of what you said to a bike... and the use of a pointer wouldn't have hurt... you know, like a weather man... lol.

That the Yamaha has made such leaps with power, too... wonder if adapting the bike so the rear is heavier... if that has helped... and possibly the secret to some of the Ducati's success/power. Also wonder how Ducati feel, knowing bridgestone possibly leaked some of THEIR engineering secrets to Rossi and Yamaha... hehe.

Yeah, thanks #46. Your posting has showed us that the only similarity between Vale's and Jorge's bike is just the colours but everything else, i.e wheelbase, rake and trail has been customize to Vale's likings and Bridgestone's spec.

But Han, I'm wondering if perhaps Yamaha have taken a general leaf out of this book (i.e. Ducati's) and applied it across the board. This was a combination that had Duc and Bridgestones flogging everyone last year... sounds so simple, but Yamaha could have been scratching their head all last year... how to get more power? Answer? Put more weight on the rear tyre. Easy! D'oh!

I'm sure I read a Mugello interview with JT where he said that the Michelin shod Yamaha's had also similarly changed their geometry with the same positive results.

Yes, and who's got the idea the first ? It's Rossi,isn't it ? "The Doctor of MotoGP". Yamaha should thanks to our Rossi..

I don't think it's easy as it may look or sound. To gain that sort of control of the bike, I'm sure Yamaha have done more to that for Vale. The chassis is sure being made to measure for Vale and the weight distribution from the front to back, the suspension set up must be just right that in any condition, i.e braking into corners and exhilirating out of corners, the weight still stays at the rear so that the power transfer is just right to propel the bike forward without losing any grip.

Well, the best way to say it is the Doctor took the perfect diagnostic procedure, the surgeon did their work (Yamaha) and the phamarcist took care of the curing ( Bridgestone, Ohlins etc)

Yeah, Tommm, I think it would make more sense to apply it to all their bikes/chassis.

ANd yes, #46... definitely. If the boy hadn't have insisted on those bridgestones... we could all have sigs with things like "Still love ya, babe, even though you are still LOSING!", instead of the victory chants we are all sporting.

Oh, and #46, if you feel like explaining what a swing arm does... and how the different steering plate affects... well, anything... feel free! Or basically re-explain your first post... but in REALLY simple terms... so slow buggers like me can get the picture.

No assumption that it was easy! I was taking the p*ss out of Yamaha... as in... something so simple when you say it - more weight in the rear - yet it was obviously the last thing they were looking at. It took the tyre company to point it out to them. I just think it's kind of funny.

Though I maintain, anything that makes the Yam go faster... they will apply whatever they learn from Valentino to Jorge, and then Colin and James. They want their manufacturers trophy! They want the prestige of being the best bike out there... they took a beating last year... everyone was saying nasty things about the Yam (poor little Yammy)... and for them, whether it's Valentino or Jorge, victory is victory.

The swing arm is the large 'arm' that connects the rear wheel to the rest of the chassis, it 'swings' because it is pivots at the bottom of the frame, which is then controlled by the rear shock. They effectively moved the rear wheel in 8mm closer. They then moved the steering column slightly further forward, so overall they maintained the same bike length, but they shifted the weight slightly more to the rear.

Thanks Catty...
Ok I'm trying to make it simple as I can :

1. The most successful Bridgestone tyres have been designed to work this way on the Ducati, and this has forced Yamaha to evolve the M1 this way and Rossi to change his riding style to suit.Yamaha has to effectively built an M1 with Ducati style weight distribution: weight bias is set towards carrying more weight over the rear.

2. The front forks are pushed as far forward as possible to move the weight away from the centre of the bike. Doing this makes the front end more flighty, and requires a very good tyre to cope with it. It is this characteristic that Bridgestone has designed its front tyres around as it is the way that Stoner preferred his GP7 set up.

3. The rear axle is moved as far forward in the swing arm as possible in order to get as much weight onto the rear tyre as possible. This reduces the chances of the rear spinning up and hence improves longevity.

***This is going to change things for the rider. He is going to have to trust Bridgestone's sticky front tyre completely because with the weight moved back that much the front is going to feel very loose and insecure.***

Rossi said " The bike is a little bit different to ride but the front tyre from Bridgestone is okay so now I feel confident with the bike - its stable, it's good to turn, but it's a little bit different to ride. I have had to change my style a bit."

just shows what a great rider vale is, that he can alter his style to suit. not many riders can do that ...

He is The Doctor...