so we have a MotoGP champion

"Bob Nixon" wrote in message

> On Sep 23, 6:28 pm, alf wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> 17 days earlier then last year we have got to know the 2007 MotoGP
>> winner. Any comments, will Rossi strike back in 2008. What happened to
>> Kentucky Kid ...
>
> Alf, it looked more to me like a declared rain ride clusterfu*k-
>
> Bob Nixon,
>

I love wet races. They are very exciting.
Alf, I wish you would have put spoiler in the title of the post.
I saw it before I watched the race.


--

Andrew
00 Daytona
00 Speed Triple
71 Kawi H1
05 Kiddo
 >> Stay informed about: so we have a MotoGP champion 

On Sep 24, 12:17 am, "Andrew"
wrote:
> "Bob Nixon" wrote in message...

> > On Sep 23, 6:28 pm, alf wrote:

> >> 17 days earlier then last year we have got to know the 2007 MotoGP
> >> winner. Any comments, will Rossi strike back in 2008. What happened to
> >> Kentucky Kid ...

> > Alf, it looked more to me like a declared rain ride clusterfu*k-

> I love wet races. They are very exciting.
> Alf, I wish you would have put spoiler in the title of the post.
> I saw it before I watched the race.

I thought it was a tremendously exciting race, too. Sure was nice to
see Ducati win both the race and the Championship so convincingly.
Especially when it's not Superbike, so people can't cry about how the
rules gave their bikes an "unfair advantage." It's nice to see a
company with less than one tenth the racing budget of Honda
convincingly stomp all of the Japanese big four!

I think Nicky Hayden failed to get the factory team support that a
reigning world champion deserves. It looked to me all season as
though Honda had made up its mind during the off-season that Dani
Pedrosa was the heir apparent and that they had milked Hayden for all
they were going to get out of him last year. I think Pedrosa
consistently got a bike that was set up for his riding style.

I also think that tire manufacturers had an inordinate effect on the
championship race this year.
 >> Stay informed about: so we have a MotoGP champion 

Andrew wrote:
>
> "Bob Nixon" wrote in message
>
>> On Sep 23, 6:28 pm, alf wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> 17 days earlier then last year we have got to know the 2007 MotoGP
>>> winner. Any comments, will Rossi strike back in 2008. What happened to
>>> Kentucky Kid ...
>>
>> Alf, it looked more to me like a declared rain ride clusterfu*k-
>>
>> Bob Nixon,
>>
>
> I love wet races. They are very exciting.
> Alf, I wish you would have put spoiler in the title of the post.
> I saw it before I watched the race.
>
>

sorry, but it was so obvious it will happen.
 >> Stay informed about: so we have a MotoGP champion 

wrote in message
> On Sep 24, 12:17 am, "Andrew"
> wrote:
> > "Bob Nixon" wrote in message...
>
> > > On Sep 23, 6:28 pm, alf wrote:
>
> > >> 17 days earlier then last year we have got to know the 2007 MotoGP
> > >> winner. Any comments, will Rossi strike back in 2008. What happened to
> > >> Kentucky Kid ...
>
> > > Alf, it looked more to me like a declared rain ride clusterfu*k-
>
> > I love wet races. They are very exciting.
> > Alf, I wish you would have put spoiler in the title of the post.
> > I saw it before I watched the race.

The title said it all, change the title wording and add (spoiler).

I knew about the results before the post so wasn't affected.



> I thought it was a tremendously exciting race, too. Sure was nice to
> see Ducati win both the race and the Championship so convincingly.
> Especially when it's not Superbike, so people can't cry about how the
> rules gave their bikes an "unfair advantage." It's nice to see a
> company with less than one tenth the racing budget of Honda
> convincingly stomp all of the Japanese big four!

Especially with antiquated frame and engine technology (according to Bob .



> I think Nicky Hayden failed to get the factory team support that a
> reigning world champion deserves. It looked to me all season as
> though Honda had made up its mind during the off-season that Dani
> Pedrosa was the heir apparent and that they had milked Hayden for all
> they were going to get out of him last year. I think Pedrosa
> consistently got a bike that was set up for his riding style.
>
> I also think that tire manufacturers had an inordinate effect on the
> championship race this year.

But did anyone cry foul in years past when the shoe was on the other foot?

Racing, as you know Tim, has always been about equipment, skill levels, and making the right choices
with luck sometimes being a factor....
 >> Stay informed about: so we have a MotoGP champion 

On Sep 24, 1:41 pm, "Brutus" wrote:
> wrote:

> > I thought it was a tremendously exciting race, too. Sure was nice to
> > see Ducati win both the race and the Championship so convincingly.
> > Especially when it's not Superbike, so people can't cry about how the
> > rules gave their bikes an "unfair advantage." It's nice to see a
> > company with less than one tenth the racing budget of Honda
> > convincingly stomp all of the Japanese big four!

> Especially with antiquated frame and engine technology (according to Bob .

> But did anyone cry foul in years past when the shoe was on the other foot?

> Racing, as you know Tim, has always been about equipment, skill levels,
> and making the right choices with luck sometimes being a factor...

Absolutely. There was an interesting technical article (Kevin
Cameron? not sure) published earlier this year about how traction
control has been a great equalizer in MotoGP and has caused maximum
engine power to be more important than ever.

Perhaps borne out by Ducati's noticeable (although diminishing) top
speed advantage, it appears that Ducati has a horsepower advantage
this season, and with the electronic engine controls, it is a USABLE
advantage. Further, the author speculates that it is the "antique"
desmodromic valve actuation system that Ducati employs as a "marketing
scheme" that makes the difference.

The positive closing mechanism allows Ducati to engineer more radical
cam lobe ramps than the titanium springs used on their competitor's
engines, allowing them to get to full lift more quickly and stay their
longer without valve float.

In fact, the article says that valve to piston clearances in MotoGP
engines is now less than ONE millimeter, and that ANY valve float will
inevitably lead to an early retirement with the engine trailing wisps
of smoke.

He expects at least one (care to guess which?) Japanese manufacturer
will have air-actuated valves (ala F1? I think) in their MotoGp
engine next year.
 >> Stay informed about: so we have a MotoGP champion 

wrote in message

> On Sep 24, 1:41 pm, "Brutus" wrote:
>> wrote:
>
>> > I thought it was a tremendously exciting race, too. Sure was nice to
>> > see Ducati win both the race and the Championship so convincingly.
>> > Especially when it's not Superbike, so people can't cry about how the
>> > rules gave their bikes an "unfair advantage." It's nice to see a
>> > company with less than one tenth the racing budget of Honda
>> > convincingly stomp all of the Japanese big four!
>
>> Especially with antiquated frame and engine technology (according to Bob
>> .
>
>> But did anyone cry foul in years past when the shoe was on the other
>> foot?
>
>> Racing, as you know Tim, has always been about equipment, skill levels,
>> and making the right choices with luck sometimes being a factor...
>
> Absolutely. There was an interesting technical article (Kevin
> Cameron? not sure) published earlier this year about how traction
> control has been a great equalizer in MotoGP and has caused maximum
> engine power to be more important than ever.
>
> Perhaps borne out by Ducati's noticeable (although diminishing) top
> speed advantage, it appears that Ducati has a horsepower advantage
> this season, and with the electronic engine controls, it is a USABLE
> advantage. Further, the author speculates that it is the "antique"
> desmodromic valve actuation system that Ducati employs as a "marketing
> scheme" that makes the difference.
>
> The positive closing mechanism allows Ducati to engineer more radical
> cam lobe ramps than the titanium springs used on their competitor's
> engines, allowing them to get to full lift more quickly and stay their
> longer without valve float.
>
> In fact, the article says that valve to piston clearances in MotoGP
> engines is now less than ONE millimeter, and that ANY valve float will
> inevitably lead to an early retirement with the engine trailing wisps
> of smoke.
>
> He expects at least one (care to guess which?) Japanese manufacturer
> will have air-actuated valves (ala F1? I think) in their MotoGp
> engine next year.
>

Suzuki and Kawi both run pnuematic valves right now, I think.



--

Andrew
00 Daytona
00 Speed Triple
71 Kawi H1
05 Kiddo
 >> Stay informed about: so we have a MotoGP champion 

On Sep 24, 3:54 pm, "Andrew"
wrote:
> wrote in message
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Sep 24, 1:41 pm, "Brutus" wrote:
> >> wrote:
>
> >> > I thought it was a tremendously exciting race, too. Sure was nice to
> >> > see Ducati win both the race and the Championship so convincingly.
> >> > Especially when it's not Superbike, so people can't cry about how the
> >> > rules gave their bikes an "unfair advantage." It's nice to see a
> >> > company with less than one tenth the racing budget of Honda
> >> > convincingly stomp all of the Japanese big four!
>
> >> Especially with antiquated frame and engine technology (according to Bob
> >> .
>
> >> But did anyone cry foul in years past when the shoe was on the other
> >> foot?
>
> >> Racing, as you know Tim, has always been about equipment, skill levels,
> >> and making the right choices with luck sometimes being a factor...
>
> > Absolutely. There was an interesting technical article (Kevin
> > Cameron? not sure) published earlier this year about how traction
> > control has been a great equalizer in MotoGP and has caused maximum
> > engine power to be more important than ever.
>
> > Perhaps borne out by Ducati's noticeable (although diminishing) top
> > speed advantage, it appears that Ducati has a horsepower advantage
> > this season, and with the electronic engine controls, it is a USABLE
> > advantage. Further, the author speculates that it is the "antique"
> > desmodromic valve actuation system that Ducati employs as a "marketing
> > scheme" that makes the difference.
>
> > The positive closing mechanism allows Ducati to engineer more radical
> > cam lobe ramps than the titanium springs used on their competitor's
> > engines, allowing them to get to full lift more quickly and stay their
> > longer without valve float.
>
> > In fact, the article says that valve to piston clearances in MotoGP
> > engines is now less than ONE millimeter, and that ANY valve float will
> > inevitably lead to an early retirement with the engine trailing wisps
> > of smoke.
>
> > He expects at least one (care to guess which?) Japanese manufacturer
> > will have air-actuated valves (ala F1? I think) in their MotoGp
> > engine next year.
>
> Suzuki and Kawi both run pnuematic valves right now, I think.

Really? I was unaware of that! I thought that the article said that
several manufacturers were testing them, but I *thought* that it
seemed to indicate that none were actually using them to date. More
research is called for here!
 >> Stay informed about: so we have a MotoGP champion 

wrote in message

> On Sep 24, 3:54 pm, "Andrew"
> wrote:
>> wrote in message
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Sep 24, 1:41 pm, "Brutus" wrote:
>> >> wrote:
>>
>> >> > I thought it was a tremendously exciting race, too. Sure was nice
>> >> > to
>> >> > see Ducati win both the race and the Championship so convincingly.
>> >> > Especially when it's not Superbike, so people can't cry about how
>> >> > the
>> >> > rules gave their bikes an "unfair advantage." It's nice to see a
>> >> > company with less than one tenth the racing budget of Honda
>> >> > convincingly stomp all of the Japanese big four!
>>
>> >> Especially with antiquated frame and engine technology (according to
>> >> Bob
>> >> .
>>
>> >> But did anyone cry foul in years past when the shoe was on the other
>> >> foot?
>>
>> >> Racing, as you know Tim, has always been about equipment, skill
>> >> levels,
>> >> and making the right choices with luck sometimes being a factor...
>>
>> > Absolutely. There was an interesting technical article (Kevin
>> > Cameron? not sure) published earlier this year about how traction
>> > control has been a great equalizer in MotoGP and has caused maximum
>> > engine power to be more important than ever.
>>
>> > Perhaps borne out by Ducati's noticeable (although diminishing) top
>> > speed advantage, it appears that Ducati has a horsepower advantage
>> > this season, and with the electronic engine controls, it is a USABLE
>> > advantage. Further, the author speculates that it is the "antique"
>> > desmodromic valve actuation system that Ducati employs as a "marketing
>> > scheme" that makes the difference.
>>
>> > The positive closing mechanism allows Ducati to engineer more radical
>> > cam lobe ramps than the titanium springs used on their competitor's
>> > engines, allowing them to get to full lift more quickly and stay their
>> > longer without valve float.
>>
>> > In fact, the article says that valve to piston clearances in MotoGP
>> > engines is now less than ONE millimeter, and that ANY valve float will
>> > inevitably lead to an early retirement with the engine trailing wisps
>> > of smoke.
>>
>> > He expects at least one (care to guess which?) Japanese manufacturer
>> > will have air-actuated valves (ala F1? I think) in their MotoGp
>> > engine next year.
>>
>> Suzuki and Kawi both run pnuematic valves right now, I think.
>
> Really? I was unaware of that! I thought that the article said that
> several manufacturers were testing them, but I *thought* that it
> seemed to indicate that none were actually using them to date. More
> research is called for here!
>

BTW, regarding those FIA documents. I saw on Speed Report last night that
they took them down because they contained confidential FIA
information....like salaries, employee information, etc.
I copied at least one of them locally.
Let me know if you want me to send em to you.


--

Andrew
00 Daytona
00 Speed Triple
71 Kawi H1
05 Kiddo
 >> Stay informed about: so we have a MotoGP champion 

On Sep 24, 4:45 pm, "Andrew"
wrote:
> wrote in message
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Sep 24, 3:54 pm, "Andrew"
> > wrote:
> >> wrote in message
>
> >>
>
> >> > On Sep 24, 1:41 pm, "Brutus" wrote:
> >> >> wrote:
>
> >> >> > I thought it was a tremendously exciting race, too. Sure was nice
> >> >> > to
> >> >> > see Ducati win both the race and the Championship so convincingly.
> >> >> > Especially when it's not Superbike, so people can't cry about how
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > rules gave their bikes an "unfair advantage." It's nice to see a
> >> >> > company with less than one tenth the racing budget of Honda
> >> >> > convincingly stomp all of the Japanese big four!
>
> >> >> Especially with antiquated frame and engine technology (according to
> >> >> Bob
> >> >> .
>
> >> >> But did anyone cry foul in years past when the shoe was on the other
> >> >> foot?
>
> >> >> Racing, as you know Tim, has always been about equipment, skill
> >> >> levels,
> >> >> and making the right choices with luck sometimes being a factor...
>
> >> > Absolutely. There was an interesting technical article (Kevin
> >> > Cameron? not sure) published earlier this year about how traction
> >> > control has been a great equalizer in MotoGP and has caused maximum
> >> > engine power to be more important than ever.
>
> >> > Perhaps borne out by Ducati's noticeable (although diminishing) top
> >> > speed advantage, it appears that Ducati has a horsepower advantage
> >> > this season, and with the electronic engine controls, it is a USABLE
> >> > advantage. Further, the author speculates that it is the "antique"
> >> > desmodromic valve actuation system that Ducati employs as a "marketing
> >> > scheme" that makes the difference.
>
> >> > The positive closing mechanism allows Ducati to engineer more radical
> >> > cam lobe ramps than the titanium springs used on their competitor's
> >> > engines, allowing them to get to full lift more quickly and stay their
> >> > longer without valve float.
>
> >> > In fact, the article says that valve to piston clearances in MotoGP
> >> > engines is now less than ONE millimeter, and that ANY valve float will
> >> > inevitably lead to an early retirement with the engine trailing wisps
> >> > of smoke.
>
> >> > He expects at least one (care to guess which?) Japanese manufacturer
> >> > will have air-actuated valves (ala F1? I think) in their MotoGp
> >> > engine next year.
>
> >> Suzuki and Kawi both run pnuematic valves right now, I think.
>
> > Really? I was unaware of that! I thought that the article said that
> > several manufacturers were testing them, but I *thought* that it
> > seemed to indicate that none were actually using them to date. More
> > research is called for here!
>
> BTW, regarding those FIA documents. I saw on Speed Report last night that
> they took them down because they contained confidential FIA
> information....like salaries, employee information, etc.
> I copied at least one of them locally.
> Let me know if you want me to send em to you.

Yes, please!

Tim (varider <at> verizon <dot> net)
 >> Stay informed about: so we have a MotoGP champion 

wrote in message

> On Sep 24, 3:54 pm, "Andrew"
> wrote:
>> wrote in message
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Sep 24, 1:41 pm, "Brutus" wrote:
>> >> wrote:
>>
>> >> > I thought it was a tremendously exciting race, too. Sure was nice
>> >> > to
>> >> > see Ducati win both the race and the Championship so convincingly.
>> >> > Especially when it's not Superbike, so people can't cry about how
>> >> > the
>> >> > rules gave their bikes an "unfair advantage." It's nice to see a
>> >> > company with less than one tenth the racing budget of Honda
>> >> > convincingly stomp all of the Japanese big four!
>>
>> >> Especially with antiquated frame and engine technology (according to
>> >> Bob
>> >> .
>>
>> >> But did anyone cry foul in years past when the shoe was on the other
>> >> foot?
>>
>> >> Racing, as you know Tim, has always been about equipment, skill
>> >> levels,
>> >> and making the right choices with luck sometimes being a factor...
>>
>> > Absolutely. There was an interesting technical article (Kevin
>> > Cameron? not sure) published earlier this year about how traction
>> > control has been a great equalizer in MotoGP and has caused maximum
>> > engine power to be more important than ever.
>>
>> > Perhaps borne out by Ducati's noticeable (although diminishing) top
>> > speed advantage, it appears that Ducati has a horsepower advantage
>> > this season, and with the electronic engine controls, it is a USABLE
>> > advantage. Further, the author speculates that it is the "antique"
>> > desmodromic valve actuation system that Ducati employs as a "marketing
>> > scheme" that makes the difference.
>>
>> > The positive closing mechanism allows Ducati to engineer more radical
>> > cam lobe ramps than the titanium springs used on their competitor's
>> > engines, allowing them to get to full lift more quickly and stay their
>> > longer without valve float.
>>
>> > In fact, the article says that valve to piston clearances in MotoGP
>> > engines is now less than ONE millimeter, and that ANY valve float will
>> > inevitably lead to an early retirement with the engine trailing wisps
>> > of smoke.
>>
>> > He expects at least one (care to guess which?) Japanese manufacturer
>> > will have air-actuated valves (ala F1? I think) in their MotoGp
>> > engine next year.
>>
>> Suzuki and Kawi both run pnuematic valves right now, I think.
>
> Really? I was unaware of that! I thought that the article said that
> several manufacturers were testing them, but I *thought* that it
> seemed to indicate that none were actually using them to date. More
> research is called for here!

http://blogger.xs4all.nl/daisy/archive/2007/07/03/254593.aspx
 >> Stay informed about: so we have a MotoGP champion 

wrote in message

> On Sep 24, 4:45 pm, "Andrew"
> wrote:
>> wrote in message
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Sep 24, 3:54 pm, "Andrew"
>> > wrote:
>> >> wrote in message
>>
>> >>
>>
>> >> > On Sep 24, 1:41 pm, "Brutus" wrote:
>> >> >> wrote:
>>
>> >> >> > I thought it was a tremendously exciting race, too. Sure was
>> >> >> > nice
>> >> >> > to
>> >> >> > see Ducati win both the race and the Championship so
>> >> >> > convincingly.
>> >> >> > Especially when it's not Superbike, so people can't cry about how
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > rules gave their bikes an "unfair advantage." It's nice to see a
>> >> >> > company with less than one tenth the racing budget of Honda
>> >> >> > convincingly stomp all of the Japanese big four!
>>
>> >> >> Especially with antiquated frame and engine technology (according
>> >> >> to
>> >> >> Bob
>> >> >> .
>>
>> >> >> But did anyone cry foul in years past when the shoe was on the
>> >> >> other
>> >> >> foot?
>>
>> >> >> Racing, as you know Tim, has always been about equipment, skill
>> >> >> levels,
>> >> >> and making the right choices with luck sometimes being a factor...
>>
>> >> > Absolutely. There was an interesting technical article (Kevin
>> >> > Cameron? not sure) published earlier this year about how traction
>> >> > control has been a great equalizer in MotoGP and has caused maximum
>> >> > engine power to be more important than ever.
>>
>> >> > Perhaps borne out by Ducati's noticeable (although diminishing) top
>> >> > speed advantage, it appears that Ducati has a horsepower advantage
>> >> > this season, and with the electronic engine controls, it is a USABLE
>> >> > advantage. Further, the author speculates that it is the "antique"
>> >> > desmodromic valve actuation system that Ducati employs as a
>> >> > "marketing
>> >> > scheme" that makes the difference.
>>
>> >> > The positive closing mechanism allows Ducati to engineer more
>> >> > radical
>> >> > cam lobe ramps than the titanium springs used on their competitor's
>> >> > engines, allowing them to get to full lift more quickly and stay
>> >> > their
>> >> > longer without valve float.
>>
>> >> > In fact, the article says that valve to piston clearances in MotoGP
>> >> > engines is now less than ONE millimeter, and that ANY valve float
>> >> > will
>> >> > inevitably lead to an early retirement with the engine trailing
>> >> > wisps
>> >> > of smoke.
>>
>> >> > He expects at least one (care to guess which?) Japanese manufacturer
>> >> > will have air-actuated valves (ala F1? I think) in their MotoGp
>> >> > engine next year.
>>
>> >> Suzuki and Kawi both run pnuematic valves right now, I think.
>>
>> > Really? I was unaware of that! I thought that the article said that
>> > several manufacturers were testing them, but I *thought* that it
>> > seemed to indicate that none were actually using them to date. More
>> > research is called for here!
>>
>> BTW, regarding those FIA documents. I saw on Speed Report last night that
>> they took them down because they contained confidential FIA
>> information....like salaries, employee information, etc.
>> I copied at least one of them locally.
>> Let me know if you want me to send em to you.
>
> Yes, please!
>
> Tim (varider <at> verizon <dot> net)
>
>

Done!


--

Andrew
00 Daytona
00 Speed Triple
71 Kawi H1
05 Kiddo
 >> Stay informed about: so we have a MotoGP champion 

On Sep 24, 10:41 am, "Brutus" wrote:
> wrote in messagenews:1190642567.790290.123830@w3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> > On Sep 24, 12:17 am, "Andrew"
> > wrote:
> > > "Bob Nixon" wrote in message...
>
> > > > On Sep 23, 6:28 pm, alf wrote:
>
[...]

> Especially with antiquated frame and engine technology (according to Bob .

Wait a minute, Brutus. Yes the old Crome-molly trellis frame could be
improved on for a so called "exotic race GP bike" (Carbon fiber or
Titanium for a rich kid ) but Ducati does sport a V4 like everyone
else in MGP. The Desmo valve technology is Ducati's trademark and may
be the reason they had a HP advantage this year but the Japanese big
four are also pulling >18K RPM with steel valve springs on the "on
board" race photos I've seen.

What I was refering to was the stupid bike switching when the race was
declared wet. I think the outcome could have been different had
Rossi's #2 bike not had problems when he switched bikes.

As far as a Ducati winning the race I've no problem with that as
they've been leading the races for most of this GP season. It would be
kind of be like me bitching about Ferrari winning races. The Italian's
have always put a lot of R&D racing money back in their car/bikes; a
good thing but did you read the July Superbike test in the Sport Rider
Comparo with your new 1098 only putting out 137HP and all the fours in
the 151-159RWHP range? They even hinted the 1098 was not even in the
same class as the Japanese bikes.& at $15K vs about $11K for the
fours;) This is just my opinion but Ducati "publically sold
motorcycles" have never been on par in terms of stock performance
levels compared to equal displacement Japanese bikes in two cylinder
variety. Sure you can buy a 2 valve air cooled 1000cc Monster that
will put a whoopin' on an SV-650 but what about the race reps in all
brands including the MV Agusta 1000cc. Or even a 4 valve Monster vs a
cheap $8K SV-1000?

Bob Nixon.
 >> Stay informed about: so we have a MotoGP champion 

On Sep 24, 9:10 pm, Bob Nixon wrote:
> On Sep 24, 10:41 am, "Brutus" wrote:> wrote in messagenews:1190642567.790290.123830@w3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> > > On Sep 24, 12:17 am, "Andrew"
> > > wrote:
> > > > "Bob Nixon" wrote in message...
>
> > > > > On Sep 23, 6:28 pm, alf wrote:
>
> [...]
>
> > Especially with antiquated frame and engine technology (according to Bob .
>
> Wait a minute, Brutus. Yes the old Crome-molly trellis frame could be
> improved on for a so called "exotic race GP bike" (Carbon fiber or
> Titanium for a rich kid )

Really? The tests have been done, and the CF and Ti frames perform
BETTER than the steel frames? Just where is this documented?

> but Ducati does sport a V4 like everyone else in MGP.

"Everyone else" in MotoGP does *NOT* have a V-4.

>The Desmo valve technology is Ducati's trademark and may
> be the reason they had a HP advantage this year but the Japanese big
> four are also pulling >18K RPM with steel valve springs on the "on
> board" race photos I've seen.

The same RPM doesn't necessarily equal the same results. Especially
if your valves ain't closin' in a timely fashion!

> What I was refering to was the stupid bike switching when the race was
> declared wet. I think the outcome could have been different had
> Rossi's #2 bike not had problems when he switched bikes.

The timing of the switches had a LOT more to do w/ the outcome than
the fact that switches took place.

> As far as a Ducati winning the race I've no problem with that as
> they've been leading the races for most of this GP season. It would be
> kind of be like me bitching about Ferrari winning races. The Italian's
> have always put a lot of R&D racing money back in their car/bikes;

In Ducati's case, approximately a single digit's worth of Honda's.

> a good thing but did you read the July Superbike test in the Sport Rider
> Comparo with your new 1098 only putting out 137HP and all the fours in
> the 151-159RWHP range? They even hinted the 1098 was not even in the
> same class as the Japanese bikes.& at $15K vs about $11K for the
> fours;) This is just my opinion but Ducati "publically sold
> motorcycles" have never been on par in terms of stock performance
> levels compared to equal displacement Japanese bikes in two cylinder
> variety. Sure you can buy a 2 valve air cooled 1000cc Monster that
> will put a whoopin' on an SV-650 but what about the race reps in all
> brands including the MV Agusta 1000cc. Or even a 4 valve Monster vs a
> cheap $8K SV-1000?

Don' t nobody on a SV1K wanna try'n get anywhar near me'n mah 4V
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