Just a handful of days after the celebrations in Valencia finished, newly crowned World Champion Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was receiving a hero’s welcome from the thousands of Italian fans in attendance at 2022’s EICMA. The Milan Motorcycle Show is always a huge event on the motorcycling calendar and this year was no different.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
“Honestly, it has been an unbelievable season,” started Dall’Igna. “I’m so happy for everyone at Ducati Corse who have worked so well, not only this year but for the past few years. They’ve deserved these titles maybe a few years ago but, in the end, we’re so happy with the job we’ve done in MotoGP and World Superbikes in 2022.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
The Portuguese star was invited to the event by personal sponsor Hyundai and competed with their i30N Rally 2 car, with the number 88 finishing in an impressive third place. Earlier in the year, Oliveira enjoyed previous success on four wheels when he and his father Paulo took the TCR class win in Vila Real for Campeonato Portugal de Velocidade.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Danish initially lost ground on the opening lap of the race after running wide at the final corner, but rival Ezawa faced a similar situation on Lap 2 at Turn 1, with the pair running close together on track. Danish made a move for the lead on Lap 4 on Carter Thompson at Turn 1 before trying to break away to win the Cup with a victory in Indonesia. However, despite his efforts, he had to run with Pratama who was looking to secure third in the standings as well as take a second win on home soil. With Ezawa in a battle for third place, Danish was able to roll off allowing Pratama a Mandalika double with Danish crowned the 2022 Asia Talent Cup winner with second place.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Honda’s popular Rebel 500 is back for 2023 in three trim levels: the standard 500, an ABS version, and the ABS SE. These models will be available in dealerships starting this December and will start at $6,449 (Standard), $6,749 (ABS), and $6,949 (ABS SE).
These models are unchanged mechanically for the coming model year, with Honda focusing more on the bagger version of its Rebel 1100. Each is powered by the same 471cc liquid-cooled single; each has the same 41mm fork and dual shock arrangement; and each has the same braking set-up and dimensions.
The base edition and ABS edition will come in Candy Blue or Matte Black Metallic, while the ABS SE model will be available in Titanium Metallic. The SE is equipped with up-spec items from Honda’s accessory catalog, including black fork boots, a brown diamond-stitched seat, black upper fork covers, and a headlight cowl.
Back in 2017, when the Rebel became a 500, it caused quite a splash, marking one of the most significant upgrades to the model since its debut in 1985. It got some additional love in 2020 with upgrades such as an assist-slipper clutch, updated suspension components, a more sophisticated instrument panel and LED lighting.
The Rebel 500 has appeal well beyond using the latest tech, so it’s no surprise that Honda decided to leave well enough alone. Its unintimidating size, smooth powerband and transmission, easy-to-handle character and palatable price make this a really appealing bike for many riders and will likely do just fine through 2023 and beyond.
2023 Honda Rebel 500 Technical Specifications and Price
| Price: | $6,499 – $6,949 |
|---|---|
| Engine: | 471cc, DOCH, liquid-cooled parallel twin, 4 valves/cyl. |
| Bore x Stroke: | 67.0 x 66.8mm |
| Compression Ratio: | 10.7:1 |
| Fuel Delivery: | PGM-FI |
| Clutch: | Assist-slipper clutch |
| Transmission/Final Drive: | 6-speed/O-ring sealed chain |
| Frame: | Tubular steel |
| Front Suspension: | 41mm fork; 5.5 in. travel |
| Rear Suspension: | Dual shocks; 3.7 in. travel |
| Front Brake: | Hydraulic, 296mm disc |
| Rear Brake: | Hydraulic, 240mm disc |
| Tires, Front/Rear: | 130/90-16 / 150/80-16 |
| Rake/Trail: | 28.0°/4.3 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 58.7 in. |
| Seat Height: | 27.2 in. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 3.0 gal. |
| Claimed Curb Weight: | 408 lb. (Standard) / 414 lb (ABS) / 416 lb. (ABS SE) |
| Available: | December 2022 |
| Contact: | powersports.honda.com |
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
At the EICMA show in Italy, the Piaggio Group introduced the new Aprilia ELECTRICa project, as well as several updated models in the company’s brand range, including the following:
The Piaggio Group said its brands have “accepted the challenge of a changing world, introducing a vast offer of vehicles capable of meeting any mobility needs.” Pricing and availability dates of the new models have yet to be provided.
Although the Piaggio Group has been working on electric propulsion since 1975 – including releasing the first hybrid scooter in the world, the MP3 Hybrid, in 2009 – the Aprilia ELECTRICa project is a new concept for the company. Piaggio says the lightweight electric bike is the company’s response to the changing commuting needs in the world with a nod to “the thrilling riding experience that only a bike can provide.”
The electric motor on the ELECTRICa is positioned in the center and powers a chain final drive. The bike includes keyless ignition and LCD instrumentation. The aesthetics of the ELECTRICa carry the familiar Aprilia style, especially the modern interpretation of the triple headlamp cluster typical of all Aprilias.
The bike has compact dimensions and a low saddle height, and the company says the presence of both brake controls on the handlebar makes the transition from scooters easier.
Exact specifications, pricing, and availability were not available as of publication.
The 2023 Aprilia RS 660 Extrema is the sportiest and lightest RS 660 in the range, with updated and new standard equipment.
Related Story: 2021 Aprilia RS 660 | Video Review
The Aprilia RS 660 has a liquid-cooled 659cc DOHC parallel-Twin making a claimed 100 hp and 49.4 lb-ft of torque at 8,500 rpm.
The 2023 RS 660 Extrema features a lighter street-legal exhaust system by SC Project with a carbon silencer positioned on the right side (and no longer beneath the engine). Also contributing to the overall reduction in weight are the carbon front fender and the new carbon engine undercover. Wet weight is a claimed 366 lb.
The RS 660 Extrema sport attributes are emphasized by the single-seat tail fairing (the passenger’s seat comes with the bike). Standard electronics on the RS 660 include traction control, cornering ABS, engine brake, engine map, and wheelie control – all adjustable – as well as five ride modes (Road and Track, three fixed and two customizable). The RS 660 Extrema also has software that allows the rider to set up the standard quick shift in a reverse-shift pattern without having to replace any bike components.
Pricing and availability of the RS 660 Extrema were not available as of publication, but we expect an MSRP north of $11,599, the list price of the 2022 Aprilia RS 660.
Introduced as a ready-to-ride factory bobber in 2016, the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber has an air- and oil-cooled longitudinal 853cc 90-degree V-Twin making a claimed 65 hp and 53.8 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm.
Related Story: 2017 Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer and V9 Bobber | First Ride Review
The engine sits in a twin-tube steel cradle frame. Suspension is basic, with a nonadjustable 40mm fork on the front and preload adjustable rear shocks. Stopping power comes from Brembo opposed 4-piston calipers grabbing a 320mm stainless steel floating disc up front and Brembo 2-piston calipers and a 260mm floating disc in the back. The 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels are still shod in the V9 Bobber’s characteristic oversized tires (130/90 up front, 150/80 rear).
Piaggio says the 30.9-inch seat height contributes to the bobber’s “sporty, active, and extended riding position.” The V9 Bobber has a 4.0-gal fuel tank, and the bike comes in with an overall wet weight of 463 lb.
The new Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Special Edition boasts a special Workshop twin-tone black and grey color scheme that enhances the teardrop fuel tank shape and extends to the aluminum side panels. A billet aluminum cap is a high-end touch.
The matte black brings out the Moto Guzzi branding milled on the aluminum cylinder head covers, and the familiar sound of the Moto Guzzi 850 twin cylinder is highlighted by the exhaust painted matte black with an aluminum bottom. Bar-end mirrors mounted at the ends of the handlebar, along with the fork seals and the short front fender, complete the equipment.
Pricing and availability on the 2023 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Special Edition were not available.
The Moto Guzzi V7 Stone was updated for 2021 with a larger air-cooled 853cc longitudinal 90-degree V-Twin making a claimed 65 hp at 6,800 rpm and 54 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. Other updates included reduced effort from the single-disc dry clutch, a stiffer frame and bigger swingarm with a new bevel gear for the cardan shaft drive, revised damping and a longer stroke for the preload-adjustable rear shocks, an updated ABS module, and more.
Related Story: 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone | First Ride Review
The 2023 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Special Edition features a new Arrow exhaust system, which the company says has led to gains in performance, bumping up to 65.7 hp at 6,700 rpm and 55.3 lb-ft of torque at 4,900 rpm.
From a visual standpoint, Moto Guzzi has swapped out the matte shades typical of the Stone version for a special Shining Black color scheme, enhanced on the tank with graphics and red details that recall the style traits of the Eagle brand’s sportiest models.
This sport attitude is also highlighted by the red shock springs and contrasting red stitching of the saddle, also specific to this model. A plate on the handlebar riser identifies its special edition status, and the equipment package also includes bar-end rearview mirrors and an anodized black billet aluminum fuel cap.
Previous V7 Stone models started at $8,990. Pricing and availability of the 2023 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Special Edition were not available at publication.
Piaggio has upgraded the electric motor that powers Piaggio 1 range to deliver better performance. The moped version (Piaggio 1) has a claimed 3.1 hp from its motor built into the rear wheel and has a top speed limited to 27 mph. The motorbike version (Piaggio 1 Active) reaches 4 hp and has a top speed of TK mph. Piaggio says acceleration has increased 14% on Piaggio 1 and almost 12% on Piaggio 1 Active.
The 2023 Piaggio 1 has a full technological package that includes 5.5-inch digital color instrumentation, full LED lighting, and keyless ignition. It also has an underseat storage compartment large enough to hold a full helmet.
The previous Piaggio 1+ model had a claimed range of approximately 62 miles in ECO mode and 42 miles in Sport mode, while the Piaggio 1 Active claimed 53 miles in ECO and 41 miles in Sport mode.
With both the versions, the battery is located beneath the seat and is easily removable and portable so it can be charged at home or in the office.
It has been four years since the last version of a Vespa scooter was launched, but at the beginning of October, the Piaggio Group announced the release of the new 2023 Vespa GTS range, featuring a 4-stroke, liquid-cooled 300cc high-performance engine (HPE) offering a claimed 23.8 hp at 8,250 rpm.
Built on the Vespa GTS base, the Vespa GTV maintains the traits of its origins but combines them with a new technological equipment package and new finishes, which Vespa says results in “an extraordinary marriage of tradition and modernity, classicism and aggressiveness, which manifests itself in the most authentically sporty Vespa ever.”
The low headlamp is LED, and the new instrumentation maintains the circular shape but is entirely digital and displays maximum speed, average speed, instant and average mileage, range, and battery charge status, as well as all call, message, and music notifications if the vehicle is connected to a smartphone through the Vespa MIA system (available as a separate accessory).
The instrumentation is connected to the handlebar using a cantilevered bracket and enveloped by a small top fairing with sport inspiration. At the center of the front shield, the Vespa “neck-tie” has lateral slits and is enhanced by decorations with orange edging. A USB port comes as standard equipment, located in the storage compartment on the back of the shield.
The Vespa GTV has a single-seat two-tone saddle with a racing look, and the rear part is designed for a hard cover color-coded to match the body and reminiscent of the typical racing Vespa fairings.
The five-spoke design of the wheel rims is also new – painted matte black with an orange graphic on the channel. On the safety front, standard features include ASR electronic traction control and ABS.
The Piaggio Group says the new Vespa Primavera Color Vibe is a “tribute to the colourful and carefree Vespa universe.”
The Primavera range features air-cooled i-get (Italian Green Experience Technology) 4-stroke engines available in 50cc and 150cc versions. The new Primavera Color Vibe is characterized by a special two-tone livery: the body, available in the Arancio Impulsivo and Bianco Innocente shades, is matched with a footboard in Ottanio, a shade of turquoise.
A contrasting color “stain” is outlined in black and runs diagonally across the entire body through the dedicated graphics on the sides of the front shield and side panels. The decorations of the steering cover on the front shield are also in Ottanio, as well as the wheel rims, which were made exclusively for this version in a special glossy metallic finish.
Finally, the outfitting is completed by sporty black trim for the headlamp and taillight frames, the profile that runs along the front shield, the crest on the front fender, the front suspension spring and guard, the passenger grab handle, and the muffler cover. The saddle is black with anthracite stitching.
The Vespa 946 special 10° Anniversario outfit has an exclusive dedicated color that represents a modern take on the classic Vespa green shade, a color that is described as “soft and velvety, but has a hint of acidity.” The pearlescent color appears pastel at first glance, but then gains depth with illumination.
The post New and Updated 2023 Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, and Vespa Models first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com
At the EICMA show this week in Milan, Italy, Royal Enfield unveiled a new tourer: The Super Meteor 650. Following in the tradition of the Meteor 350, the Super Meteor sits in an all-new chassis and comes in an array of color options with two optional accessory packages.
The Super Meteor features the 648cc air-cooled parallel-Twin also found in Royal Enfield’s Continental GT and the INT650, all producing a claimed 38 lb-ft of torque and 47 hp.
Watch our video review of the 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 here.
However, the chassis of the Super Meteor 650 is new. Created in conjunction with Harris Performance, it’s said to have a low center of gravity for stability and confidence for all levels of rider. Royal Enfield reports that the new chassis is built with long-distance riding in mind.
“We have always had a differentiated approach to building motorcycles, and our new cruiser, the Super Meteor 650, is the next evolution of this approach,” says Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director of Eicher Motors Ltd. “Inspired by our own long-distance riding experiences and those of our customers, we have built the Super Meteor to be absolutely enjoyable to all senses.”
Related Story: 2019 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and Continental GT | Road Test Review
The Super Meteor features a steel tubular spine frame and a 43mm inverted fork with 120mm of travel, along with twin shocks in the rear with 101mm of travel. Twin-piston caliper brakes will be standard.
Also included as standard on the Super Meteor are LED headlights, a TBT navigation system, and redesigned engine covers.
Related Story: 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 | First Ride Review
There are two accessory kits available for the Super Meteor: The Solo Tourer Genuine Motorcycle and the Grand Tourer. At EICMA, Royal Enfield showed one of each, along with a standard variant.
The Solo Tourer Genuine Motorcycle Accessories kit includes bar-end mirrors, deluxe footpegs, LED indicators, and machined wheels. The Solo Tourer shown at EICMA featured Astral Black paint.
Check out Rider‘s 2023 Motorcycle Buyers Guide
The Grand Tourer version includes a touring dual seat, a high windscreen, a passenger backrest, panniers, and LED indicators, and was shown at EICMA in Celestial Red. A standard Super Meteor 650 was also shown in Interstellar Green.
Paint colors available for the standard, with or without the Solo Tourer accessories kit, include Astral Black, Astral Blue, Astral Green, Interstellar Grey, and Interstellar Green. Color options for the Grand Tourer variant include Celestial Red and Celestial Blue.
While pricing information is not currently available, we know that Royal Enfield hopes to deliver the Super Meteor 650 in North America in Summer 2023.
Visit Royal Enfield’s website for more information.
The post 2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 | First Look Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com
Ducati has announced details for the new 2023 Ducati Scrambler family, which includes the Icon, Full Throttle, and Nightshift. The company says the Scrambler has always combined fun, technology, safety, and ease of use, and adds that the new generation continues this trend.
See all of Rider’s Ducati coverage, including other new 2023 models, here.
The 2023 Ducati Scrambler range will still feature the air-cooled 803cc L-Twin with a desmodromic valve system making a claimed 73 hp and 48.1 lb-ft of torque at 7,000 rpm (compared to the 2022 Scrambler Motard’s claimed 48.5 lb-ft at 5,750 rpm) with a 6-speed gearbox (Ducati Quick Shift is standard on the Full Throttle), a slip-assist clutch, and chain final drive.
The new engine is 5.5 lb lighter than the previous generation and has been equipped with a new eight-disc clutch, which Ducati says is softer in operation. The clutch is also more compact, which has made it possible to reduce the size of the right side cover and offer more space for the rider’s foot. The new Ducati Scrambler is also equipped with a transmission shift drum mounted on bearings.
The 2023 Scrambler frame is still a trellis design but has also been updated and lightened, with a redesigned swingarm and a repositioned shock absorber. And for custom bike builders, the rear sub-frame is now easily removable without modifying the frame.
The 2023 Ducati Scramblers now have electronic management of the Ride by Wire throttle, which Ducati says “makes the engine response ready at every throttle position, but always progressive and easy to manage at all revs.” It allows the adoption of Ducati Traction Control and two Riding Modes: Road and Wet. The standard equipment is completed by ABS Cornering.
Riding improvements also come from a slightly increased steering angle. The wheels are a completely renewed design with 18 and 17 inches respectively at the front and rear (light alloy on the Icon and Full Throttle and spoked aluminum on the Nightshift).
All said and done, the bike has been lightened by 8.8 lb for total wet weights of 408 lb. on the Icon and Full Throttle and 421 lb. on the Nightshift.
Related Story: Video Review | 2018 Ducati Scrambler 1100
Perhaps as important when it comes to the Scrambler is the style, and Ducati says the design of the 2023 Scrambler range keeps “the soul of the Ducati Scrambler family intact, preserving its distinctive elements.” The front headlight, now full LED, keeps the iconic “X” but has been redesigned with an even more recognizable style. The new taillight design is now with a semi-circular line, always full LED, along with the direction indicators.
The steel tank has been redesigned and equipped with an interchangeable cover that, along with the fenders and details on the headlamp, gives the bike its color and allows easy and quick customization. Anodized aluminum covers below the tank complete the renewed design of the front of the bike.
New instrumentation includes the 4.3-inch color TFT and dedicated HMI. The Ducati Multimedia System is available as an accessory, allowing you to listen to music and make calls by connecting your smartphone.
The 2023 Ducati Scrambler Icon version with the new tank design and interchangeable covers offers the three standard colors (’62 Yellow, Thrilling Black, and Ducati Red), and a further six are available as accessory kits that include tank covers, front and rear fenders, headlamp covers, and wheel tags to complete the customization.
The Icon features a revised handlebar that is lower and closer to the rider, and the seat has been redesigned with a more tapered, streamlined shape. Completing the design of this new generation of Icon are black under-seat side panels with Ducati Scrambler graphics.
The Ducati Scrambler Icon will arrive to the U.S. in spring 2023 starting at $10,995.
The 2023 Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle was inspired by U.S. Flat Track competitions on dirt oval tracks. The side number plates have the number 62 in Tracker style – representing the 1962 debut year of the first Ducati Scrambler – combined with the sump guard for what Ducati says is “a decidedly grittier aesthetic for those who do not want to go unnoticed.”
The Full Throttle’s sporty character is underlined by the sport-look seat cover, a dedicated livery in GP19 Red/Dark Stealth, and the black finish of the exhaust heat shields and front side covers. A shorter front fender, a tail without a rear fender, red tags on the alloy wheels, a street-legal Termignoni silencer, Ducati Performance LED turn signals, and standard Quick Shift up/down complete the package.
The riding position is also different than the Icon thanks to a variable section handlebar, and the Rosso GP19 seat cover is available as an accessory for a single-seat look.
The Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle will arrive at U.S. dealerships in spring 2023 starting at $12,195.
Ducati says the 2023 Ducati Scrambler Nightshift is “the most elegant of the proposals” in the 2023 Scrambler range. Like the Full Throttle, the Nightshift features side number plates, a sporty front fender, the absence of a rear fender, and compact LED indicators.
The Nightshift has a Nebula Blue color scheme and spoked rims, now completely black, and the same flat-shaped, variable-section handlebar and bar-end mirrors in café racer style as the 2022 model.
The Ducati Scrambler Nightshift will arrive to U.S. dealers in summer 2023 starting at $12,195.
To allow enthusiasts to express their personality in the best way possible, Scrambler offers a wide choice of accessories, including three exhaust proposals made by Termignoni. There is the street-legal silencer with black finish and contrasting ring available in yellow, red or blue. The complete steel exhaust is not street legal and is mounted in a high side position in Flat Track style, with black finish and accompanied by dedicated mapping for the ECU (not homologated for road use). The third exhaust accessory is a street-legal short silencer, also in steel, again with black finish and accompanied by dedicated map. All three choices have a contrasting ring available in yellow, red, or blue.
Other accessories include saddles, many details machined from billet – footpegs, mirrors, tank caps – and soft bags, all viewable via the online configurator.
For more information, visit the Ducati website.
The post 2023 Ducati Scrambler Range | First Look Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com
The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Paul Duparc (FIM), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Biense Bierma (MSMA), in the presence of Jorge Viegas (FIM), Carlos Ezpeleta (Dorna), Mike Trimby (IRTA, Secretary of the meeting) and Corrado Cecchinelli (Director of Technology), in a meeting held in Valencia on 4th. November 2022, made the following decisions:
Interrupted and Restarted Races
The Commission approved a change to the awarding of Championship points and changed the wording to make a third race less probable (especially in Moto2™ and Moto3™), however the regulations concerning the conditions for restarting an interrupted race remain unchanged. In summary:
– If none of the races have completed at least 3 laps, and it’s not possible to restart, the race is considered null and void and no points will be awarded.
– If the sum of the laps completed in all races (only counting races which have had more than 3 laps) are:
– Less than 50% of original race distance = half points will be awarded
– More than 50% of original race distance = full points will be awarded.
Sustainability key factor behind 2023 calendar changes
New Sporting Format from 2023
After further consultation with the Moto3™ and Moto2™ teams the Commission confirmed an amendment to the sporting format being introduced in 2023. For these classes only, all three free practice sessions on Friday and Saturday will continue to be timed for the purposes of progressing to QP1 and QP2.
Qualification for the Race
The Commission approved the removal of the right of Race Direction to, at their discretion, waive the requirement for a rider to have achieved, in any session, a lap time of less than 105% of the fastest rider in that session. However, Race Direction will retain the right of this waiver for the MotoE™ World Championship where there are less practice sessions.
MotoGP™ Class Fuel Capacity – Sprint Races
The maximum fuel tank capacity for sprint races was confirmed as 12 litres.
Teams may choose to use a purpose-built fuel tank with this capacity or an alternative method of reducing capacity in the normal tank. Other fuel tank regulations will be in line with those for full length races, e.g., ambient temperature of fuel, scrutineering method etc.
Swingarm Spoon Ground Clearance – MotoGP™ Class
Following an incident at the 2022 San Marino GP, where the swingarm spoon of one machine broke following contact with a kerb, it was decided that the minimum permitted ground clearance should be increased by 15mm, to 35mm.
Brake Disc Carriers – All Classes
After consultation with the suppliers the following regulation was confirmed:
Composite construction of the brake disc carrier, (including carbon fibre reinforced, glass fibre reinforced, and similar), are not permitted. The only permitted materials are magnesium and aluminium alloys.
Fuel Tanks – All Classes
The material permitted for construction of fuel tanks was confirmed:
The main structure of the fuel tank must be made completely from either steel or aluminium. However, the use of other material including carbon fibre, aramid fibre, glass fibre is permitted as an add-on where necessary, to add additional stiffness and protection or for other purposes.
Rider Equipment
Following incidents where riders’ leathers have become unzipped whilst on track, a new system of positive fastening has been agreed with the manufacturers. Use of leathers with this closing system is henceforth mandatory.
The FIM is continuing its mission of improving riders’ equipment and developing helmets. In line with this policy:
Only FIM homologated helmets (with a valid FIM Homologation Label) will be allowed with the following deadlines:
– Until 31/12/2025: FRHPhe-01 & FRHPhe-02
– From 01/01/2026: FRHPhe-02 only
A list of FIM Homologated helmets is available on www.frhp.org.
The resolutions of the Grand Prix Commission have been approved by the Permanent Bureau.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
The big story down at Yamaha ever since Fabio Quartararo put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension was how much quicker the 2023 Yamaha M1 was going to be. A brand-new engine, tested extensively by Cal Crutchlow at Jerez, Aragon and Motegi, was going to be the answer to their problems. Quartararo himself had tested it at Barcelona and most recently at the Misano Test, on both occasions feeling the extra horses. However, both Quartararo teammate Franco Morbidelli felt no difference whatsoever in Valencia to the bemusement of all.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here