MOTOGP » Kawasaki and the third bike

What is it that people have against Hopper?

While I like Hopper and hope continues to improve. I think the issue is that he's been in the series for a long time and hasn't produced. Granted he hasn't been on good bikes but that hasn't stopped others. This year it's injuries what will it be next year. My guess is that next year will be his last on a factory team if he doesn't produce. If Melandri outperforms him which he should then it will be all over. It's nothing against him it just that if you can't produce then eventually you need to look for new talent.

Good points Marc, but at Brno Hopper was gapping the rest of the field setting his fastest lap on lap 6. Then his rear tyre went off and he dropped back. The sooner we have single tyre rule the better IMO. The same people who dislike Hopper seem to like Vermin, and Westy, Hopper usually has the beating of both.

Bautista wont be on a 250 next year as there'll be no 250's next year. His manager will probably get him to make the step up to MotoGP next season. Though I personally think a customer Honda would suit him best as Aspar wants his own sponsorship to go with him from 250's, rather like Scott and Dovi.

Not sure if thats a good move by Melandi think a honda would have been a better move .If Dovi goes to the works Honda next year (what i'm sure he will) what will happen to the Scott team are they there just for Dovi or will they keep going when he leaves??? .if they are to stay thats the team for Melandi or maybe its little Alvaro place. Must agree with you Marc Hoppers days are numbered

Its better to ride kawasaki than honda in gp. Kawasaki bikes are very beautiful , the hondas look like crap. I wouldnt be caught dead on one.

Dont mind Steve hes has a tall glass of hateraide when i comes to JH. LOL

But I must admit after 6 years JH hasn't done much, but neither has CE and several others. The POS GSVR had alot to do with that as well so its not all his fault. The ZXRR is his fresh start even tho its a bigger POS then the Suzuki. But JH deserves a 2nd chance to prove himself so let see how the rest of the year pans out.

I think MM will do better then JH so they will make a good team. And AW needs to go back to WSS thats what hes good at.

Codger I like Hopper but I don't see it happening. I agree that a single tire rule will help competition. If the Honda factory moves to Bridges it will be a defacto one tire series anyway. Besides what I noted earlier I think another of Hopper's issues is inconsistency. If he is consistently in the top 5 or so and beats Melandri then he'll save his bacon otherwise he better start looking at Satellite teams or another series. Maybe the DMG/AMA will have their superbike series straightened out by then and there is always WSB of course. Nevertheless I like to see Hopper and Melandri do well.

It seems like the bike just isn't up to the task. Kawasaki can't get it done in road racing anywhere (good thing they have James Stewart ripping up American dirt for them). Granted they got a couple of 2nd places in recent years from De Puniet and Nakano, but otherwise the bike just hasn't shown that much promise. If Ducati's small factory can churn out competitive bikes, Kawasaki has no excuse.

As for Hopper, he's been on inferior machinery his whole MotoGP career. Maybe the Red Bull Yamaha 500cc 2-stroke wasn't too far off (as displayed by Garry McCoy), but Suzuki's machine was awful until the 800cc rule and John took that bike as far as almost anyone could last year. I'd keep him.

It seems like the bike just isn't up to the task. Kawasaki can't get it done in road racing anywhere (good thing they have James Stewart ripping up American dirt for them). Granted they got a couple of 2nd places in recent years from De Puniet and Nakano, but otherwise the bike just hasn't shown that much promise. If Ducati's small factory can churn out competitive bikes, Kawasaki has no excuse.

As for Hopper, he's been on inferior machinery his whole MotoGP career. Maybe the Red Bull Yamaha 500cc 2-stroke wasn't too far off (as displayed by Garry McCoy), but Suzuki's machine was awful until the 800cc rule and John took that bike as far as almost anyone could last year. I'd keep him.