MOTOGP » Yamaha screamer will 'never' return

What is traction control and what is engine management? Without any external sensors you could argue that traction control does not exist but rather only engine management. There is no doubt that electronics have made these even firing engines more tractable by improving the low to mid RPM engine response. Are uneven firing engines less fuel efficient the even firing engines? The crankshafts of one of these uneven firing engines would have to have more counter balance which means more weight which means slower acceleration. The big advantage of an electronically managed engine is that it's characteristics can be quickly changed as opposed to a mechanical reconfiguration of an engine.

Joseph..The primary reason for the uneven firing of the Yamaha IS Traction Control!! If traction control is banned does that mean uneven firing engine configurations will be banned? The only difference I can see between Ducati and Yamaha in the so called TC area is one camp is trying to combat a possible problem electronically and one mechanically. Rossi thus rides every lap with TC active with an engine that was designed basically for TC!!!

Stoner can turn his so called TC off,Rossi cannot.....

Well I think Ducati are in the box seat here, the bike they run on the track is the bike then can sell to the customer, don't recall seeing any big-bang, pneumatic valved machines for sale last time I dropped into the local shop.

I hated ABS cars when they came out, now all you can get is ABS, ESP, XYZ ...., bikes will eventually go the same way.

Now I'm going to add some 2 stroke to my 4 stroke mower so at least it smells right.

CA:

If big-bang is traction control then twins like Ducatis and Aprilias have TC built in. Big-Bang motors, like L-Twins may produce more tractable power, but that's not the same as TC. TC in modern GP bikes involves wheel speed sensors, gyroscopes, and intelligent dynamic control. Put simply, TC has the power to 'second guess' the rider and potentially even handle the driving in certain situations (i.e., launch control). Ducati's system supposedly does this mid-corner. At some point this seems to compromise the role of the rider philosophically.

The rules of the game being what they are, technology being what it is, it appears at first glance to be a major blunder on Yamaha's part to leave to mechanics what electronics are better at.

Or is it possible that Rossi is still running with little or no Traction control?

Mick I know what u mean about that 2-stroke smell.
I think I still have 2 100 Super Karting engines from about 10yrs back. Bolt those to ur mower for the smell & sum serious grass cutting!

& to Rico, dont worry ... Ace27 doesnt have the knowledge 'himself' thinks he does either!

From what I could tell from the side of the track, the only bike with TC was the kwacker in the 1st year, which was pretty daft as they had the best power-slider in the business (McCoy). It sounded pretty crude though, like it was permanently on the limiter. The Dukes had launch control, which meant they got the hole-shot no matter where they started (loads of power helped), If any of the others had TC you couldn't see it or hear it - definitely the best sideways, tyre-smoking racing I've seen. Ban TC? - tomorrow at the latest

Trent thanks for your comments..My comments re mechanical TC via uneven or big-bang firing relate to MotoGP. If external sensors are used on the electronic side yes it is probably TC but if there are no external sensors the line between engine management and TC becomes blurred. It would be nice to see the best rider or driver win but equipment and development levels will usually compromise that. Remember MotpGP is not just a rider's championship but also a technology showcase.
The 21 litre fuel limit will eventually cap top end power and set the scene on who wins this year and yes again the best rider may not win if his engineers have not got the fuel/performance balance right.

Mick..It is hard to beat the sweet smell of R30 in your mower's fuel. You can mow the lawn and relive memories at the same time.

Same idiots posting the same old ill informed rubish !!!