Masao Furusawa (Yamaha): Q&A.

Good interview, I like this guy. Seems to have a level headed approach to things and says how he feels, rather than cover it up with corporate/PC garbage like some other folks.

i hope yamaha can come up with some magic before brno coz it is going to be very tough to beat stoner at everyone of the remaining races. i really would love to see rossi win another championship or two before he retires.

For me this interview was sadly lacking in specifics on upgrades to the Yamaha M1. I am a Rossi/Yammy M1 fan and I want to know when, where, how etc... will Yamaha produce upgrades to increase the speed factor to negate the Ducati speed. I cannot forsee Rossi riding like the demon he did at Laguna without mistake. It seems like he is unto to something to beat/hinder Casey and that is riding in front. But this tactic will not last too long as Casey will figure him out soon. Yamaha must come up with better than this because they knew since last year that more speed is required. Thank god for Rossi demanding Bridgestones or he would be not be where he is today. Please Yamaha...Just Do IT!!!!

You don't think he's gonna spill the dirt that easy surely?

Yamaha had admitted to making a bike that Rossi demanded, while Rossi had admitted that he signed with Yamaha because they had given or promised to give him the best package. OTH, there was no word about Ducati building the best bike just for Casey. All that we saw were unrideable bikes which only Casey could handle. You know the truth, that Casey is greater than Rossi, but you will never admit it.

Wow ! Best bike, best tires, best crews, best riders.
No more excuses, if they dont win....

Best crews, best riders ...Yes without a doubt. Best tires...the whole Yamaha team should switch to Bridgestones next year. Best bike...not yet....we still need that extra few ponies....but with Rossi exceptional riding ability he manages to negate speed to get the win....don't believe me. Then go look at Shanghai, Le Mans and Mugello after that look at Laguna Seca and get blue in the face for holding your breath too long.

Thank god there is un-equal equipment & riders...

So you think having the best rider, best bike, best tires and best engine is going to make exciting races?

Racing has always been like this and I hope the riders are closer overall given differing equipment or ability - hope it long continues and we see the riders knocking spots off each other week-in week-out until the last race of the season - Exciting!

Monkey Boy!

Marty Cowan - seriously... What do you think an assertion along the lines of "You know the truth, that Casey is greater than Rossi, but you will never admit it" will prove or get you...
Without being controversial, I hope, one can reasonably argue that every statistic pertaining to 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP/550cc goes against your statement...
Hats off to Casey though for riding like a demon on a bloody tough bike for the past 2 years, but try and keep some perspective... He has a long way to go before comparing favourably to Rossi, and I am sure it is a good thing for his motivation.

rossi done it on all the bikes he sat his ass on.
Casey is a maverick, that could take some stopping, i wouldn't bet against him being champ this year and many more,unless.

Furusawa answered the questions put to him like a politician on question time, he's not never gonna admit he'd love another 10 bhp or better traction control.

Yey Marty is back with the clown act! (he's a closet Rossi wanna-be you know...)

All time silly message Marty, must do better...

@ MD Zane

Did you even bother to read the article? Furusawa clearly states he would like more HP & improve the electronics on the 2nd page of the interview, "I would especially like to progress the electronic control system and the engine power."

I agree Matt, Furusawa-san is refreshing in his candor & even his sly sense of humor, especially compared to some of the Q & A interviews fielded by HRC honchos I have read in the past!

@ Md Zane

Did you even bother to read the entire article? Furusawa clearly states on the 2nd page that he would like more HP & improve the electronics/traction control on the M1, "I would especially like to progress the electronic control system and the engine power."

I agree Matt, Furusawa-san is a breath of fresh air with his candor & sly sense of humor, especially compared to some of the past Q&A interviews I have read that featured the head honchos at HRC.

This excellent interview confirmed what I have been informed about Yamaha: they have involved into a much more human, frank and sensitive organization (at least for a Japanese industrial firm). In my own dealings with them I always found them to be the coldest, most suspicious and least resilient Japanese motorcycle manufacturer... I think that the miserable experience of Kenny Roberts Sr. (a difficult and cantankerous character as well) is an example of the old Yamaha attitude: you are the rider. We are the employer. We give you the motorcycle. You ride it. The comment about a bond of trust was also interesting, as the Japanese companies historically have been most mistrustful of outsiders.

"I have a huge respect for him. He is the genius behind the bike."
can u imagine something like this coming out of Honda people?????
it just shows how deep and real is the relationship the riders/teams have with the factory compared to the one Honda has with its clients.
we lease you pay and say thank-you!!!
i think Dovi has a much better chance getting to the top with a satellite Yamaha then on the factory Honda (as long as the sour-face dwarf and his master) are there.