Edwards: 'Inherent problems' to solve at Suter-BMW

"Our CRT seems to be suffering in comparison to other CRTs derived from projects that have been developing for years and are now taking advantage of direct manufacturer support"

Peter McLaren

27 Mar 2012

NGM Forward Racing BMW Alpha Racing engine, Jerez MotoGP Test March 2012
© Gold and Goose

One of the surprises of the Jerez MotoGP test was the relatively poor pace of Forward Racing's Suter-BMW relative to the leading CRT bike.

Colin Edwards concluded the three-day test 17th on the timesheets and as only the fourth best CRT rider, 1.4sec behind the best lap by Randy de Puniet on the RSV4-based Aprilia (ART).

Separating the two MotoGP podium finishers were de Puniet's Aspar team-mate Aleix Espargaro and the Ioda-Aprilia machine of rookie Danilo Petrucci.

It was clearly a tough test for Edwards, with the 3.2sec gap to Honda's Casey Stoner the same as at the previous Sepang test, even though the Sepang lap is 20sec longer.

Forward Racing is the only team running a BMW engine and Edwards explained that the location of the S1000RRs engine mounts is far from ideal.

"Inherently we still have some problems," he said. "Theoretically we have a high front engine mount that is creating a lot of issues for us. We have a lot of vibration, engine noise through the handlebars, which is also related to that.

"Chatter, we still have... you know, you get in 45-50 degrees angle and if you have too much weight on the front or trying to push too hard I can make this bike chatter anywhere. So I have to ride around it, brake a little early and minimizing the time from break to gas.

"It makes it hard, the new Bridgestone front has helped though, it has tamed it down. We played a little bit today with the chassis, thanks to Ohlins they helped out a lot with some made it better also, little different geometry in the front and it good better. It was better, it was faster, it was easier to ride but we still haven't cured 100% the problem."

Team owner Giovanni Cuzari confirmed they are yet to find a base set-up, but is encouraged by the stream of developments.

"Even in this test we had to work on the base of the electronics and chassis, which prevented us from working in refinement of the ideal setting to make the best lap time," he sad.

"The constant improvements on the bike and Colin Edwards experience makes us hopeful for the future, but in order to be more competitive within the next few races we will have to be able to count on the further effort of our partners, especially in terms of the electronics.

"We are confident that both BMW and Suter and the Team are working hard to improve the performance."

The reference to BMW 'working hard' is likely to raise some eyebrows, but Cuzari believes it is rival CRT machines that are benefitting from direct manufacturer support.

"Our CRT seems to be suffering in comparison to other CRTs. CRTs derived from projects that have been in a developing state for years and are now taking advantage of the direct support of manufacturers in some cases," he said.

Cuzari is almost certainly referring to the Aprilia ART, which has already proved controversial among the MotoGP manufacturers, who believe it is not in the spirit of the new privateer CRT class.

Others feel Aprilia should be applauded for creating a MotoGP bike to fit the new grid-saving CRT class, which requires bikes to be sold rather than leased and for engines and gearboxes to be claimed for just 20,000 euros if requested by an MSMA member.

BMW, which recently confirmed 'some support' for the Suter project, has indicated that an official MotoGP entry would be the next step once it achieves success in WSBK.

"We are going to see how Mr. Suter does, as this is his initiative," said BMW Motorrad president Hendrik von Kuenheim. "Obviously he gets some support from BMW, but it is his project. It will be interesting to see the potential."