StrayCat2

Interesting. That may mean (like Kawasaki), they are legally obligated to supply bikes for the grid, but not field a sponsored team or indeed further develop the GSXRR past 2022. Unless, possibly Aprilia is willing to buy out that contract to field a satellite team in 2023. Time will tell, but I bet Rins and Mir will be signing new contracts with another constructor ASAP. If there are Suzuki bikes on the grid next year it will be the likes of Alex Marques, Taka Nakagami, Vinales, Pol Espargaro etc that will be riding them.

yea I saw that too but they will be gone in some form. There is a chance that an independent team may take over the Suzuki bike and crew for a year, but one way or another Suzuki factory is telling Dorna they want out. Its not the first time Suzuki have taken a leave of absence from MotoGP due to $ issues

Sad to see that Suzuki is throwing in the towel at the end of 2022. That makes Mir and Rins available for the market, should throw a king sized wrench into silly season. I think the following Riders should be worried about their seats in 2023: Pol Espargaro, Alex Marques, T Nakagami, Miguel Olivera, Darryn Binder, Andrea Dovi (probably retire anyway) , Fanky Morbidelli (has a contract to end of 23, but may get relegated to satellite team), Maverick Vinales. Seems Fabio may end up staying at Yamaha after all my bet is Mir at Repsol Honda to replace Pol Rins to Aprilia to replace Maverick ?

60 km is OK, any km is better than no KM. The run to Bellfountain and Forks of the Credit is a great destination, nice ride, I did that run a lot when I lived further south. I do 50-70 km almost every day if I can, then go for a longer ride twice a week.

Cheers fellas

OK fella's, I follow the steps from the manual for the front wheel install, but at the step where you loosen off the left pinch bolt again (to align the forks) the left fork opens up about +1mm, leaving a +1mm space between the wheel spacer and the inside of the fork leg....should I be concerned ? I understand the purpose of loosening the left pinch bolt again is to allow for fork alignment and prevent sticking forks, Ive just never seen such obvious fork movement outwards leaving a +1mm gap between the spacer and fork. Steps are basically 1) align the end of the axle with the outside of the left fork leg 2) Tighten the left pinch bolt 3) Tighten the axle bolt 4) Loosen the left pinch bolt ***** this is where the left fork leg pops outwards by ~1+ mm 5) Tighten the right pinch bolt 6) pump the front end 7) tighten the left pinch bolt

Usually the result of someone using the "arm-strong" torque wrench, I bet

Honda wants new bolts on the Africa Twin callipers as well. I dont change the calliper bolts, I just re apply thread locker and re use them. they not that tightly torqued.

cheers guys, i've got a head lift stand

Cheers ! My Africa Twin is similar but in fact you dont need to remove half of what the manual says. Ill just follow the manual for the VFR

Preparing for new tires to go on the VFR. Looked in the owners manual and I have 2 questions for those who have done it. 1) Is it really necessary to remove the front wheel speed sensor 2) do you have to remove "both" brake callipers ?

Marques will either win it all or bin it all. He says he's a changed man, but IDK if he can switch off that high risk riding approach. Marc and the new Honda seem to both be in good shape just now. if he stays healthy, he will win the championship, otherwise he'll end up retiring through injury again. Im cheering for Pecco or Mir (long shot) - since Vale is gone, im using this season to pick a new favourite rider....it WONT be Marc.

yea, ive been on the list for a year already. was supposed to get it by December 2021, but the silicon chip shortage has put us back a year apparently. Then recently all the Starlink satellites have been falling-out of orbit, so that wont help the wait.

Unfortunately I live in the far north and our internet is Cellular based. Not sure if you know about cellular rates in Canada but 135 Gig / month costs $400. Its absolute madness and robbery

I think the Feb 19 test is Moto 2 and Moto 3 only. I wish we got the Moto2 & 3 race broadcasts here in Canada but for the last 2 years we only got MotoGP, which at the end of the day, im glad we get it at all, its always touch and go if we're getting TV coverage.

So, we're on the eve of another new season with MotoGP. The first year in a long long time without Rossi (yes I'm a huge Rossi fan). What predictions do ya'll have for this year given how the initial testes have gone. Ill Start: Fabio Q will not successfully defend his title - I like Fabio, but, 1) I dont think Yamaha will have brought enough to the fight, others seemed to have upped their game even more, and I think Other riders will begin to shine a bit brighter this year. Fabio will jump ship if the Yamaha's speed prevents him from winning (as we have all heard in the media rumours ) Franco Morbidelli - I like Franky, level headed guy, but I still think he'll have limited success this year on the Yamaha. Id have more confidence in Fabio and Franco if I thought Yamaha were able to bring something meaningful to the party. Seems Yamaha are so set in their practice of small refinements and evolution approach that the likes of Honda and Ducati, will easily leave them behind if their big(ger) changes pay off. Pecco B - I think he'll perform very well and stands a reasonable chance of winning it all this season. He'll either win it or be runner up again. Mentally he seems to be very strong and now that he's had the taste of success, he'll get even stronger. Marc Marques - I dont like Mark, at all, but its hard to deny that he's probably the most talented rider ever to throw a leg over a Motogp bike. This year he will either win the title again or will end up hurting himself and not finished the season. now dont get me wrong, despite not liking Mark, I have no wish to see anyone injured what so ever, I just think his issues with arm/shoulder/eye makes him very vulnerable in his many falls. He's now got 3 serious injuries that could be aggravated in a fall. I dont expect him to tame it down at all, thats just not who he is. Joan Mir - If the Suzuki has made the steps that it looks like it has potentially made, I think he could be up there in the top 2 or 3 each race, Like to see him regain the crown actually. If the Suzuki shits the bed on the performance front, he'll jump ship for sure. I think he's one of a few guys who could be super successful on the right bike. Alex Rins - More of the same inconsistency I think- He will not be at Suzuki much longer Jack Miller - Jack will also be inconsistent, I dont think he will match his team mate again this year, his days at Ducati are numbered and I see Enea the beast or Jorge Martin stealing a factory seat in the near future Mav Vianles -I think we'll see a few glimmers of brilliance from Maverick, but I dont expect any major threats to the title chase. I think his teammate will outshine him as usual. Maverick will always be mentally fragile, a trait which doesnt help him in MotoGP Enea the beast - Will amaze us again on a year old Ducati, and I think he'll podium more than he did last year, Id really like to see him win one or two races this year - maybe even get himself a factory ride or move to Pramac if Martin jumps to the factory team. If he gets that qually performance figured out, he will put the cat amongst the pigeons for sure. Alex Marques & Taka - I dont expect much form either of them, despite Taka having a sports Psycologist this year. Dovi will continue to struggle on the Yamaha and will retire this year after a very unremarkable season. Id like to see him do well, but I dont think he will. D Binder - Dont expect he'll adapt too quickly to the MotoGP class, definitely wont be rookie of the year KTM Factory Team - Brad Binder & Miguel Olivera - Much the same as last year I fear. I like the both of them, Just wish they could play at the sharp end a bit more, but I dont think they will Rookie of the year will be Fabio Di Gia Zarco - I dont see any material change year over year for Joan, always close, but not close enough. Jorge Martin - I think Jorge will win a race or two for sure, I think he also stands a very good chance of displacing Jack Miller for that Ducati Factory seat - along with Mir I think Martin has a chance to be a regular front runner in Motogp, talented rider, not sure i like the guy a whole lot from what little ive seen of his persona on TV, but he can ride a bike. Pol Espargaro - will continue to struggle on the Honda and be out shone my Marc - Pol will be jettisoned by Honda by year end, and likely replaced by Mir Aleix Espargaro - will out perform his team mate, and will podium again for Aprilia VR46 team - A difficult year ahead for the VR46 boys I think Marco and Luca will be unremarkable and will spend alot of time towards the back of the grid