Ben Spies first MotoGP Sunday

Kinetic1 wrote: Not a chance. I am a huge fan of Ben but let's be realistic. I say top 6.

Kinetic1 wrote: Not a chance. I am a huge fan of Ben but let's be realistic. I say top 6.

Kinetic1 wrote: Not a chance. I am a huge fan of Ben but let's be realistic. I say top 6.

motogeezer wrote: Only if they punt him off the track like the SBK guys did in his first race with them.

motogeezer wrote: Only if they punt him off the track like the SBK guys did in his first race with them.

Kinetic1 wrote: All kidding aside I think he will end up somewhere between 5th and 10th. But who the heck knows with Ben. He could pull a Bayliss and win.

Kinetic1 wrote: All kidding aside I think he will end up somewhere between 5th and 10th. But who the heck knows with Ben. He could pull a Bayliss and win.

JPT wrote: Ben's smart and I think he's going to be a little careful. This one's a gimme. He's got the job and no worry about points. I think he'll be using it to learn for next year. Doubt if he gets too cocky.

Besides, he rode a couple for Suzuki didn't he?

JPT wrote: Ben's smart and I think he's going to be a little careful. This one's a gimme. He's got the job and no worry about points. I think he'll be using it to learn for next year. Doubt if he gets too cocky.

Besides, he rode a couple for Suzuki didn't he?

Kinetic1 wrote: He raced two rounds on the zook and finnished 11th and ,??? I can't remember. I look for him to do better on the Yamaha. While not the factory bike it's still good and the Yamaha has been the best overall package this year.

Kinetic1 wrote: He raced two rounds on the zook and finnished 11th and ,??? I can't remember. I look for him to do better on the Yamaha. While not the factory bike it's still good and the Yamaha has been the best overall package this year.

dougie wrote: 13th

dougie wrote: 13th

yamaharider4life01 wrote: I think he'll finish somewhere between 10-15th...He surprised the hell out of me this year in WSBK, so I wouldn't be surprised if he completely makes me eat my words on my prediction (Meaning I've underestimated him before...and wouldn't be surprised if I'm doing it again).

yamaharider4life01 wrote: I think he'll finish somewhere between 10-15th...He surprised the hell out of me this year in WSBK, so I wouldn't be surprised if he completely makes me eat my words on my prediction (Meaning I've underestimated him before...and wouldn't be surprised if I'm doing it again).

JPT wrote: I'm not really sure what to expect next year. He'll do OK, but Edwards and Toseland had two WSBK titles each before they made the move and they never set the place on fire. I think Ben is probably a better rider than they are, but he's a big boy and the riders that seem to do the best on the 800's were top level 250 guys. But, like folks said, he's surprised everybody before.

On the selfish level I really enjoyed having a top level American competitor in WSBK. If he turns out to be just another Yank that makes the MotoGP podium a couple times a year it'll be dissappointing.

I still think Nicky should go to WSBK. He's never done well on the 800's and Superbikes are more his style. He shouldn't wait until he's on the downside of his carreer like Biaggi did. I think he could take a title.

JPT wrote: I'm not really sure what to expect next year. He'll do OK, but Edwards and Toseland had two WSBK titles each before they made the move and they never set the place on fire. I think Ben is probably a better rider than they are, but he's a big boy and the riders that seem to do the best on the 800's were top level 250 guys. But, like folks said, he's surprised everybody before.

On the selfish level I really enjoyed having a top level American competitor in WSBK. If he turns out to be just another Yank that makes the MotoGP podium a couple times a year it'll be dissappointing.

I still think Nicky should go to WSBK. He's never done well on the 800's and Superbikes are more his style. He shouldn't wait until he's on the downside of his carreer like Biaggi did. I think he could take a title.

Rooster wrote: I really underestimated his ability to jump into WSBK and be competitive.

I say he wins it. End of season race with nothing left to prove for the regulars is the perfect opportunity for a guy to hang it out and make his mark right away.

The big question mark is set-up. If it can make that big a deal with a guy like Rossi or Stoner, then with so little little time to set-up the bike, he may just wind up sucking for no fault of his own.

Rooster wrote: I really underestimated his ability to jump into WSBK and be competitive.

I say he wins it. End of season race with nothing left to prove for the regulars is the perfect opportunity for a guy to hang it out and make his mark right away.

The big question mark is set-up. If it can make that big a deal with a guy like Rossi or Stoner, then with so little little time to set-up the bike, he may just wind up sucking for no fault of his own.

BUTCH wrote: I'll put him any where from 3rd to 8th. I'm glad to see him out there, because it makes this last race a lot more interesting now that the championship is a settled. What Ben did this year in WSBK really gave our series a lot more credibility! I had always thought we were the b class till Ben did his thing.

BUTCH wrote: I'll put him any where from 3rd to 8th. I'm glad to see him out there, because it makes this last race a lot more interesting now that the championship is a settled. What Ben did this year in WSBK really gave our series a lot more credibility! I had always thought we were the b class till Ben did his thing.

Spinner wrote: I'd like to see him win it.

Spinner wrote: I'd like to see him win it.

BUTCH wrote: I'll put him any where from 3rd to 8th. I'm glad to see him out there, because it makes this last race a lot more interesting now that the championship is a settled. What Ben did this year in WSBK really gave our series a lot more credibility! I had always thought we were the b class till Ben did his thing.

JPT wrote: With him and Matt gone and DMG running the show we're C class.

JPT wrote: With him and Matt gone and DMG running the show we're C class.

BUTCH wrote: I'll put him any where from 3rd to 8th. I'm glad to see him out there, because it makes this last race a lot more interesting now that the championship is a settled. What Ben did this year in WSBK really gave our series a lot more credibility! I had always thought we were the b class till Ben did his thing.

JPT wrote: With him and Matt gone and DMG running the show we're C class.

BUTCH wrote: I was basically talking about the 6 years prior. I had always thought Matt was over here because he knew he couldn't hang over there. Now seeing what Ben did this year in WSBK, looks like Matt could have been a multi time WSBK champion as well.

BUTCH wrote: I was basically talking about the 6 years prior. I had always thought Matt was over here because he knew he couldn't hang over there. Now seeing what Ben did this year in WSBK, looks like Matt could have been a multi time WSBK champion as well.

gsxrcr28 wrote: Rossi
Stoner
Lorenzo
Pedrosa
Spies

gsxrcr28 wrote: Rossi
Stoner
Lorenzo
Pedrosa
Spies

BUTCH wrote: I was basically talking about the 6 years prior. I had always thought Matt was over here because he knew he couldn't hang over there. Now seeing what Ben did this year in WSBK, looks like Matt could have been a multi time WSBK champion as well.

JPT wrote: I agree with that.

JPT wrote: I agree with that.

tcannon521 wrote: 10th to 15th if it is a dry race.

All bets are off if it is wet.

tcannon521 wrote: 10th to 15th if it is a dry race.

All bets are off if it is wet.

tunedlength wrote: One place ahead of Toseland.

tunedlength wrote: One place ahead of Toseland.

tunedlength wrote: One place ahead of Toseland.

JPT wrote: So you're saying about 14th?

JPT wrote: So you're saying about 14th?

dougie wrote: Is Toseland gonna race? Thats gotta suck having to race your replacement especially if wearing the same livery. If thats the case we may see Toseland actually win the race and lap the field.

dougie wrote: Is Toseland gonna race? Thats gotta suck having to race your replacement especially if wearing the same livery. If thats the case we may see Toseland actually win the race and lap the field.

dougie wrote: Is Toseland gonna race? Thats gotta suck having to race your replacement especially if wearing the same livery. If thats the case we may see Toseland actually win the race and lap the field.

indy_maico wrote: The bike will be painted like his R1. That picture I posted is the M1 with that livery.

It looks like his superbike team (Not Tech 3) will be running the bike for him in Valencia.
That won't help him with set-up etc unless Yamaha have the other teams work with him a bit as well.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/...09/Nov/091104-11.htm

indy_maico wrote: The bike will be painted like his R1. That picture I posted is the M1 with that livery.

It looks like his superbike team (Not Tech 3) will be running the bike for him in Valencia.
That won't help him with set-up etc unless Yamaha have the other teams work with him a bit as well.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/...09/Nov/091104-11.htm

Cygnus wrote: I always root for the Americans, but I will say 10th.

Cygnus wrote: I always root for the Americans, but I will say 10th.

dougie wrote: Is Toseland gonna race? Thats gotta suck having to race your replacement especially if wearing the same livery. If thats the case we may see Toseland actually win the race and lap the field.

indy_maico wrote: The bike will be painted like his R1. That picture I posted is the M1 with that livery.

It looks like his superbike team (Not Tech 3) will be running the bike for him in Valencia.
That won't help him with set-up etc unless Yamaha have the other teams work with him a bit as well.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/...09/Nov/091104-11.htm

dougie wrote: Should make pratices and qualifiying interesting to watch.
Motogp.com

dougie wrote: Should make pratices and qualifiying interesting to watch.
Motogp.com

indy_maico wrote: I love Superbike Planet

The Fab Four and the Fifth Beatle. LMAO!

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/...091105rydernotes.htm

indy_maico wrote: I love Superbike Planet

The Fab Four and the Fifth Beatle. LMAO!

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/...091105rydernotes.htm

indy_maico wrote: Ben was 15th in the first session

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/...2009/Nov/091106a.htm

indy_maico wrote: Ben was 15th in the first session

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/...2009/Nov/091106a.htm

indy_maico wrote: Spies completes first MotoGP free practice in Valencia

Wildcard Sterilgarda Yamaha rider Ben Spies got stuck into the first free practice session of the weekend at the Valencia MotoGP today. Despite being Spies' first outing on the Yamaha YZR-M1, the American made good progress, improving by nearly five seconds over the course of the session and finishing just over a second off the top five in 15th position. Spies made few changes to his M1, preferring to get as much track time in as possible as he begins to understand the different handling and power characteristics compared to his championship winning Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike.

Tomorrow morning will see Spies looking to bring the set up of his bike further in line with his style of riding ahead of his first GP qualifying session on a Yamaha.


Ben Spies, Sterilgarda Yamaha Team - Position: 15thTime: 1'35.052

"It was actually a really good first session. Position wise it wasn't what we are used to but I haven't ridden a GP bike for a year and it's the first time I've set foot on a Yamaha so to be realistically only a second off being in the mix is pretty good. For the first day, and only 20 laps on the bike I'm happy. I'm starting to understand some of the characteristics of the M1. I'm going to keep baby steps and keep chipping away."

Massimo Meregalli - Sterilgarda Yamaha Team Manager

"For the first day here in this world with no experience on this bike or with these tires Ben did as usual a good job, but we didn't expect anything else. For sure just one practice is not enough time to say too much but we cannot say that we are not satisfied. Ben didn't want to use more than one set of tyres, he just wanted to spend some time on his bike and get used to the differences from his superbike. Tomorrow he will make another step, I'm very optimistic as I was all season with him."


From superbikeplanet.com

indy_maico wrote: Spies completes first MotoGP free practice in Valencia

Wildcard Sterilgarda Yamaha rider Ben Spies got stuck into the first free practice session of the weekend at the Valencia MotoGP today. Despite being Spies' first outing on the Yamaha YZR-M1, the American made good progress, improving by nearly five seconds over the course of the session and finishing just over a second off the top five in 15th position. Spies made few changes to his M1, preferring to get as much track time in as possible as he begins to understand the different handling and power characteristics compared to his championship winning Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike.

Tomorrow morning will see Spies looking to bring the set up of his bike further in line with his style of riding ahead of his first GP qualifying session on a Yamaha.


Ben Spies, Sterilgarda Yamaha Team - Position: 15thTime: 1'35.052

"It was actually a really good first session. Position wise it wasn't what we are used to but I haven't ridden a GP bike for a year and it's the first time I've set foot on a Yamaha so to be realistically only a second off being in the mix is pretty good. For the first day, and only 20 laps on the bike I'm happy. I'm starting to understand some of the characteristics of the M1. I'm going to keep baby steps and keep chipping away."

Massimo Meregalli - Sterilgarda Yamaha Team Manager

"For the first day here in this world with no experience on this bike or with these tires Ben did as usual a good job, but we didn't expect anything else. For sure just one practice is not enough time to say too much but we cannot say that we are not satisfied. Ben didn't want to use more than one set of tyres, he just wanted to spend some time on his bike and get used to the differences from his superbike. Tomorrow he will make another step, I'm very optimistic as I was all season with him."


From superbikeplanet.com

MX479Guy wrote: How much different is his GP then his WSB is?

I dont follow the classes that closely.

MX479Guy wrote: How much different is his GP then his WSB is?

I dont follow the classes that closely.

MX479Guy wrote: How much different is his GP then his WSB is?

I dont follow the classes that closely.

ProMed wrote: Production based vs. full-on works bikes.

ProMed wrote: Production based vs. full-on works bikes.