DV on Villo's bike mxgp

Suns_PSD
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Suns_PSD 3/1/2015 7:43am
3/1/2015 7:43am
RV can ride a bike to within an inch (millimeter?) of it's set up. But his set up sucked. At this level, your bike better be dialed.

philG
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philG 3/1/2015 7:48am
3/1/2015 7:48am
DonM wrote:
I knew that the races in Europe had the support classes but wasn't sure how many, when I hit a few GP's 2yrs ago I want...
I knew that the races in Europe had the support classes but wasn't sure how many, when I hit a few GP's 2yrs ago I want to say they had the 125's at one and the 250 EMX at the other. I think the biggest difference is the track prep and how in the US every track has some type of "other" dirt added and then ripped deeply into the existing surface, that equals less square edge. Now that POS track from this weekend cannot be simulated or recreated anywhere else on this planet....
It depends , sometimes its like that, but as Luongo tries to rake in the cash, more riders means more $$

I will agree on Qatar as a track , its not a great track, but it has produced some great racing in the 3 years they have been going, and its tough.. thats how it should be. I dont think its any worse than Utah. The lack of crowd sucks , for sure , but as the Deputy of the FIM is head of the Qatari federation, its how it is. The MotoGP from there under the lights is fantastic.

Thailand isnt brilliant, but again, its the same for everyone.
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RY4N37 3/1/2015 7:59am
3/1/2015 7:59am
Great to have DV come on here and give his honest opinion. Interesting that he spoke to RV at A1 and he chose to completely ignore him. If you want to GP's from America and be successful you have yo be open to changing your set up and the way you ride.

Rattray's interview amazed me I have to say. There is no way he could've not known that the tracks they were testing on in America were nothing like the tracks they would be racing on. He's a former World Champion and he raced GP's last year. He should know exactly what to expect
karsmakers
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karsmakers 3/1/2015 8:02am
3/1/2015 8:02am
DV is a legend who has raced everywhere and knows his shit. Thanks for sharing with us...keep it comingSmile

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downard254
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downard254 3/1/2015 8:03am
3/1/2015 8:03am
After watching the 2nd moto this morning on TV, I was specifically watching RV's bike in comparison to the others. It didn't look to me like his bike was horrid, I did notice his forks deflecting off some of the braking bumps coming into the corners, and his suspension seemed rigid in mid corner compared to the GP regulars. His riding style to me was the biggest difference. He did look like he was overriding the track a bit, but that's what he is probably used to doing. But as it was mentioned earlier, the GP tracks seem to develop sharper bumps, and I've notices the rutted turns don't have a smooth arc to them, but more like the ruts are filled with acceleration bumps all the way through. He's going to have to adapt his riding style, that's for sure.

And if anyone is interested, check out some of the old AMA Motocross National races from the early 80's. Saddleback, Carlsbad to name a few. Those tracks were unwatered, dusty, hard baked, concrete type dirt tracks. I don't know when they changed over to what we have today, but it seems funny to me how similar the GP tracks are today, as compared to our national tracks of 30 years ago.
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Sandberm 3/1/2015 8:04am
3/1/2015 8:04am
When I watch the GP races the first thing I quite often notice is the width of the tracks seems to be about 50% wider then US tracks with the full width of the track being chewed up and rough.

The other thing, and this is why the Euros 'look' slower, is that they seem to coast into corners more then accelerate hard out. I think Americans charge in harder then get on the gas later. Its a case of the Euros going slower to go faster. Its why Cairolli looks so buttery smooth.

All that being said, I dont think there was a whole lot to be learned at Qutar. The track heavily favored the inside line and guys had to go ballsout to make passes on the outside. Looked frustrating to me.
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Sandberm 3/1/2015 8:09am
3/1/2015 8:09am
downard254 wrote:
After watching the 2nd moto this morning on TV, I was specifically watching RV's bike in comparison to the others. It didn't look to me like...
After watching the 2nd moto this morning on TV, I was specifically watching RV's bike in comparison to the others. It didn't look to me like his bike was horrid, I did notice his forks deflecting off some of the braking bumps coming into the corners, and his suspension seemed rigid in mid corner compared to the GP regulars. His riding style to me was the biggest difference. He did look like he was overriding the track a bit, but that's what he is probably used to doing. But as it was mentioned earlier, the GP tracks seem to develop sharper bumps, and I've notices the rutted turns don't have a smooth arc to them, but more like the ruts are filled with acceleration bumps all the way through. He's going to have to adapt his riding style, that's for sure.

And if anyone is interested, check out some of the old AMA Motocross National races from the early 80's. Saddleback, Carlsbad to name a few. Those tracks were unwatered, dusty, hard baked, concrete type dirt tracks. I don't know when they changed over to what we have today, but it seems funny to me how similar the GP tracks are today, as compared to our national tracks of 30 years ago.
I think they changed the AMA tracks downard254 because of dust. Nobody liked to spectate in it and nobody liked to race in it. Make the track loomy and it holds moisture and minimizes dust.

As far as RVs bike setup, as has been said elsewhere, it looked like his front end was popping out of the ruts a lot more then the other riders. Softer forks holds the rut better?
Kartwheel84c 3/1/2015 8:14am
3/1/2015 8:14am
downard254 wrote:
After watching the 2nd moto this morning on TV, I was specifically watching RV's bike in comparison to the others. It didn't look to me like...
After watching the 2nd moto this morning on TV, I was specifically watching RV's bike in comparison to the others. It didn't look to me like his bike was horrid, I did notice his forks deflecting off some of the braking bumps coming into the corners, and his suspension seemed rigid in mid corner compared to the GP regulars. His riding style to me was the biggest difference. He did look like he was overriding the track a bit, but that's what he is probably used to doing. But as it was mentioned earlier, the GP tracks seem to develop sharper bumps, and I've notices the rutted turns don't have a smooth arc to them, but more like the ruts are filled with acceleration bumps all the way through. He's going to have to adapt his riding style, that's for sure.

And if anyone is interested, check out some of the old AMA Motocross National races from the early 80's. Saddleback, Carlsbad to name a few. Those tracks were unwatered, dusty, hard baked, concrete type dirt tracks. I don't know when they changed over to what we have today, but it seems funny to me how similar the GP tracks are today, as compared to our national tracks of 30 years ago.
Exactly! When I was watching the races I kept saying that it looked exactly like Carlsbad/Saddleback prep. Crazy overwatered in the morning, they dries out to concrete during the day. Go look at any 500GP at Carlsbad and other than a race where it rained, you will see mud in the morning and baked concrete by the last moto.

Another corollary to RV is that back in those days guys like Bailey, O'Mara, Barnett, Ward, and Glover ran much softer setups relative to today. RJ was the first guy in '86 to really start the super stiff forks for SX and just slamming into stuff instead of soaking it up, which is why he used the USDs and Bailey stayed with the conventional forks.
Surly100
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Surly100 3/1/2015 8:30am
3/1/2015 8:30am
downard254 wrote:
After watching the 2nd moto this morning on TV, I was specifically watching RV's bike in comparison to the others. It didn't look to me like...
After watching the 2nd moto this morning on TV, I was specifically watching RV's bike in comparison to the others. It didn't look to me like his bike was horrid, I did notice his forks deflecting off some of the braking bumps coming into the corners, and his suspension seemed rigid in mid corner compared to the GP regulars. His riding style to me was the biggest difference. He did look like he was overriding the track a bit, but that's what he is probably used to doing. But as it was mentioned earlier, the GP tracks seem to develop sharper bumps, and I've notices the rutted turns don't have a smooth arc to them, but more like the ruts are filled with acceleration bumps all the way through. He's going to have to adapt his riding style, that's for sure.

And if anyone is interested, check out some of the old AMA Motocross National races from the early 80's. Saddleback, Carlsbad to name a few. Those tracks were unwatered, dusty, hard baked, concrete type dirt tracks. I don't know when they changed over to what we have today, but it seems funny to me how similar the GP tracks are today, as compared to our national tracks of 30 years ago.
Kartwheel84c wrote:
Exactly! When I was watching the races I kept saying that it looked exactly like Carlsbad/Saddleback prep. Crazy overwatered in the morning, they dries out to...
Exactly! When I was watching the races I kept saying that it looked exactly like Carlsbad/Saddleback prep. Crazy overwatered in the morning, they dries out to concrete during the day. Go look at any 500GP at Carlsbad and other than a race where it rained, you will see mud in the morning and baked concrete by the last moto.

Another corollary to RV is that back in those days guys like Bailey, O'Mara, Barnett, Ward, and Glover ran much softer setups relative to today. RJ was the first guy in '86 to really start the super stiff forks for SX and just slamming into stuff instead of soaking it up, which is why he used the USDs and Bailey stayed with the conventional forks.
Just watching the 1985 500 GP from Carlsbad on Youtube now.

Eric Geboers - who even in 1985 was already a double world champion - pulls a holeshot, and the American commentators say . . .

Commentator one: And there's the leader out there.

Commentator two: And, Jim, surprisingly it's a European. It's Eric Geboers . . .

I guess some things never change. Smile
IceMan446
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IceMan446 3/1/2015 8:32am
3/1/2015 8:32am
Zracer wrote:
My question to DV is why did you try to help him and give advice in the 1st place?
Since he has more experience in the GPs than RV, why wouldnt he???

Think about it.
JB 19
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JB 19 3/1/2015 8:43am
3/1/2015 8:43am
The American tracks are ripped much deeper and look like they develop bigger, further spaced bumps. GP bumps look smaller, but more frequent. GP tracks look like they have choppy, square edged bumps. American tracks get "whooped" out.

It reminds me of the track I ride almost weekly that is a Euro style track. I set my bike up for it, but when I ride Briarcliff where it is super deep ripped and watered my forks bottom out in the braking bumps. Then when I adjust the settings and go back to my club track the bike dances all over the place.
mx621
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mx621 3/1/2015 8:48am
3/1/2015 8:48am
mx621 wrote:
Send Mikey Williamson now!!
DavidVuillemin wrote:
To do what? Put new graphics on? Change the grips? Polish the frame? I don't think that would change anything to RV's set up. You guys...
To do what? Put new graphics on? Change the grips? Polish the frame? I don't think that would change anything to RV's set up. You guys need to stop believing that the mechanics set up the bikes. They know stuff but they have no idea how to make an EFI curve or a fork valving. The guys you never see and behind the scenes do that stuff. Factory mechanics, most of them, don't open an engine, a shock, a set of forks and don't use Excel to come up with EFI set up. You gotta freaking wake up at one point, guys...
TeamGreen wrote:
OK

Then we'll send Rick Ash and Ross Maeda
Send somebody!! Lol. My Mikey j comment was just a joke. But I'm sure it's nice to have someone familiar around who you have worked with for years.
DavidVuillemin 3/1/2015 8:56am
3/1/2015 8:56am
Zracer wrote:
My question to DV is why did you try to help him and give advice in the 1st place?
I just gave him my opinion on tracks, set up etc... It's not like I stopped him to tell him. We were all at Wey's truck and started talking about GPs. We talked about tracks layouts, dirt and such. I want him to do good over there and gave a honest opinion. Pretty said that some tracks suck bad and that an US bike set up wouldn't be ideal to use there. I've race US MX bikes on GP tracks. It's like if you guys would ride a SX bike at your local MX track on Sunday... That's all.
ruckus
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ruckus 3/1/2015 9:00am
3/1/2015 9:00am Edited Date/Time 3/1/2015 9:00am
karsmakers wrote:
DV is a legend who has raced everywhere and knows his shit. Thanks for sharing with us...keep it comingSmile
Ive seen lots of "fast" guys test. From what i remember of DV12 in his brief stay in texas was.... He knows his stuff. Some riders arent good at translating setup issues to functional requirements the mechanic can translate into change. He was very specific... As in "put in main #42" and not just "my bike runs fat"

He needs to consult some of these guys imo.

Miss seeing ya around DV. Keep on keepin on.
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Bultaco 3/1/2015 9:01am
3/1/2015 9:01am Edited Date/Time 3/1/2015 9:09am
At least......RV was first American. Woohoo


And if it were me racing the GPs, I'd pay attention to DV's ideas.
Silliker269
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Silliker269 3/1/2015 9:02am
3/1/2015 9:02am
Thanks for the info DV. I thought he faded in the second moto but sounds like he had some bike issues. I must say Im surprised at the finish this weekend but if he gels better with the bike and track this weekend a win or podium is not a stretch in the least
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pilotdude 3/1/2015 9:02am
3/1/2015 9:02am
DV is a master and IMO legend. I love that he gives his honest opinion openly. Anyone who doesn't take his opinion seriously does so at their peril.
mx836
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mx836 3/1/2015 9:04am
3/1/2015 9:04am
TheCynic82 wrote:
Fuck its not that the team dont have the right settings for this track. Its that RV and his crew didnt want to spend time adjusting...
Fuck its not that the team dont have the right settings for this track.
Its that RV and his crew didnt want to spend time adjusting to a different riding style because you know, he didnt need it....
Did RV tell you that?

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Zracer
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Zracer 3/1/2015 9:06am
3/1/2015 9:06am
Zracer wrote:
My question to DV is why did you try to help him and give advice in the 1st place?
DavidVuillemin wrote:
I just gave him my opinion on tracks, set up etc... It's not like I stopped him to tell him. We were all at Wey's truck...
I just gave him my opinion on tracks, set up etc... It's not like I stopped him to tell him. We were all at Wey's truck and started talking about GPs. We talked about tracks layouts, dirt and such. I want him to do good over there and gave a honest opinion. Pretty said that some tracks suck bad and that an US bike set up wouldn't be ideal to use there. I've race US MX bikes on GP tracks. It's like if you guys would ride a SX bike at your local MX track on Sunday... That's all.
Ok. I just want to point out I was not implying that you arent fully qualified to do so, just curious why.
mx621
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mx621 3/1/2015 9:10am
3/1/2015 9:10am
I love DV on the pulp mx show. Pretty bad ass of him to take the time to comment on here (even though he blasted me).
downard254
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downard254 3/1/2015 9:24am
3/1/2015 9:24am
mx621 wrote:
I love DV on the pulp mx show. Pretty bad ass of him to take the time to comment on here (even though he blasted me).
Ha Ha, Kapow!Laughing

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I dig DV posting as well. Would love to see more pros do it as well but realize they get tired of the weekend warriors telling them they don't know shit.
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Brent 3/1/2015 10:04am
3/1/2015 10:04am
I come here to check in on the RV shitstorm, and I can't believe I see idiots actually calling Vuillemin a "never was"?

The man know his stuff, and has a lot more experience in GP racing and motorcycle set up than any of you.

The disrespect for the mans knowledge and accomplishments here is fucking unbelievable.
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Outsider 3/1/2015 10:15am
3/1/2015 10:15am
RY4N37 wrote:
Great to have DV come on here and give his honest opinion. Interesting that he spoke to RV at A1 and he chose to completely ignore...
Great to have DV come on here and give his honest opinion. Interesting that he spoke to RV at A1 and he chose to completely ignore him. If you want to GP's from America and be successful you have yo be open to changing your set up and the way you ride.

Rattray's interview amazed me I have to say. There is no way he could've not known that the tracks they were testing on in America were nothing like the tracks they would be racing on. He's a former World Champion and he raced GP's last year. He should know exactly what to expect
So tell me, how do you know that he "completely ignored" DV?
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Go Rid e2 3/1/2015 10:19am
3/1/2015 10:19am
DV, did the team say there was any damage to the brakes he said he was having issues with?
jasonv43
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jasonv43 3/1/2015 10:23am
3/1/2015 10:23am Edited Date/Time 3/1/2015 10:23am
Seemed like his line selection was a little different too.
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The Rock 3/1/2015 10:25am
3/1/2015 10:25am
Fat Fingers wrote:
RV got a wake up call today... there is no way he was expecting to finish 8th. I think it would have been wise for him...
RV got a wake up call today... there is no way he was expecting to finish 8th. I think it would have been wise for him to do 1 or 2 pre season races to get a feel of where things are at. Racing Tyla at the test track is not the same as riding moto's like his competition have been doing.

He's only a second or 2 behind each lap which is not that much speed to find if he dusts off the rust and gets the right set up. I wouldn't question his fitness or determination, he just needs to find the zone. Its a long season and its not that long ago I remember RV not doing so well in the first couple of supercross races and being written off.

One thing for sure, I had not heard of Romain Febvre until today (haven't followed the GP's closely for a few years) but I bet he's pretty stoked about catching and passing RV.




Agree completely on the pre season racing suggesting. Blew my mind that he showed up the day AFTER the race to do testing. What is worse....getting sanded at your first pre season race or getting sanded at the first MXGP race of the season?

There is no better practice than racing. BTW this is what professional practice racers just don't get. Riding MX but never experiencing the gate drop, the first turn, the white flag and the checkers is like kissing your sister compared to a three way with Salma Hayek and Sofia Vergaro.
RY4N37
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RY4N37 3/1/2015 10:27am
3/1/2015 10:27am
RY4N37 wrote:
Great to have DV come on here and give his honest opinion. Interesting that he spoke to RV at A1 and he chose to completely ignore...
Great to have DV come on here and give his honest opinion. Interesting that he spoke to RV at A1 and he chose to completely ignore him. If you want to GP's from America and be successful you have yo be open to changing your set up and the way you ride.

Rattray's interview amazed me I have to say. There is no way he could've not known that the tracks they were testing on in America were nothing like the tracks they would be racing on. He's a former World Champion and he raced GP's last year. He should know exactly what to expect
Outsider wrote:
So tell me, how do you know that he "completely ignored" DV?
Well I'm just going off DV said. He gave RV and his Dad some advice, and they 'we'll be fine, we steer with the rear'. He also said on twitter that he had told RV to forget about his American settings, which by the sounds of it he didn't do.
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karsmakers 3/1/2015 10:42am
3/1/2015 10:42am
If we look at reality, history tells us that riders (including numerous ex champions) struggle for a year or two before they adapt to the other series circuits. Look at Kenny, Marvin, Ratrray, Searle etc....There are numerous reasons for this...adapting to a new enviroment, weather, bike setup on a new circuit each week (especially the varying GP tracks), works parts, different race format, and on and on. It goes both ways...the US guys have struggled at the MXDN the past several years but the Euro's have always lost to the AMA riders at the MXDN in the US. I have changed my opinion on RV and believe he will probably finish 3-5 this year. History tells us so.
DavidVuillemin 3/1/2015 10:46am
3/1/2015 10:46am
Go Rid e2 wrote:
DV, did the team say there was any damage to the brakes he said he was having issues with?
I found out thru the grapevine he had issues with his rear brake in 2nd moto. That's why he slowed down at one point
Harry Backmon 3/1/2015 11:06am
3/1/2015 11:06am
inthebadboycorner wrote:
RV is a professional, surely he knows how to set up a bike, maybe its just an off day, maybe others are just faster, time will...
RV is a professional, surely he knows how to set up a bike, maybe its just an off day, maybe others are just faster, time will tell.

Personally I think he needs to add one tooth on the rear sprocket!

In the meantime DV is a has been, actually a never was.
From wiki,

"He has more than 40 podium finishes to his credit, and he was the top SX privateer in 2007 and the top MX privateer in 2006. He is one of only a couple riders that can say they beat Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael at the peak of their careers. David was also a member of the only winning French Motocross Des Nations team in 2001 and is currently the All Time King of Bercy. In the almost 30 year history of the event, no one was won more than Vuillemin."

Really, dude, you should have known. Now, open your mouth, insert foot, and chew for a while.

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