The carbon frame is flourishing in MotoGP under the control of European manufacturers. It was Ducati who brought the concept with this certainty displayed by the essential Gigi Dall'Igna: “ it won't be long before every MotoGP manufacturer develops a carbon chassis ". A still fair vision from the druid of Borgo Panigale, since KTM drew its own at Misano this year, but only for its orange RC16s. Meanwhile, Aprilia is evaluating the possibility. For 2024, we will generalize the allocation on the Mattighofen side, to the great pleasure of Tech3 GASGAS. But in Noale, the debate remains open…
Le carbon frame is the new fashion in MotoGP, supplanting aluminum until now de rigeur. Well, except for KTM whose DNA is the tubular steel frame. In 2024, the Austrians will change this tradition by betting on noble materials. To the point that it will no longer be visible only on the official RC16s but also among GASGAS Tech3 partners. So there will be four, and not just two. Information given by speedweek.
KTM will bet everything on carbon, unlike Aprilia which has been evaluating the option for a year
Le carbon frame would it nevertheless be the new panacea? Even! At the house of Aprilia, we've been at it for a year already and we're still hesitant to take the plunge. So much so that during the Valencia test which already opened the 2024 offseason, it was not the priority: “ we are focusing on the 2024 season, the carbon chassis was not a priority in this test », Revealed the test pilot Lorenzo Savadori. For the Italian, a difference is perceptible on the handlebars, but “ there are positive and negative aspects. We need to understand this chassis better ».
A version also heard in the box of Maverick Vinales : " the carbon chassis is still in its infancy. Needs to think about it more thoroughly ". The advantage of a carbon frame is a gain in terms of leeway for weight management. According to the regulations, a MotoGP must weigh at least 157 kilograms. Carbon is lighter than aluminum and, thanks to years of research and innovative manufacturing processes, it can now meet the demands of the premier class. The saved weight can then be reinvested elsewhere, or the scale can be modified with additional weights, which can improve the motorcycle's handling.
