This MotoGP test in Brno, immediately following the Czech Republic Grand Prix, was particularly anticipated by Valentino Rossi who, before the summer break, seemed to be struggling to keep up with the pace of Maverick Viñales and Fabio Quartararo.
We know, there is never a revolution at Yamaha: We prefer to evolve in small steps, if only so as not to lose the number one quality of the M1, its handling in corners.
We were therefore hardly surprised to see that a priori the prototype of the MotoGP 2020 “made in Iwata” looked like two drops of water to the equipment currently used.
But make no mistake ! Yamaha has fully understood the effort required to be able to fight at the front regardless of the level of grip on the track, and according to our information the new features, both in terms of engines and aerodynamic elements, were much more numerous than what was declared...
Let's begin our observation, however brief it may be, with what appeared first yesterday: the new saddle.
And as it is very difficult to compare an unpainted carbon motorcycle to a painted one, we will take the M1 of Jonas Folger during the test in Valencia in November 2018, which had all the characteristics of the current frames of Valentino Rossi et Maverick Vinales.
Valentino Rossi declared: “The carbon saddle on the other bike has a slightly different shape.”
At first glance, the two saddles seem very similar...
And yet, if we look closer, the rib of the current saddle stops much closer to the backrest to give way to a sort of rounded sidewall.
Now, at this location is the reservoir. From there to thinking that it has widened a little in its rear part to move the center of gravity back, there is only one step that we could take all the more easily since the saddle backrest already contained a piece of metal weighing about 1 kilo, not to mention the Dorna and Magneti Marelli boxes for the TV signal.
For the rest, we do not really distinguish any difference visually, even if, according to Maverick Vinales, the seat is narrower…
Let's move on to the fairing which includes two notable new features.
The new fork head fairing differs from the old model by more pronounced angles intended to generate more aerodynamic downforce to counter the wheelie. In addition, the return of the side recesses above the fins have disappeared to give way to a narrower fairing.
Last, but perhaps not least, the fairing's upper side air extractors have completely changed shape and become noticeably larger. New outputs have also appeared Simple work on radiator airflow or more, linked to a more powerful engine?
By schematizing to the extreme, we could therefore have:
– More weight on the rear (grip when accelerating)
– More support at the front (anti-wheelie)
– More power.
But all this is just speculation. So let’s give the floor to the person concerned…
Valentino Rossi : “It was a good test because we worked a lot and we found something good. We also tried the prototype of the new bike, but honestly we don't have much new. It's a different engine and the chassis settings are a little different, but it's just the first touch and it's already as good as we have. But then we worked more with the standard bike.”
“There are good things and bad things (laughs) but even though we know it's just the first touch, we expected a lot more. We will also be able to have other things during the next test of the 2nd part of the season.”
“We don't feel much difference but we expected it, because although the engine is a little different, it's not the 2020. It's only the first prototype. We are working and trying different things, but it is certain that we need more.”
“We are trying to get more grip, especially at the rear, and we are trying different settings again, because the rest of the bike is the same. We found some things a little better, some things a little worse, we're fighting the wheelie a little bit, so we still have a lot of work to do.”
“The carbon saddle on the other bike has a slightly different shape. We also tried different fairings on the first prototype for next year, to, as always, have less wheelies.”
“First of all, it's good to have something to try in Brno, like in the good old days, but this is only the first draft and we have a lot to do.”
“I think that in Misano, after Silverstone, it will be an important test for everyone because we will have something else.”
