The MotoGP, which was first organized in 1949, is the oldest motorsport championship in the globe.
The grand Prix-style motor racing form uses motorcycles that are considered to be of the highest standard.
This annual competition is held on road circuits and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).
Although different teams are allowed in the game and are permitted to tune their motorcycles as they desire, some teams like Yamaha and Honda dominate the arena.
This interesting competition usually consists of twenty bikes from varied manufacturers. The bikes begin in a grid pattern, and positions given to riders are dependent on their qualifying time.
The fastest qualifier usually earns the front or pole position, as it is called. Because of this sport’s fascinating nature, many people love it and are intrigued about its mode of operations.
This article addresses some common and important questions that people ask about MotoGP.
Contents
Do MotoGP bikes have a clutch?
Some MotoGP bikes have a clutch. However, the riders do not use them except at the beginning and end of the race.
This is because the bikes come with quick shifters, eliminating the need to use the clutch while on the track.
The clutch usually constitutes additional weight in regular bikes, but this is modified in MotoGP bikes.
Because the motorcycles are designed to have lightweights, the clutch is also manufactured specially and is lighter than normal. This clutch is not available for public purchase.
The system is specifically designed to control downshifts and upshifts and make the change seamless with the help of special gearboxes.
The bikes are purebred and particularly designed for racing.
The quick shifters and slipper clutch take care of the work of the clutch. Some teams do not use the clutch as they prefer the slipper clutch to do all the work.
Why are MotoGP Gears Upside Down?
The last time a MotoGP rider used the regular shift was in 2009, by Chris Vermeulen. The reason why the gears of these motorbikes are reversed is basically for the convenience of the riders.
The riders drive at very high speed and tend to lean over at 65 degrees when navigating turns.
This makes it difficult for them to comfortably get their foot under the shift pedal to change the gear.
In fact, it is impossible for them to wedge their foot between the pedal and the ground because there is no space for them to do that.
When riders get to the middle of a corner, it is rare to find them making a downshift.
They can only do so when they are about to enter into the turn, and when that happens, they will have to try hard to maintain their balance.
Using a downshift reduces their chances of messing up the racing lines and allows them to correct mistakes easily.
The upshifts are used as they move away from the corner. Mistakes made with upshift are a bit more difficult to correct.
Do MotoGP Bikes Have Speedometers?
No, Moto GP bikes do not come with speedometers. The sport holder typically reveals the speed of a bike while the competition is ongoing.
Although the average speed limit is between 160-185km/h, most riders drive above this limit because the race is for the swift, and to emerge as the winner, the rider must drive above-average speed.
Perhaps it is good that the bikes do not come with a speedometer, as some riders may be a form of distraction to the riders.
More so, regardless of the speed at which the riders move, they do not feel any sensation until they have ended the race. As a result of this, they can be driving at really high speed and not know.
Although too high speed is dangerous, a level of it is required for the game, and riders have been trained to drive within speed limits.
Do MotoGP Bikes Have ABS?
As a matter of rule, MotoGP bikes do not have Anti-locking Brake Systems (ABS). The governing body, FIM, clearly states this in the rule book because riders must manage to finish their race.
ABS prevents the back wheel from locking up when the break is initiated, therefore allowing it to retain contact and friction with the road’s surface.
However, the bikes are permitted to have other parts like the lever, and they should be designed to suit the rider’s preference.
The brake usage should also be in line with the options provided, but it does not have any form of electronic assistance.
To prevent teams from creating settings that function like ABS, IMU and ECU are used instead.
Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) is designed to inform the bike on what it’s been done, such as yaw, acceleration, and pitch.
This unit copies measurement and data and relays them to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which then applies the information to take care of functions such as controlling wheels, braking control from riders input, and acceleration lunch control.
Do MotoGP Riders use Shorty Levers?
No, riders who compete in MotoGP use bikes with longer levers. This is because the riders need to be as comfortable as possible as they will be moving at a very high speed.
Therefore, they use levers that are designed to give them the convenience they need. Using an uncomfortable lever will be dangerous for the competitors.
Another thing is that short levers do not give as much control, which is vital for the race.
In a competition like MotoGP, the riders need the best of everything they can get to attain maximum performance. Hence their bikes are specifically designed for the racing competition.
Do MotoGP Bikes Have Mirrors?
Unlike racing cars, MotoGP bikes do not have mirrors. This is basically due to two reasons.
Firstly, it is impracticable to have mirrors on the bikes because riders are constantly changing their head position, which makes it hard to decide the right place to fix a mirror.
The continuous change in position of the head, aerodynamics is significant to the riders, and putting a mirror on the bike will create drag.
Also, the 1000cc engine of the motorcycle causes a vibration that makes using the mirror impossible.
The rapid turn that the riders navigate equally makes it difficult to see anything in the mirror, let alone make a decision from the vision.
Another reason why mirrors are not used in MotoGP despite their importance in regular driving is that they can be dangerous rather than safe.
The nature of the competition may result in the breaking of mirrors which will become a hazardous situation for riders.
Does MotoGP Refuel?
MotoGP does not allow refueling in the middle of a game. The competition is a sprint, and riders need to put in their best.
The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) is an essential feature of MotoGP bikes that allows minimum power usage to gain maximum efficiency.
Hence, the fuel tank of 5.55 gallons is not refilled until the race is ended.
Riders control fuel consumption with the aid of the readings inputted in the ECU from the engine mapping control. They are expected to maintain high speed while doing this.
Final Words
MotoGP is one of the several motorcycle racing competitions in the world. However, it is the oldest and attracts a lot of attention.
The game is guided by specific rules and modes of operation laid down by the governing body. Because of its several rules, fans are often intrigued about what is or what is not obtainable in the game.
This article addresses some of the common questions that people ask about MotoGP. It also explains the reasons behind the rules.
With this knowledge in mind, fans will watch the game better understand why some things are done, and have more fun watching.
Source:
https://www.monsterenergy.com/news/what-do-motogp-riders-see-and-use-in-a-race
https://motomatters.com/photo_page/2019/01/25/tom_s_tech_treasures_a_close_up_view_of.html
https://shiftndrive.com/performance-tuning/why-is-the-motogp-shifter-pattern-reversed
https://cotaexperiences.com/blog/bid/358072/the-secret-behind-a-motogp-pit-stop