Minimum combined rider/bike weight discussion

[maxu05]

Perhaps they should have a height chart like at some roller coaster rides stating that you must be this high to get on the ride. Poor Dani and Loris would be out of a ride

[Mach24]

proves (to me at least) that any advantages of being lighter than the competition is minimal and plays little bearing in the overall results.

Therefore if the weight is such a minimal factor, lets just combine the bike and rider weight and move on.

Unlike the 60 something kg poster above, I also raced and was over 100kg at the time.

My weight was not a great disadvantage around corners, but sure hampered me down the straights!

[ArmchairBikeFan]

Well, two of British 125cc racing's stars of the last few years are Chaz Davies and Leon Camier. Chaz is 6 foot tall, while Camier's 6'3" (he was smaller than that when he was in 125's, of course, but still huge compared to the others). So the combined bike and rider weight worked pretty well for those guys.

[maxu05]

I really don't think that the riders weight should be entered into. I think the minimum weights for the bikes should be set, but the riders weight should not be considered IMO.

[fatman]

I've heard quotes and comments from several riders and team members in MotoGP regarding Dani's weight over the years. It seems that everyone in the know agrees that Dani has no weight advantage or disadvantage. His size might lend to better aerodynamics in some parts of a track but he also has less body weight to through around in other parts of the track.

A good rider and team learn how to setup a bike and ride it according to their own strengths and weaknesses. Good communication between rider and team and a bike that the rider can manipulate into fitting his riding style is what is important. It's as simple as that.

[NinjaMaster]

Therefore if the weight is such a minimal factor, lets just combine the bike and rider weight and move on.

Or, why fix what ain't broke? I just reckon it becomes more of a pain in the ass adding more regulations and increasing the chances of controversy when a combo doesn't fit within the wieght limits. When does the rider's weight count, before the round or after the race? I think for the sake of keeping things simple then things remain the same.

Unlike the 60 something kg poster above, I also raced and was over 100kg at the time.

My weight was not a great disadvantage around corners, but sure hampered me down the straights!

What class did you race Mach (not 250 proddies I'll bet! )? There's always seems to be a big bloke racing in the superbike class and they just leave you thinking, the poor bloke's on a hiding to nothing the way sportbikes are getting smaller and smaller. It really is generally a small (in stature) man's sport.

[Mach24]

I raced a GSXR600 which was quiet large in comparison to the R6, ZX6 and CBR but it was a slug in a straight line with me on it.

However when I let a mate ride it he went on about how much grunt the thing had.

Combine the weights pleeeeeeeeeeeeease!

[maxu05]

I raced a GSXR600 which was quiet large in comparison to the R6, ZX6 and CBR but it was a slug in a straight line with me on it.

However when I let a mate ride it he went on about how much grunt the thing had.

Combine the weights pleeeeeeeeeeeeease!

I must disagree. The weight is set for the bikes, and that's it IMO. If I weigh 120 kg, and Pedrosa weighs 50kgs ? So Danis' bike must weigh 70kg more than my bike with this formula. So, I will be riding an RCV, and Dani must ride a Goldwing to keep the weights even.

[MrJan]

So, I will be riding an RCV, and Dani must ride a Goldwing to keep the weights even.

At least he'd be more comfortable than you, and he'd be able to listen to the radio.

[NinjaMaster]

I raced a GSXR600 which was quiet large in comparison to the R6, ZX6 and CBR but it was a slug in a straight line with me on it.

However when I let a mate ride it he went on about how much grunt the thing had.

Combine the weights pleeeeeeeeeeeeease!

So a vested interest eh? I don't think they'll have a 250kg combined racing weight!

I must disagree. The weight is set for the bikes, and that's it IMO. If I weigh 120 kg, and Pedrosa weighs 50kgs ? So Danis' bike must weigh 70kg more than my bike with this formula. So, I will be riding an RCV, and Dani must ride a Goldwing to keep the weights even.

At least the Goldwing has a reverse gear when he overshoots the straight as it runs out of brakes!