Suzuki MotoGP Has Positive Test At Misano

Troy Siahaan
by Troy Siahaan

The Suzuki MotoGP test team has completed three-days of extensive testing at the Misano circuit in Italy, evaluating several new factory parts including a new chassis, new engine-specifications and revised electronics, plus a new-styled cowling. All in preparation for the manufacturer’s return to grand prix racing in 2015.

Test riders Randy De Puniet and Nobuatsu Aoki put in more-than 200 laps of the 4,064km (2.5 mi) circuit in the Provence of Rimini, trying-out improved settings and finding new direction to move-on to the next test at Mugello in a week.

The new engine specifications were revised for more torque and coupled with new electronics for better traction control and engine braking. Meanwhile the new chassis, elected by the team to further develop at last month’s Motegi Test in Japan, was also evaluated and developed further along with a new-style cowling designed for a better overall top speed.

The Suzuki MotoGP test team initially encountered some issues due to low rear-grip and braking, but over the duration of the test – that saw track temperatures fluctuate between the low 70s to nearly triple digit heat, with mixed wet and dry conditions – much-needed data was acquired and the team is very positive moving-on to Mugello.

De Puniet’s best lap time on the opening day was a 1’35″097 after completing 74 laps. After a wet Tuesday – when De Puniet did not go out and testing was replaced by long-standing Suzuki Factory Test Rider Aoki – this improved to a 1:34.882 after 102 laps and many of the revisions employed by the team. For comparison, Repsol Honda hot shoe, and championship leader, Marc Marquez, set the fastest time of the test with a 1:33.264.

Troy Siahaan
Troy Siahaan

Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.

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