The video below was released in conjunction with our first test of the Ducati Panigale V4S. It has been out for a while, but we stumbled across it this morning, and thought our readers would enjoy it.
Two-time MotoGP World champion Stoner is, of course, now a test rider for Ducati, so his comments could certainly be dismissed as biased. Nevertheless, watching the video of Stoner riding the Ricardo Tormo Circuit explains a lot about both his talent and the quality of Ducati’s new superbike. Have a look below.
See more of MD’s great photography:
Let’s compare his lap times on this versus the MotoGP bike. Then, we can see how it really measures up. I can’t imagine a production streetbike would be in the same league. I mean, Tony Romo is a good golfer and all, but the other guys are just on a different level. It would be fun to see how close they really were, though.
Interesting how much the rear tire goes “boing, boing” around :43
Good eye Tygaboy. Enough to cause mere mortals to crap our pants.
Wow! A $30k motorcycle that performs well! Whoodathunkit!
I was holding my deposit till Casey voiced his approval. Now I’ll buy two!
All joking aside…Can anyone ‘splain the physics and mechanics resulting in power slides like that? Are the tires over inflated to minimize traction?
The horsepower is overinflated to minimize traction. Seriously, those slides factor in to a quick lap time.
Thanks. I was definitely wondering if the sliding helps or hinders lap times. I thought the sliding in this case might just be for show/marketing purposes, but we’ve all seen the same in MotoGP, and certainly they are not doing it for show.
The most insane/unexplained and unexplainable thing I’ve seen on 2 wheels is MM93 turning his bike in high res slow motion, with the rear wheel skipping a half to one inch off the pavement, at freeway speeds or thereabouts. How the H is it possible to steer a 300# 240hp unicycle at speed?
We’ll have to ask MM, as if that would help us learn to replicate this feat, NOT!
Provologna, MotoGP riders would do a lot more sliding if they didn’t have to look after their tyres. It is disappointing that tyre management is such an important part of winning races instead of just flat out racing. What you have described is often called ‘backing it in’, when the rear wheel is moved sideways in the opposite direction to the corner while braking, to assist with turning the bike. I do this on the road in three slightly different forms. 1) With the rear wheel in the air. MM93 used to do this a lot, but not as often lately. 2) With the rear wheel skimming the road. 3) By using the rear brake to drag the rear wheel sideways (won’t work with ABS).
Normally when cornering we countersteer, which means we turn the front wheel in the opposite (counter to) direction of the corner to make the bike lean over. When the rear wheel is skimming the road or in the air it has little or no traction, but the front wheel has a lot of traction because it is carrying the full weight of the bike and rider. So when you attempt to countersteer you move the rear wheel sideways instead of turning the front.
To learn to do this you just need a lot of practice. It is best to try it in corners you are very familiar with that have room to run wide if you need to, maybe at a T-intersection. Practice braking later and harder until the rear wheel gets light, and the rest comes naturally. I never actually decide to back it in with the rear wheel in the air. I just decide to take the corner as hard and fast as I can, and that is what happens. Riders who are dependant on ABS to prevent over-braking should be careful because they probably haven’t developed the correct reactions for braking at this level. I always ride without ABS and traction control (unless I’m on an unfamiliar bike) and these systems could interfere with manoeuvres like this, unless they are top of the range (expensive) adjustable systems.
I read a test which said that anybody can do that now. You just have to select the right traction control setting. Takes the excitement out of it!
“Takes the excitement out of it!” – Kinda doubt it, sir, but let’s go get us a couple of these V4s and test that theory!
If someone does that without computer assistance I am mightily impressed with their riding skill. But now I’m just impressed with the skills of electronic engineers.
Guy has talent. Someone should sign him for MotoGp.
It’s a shame that he lacked the temperament and fortitude to continue on in MotoGP. He was a talented rider but also a delicate flower, far too easily upset by those critical of him. To be at the top in MotoGP, you need to have a thick skin, and he did not.
Not too sure about lacking the temperament – he has been riding and racing motorcycles since he was very young, young wife and family, plenty of finances, nothing left to prove. What then is the motivation to put your life on the line regularly if you’re just “over it”. Armchair experts don’t have ANY skin in the game
It’s not just about how racers respond to you and the other “armchair experts.” It’s about how they respond to competitors and mechanics (like Jerry Burgess) who are critical of them. It’s also how they respond to bike problems and rule changes. When Stoner retired he complained that “[t]he rules are changing too much and moving away from prototypes and going the opposite way, towards production-based bikes.” And yet here he is today, riding around empty race tracks on production Ducati street bikes, extolling their virtues for the camera.
I seem to recall he was at the top in MotoGP. He quit while on top … something I admire.
He quit when he was wearing no. 1 on his bike. I’ll always admire that.
Stoner quit after placing third in the 2012 season, behind Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa.
But he won the previous year which is why he had no.1 on his bike when he retired.
Onto, I was replying to Dirck’s comment that “he quit while on top.” The year he quit, Jorge Lorenzo was on top.
Love the footage of him roaring out of the right hander in a two wheeled slide straight into a wheelie
Oh to be able to ride like that…
If you believe the hype, all you need to do is buy a Ducati V4 and you can!
That thing would scare most of us into a change of underwear. lol
Couldn’t help but smile at the power slides. Nice video.
Looks like a fun way to spend the day. Ugly paint on that thing. The red ones look much better.
That’s funny. I have owned four Ducatis. But I had to watch the vid three times before I even looked at the colors. I always focus on how the bike is working. Maybe that is why I am such a poor street bike customer.
I ride dirt bike mostly. I put black plastic on them because it looks like crap after two rides. I can replace individual parts whenever they break and the thing only looks whack for a couple of rides.
I do morn scratches and blemishes on my street bikes. I am careful with them. But I really don’t care what color they are, for instance. They are equipment. Equipment comes in a stock color. I save the stock plastics for the guy who eventually buys the bike from me. It’s funny how few really appreciate that.
I do like stock seats, except on my 2003 Multistrada. But that is my backside talking.
“They are equipment”
Agree with you, Mick. I don’t really love and adore my bikes. I totally love what I can do on them. My focus is on the riding, and that has made me a better rider than most. I get sick of all the whining on this website about the way a bike looks, even down to minor details like the radiator cap.
There are many people who, no matter what bike they ride, will always ride poorly. The capabilities of a bike makes little difference to them, so they focus on the looks.
“There are many people who, no matter what bike they ride, will always ride poorly. The capabilities of a bike makes little difference to them, so they focus on the looks.”
Really? There are plenty of people who can ride well that care about a bikes looks. Not sure where you came up with that. Does it make you feel better about riding an ugly bike?
This is coming from someone who bought one of the dullest bikes available (CB1100) just because he likes the looks.
How do you define, “ride poorly”, and why should your definition mean anything to anyone else who enjoys riding their motorcycle?
Dave, you are free to ride how you want and what you want. I was just pointing out a difference – why, when a new bike is released, some people only comment on its looks while others are more interested in its performance and handling, and why some people refuse to buy a really good bike just because of its looks. Take note of what Mick said. He didn’t even notice the colour at first. He was focussed on how the bike was working which, to me, suggests he is probably a good rider because he understands these things.
Getting back to my main point. I am sick of all the complaining on this website about the way some bikes look. When someone only comments negatively about the looks and makes no comment about the bike’s capabilities it is a good indication that they don’t ride well.
Wow, you just keep making one blanket statement after another!
If someone talks about performance, they’re definitely an exceptional rider, but if they comment about aesthetics, they clearly don’t know how to ride?
THAT is rich, my friend…
I made some additional points in another post, but since it predictably got stuck in “moderation” you’ll have to wait to read it. But something tells me you’ve got this all figured out, anyway, so what’s the point in having this discussion…
Like this poser, talking about how a bike looks? Must be a tosser, this one!
“This (GSX-S1000F) reminds me of when the Katana 1100 was released. When I saw the pictures, I hated it. When I actually saw the bike, I liked it. When I rode it, I loved it, and it is still one of my all time favourite motorcycles. Some people overreact when they see pictures of something new, and don’t realise that bikes often look very different and much better when you actually see them.”
Turns out, there are actually all kinds of rider/bike combinations out there…
I’ve personally known guys who always have the best motorcycles available, and they detail them with a Q-tip and a toothbrush after every ride – and they can also ride circles around most other riders! Of course, I’ve also seen riders who were just as talented and capable, but their bikes were so ugly and crappy it made you wonder if they were even roadworthy.
Obviously, there are some riders who have beautiful, powerful machines, and it’s all they can do to putt around in a straight line. And then, there are many crappy riders on crappy bikes…
In addition to those extremes… there’s everyone else!
Point being, what do you care if someone buys a motorcycle for its looks, or its performance, or both, or neither? Did you buy your bike for all the right reasons? If so, good!
Scott, I’ve read a lot of your comments and I’ve come to the conclusion that you really need to find something interesting to do with your life, instead of just reacting negatively to whatever other people say.
Well, gee, I’m flattered you took the time to do all that research on me. So I just have to know: Am I a good rider or a bad rider?
Scott, you are paranoid. I didn’t take any time to do any research on you which, it appears, is what you have done. I’m quite proud of that comment you quoted and don’t understand why you tried to use it against me. I read this website most days because it is one of the best in the world for keeping up with motorcycling news so, over time, I have read a lot of your comments. Like many others I am sick of your snide comments and negativity. Calm down, and give people the benefit of the doubt. On this type of website we try to keep our comments brief and often don’t fully explain things, hoping that readers are open minded enough to see what we are trying to say. Instead of overreacting, stop and think about the possible interpretations of what others have said.