Drivers in 2013 : Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) / Andrea Iannone and Ben Spies (Ducati Pramac)

Honda RC213V: the favorite

In 2012, Pedrosa and Stoner won eight of the last eighteen Grands Prix (six and two wins respectively): with the exception of the San Marino GP, the official RC213Vs won everything from Laguna Seca to Valencia! Suffice to say that the Honda will clearly be the benchmark bike for the start of the season..

Under these conditions, it is not surprising that the first manufacturer admits to having changed very little on its 2013 prototype. The rigidity of the perimeter frame and of the swinging arm has, however, been retouched this winter in order to improve the d entry into curves, a phase where the Honda is traditionally less at ease than the Yamaha.

What’s more, the HRC has also tweaked its famous – and expensive – gearbox to make it run as fast and smooth when downshifting as it is upshifting. "Seamless" type, this transmission – whose technical details are jealously guarded by Honda – would simultaneously engage two gears at each pressure on the selector, hence lightning gear changes and demonic acceleration out of curves.

The electronic control unit developed by the HRC (Honda is the only manufacturer not to outsource the design of its ECU) has also benefited from new developments designed to optimize the response to acceleration and the management of the engine brake..

Finally, some alterations were made to the fairing to improve the aerodynamics and cooling of the engine. Speaking of the engine, a big secret concerning the architecture of the Honda V4 has recently been unveiled: since the switch to 1000cc in 2011, the opening angle of the block has gone from about 75 ° to 90 °.

"With the limitation of the bore to 81 mm, forcing the stroke of the engine to be extended, this choice was imposed on our engineers.", explained Shuhei Nakamoto, vice-president of the HRC. Several reasons motivate this evolution: confronted with a problem of congestion – due to the increase in displacement -, Honda opened the angle of its four-cylinder to 90 ° to maintain a center of gravity almost as low as with the 800cc V4 (whose opening was estimated between 72 and 76 °).

Concretely, the 1000cc V4 hardly takes up more space in height than the 800cc V4, but it is longer. A less important constraint with the new 1000cc since their wheelbase is higher than that of the 800cc.

On the other hand, a 90 ° V4 is smoother and has above all a natural setting which avoids installing a balance shaft. Results: fewer moving parts therefore less internal friction, or more power and less vibrations. The positive impact on consumption and reliability is also a factor not to be overlooked.

This technical upheaval demonstrates two important things: first, that Honda continues to invest financially and technically in MotoGP. A good thing, certainly. Second, a 90 ° V4 is an excellent basis for winning the premier class: Stoner won the title as soon as it was introduced in 2011 and Pedrosa did not go far last year. A demonstration that undermines the theories according to which all the evils of Ducati are due to this architecture…

RC213 technical characteristics :

Drivers in 2013 : Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez (HRC) / Alvaro Bautista (Gresini) and Stefan Bradl (LCR)

Yamaha YZR-M1: the right balance…

Despite her enviable status as reigning world champion, the M1 did not start as a favorite in 2013. Why? Because it lacks a handful of horses to keep the Honda high and especially the famous ultra-fast Seamless gearbox available to the RCV and the Desmosedici !

Because of these two factors, the Yam ‘loses ground with each exit of curves: Lorenzo and Rossi have not stopped telling Japanese engineers during the winter, especially after testing on the new Austin track. where the Honda advantage seemed obvious.

Yamaha promised its riders that they would soon have this type of transmission, but that it was still in development in the racing department of the Iwata crest. In the meantime, the "new" teammates will have to compensate by taking advantage of the strengths of their bike: perfect balance, a gradual go-around and greater liveliness when entering the curve..

In addition, Yamaha technicians did not sit idly by during the offseason: the perimeter frame has seen its stiffness points revised to improve the delicate compromise between resistance and flexibility. Because on the angle, the frame must be able to deform slightly to promote the work of the tires and suspensions, while offering the rigidity necessary to withstand braking exceeding 1.5 g (1.6 g in the first right at Mugello !).

To alleviate the ground clearance problems noted in 2012 (some riders take a 62 ° angle!), Yamaha has also slightly raised the 4-cylinder in-line in the frame. In order to preserve the balance of the motorcycle, the fuel tank placed under the seat was lowered and moved back. A measure with two advantages, since it keeps the center of gravity low enough and improves traction thanks to the additional weight placed on the rear.

The other side of the coin: the saddle shell is stockier, therefore less aerodynamic and the benefit on traction will gradually disappear as the tank empties. This could penalize the end of the race where the tire, more worn than at the start, offers less grip…

2013 YZR-M1 technical characteristics :

Drivers in 2013 : Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi (Yamaha Factory) / Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith (Yamaha Tech 3)

CRT / Aprilia – ART (Aprilia Racing Technology)

ART (Aprilia Racing Technology) is without doubt the most competitive CRT (Claiming Rule Team) … and the most controversial! Built around a "World Superbike" version of the 999.6 cc V4, it adopts a perimeter frame also developed by Aprilia..

Clearly, ART is a kind of "Super Superbike"! It differs from Sylvain Guintoli’s bike only by its original fairings, the adoption of carbon discs and a more rigid frame – designed to adapt to higher constraints and Bridgestones.

But as the number of engines is limited in MotoGP, the ART V4 is deliberately restricted to ensure its reliability: for information, 34 engines were fitted last season on the bike of WSBK world champion Max Biaggi, while Randy de Puniet and the other CRT pilots are only allowed 12 blocks (5 for the prototypes) !

At the request of the teams, the Noale coat of arms has however gradually "let go" of a few additional horses during the season. For 2013, the frame has been reinforced and new adjustment possibilities are emerging: according to Randy de Puniet, the most "capped" in the category, these modifications bring a real plus.

Like last year, ART has its own electronic control unit that Aprilia developed in GP250 with Magneti Marelli. For now, the "top teams" of the Italian manufacturer refuse to adopt the unique ECU offered free of charge by Dorna, knowing that motorcycles which do not use it in 2014 will have to carry three liters of fuel less…

Despite the continuous improvement of the ART and its status as a benchmark CRT, this "sub-MotoGP" is however still far from the score against the prototypes: during the second winter practice session at Sepang, the fastest of its pilots (Aleix Espargaro) was 2.5 seconds from the fastest lap achieved by the RCV of Pedrosa (2’00.100 against 2’02.628)…

Technical characteristics of the CRT / ART 2013 :

Drivers in 2013 : Aleix Espargaro and Randy de Puniet (Aspar) / Yonny Hernandez (Paul Bird Motorsport) / Karel Abraham (AB Cardion)

CRT / Aprilia PBM

Paul Bird’s team lined up two motorcycles in 2013: an ART ridden by Yonny Hernandez and an Aprilia-powered CRT, but with a homemade chassis and "Magneti Dorna" electronics. The rookie Michael Laverty is in charge of developing it, at the same time as he discovers the category: Eugène’s big brother (Guintoli’s teammate in WSBK) will have to work twice as hard. !

Technically, this ART / PBM differs essentially from Randy de Puniet’s motorcycle by its chassis: although it is also of the perimeter type in aluminum, it has a slightly different design from the Aprilia frame, especially in terms of the rear suspension..

Designed by GPMS Technology, a subcontractor with which the late Kenny Roberts Senior team worked, this new chassis has the advantage of introducing (or reintroducing, rather) a new manufacturer in MotoGP. An approach that Dorna would encourage, by providing financial support to the Paul Bird Motorsports (PBM) team.

Speaking of finances, the British team signed a sponsorship contract this winter with MinxFlix, a specialist in "adult" videos on the web (a dirty site, what!). Between the LCR Playmates, the stunning Monster Girl’s Yamaha and the cheerful hostesses of MinxFlix, the MotoGP starting grid will soon be discouraged from under 16s !

Technical characteristics of the CRT / ART-PBM 2013 :

Pilot in 2013 : Michael Laverty (PBM)

CRT / BMW-Suter

Originally, Giampiero Sacchi, the boss of the Ioda Racing team, wanted to develop his own CRT around the Aprilia V4 … This bike called "TR 003" fizzled out and was replaced in 2013 by two BMW engine CRTs inserted in a Suter frame.

Much criticized by Colin Edwards in 2012, this package suffered from the lack of development of its electronics developed by BMW and Bosch. To get around the problem, Ioda Racing opted for the unique ECU provided by Magneti Marelli, an economical and less restrictive solution in development..

Still, this "Dorna Approved" control unit still needs to progress to reach the level of the competition, whether in terms of reliability (many bugs this winter) and adjustment possibilities…

Technically, most of the changes to the Suter-BMW relate to the rigidity of the chassis. The block of the S1000RR has not received any major changes: the challenge again this year will be to improve the use of its power via electronics! Note that the Ioda team runs our best representative in Moto2: Johann Zarco.

2013 CRT / BMW-Suter technical characteristics :

Drivers in 2013 : Danilo Petrucci and Lukas Pesek (Came IdoaRacing)

CRT / Honda-FTR

In 2013, Fausto Gresini will still be the only team manager to field a 100% prototype MotoGP (a Honda RC213V driven by Bautista) and a CRT. Faithful to the first manufacturer, Gresini has chosen an engine which takes place in a frame designed by FTR.

After many worries of "youth" at the beginning of 2012 (fairings rubbing the ground in curves, uncertain mechanical reliability, etc.), the Honda semi-proto has made considerable progress, to the point of signing the best result of a CRT: on its handlebars , Pirro finished the Valencia GP in fifth position in the wet !

Few changes can be reported for 2013, with the exception of a new swingarm designed to improve traction. Electronically, Gresini was not convinced by the advantages of the "Dorna-Marelli" ECU and preferred to renew his confidence in Cosworth. A perilous choice insofar as the Italian team is the only one to use this unit, which does not favor its development … In return, the FTR-Honda benefits from all the attention of the British engineering company.

2013 CRT / FTR-Honda technical characteristics :

Pilot in 2013 : Bryan Staring (FTR-Honda Gresini)

CRT / Kawasaki-FTR

Appreciated for its power and reliability, the four-cylinder Kawasaki ZX-10R propels four CRTs in 2013. It takes place in an FTR aluminum perimeter frame very similar to that used for the Honda-powered Gresini CRT.

This winter, the chassis manufacturer focused on finding the right degree of chassis and swingarm flexibility. All four bikes are fitted with the Magneti Marelli "Dorna Approved" electronic control unit, which did not fail to cause some small "ignition delays" during the pre-season tests….

Although a lot of fine-tuning is still to be done, the bike convinced its four riders during the offseason despite the lap times slightly behind. Glad to have gotten rid of the Suter-BMW – which he called "pile of m … e"Last year! – Colin Edwards even pledged to finish the first CRT rider on the FTR-Kawasaki at the opening in Qatar.

Technical characteristics of the CRT / FTR-Kawasaki :

Pilot in 2013 : Colin Edwards and Claudio Corti (NGM Forward) / Hiroshi Aoyama and Hector Barbera (Avintia Blusens).