MotoGP: 125GP bikes being replaced by 250cc 4-strokes

[2WheelGuy]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sp...?&R=EPI-124407


Moto3 to replace 125 GP class

By Matthew Birt - MotoGP

01 June 2010 13:58

The technical revolution in MotoGP will be completed in 2012 when the current 125cc two-strokes are banished in favour of a 250cc four-stroke single-cylinder world championship called Moto3, MCN can reveal.

Discussions have been taking place for several weeks now on plans for the new class, which would end the two-stroke Grand Prix racing era for the first time since the world championship’s inception in 1949.

MCN sources confirmed the new class will not replicate the current 600cc four-stroke Moto2 class and be a controlled Honda engine, even though the Japanese factory patented a reverse single cylinder four-stroke last year, as was revealed in MCN.

MCN understands Honda is already working on a 250cc four-stroke single motor that has been fitted into a race RS125 chassis for initial testing at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan.

It’s understood that with minimal development work, the bike was 1.5s faster than a Grand Prix 125GP machine at the venue for the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Moto3 class will be multi-engine with prototype chassis and is designed to provide a cheap alternative to the current 125cc two-stroke format.

There are fears that the 125 class entry could be seriously impacted by the huge popularity of the new Moto2 class.

The 250cc two-stroke replacement series has a bumper entry of 40 bikes, but most 125 teams want to be part of the series because of the increased exposure.

A source said: “Some 125 teams want to be in Moto2 and some Moto2 teams are struggling with the budget to remain in the class. With Moto3 it will help create a healthy entry in both classes.”

The Japanese already have a domestic national series for motocross-based 250cc four-stroke cylinder engines in a road racing chassis.

And there is even a production racer by tuning experts Moriwaki called the MD250H that uses a modified CRF250 engine in an alloy beam chassis.

[HKr1]

Should have been ninja 250's

[CZroe]

A 250cc four-stroke in an RS125 chassis? A street-legal RS125 has been a wet dream of mine since I first laid eyes on the bike!

[2WheelGuy]

Hopefully this will bring a resurgence of interest in 250cc bikes.

[patw]

Just saw the same story at: http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/rumo...replace-125gp/

More 250's would be great, and because I live in Canada, we might actually get them unlike you Americans

[backinthesaddleagain]

Next thing you know there will be 4 stroke jet skis, snowmachines, and mx bikes. And CD's will replace records, Liberace will be outed as gay (not that there's anything wrong with that), and the Berlin wall will come down.

OK some stealing from Austin Powers and Seinfeld. I remember years ago when an engineer told me "4 stroke snowmobiles - that will never happen they dont rev quick enough." Wish I could send him one as a reminder.

[Xoulrath]

So are they using the same format as the new 600cc class then? With Honda as the sole engine supplier? As a consumer, I really hate that. I would prefer competition at some level with regards to engines. Allow teams who want to get a spec engine to do so and minimize mods to keep the racing tight and control costs. Well, maybe Honda will decide to market the 250 engine and give Kawi some competition so I can get my ZX-2R.

[2WheelGuy]

Originally Posted by Xoulrath

So are they using the same format as the new 600cc class then? With Honda as the sole engine supplier?

MCN sources confirmed the new class will not replicate the current 600cc four-stroke Moto2 class and be a controlled Honda engine, even though the Japanese factory patented a reverse single cylinder four-stroke last year, as was revealed in MCN.

[Ninjette Newsbot]

The two-stroke GP era may be coming to an end

Click here for full story...

[ithaca00]

I was hoping for a twin cylinder engine 250 but oh well. This should be fun to watch. I hope that all of the teams put case protectors on though

[Daeldren]

Don't know if this will carry over to production bikes or not, maybe we will see a 250 4 stroke from Aprilia down the road. I still think they should replace the 2 strokes with 500 cc singles though.

[Alex]

/threads merged

[CC Cowboy]

I love 2 strokes. I miss two strokes.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I love 2 strokes. I miss two strokes.

Whats better than the smell of race gas mixed with Castrol R bean oil?

[Daeldren]

Don't get me wrong I love 2 strokes but it just seems the industry wants to destroy them all for the most part with all the epa regulations (which can be debated). But I would like to see more low displacement street RR bikes and if that means a switch to 4 stroke in Motogp then so be it.