Question about race bikes: RPMs

[YamahaFan]

So I watched the Grand Prix race in Germany last weekend, they showed average RPM on the leader (Scott?) at around 15k, goes up to 17-18k! WTF? Is that because race bikes are built different or because they're 1000cc? I haven't looked at a 1000cc bike so I have no idea (haven't had the need to :) ). Meh - my bike redline at 11.5k, max out at 13k!

So call me old school and straight me out.

[pintslayer]

They have a much more agressive cam, higher compression, and a more robust valve train than your street bike. Your bike needs to make usable power from idle on up. If a MotoGP bike is on the track at idle, there better not be anyone riding it. I'd be willing to bet those bikes never fall below about 5000 RPM during the course of a race. Back in the 60's, Honda had a 250cc SIX-CYLINDER that idled at about 5000 RPM and didn't really start making power until about 9000 RPM. Riding a bike like that would be hellish in traffic, but it got around the Isle of Man quick enough.

It's all in how they're built.

[adrian]

GP bikes are built to last from race to race, from expensive materials that get used up pretty quickly.

Remember, GP racing is a hybrid freakshow. Frankenstein bikes that don't have a requirement to build X amount for motorcycle sales floors each year.