Moto: GP bike upgrades (Qatar test 2021)

Plenty of new and updated innovations have been tested in Qatar by factory teams for their 2021 Moto: GP bikes setup, more upgrades to be rolled out in the coming testings.

One of the foremost interesting aspects of pre-season testing is seeing what the various manufacturers are working hard on during the winter. New technology is being unrolled all the time in MotoGP™ and 2021 is not any exception, with many new parts being put through their paces at the Qatar Test – with more set to return within the next three days.So, let’s have a glance at what each manufacturer has delivered to the table thus far .

DUCATI:

The innovation kings of MotoGP™. In recent years, Ducati have led the way in bringing new and before unseen additions to the track. 2021 has seen the Bologna factory unveil some more creations, the foremost notable being their new front aero. this is often quite significant change and something we’ve never seen before, it looks like it’s quite just a ‘winglet’.

We don’t know needless to say , but Ducati could possibly be watching tidying up the airflow to extend top speed and make more grip within the corners. It’s a really interesting update and what we do know needless to say is that Gigi Dall’Igna and Ducati are continuing to flex their muscles within the aero department.

APRILIA:

The engine, chassis, two aero designs, exhausts and ‘salad box’ have changed, and Aprilia also have their first carbon swingarm – which means Suzuki are the only manufacturer that don’t have this feature.

KTM:

The Austrian manufacturer’s biggest visual change is that the new seat unit. Dani Pedrosa has been testing it thoroughly thus far in Qatar, while the opposite riders are trying out a replacement fairing. It’s slimmer at the highest with – seemingly – a couple of more ‘shark teeth’ carved in, as seen on Pedrosa’s bike below:

HONDA:

The Japanese giants have brought three different chassis to the Qatar Test: one ‘standard 2020’, one with carbon bonded onto the frame and a totally new one – the one seen in Jerez with Stefan Bradl at the beginning of 2021. New aero – first seen at the Misano Test last year – has been tested by Bradl and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) within the first few days, Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) and Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) will little question have a play at some point too.

SUZUKI:

One of the most talking points from the planet Champions is that test rider Sylvain Guintoli, Joan Mir and Alex Rins have given a 2022 engine a run out. Guintoli and Rins have both said that it’s a marked improvement. a replacement chassis is getting used too also as a replacement swingarm, with Mir’s crew chief Frankie Carchedi explaining on Twitter that they’ve had “many more new and exciting” parts to undertake .

YAMAHA:

The Yamaha riders are testing a replacement chassis, with Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) saying that he’s found a touch bit more top speed with “many small parts” being tried. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) have both confirmed they’ve tried a replacement chassis, with factory Team Manager Massimo Meregalli suggesting some new aero could be coming soon…