Stoner: 800s harder

Casey Stoner reckons the new generation 800cc machine are harder to ride than the old and more powerful 990cc MotoGP machines.

The factory Ducati rider, who recently impressed in testing at his home track in Phillip Island, said the new Desmosedici GP7 is a tougher bike to tame than the 250bhp Honda RCV he rode in 2006.

“A lot of people said these bikes are easy to ride but I have found the 800s more difficult to ride. You get the power similar to a 990 and you are still reefing it around but you have to ride it more like a 250 and that is hard to keep the corner speed up and change direction. 

“It’s a lot harder to change direction at higher corner speed and try and stay tucked in on the bike. All these things play a bit part on your body and its hard work, ”said Stoner, who was third quickest on race tyres at the last test in Phillip Island.

The former world 250 championship runner-up also said he missed the brutal horsepower of the extinct 990cc machine.

He added: “The 800s are fun but I still prefer the 990.They were just an animal. You could light them up in fifth gear whenever you wanted too and it was a real challenge to ride them. Now with 800s you have to be precise, get the lines right and not run wide.

“With a 990 it was get the power down and not lose too much grip towards the end the race.  It’s a little disappointing to lose that extra power but I think the 800s will improve the racing.”