Loris Capirossi positive about new Suzuki motor

Italian veteran Loris Capirossi reckons an early spec 2009 Suzuki engine he tested in Japan yesterday is another step in the right direction to help the Japanese factory get on par with rivals Yamaha and Ducati.

Capirossi made his debut on the new GSV-R motor at the Twin Ring Motegi yesterday, but his first analysis was restricted to less than 30 laps as torrential rain forced the test to be abandoned at lunch.

Capirossi had to revert back to an old chassis, with a new frame he’s been using since the Brno test in August needing to be modified to house the new engine, but the triple world champion told MCN:

“I think the direction Suzuki is taking is not too bad but we have to continue working harder because this engine is the first step of development for 2009. There are some improvements but the engine only fits in the old chassis at the moment and I don’t really like that 100 per cent.

“I didn’t change tyres and did the whole morning with the same set. We are looking for more top horsepower and this engine is better than the old one, but it is still not enough.

“We were also working a lot on getting power to the ground. The new engine is a little bit smoother but we need to work more because this is the area where our competitors have made big steps.”

Capirossi said it was crucial to get an early run on the motor, with Suzuki now able to digest his feedback and make more changes for the first winter test session immediately after the final race in Valencia.

“Normally these are the parts we are testing in Valencia. Now we have two months more time to work on the engine to make the next step because without this test, the engine coming to Valencia would be this one, and already I have asked for many modifications.

“We had two big meetings with the factory engineers on Sunday and another big meeting after the test to really understand what we need for next year and we are much clearer, “said the former Ducati rider.

Capirossi also tested a new traction control system that he said ‘is not too bad’, while he also ran a new fairing and added: “This is a step as it helped with change of direction and it put more weight on the front. It was also a little bit faster on the straight.”

Test rider Nobuatsu Aoki is expected to race the new motor as a wild card at the Sepang GP in Malaysia next month, but Capirossi said he was unsure whether he would race with it before the end of the season.