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MOTOGP: Big Problems For Little Pedrosa
185-mph speed wobbles have Dani Pedrosa describing the 2010 Honda RC212V in less than flattering terms.
Colin Young  |  Posted April 23, 2010  
Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa (Photo: Honda Pro Images)

A crucial chassis design flaw is set to cost Honda riders valuable points until after next week's Spanish GP at Jerez, now the second race of the season.

Repsol Honda factory rider Dani Pedrosa has described the 2010 model RC212V as beyond difficult to ride while Honda are rushing to find solutions to the frequently uncomfortable handling of their bike.

HRC vice-president Shuhei Nakamoto expects it will be after the Jerez race before Pedrosa and teammate Andrea Dovizioso are in a position to go for race wins.

Pedrosa is the one in the most trouble and his troubled seventh place, after a daring early dash, in the season opener Qatar GP reflects the current dramas with the RC212V.

Dovizioso finished third in the Qatar after briefly leading with six laps remaining but he had no late-race response to the Yamaha 1-2 of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.

The lightweight Pedrosa is suffering from scary, 300-kph speed wobbles and a lack of balance that he says gives him no chance of winning.

Chassis and swingarm stiffness, weight distribution, and center of gravity are linked to the problem, all complicated by the 110lb Pedrosa's light weight.

Nakamoto says the switch to Öhlins suspension is not the major issue and he also claims a new engine management system for the factory bikes is taming the aggressive power delivery.

Dramatic on-board television pictures from the rear seat unit of Pedrosa's Honda in Qatar were clear evidence that his bike is shaking all over, at times almost out of control.


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