Bandit vs Moto3 Bike

Just watching Moto3 qualifying at the Japanese circuit.  Made me think, which would be faster around a race track:
(a) moto3 bike ridden by a moto3 rider; or
(b) standard Bandit, ridden by, say, one of us?

How big would the gap be?      

ENORMOUS.  And not in our favour. Their cornering speeds are amazing.

Oh, that bad.  And only 10% of our engine capacity.

Hmmm, maybe if the moto 3 rider was on a postie bike! 

And delivering mail, we'd have a chance.

Well, some real world experience.

I have been at Marulan when Wayne Gardner's kids were practising (not on moto 3 bikes mind you). I think Remy was about 12 at the time.

It's a small track so suited to smaller bikes but they were faster than anyone else there. We all were happy they were not allowed on the track with us as it would have been humiliating.

I think the moto3 guys would kill a middle aged bloke on a bandit, even with some long straights to even out the challenge.

Rob

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Go and watch them live, they are quicker than you think. Just remember they are still gp bikes, just with modified dirt bike motors. Anyone that has ridden a new 4 stroke 250 dirt bike would have to say they are not slow like the old XR, Ttr, drz etc. throw in a sports bike frame, sticky rubber and a 40kg kid that can ride and we are toast.

after going to the GP last year, I was blown away by all the bikes, you just don`t realise how fast they are until you see them in person

I was impressed with the 3`s , then the 2`s, and then the 1`s were speachless

+1. I remember my first trip to the island. When we walked in the 125's were doing their warmups and I thought it was the GP bikes from a distance having never seen or heard them live before. Totally impressed, they fly around at incredible speeds. I reckon you'd be lapped within 4-5 laps.

At our level, (i.e. not graded road racers), machines make suprising little difference, its all about the rider.

Years ago when I was a photographer, I use to spend a heap of time at the Island with Stay Upright. I had the opportunity to get in on the fun and ride the track. On a GSXR-750T with road tyres, the best I could do was 1:52. At the time 500GP bikes were lapping at 1:32 a full 20 seconds a lap faster. Not sure what the 125's and 250's were doing but I am guessing not much off the 500's times. It's mid blowing what they are doing now. Just to make me feel better at the time my dad asked his friend what he was lapping on his Norton in classic races down there.... 1:51, I was shattered

Our Bandits would only have a chance on the straights. This year the Moto3's pole position time was 1 min 36.8 secs.
They're almost where the 500's were when Gardner and Doohan were racing in 89 and 90.
The Moto3's sound a lot better in the flesh and really look spectacular around through the Hayshed.
I'm a big fan and would love to have a go myself at the little pocket rockets.

I only saw about 2 Bandits on the Barry Sheene Ride this year, although the weather was pretty cold and damp for the ride. Luckily I had a walking stick and was 'forced' to be in a dry car. I was still jealous of them none the less.

The racing was great this year and the excitement of the pitstops fantastic.

Cowes nightlife is good and a few beers down at the Continental Pub and a Pizza at Pino's is always a favourite past time.

Get down there next year for the Island Classic on Australia Day and the World Superbikes towards the end of Feb, its a great time.