MotoGP: Kawasaki focus on more horsepower for 2008

Kawasaki’s Technical Director Ichiro Yoda said the key focus of winter development for the Japanese factory is going to be on reducing the horsepower gap to rivals Ducati.

Preparing for the arrival of American John Hopkins in Kawasaki’s factory team next season, Ichiro Yoda said improving the current ZX-RR motor would be the main focus for engineers.

Yoda has told MCN engine performance is now the critical area in MotoGP, as has been demonstrated by the phenomenal success of Ducati’s factory GP7.

In the hands of Casey Stoner, Ducati has won eight races in 2007 and the Australian is on the brink of winning his first world title.

Kawasaki has made huge strides with the performance of its ZX-RR this season, with several engine and chassis upgrades for Randy de Puniet and Anthony West.

Ichiro Yoda told MCN: “I think with the 800 you are always looking at the performance of the engine. This is quite important, as we have seen.

“Stoner is there because his engine performance is excellent compared with other manufacturers. So Kawasaki have to beat Ducati and we have to develop engine performance quickly.

“Engine performance is now 80 per cent of the potential of the bike in MotoGP. We can gain some tenths with the chassis but that is determined by rider feel.”

Recent engine upgrades at last month’s Brno test session in the Czech Republic saw Kawasaki add another six horsepower and 400rpm on the ZX-RR, and Ichiro Yoda now believes the bike is edging closer to matching the performance of Ducati.

And he reckons Kawasaki’s current four-cylinder motor has a more usable power range than Ducati.

“Our latest spec engine is quite similar to Ducati. The gap is only a few horsepower.

“Only Stoner is faster out of the corner. Now we are close. I’m sure the range of the power is better on our bike than Ducati.

“We can use better from the bottom end and our range is a little bit wider. I think the gap to them (Ducati) is maybe around five horsepower or even less.

“Our rider’s say they can catch the Ducati in fourth, fifth and sixth gears. We’d like to bring our bike in the top of the speed charts.

“This is one of our targets but Kawasaki engineers are intelligent to do it properly so we don’t lose any advantage we have now,” added Yoda.