Should ride-height devices be banned in the MotoGP World Championship?
The latest issue of the Crash.net MotoGP podcast saw Keith Huewen, Peter McLaren and Harry Benjamin discuss both sides of the ongoing debate over the use of holeshot/ride-height devices in the premier-class.
Ducati's five rivals are all understood to be against the bike-lowering systems pioneered by the Italian factory, but the MSMA alone cannot ban the devices unless all six manufacturers are in agreement.
With Ducati having broken further new ground with the debut of a front ride-height system for 2022, lowering alongside the rear (also used by the other five) on corner exit, the Desmosedici would be hardest hit by their removal.
A rule change would also mean the time and money Ducati have spent on research, development and track testing - for a device that fits within the existing technical rules - would largely go to waste.
On the other hand, MotoGP's ever-increasing top speeds - which the ride-height device has contributes to through enhanced acceleration and lower aerodynamic drag - means the premier-class bikes are in danger of outgrowing the gravel runoff areas at some circuits.
Keith Huewen also points out that the ban on bespoke electronics for 2016 hit Honda harder than other manufacturers.
But if you're going to ban ride-height devices on the grounds of top speed, and perhaps a lack of 'road relevance', why not ban seamless gearboxes (which also improve acceleration) and carbon brakes (which delay the braking point).
Both of those technologies are far more 'mature' than ride-height devices and their loss would therefore affect each manufacturer's performance by a similar amount.
Or perhaps a 'wing'-style compromise can be found, whereby ride-height devices remain but are much more heavily restricted than at present.
Download the full podcast here:
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
