Proton

Alan Jones · 25 May 2002, 09:14 (Ref:295699)

I reckon these bikes look great. I was watching them at le Mans and it remided me of that classic old bike movie with David Essex, Silver Dream Racer.

Alan Jones · 25 May 2002, 09:16 (Ref:295701)

and here's his teammate

Speedworx · 25 May 2002, 10:02 (Ref:295730)

Both pics have them ahead of the Suzukis. How bad is that!

I prefer last year Orange bikes, not a fan of this years bike.

asha · 25 May 2002, 10:29 (Ref:295751)

its a lot faster thou!
imagine if KR had this bike even one season ago!!?

elephino · 25 May 2002, 11:31 (Ref:295774)

Looks great but can't take it to the 4 strokes unfortunately.

Speedworx · 25 May 2002, 13:40 (Ref:295866)

I'm not a fan of the team anymore, as I don't realy like either of the riders.

asha · 26 May 2002, 02:24 (Ref:296284)

Gotta agree with you there Hakkiman

f1manoz · 26 May 2002, 03:09 (Ref:296301)

Proton has really come on strong this year, and about time too. However, I do wish Jurgen was still there.

Es Nes · 26 May 2002, 04:43 (Ref:296332)

i dont care whos riding the proton, itll always be my favorite team/bike

ive heard they might be going with a v6 next year ... not sure if i like that one or not :\

Alan Jones · 26 May 2002, 04:44 (Ref:296333)

2 wheels or 4 ? hehehehehehehehehehehe

Es Nes · 26 May 2002, 17:48 (Ref:296771)

well, on two wheels

if i say my favorite 4 wheel team id probably get roasted alive by the sportscar regulars

**gomick** · 27 May 2002, 08:41 (Ref:297222)

they are doing well - hope they stick at it

Gerrit · 28 May 2002, 11:16 (Ref:298346)

I am quite sure that Jurgen is bitterly regretting his decision to leave Team Roberts and join Erv Kanemoto's team. So far the KR3 has outperformed Jurgen's NSR in both qualifying and racing. The Bridgestone tyres clearly work better for the KR3 than the NSR- doubly strange when one takes into account that Team Kanemoto was developing the Bridgestones last year using NSRs and not the KR3. I rate Jurgen more highly than either Aoki or McWilliams and I am sure he would have achieved better results than either of them, on the very bike he did so much for to develop last year. Now, others are reaping the benefits of his work.
Team Roberts have tested a new chassis in Spain (including test laps by King Kenny himself!) and this is such an improvement that they are now working overtime to make enough for both riders. If they add fuel injection to cut startline weight the bike could shock the established teams. Four-strokes are not needed here.

f1manoz · 28 May 2002, 11:22 (Ref:298355)

Jurgen will come good eventually. This is the first time he's ever been on a REAL 500cc - meaning it's not a twin, not a 3 cylinder but it's a proper 4 cylinder, two stroke just like the rest.

Meanwhile, Proton is getting stronger and stronger. Perhaps they are ready to deliver on years of promise.

Gerrit · 28 May 2002, 11:28 (Ref:298364)

Wrong- you are forgetting Jurgen's season on the MZ in 1999, and his two poles with it.
And I hope you are right about the KR3- it is one bike I REALLY want to see on the podium!

asha · 30 May 2002, 07:24 (Ref:300090)

i can't remember if the MZ was a 4 cylinder or not?

f1manoz · 30 May 2002, 07:29 (Ref:300092)

Whether it was or wasn't, the Muz was not a great bike and those two poles were more down to tyre performance and balls-to-the-wall riding skill from Jurgen than the bike.

Winther · 30 May 2002, 08:05 (Ref:300107)

The Muz was a v4 I think.
And the powerdelivery was not so good on those buggers.
But still a shame that they where not better.

Gerrit · 31 May 2002, 08:18 (Ref:301115)

The MZ was actually the Elf/Swissauto under another name. It had a V-4 engine. Power delivery was harsh compared to the other V-4s, and the intention was to replace the Mikuni carburettors with Keihins for the 200 season. However, the MZ team collapsed and nothing further was done. But the bike was FAST- in Barcelona, Mick Doohan could not stay with the MZ, ridden by Cadalora, on the straight, not even in the slipstream. The best Swissauto engines had about 205 hp.
The bikes were sold to the Pulse team in 2001, but saw no further development due to lack of cash, which eventually caused the collapse of the team. And although the Pulse team intended to replace the Mikunis with Keihins as originally intended for 2000, this also fell through.

steve nielsen · 1 Jun 2002, 05:51 (Ref:302118)

Quote:

Originally posted by hakkiman
Both pics have them ahead of the Suzukis. How bad is that!

I prefer last year Orange bikes, not a fan of this years bike.

asha · 1 Jun 2002, 08:02 (Ref:302144)

Didn't Jean Micheal Bayle ride the MuZ for a while? (maybe a pole??)

And King Kenny thinking of making a V6 four stroke???
Is like that 2 three-cyclinder two-strokes tied together?
:-P

moto1 · 6 Jun 2002, 02:51 (Ref:305940)

McWill would be up there if he had a decent ride! I don't care what any of you say!! He's the UK's best rider.
Just wait till the KR 4-stroke comes in.
And what about Laconi in qualifying amazing!! How butal is the power from the Aprilia!!! talk about an arm stretcher!!

ChrisUSA · 6 Jun 2002, 18:03 (Ref:306574)

hard to fathom that the rules limit the 2strokes to 4 cylinders. or 500cc for that matter. never thought i'd live to see the day when all the grand prix riders were praying for a 4stroke ride. i cannot see Proton coming up with the tremendous amount of cash need to build a *COMPETITIVE* 4 stroke. sure, they'll build a 4stroke, but it'll be a bare-bones budget bike that will never see the podium. for a company like Proton, an extra 100-150cc for their 2stroke triple would allow them to be competitive without breaking the bank.

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