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how their new components worked in the Valencia test was seen as a crucial
real-world conditions and how the
bike responded to Márquez's
aggressive riding style.
The team's goal was clear: to build a
bike that could allow Márquez to
fight for podiums once again, as well
as provide a solid platform for their
other riders, such as Joan Mir and
Álex Rins, to push for consistent
results.
Yamaha's Search for Speed
and Stability
Yamaha, too, has faced its share of
struggles in recent seasons, despite
fielding one of the most talented
riders in the paddock, Fabio
Quartararo. While Quartararo's
individual performances have been
impressive, Yamaha has faced
challenges in several key areas,
particularly with its engine
performance and overall stability in
races.
In 2023, Yamaha began reworking its
M1 motorcycle to improve power
delivery, cornering stability, and
overall race consistency. Yamaha has
traditionally excelled in cornering
performance, thanks to its smooth
and precise chassis. However, its
engine performance, particularly in
terms of top speed, has often been a
limiting factor when it comes to
competing with the faster bikes in the
field, like Ducati and Honda.
The two-day Valencia test provided
Yamaha with a valuable opportunity
to refine its M1 bike and address the
balance between engine performance
and cornering agility. Yamaha's
engineers focused on adjusting the
engine's powerband to provide better
throttle response and improve top-
end speed, while still maintaining the
bike's legendary cornering abilities.
This delicate balance has always been
a challenge for the manufacturer, and
LHR Motorcycle Magazine Issue 13
stage in that development process.
Yamaha also faced pressure to make
improvements to its electronics
system, which had been a point of
contention in the past. Electronics
play a pivotal role in modern
MotoGP, allowing riders to extract
the maximum performance from the
bike while managing fuel, power
delivery, and tire wear. In Valencia,
Yamaha worked on refining its
electronic systems to improve
throttle control, traction, and overall
consistency.
However, Yamaha also faced a
unique challenge—finding the right
b a l a n c e f o r r i d e r c o m f o r t .
Quartararo, who has proven himself
as one of the most talented riders in
the world, often complained about
the lack of confidence he had in the
bike's stability during high-speed
corners. As a result, Yamaha's
engineers were keen to work with
Quartararo during the test to fine-tune
the bike's setup and address his
concerns.
The Valencia Test: Key
Highlights
Though much of the detailed data
from the private test remained under
wraps, several key aspects stood out
during the two-day session. Both
Honda and Yamaha were able to
make important strides in areas
critical to their success in the coming
season.
1. I m p r o v e d E n g i n e
Performance for Yamaha
Yamaha's engineers seemed
to make some notable gains
w i t h t h e M 1 ' s e n g i n e
performance during the
Valencia test. The bike's top-
e n d p o w e r i m p r o v e d ,
allowing Quartararo to
extract more speed down the
13
straights. This was especially
important for Yamaha, as it
would help them challenge
the likes of Ducati, which has
been dominant in terms of
raw speed.
2. Honda's Work on Stability
and Rear Grip For Honda,
the focus during the test was
on improving the RC213V's
rear grip and stability under
braking. This has been a
major issue in recent seasons,
and the team worked with
Márquez to refine the bike's
handling. Initial feedback
suggested that Honda had
made some progress in this
area, although there were still
areas to address. The addition
o f n e w s u s p e n s i o n
components seemed to be a
step in the right direction.
3. The Role of Rider Feedback
Rider feedback played a
pivotal role in both teams'
development processes. For
Yamaha, Quartararo's input
was invaluable as he guided
engineers on the bike's
balance and electronic
s e t t i n g s . M e a n w h i l e ,
Márquez's feedback for
Honda was crucial in
assessing the bike's overall
behavior on track. With both
teams investing in close
collaboration with their
riders, the test in Valencia
allowed both manufacturers
t o g a i n a d e e p e r
understanding of what
needed to be done to ensure a
competitive bike for the 2024
season.
4. A Chance to Trial New
Components Both teams
used the Valencia test to trial
new components that had not
been used in previous tests.
For Honda, this included
revised swingarms and
revised front-end geometry
aimed at improving corner
e n t r y a n d m i d - c o r n e r
stability. Yamaha, on the
other hand, tested a new
exhaust system designed to
May 2025