After a two year gap, who's your money on?
Do you think the usual suspects will be 'on it' straight away and who's top of your list?  or will the young guns spring some surprises?

For sure everyone will be so excited to be back and chomping at the bit and there's an awful lot of talent in the line up.

Hickman sounded very confident in the recent podcast. I think he'll take some beating.

Birchalls in the chairs.

Really stuck my neck out there 😂😂

I think the same protaganists will be in with a shout and with Micky D on the Ducati he just might ruffle a few feathers it will be interesting bring it on

Yea, The Ducati looking good at WSB, can't wait to see it (& the rider!) at the TT.

In the 'chairs' I'm really looking forward to seeing and hearing Moly's KTM.

Will the Ducati last???

(12-04-2022, 05:04 PM)eman1948 Wrote: Will the Ducati last???

Or handle in the rough stuff?

I certainly hope so - it would be great to see MD up the front.

There's no doubt about the straight line speed of the Ducati, it will be very interesting to see the Sulby speed trap results. There's also no doubt about MD's talent and Paul Bird and his team's commitment. BUT ....... as already noted in this thread, will it handle and will it hold together?

I think, (but hey, what the hell do i know!) a 4 cylinder bike should hold together better than a twin,
many people have campaigned the twins in the past, Mcguinness & Rutter for a start, with a slight amount of success, so , fingers crossed he'll be up there. It''ll make a nice change.
Then again, my experience consists of many years riding Harleys & Triumphs against a year or so on a Honda 4, so, for me, the difference is, shall we say, marked? 

Captain, I am afraid the clue is in the name - Ducati V4R, note the 4. BTW Good to see you again at Hoghton Tower although your choice of big bikes leaves something to be desired!!!!

Birdy has put some good bikes under riders in the past and present it will be the dogs goolies and if anybody can get the best out of it Micky D will ,but one thing I have noticed with them they do weave a bit under power in a straight line so we shall soon find out ,its going to be a very interesting race

I do think Hicky will be very much on form as will Dean H and of course, as mentioned, there's MD who IMO will be all guns blazing this year. I just feel it's his time.
what about Mcpint?
In the top 5 I think?

(13-04-2022, 08:47 AM)Dogsbody Wrote: Captain, I am afraid the clue is in the name - Ducati V4R, note the 4. BTW Good to see you again at Hoghton Tower although your choice of big bikes leaves something to be desired!!!!

Exactly, that's why I said a 4 should hold together better than a twin, so I'm hoping for a decent result. 
Nice to see you again too, Dogsbody, I must point out these are my road bikes that I use, I cant afford to have a bike just for hill climbs unfortunately! 
The Rocket went like a .....well...Rocket, in the first run. Considering I have a strategy of coasting off the start during first practice I was pleased .
The 2nd run not so much, as can be witnessed by the scene in my garage right now!!    BTW did you know EBC clutch plates are like rocking horse excrement now? One place told me it would be weeks!!!  The TT is in about 6!!!
I don't really stand a chance against these new fangled contraptions , what, with their traction this & wheely that, but , what the hell, its great fun & people like to see it! 
Apparently there's a "rule" limiting entries to 2000cc, so if I did win, then I wouldn't, if you see what I mean! 
Preposterous!

Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you were under the impression they were using the V twin.
For clutch plates for your sleeved down to 1999.95 cc Rocket if EBC are not available , see if Barnett are stocked.

I'd considered Barnett, but they're 3 times the price & some have said they can be a bit "severe" for normal road use.
I've also discovered that only 2 of the 8 pistons on the front brakes were working properly!!
& one of the mudguard mounting bolts had sheared off in the fork leg!

The EBC "heavy duty" plates & springs are on their way now! 

I can't believe that capacity limit, Hoghton was the 3rd time I've hill climbed the Rocket!
& done Ramsey sprint several times (but that's a law unto itself!  )

Looks like we won't get to see Mr. Dunlop on the Ducati after all! 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/northern-ireland/61203992

Maybe not a bad thing.

I wonder if he felt the Ducati just isn`t competitive enough or, as mentioned, reliability issues ??

Looks like he's had a rethink  like he did with the yamaha a few years ago it would have been nice to hear one at full chat I wonder what next BMW, KAWASAKI.SUZUKI.HONDA.or YAMAHA we shall soon find out the plot thickens whatever it is Michael will give it the beans

The Ducati didn't show much in the recent BSB at Silverstone. Bautista though doesn't appear to have much problem getting it to work. Particularly so at 55kg.