The most crucial tech innovations on display at MotoGP Sepang test

Here are the most impor💞tant tec🔯hnical innovations that MotoGP teams tested in Sepang

Jack Miller's KTM Aero
Jack Miller's KTM Aero

Ducati

Ducati🏅 brought a new engine to Sepang. The goal was to solve engine braking problems of the GP23 which Enea Bastianini had called "a disaster".

Francesco Baꦏgnaia reacted to the GP24: "I have good potential, more on the braking. We are adjusting the power delivery."

Ducati bike, fairing, Sepang MotoGP test 10-12 February
Ducati bike, fairing, Sepang MotoGP test 10-12 February

The '24 Ducati also features a 𒉰different aerodynamic design, specifically the main set of wings on the front fairing.

A new ♐side fairing is a major point of difference for the latest Ducati.

It is a hybri෴d configuration, joining last season's gr𒁃ound effect fairing with downward ducts.

Jorge Martin complained about the fairing during the Sepang test but, after an extra day of use, joined Bastianini and Ba𓆉gnaia i🦩n his praise for it.

The Ducati has also updated both exhausts.

KTM

The use of the carbon fibre chassis is the most significant decision that KTM made. The Tech3 GASGAS team also used a carbon fibre cha𝓀ssis.

Their search for the perfect exhaust means settling on an updated lower exhaus🐓t, alongside an o🌸ld top exhaust.

KTM, like Aprilia, included eye🌺-catching aero in Se⛄pang.

Brad Binder's KTM, Sepang MotoGP test, 7 February
Brad Binder's KTM, Sepang MotoGP test, 7 February

“We’re playing, lite🎉rally, with thin air here," Jack Miller said about the aerodynamics.

“They look radical and the changes look massive but, in all honesty, it’s not massively big cha𓃲nges.

“There are minute changes here, there and🦩 everywhere.

“The thing is… it affects the bike everywher♏e. Dri🔥ve, on the maximum lean angle, tipping the bike in, braking.

“There are so many variables that go into testing this🎀 stuff.

“That’s why it’s hard to nail together a decent package because there are so many variables๊ between items."

Aprilia

Aprilia caught the eye in Sepang ཧwith some noticable innovations🍌.

Th𝄹e chassis, aero package, and engine are all brand new.

The aerodynamics are an even greater point of di༒fferent to last year's bike, and have resulted in a new balance for the 2🐬024 RS-GP.

Sidepod wings have been added in a major overhaul of the aero. And the re🌊ar tail u🐭nit now features a diffuser under the tail.

Aprilia Aero Rake, Sepang MotoGP test, 7 February
Aprilia Aero Rake, Sepang MotoGP test, 7 February

Aleix Espargaro's feedbaꩵck was: "Th🌜e level of this bike is higher. Now we need to understand how to ride it. 

"The aerodynamics make the bike quite diff🧸erent, but I like it. It helps me in corner speed, I can rideꦰ with more mid-corner because I have more stability. So I need to get used to it. But looks like potential is high.

“Super heavier! This is the negativeဣ thing,” Espargaro confirmed. “The bike is super heavy and physical. But what I want is to be𒆙 fast. I don’t care if it’s physical. But it is – a lot!”

Yamaha

Yꦫamaha's new aerodynamics resembled last year's Aprilia design. Sidepod wings initially popped up but don't appear to be staying.

A new engine was aimed at giving Yamaha ♐a smoother power delivery but problems persist with putting together 🍸a single fast lap.

Yamaha bike, Sepang MotoGP test, 6 February
Yamaha bike, Sepang MotoGP test, 6 February

Fabio Quartararo posted impres𒁃sive top speeds but Yamaha insist it was due to his braking ability.

“I think the speed is also with the braking reference,” Quar❀tararo admitted. 

“I’m not say𝔍ing the bike is slow, the bike is very fast but the braking reference also makes it a little bit strange on the top speed.

“But this is super positive to have a fast bike but we still have to improve👍 our fast l💯ap. Our one lap we are missing so much and this is our biggest problem right now."

Honda

Honda's focus was on improving the bike that was seen at th🙈e postseason Valencia test, rather than the bike used in the 2023 season.

An updated engine has not yet solved problems wi𒈔th rear 🍰grip, though.

Honda introduced an aluminium swingarm, notably because it was seemingly🌟 built by ✃the manufacturer itself rather than being sourced.

Honda rear wing, Sepang MotoGP test, 7 February
Honda rear wing, Sepang MotoGP test, 7 February

They played with different aero packages, most significantly st💞egosaurus wings paired with a large rear aero.

Luca Marini implored Honda to continue in their own direction 🎶rather than 🎃copying Ducati, saying: “It is faster. But it is less forgiving, not as much control but it is more in your hand. There is a little bit more power so we are struggling with grip because the torque is more.

“We need to be 🃏more careful with the throttle because the power is there. You can ride faster because the engine is stronger.”

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