Valencia MotoGP Test: Bradl unimpressed by Kayaba suspension

"It took a long time to at least get some good laps on it. Unfortunately it was not working as good as we expected" - Stefan Bradl.
Bradl unimpressed by Kayaba suspension

Reading between the lines, Stefan Bradl will noಌt be pleased if his new Forward Yamaha team switches from Ohlins to Kayaba suspension for MotoGP 2015.

Ohlins is used by all of the factory MotoGP teams and was present on the Forward bike that Aleix Espargaro took to a pole, podi๊um and top Open class honours this seas🍒on.

But in a situation similar🅘 to Gresini - which was the only Honda team using Showa suspension in recent seasons - Forward is seriously consider⛄ing a suspension change.

Bradl and fellow new ✤signing Loris Baz duly tried Kayaba on Wednesday's final day at the Valencia test. Former LCR Honda rider Bradl suffered one fall on his way to a time of 1m 32.784s, putting him 15th fastest and half-a-second slower than his Monday best with Ohlins.

"Today we tested for the first time the new suspension. It took a long time to at least get some good laps on it. Unfortunately it was not w🃏or꧑king as good as we expected. Now we will see what will be the future," said Bradl.

It is unclear if Bradl knew about the possible suspension change when he signed for Forward, but speaking generally about his new machinery the German added: "It is a really big change from Honda to Yamaha b🧸ut it feels good. I also need to gain moreꦦ confidence with this bike, which is different from the one I was used to ride.

"This afternoon I crashed, but fortunately without consequences. The firs𓆏t impression is positive and I look forward to continue working on the bikeꦬ in two weeks [in a private test at Jerez]."

Rookie team-🌼mate Baz, switching to MotoGP from World Superbike, did set his fastest test lap on the final day. The tall Frenchman was 19th, but 0.7s from Bradl and only a fraction behind quickest rookie Maverick Vinales (Suzuki).

"It was ꧒a good start, the first day we focused on adapting the bike to my size. The second day I tested the limit on the wet, crashing twice but the feeling was positive. Today I was already more confident, even if I need to know better the Bridgestone tyres and the carbon brakes. We will continue to work in Jerez."

Forward Yamaha 💛will be on track alongs✃ide the likes of Suzuki at Jerez from November 26-27.

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