Gardner: Yamaha’s MotoGP Engine is Nice but Feels Two-Strokey

Remy Gardner, Moto2 champion in 2021 and MotoGP rider in 2022 with KTM, gave an interesting analysis of his recent experience with Yamaha in MotoGP. Currently competing in the World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK) with Yamaha, Gardner revealed some unexpected impressions of the bike’s engine during the Sachsenring races.

According to Gardner, Yamaha’s engine has distinct characteristics that differ from the brand’s traditional reputation for producing smooth and easy-to-ride bikes. “Yamahas have always had the fame of being really smooth and easy bikes to ride. So, to be honest, I found it a bit aggressive,” said Gardner. He mentioned that this might be due to the new engine package, but the feel was more aggressive than he expected.

Gardner highlighted the difficulty in controlling slides on acceleration, something that caused him several critical moments during the races. “I had several almost highside moments, both at the end of the race and in yesterday’s sprint. But luckily, I was as quick as a cat and managed to save it,” commented the rider. This difficulty contrasts with the expectation of a smoother ride, traditionally associated with Yamaha bikes.

Despite the aggressiveness, Gardner praised the absence of significant vibrations in the engine, which provides a pleasant riding experience. “The engine itself doesn’t have much vibration, and that’s nice. But it’s a bit ‘two-strokey’, let’s say,” Gardner added.

In the Sachsenring races, Gardner finished in 20th place in both events, just a few tenths of a second behind Honda’s Joan Mir. Although his results were not the best, Gardner believes his performance and feedback can be useful to Yamaha. “It would be nice to see what I could do with more time on the bike, but hopefully I’ve given some good feedback on what I felt with the bike. So, hopefully, Yamaha can take something positive from that,” he stated.

After his stint in MotoGP, Gardner moved to WorldSBK with Yamaha last year, where he has already secured his first podium and currently sits in seventh place in the championship. He will be back on his R1 for the British round at Donington Park this weekend.

Gardner’s transition from MotoGP to WorldSBK shows his adaptability and determination to keep growing as a rider. His honest and technical analysis of Yamaha’s engine offers valuable insights that can help the team improve the bike’s performance. As Gardner continues to seek success on the tracks, his experiences and feedback will be crucial for the continuous evolution of Yamaha bikes in the competitive world of motorcycle racing.