Neil Hodgson Astonished by KTM MotoGP Bike’s Power During Red Bull Ring Laps

Former Superbike champion amazed by the incredible strength of the KTM MotoGP motorcycle

Television commentator and previous competitor, Neil Hodgson, took the KTM RC16 MotoGP motorcycle for a spin around the Red Bull Ring circuit.

Ex-MotoGP competitor, 2003 World Superbike victor, and present TNT Sports MotoGP analyst Neil Hodgson took the KTM RC16 for a spin around the Red Bull Ring ahead of the previous weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, experiencing the thrill of current MotoGP firsthand.

In 2004, after clinching the championship in 2003, Hodgson competed in the MotoGP class for a single season. This period coincided with KTM's inaugural year in GP racing, where they participated in the 125cc category.

As of now, it has secured multiple victories in MotoGP races with its RC16, positioning it as one of the most technologically sophisticated motorcycles in the current lineup.

Prior to his stint on the RC16, it had been eight years since Hodgson last mounted a MotoGP motorcycle, having previously taken a brief ride on the 2016 Ducati Desmosedici at Misano.

In his feature with TNT Sports, Hodgson noted significant differences from the past, highlighting advancements in aerodynamics, ride height mechanisms, and notably the engine, which now boasts roughly 300bhp. He described the bikes as being incredibly powerful, likening them to beasts.

🔔 Neil Hodgson Joins KTM 🔔 Experience Neil Hodgson taking a factory @KTM_Racing #MotoGP motorcycle for an exclusive lap around the Red Bull Ring 🍊#AustrianGP | Catch it live on TNT Sports and Discovery+ pic.twitter.com/4QYK0iexgK— MotoGP Coverage on TNT Sports (@motogpontnt) August 17, 2024

🔔 Neil Hodgson Moves to KTM 🔔 See Neil in action on a @KTM_Racing #MotoGP machine during a unique lap at the Red Bull Ring 🍊#AustrianGP | Streaming live on TNT Sports and Discovery+ pic.twitter.com/4QYK0iexgK

In recent years, particularly over the last five to six years, manufacturers like KTM have focused their efforts on ensuring that the now more potent engines can utilize their increased power throughout as much of the lap as possible.

Aerodynamic design and ride height mechanisms work to inhibit wheelies, while also enhancing braking efficiency by boosting the load on the front end, thus improving grip on the front during braking.

Initially, Hodgson's attention wasn't captured by the latest tech features of the motorcycle; instead, he was struck by its large dimensions and the carbon brakes, which necessitate a significant amount of heat to start functioning properly.

"Right off the bat, it feels tiny," he commented while riding the bicycle. "My goodness, the brakes have failed — I was anticipating this issue already."

Furthermore, Hodgson was struck by the bike's steadiness and the seamless operation of its shift gearbox.

Initial reaction: the transmission is astonishing. It feels incredibly steady, really steady.

Following a couple of rounds, Hodgson began to accelerate. Upon his initial use of the ride height mechanism, he expressed, "Oh my god. I'm at a loss for words; focusing is impossible."

The aerodynamics assist in maintaining the front wheel's contact with the road when exiting turns, while the innovative ground effect aerodynamics, introduced by Aprilia in MotoGP in 2022, offer support during the mid-corner phase.

"Hodgson exclaimed, "This bike is something else! It maneuvers smoothly, maintains stability through curves, yet it's incredibly speedy, to an almost absurd level. And it doesn't even pop a wheelie, which is astounding."

"What I adore is how amazing the brakes are. The gearbox, the frame — all of it is astounding. Truly incredible. It simply responds! You glance at the curve and it effortlessly heads in that direction."

"Truly, this bicycle is astonishing. It's hard to grasp just how exceptional it is. It may seem as though I'm overstating its qualities for the sake of television, but I assure you, that's not the case. It's simply incredible, truly incredible."

After his session on the RC16, Hodgson proceeded to share his detailed thoughts on the motorcycle.

"He exclaimed it as the finest bicycle he's ever experienced, amplified a thousand times. He marveled at its revolutionary impact, saying the standards have significantly advanced. It's incredible. There's no lifting of the front wheel, even with maximum power. With the front brake, you have precise feedback from the front tire."

Gazing towards the bend, the motorcycle leans seamlessly into the curve. It's astonishing, it feels like they should be accelerating even more. Such is the excellence of the motorcycle. Remarkable.

The experience was completely different from what I had anticipated; it was as if everything was enhanced to the maximum. The precision was unparalleled, unlike anything I had encountered before.

"I had the experience of riding the Ducati, but that occurred eight years back, thus making a direct comparison between the two isn't really fair—it's akin to juxtaposing a superbike with a MotoGP bike. That [the RC16] stands out as the most exquisitely precise and stunning bike I've ever had the pleasure of riding."

Hodgson engaged in a conversation with Jack Miller, discussing the unique experience of riding a MotoGP bike in contrast to a conventional road motorcycle.

"I haven't been on a real bike in ages. Riding on the streets makes you forget how it feels because it's so imprecise. With the RC16, you just glance towards the turn and it smoothly leans in. As for the front brake, I'm able to detect every bit of pressure, even down to 0.1 of a bar."

"I haven't enjoyed myself like that in ages. It surpassed my expectations and was surprisingly simple to maneuver. I anticipated it would be jittery and unstable, but it was nothing of the sort."

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