Binder "killing time" in corners on 2021 KTM MotoGP bike
Brad Binder feels he is making every corner of the Losail circuit “way too round” on his new KTM MotoGP bike in Qatar testing, which is “killing time”.
The one-time MotoGP race winner has had a difficult pre-season so far, ending the first test 1.5 seconds off the pace in 16th following two crashes on the last day, and was 20th on the opening day of the second outing on Wednesday after another tumble.
Branding his Wednesday "a bit of a shocking day", Binder explained his problems are stemming from the front end of the RC16 but believes KTM has found a direction to work in on Thursday to improve this.
"I think the main thing I really need to work on is getting the bike stopped and picking it up as soon as possible to get the power down," he said.
"I feel like I'm making every corner way too round at the moment and it's just killing time because we're not using power of the bike.
"So that's the main the main thing we need to work on at the moment, and I'm looking to be a little bit more at the front.
"I feel at the moment I'm quite loaded on the front and any small thing that happens tends to end up in it washing.
"So, I know we have a good plan for tomorrow and I'm sure we'll improve it quite a lot."
Improvements to the front end was also something factory KTM teammate Miguel Oliveira was searching for after the first test.
After finishing Wednesday's running once again as top KTM runner 1.343s adrift in 12th, Oliveira believes he is "quite OK" on the front end – but concedes its harder for KTM riders to get Michelin's front tyre allocation in Qatar into the proper working range.
Along with Aprilia, KTM is the only manufacturer who has been able to build a new engine for 2021, though neither factory rider tested it last weekend.
Oliveira did try the new motor during Wednesday's running and was happy with how it felt – though wouldn't reveal much more about its performance.
"Yes, we did, and it was positive feeling immediately from the beginning," he said when asked by Motorsport.com if he tested the new KTM engine.
"I felt good on it, so I carried out most of the day on this new spec engine.
"The new engine spec was done because we have less engines because of the concession points we lost last season [for winning three races], so of course KTM needed to rethink a bit the strategy on mileage and actually building of the engine.
"So, was more of a test to see if there was any negatives and there weren't. So, I guess it was a pretty happy and smooth test."
Related video
Rossi "felt like a real rider" again in Qatar MotoGP test
Vinales fastest in Qatar MotoGP test, Marquez fractures foot
Why Ducati holds all the power in its MotoGP rider dilemma
OPINION: The French Grand Prix looks to have made Ducati’s decision on its factory team line-up simpler, as Enea Bastianini stormed to his third win of the campaign and Jorge Martin crashed out for a fifth time in 2022. But, as Ducati suggests to Motorsport.com, it remains in the strongest position in a wild rider market
The seismic aftershock of Suzuki's decision to leave MotoGP
Suzuki's sudden decision to leave the MotoGP World Championship at the end of the season has acted as a stirring element in a market that had already erupted. We analyse what this means for the grid going into 2023
How the real Ducati began to emerge in MotoGP's Spanish GP
Ducati’s 2022 MotoGP bike has had a tough start to life and the expected early-season title charge from Francesco Bagnaia did not materialise. But the Spanish Grand Prix signalled a turning point for both the GP22 and Bagnaia, as the 2021 runner-up belatedly got his season underway after a straight fight with Fabio Quartararo
How praise for Honda's MotoGP bike has given way to doubt
In a little over two months, Honda has gone from setting the pace in MotoGP testing with its new RC213V prototype to being at a crossroads - caused by the discrepancy in its riders' feedback. After a Portuguese GP that underwhelmed, serious questions are now being asked of Honda in 2022
Why Quartararo's win was vital not only for his title hopes
Fabio Quartararo got his MotoGP title defence off the ground in the Portuguese Grand Prix as a dominant first win of 2022 rocketed him to the top of the standings. While a significant result in terms of his title hopes, it has come at an even more important time in terms of his 2023 contract negotiations
The MotoGP rookie fighting two fronts in his debut year
Darryn Binder has found himself in the unenviable position as MotoGP's most under-pressure rookie in 2022 having made the step directly from Moto3 with a reputation as an over-aggressive rider. This hasn't been an easy thing to shake at the start of the season, but he believes tangible progress is being made
How ‘Beast’ mode is putting Ducati in 2022 MotoGP title contention
Enea Bastianini’s second win of the 2022 campaign at COTA puts him back in the lead of the standings and once again showed the best Ducati package is still the 2021 bike. Those closest to Bastianini tell Motorsport.com why he’s so good on the GP21 relative to his factory counterparts.
How Espargaro helped Aprilia shed MotoGP's underdog tag
Aleix Espargaro became MotoGP's newest winner in a thrilling Argentina Grand Prix in which he also proved the merits of the Aprilia project. After six years of hard graft, both parties have reaped the rewards they have long thought they deserved. But it was several key moments in that journey that led both to that momentous Sunday at Termas de Rio Hondo.