Bimota made a robust WorldSBK check debut in Jerez, however there are nonetheless steps to be made in understanding the brand new bike for Alex Lowes.
Lowes, who has ridden the Kawasaki ZX-10RR for the Akashi marque’s manufacturing facility crew since 2020, completed second to his teammate, Axel Bassani, on the second and closing day of this week’s Jerez check, however was eager to emphasize how early on the mission is.
“It was good to begin this new problem,” Lowes instructed WorldSBK.com following the conclusion of the two-day Jerez check.
“Clearly, we’re beginning to discover the bike, we have to perceive how the modifications make the bike really feel, what I want from the bike, possibly using model modifications to get probably the most from the bike.
“There’s a lot of issues to do, a lot of work to do, however it was good to get began, I loved using the bike, the sensation was truthfully good from the primary laps this morning.
“So, it’s been a extremely good, enjoyable first day on the bike.”
A lot of the work to be performed, Lowes mentioned, was about understanding the bike and the way it reacts to sure setup modifications.
“Clearly, it’s the beginning level we’ve got right here,” he mentioned. “We all know the observe effectively from the race weekend, so that you’re already up to the mark, so it was actually essential to, let’s say, check the bike now.
“This winter, it’s not simply setup modifications, it’s additionally understanding the bike; me understanding what the bike wants, the modifications on the bike, how the bike reacts to modifications.
“That is gathering data that places us in an excellent place for subsequent 12 months.
“We began to attempt some issues already within the afternoon at this time, and it’s so fascinating to me as a result of it’s totally different to the previous, and it’s nice to have the ability to use my expertise and attempt to perceive the bike.”
The most important variations between the Kawasaki ZX-10RR and the Bimota KB998 are within the aerodynamics and the chassis. Lowes was happy with the latter, and complimented the brand new bike’s dealing with.
“It feels good,” Lowes mentioned. “The way in which the bike turns and handles is sweet, it’s easy, it turns effectively.
“Then, on high of that, the rider feeling, and the trouble you place in goes with getting comfy on the bike and the setting modifications on the bike.”
In consequence, there are variations between the dealing with traits of the bikes, even when they share an engine.
“It’s shocking,” Lowes mentioned. “I believe the bike must be ridden another way.
“I rode the Kawasaki for 5 years, I felt like I used to be in a position to take every part from the bike. This bike I believe you could experience a bit of bit smoother, and I want to vary my using model to get every part out of the bike and perceive it a bit extra.
“Proper now I really feel like I’m probably not utilizing the bike, so I believe I’ll know a bit extra about that within the subsequent check developing. It’s tough, once I know the previous bike so effectively, to actually perceive.”
Lowes was cautious to learn an excessive amount of into the efficiency at Jerez, although, and was centered on persevering with to study concerning the KB998 on the subsequent check in Aragon subsequent week.
“We have to maintain [making changes] subsequent week, as a result of the extra I perceive concerning the bike, the extra I perceive experience the bike, will put me in a greater place,” he mentioned.
“The grip’s fairly good at this time, the temperatures are fairly low, the grip’s excessive, generally this might help numerous the issues.
“So, I should be prepared for when the grip drops and perceive maintain using the bike over the race distance, as a result of that’s what’s going to get us the outcomes subsequent 12 months.”