Suzuki Day, exclusive interviews with Andrea Iannone and Kevin Schwantz

Claudia and Fabrizio had the opportunity to describe Suzuki Day 2018 to you, first by talking to you about the day of "passion" for motorbikes and for the Japanese brand (here the article), then with the immediate feedback from the track tests of some of the most powerful motorcycles that Suzuki has on its list (here the article on GSX-R1000R, GSX-S750, GSX-S1000, GSX-S1000F and more). However, during Suzuki Day we had the opportunity to exclusively interview two top riders from the official team of the Hamamatsu company, from the present and the past. The first is Andrea Iannone, a driver who is talked about a lot, both for what he does on the track with his helmet visor lowered (specifically he was fresh from his first podium of the season, which he then repeated in the following race), but also for his private life and his current partner. The second is perhaps the most iconic rider in the entire history of Suzuki: the legendary world champion of the 500 class, Kevin schwantz. We wanted to summarize everything, including interviews, in this video, and then go into detail about what the two pilots told us in their respective interviews.

Interview with Andrea Iannone

Andrea, today we saw many interesting bikes, including the top of the range GSX-R1000R, with this new 2018 colour. A bike in which the transfer of technology from MotoGP is very important, towards a product that can also be used on the road. These top-level motorbikes, in addition to their great power and performance, also express great safety in daily use, thanks to the technological platforms with which they are equipped?

“Obviously I have never used a motorbike of this type on the road or at least not in daily use, but only a few times. I therefore struggle to tell you what it can offer, I can certainly say a lot of speed, but in my opinion it is not exactly ideal to use on the road for daily use. But still, I think the GSX-R 1000 is a truly incredible bike. It has a truly fascinating chassis and chassis, it's a lot of fun to ride, it's easy and I think it's the best you could want from a bike of this level.”

By the way, last year, in the video you and your team mate made, you were driving 125s. Not a lot of power, but they were still a lot of fun, despite having the 15 horsepower limit?

“Yes absolutely, I have one which is 150 and I use it to train on the smallest slopes and it is very beautiful, safe and for young people who are starting to approach and who are passionate about this sport, it is certainly very nice to have at home .”

Day by day, in your business you happen to use other motorbikes, maybe you prefer a scooter?

“I have a GSX-S750, I use it every now and then, then I used a GSX-R1000 twice just to commute home to the gym, but just because as soon as they gave it to me I wanted to try it.”

However, today there was a lot of enthusiasm, an audience of all age groups, it was a day with many fans, what do you think?

“A very interesting day. I think it could certainly grow year after year, because I believe that today it was just a "tip" of everything that Suzuki is in the world and I think that Suzuki Day could become something truly incredible and which in any case is already interesting. When you manage to spend some time with the people who support you, who love the brand you run for, that you represent and who maybe then support you too, it's always very nice, to give them a photo, an autograph, exchange a word or answer some of their questions. So absolutely I'm very happy.”

Interview with Kevin Schwantz

Kevin, always a lot of affection from the Italian supporters, how do you experience this feeling?

“Yes, actually I have always had very pleasant moments with the Italian fans, it is a particularly pleasant event to be here at Suzuki Day.”

Last year you were present at the presentation of the new GSX-R1000, we always see you on the track with a very amused spirit for what you do.

“Yes, the presentation of the new GSX-R1000 2017 was an excellent opportunity to spend the day on a truly beautiful track, like Mugello. I had never ridden at Mugello with that bike and then I immediately felt at ease with the new GSX-R.”

Kevin, what do you think of modern motorcycles, modern super sports bikes, in comparison and comparison to the ones you rode? Can we say that they are both fun types of motorbikes or do you find that one of the two is more fun than the other?

“They are two types of bikes, both very fun. The motorbikes of the 80s and 90s were 500cc, 2-stroke, now we have four-strokes which are certainly very different in terms of engine type, type of power delivery and modern motorbikes certainly have more horsepower, with a much wider and much smoother delivery. They are much more docile and opening the throttle with very present electronics allows you to forget a little and forgives you for small mistakes. Continuous evolution is precisely in the spirit of the motorbike, just look at the clothing. Today we have more protection, much more security. The competition is certainly not less, but it has changed nonetheless. There is a good spirit in the current MotoGP, the bikes are probably not easier to ride, but they are still safer. Even to people who ask me how to ride a motorbike without electronics and how to ride one today, including MotoGP bikes, which have these types of devices, I reply that they have the possibility of combining power and electronics, but now almost all motorcycles, even production ones, have very high level electronics, which allow you to easily manage all the power of 200+ horsepower, as happens for example also on the GSX-R1000, for use not only on the track, but this also increases safety in daily use of the motorbike.”

Kevin, does your passion for motorbikes push you to use them in your daily life too, or do you ride them exclusively on track days?

“I actually still use motorcycles, not just on the track.”

What is your favorite motorcycle?

“Probably the old 500s.”

A question about MotoGP, Kevin, compared to your time, how do you see the competition nowadays in the premier class? Do you see people having fun or, in your opinion, does the level of stress and pressure that the riders are subjected to make them forget the "fun" aspect of the bike a little?

“Today the competition is actually very intense, just look at the distances between the leaders. They have really thinned out and today in 3 seconds, practically the entire starting grid is there. In my time, however, the gaps were much greater, so this is certainly a very close competition and in fact the distances are so small that the slightest mistake causes you to lose positions. So, while in my time maybe you elbowed your way out and even managed to get out of the fight, even if you made some mistakes, in today's MotoGP the slightest mistake condemns you to starting from the rear and the environment has also changed a lot. Today I don't see great friendships within the paddock, there are no friendships and each driver is different. Everyone has their own entourage, their own press officer and their own fans. I certainly don't see an environment in which, at the end of the day, you go and have a beer together and actually today there are so many commitments that you have two or three days of racing, two or three days of circuit and, closed on the weekend, you pick up and leave and everyone goes home for a bit. In my time, however, it was very different. Times were more relaxed, there wasn't this busy calendar, so we were also together and had time to have a cocktail, a beer together and experience, let's say, a day and the race in a different way. This did not preclude the possibility that, even if it was an evening together between riders, then the next day, with helmets securely fastened, there would be a fierce competition and a great battle between us."

One last question, if you were a boy today, would you consider the possibility and idea of ​​becoming a motorcycle racer and pursuing a career to do so, or not?

“Yes, actually, if I were lucky enough to have the opportunity to pursue a career as a rider, I would try to do it, exactly by redoing everything I have done, trying to become a world champion and a motorcycle champion. I would absolutely try to do all this, even if it is clear that you have to endure very pleasant moments interspersed with falls from the top of the World. You need to enjoy the positive aspects and endure the ups and downs in order to best manage your career as a motorcyclist, and therefore navigate these waters, always remaining at the top.”