MotoGP's Kazakhstan round was set to be the first ever round in Central Asia, and you'll need a good setup to be fast for the MotoGP 23 Kazakh Grand Prix!
We're really impressed by MotoGP 23 and you read why by heading over to our full review. MotoGP 23 is probably the best motorbike game on the video gaming market, but it's anything but easy.
In MotoGP 23's Career Mode, the ninth round of your first full season takes place in Kazakhstan. The Kazakh GP is Round 9 on the full calendar, but isn't featured on the short calendar.
Sokol was meant to be a brand-new circuit on the MotoGP 23 calendar this season, but the race got canceled in real life. However, you're still able to play it in the MotoGP 23 game. Here's our setup guide!
MotoGP 23 Kazakhstan setup
Sokol was meant to make its MotoGP debut in 2023. The track, though, wasn't ready in time, so its debut has been delayed until 2024. However, Milestone have put in the hard work as always and The Sokol International Raceway is available in MotoGP 23.
The circuit is very flat, but the long corners make it difficult to lap. There are a few long straights here, so setting the bike up to be quick everywhere is very tough.
Starting with the tyres, we think that going middle of the road with Mediums on the front and rear. A soft on either rear or the front can work out, but you will have to save the tyres in the closing laps.
A Hard tyre on the front is probably too much, as the corners here aren't fast enough to merit that level of tyre life.
Suspension
Front pre-load needs to be low at 2 to allow for more consistent steering through the longer corners in Sokol. Oil quality should slightly higher at 3, with the front spring hardness up at 4.
The front fork compression is best at 4, but the extension of the fork needs to be lower at 3.
On the rear, the rear pre-load has to be down at 2 with the Swingarm connector around 3. Spring hardness should also be down at 3, with shock absorber compression up at 3 and the extension also at 5 to help the bike's overall grip.
Vehicle geometry
For your Vehicle Geometry, the steering head inclination should be up at 4 to allow for more consistent steering.
The trail should also be up at 4, and the steering plate needs to be down at 3. Lastly, the rear swingarm length needs to be up at 5.
Transmission
Your gears in Kazakhstan should be around the default values of 3. This gives a good compromise between acceleration and overall top speed.
The slipper clutch should be at 4, though, to help the bike's stability.
Brake System
In Kazakhstan, there are two big braking zones at the end of the back and pit-straights. These alone means you need powerful brakes and there are more significant braking zones in other areas of the track as well.
A 340mm high mass brake on the front and a 220mm on the rear are the best options here.
ECU
As usual, electronic aids that are available to you in MotoGP definitely come in handy here. You'll need to turn all of them up quite high to keep your bike on the road. Traction Control needs to be up at 4, as grip's at a premium here.
Engine Braking should be cranked up to 4 in order to shave speed around the long corners. Anti-wheelie only needs to be at 5, though, as the front wheel of the bike loves to fly up in the air.
Power mapping is best at 3 for a flying lap, but you'll need to turn this around during some points in the race. This is to save the engine and fuel.
All of these can be adjusted out on track using the HUD in the bottom-right of the screen.