Would you rather be the factory racer, only getting to ride the bike a dozen or so times throughout the year, but each of those times is in bright lights competition? Or Ride the bike continuously throughout the year including one or two rounds of racing?
Test rider. All of the fun ... Half the pressure. Sure there's pressure to help get it set up right, but you aren't looked upon to be spot on the dozen or so times you get in the saddle.
I said racer but if you already have money,chicks and championships IMO test rider that races occasionally would be a pretty good gig.
Who wouldn't want to be a factory racer? And if you are good enough for that job, chances are you can be a test rider after your career at the pointy end is over. And not for the glitter and glame. I wanna race the best to see if I can rise to the level
Racers want to race. Not knocking the test rider gig either, but if both are on the table I'd race. Of course if the only option were test rider I'm gonna be on that like white on rice.
Rabat's dad is some kind of uber jeweler in europe, that dude has been wrecking groupies since before he knew what a motorcycle even was.
If I had the talent levels of Rossi, Pedro, Marquez or Pedrosa I would want the factory ride all day long. If my talent level, no matter what machine was under me, would never allow me to win I would take the testing gig all day long.
I've never seen any claims or evidence of Titters being a ladies man. This is all news to me (not the part about his family having jewelry money).