BruneiBikerz

Three-Year-Old Motorcycle Prodigy?

2009-08-19T10:26:00.001+08:00

Even though Tiger woods started paying golf at age two, this story of a three-year-old boy from New Delhi, India is probably just as impressive, maybe more. Azeem Khan, photographed on the Royal Enfield Bullet above, has been granted a special license by judges in India allowing him to ride his motorcycle on side roads but is not allowed out on the main roads by himself.

Khan’s father had to customize the bike so that the young boy could reach the controls and prove that he could handle the motorcycle on his own.

I used to sit him on my bike and he would always grab at the controls. One day he will be a professional racer for sure. Claims the boys father, Shantanu.

Apparently the boy has his heart set on a Harley-Davidson for his next ride.

Sources: www.motorcycle.com

Martini Racing Ducati 1098S

2009-08-19T10:25:00.001+08:00

One-off Superbike displayed at Laguna Seca

Ducati North America unveiled a one-off 1098S to honor the classic Martini Racing Porsches of the ’70s.

The Martini-Ducati 1098S Superbike features parts and accessories from the Ducati Performance catalogue. With the bike to be displayed at the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, Aug. 14-16 at Laguna Seca, Ducati North America decided to paint the 1098S with Martini-Porsche’s blue and red striping.

The Martini-Ducati 1098S beside the Martini Racing Porsche 908/3.

Modifications include racing camshafts, race pistons and titanium connecting rods, all connected to a lightened crankshaft. The bike also features magnesium wheels, a World Superbike spec gearbox, a 1/4 turn throttle, billet racing pegs, Ohlins suspension, carbon fiber panels and a titanium exhaust with 70mm tubing and carbon mufflers.

Sources: www.motorcycle.com

2009 Motorcycles Of The Year

2009-08-19T10:18:00.003+08:00

While we enjoy ripping on substandard motorcycles, crappy bikes are hard to find these days. Take a look at any of our comparison tests from the last couple of years and you'll find only marginal differences between our declared winners and their competitors.

With so much high-quality product to choose from, culling the field down into our Best Of winners was an arduous task. But that didn't stop us from coming up with our favorite stuff from the class of '09! Introducing the first-annual Motorcycle.com Best Of awards. And the MoBo goes to...

Motorcycle of the Year

Triumph Street Triple R

Triumph's Street Triple R is a fantastically versatile sporting package with one of our favorite engines of all time. It's an elemental motorcycle but with major-league performance built in, and its fun-to-ride quotient is sky high, earning our MoBo Motorcycle of the Year for 2009.

Triumph had a good thing going when it unveiled the sweet Street Triple 675, a pared-down streetfighter version of the beloved Daytona 675 sportbike. The Street Triple’s finest feature is its soul-stirring three-cylinder engine that boasts a broad powerband and a symphonic exhaust note. The motor, re-tuned from the Daytona, has a predictable but powerful output that makes it accessible and unintimidating to riders of all skill levels yet is satisfying for even the saltiest veterans. Comfortable ergos – including a reasonably low seat height – and an eminently toss-able nature made it a staff darling, but we were a little disappointed it had some bargain-minded bits to keep the retail figure low.

But like a dream come true, the Street Triple R was introduced just last year, replete with the Daytona’s up-spec fully adjustable suspension and potent radial-mount Nissin brake calipers, alleviating all of our concerns. The result is an invigorating and versatile roadster that stickers for less than $10K. Lofting the front wheel is a snap, and before you know it you’ll be drifting out the back end like an inspired Brit hooligan. And on your favorite twisty back road, its friendly yet potent character is almost unbeatable, proving that no one really needs triple-digit horsepower peaks. Now that Triumph perfected the Street in our eyes, it became the perfect Standard. And it's our favorite motorcycle of 2009.

Best Sportbike

Kawasaki ZX-6R

The middleweight class's relatively low buy-in results in the largest amount of sales among sportbikes, so there isn't a segment of motorcycles more keenly contested among manufacturers. Costly (to the OEMs) updates to the 600s arrive every two years in a never-ending quest to one-up their rivals. And it's for these reasons why the ZX-6R is so redoubtable. Kawasaki has built a motor that handily out-guns its 600cc rivals, but just as impressive is a 22-lb lighter machine that handles like a champ, aided by Showa's fabulous new Big Piston Fork. Doubly impressive is that the Ninja took top honors on both the street and track – no mean feat. Triumph's Daytona 675 gives the ZX a run for its money, but among four-cylinder middleweights, the nasty and nimble Ninja stands clearly at the top of this ultra-competitive heap.

The ZX-6R's class-leading motor underpins its track prowess and its usability on the street, combining to deliver the best 600cc sportbike experience of 2009.

Honorable Mention – Honda CBR1000RR

If you want a literbike that handles like a 600, the lightweight and whippet-quick CBR is for you. It's as light as some 600s but has a burly midrange that out-muscles its 1000cc rivals Already a year old in '09, to win our annual literbike shootout in the face of high-profile new challengers from Yamaha and Suzuki is remarkable.

In the literbike class, the CBR1000RR marries the lightest weight, sharpest steering and most potent midrange punch to create our favorite 1000cc sportbike.

Best Standard

Ducati Monster 1100

The new M1100 is the best-ever example of Ducati's popular Monster series, combining sexy Italian design with an excellent chassis and lusty, torquey V-Twin grunt that helped make Ducati famous the world over.

The Italians followed up the lively new Monster 696 with this 1100cc version of its revered air-cooled Desmo V-Twin, and it knocked our socks off with its all'-round versatility, rich character and a huge grin factor.

The big Monster has cozy ergos that welcome urbane commuter duties, as a proper standard should, but it also has the capable chassis and grunty power to terrorize repli-racer sportbikes on a twisty road. Low-rev neck-snapping performance combines with neck-snapping Italian good looks. Ducati's mondo Streetfighter model is much more powerful, but the M1100 is at least as much fun and is thousands cheaper.

Honorable Mention – Harley-Davidson XR1200

The XR1200 will rearrange your perception of Harley-Davidson performance. Here Pete imagines himself taking the checkered flag at the Springfield Mile.

When Harley-Davidson announced in summer 2007 it had created a new model called the XR1200, but that it was a Euro-only unit, everyone here in the States asked why we were left out. Then, after listening to the loyal masses, the Motor Company conceded and made it available for the U.S. as an '09.

Ergonomically the XR1200 strikes a good compromise between aggressive canyon attacker and sensible, upright everyday ride. And the potent Nissin brake calipers are crazy powerful. The flat-tracker look-alike styling is a head-turner, and the reliable 1200cc Sporty Twin has been massaged to yield the most horsepower of any air-cooled mill ever to emerge from H-D. Our only criticism is limited lean angle on the exhaust side impeding super-aggressive cornering, but you have to be the fast guy in your crowd for that to be a concern.

Best Cruiser

Triumph Thunderbird 1600

It's been cruiser utopia for the last decade or so, with every major manufacturer jumping into the market to piggyback on Harley-Davidson's astounding success for the feet-forward crowd. Harley's iconic 45-degree V-Twin has spawned an endless succession of imitators, many of them excellent in their own right. But we don't think we're alone in seeing this genre as a little bit stale. That's one reason why Triumph's new T-Bird made such an impression on us, as its parallel-Twin (a zero-degree Vee) stands apart in a sea of clones. Its 270-degree firing order supplies the requisite thumpity-thump exhaust note, but both its character and layout are unique. This might be a moot point if the 'Bird wasn't blessed with clean, graceful lines that follow a well-worn formula yet are distinct. And for those of you who like cruising on curvy roads in addition to the straight ones on the way to the cafe, the Trumpet can cut an inside track as tight as anything in its class.

Triumph's Thunderbird twists the cruiser mold by eschewing a V-Twin powerplant in favor of a character-rich parallel-Twin that retains a link with Triumphs of yore. Clean lines penned by an American designer are attractive without being too derivative, and a stout chassis encourages riding on twisty roads instead of avoiding them.

Honorable Mention – Suzuki Boulevard M90

Suzuki's M90 Boulevard combines unique styling, excellent handling and strong braking to create an unbeatable value in the power-cruiser segment.

Combine the look of a more powerful cruiser with comfortable ergos, handling and stability rarely if ever found in cruisers; grace it with a bigger Twin than any other bike in its class, then bring it at a price at or below the competition, and you’ve got yourself undeniable value. This is the exact scenario of Suzuki’s Boulevard M90. Looking a whole lot like its bigger, meaner M109 brother, the M90 gives power-cruiser fans the look they want matched to V-Twin power that surely has Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha scratching their heads at the M90’s $9,999 tag. In today’s economy, value makes the perfect partner to performance.

Best Touring

BMW R1200RT

When it comes to piling on thousands of miles, we're not sure it's necessary to saddle up on a half-ton luxo-barge. The surprisingly agile RT is packed with comfort yet scales in at an easily managed 570 lbs with its capacious 7.1-gallon tank full of fuel. Prices start below $17K, but we highly recommend getting the optional “Standard Package” ($17,755) that includes such niceties as heated grips, cruise control and a trip computer.

BMW understands the touring/sport-touring market better than any other manufacturer, and the supremely balanced R1200RT is perhaps its best example of the qualities that go into creating a comfortable and capable long-distance touring motorcycle.

Related Reading
2005 BMW R 1200 RT

Honorable Mention – Honda Gold Wing

The Gold Wing is simply an icon in touring motorcycles.

If you want maximum luxury with a bottomless well of power, and you're okay with piloting around a 900-lb two-wheeled convertible, the venerable Honda Gold Wing has an unbeatable combination of comfort and versatile performance. Three excellent V-Twin touring-cruisers have recently been introduced, but they can't do everything as well as the superlative Wing.

Best Sport-Touring

BMW K1300GT

The Honda ST1300, Kawasaki Concours 14 and Yamaha FJR1300 are all terrific mile-munchers, which makes BMW's K1300GT win in our recent sport-touring shootout all the more impressive. True, a princely MSRP is attached to it, but it also has available a plethora of worthy options that are unavailable on its competitors. Combine standard equipment like adjustable seat and windshield with desirable options like cruise control, heated grips and seat, on-the-fly ESA suspension adjustment, Xenon headlamp and traction control, and the K13GT becomes your cross-country best friend. The fact that it has the segment's quickest steering, most powerful motor and excellent brakes only sweetens the deal.

If you're gonna go far and you need to do it fast, BMW's K1300GT is the best choice on the market. A cornucopia of options unavailable on its competitors further expand its allure.

Honorable Mention – BMW F800ST

Lightweight sport-touring doesn't get any better than BMW's F800ST, a desirable amalgam of sporting prowess and long-distance capability.

If the sport part of the sport-touring equation involves unraveling the squiggliest parts of a map, the athletic F800ST is hard to beat. Accommodating ergonomics provide comfort during weekday commutes, while a lithe and obedient chassis encourages canyon strafing on Sunday rides. Optional locking luggage and heated grips give you the tools for inter-state touring, aided by decent wind protection, a maintenance- and lash-free belt drive, and torquey parallel-Twin motor supplying ample power. Its excellence became apparent after it won a side-by-side comparison with Honda's silky VFR800 Interceptor.

Best On-Off Road

BMW F800GS

“The GS for the rest of us,” was how Pete characterized the F800GS. The implication being that the latest addition to BMW’s renowned GS line of adventure bikes is at least as capable as the big R1200GS was at traversing tough terrain, but in a much more manageable package. The F800GS is closer to a big dual-sport than a Boxer-powered behemoth GS or GS Adventure. The 798cc parallel-Twin provides ample power for just about any situation imaginable for an adventure-touring rider, and its humane seat height and reasonable overall size open the door for many riders who’ve always wanted to tread the Sahara but were put off by the dimensions of the motorcycles that normally dominate the adventure-riding segment.

BMW's GS line has been synonymous with adventure-touring, and the F800GS expands the appeal by providing an ease of use far beyond its more ponderous 1200cc brethren.

Honorable Mention – Aprilia SXV/RXV 5.5

Forget Prozac. The thrilling SXV 5.5 is our prescription for depression!

Stuffing in a compact V-Twin motor into an aluminum-framed dirtbike-style chassis has created one of the most grin-inducing rides we've ever experienced. With 62 excitable horses at the rear wheel galloping with a sub-300-pound burden, the supermoto SXV (and its RXV dual-sport brother) is an extreme thrill ride – it even won the recent Pike's Peak hillclimb. Its $9,499 MSRP ain't cheap and, as we noted in our test of the 550cc SXV, “It's as pragmatic as Paris Hilton,” but it's ultra-cool, quite exotic and as fun as anything on two wheels. We stand by the closing statement from our review: “If you’re a former or present dirtbike rider with a dominant yee-haa! gene, you can’t find a more exciting street-legal two-wheeler at any price.”

Best Scooter

Piaggio MP3 400/500 i.e.

Fonzie describes the tilting three-wheeler MP3 500 as the Darth Vader of scooters. It's amazing what it can do on a curvy road.

For the uninitiated, the MP3 is Piaggio’s three-wheeled scooter line with two wheels up front. The revolutionary parallelogram front end uses an automobile-like double-wishbone aluminum suspension system supporting two independent steering columns that allows it to lean like a proper motorcycle. The result is a fuel-injected scooter that brings along another contact patch for new-rider safety as well as salty-dog giggles. On the right canyon road, it’s like skiing through the trees, holding your line with your outside foot (wheel) instead of your inside leg’s ski edge. Back and forth is wicked fun, like skiing a giant slalom run. At booger-picking speeds, like when maneuvering in a parking lot, a rider feels the added balancing help of the third wheel. The 400 i.e. is the more economical and practical version, with more underseat storage, but the 500 turns us on for its capability of busting a ton on the speedo and while getting more than 50 mpg.

Honorable Mention – Vespa GTS 300

Also from the Piaggio Group is the recent Vespa GTS 300. It includes the curvaceous Italian styling that has made Vespa a legend in the scooter world, plus it's the biggest, fastest, Vespa ever made. New riders would be well advised to go easy on the light-action throttle for the first few rides, as the GTS can whisk you away with a surprising pace in near silence and considerable grace. In Fonzie's upcoming review, he calls it “the invisible hooligan.”

Vespa continues to be the leader in sensual scooter design, and the new GTS 300 adds the kind of strong performance we can get behind.

Best Eccentric

Can-Am Spyder

Although not technically a motorcycle, the well-engineered Can-Am Spyder has expanded open-air motoring to a new audience.

If standing out in a crowd is you’re cup o’ tea, you’re sure to be seen riding aboard the Can-Am Spyder Roadster! Although it can't lean like a motorcycle (or a Piaggio MP3), it’s got some open wheels and puts you in the wind all the same. Basically, it’s a “flipped around” three-wheeler, putting the two-wheeled part of the trike in the front. Packed full of technology as well as eye-catching appeal, the Spyder now comes in three colors and two transmission choices: standard foot-controlled shifting (SM5) or a version that is capable of being shifted by hand (SE5, a sequential electronic 5-speed). BRP has built in a lot of fun as well as safety. The coolest part of this machine is the licensing. When last we checked, if you live in California or Delaware, you don’t even need a motorcycle license to operate one on the open road. Aging and/or handicapped riders who still feel the need for speed and excitement they once received by ripping down the road on two wheels can again feel that old thrill on the Spyder, and it's also proving to be attractive to new and female riders.

Honorable Mention – Travertson V-REX

Built by the people who turned out the turbine-powered bike made famous by Jay Leno, the futuristic Travertson V-REX garners more attention than any motorcycle we've ever ridden.

In the custom cruiser mien, it's not unusual to throw down $50K or more for something that stands apart from the hordes of other choppers trying to be unique. And yet they are all pretty much just variations on tired themes. But nobody will think that when you pull up on a V-Rex. Looking like a refugee from a sci-fi movie, the Travertson-built monstrosity is unlike anything you've ever seen. The swingarm front suspension is the first thing to blow your mind, but everywhere else your eyes rest will continue the squall on your brain, such as the bespoke cast frame, the single-sided rear suspension and the alien-looking nose. There aren't many $40,000 bikes we are willing to describe as a bargain, but for its incredible traffic-stopping countenance, V-Rex qualifies.

Best Value

Kawasaki Ninja 250

Yeah, most of us know that new riders should hone their riding on a lightweight and modestly powerful bike, but no one wants to look like a dweeb while expanding their skill set. The little Ninja avoids the newbie-bike stigma by looking a lot like its more powerful Kawi brothers, appearing sleek and purposeful despite its easy-to-ride nature. Its twin-cylinder 250cc engine won't intimidate newbs yet has enough power to keep up with 80-mph freeway traffic, and its agile demeanor has the capability to embarrass larger machines on the right twisty road. At $4,000, it's a bargain, and you'll get most of that back on resale when it's time to trade up for a bigger bike.

The attractive and capable Ninja 250 forgoes the embarrassment that is accompanied by most budget bikes.

Honorable Mention – Kawasaki KLR650

Perhaps no other streetbike is as versatile as the well-rounded Kawasaki KLR650, and especially not at its bargain retail price.

Last year saw the renovation of an all-time do-it-all motorcycle. The '08 model KLR put to rest a 20-year-old design but retained its simplicity in function, use and potential for roadside repair. With 50 upgrades in handling, power, comfort and styling, the new KLR is so much more than just minimal increases in horsepower and torque. With an MSRP of just $5,599 and compatible with many of the past 20 years of aftermarket products, you can ride to the equator and back with the money you’ll save over something from BMW. Fonzie knows cause he’s done it!

Best Exotica

Ducati Desmosedici RR

If you'd like a street-legal MotoGP bike, you're looking at the only game in town.

MotoGP is the pinnacle of two-wheel motorsports, with the best riders in the world piloting the most exotic sportbikes ever seen on earth. So when Ducati unleashed a street-legal version of its 990cc V-Four GP bike, we were as giddy as Casey Stoner after winning his world championship. Our time aboard the GP bike with lights was brief – just part of a day at the racetrack – but it was a scintillating experience we won't soon forget. Blisteringly fast, it blows past regular literbikes like they are 600s. Abrupt throttle response and a race-stiff suspension makes you realize you're not worthy of its stratospheric potential, and its $72.5K price tag will have you thinking twice about shaving off seconds from your lap time. But it's the most exotic and outrageous sportbike we've ever ridden, causing us to consider selling our homes or our mothers to put one in our garage. If we do, we'll make sure to invite fellow D16RR owners Jay Leno, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise over to the coffee shop to talk about how cool we are.

Yamaha/Star V-Max

Perhaps it seems a bit odd to label a Yamaha-built bike as an exotic, but consider its monstrous 200-horsepower V-Four engine stuffed in an aluminum frame, a ride-by-wire throttle, variable-length throttle intakes, bespoke radial master cylinders and hand-polished aluminum intake scoops. A lofty $17,990 MSRP keeps out the punters, helping to ensure its exotic and rare status. Mountains of power throughout the rev range is like engaging hyper-drive, and tire-smoking corner exits are delivered easier than anything else with two wheels. Yamaha has brought an icon back to life with the new Max, and it's crazier and more capable than ever.

The V-Max isn't a cruiser and it's not a sportbike - it's both, and there's nothing else quite like it. It's an accessible exotic.

Best New Technology

Honda C-ABS

Sportbike pilots usually have no interest in anti-lock brakes, believing they can do a better job of quickly bringing a motorcycle to a stop than a computer. But they probably haven't yet sampled Honda's new Combined ABS as found on the 2009 CBR600RR and CBR1000RR as a $1,000 option. With this new combined system, there is absolutely no mechanical link, or otherwise, between the front and rear. It is entirely up to the electronic control module to determine when more than one brake set is required. Not only does the ECM regulate pressure to each brake set, it also can “combine” front and rear brake sets based upon established parameters, and it does it seamlessly. We now have the first brake-by-wire system available commercially on sportbikes. Innovative!

Honda's new C-ABS has allayed our concerns about anti-lock brakes on a sportbike. You might not even notice it's there until it saves your bacon when you least expect it.

Honorable Mention – Ducati Traction Control

Traction control is available on the 1198S and Streetfighter. It will one day become ubiquitous among all manufacturers.

While other more conservative manufacturers have been reluctant to fit a form of traction control to their sportbikes for fear of liability concerns, Ducati has forged ahead and delivered what will surely become commonplace in the future. When DTC detects the rear wheel is spinning faster than the front, the computer first retards the ignition then will cut fuel if wheelspin continues. The multi-level DTC is rider-adjustable from scaredy-cat invasive to pro-racer-boy hands off, providing a new level of security currently unavailable from any other OEM.

Best New Product

GoPro Hero

A small, simple and affordable way to capture your two-wheel exploits.

GoPro Industries has revolutionized the homegrown on-board YouTube video industry as well as Motorcycle.com’s own story and video quality with its Hero video camera, and it got even better this year with the addition of a wide-angle lens unit that rounds out Fonzie’s bag of tricks. Its diminutive design and versatile mounts result in a camera that will go where no human can go – dangling from footpegs, stashed under subframes or taped to Kevin’s kneepuck. The GoPro Hero camera can make everyone look like a star.

Honorable Mention – HJC IS-Max

An excellent combo of comfort, versatility and value.

With changing times come changing weather, so why not ride with gear that can adapt? Now that the age of looking goofy in modular helmets is waning, and we're getting used to seeing fighter pilot sunshades on motorcyclists everywhere, HJC brings us the IS-Max flip helmet. It's not only comfortable and reasonably priced, it is full of bells and whistles like high-flowing vents, an integrated sun shield, clean styling and well-balanced in the 'up' position. Its MSRP starts at just $199 for solid colors, while radical wine colors retail for a bit more. So stylish is the helmet that Harley-Davidson has adopted it into its accessory line to serve their image-conscious buyers. Subtly branded with the bar-and-shield logo and H-D name, the IS-Max only comes in black when bought from Harley for a $325 MSRP.

Best Event

U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca

The USGP is the event we most look forward to each year. Not only is it our chance to see the world's best motorcycle racers up close and personal, it's held in one of the best motorcycle race circuits in the world. Adding to this irresistible allure is the opportunity to string together some of the best roads California has to offer.

The USGP at Laguna Seca has an unbeatable atmosphere of the finest motorcycles and riders, top-quality vendors and exciting race action - all surrounded by some of the best roads in America.

Honorable Mention – AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

Taking the reigns once again, the American Motorcycle Association has pumped new energy in to the annual Mid-Ohio event with Grand National titling in both on- and off-road racing and supplied the 20,000 attendees with the world’s largest swap meet. Despite this year's rainfall, the event sparked many imaginations and memories with the relived glory and hundreds of classic bikes on display and for sale.

Sources: www.motorcycle.com

Playboy Honda Replica

2009-08-19T10:16:00.001+08:00

The LCR Honda MotoGP team is sponsored by Playboy, as you may already know. The black and white livery of the MotoGP weapon is quite striking, and the European outfit ADK Custom Paint has created a replica of the machine based on a production Honda CBR1000RR. With Ohlins suspension and other top drawer features (both off the shelf and custom made for this bike), the modified CBR1000RR is stunning. Feast your eyes on this $28,790 Euro masterpiece.

Sources: www.motorcycledaily.com

2010 HD Wide Glide & Fat Boy Lo

2009-08-03T10:35:00.001+08:00

The Dyna series is the least expensive way to get into a Big Twin Harley, starting at just $11,999 for the Super Glide model. Moving up in price is the Street Bob and the Super Glide Custom, followed by this new Wide Glide at a base price of $14,499. Dynas are easily recognizable by their exposed dual rear shocks and underseat battery box.

The 2010 Dyna Wide Glide strikes a pose.

The WG gets its name from its wide-placed 49mm fork laid out in a generous chopper-style rake of 34 degrees. A consistent styling theme is the contrast of black and chrome. The wide chrome triple-clamps are accented with gloss-black handlebar clamps and risers, and this is mimicked in the 40-spoke wheels with black rims and the black headlight bucket highlighted by a chrome bezel. Similarly, the engine is powdercoated black and accented by machined cylinder fins and chrome-plated rocker and derby covers.

Harley ups the ante in the Dyna family with the new Wide Glide.

Also creating its own personality within the Dyna family is a black battery box with a chrome “Wide Glide” logo, a mini sissy bar and a new two-into-one-into-two “Tommy Gun” exhaust with slotted heat shields over the rear header. The front of its 4.7-gallon fuel tank is kicked up 0.75 inch for a jauntier angle that contributes to its chopper profile and the feeling of sitting “in” the bike.

Like many of Harley’s new models, there is a focus on reducing seat heights to give riders a greater feeling of confidence. As such, both ends of the suspension have been cut down to yield a seat just 25.5 inches from the ground. In comparison, the Dyna Super Glide’s seat is placed at 26.3 inches.

The back end of the Wide Glide is interesting for two reasons. First, there is no traditional stoplight, instead using the red-lens turnsignal lamps as stoplights as first seen on the Nightster. This innovative arrangement and chopped rear fender provides an ultra-clean rear end. The surprising part of this story is that European regulations do not allow such a system, so those on the Continent have to suffer with a traditional taillamp as seen in our action photography. For a change, North Americans get cooler stuff than the Euros!

Wide Glide Ride

Straddling the new WG is effortless thanks to its low seat, but the reach to the forward-set pegs is a stretch for those with short inseams. The internally wired 1.25-inch handlebar is set on 4-inch risers for a drag-style posture – fists punching the air – which rotates a rider’s spine into a comfortable curve.

Low-speed maneuverability is typical of a raked-out front end with a 21-inch front wheel, feeling a bit awkward at parking-lot speeds because of a floppy response at the bars. A light-effort clutch and throttle help keep the 665-pound (wet) bike manageable.

Black and chrome and flames are a powerful cruiser combination.

Unlike the Softail line which is fitted with a counterbalanced 96-cubic-inch V-Twin, the Dyno line quells vibes via its rubber mounting. At cruising speeds, the motor is very smooth, but at idle and low revs, vibration is quite prevalent. As with all modern Harley powerplants, throttle response is excellent, reacting smoothly and precisely.

At Denver’s mile-high altitude, the impression of power from the TC96 is muted, and it is further diminished at the 9,000 feet we experienced in the Rockies. This is a very nice motor, but some of its competitors haves more grunt on tap. Peak torque arrives at 3,000 rpm, which supplies very usable power at mid-range revs.

The Wide Glide's exhaust system limits cornering clearance on the right side.

Harley’s Big Twins are equipped with the 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission, all of which are now fitted with a helical-cut fifth gear to eliminate annoying gear whine. Gear selection is positive if a bit clunky.

I wasn’t expecting stellar ride quality from the Wide Glide with its slammed suspension, but I was pleasantly surprised by its behavior. In most conditions it feels very composed, although it sometimes struggles to feel balanced when trying to absorb repetitive bigger hits, partly due to the wheels being set a lengthy 68.3 inches apart. And with the suspension loaded in corners, the rear shocks reveal a deficiency in rebound damping. I was impressed with the ground clearance available in left-hand corners, but the amount of lean angle is more limited in right-handers to protect the exhaust system.

Ergonomically, the WG is fairly benign. Its seat is firm but supportive, and the tank-mounted speedometer is easy enough to read. Self-canceling turnsignals are a convenient feature that should be standard on many other bikes.

Small niggles include the air cleaner that intrudes on space for a rider’s right knee and mirrors that fuzz at various rpm. A noticeable amount of heat can be felt radiating from the engine’s rear header, and the single-disc front brake can be diplomatically described as adequate.

The Wide Glide’s attention-getting style can be had for less than $15,000.

Some may consider the above paragraph as damning with feint praise, but these are minor issues which don’t seem to bother the Harley faithful. For many, the gracefully sweeping lines of the attractive Wide Glide will be enough to sway them into joining the family of Harley faithful. There is no ignoring the many envious looks and comments the WG regularly drew throughout our time aboard it. This won’t get it down a canyon road as quick as some other cruisers, but it significantly adds to the pride in ownership.

Like all things in life, the more you spend, the cooler it gets. The $14,499 base price of the Wide Glide is for the handsome but subdued Vivid Black version. An extra $375 will upgrade you to the slightly more flamboyant but still stately Red Hot Sunglo. If you’re starving for attention, you’ll want the Vivid Black with clear-coated flames graphic for $15,194.

2010 Fat Boy Lo – Quick Ride

It didn’t take long after the Fat Boy’s 1990 introduction for it to achieve an iconic status – perhaps you recall a robot from the future that looked like an Austrian bodybuilder in a little film called Terminator 2. Its signature styling elements are a beefy FL-sourced fork, solid disc wheels and the 5.0-gallon Fat Bob fuel tank. Harley calls this newest iteration of the Fat Boy, the Lo, “a darker and lower interpretation of the motorcycle that still defines the fat-custom segment.”

The Fat Boy Lo's contrasting finishes are a visual treat.

The Softail chassis underpins the chunky Fat Boy.

This shot demonstrates how the Fat Boy comes by its name honestly.

The finishes from the Milwaukee company are above reproach, and this is evident on the Fat Boy Lo. Against a backdrop of gloss black and “Denim” black are lovely satin finishes on the engine and primary-drive covers and, most noticeably, on the mufflers of the shotgun exhaust pipes that glisten against the flat-black headers. It’s quite the eye-popper.

Also visually arresting are the 17-inch “Bullet Hole” cast-aluminum wheels with machined outer rims highlighting the black centers. Continuing the fat theme are a wide 140mm front tire and a 200mm rear. More fine detail work is found in the leather tank panel accented with an H-D medallion and a satin-chrome instrument console.

The transition to Lo status is the result of the Softail suspension being lowered 1.15 inches front and rear, plus a narrower seat, that results in the lowest seat height of any Harley: 24.25 inches. A reshaped handlebar completes the transformation.

The result is a very compact-feeling motorcycle for something that weighs 731 pounds wet. “Half Moon” floorboards are are placed well within reach and are very comfortable, but their shortcoming is that they drag early and often when riding on twisty roads.

The Softail platform uses the TC96B motor, which means that it has a counterbalancer to reduce vibration. This allows the engine to be mounted rigidly in the chassis, enhancing chassis stiffness compared to Harley’s rubber-mounted motors. The result is a better-handling motorcycle, but the reduced ground clearance means that you can’t fully exploit its potential.

My time aboard the Fat Boy Lo was too brief to provide a decent evaluation, but in terms of visual appeal, this is one of Harley’s finest work. The glossy Vivid Black version retails for $16,299, while the matte-finished Black Denim option has an MSRP of $16,674.

Sources: www.motorcycle.com

Motorcycle Garage Design In Japan

2009-07-29T10:49:00.001+08:00

This apartment was designed and built in Tokyo, Japan by three architects, Yuji Nakae, Akiyoshi Takagi and Hiroshi Ohno. The mini garages for motorcycles or scooters on the ground level have direct access to the apartments above, cool concept and a great design.

Look for more images after the jump.

Sources: www.motorcycle.com

Lawn-Mowing Choppers

2009-07-29T10:43:00.001+08:00

Sources: www.motorcycle.com

Motorcycle Sidecar Is Literally A Car....

2009-07-29T10:37:00.001+08:00

Adjectives fail me. This almost seems like one of those sci-fi movies where an evil scientist tries to cross two deadly animals together to create the ultimate killing machine.

So what are we looking at? It seems to be the deformed love child of a Citroën Xantia and a Kawasaki 1000 RX.

This custom project, called “Snaefell“, cost its creator about 15000 Euros and 10 years of part time work. I have to wonder “why?”.

I guess if you really love the thrill of riding a motorcycle but none of your friends and family do, this concept makes sense. Or not. Would they want to be seen in this? Hopefully those windows are tinted.

Check out the rest of the post for more shots of this… hybrid.

Source: [ Snaefull via Gizmodo ]

Scoot-Cati To Be Shown In Milan?

2009-07-28T11:04:00.001+08:00

Since Ducati pledged to show three new models a year we've gotten a flood of red-painted metal from Borgo Panigale; a new Superbike, new Monsters and the popular Hypermotard. Rumors are thick that this year, we'll see a Multistrada replacement-armed with the four-valve, 150 hp 1098 powerplant-aimed at the BMW GS crowd and perhaps even a VMAX-like power cruiser. That alone would make the Ducati crowd happy, but what about the fast-expanding scooter market?

Our man in the know, Italian designer Oberdan Bezzi, is convinced Ducati has something for them as well. He tells us that the latest news is that a prototype of a scooter (dubbed the "Scootster," a contraction of "scooter" and "Monster") will be unveiled at the 2009 Milan EICMA motorcycle show in early November.

Oberdan thinks the motor will be an 850 and offer a multi-mode transmission like the Aprilia Mana. That's not a bad assumption; I just had a conversation with a source at Piaggio, who told me Piaggio loves to sell powertrain units to anyone who'll buy them. "Would they sell one without heads so Ducati could install Desmo heads," I asked? "Sure" was the answer. Oberdan's drawing shows the Testastretta motor's deep sump, so maybe that's not what he had in mind, but it'd make sense, no? He also envisioned an "S" version, with Öhlins suspension and maybe some lightweight 16-inch wheels as well.

Oberdan and my mystery man at Piaggio think Ducati is working on a scooter, but I'm not so sure. Ducati has no need to expand the market for its bikes, as the factory is already near capacity. What Ducati wants is to strengthen its existing product line and build customer loyalty. A scooter, particularly something as big and expensive as this Scoot-strosity, makes no sense.

But if it does happen, it won't be Ducati's first scooter; the factory sold a 100cc scoot, dubbed the "Brio," in the early '60s. I saw one at a scooter rally a few years ago, and I thought the Ducati logo on the legsheild was a joke. Not at all, said the owner, pointing out the "Ducati" logo on the engine case and VIN plate. He bought it cheap and got it running easily, and discovered it was actually a fun and reliable little machine. It was just the wrong product, introduced at the wrong time. Will history repeat itself?

Sources: www.motorcycledaily.com

2010 Harley-Davidson CVO Model Line-Up Preview

2009-07-28T10:59:00.002+08:00

2010 FXDFSE CVO Fat Bob
$25,299; limited production of 1300 units

CVO Fat Bob in Cryptic Black with Hellfire Flames.

Returning for its second year at bat, the CVO Fat Bob continues to impress with a collection of new model highlights and tough-looking paint. With tommy gun 2-1-2 exhaust pipes and a Screamin’ Eagle Heavy Breather high-flow intake scoop, the ‘Bob is looking for a fight.

Standing stout on a pair of the 16-inch powder-coated and chrome-plated CVO Fang wheels (new in 2009) wrapped with Dunlop blackwalls, the 130 front and 180 rear tires underpin a smooth-rolling machine that’s happy cruising the boulevard as well as carving the canyons.

For 2010, Harley added more proprietary plating techniques and paint technologies to the Big Twin Dyna for a truly special looking motorcycle. Possibly my all-time favorite looking saddle on any motorcycle has got to be the rustic brown distressed-leather two-piece convertible mono/duo saddle you’ll find on the bike. Couple that with the Satin Pewter with Sandstorm Grind paint scheme, and Harley’s got one great looking package. I couldn’t take my eyes off the bike.

Other specially painted surfaces and features have to be seen for yourself, as my words won’t do this bike justice. The Fat Bob comes in three custom colors: Cryptic Black with Hellfire Flames; Opal Blue with Hellfire Flames; and the Pewter I’ve already mentioned. The 2010 CVO Fat Bob has an MSRP of $25,299.

2010 FLHXSE CVO Street Glide
$30,999; limited production of 3500 units

Candy Concord with Pale Gold Leaf Graphics.

The CVO Street Glide is an all-new model to the line and possibly the best in the bunch. My pal Pete Brissette calls the standard Street Glide “quite possibly my favorite Harley,” as it straddles the line between the tough-guy cruisers and touring-manic FLs. After my first ride on a Glide, I can’t argue.

The CVO version of the SG is equipped with a laundry list of features like a Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 powertrain, a pair of blackened 18-inch, seven-spoke Agitator contrast-chrome wheels with matching full-floating rotors, hand-adjustable rear shock preload, standard ABS and cruise control, security alarm, electrifying paint and a 40-watt Harmon/Kardon stereo system.

Packed with the same 6-speed Cruise drive you’ll find on all the CVO models, the Street Glide is built on the same Touring chassis as introduced in 2009 on the OE Glide. The stiffened single-spar backbone frame and newly-designed swingarm is a huge improvement, and Pete reported that the new chassis is “very stable compared to the previous frame; no more vagueness or flexi feeling. It instills confidence in the rider.”

Where the Street Glide lacks in storage when compared to the Ultra’s Tour-Pak, the 2010 model grows a few liters in overall capacity with a redesign of the saddlebags. An accessory for last year’s OE model included a false extension to the bottom of the bag to extend the visual appeal as low as possible but contained no extra carrying capacity. The new bags do, so look for that on the 2011 models if you don’t pick up a set from the P&A catalog before that – or buy the CVO Street Glide. Included in the new bags are integrated stop/tail/turn lights.

Built where Harley once built my Sporty, York, PA, the 2010 CVO Street Glide delivers with three more decadent paint schemes: Candy Concord with Pale Gold Leaf Graphics; Spiced Rum with Gold Leaf Graphics; and Tequila Sunrise with Pale Gold Leaf Graphics. The 2010 CVO Street Glide has a suggested U.S. retail price of $30,999.

Click here to check out a video preview of the CVO Street Glide.

2010 FLHTCUSE CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide
$35,999; limited production of 3450 units

Burnt Amber/Hot Citrus with Flame graphic.

If you’re one of those riders with the time and money to ride all over this great nation in high style and for weeks on end, you’re gonna want to pile it all on the Ultra Electra Glide. I know I would.

As the CVO veteran in the line-up, the Ultra returns for it’s fifth year on the bill with a focus on the tail end of the motorcycle.

The Ultra is also built upon the same new Touring chassis as the CVO Street Glide, rolling on Harley’s Roulette wheels – 17-inch front, 16-inch rear – with the same 130/180 Dunlops you’ll find on the Fat Bob.

In addition to the standard CVO color-matching frame and swingarm, the Ultra comes with a color-matched and LED-equipped Tour-Pak with integrated brake and tail lights and a push-button LED on the underside for illuminating down into the saddlebags. Switching from an incandescent bulb taillight to LED lighting not only offers brighter lights but also frees up storage capacity within the Tour-Pak. Another upgrade is the change from Powerlet-type 12-volt sockets to cigarette-lighter-style outlets. Fender filler strips and engine guard fairing lowers also match the paint scheme of the inner fairing assembly.

Pumping out of that gauge-packed dash is an 80-watt Harmon/Kardon Advanced audio system with CB, intercom and navigation systems.

Increasing two-up comfort and tourability, the Ultra now sports an adjustable rider backrest and a two-way adjustable (up/down, in/out) lumbar support in the passenger backrest for making the miles more comfortable for everyone aboard.

The Ultra’s color palette also delivers in three mouth watering schemes: Scarlet red Pearl/Dark Slate with Flame graphic; Riptide Blue/Titanium Dust with Flame graphic; and Burnt Amber/Hot Citrus with Flame graphic. Boy that’s a mouthful!

The 2010 CVO Ultra has an MSRP of $35,999. An accessory wheel option includes a chrome, profile laced aluminum wheel for $500.

2010 FLSTSE CVO Softail Convertible
$27,799; limited production of 2500 units

Inferno Orange with Vivid Black and Silver Braze Graphics.

All-new for the CVO family is the two-bikes-in-one Softail Convertible. Replacing the CVO Softail Springer of 2009, the FL-based Convertible is built to offer both cruising good looks as well as comfortable light-touring abilities with a set of detachable creature comforts. The detachable kit includes a compact fairing with color-matched paint and smoke windscreen, leather-covered saddlebags with buffalo-hide inserts, and a leather passenger pillion and backrest, both with matching buffalo-hide inserts. All parts are quickly removable without tools to transform the Convertible from a touring bike into a stripped down boulevard cruiser. See the Softail video for a real-time demonstration.

Packed into the tubular steel frame is a rigid-mounted and counter-balanced version of Harley’s biggest powertrain available, the Twin Cam 110B. The counter-balanced motor produces a claimed 110 ft-lbs at 3000 rpm versus the 115 ft-lbs found on the TC110 found in the other CVO models for 2010.

During Motorcycle.com’s 2009 Luxury Touring Shootout, we found out the 2009 TC110 pumps out 75 hp at 5,100 rpm and 88 ft-lbs at 3,800 rpm to the rear wheel. That’s just enough for propelling these steel horses around the world’s highways and byways, but who wouldn’t want more?

Stripped down and looking good, the Softail Convertible can pull double duty.

Simplifying the handlebar and dash for double duty as fashionable cruiser or travel roadster, the Convertible includes a new combo digital speedo with analog tachometer embedded into the two-piece chrome and color-matched tank console.

The Softail’s hidden suspension and 200mm rear offers more duplicity in cruiser fat-tire looks without compromising the steering ability and touring comfort. With a pair of 18-inch Chrome Stinger cast aluminum wheels wrapped in Dunlop radials (all other CVO’s roll on bias-ply tires), the Convertible is slammed down another inch from it’s 2009 OEM configuration to rank as Harley’s lowest saddled bike at 24.4 inches.

The Convertible shares front fenders with the Fat Bob, exposing more of both those great looking wheels, but the new tire-hugging rear fender includes a new light bar with stop/turn/tail lights

The Softail Convertible in CVO form, comes in three color schemes: Inferno Orange with Vivid Black and Silver Braze Graphics; Abyss Blue with Sapphire and Silver Braze Graphics; and Crimson Red Sunglo with Autumn Haze and Black Candy Grind.

Double trouble or twice the fun, anyway you name it, the CVO Softail Convertible gets the job done is high style. The 2010 CVO Softail convertible retails for $27,999.

For the past 10 years, the CVO teams have been bringing us the best of the Harley with their parts-catalog azimuths. And while a CVO model is priced much higher than a standard OE version, they deliver plenty of value for that dollar when you add up the cost of building your own CVO parallel atop an OE model.

Always one for showing off and wanting the golden goose, there’s no doubt you’ll be wanting to get your fringed-fingered gloves on one of next year’s bikes ASAP. With both old and new blood in the 2010 CVO line-up, finding a favorite shouldn’t be hard to do. Shipping in a myriad of electric rainbow colors like spiced rum, crimson red sunglo and tequila sunrise, you’re sure to stand out in any crowd.

Hardcore riders will dig the Fat Bob with its tough guy looks. Leaders of the pack will surely gravitate towards the Street Glide. Mack-daddies are gonna strut their stuff on the Ultra. And the man on the streets, the guy getting the job done for the rest of us, is gonna love the Softail Convertible. Work or play, there’s something for everyone in this year’s CVO line-up.

The Stud's Duds

Harley’s Sun Shield Modular helmet and the FXRG perforated leather jacket complete the Softail Convertible package like open-face sandwiches at the topless beach.

The Stud’s Duds returns again with the addition of a new FXRG leather mesh jacket and an HD-branded flip helmet. The convertible nature of the HJC-constructed Sun shield modular helmet plays a similar double duty role – comfortable both in the city or on the highway. The additional in-shield sun visor eliminated the need for carrying extra shields for day and night riding conditions.

This Harley-branded helmet proved to be much lighter and better balanced than my Fulmer flip helmet. Riding with the jawbar in the upright position doesn’t cause my head to wanna fall forward with the displaced weight, nor does it catch wind like a sail when trolling around town. In the full-face configuration, the channeling ventilation is rather remarkable, as cooling airflow is readily apparent. The simple looking, closeable venting system works.

The SunShield Modular helmet comes in a stylish black color (ever hear of it?) and retails for $325 (P/N 98211-10VM).

The jacket you see in the photography for this event is the FXRG perforated leather jacket with Cordura mesh-backed and reflective piped leather for strength and safety. It is equipped with CE-approved body amour in the shoulders, back and elbow, and comfort and versatility are enhanced with a removable kidney belt and removable Gore-Tex Windstopper liner.

The diamond plate-like ventilation holes keep your entire torso cool while riding, and the heat- and sun-deflecting leather treatment reflects away the sun’s rays and helps to keep you cool when you’re stopped. Soft and comfortable, the FXRG jacket retails for $625 (98521-09VM)

Short Course Recap
Model	Street Glide	Softail Convertible	Ultra	Fat Bob
Built	York, PA	York, PA	York, PA	Kansas City, MO
MSRP Base	$30,999	$27,999	$35,999	$25,299
Production Run	3500	2500	3450	1300
Class	Touring	Touring/Cruiser	Touring	Cruiser
Features, Standard	ABS/Cruise/Alarm/ESPFI	ESPFI/ Alarm	ABS/Cruise/Alarm/ESPFI	ESPFI/ Alarm
History	All-new for CVO	All-new for CVO	CVO Elder at 6 years	2nd year CVO

Dovizioso Wins At British MotoGP

2009-07-28T10:56:00.001+08:00

Italian racewinner relied on series leader for early lines.

Dovizioso delighted with Donington win

A maiden win for Andrea Dovizioso in the premier class could not have come at a better time for the Italian. Following three races without claiming World Championship points, a month in which speculation about his future has been debated and some tough times chasing a first podium as a Repsol Honda rider, the sophomore star gave an assured display when some of the more experienced names in MotoGP fell foul of the Donington Park conditions.

The first new MotoGP racewinner since last year’s Portuguese round (won by persistent 250cc rival Jorge Lorenzo) Dovizioso now has a huge weight lifted from his shoulders. However, whilst he may have looked confident when leading the British Grand Prix, things were still tough for ‘Dovi’ on Sunday afternoon.

“This race was very difficult. With these conditions the temperature of the tyres was too low, and the light rainfall for the whole race meant that it was probably the worst scenario for riding on this tyre. We couldn’t change the bikes either, so it was really difficult to manage,” said the Honda factory rider after an ecstatic celebration on the podium. He had led the race since lap nineteen, when reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi went in too hot on the Fogarty Esses, but the lack of a close rival actually made the final eleven laps harder for the eventual winner.

“Before Valentino crashed it was easy, because I just followed him; after that I needed to understand the track better,” he explained. “Wearing a light visor also meant that I couldn’t see clearly which lines were the driest.At the end Randy (De Puniet) and Colin (Edwards) were riding at 100% and catching me, which was difficult to manage. I think maybe for the last two laps I was pushing so hard that they couldn’t risk reaching me.”

And has the win changed Dovizioso’s goals for the year? Not exactly. Speaking pragmatically, he declared that “Today wasn’t a normal situation, so we still have to understand how we can use all the potential of the package. We still need to find some solutions.”

Sources: www.motogp.com

Gzil Zed748..............

2009-07-28T10:53:00.001+08:00

Ride To Bsb On 20th July 2009

2009-07-28T10:50:00.001+08:00

Labuan Black Eagles In Kuala Belait Part 2

2009-07-28T10:49:00.001+08:00

Labuan Black Eagles In Kuala Belait Part 1

2009-07-28T10:47:00.001+08:00

Labuan Black Eagles In Kuala Belait

2009-07-28T10:44:00.001+08:00

Rossi Replica YZF-R125

2009-06-21T21:50:00.001+08:00

2009 Rossi Replica yamaha YZF-R125

Fans of the MotoGP champion will be thrilled to hear about the launching of the new 125cc sportbike. The smaller brother of the R1 and R6 features the official Team yamaha graphics and specs, as well as Rossi’s well-know 46 race number and Doctor logo.

Actually, the replica paintscheme is the only difference over the standard bike.The design of the new YZF-R125 Team yamaha Race Replica was highly influenced by the racetrack, featuring striking blue and white paint and graphics to match Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP bike.

MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, and multiple World Champion Valentino Rossi is one of the sport’s biggest names, so the Rossi replica 125 cc bike should be a hit on the motorcycle market.

According to a press release from the Japanese manufacturer, the bike’s free-revving, liquid-cooled 4-stroke single cylinder SOHC engine is fuel injected for near-instant throttle response, while a 6-speed gearbox harnesses the power for optimum acceleration and top speed.

Breaking and cornering are improved through its 17-inch tyres on the lightweight 10-spoke wheels, as well as by large diameter 292mm front disc and 230mm rear disc brakes. Handling is also easier thanks to the lightweight Deltabox frame combined with a cast aluminium swinging-arm.

The sporty look is given by the low drag cowling, twin headlights, a slim tail with LED rear lights and the mid-ship exhaust muffler (a feature the R125 shares with the larger R6).

A full range of accessories are available for the replica model, such as a smoked Double Bubble windscreen, roller protectors, Resin or yamaha tank pad, and a city tank bag. Unfortunately, no pricing was announced yet, but it should be a bit more than the standard model’s price, which is about $5,000.

Sources: www.cmsnl.com

Rossi Takes 99th Triumph On Final Corner

2009-06-15T11:01:00.002+08:00

An amazing head-to-head battle between Yamaha team-mates Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo saw the Italian take his 99th Grand Prix victory by a 0.095s margin at Catalunya.

Catalunya 2009 - MotoGP Race Highlights

In front of nearly 90,000 fans in Barcelona the reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi took a superb win, battling with his Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo throughout the 25 lap MotoGP race to secure the win on the last corner.

Despite some slight cloud cover close to the Mediterranean coast, air temperatures of 40°C meant it was a draining experience for the premier class riders but Rossi and Lorenzo threw everything into their duel, with The Doctor executing a superb move right at the death to take maximum points.

Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro) was on the podium again, to maintain his World Championship challenge, with the result leaving Rossi, Lorenzo and the Australian all tied on 106 points at the head of the standings – the Italian on top as the possessor of the most recent victory.

Stoner was absolutely exhausted after the race having worked extremely hard to fend off a strong challenge from Andrea Dovizioso. The Repsol Honda rider produced another consistent display to finish in fourth place for the third round in succession, having started in fourth on the grid, this time missing the podium by 0.052s.

Meanwhile, an excellent battle between Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) and the brave Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) for fifth place eventually saw an Italian emerge in front of a Spaniard again, Capirossi crossing the line just over two seconds ahead.

With two-way fights for positions going on throughout the order, Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) used all his experience to overcome Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda) for seventh.

Ducati riders Mika Kallio (Pramac Racing) and Nicky Hayden crossed the line close together in ninth and tenth respectively, giving Hayden his best result of his first season with the Italian factory so far.

New MotoGP arrival Gabor Talmacsi had a better time in his very first premier class race than new Scot Racing team-mate Yuki Takahashi - who crashed out on the first lap – as the Hungarian gained experience coming home in last place. The unfortunate Toni Elías meanwhile was also unable to finish as his miserable home record continued.

Sources: www.motogp.com

MotoGP De Catalunya Race Day Result

2009-06-15T11:00:00.001+08:00

Pos.	Points	Num.	Rider	Nation	Team	Motorcycle	Total time	Km/h	Gap
1	25	46	Valentino ROSSI	ITA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	43'11.897	164.138
2	20	99	Jorge LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	43'11.992	164.132	0.095
3	16	27	Casey STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	43'20.781	163.577	8.884
4	13	4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	ITA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	43'20.833	163.574	8.936
5	11	65	Loris CAPIROSSI	ITA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	43'31.728	162.892	19.831
6	10	3	Dani PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	43'34.079	162.745	22.182
7	9	5	Colin EDWARDS	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	43'35.444	162.660	23.547
8	8	14	Randy DE PUNIET	FRA	LCR Honda MotoGP	Honda	43'37.162	162.553	25.265
9	7	36	Mika KALLIO	FIN	Pramac Racing	Ducati	43'43.694	162.149	31.797
10	6	69	Nicky HAYDEN	USA	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	43'45.490	162.038	33.593
11	5	7	Chris VERMEULEN	AUS	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	43'48.580	161.847	36.683
12	4	15	Alex DE ANGELIS	RSM	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	43'48.771	161.836	36.874
13	3	52	James TOSELAND	GBR	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	43'51.330	161.678	39.433
14	2	33	Marco MELANDRI	ITA	Hayate Racing Team	Kawasaki	43'56.685	161.350	44.788
15	1	59	Sete GIBERNAU	SPA	Grupo Francisco Hernando	Ducati	43'58.651	161.230	46.754
16		88	Niccolo CANEPA	ITA	Pramac Racing	Ducati	44'07.770	160.674	55.873
17		41	Gabor TALMACSI	HUN	Scot Racing Team MotoGP	Honda	44'39.537	158.769	1'27.640
Not classified
		24	Toni ELIAS	SPA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	15'45.214		16 Lap
Not finished 1st lap
		72	Yuki TAKAHASHI	JPN	Scot Racing Team MotoGP	Honda

Lorenzo Beats Rossi To Pole For Barcelona Race

2009-06-14T07:41:00.002+08:00

Jorge Lorenzo’s excellent second season in MotoGP continued at his home GP on Saturday as he took pole at the Circuit de Catalunya, the Spaniard qualifying just 0.013s ahead of Valentino Rossi.

The MotoGP qualifying session at the Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya concluded with home rider Jorge Lorenzo securing his third pole position of 2009 in sweltering heat close to the Mediterranean coast.

The Fiat Yamaha star pleased the crowd in his special edition Barcelona FC livery securing the top slot on the grid with a 1’41.974 time on the 28th of 29 laps, putting him just ahead of team-mate Valentino Rossi by a 0.013s margin.

Having never been off the podium in the premier class at Montmeló Rossi will be confident of maintaining that remarkable record on Sunday, though he knows he will have to be at his best to beat his talented young Spanish colleague.

Completing the front row is Casey Stoner as MotoGP’s current trio of form riders showed their strengths once again, the Australian Ducati Marlboro representative lapping just under a half a second down on Lorenzo.

Andrea Dovizioso is the ‘nearly man’ in the premier class at present and he missed out on the front row by just 0.168s on his Repsol Honda factory RC212V. Nonetheless the Italian will try to fight for the podium having just fallen short at the last two rounds.

In fifth place at his home track, not traditionally his strongest circuit, Toni Elías (San Carlo Honda Gresini) will aim to improve his poor Barcelona record from the middle of the front row, whilst Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) ended up sixth and might have done better had he not crashed towards the end of the session.

Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda) has looked good so far this weekend and he qualified seventh, just in front of home hero Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) who also suffered a crash in the final moments – landing on his injured right hip, but not appearing to sustain any further damage as he walked away from the incident.

The top ten was rounded off by Englishman James Toseland (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Finnish rider Mika Kallio (Pramac Racing), both northern Europeans doing well to deal with the ambient temperatures of 38°C.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Yamaha JogRR Plays Key Role In MotoGP

2009-06-10T08:24:00.001+08:00

For the fourth consecutive year Yamaha JogRR MotoGP scooters have been supplied as the official scooter of the 2009 MotoGP season.

Thanks to the continuing agreement between Yamaha and MotoGP organiser Dorna Sports, staff at circuits around the world have a quick and reliable scooter to help them in their work.

Quick access to all parts of the track is vital for Dorna’s staff, but MotoGP venues and the public viewing areas around them are expansive places. That’s why Dorna staff need the ever dependable Yamaha scooters.

The Yamaha JogRR plays an important role behind the scenes of the World Championship, enabling Race Direction members to carry out track inspections and helping cameramen to find the best vantage points. The logistics staff who perfect the set-up of safety equipment and advertising boards, and timing staff who install vital recording devices, also rely on the Yamaha JogRR MotoGP at every Grand Prix.

The Yamaha JogRR’s high-output 50cc engine features MotoGP-style liquid cooling to keep the engine performing at its best in the heat of the racetrack. Coupled to V-Belt automatic transmission, the lively engine ensures performance that’s always easy to control. And, because of its lightweight 84kg frame, short wheelbase chassis and disc/drum brakes, the JogRR MotoGP delivers precise and safe handling.

The Yamaha JogRR MotoGP is the perfect bike to move around quickly and efficiently - at MotoGP circuits throughout the world.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Johnny Chop Part 3

2009-06-04T10:06:00.001+08:00

Johnny Chop Part 2

2009-06-04T10:04:00.001+08:00

Johnny Chop Part 1

2009-06-04T10:02:00.001+08:00

Johnny Chop

2009-06-04T09:59:00.003+08:00

Johnny Chop
34 Orchid Avenue,
Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Australia
www.johnnychop.net.au

Triumph Hurricat Concept

2009-06-04T09:53:00.001+08:00

You may have read our friend Sr. Garcia's first ride report of Triumph's new Thunderbird 1600 cruiser. He found a powerful, good-handling and functional ride: not surprising, as Triumph hasn't been building a lot of duds lately.

Still, there are those who want more. Many Europeans - and a (very) few Americans as well - have no use for cruisers, craving something with a more aggressive, urban style. Italian designer Oberdan Bezzi wouldn't mind seeing a streetfighter based around the new 1597cc, Parallel-Twin, 8-valve motor. Think of his bike as Old Blighty's answer to the VMAX: hulking muscle and minimal bodywork, topped off with high-spec suspension bits and radial-mount brake calipers.

Sources: www.motorcycledaily.com

Top Three Tyre Variations Give Bridgestone Satisfaction

2009-06-04T09:49:00.001+08:00

Varied choices also confirm wide operating range of 2009 rubber.

For the first time since the introduction of the single-tyre rule, the podium finishers each used a different combination of tyre compounds for their dry laps last Sunday. Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi all finished the race with different slick tyre amalgamations, a product of their confidence in each compound and the time at which they entered the pits to switch to their dry bike.

“We can put this down to two things: riding style and the individual characteristics of the bikes,” analysed Tohru Ubukata, Bridgestone’s Motorcycle Race Tyre Development Manager. “At Mugello the characteristics of each machine and the differences in riding style are more pronounced because of the layout of the circuit – very fast and flowing. This means that the different compounds have more of an effect on each rider and bike package so individual preference is even more important.

“The slick Bridgestone compound choices were based on the teams’ experience from Saturday’s free practice and qualifying, on the tyre compounds that they found worked for them then. What we have seen though is that our wet tyre performs until riders can swap straight to our slick tyres.”

The Gran Premio d’Italia Alice saw the debut of a hard rear tyre, used by eight riders during the dry part of the flag-to-flag race, but it was the hard front that particularly impressed Ubukata. The varied conditions over the weekend showed the operating range of the rubber to be sufficient for any demanding condition and safer for the riders.

“Even in the damp and cold conditions we saw in the race, the hard compound Bridgestone slick worked well and consistently, so this shows that the working temperature range of even the medium and hard compound slick tyres is enough to cover all conditions from damp to dry,” said the Japanese manager.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya Given Grand Prix Presentation

2009-06-04T09:47:00.001+08:00

MotoGP’s Spanish contingent –minus Dani Pedrosa- attend event in Barcelona’s ‘Esferic’ building.

The Gran Premio Cinzano de Catalunya was officially presented on Wednesday afternoon in Barcelona, giving details on the event that will take place in Spain on the 12th-14th of June.

Circuit de Cataunya Director General Ramón Praderas, Catalonian Govenrment Vice President Josep Lluís Carod-Rovira and General Sport Secretary Anna Pruna welcomed all but one of the Spanish riders competing in the 2009 MotoGP World Championship, with the exception of injured Repsol Honda man Dani Pedrosa. Jorge Lorenzo, Toni Eliás and Sete Gibernau –who himself returns from a spell on the sidelines for his home race- were all present, alongside riders from the 125cc and 250cc class.

It was announced that two riders from outside of the region would be honoured over the course of the Grand Prix weekend, with Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden lined up to unveil commemorative plaques on the ‘Avenida de los Campeones’ in recognition of their respective MotoGP World Championship triumphs.

Mr. Carod-Rovira also revealed that a collaboration with a local bloodbank means that all those donating on 9th June will be given two tickets to attend the race.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Pedrosa Officially MotoGP Top Speed Record Holder

2009-06-04T09:45:00.001+08:00

Repsol Honda rider’s 349.288kph Mugello speed confirmed.

It probably comes as little consolation to Dani Pedrosa after his abject Gran Premio d’Italia Alice weekend, but on the Mugello straight the Spaniard became officially the fastest rider ever on a MotoGP bike.

The Repsol Honda rider was clocked in the speed trap at a phenomenal 349.288kph, a top speed some 6kph quicker than the previous record for a Grand Prix round, held by Makoto Tamada on a 990cc Honda at the Shanghai circuit back in 2006. There had initially been doubt over the accuracy of the speed measurement, but Pedrosa’s achievement was quickly confirmed ahead of the MotoGP race. Loris Capirossi had been the unofficial record holder for his 347.4kph straight line speed at the 2004 Official Test at the Circuit de Catalunya.

The highest top speed at the Mugello circuit before last weekend was 342.966kph, recorded by Alex Barros in 2004.

Pedrosa has been diagnosed with a small fracture to his right thigh, picked up on Saturday morning in the second practice session for round five of the MotoGP World Championship. His weekend ended with an early crash on raceday.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Bikes @ ASBK Queensland Part 7

2009-06-01T08:33:00.002+08:00

More Pics @ www.gzil.blogspot.com

Bikes @ ASBK Queensland Part 6

2009-06-01T08:31:00.001+08:00

Bikes @ ASBK Queensland Part 5

2009-06-01T08:29:00.001+08:00

Bikes @ ASBK Queensland Part 4

2009-06-01T08:28:00.001+08:00

Bikes @ ASBK Queensland Part 3

2009-06-01T08:27:00.001+08:00

Bikes @ ASBK Queensland Part 2

2009-06-01T08:24:00.001+08:00

Bikes @ ASBK Queensland Part 1

2009-06-01T08:23:00.001+08:00

Bikes @ ASBK Queensland

2009-06-01T08:21:00.001+08:00

Rossi Pleased To Be On Podium

2009-06-01T08:18:00.003+08:00

Valentino Rossi’s Mugello winning record came to an end on Sunday but he improved his results in flag-to-flag races.

Having never had great success before in flag-to-flag races and having crashed at Le Mans just after swapping bikes in the French wet-dry contest, Valentino Rossi was pleased with his relatively smooth showing at the Gran Premio d’Italia Alice on Sunday.

His remarkable winning run in front of his adoring Italian public logically had to come to an end at some stage and he was simply content to be on the podium alongside race-winner Casey Stoner and Fiat Yamaha colleague Jorge Lorenzo, as the three continue to jostle for supremacy in the 2009 title race.

Explaining how his race had panned out at Mugello, the World Champion said, “I have never been able to take a podium in one of these types of races before so it is the first time I have done it when we have had to change the bike. It was a good race for me especially as we found a good wet setting in just 20 minutes of warm up and I was strong in the first part.”

“I made a good decision on when to come in and change this time but unfortunately we decided to go with the harder front tyre for the second part of the race and that was a disadvantage for me, especially at the beginning. I was slow in the first two laps on slicks and I was thinking about the Le Mans crash. The front choice wasn’t right and even though I found a good pace it wasn’t enough to win.”

On avoiding allowing himself to be disappointed at the end of a sensational period of home dominance Rossi commented, “After seven victories in a row here it was just important to get on the podium for all the fans. The podium here in Mugello is always a great party and a great emotion even if we are not on the top step. The championship is very close, with the three of us separated by less than ten points, but it will be a long fight and we will try again in Barcelona next time out.”

Sources: www.motogp.com

Stoner Wins At Italian MotoGP

2009-06-01T08:16:00.001+08:00

Casey Stoner wrapped up the Gran Premio d’Italia Alice action in style with victory in another wet-dry MotoGP race.

In the second flag-to-flag race in two rounds Casey Stoner ended Valentino Rossi’s Mugello winning streak with a polished performance to give Ducati their first ever victory at the circuit.

Much of the race came down to tactics again in front of the 80,000-strong Italian crowd as the riders once more started on a wet surface and completed the 23 lap contest on slicks, with Stoner this time judging things to perfection.

The Australian retook the championship lead as he crossed the line a second in front of former leader Jorge Lorenzo, who also rode well after the scare of crashing on the sighting lap.

Lorenzo’s Fiat Yamaha colleague Valentino Rossi completed the podium in third place as his seven-year wining run at his beloved home track came to an end, the Italian hero crossing the line two seconds behind Stoner and less than one tenth in front of Repsol Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso.

It was a shame for Dovizioso to miss out on the rostrum on the last lap once again, having held the race lead early on, on wet tyres. Likewise, his compatriot Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) was leading at one stage – later in the race – but he fell away in the final laps to finish fifth.

James Toseland made a brave decision to come in first and change bikes when running towards the back of the field and he just missed out on equaling his best MotoGP result of sixth as he was outdone by his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team-mate Colin Edwards on the last lap, having also dueled with LCR Honda’s Randy de Puniet who was eventually eighth.

Niccolò Canepa (Pramac Racing) will be delighted to have achieved his best result to date as the second highest Ducati rider in ninth at his home race, with Chris Vermeulen (Rizla Suzuki) completing the top ten behind the young Italian.

Dani Pedrosa hit the deck and crashed out on lap 14 having already damaged his hip earlier in the weekend, the Spaniard stretchered away from trackside. He will face an anxious wait to see if he is fit for his own home race at Barcelona in two weeks. Honda satellite rider Yuki Takahashi also crashed out with 13 laps to go.

Sources: www.motogp.com

MotoGP GRAN PREMIO D'ITALIA ALICE Race Result

2009-06-01T08:14:00.001+08:00

Pos.	Points	Num.	Rider	Nation	Team	Motorcycle	Total time	Km/h	Gap
1	25	27	Casey STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	45'41.894	158.389
2	20	99	Jorge LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	45'42.895	158.331	1.001
3	16	46	Valentino ROSSI	ITA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	45'43.970	158.269	2.076
4	13	4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	ITA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	45'44.023	158.266	2.129
5	11	65	Loris CAPIROSSI	ITA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	45'45.168	158.200	3.274
6	10	5	Colin EDWARDS	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	46'06.345	156.989	24.451
7	9	52	James TOSELAND	GBR	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	46'07.515	156.922	25.621
8	8	14	Randy DE PUNIET	FRA	LCR Honda MotoGP	Honda	46'07.940	156.898	26.046
9	7	88	Niccolo CANEPA	ITA	Pramac Racing	Ducati	46'13.709	156.572	31.815
10	6	7	Chris VERMEULEN	AUS	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	46'16.708	156.403	34.814
11	5	33	Marco MELANDRI	ITA	Hayate Racing Team	Kawasaki	46'16.984	156.387	35.090
12	4	69	Nicky HAYDEN	USA	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	46'21.016	156.160	39.122
13	3	36	Mika KALLIO	FIN	Pramac Racing	Ducati	46'34.356	155.415	52.462
14	2	24	Toni ELIAS	SPA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	46'34.372	155.414	52.478
15	1	15	Alex DE ANGELIS	RSM	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	46'03.967	150.292	1 Lap
Not classified
		3	Dani PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	25'15.529		11 Lap
		72	Yuki TAKAHASHI	JPN	Scot Racing Team MotoGP	Honda	21'18.170		13 Lap

Gran Premio d’Italia Alice Racing Numbers

2009-05-29T09:27:00.001+08:00

Some key numbers ahead of round five of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship.

996 - Following his 12th place finish at Le Mans, Nicky Hayden has a career total of 996 points. A top twelve finish at Mugello would make him the 16th rider of all-time to reach the milestone of 1000 career points in the premier-class.

343 - The highest recorded maximum speed at Mugello is 343 kph (213.1 mph) set by Alex Barros on a factory Honda during the race in 2004.

24 - This is the 24th occasion that a GP has been held at Mugello, including 19 consecutive years from 1991.

16 - Valentino Rossi’s 16th place at Le Mans is the first time that he has ever finished last in a Grand Prix race and the first time he has ever finished a race outside a point scoring position.

13 - There has been at least one Italian rider on the podium in the premier-class at Mugello for the last thirteen years.

8 – The last eight riders who have started from pole position across all three classes have failed to convert the pole into a race victory. In fact from the last eight poles only two riders have finished on the podium – Rossi in Japan and Dani Pedrosa at Le Mans.

4 – The first four races of the year in the 250cc class have been won by four different riders (Héctor Barberá, Álvaro Bautista, Hiroshi Aoyama and Marco Simoncelli) which last occurred in 1999 (Loris Capirossi, Shinya Nakano, Valentino Rossi, Tohru Ukawa).

4 – Mugello is one of just four circuits on this year’s calendar where Ducati have not had a MotoGP win. The others are Indianapolis, Estoril and Le Mans.

3 – Last year at Mugello Italian riders won all three GP races: Rossi, Simoncelli and Simone Corsi. This was the first time that Italian riders won all these three classes at the same GP event on home soil since 1975 at Imola.

3 – For the first time in the 60-year history of Grand Prix racing, all three championship classes currently have Spanish riders topping the championship standings

Sources: www.motogp.com

MotoGP World Standing

2009-05-29T09:21:00.004+08:00

Pos.	Rider	Nation	Team	Points
1	Jorge LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	66
2	Valentino ROSSI	ITA	Fiat Yamaha Team	65
3	Casey STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	65
4	Dani PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	57
5	Marco MELANDRI	ITA	Hayate Racing Team	43
6	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	ITA	Repsol Honda Team	43
7	Colin EDWARDS	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	35
8	Chris VERMEULEN	AUS	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	31
9	Loris CAPIROSSI	ITA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	27
10	Randy DE PUNIET	FRA	LCR Honda MotoGP	26
11	Toni ELIAS	SPA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	21
12	Alex DE ANGELIS	RSM	San Carlo Honda Gresini	20
13	James TOSELAND	GBR	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	17
14	Mika KALLIO	FIN	Pramac Racing	16
15	Nicky HAYDEN	USA	Ducati Marlboro Team	9
16	Sete GIBERNAU	SPA	Grupo Francisco Hernando	8
17	Yuki TAKAHASHI	JPN	Scot Racing Team MotoGP	8
18	Niccolo CANEPA	ITA	Pramac Racing	3

Sources: www.motogp.com

Mugello Welcomes MotoGP Riders

2009-05-29T09:18:00.002+08:00

With an exceptionally close situation at the top of the MotoGP World Championship standings, the premier class riders could be forgiven for focusing exclusively on their immediate rivals.

Mugello is a special track for the 800cc competitors and merits added attention from them, as five of them explained on Thursday ahead of the Gran Premio d’Italia Alice.

The pre-event press conference for the Italian round brought five riders out of the pleasant sun present at the track and inside to face the gathered media. Sat at the centre of the table, World Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo was flanked by teammate and Mugello dominator Valentino Rossi, former titlist Casey Stoner and local stars Marco Melandri & Niccolò Canepa.

The quintet had unanimously positive opinions of the track, noting the impressive atmosphere and enjoyable layout. Despite this, nobody was making predictions on a final result for Sunday.

“We recovered 24 points in one race at Le Mans, with perhaps a bit of luck. To get a podium here would be great; to fight with Valentino would be amazing, but it’s not my objective,” said Lorenzo, leader of the series by a single point. “I want to finish races and improve my result from last year. I will try not to repeat what happened at Jerez (where he crashed out whilst fighting for the rostrum) but who knows? It could happen.”

Lorenzo was justified in his citing Rossi as a key rival on Italian soil. His Fiat Yamaha teammate has won the past seven visits to Mugello, and always has extra motivation for his home round.

“This Grand Prix is, from one point of view, more important than the others,” admitted reigning World Champion Rossi. “It’s Italy, there’s a huge crowd and a great atmosphere. “But there are 25 points available like at any other race.”

Ducati rider Stoner dismissed any hopes of Rossi buckling under pressure by stating that “he normally performs,” before saying that he is, “confident of a good race –even if a win might be another matter.”

Expectations were left at the door for Melandri and Canepa, both hoping to spring a surprise at tracks where they have much experience. Pramac Racing rookie Canepa has more experience than anyone of the track over the last twelve months from his time as a Ducati test rider but, whilst he has the track knowledge, things haven’t been all good at Mugello. He reminded the media that the last time that he tested at the track, he left with two broken ankles and a broken elbow.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Suppo: “Riders Made The Choice To Come In”

2009-05-18T10:31:00.001+08:00

Ducati MotoGP Project Manager reviews tricky Le Mans race.

The decision of when to change bikes was a personal one for Ducati’s factory riders Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden, although a particular plan had been put in place by the team beforehand to give the duo the best chance of a good result. Stoner was one of the last to come in, and placed fifth despite some difficulties early on.

“I think that maybe we should come here in June or July, because every season it’s a gamble,” said Livio Suppo, Ducati’s MotoGP Project Manager. “Unfortunately Casey didn’t feel comfortable with the wet setup, and that was a pity because usually in those conditions he is very fast. On the dry setup he also had to work on the steering damper when he was very slow on the straight.

“After that he was fast, and I think that he did the second best lap of the race. We have to be positive; last year I think that after Le Mans we were -40 from the front, and now we are -1 from the leader. There will be better circuits for us, so we’re thinking positive,” he added, drawing upbeat conclusions from a race that still keeps Stoner very much amongst the title contenders.

“We agreed with the riders beforehand that we would show on the pitboard if any rider had put in a very quick lap with the slick tyres. It was basically their decision, and they are the ones with the experience of what it is like out there.

”Now we are looking forward to Mugello. We’ve never won there, but it is our home track and we’ve just had a good test there with Troy Bayliss and Vittoriano Guareschi. Vitto got his best lap ever there, which was a good one for a test rider, and Troy was also fast, so we’re looking at a track that for sure better suits our bike.”

Sources: www.motogp.com

Complicated Day For Rossi

2009-05-18T10:30:00.001+08:00

A crash, a ride through penalty, three bike changes and no points at Le Mans left Valentino Rossi with plenty on his mind.

It is hard to imagine how World Champion Valentino Rossi could have had a more complex race to deal with at the Grand Prix de France on Sunday.

The Fiat Yamaha rider went into pit lane on four separate occasions at Le Mans, three times to change bikes and once for a ride through penalty, after he got his strategy wrong for once and suffered a costly fifth lap crash having made an early switch onto slicks.

A fortnight ahead of his home race at his beloved Mugello circuit the Italian star slipped to joint second in the standings as his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo snatched top spot in the championship race by one point, with an accomplished win.

Reviewing Sunday’s proceedings, Rossi commented, “I had difficulties from the start and I really could not ride my bike to its best. By the fourth lap I felt that I was quite slow and that I couldn’t ride as I wanted. I decided to change bikes early because usually this strategy pays off. I knew that I had to warm the tyres up a little bit but I crashed anyway in that corner because at that point the track was still wet and I just didn’t ride into it in a calm enough manner.”

He continued, “Luckily I was able to make it back to the pits and then later I changed again, but the rule says that if you change the bike again then you have to use one wet tyre, and so this is what we did. When I started that time, the pit-limiter on my bike was not on and so I was given a ride-through for speeding, but by that time it was too late for our race anyway.”

Summarising the round four results overall, Rossi added, “We’ve had problems throughout the entire weekend with the set-up of the bike and I was just hoping that I could stay with the riders in front and get some important points for the championship. Now we go to Mugello, my home GP, where I will perhaps be even more motivated than usual!”

Sources: www.motogp.com

Big Achievement For Melandri & Hayate

2009-05-18T10:24:00.002+08:00

Back on the podium for the first time since 2007 Marco Melandri was a happy man after MotoGp race at Le Mans.

Although Sunday’s MotoGP race at the Grand Prix de France was an unusual contest, the riders changing from wets to slicks midway through on a wet-drying track, Marco Melandri fully deserved his second place at Le Mans.

Before the season few would have predicted that four races into the championship the Italian rider would have achieved three consecutive top tens, his first podium since 2007 and fifth place in the standings with the newly formed Hayate Racing team.

On a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR which was updated over the winter, after John Hopkins and Anthony West both struggled on the 2008 version of the prototype, Melandri has stepped up results on the machine despite the difficult circumstances he face over the winter – as he dealt with uncertainty about his MotoGP future.

On his achievement at the fourth round of 2009 Melandri stated, “It is awesome to be back on the podium. One month and a half ago, to imagine tasting the champagne again would have been so difficult, so it is one of the best feelings I have had in my life. I had a very difficult 2008 season and now I am working to get my speed back.”

Talking through the French race he explained, “It was tough because at the beginning my wet tyres were probably a bit too soft for the conditions that we had and every lap I wanted to change the bike, but it was still too early. When I changed the bike maybe I should have done it a lap later, so I just tried not to make any mistakes and just keep the pace. In the end I managed to have a really good race.”

Looking ahead to his home race next time out in Italy, he added, “I know it will be tough at Mugello but I just want to enjoy today. I must say thanks to my team and to Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna CEO) who helped me to come back in after Kawasaki pulled out. It would be a dream to get a good result in Mugello, so I hope to get into the top ten there.”

Sources: www.motogp.com

Lorenzo Dramatic Victory At MotoGP De France

2009-05-18T10:21:00.001+08:00

In a hectic French MotoGP race, which started on a wet surface and was completed on slicks, Jorge Lorenzo judged conditions perfectly to take his second win of the year.

Spanish star Jorge Lorenzo found the perfect remedy for his Jerez frustrations at Le Mans, bouncing straight back from his DNF in Spain with a brilliant win at the Grand Prix de France in highly difficult conditions - to return to the top of the standings.

Lorenzo took the lead on the first lap and shot away at the front, building up a big advantage on wet tyres as the track dried quickly, eventually being the last rider to change onto slicks in his first ever ‘flag-to-flag’ contest and riding superbly on both sets of tyres to win by a 17 second margin.

Another brilliant effort by Hayate Racing’s Marco Melandri saw him cross the line second for his first podium since 2007, having been unsure of his MotoGP future over the winter.

Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa hunted down his team-mate Andrea Dovizioso on the final lap for third place to secure his third consecutive podium result.

A nightmare for Valentino Rossi saw him slip from first to joint second in the standings after a chaotic race. The World Champion swapped bikes three times, suffered a crash and was given a ride through for speeding in pit lane before eventually finishing last.

Australians Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro) and Chris Vermeulen (Rizla Suzuki) were fifth and sixth respectively, with Stoner drawing level with Rossi in second place in the championship.

Veterans Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), who mounted a comeback from sixteenth early in the race, and Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) would have ultimately hoped for better than their seventh and eighth places.

A solid performance for James Toseland (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) saw the Englishman take a step in the right direction in ninth and Toni Elías (San Carlo Honda Gresini) completed the top ten.

Lorenzo's advantage at the top of the standings is just one point, ahead of title favourites Rossi and Stoner who sit jointly in second position with 65 points each. Mugello, one of Rossi's favourite venues and his home circuit, will host the next round, the Gran Premio d'Italia Alice, the fifth date on the 2009 MotoGP World Championship calendar.

Sources: www.motogp.com

MotoGP De France Race Day Result

2009-05-18T10:19:00.001+08:00

Pos.	Points	Num.	Rider	Nation	Team	Motorcycle	Total time	Km/h	Gap
1	25	99	Jorge LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	47'52.678	146.848
2	20	33	Marco MELANDRI	ITA	Hayate Racing Team	Kawasaki	48'10.388	145.948	17.710
3	16	3	Dani PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	48'12.571	145.838	19.893
4	13	4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	ITA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	48'13.133	145.810	20.455
5	11	27	Casey STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	48'23.217	145.303	30.539
6	10	7	Chris VERMEULEN	AUS	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	48'30.140	144.957	37.462
7	9	5	Colin EDWARDS	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	48'32.869	144.822	40.191
8	8	65	Loris CAPIROSSI	ITA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	48'38.099	144.562	45.421
9	7	52	James TOSELAND	GBR	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	48'42.985	144.320	50.307
10	6	24	Toni ELIAS	SPA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	48'45.896	144.177	53.218
11	5	15	Alex DE ANGELIS	RSM	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	48'46.228	144.161	53.550
12	4	69	Nicky HAYDEN	USA	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	48'49.325	144.008	56.647
13	3	72	Yuki TAKAHASHI	JPN	Scot Racing Team MotoGP	Honda	48'49.366	144.006	56.688
14	2	14	Randy DE PUNIET	FRA	LCR Honda MotoGP	Honda	49'03.977	143.291	1'11.299
15	1	88	Niccolo CANEPA	ITA	Pramac Racing	Ducati	49'08.063	143.093	1'15.385
16		46	Valentino ROSSI	ITA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	49'28.685	131.949	2 Lap
Not classified
		36	Mika KALLIO	FIN	Pramac Racing	Ducati	20'47.302		17 Lap

Pedrosa In Pole Position For Grand Prix De France

2009-05-16T22:12:00.002+08:00

Repsol Honda rider heads the grid at Le Mans after an exciting MotoGP qualifying session at Le Mans.

In-form Spaniard Dani Pedrosa snatched his first pole position of 2009 right at the death of Saturday afternoon’s MotoGP qualifying session at the Grand Prix de France as the riders got the chance to give it full gas on a dry track.

With Le Mans typically experiencing four seasons in a day morning rain gave way to afternoon sunshine, with provisional pole changing hands several times, before Pedrosa made it his own with a best effort of 1’33.974 on his final lap, to take first spot by a 0.005s margin.

The factory Honda rider who appears to be getting stronger every time he gets on his RC212V at present, following an injury plagued winter, will be joined on the front row by fellow Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha) and Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro).

Valentino Rossi made improvements as the session went on, his final position of fourth being a significant step forward having lapped eleventh fastest on Saturday morning.

Rossi’s compatriot Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) and his former team-mate Colin Edwards, who briefly held provisional pole in the session, will line up behind him on the grid.

The third row will feature Rizla Suzuki pair Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi who both qualified within a second of Pedrosa, at a track where Vermeulen took victory in 2007.

The top ten was rounded off by Italian competitor Marco Melandri (Hayate Racing) and home rider Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda) who both bounced back from crashes in the hour-long session.

The weathermen have suggested that there is an 80% chance of rain on Sunday at the time of the fourth MotoGP race of the year.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Bridgestone Bring In Tyre Markings For Softer Compound

2009-05-16T22:10:00.002+08:00

From the Grand Prix de France onwards the softer slick Bridgestone offering will be marked by the Japanese tyre suppliers with a white stripe around the sidewall.

Bridgestone have officially introduced sidewall markings to their softer compound slicks at Le Mans, after testing during the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.

The marked sidewalls make it easier for those watching to keep track of the compound combinations that the riders use.

Hiroshi Yamada, Bridgestone’s Motorcycle Sport Unit manager stated, “We trialed tyre markings in Jerez with some different methods of tyre marking and after that weekend we decided to apply a white painted stripe to the tyre sidewalls. This will allow spectators, photographers, TV crews and anyone watching MotoGP to distinguish between the harder and softer compound Bridgestone slick options.”

“We have experience of doing this in Formula One, where Bridgestone is also the Official Tyre Supplier, and the feedback we have from that series has been very positive. Now four races into our first season as MotoGP’s Official Tyre Supplier, we have implemented a system that lets us transfer this experience to our MotoGP tyres, and I hope it will be just as well received in this paddock.”

Sources: www.motogp.com

BMW S1000 RR Superbike

2009-05-16T22:06:00.001+08:00

It's gone from fantasy to concept to official announcement . . . all the way to a real product. BMW's first real superbike, the inline-four-powered S 1000 RR, made its debut to the world press at the Monza round of the World Superbike Series in Italy last weekend. The bike, which weighs in at 455 pounds full of fluids and makes a claimed 193 hp, will be in U.S. dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2009, but BMW of North America has yet to announce pricing.

We've already told you a lot about the S 1000 RR. Here are some more details. The engine uses F1 trickery, like individual (and teeny) cam followers and titanium valves to boost rpm and power output. Redline is at 14,200 rpm (compare a typical redline of 13,000 rpm for a Japanese superbike), and the claimed peak torque output of 82.5 lb.-ft. comes at 9,750 rpm. There are butterfly valves in the stainless-steel exhaust system to boost mid-range performance. A "race" ABS system (which adds only 5.5 pounds to the bike), quickshifter and dynamic traction control ("DTC") are all optional.

The internet forums are already packed with comments griping about the bike's unconventional styling. This is after months of criticizing the bike (in WSB race form) for looking too much like a Japanese superbike. Particularly vexing to the conventional are the asymmetrical headlights and delicate taillight. One more for the "you can't please everyone" file.

But those who do like the bike, and who crave the long list of standard and optional features along with what may be the best power-to-weight ratio in the class, may be very pleased with the bike's rumored low MSRP. I was told last year the bike would be priced within 10% of its Japanese counterparts, which has been borne out by the European bike's pricing: 15,150 Euros, just 255 Euros more than a Euro-spec Yamaha YZF R-1. It'll be offered in four color schemes: grey, silver, green and a race-replica.

Sources: www.motorcycledaily.com

Rossi First Win Of The Year

2009-05-03T21:09:00.002+08:00

A crowd of more than 120,000 fans at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit witnessed a victory for Valentino Rossi in the first European race of 2009.

Valentino Rossi took his first victory of the season at the Gran Premio bwin.com de España on Sunday, beating Dani Pedrosa to the line by a 2.7s margin in front of a huge Spanish crowd in Andalusia.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Rossi Comfirm Visit To Isle Of Man TT

2009-05-03T21:06:00.001+08:00

MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi has confirmed that he will make his first visit to the Isle of Man TT races in June this year.

Valentino Rossi is to attend the Isle of Man TT races in June with Dainese, who are the Official Safety Partners of the event. Dainese founder and CEO Mr Lino Dainese will accompany Rossi and Italian MotoGP Legend Giacomo Agostini on the historic visit.

Rossi is to attend the Dainese Superbike Race on Saturday 6th June with Agostini, who raced on the famous Mountain Course between 1966 and 1972, winning 10 TT races, which then held World Championship status.

Fiat Yamaha star Rossi will complete a parade lap of the 37.73 mile (60.7 km) circuit before the start of the six-lap Dainese Superbike race. He will ride behind the course car on a 2009 Yamaha R1, flanked by eight of the famous Travelling Marshalls, who will be riding similar machines.

“I am fascinated by all sorts of motorsport and the Isle of Man is a destination and a race I have wanted to experience for a long time,” commented Rossi. “The MotoGP schedule is always very busy around this time of year, but this time the TT has moved dates a little and there is a week gap between Mugello and Catalunya, so now at last we have the opportunity.”

“I have seen many famous images from the TT races,” he added, “and of course I’ve heard so much about it from Giacomo (Agostini) and Mr Dainese who enjoyed the experience so much last year.”

After the Dainese Superbike race there will be a press conference involving Rossi, Agostini and TT Dainese rider Guy Martin (pictured with Rossi above) outlining Dainese’s future commitments to further improving safety for people who love active sports.

Sources: www.motogp.com

2009 Brisbane Hot Rod Show Part 5

2009-05-03T09:25:00.002+08:00

2009 Brisbane Hot Rod Show Part 4

2009-05-03T09:23:00.001+08:00

2009 Brisbane Hot Rod Show Part 3

2009-05-03T09:22:00.001+08:00

2009 Brisbane Hot Rod Show Part 2

2009-05-03T09:20:00.001+08:00

2009 Brisbane Hot Rod Show Part 1

2009-05-03T09:19:00.001+08:00

2009 Brisbane Hot Rod Show

2009-05-03T09:16:00.003+08:00

Paint Job For This R1 Will Cost Around AUD 7500
With this price you can get another 2nd Hand R1 Haheha
Excellent paint job n surely a show stopper
Wish to get this paint jobs for my bike too.

Australia’s Most Dangerous Bikie Gangs

2009-04-28T06:59:00.003+08:00

**With bikies in the news, RALPH.com.au’s Larkin Harrison conducts a special report on Australia’s most dangerous outlaw motorcycle gangs.**

Recent Australian Crime intelligence reckon 3500 fully patched members represent more than 35 clubs. A source claims there are nearly 20,000 associates and nominees.

The most dangerous gangs include The Rebels with 2000 members. There are also the Gypsy Jokers, Coffin Cheaters, Bandidos, The Black Uhlans and the Finks described as the most disorganised but most violent, according to Professor Arthur Veno, author of The Brotherhoods.

Though disputed by most bikie clubs, the National Crime Authority has reported that the main source of income for bikie gangs is the importation of firearms, dealing amphetamines and pot, counterfeiting, tax evasion, extortion, money laundering and trafficking in stolen goods. And former Bandidos insider and police informant Steve Utah, now in hiding, says he was even involved in wildlife smuggling.

Bikie gangs consequently fight for control to conduct business in their territory and violence even extends to women, historic gang differences, inner-club politics and personal feuds.

Gypsy Jokers
Estimated members: 120-150*
Territory: Chapters in WA, Vic, SA and NSW.
Violence: In 1994, 15-20 Jokers severely bashed an Adelaide publican and waiter. Minh Van Pham was beaten unconscious and permanent injuries included intellectual impairment and memory loss.
- In 1984, Jokers waged a two-year war with the Comancheros.
- WA’s former chief detective Don Hancock and his mate were blown up by a car bomb in 2001, planted by a Gypsy Joker.
Death: In 2000, Gypsy Joker Billy Grierson was shot by a sniper in Kalgoorlie and there were allegations that Don Hancock was the shooter.

Coffin Cheaters
Estimated members: 200-300*
Territory: Three chapters in Perth, two chapters in Vic, two in NSW and two in QLD. Plus there’s three Norwegian chapters.
Violence: In the 1970s, five Cheaters were convicted of raping a rival club president’s girlfriend.
- In 1976, the Cheaters nearly beat two Resurrected members to death and raped the president’s 19-year-old girlfriend. Six members were convicted of assault, burglary, wounding, theft and rape.
- In 2000, a court heard that Cheater Mark Hinchcliffe convinced his wife to murder her lover Michael Wright.
Deaths: A Cheater tried to attack three girls hiding in the closet and was shot dead by an 18-year-old girl .
- In 1998, Cheater Mark Chabriere was blasted to death in Perth.

Notorious (bikies without bikes, who are known to wear T-shirts and Nike shoes )
Estimated members: approximately 24-30. Made up of mostly Pacific Islanders and Middle Eastern men from Sydney’s West. Members are senior former members of the now-defunct Nomads Parramatta chapter.
Sydney
Violence: In March of this year, a solicitor who had represented members of Notorious had a gun held to her head in bed, while intruders ransacked her house.
-Last week, it was alleged that jailed Notorious members punched on with a jailed Bandito in Sydney’s Parklea prison.
Deaths: In 2008, Todd O'Connor, a former Nomads bikie who was said to have been a founding member of the Notorious gang, was shot dead in a Sydney back street. Another ex-Nomads bikie who switched allegiance to Notorious was the victim of a car bombing in Sydney’s North Shore.

Comancheros
Estimate members: 80-100
Territory: Three chapters in Sydney.
Violence: In 1983, the Comancheros called a meeting with the Loners motorcycle club to call a truce. Instead, the Loners were met by two carloads of Comancheros and beaten and forced to surrender their club emblems.
- In 1984, the Comancheros and Bandidos were involved in the Milperra massacre, a bloody shoot-out on Father’s Day which left seven people dead, including two Bandidos and an innocent 14-year-old girl.
- In March 2009, it was reported that the Comancheros were responsible for bashing the brother of a Hells Angels member to death with a metal bollard at Sydney airport. Four men have been charged over the brawl.
Deaths: In 1999, the tortured body of Commanchero Peter Ledger was dumped at his estranged wife’s Sydney home. Comanchero ‘Sergeant-at-Arms’ Ian Raymond Clissold was jailed for manslaughter over Ledger’s death
- A total of four Comancheros died during the Milperra massacre.

Bandidos
Estimated members: 250 -400 nationally and 2000 – 2500 worldwide.
Motto: F–k the world. We are the people our parents warned us about.
Territory: A total of 24 chapters in NSW, Qld, SA and Vic. Worldwide, there’s chapters in Europe, North America and Asia.
Violence: In 1995, Cairns bouncer Jason Tyler was allegedly lured from a nightclub to the Bandidos clubhouse and shot in the leg. A sock was stuffed down his throat and he was kicked to death.
- In 2000, drug runner and Bandidos associate Milad Sande, cousin of Danny Sande, the president of the Blacktown Bandidos chapter, was allegedly murdered on the orders of a senior Bandido, according to Dead Man Walking.
Deaths: In 2001, Kurri Kurri Bandidos president Rodney Partington was killed when a bomb blew up in his hands at a Gypsy Jokers compound.
- Former Bandido Russell Oldham, the prime suspect in the point-blank shooting murder of Bandidos Sydney president Rodney Monk, put a gun to his head in knee-deep surf in Sydney’s Balmoral Beach.
- Bandidos Sergeant-at-Arms, Sasha Milenkovic and two fellow Bandidos members were shot dead execution-style by two Rebels members in the basement of a Sydney nightclub in 1997.
- In 1984, two Bandidos died in the bloody Milperra massacre.

Hells Angels
Estimated members: 150-250 including their Nomad allies and 2000-2500 members worldwide.
Territory: Charters in Darwin, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne. Internationally, there’s chapters in North America, South America, Europe, Russia, South Africa and New Zealand. Nomads
Motto:: Three can keep a secret if two are dead.
Violence: - In 2006, five Hells Angels barged their way into a Kings Cross nightclub. After a bouncer questioned them, he copped a bullet, as did a woman waiting in line.
- In 2006, Angels and Finks fought at a kickboxing tournament on the Gold Coast among 1600 spectators. Christopher Wayne Hudson, who had defected from the Finks to the Angels, was shot in the throat, stomach and back, while two other Angels were stabbed.
- In 2007, Hudson fired six rounds of ammunition from a handgun at his model girlfriend Kaera Douglas and two bystanders who came to her aid. One bystander died at the scene. Hudson received a life.
- Last month, Angels member Peter Zervas was shot in the shoulder, chest, abdomen and foot. A police source has alleged that the shooting was orchestrated by the Comancheros.
- This month, Hells Angels have put a $100,000 contract on Comancheros president Mick Hawi after his alleged involvement in the Sydney airport brawl.
- Hells Angel leaders from the US have ordered their Australian club to restore the gang's tough reputation by shooting at any rival Comanchero member "on sight".
Deaths: In 1998, Hells Angel David Newham was murdered in Sydney in a drive by shooting.
- Last month, Angels associate Anthony Zervas was blugeoned to death by metal bollards at Sydney Airport, allegedly by members of the Comancheros.

Rebels
Estimated members: 2000 members; they’re said to be Australia’s largest bikie gang.
Territory: Estimated to be 70 chapters across Australia.
Violence: Bandidos Sergeant-at-Arms, Sasha Milenkovic and two fellow members were all shot dead execution-style by two Rebels in a Sydney nightclub in 1997.
- In 1997, the Rebels were linked to the shooting death of housewife Jane Thurgood Dove, who was chased and shot in front of her children at her home. The real target of the hit was another blonde woman in the same street.
- In 2000, a Rebels nominee was charged with the murder of a couple in the ACT.
Deaths: 1999 was an especially brutal year for the Rebels: three members were shot dead in an Adelaide ambush; former Rebel Sergeant-at-Arms Paul William Wheeler disappeared; and Rebel Paul Summers died in a machine-gun ambush while asleep at the Rebels’ clubhouse in Gosford, NSW.
- In 2001, convicted amphetamine dealer and Rebels associate Terry Falconer was abducted while on day-release from Silverwater prison and his dismembered remains were found in a river.
- Last month, two senior Rebels members were shot dead in Canberra, with a long-time Rebels member claiming shootings were a result from a bitter love triangle.

Sources: The Brotherhoods by Arthur Veno (based on estimates)
http://ralph.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=805651

Rossi convinced by Lorenzo victory

2009-04-27T09:49:00.001+08:00

Reigning titlist singles out four challengers for 2009 MotoGP World Championship.

If he had any doubts beforehand, the Polini Grand Prix of Japan left Valentino Rossi certain that Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo has the potential to challenge for the MotoGP title in 2009. The Italian had a thrilling fight with his Spanish rival at Twin Ring Motegi, before having to make do with second place as Lorenzo’s pace proved just too strong.

“I think that this championship will be very interesting, because we have four riders capable of trying to win the title,” said Rossi after the race, referring to himself, Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner. “Next week in Jerez is our return to Europe, and I hope for great weather and a good show.

“I’m happy, because it was a great race,” added the reigning World Champion, one of the biggest critics of the runaway wins seen frequently in 2008. “We had four riders fighting for the victory, a lot of overtaking, and I think that everyone enjoyed the race –especially me!”

Rossi appeared to have a problem that prevented him from catching back up with Lorenzo, and admitted later that he had experienced difficulties on which Pedrosa attempted to capitalize.

“I didn’t feel confident with the bike at one point. It didn’t ride very well and I lost time with Lorenzo and Pedrosa. Fortunately in the last part of the race I could improve my pace and lines to take second.”

Sources: www.motogp.com

Stoner fastest in rain-lashed MotoGP warm-up

2009-04-27T09:48:00.001+08:00

The fastest rider in a specially extended 40 minute MotoGP warm-up at Motegi was Ducati Marlboro’s Casey Stoner.

The rain which caused the cancellation of qualifying at the Polini Grand Prix of Japan returned on Sunday morning at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, affecting the lap times in the specially lengthened 40 minute MotoGP warm-up, but not preventing the hardy premier class riders from taking to the track. Despite completing just five laps Casey Stoner headed his rivals by more than two seconds with a best time of 2’05.903.

Shortly before the session commenced at 9.55am the clouds opened and heavy rain began to fall again, meaning that several riders stayed in the shelter of their pitboxes until late in the practice - rather than take any risks ahead of this afternoon’s second race of the season.

Behind Ducati man Stoner there were four Honda riders in the top five. Toni Elias (San Carlo Honda Gresini) was the only rider to get into double figures on the lap counter with 12 turns of the track, and he finished second fastest ahead of home rider Yuki Takahashi (Scot Racing), Alex de Angelis (San Carlo Honda Gresini) and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda).

Sete Gibernau (Grupo Francisco Hernando), Marco Melandri (Hayate Racing), Mika Kallio (Pramac Racing), Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) and Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha) completed the top ten.

Taking things steadily and completing just four laps, World Champion and poleman Valentino Rossi found himself in the unusual territory of 13th place on the final timesheet.

The 24 lap MotoGP race at the 4.8km Motegi track takes place at 3pm on Sunday afternoon.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Lorenzo Wins At Japan MotoGP

2009-04-27T09:46:00.002+08:00

Jorge Lorenzo was ecstatic about his performance in Japan but still playing down his championship chances following his second MotoGP win.

Fiat Yamaha’s Spanish star Jorge Lorenzo took a superb win at the Polini Grand Prix of Japan on Sunday, but despite taking the standings lead after two races so far this year he still believes some of his rivals are stronger than him.

The former double 250cc World Champion stated during his preparations for his second MotoGP campaign over the winter that his target is a top three standings finish at the end of 2009 and his still playing up the strengths of some more establish premier class stars, after his Qatar podium and his brilliant Motegi performance.

“I am the leader in the championship but I still think that (Casey) Stoner, Valentino (Rossi) and (Dani) Pedrosa are stronger than us,” Lorenzo told motogp.com after the Twin Ring race. “They are more experienced with the Bridgestone tyres but we are still learning about them and improving.”

“Today I had a great opportunity to win,” continued the man from Mallorca, “I knew that with a hard rear tyre I had good pace, so I saw the chance and I attacked.”

Moving back to his native Spain for the first of a series of European races as the top man in MotoGP Lorenzo anticipated the huge support he will receive next week at round three saying, “Jerez is unbelievable -as we all know. All the people there have warm hearts and they are very passionate about the Spanish riders. I think if there is one track where you should take a risk to win it is there.”

Sources: www.motogp.com

POLINI GRAND PRIX OF JAPAN MotoGP Race Day Results

2009-04-27T09:42:00.001+08:00

Pos.	Points	Num.	Rider	Nation	Team	Motorcycle	Total time	Km/h	Gap
1	25	99	Jorge LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	43'47.238	157.886
2	20	46	Valentino ROSSI	ITA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	43'48.542	157.808	1.304
3	16	3	Dani PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	43'51.001	157.661	3.763
4	13	27	Casey STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	43'52.929	157.545	5.691
5	11	4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	ITA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	43'56.445	157.335	9.207
6	10	33	Marco MELANDRI	ITA	Hayate Racing Team	Kawasaki	44'17.793	156.071	30.555
7	9	65	Loris CAPIROSSI	ITA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	44'19.994	155.942	32.756
8	8	36	Mika KALLIO	FIN	Pramac Racing	Ducati	44'26.654	155.553	39.416
9	7	52	James TOSELAND	GBR	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	44'30.344	155.338	43.106
10	6	7	Chris VERMEULEN	AUS	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	44'30.483	155.330	43.245
11	5	14	Randy DE PUNIET	FRA	LCR Honda MotoGP	Honda	44'32.072	155.237	44.834
12	4	5	Colin EDWARDS	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	44'33.778	155.138	46.540
13	3	15	Alex DE ANGELIS	RSM	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	44'40.763	154.734	53.525
14	2	88	Niccolo CANEPA	ITA	Pramac Racing	Ducati	45'09.042	153.119	1'21.804
15	1	24	Toni ELIAS	SPA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	44'25.681	149.126	1 Lap
Not classified
		59	Sete GIBERNAU	SPA	Grupo Francisco Hernando	Ducati	41'40.115		7 Lap
Not finished 1st lap
		69	Nicky HAYDEN	USA	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati
		72	Yuki TAKAHASHI	JPN	Scot Racing Team MotoGP	Honda

Behind The Scenes With LCR Honda And Playboy

2009-04-25T20:20:00.001+08:00

Watch the free ‘making of’ video of LCR Honda and Playboy’s recent photoshoot.

As LCR Honda welcomed Playboy on board as one of their glamorous new key sponsors for 2009 the new deal logically required a photoshoot featuring the team’s MotoGP star Randy de Puniet and a Playboy model, in this case the beautiful Francesca Lukasik.

The accompanying free video comes courtesy of playboy.it and features some full nudity, so handle with care!

Sources: www.motogp.com

Qualifying Cancellation Leaves Rossi On Pole For Japan MotoGp

2009-04-25T20:18:00.002+08:00

MotoGP qualifying called off due to rain at Japanese track.

Heavy lunchtime rain at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit led to the cancellation of all qualifying sessions for the Polini Grand Prix of Japan, leaving grid positions in all three World Championship categories to be decided according to Free Practice positions.

Valentino Rossi will thus start from pole position at Motegi for the first time in his career, courtesy of his late time on Friday afternoon. All MotoGP times were faster in the first free practice session, the only dry run that the riders have had in preparation for the 2009 race.

Rossi will line up alongside series leader Casey Stoner and Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo on Sunday, the same three riders making up the front row as at the first race of the year in Qatar. The 2008 World Champion is in a prime position to avoid a breakaway by Stoner, the rider who took victory so comprehensively less than two weeks ago.

Rizla Suzuki rider Chris Vermeulen is joined by Monster Tech3 Yamaha’s Colin Edwards –the fastest rider in the wet FP2 session- and three-time Motegi racewinner Loris Capirossi on the second line, whilst the highest placing Honda comes on the third row. Andrea Dovizioso leads the Japanese company’s charge in his first race for the Repsol Honda factory squad, with Hayate Racing man Marco Melandri and San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Toni Elias by his side.

An extended MotoGP Warmup session takes place from 9.55-10-35am local time.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Rossi Fights Back To Head Practice Standings

2009-04-24T17:20:00.002+08:00

Fiat Yamaha rider quickest in first MotoGP session at Motegi.

Valentino Rossi was quicker than Casey Stoner on Friday in Japan. That was the result that everyone was awaiting after the latter’s dominance in Qatar, but the Italian’s fightback doesn’t tell the whole story of the first free practice session for the Polini Grand Prix of Japan.

Reigning World Champion and 2008 racewinner Rossi left his final push to the last possible moment, cutting more than half a second off his previous best time in the session to edge out the current series leader. The Italian stopped the clock at 1’48.545 to bring an end to Stoner’s perfect record in practice, qualifying and warmup sessions in 2009.

Ducati Marlboro man Stoner threw himself into the challenge with an early 1’48.601 lap of the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, but elected to return to the garage instead of returning fire once Rossi had taken the advantage.

Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo had expressed his desire to record times closer to those of Stoner in the run-up to Japan and, like Rossi, his ultimate lap was also his most effective. The Spaniard was the final rider to go round in under 1’49.

Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi showed that Rizla Suzuki’s efforts to improve the GSV-R over the winter had been something of a success, both in the top six at a track that did not go well for the duo in 2008. They sandwiched satellite Yamaha rider Colin Edwards on the timesheet, whilst the top ten also included fastest Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso, Hayate Racing surprise Marco Melandri, 2007 podium finisher Toni Elías and Monster Tech3 Yamaha’s James Toseland.

Home rider Yuki Takahashi ran off track in the session, whilst fellow rookie Mika Kallio had a spectacular highside –from which he returned to action during the 45-minute run.

Sources: www.motogp.com

2009 Polini MotoGP Of Japan Day 1

2009-04-24T17:19:00.001+08:00

MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 1 Classification

Pos.	Num.	Rider	Nation	Team	Motorcycle	Lap time	Km/h	Gap
1	46	Valentino ROSSI	ITA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	1'48.545	286.472
2	27	Casey STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	1'48.601	284.885	0.056
3	99	Jorge LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	1'48.965	294.117	0.420
4	7	Chris VERMEULEN	AUS	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	1'49.382	291.813	0.837
5	5	Colin EDWARDS	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	1'49.697	289.466	1.152
6	65	Loris CAPIROSSI	ITA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	1'49.980	288.615	1.435
7	4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	ITA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	1'50.030	278.350	1.485
8	33	Marco MELANDRI	ITA	Hayate Racing Team	Kawasaki	1'50.123	287.769	1.578
9	24	Toni ELIAS	SPA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	1'50.209	293.000	1.664
10	52	James TOSELAND	GBR	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	1'50.342	289.621	1.797
11	3	Dani PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	1'50.391	283.315	1.846
12	69	Nicky HAYDEN	USA	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	1'50.393	287.081	1.848
13	72	Yuki TAKAHASHI	JPN	Scot Racing Team MotoGP	Honda	1'50.404	286.548	1.859
14	59	Sete GIBERNAU	SPA	Grupo Francisco Hernando	Ducati	1'50.538	284.510	1.993
15	15	Alex DE ANGELIS	RSM	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	1'50.601	282.648	2.056
16	14	Randy DE PUNIET	FRA	LCR Honda MotoGP	Honda	1'50.669	285.487	2.124
17	36	Mika KALLIO	FIN	Pramac Racing	Ducati	1'51.643	290.010	3.098
18	88	Niccolo CANEPA	ITA	Pramac Racing	Ducati	1'51.929	273.141	3.384

FireFighting Motorcycle

2009-04-21T12:24:00.001+08:00

Ever had an officer ask you “where’s the fire?” after being pulled over for speeding? Well now you have a good excuse. This converted BMW R1200RT has two 20 or 25 liter tanks (contain a premix of water and foam) mounted on either side that is connected to a 6.8 liter compressed air tank on the back of the bike that has a 20 to 30 meter hose.

They are currently being used in the U.K. but also in Japan, India and across Europe. I don’t think it’s the first option and cannot see it doing much if a house or building is on fire but it would be first on the scene.

Sources: www.motorcycle.com

700th Premier Class race milestone to be celebrated in Japan

2009-04-21T12:22:00.001+08:00

A look back over some memorable landmarks in the premier class since its inception in 1949.

This weekend’s Polini Grand Prix of Japan marks the 700th premier class Grand Prix in the history of the World Championship. Since the first round, many changes in cylinder class, tyre regulations and even starting times have been used, some of which are documented in a milestone review of the 699 races to date.

June 1949, Race #1: Great Britain IOM TT
The first 500cc GP is won by Harold Daniell riding a factory Norton.

September 1952, Race no.27, Monza
Les Graham gives MV Agusta the first race win in the premier-class.

October 1953, Race no.36, Montjuich
Fergus Anderson (Moto Guzzi) at 44 years old is the oldest rider to win in the premier class.

June 1957, Race no.60, Great Britain IOM TT
The longest ever GP of 301.84 miles, held over 8 laps of the Mountain circuit in the Isle of Man, won by Bob McIntyre (Gilera)

August 1962, Race no.100, Sachsenring

Mike Hailwood (MV Agusta) wins the 100th race in the premier-class.

May 1966, Race no.131, Hockenheim

Jim Redman gives Honda their first ever 500cc GP victory, this also being the first 500c win by a Japanese manufacturer.

September 1969, Race no.171, Yugoslavia
Godfrey Nash riding a Norton becomes the last rider to win a 500cc GP riding a single-cylinder machine.

August 1971, Race no.191, Ulster
Jack Findlay (Suzuki) takes the first win in the premier-class riding a two-stroke machine.

June 1972, Race no.200, Dutch TT Assen
Giacomo Agostini wins the 200th race riding a MV Agusta.

May 1973, Race no.207, France Paul Ricard
Jarno Saarinen (Yamaha) scores the first win in the premier-class by a four-cylinder two-stroke machine.

August 1976, Race no.247, Nurburgring Giacomo Agostini scores the last of his 68 victories which is also the last victory by MV Agusta and the last for a four-stroke 500cc machine.

July 1977, Race no.254, Belgium
The fastest ever GP race was won by Barry Sheene riding a Suzuki at an average speed of 217.37 km/hr (135.067mph).

August 1981, Race no.298, Silverstone

Jack Middleburg (Suzuki) becomes the last rider to win in the premier-class riding a true ‘privateer’ machine.

August 1981, Race no.300, Sweden
Barry Sheene wins the 300th GP riding a Yamaha, this is also the last premier-class win by a British rider.

July 1982, Race no.307, Belgium
Freddie Spencer takes the first victory for the three-cylinder two-stroke Honda at the age of 20, the youngest ever winner in the premier-class.

July 1989, Race no.400, France
Eddie Lawson riding a Honda wins the 400th GP in the premier-class.

March 1994, Race no.462, Eastern Creek
John Kocinski wins riding a Cagiva, this being the last time a non-Japanese 500cc two-stroke machine won in the premier-class.

September 1996, Race no.500, Imola.
Mick Doohan (Honda) takes the victory in a race cut short due to a rain shower.

April 2002, Race no. 581, Suzuka.
Valentino Rossi (Honda) takes the first win under the new MotoGP rules allowing 990cc four-strokes to compete alongside 500cc two-stroke machines.

October 2002, Race no.593, Motegi
Loris Capirossi’s (Honda) 3rd place finish is the last ever podium by a two-stroke machine in the premier-class

May 2003, Race no.600, France.
Sete Gibernau (Honda) wins after a great battle with Valentino Rossi in a shortened race stopped due to rain.

June 2003, Race no.602, Catalonia
Loris Capirossi gives Ducati their first ever premier-class Grand Prix victory.

April 2004, Race no.613, South Africa
After wining the final race of 2003 at Valencia riding a Honda, Valentino Rossi wins the first race of 2004 on a Yamaha.

October 2006, Race no.662, Valencia
Riding as a replacement for the injured Sete Gibernau, Troy Bayliss (Ducati) wins the final race of the 990cc era.

March 2007, Race no.663, Qatar
Casey Stoner (Ducati) wins the first race under the revised rules limiting machines to 800cc.

March 2008, Race no.681, Qatar
For the first time ever a Grand Prix is held at night under floodlights.

September 2008, Race no.694, Indianapolis
A Grand Prix event is held at the famous Indianapolis circuit for the first time and Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) takes his 69th premier class win -making him the most successful of all-time.

April 2009, Race no.699, Qatar
In the first race since the introduction of a single-tyre rule, Casey Stoner (Ducati) wins the opening race of the season in Qatar for the third successive year.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Rossi Nominated For Laureus World Sportsman Of The Year Award

2009-04-21T12:20:00.002+08:00

Fiat Yamaha’s World Champion on shortlist of six for prestigious prize.

Reigning MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi’s achievements in 2008 have been recognised with a nomination for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, an honour that will be decided at the tenth edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards.

Rossi was one of six sportsmen to be entered onto the final shortlist, following a ballot open to the world’s media in a record 112 countries. His rivals for the prize are Olympic gold medal winners Usain Bolt & Michael Phelps, plus Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, ATP tennis world number one Rafael Nadal and footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

It is not the first time that Rossi has been acknowledged by the selection panel; In 2006 he was named as the winner of the Laureus Spirit of Sport Award for his contribution to motorcyclcing.

Previous winners of the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award are Roger Federer, Michael Schumacher, Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Stoner Wins In Qatar Night Race

2009-04-14T08:55:00.002+08:00

The re-scheduled first MotoGP race of 2009 saw Casey Stoner take victory at the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar.

As the action in the premier class of the 2009 FIM MotoGP World Championship finally got underway, at the spectacular Losail International Circuit on Monday night, it was Casey Stoner who took the headlines, completing a hat-trick of season-opening wins in Qatar.

Following the exceptional postponement of the opening MotoGP contest of the year due to rain in the Arabian desert, Monday evening witnessed the first race in the new single tyre supplier era, but it was a familiar story with Stoner crossing the line first, ahead of World Champion Valentino Rossi.

A ruthless Stoner took the holeshot from pole and had built up a two second gap at the end of the first lap. The 2007 World Champion’s victory never looked in serious doubt as he controlled the race from the front, having been the fastest rider in every session over the weekend. Stoner’s winning margin was more than seven seconds at the end of a brilliant performance, casting aside any doubts about his fitness after winter surgery on his left wrist.

Completing the podium behind the front two was Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha colleague Jorge Lorenzo repeating his rostrum result from his MotoGP debut in the opening race of 2008, in his first race on Bridgestone tyres.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Colin Edwards started his seventh season in MotoGP riding solidly from sixth on the grid to finish fourth on his own Bridgestone debut, making it three Yamahas in the top four.

Also on new tyres and with a new factory bike Repsol Honda’s 2009 signing Andrea Dovizioso was fifth, fading slightly in the second half of the race having run in third place for several laps.

There was a good performance from Alex de Angelis, crossing the line sixth having qualified ninth at the start of his second year with the San Carlo Honda Gresini team. Rizla Suzuki’s Chris Vermeulen also made a decent start to the year with his improved GSV-R machine in seventh.

An excellent MotoGP debut from satellite Ducati rider Mika Kallio, meanwhile, saw him end up as the best placed rookie in eighth for the new look Pramac Racing outfit.

On factory machinery and returning to the Honda Gresini team this year, Toni Elías may be disappointed not to have done better than ninth, whilst Frenchman Randy de Puniet brought the satellite LCR Honda RC212V home three seconds behind the Spaniard to complete the top ten.

Dani Pedrosa, riding with knee and wrist injuries, battled through the pain barrier to pick up some important points in eleventh spot. On his Ducati debut, Pedrosa’s former team-mate Nicky Hayden also did well to complete the race in twelfth, given the back and chest injuries he suffered in a huge highside crash in qualifying on Saturday. The brave 2006 World Champion even set his best time on the last lap.

Sete Gibernau finished 13th on his MotoGP comeback with the satellite Ducati Grupo Francisco Hernando team, unable to push into the top ten due to his ongoing shoulder injury.

Marco Melandri made his first appearance for the Hayate Racing Team and ran off track early on but battled back well to finish in the points in 14th.

Commencing his 20th Grand Prix season Rizla Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi crashed out on lap eight and was unable to rejoin the race.

After a weekend off the MotoGP riders next reconvene at the Polini Grand Prix of Japan for round two, which takes place at the Motegi circuit from 24th-26th April.

Sources:www.motogp.com

COMMERCIALBANK GRAND PRIX OF QATAR Race Day Results

2009-04-14T08:49:00.003+08:00

COMMERCIALBANK GRAND PRIX OF QATAR

MotoGP Race Classification

Pos.	Points	Num.	Rider	Nation	Team	Motorcycle	Total time	Km/h	Gap
1	25	27	Casey STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	42'53.984	165.539
2	20	46	Valentino ROSSI	ITA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	43'01.755	165.041	7.771
3	16	99	Jorge LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	43'10.228	164.501	16.244
4	13	5	Colin EDWARDS	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	43'18.394	163.984	24.410
5	11	4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	ITA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	43'21.247	163.804	27.263
6	10	15	Alex DE ANGELIS	RSM	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	43'23.867	163.639	29.883
7	9	7	Chris VERMEULEN	AUS	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	43'27.611	163.404	33.627
8	8	36	Mika KALLIO	FIN	Pramac Racing	Ducati	43'28.739	163.334	34.755
9	7	24	Toni ELIAS	SPA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	43'33.465	163.038	39.481
10	6	14	Randy DE PUNIET	FRA	LCR Honda MotoGP	Honda	43'36.268	162.864	42.284
11	5	3	Dani PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	43'42.510	162.476	48.526
12	4	69	Nicky HAYDEN	USA	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	43'42.867	162.454	48.883
13	3	59	Sete GIBERNAU	SPA	Grupo Francisco Hernando	Ducati	43'46.199	162.248	52.215
14	2	33	Marco MELANDRI	ITA	Hayate Racing Team	Kawasaki	43'50.363	161.991	56.379
15	1	72	Yuki TAKAHASHI	JPN	Scot Racing Team MotoGP	Honda	43'54.270	161.751	1'00.286
16		52	James TOSELAND	GBR	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	44'08.962	160.853	1'14.978
17		88	Niccolo CANEPA	ITA	Pramac Racing	Ducati	44'09.012	160.850	1'15.028
Not classified
		65	Loris CAPIROSSI	ITA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	13'49.501		15 Lap

Joint statement on Qatar race postponement

2009-04-13T16:03:00.001+08:00

FIM, IRTA, Dorna and the QMMF (Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation) have released the following statement on the MotoGP race postponement at the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar.

Due to adverse weather conditions, the MotoGP race at the Commercial bank Grand Prix of Qatar has been postponed.

Following discussions between FIM, IRTA, Dorna and the QMMF, a proposal was put to the MotoGP teams to run the race tomorrow evening. Thanks to a huge effort from all parties concerned, and out of respect to fans of motorsport around the world, it has been decided that the race will take place on Monday 13th April, 2009.

The warm-up will run at 6.30pm local time (GMT+3), with the race scheduled to start at 9pm.

FIM Road-racing Commission President, Mr. Claude Danis stated, “For safety reasons it was not possible to race in the night due to the reflection of the lights on the track. This decision had already been taken a few years ago when we first decided to run a night race in Qatar. On behalf of the FIM I am very happy that we could postpone the race until tomorrow. It is important for the championship, especially at the first race, and I would like to thank Dorna, QMMF, IRTA and the MotoGP teams for helping reach this decision together.”

Dorna Sports CEO, Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta added, “After the arrival of a large storm we had to cancel the race as it was unsafe. The QMMF offered us the choice to run the race tomorrow, and as it was a very important decision we wanted to consult with all the team managers. The postponement was accepted by a large majority. This has been an extraordinary decision in extraordinary circumstances.”

Sources:www.motogp.com

Stoner Clean Sweep During MotoGP Warmup

2009-04-13T16:02:00.003+08:00

Ducati Marlboro rider fastest in 20-minute Sunday session.

The MotoGP warmup concluded the preparations for the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar on Sunday evening, and it barely needs mentioning that Casey Stoner was the top man in the session. The Australian completed a clean sweep of the four preparatory sessions with a 1’56.697 lap unmatched by any of his 800cc rivals, onboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP9.

The main favourite to deny a Stoner victory, Valentino Rossi was less than a tenth of a second slower than the Australian during the 20-minute run, and will start the race by his rival’s side on the front row.

Third quickest was Repsol Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso, who makes his debut for the team in Qatar, whilst Jorge Lorenzo and Colin Edwards showed the suitability of the Yamaha M1 to the Losail International Circuit by placing in the top five.

A sore Nicky Hayden came back from a heavy qualifying hit to test the extent of his discomfort in the warmup, but came close to another incident when being passed by San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Alex de Angelis. Also riding injured, Hayden’s former Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa twice ran off track during the session.

Sources:www.motogp.com

MotoGP Qatar race to be run on Monday

2009-04-13T15:59:00.001+08:00

A rare rainstorm at the Losail International Circuit on Sunday evening saw the first MotoGP
race of the year put back to Monday at 9pm local time.

After the season-opening Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar was interrupted by rain on Sunday evening the MotoGP race had to be postponed and will now be run on Monday evening at 9pm local time, with an additional warm-up session beforehand at 6.30pm.

After shortened 250cc and 125cc races earlier in the evening the heavy rainstorm in the Arabian desert at 11pm on Sunday evening made it unsafe for the MotoGP riders to go out onto the 5.380km floodlit circuit.

Sources: www.motogp.com

2009 MotoGP Qatar Qualifying Practice Result

2009-04-12T16:37:00.001+08:00

Pos	No.	Rider	Bike	Time	Diff	Diff Previous
1	27	Casey STONER	DUCATI	1'55.286
2	46	Valentino ROSSI	YAMAHA	1'55.759	0.473	0.473
3	99	Jorge LORENZO	YAMAHA	1'55.783	0.497	0.024
4	4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	HONDA	1'55.977	0.691	0.194
5	65	Loris CAPIROSSI	SUZUKI	1'56.149	0.863	0.172
6	5	Colin EDWARDS	YAMAHA	1'56.194	0.908	0.045
7	14	Randy DE PUNIET	HONDA	1'56.358	1.072	0.164
8	7	Chris VERMEULEN	SUZUKI	1'56.493	1.207	0.135
9	15	Alex DE ANGELIS	HONDA	1'56.790	1.504	0.297
10	36	Mika KALLIO	DUCATI	1'56.852	1.566	0.062
11	33	Marco MELANDRI	KAWASAKI	1'56.962	1.676	0.110
12	24	Toni ELIAS	HONDA	1'57.225	1.939	0.263
13	52	James TOSELAND	YAMAHA	1'57.510	2.224	0.285
14	3	Dani PEDROSA	HONDA	1'57.729	2.443	0.219
15	59	Sete GIBERNAU	DUCATI	1'57.899	2.613	0.170
16	69	Nicky HAYDEN	DUCATI	1'58.215	2.929	0.316
17	72	Yuki TAKAHASHI	HONDA	1'58.784	3.498	0.569
18	88	Niccolo CANEPA	DUCATI	1'58.999	3.713	0.215

2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic LT

2009-04-11T17:27:00.003+08:00

The Vulcan 1700 line is expanded with the Classic LT light-tourer. If the bags, windshield and fancy paint don’t get you, maybe the extended warranty will.

Bargain hunters might be convinced to overlook the standard Classic in favor of the light-touring LT version. An extra $1,500 buy-in nets you greater comfort, versatility, passenger contentment and a bit of additional bling.

We spent a half a day riding the LT in occasionally blustery conditions, and it was a relief to cower behind a windshield that is adjustable over a 2-inch range. Structurally bolstered leather saddlebags provided stowage for water and a camera, and a backrest keeps your passengers where they belong. The seats are highlighted with chromed brass studs that match the detailing on the saddlebags.

But more obvious to the eyes are the 2-tone paint combos that add considerably to the attractiveness of the black-only Classic. Set against a Pearl Burnish Beige is your choice of two colors: Metallic Nocturne Blue or Metallic Dark Green. Both feature accent pinstriping between the two tones.

Otherwise, the Classic LT has identical features and mechanicals as the pared-down Classic. Its $13,799 MSRP includes two years of warranty coverage to the Classic’s one year. If I were to buy a Vulcan 1700 Classic, I’d definitely choose the LT.

Sources:www.motorcycle.com

Prospects for the 2009 MotoGP Season

2009-04-11T17:25:00.001+08:00

Here are your major contending teams and riders heading into the 2009 season.

Team	Riders
Fiat Yamaha	Valentino Rossi	Jorge Lorenzo
Ducati Marlboro	Casey Stoner	Nicky Hayden
Repsol Honda	Dani Pedrosa	Andrea Dovizioso
Rizla Suzuki	Chris Vermeulen	Loris Capirossi
Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Colin Edwards	James Toseland

Stoner and Pedrosa are starting the season less than 100% healthy, with Stoner still recovering from offseason surgery on his wrist and Pedrosa having had surgery after a high side – go figure –while testing at Qatar on March 2. The Suzuki riders finished the pre-season testing session at Jerez in 3rd and 5th places, suggesting they may be more competitive at the start of this season. Dovizioso figures to benefit from the switch to the factory Honda team, and Nicky Hayden, at least in my opinion, will be running with the big dogs before the season is over on his shiny new Ducati.

"I know you don't like it, Jorge, but trust me, the wall is a good thing!"

Colin Edwards seemed to enjoy beating teammate James Toseland in the pre-season tests.

One of the amusing aspects to these big high-powered two-rider teams is the fact that the “teammates” don’t always get along so well. Apparently Rossi and Lorenzo don’t see eye to eye on everything. Such also seems to be the case with Edwards and Toseland. How, you’re wondering, do we know this? BECAUSE THE CREWS HAVE TO BUILD WALLS IN THE GARAGES TO KEEP THEM APART. Despite the fact that these riders have testicles the size of hubcaps, they’ve got “little man” complexes and the aggressiveness of rat terriers. Why don’t they just do what they do in sitcoms: draw a line down the middle of the room and let hilarity ensue?

Rossi is the odds-on favorite to repeat this season, edging out Stoner on the surprising number of online betting sites devoted to MotoGP. It’s difficult to bet against him, as he is smooth as silk and rarely makes even the smallest mistake. Stoner is going to have to have a perfect season to beat him out. We’ll see if it’ll be similar to last season, with the Stoner owning the straightaways, and Rossi ruling the corners.

Last year at Qatar, the top five finishers were Stoner, Lorenzo and Pedrosa on the podium, followed by Dovizioso and Rossi. Look for Rossi, Stoner and Lorenzo up there this year, with Vermeulen, Dovizioso and Edwards trailing. Pedrosa is apparently going to start, but whether he can finish remains to be seen.

Sources:www.motorcycle.com

Rossi Improvements In Good Friday Session

2009-04-11T17:20:00.001+08:00

“We’ll get better" assures reigning MotoGP World Champion.

Casey Stoner may have set the early pace in Qatar with a storming practice time, but MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi drew positive conclusions from the first session of the 2009 season. At what he described on Thursday as the scene of his ‘worst race of 2008’, the Fiat Yamaha man saw potential for further improvement in the two forthcoming Saturday sessions.

‘It was a good session. We are already close to the top, and we already have some ideas from the last test on how to improve the grip levels,” said Rossi after clocking a 1’57.439 time (0.386 slower than Stoner’s lap) on a circuit that had only had 1.5hours worth of riding undertaken beforehand to clear up the lines.

“The new setting is working well, and we have more confidence now when compared to the test that we had here. Now is only the first practice; we’ll get faster.”

The previous test had seen prior rainfall and cold temperatures cause problems for the riders, and the Italian felt the difference in conditions to some extent on Friday.

“I can ride the bike feeling that it is more under control. With lower temperatures it was perhaps dangerous at times before.”

Rossi will be back on track with the rest of the MotoGP riders for the second free practice session for the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar, on Saturday at 7.05pm local time.

Sources:www.motogp.com

Stoner Opening Night Success

2009-04-11T17:09:00.003+08:00

After Casey Stoner began the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar in good form on Friday night he was in an upbeat mood about the results of the first MotoGP free practice of 2009.

Ducati Marlboro’s Casey Stoner has a great record at Qatar, having started his remarkable 2007 MotoGP title triumph with a brilliant victory at the Losail International Circuit, a win which he repeated in style at the beginning of last year.

The Australian was also the fastest man at the 2009 Official Night Test at the desert track at the beginning of March and having stopped off in Jerez two weeks ago to top the timesheets again and win himself a new car in the BMW M Award, he continued his preseason form with the best time in free practice on Friday evening as the new season commenced.

The 23 year-old will be hard to stop at this weekend, although fans can be assured that the likes of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo will be doing their very best to prevent a third consecutive Stoner Qatar win on Sunday.

Reviewing his evening’s work late on Friday Stoner commented, “The bike is working very well. The settings that we found in Jerez seem to be working quite well here also, but we still need to improve a couple of things like everybody. The track conditions are not perfect yet, though by the time we arrive tomorrow night for qualifying it should be fine and we will understand where we are a little bit more.”

Asked about his fitness as he prepares for his first race since winter surgery, he replied, “There is no problem with my wrist. I would like to be able to do more physical training but that is not an excuse and the wrist is not causing any issues. So we are looking forward to starting the season and we will see how things go.”

Sources: www.motogp.com

2009 Moto GP Qatar Grand Prix Free Practice Results

2009-04-11T17:07:00.003+08:00

Pos.	Num.	Rider	Nation	Team	Motorcycle	Lap time	Km/h	Gap
1	27	Casey STONER	AUS	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	1'57.053	328.967
2	46	Valentino ROSSI	ITA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	1'57.439	327.471	0.386
3	5	Colin EDWARDS	USA	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	1'57.835	322.677	0.782
4	99	Jorge LORENZO	SPA	Fiat Yamaha Team	Yamaha	1'58.272	326.579	1.219
5	15	Alex DE ANGELIS	RSM	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	1'58.452	326.975	1.399
6	65	Loris CAPIROSSI	ITA	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	1'58.468	323.643	1.415
7	36	Mika KALLIO	FIN	Pramac Racing	Ducati	1'58.499	328.367	1.446
8	4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	ITA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	1'58.506	325.693	1.453
9	33	Marco MELANDRI	ITA	Hayate Racing Team	Kawasaki	1'58.757	324.812	1.704
10	14	Randy DE PUNIET	FRA	LCR Honda MotoGP	Honda	1'58.771	321.332	1.718
11	52	James TOSELAND	GBR	Monster Yamaha Tech 3	Yamaha	1'58.850	320.000	1.797
12	24	Toni ELIAS	SPA	San Carlo Honda Gresini	Honda	1'59.094	327.471	2.041
13	69	Nicky HAYDEN	USA	Ducati Marlboro Team	Ducati	1'59.158	324.519	2.105
14	7	Chris VERMEULEN	AUS	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	Suzuki	1'59.348	316.437	2.295
15	72	Yuki TAKAHASHI	JPN	Scot Racing Team MotoGP	Honda	1'59.437	319.621	2.384
16	59	Sete GIBERNAU	SPA	Grupo Francisco Hernando	Ducati	2'00.595	323.547	3.542
17	88	Niccolo CANEPA	ITA	Pramac Racing	Ducati	2'00.597	317.927	3.544
18	3	Dani PEDROSA	SPA	Repsol Honda Team	Honda	2'01.435	326.876	4.382