Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News, WSBK

WorldSBK en route to Phillip Island for Mon-Tues Testing

February 22, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Ahead of the 2020 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship’s first racing weekend, there’s one final bit of testing to take care of.

It was a Yamaha onslaught at the most recent test at Portimao, with Toprak Razgatlioglu leading the way come the end of play. Finding a breakthrough solution with the Q tyre at Portimao, Razgatlioglu now looks like a threat in Superpole as well as the races. Teammate Michael van der Mark concluded the Portimao test in fourth and was just over 0.6s off his teammate at the top of the standings. Both riders have been on the 2020 bikes, hailing aerodynamic improvements made for taller riders.

Toprak Razgatlioglu

Scott Redding made strides at Portimao and was looking on course to finish both days on top before Razgatlioglu pipped him to the post. The Brit has been working away on rear-end grip and hopes that Phillip Island – one of his favourite circuits – can confirm his and his team’s findings. Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) also made gains at Portimao and finished fifth overall. Ducati as a manufacturer have won the last five WorldSBK races in Australia and will look to continue their dominance Down Under into the new decade.

Ducati WorldSBK Team 2020 launch was staged at Imola

The Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK didn’t feature at Portimao and instead, took to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a private afternoon of testing. However, when they were with the opposition, it was Jonathan Rea who topped the timesheets at Jerez. His 2020 team-mate, Alex Lowes, has also been on the pace, enjoying crucial wet weather running at Jerez whilst also taking to the Barcelona-Catalunya track for the first time. Both riders hope to utilise the testing days at Phillip Island to return to the top Down Under come the race weekend.

Kawasaki Racing Team WSBK 2020

Going into the Phillip Island Test, BMW’s S1000 RR has been transformed since the start of 2019. Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and teammate Eugene Laverty head to Australia after strong testing in Portugal, working with the chassis set-up, braking strategies, electronics and more. Sykes is keen to start his season with a podium, whilst Eugene Laverty’s last win came at ‘The Island’. The Official Test gives both riders two days of track time in order to refine parts ahead of racing.

Tom Sykes

The final factory team at the Phillip Island Test is Team HRC, fielding 2019 runner-up Alvaro Bautista and 2010 runner-up, Leon Haslam. Both riders go well around Phillip Island, with Bautista storming to a hat-trick in 2019. Keeping their development secretive has added intrigue about the CBR1000RR-R ahead of the new season. However, Haslam topped day one of a wet Jerez before finishing sixth in the dry at Portimao. Can the Japanese manufacturer shine again in Australia?

Leon Haslam and Alvaro Bautista

Independent teams will join their factory counterparts for the Phillip Island Official Test, with Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) leading the way. The Frenchman was third on the final day is set to take to Phillip Island for the first time with Yamaha. Other Independent Yamahas include Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team), who makes his Phillip Island debut during testing. His team-mate Federico Caricasulo was quick in testing and hopes to build on that. In all, the five Yamahas on the WorldSBK grid all packed out the top ten in Portimao testing back in January.

GRT Yamaha will field Garrett Gerloff and Italian Federico Caricasulo

Remaining Independent teams include Kawasaki Puccetti Racing, who were the best Independent team for 2019. They’ve got best Independent rider from 2018 Xavi Fores for 2020 and are hoping to make more progress. Leon Camier (Barni Racing Team) will also be back out on his Ducati, whilst Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Goeleven) completes the Ducati presence.

Max Scheib (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) will be in action at Phillip Island for the first time, as will Takumi Takahashi (Mie Racing Team), with the latter not featuring during any pre-season tests.

WorldSSP

Changes headline the 2020 FIM Supersport World Championship, meaning that testing is of high importance. The last pre-season test before 2020 launches comes on the 24th and 25th of February, giving the new team linSe-ups one last chance to get to grips with their 2020 motorcycles. Slick tyres that will be introduced for the first time in World Supersport history, providing an extra challenge. Taking place at Phillip Island just days before the opening round, it’s a crucial pre-season test.

2020 MV Agusta Reparto Corse WSSP livery

2019 WorldSSP Champion Randy Krummenacher (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) moves manufacturers in 2020, switching from Yamaha to the MV Agusta. The iconic Italian brand is in its 75th season of motorcycle production and is eager to recapture a World Championship. The Swiss enjoyed his pre-season testing schedule, which ended at Jerez, where he was first. He’s joined at the team in 2020 by Raffaele De Rosa and Federico Fuligni, both of whom impressed during the pre-season.

Replacing ‘Krummi’ is Italian Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team); he was quick at the Portimao test and enjoyed more dry weather running than most, with him and the BARDAHL squad taking to Almeria instead of Jerez in January. Back to one bike in 2020, the team is focusing on retaining the crown, with their title defence starting in testing and at a track Locatelli already knows.

Jules Cluzel

The GMT94 Yamaha team topped the Portimao testing timesheets with Jules Cluzel in January, with the French outfit heading to Phillip Island as the team in form. Cluzel is in his eighth season of WorldSSP action and despite being runner-up three times, the title still eludes him. Joined once again by fellow countryman and good friend Corentin Perolari, it is a strong line-up for the all-French team. Perolari himself aims to be in the mix from the off, having performed well at the end of 2019.

The second half of 2019 saw Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) out-score every other rider, with the 2017 WorldSSP Champion perfecting the Kawasaki ZX-6R. Ahead of 2020, Mahias needs as much testing as possible after a finger injury sustained in Valencia in the MotoE World Cup. Joining Mahias is former Moto3 GP winner Philipp Oettl (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), who joins WorldSSP from Moto2. Both are aiming high in 2020 and aim to improve further at the Phillip Island Test.

Three podiums in the last three races make Isaac Vinales (Kallio Racing) a rider to watch in 2020 and he knows the Phillip Island layout inside-out. Perfecting finite details and becoming re-accustomed to slick tyres, Vinales aims to pick-up where he left off. He has a new teammate in 2020, with Estonian star Hannes Soomer handed a huge opportunity to impress in WorldSSP. Soomer will be utilising testing in order to be in top five contention come the opening round.

South Africa’s Steven Odendaal (EAB Ten Kate Racing) has shone in testing and aims to cement Ten Kate Racing’s status as the most successful WorldSSP team of all time. Can Öncü (Turkish Racing Team) moves over to WorldSSP and is Turkey’s flag carrier in the class, whilst Indonesia’s hero Galang Hendra Pratama (bLU cRU Yamaha WorldSSP Team by MS Racing) moves to WorldSSP with Andy Verdoia, as does WorldSSP300 Champion Manuel Gonzalez (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team). The test is crucial for Gonzalez, Verdoia and Hendra Pratama, with it being their debut at the track.

Oli Bayliss will also wildcard in the World Supersport event at only 16-years of age – TBG Image
Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News, WSBK

2020 Honda Superbike World Championship Team Launch

February 22, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Honda WorldSBK colours unveiled in Japan

The official launch of Honda’s factory backed effort in the 2020 World Superbike Championship took place on Friday in Tokyo.

Honda WorldSBK Team unveiled

Factory riders Alvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam unveiled the livery of the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP that will make its track debut next week, at the opening Superbike World Championship round at Phillip Island.

Honda WorldSBK Team unveiled

Taking to the stage to open the presentation were Managing Officer, Chief Officer, Motorcycle Operations of Honda Motor Co. Noriaki Abe, and President and Representative Director, Honda Racing Corporation Yoshishige Nomura.

They spoke about the Honda project with regard to the championship, the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and the riders with whom Honda returns to the production-derived series with a full HRC factory team after an eighteen-year absence.

Leon Haslam and Alvaro Bautista

Noriaki Abe

Managing Officer, Chief Officer, Motorcycle Operations of Honda Motor Co.

“Racing is an important ingredient of developing Honda products, so it’s not a coincidence that the decision to join again the WorldSBK Championship with a factory team coincides with the launch of the new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. From the beginning this project was designed and developed together with the HRC riders and technicians, and the exchange of information led to the realization of a Super Sport motorcycle “ready to race”. We used many parameters from the MotoGP machine, bore and strokes are the same and by using RC213V technologies and relentless optimization of the engine’s fundamentals, combustion efficiency and friction reduction was achieved. I like to mention also the aerodynamic package – that including the winglets, benefits from lessons learned directly from the MotoGP machine. Although we know it will be a tough challenge, ultimately our factory HRC Team and satellite MIE Racing Althea Honda Team aim to achieve the best possible results. I am confident that our teams in just a few races can fight for the podium”.

Honda WorldSBK Team unveiled

It was then the turn of Bautista and Haslam, preceded by Team Manager Jaume Colom, and there was no hiding the riders’ enthusiasm at being part of such a united, determined group and a very exciting project, the pair well aware of the challenge that awaits Team HRC but more than ready to tackle it.

Alvaro Bautista

“I’m very pleased to be part of what is such an important project for Honda and HRC. I see all the work that is going into it and feel very positive energy from everyone at the company and on the team. It’s a very important year for me too. We know that we face a big challenge and that we have a lot of work to do; we’re a new group that is growing together to reach the top as soon as possible. Our goal is to be strong and fast with the Honda, a very competitive bike that can undoubtedly achieve great results. I hope to have fun and entertain all our fans this season.”

Alvaro Bautista

Leon Haslam

“It all feels so real now we’re here in Tokyo. We’re at the Honda HQ and the first races are just around the corner; it’s a dream come true. I am extremely excited and also a little nervous, because I really want to do well, and know we have the potential to do that. We’re ready to work hard and do our very best to achieve strong results. As for the first race, we’re at one of my favourite tracks, Phillip Island, where I’ve been successful in the past. We’ll have to see with regards to the competition of course, but I admit I’m really looking forward to the opening round.”

Leon Haslam

During the same event, the satellite MIE Racing Althea Honda Team was also presented, with factory HRC rider Takumi Takahashi joining Team Principal Midori Moriwaki on stage.

Midori Moriwaki

“The 2020 racing season is going to be a very special one and I’m very proud to see the MIE Racing name on the world stage, supported by Honda and HRC. I am very grateful for this precious backing. Thanks to the strong relationship with Honda and Althea Racing, we started our WorldSBK work last year and now, with the new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, such a special bike, we renew our commitment, on track with HRC rider Takumi Takahashi. I’m also delighted to announce here, in the special setting of Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama, that we have signed Jordi Torres, who completes our 2020 line-up. Jordi will join the MIE racing Althea Honda Team as of the third round (Jerez). We know we are in for a demanding season, as everything is new and we are up against some very strong rivals, but we also have the experience and knowledge gained during the 2019 season, which will be of real value.”

Takumi Takahashi

“I’m very happy to be racing in the WorldSBK championship this year. To race at world level was always my dream since day one. It’s now become true and I wish to thank HRC, Honda and MIE Racing for this great opportunity. It’s the first time I will work with an international squad, but communication has been good and I immediately realised that we share the same goals. We know it will be hard work and a challenging season, but I’m really motivated to see where we can end up. I’ll do my best to reach the best possible level”.

Jordi Torres

“I’m thrilled to have the chance to race in the WorldSBK championship with Honda and the MIE Racing Althea Honda Team. I’m prepared to work closely with the team, bringing my own experience but also learning from them. I’m sure that by combining our efforts, we will be able to continuously improve our performance and our results over the season. I am looking forward to riding the new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and will do my best for the team, Honda and all our fans”.

On concluding the presentation, the team now flies to Australia, set to participate in a final two-day test session early next week before then taking to the track for the opening round of WorldSBK 2020.

Source: MCNews.com.au

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

Qatar MotoGP test set to light up Losail

February 21, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Qatar MotoGP Test 2020

After the Sepang Test and Fabio Quartararo’s (Petronas Yamaha SRT) full house of fastest laps across the three days, it’s time to get suited and booted for another three-day Official Test – the second and final, at Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Will Quartararo strike again? How will adaptation to the tyres for 2020 affect the likes of Ducati? Are we likely to see some more extreme aero innovations as have often broken cover in the desert before? We’re about to find out.

Will Quartararo top the time-sheets once again…?

Yamaha certainly lead the battle on the time-sheets as it stands, thanks to Quartararo. But team-mate Franco Morbidelli had some solid speed too, and Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was up there as Sepang came to a close. His team-mate Maverick Viñales, the man who won the race in Malaysia last year, was not in terms of the timesheets – but he was also pretty positive and didn’t go for that all-out time-attack lap. Better top speed was something he pointed out, something high on the Iwata marque’s agenda.

Maverick Vinales concentrated on long-run race set-up in Malaysia and demonstrated race winning pace

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) flew the flag for Honda at Sepang, ending the test less than a tenth off Quartararo. The Briton also took on a huge workload for Honda in regards to testing new components.

Cal Crutchlow

“We’re looking forward to this test in Qatar. I think it’s going to be a busy three days with a different schedule to normal with the on-track activities, but it doesn’t really change our plans so much for what we want to feel with the bike and how we want to work. We want to continue to work hard with the LCR Castrol Honda team and HRC over these next three days and get the information to try and improve the bike from the Malaysia test where I felt quite good, but we needed to improve in some areas. Hopefully, I think we can do that here and get ready for the race here in two weeks’ time.”

Cal Crutchlow

With reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) – now signed up with Honda for another four years – coming back from shoulder surgery and his new team-mate a rookie in the form of Alex Marquez, Crutchlow had a long list of items to test. And both Repsol Honda Team Manager Alberto Puig and Marc Marquez raised a few questions about how prepared they were – as rumours swirled about how ready the reigning Champion himself was – so Qatar could be interesting.

How will Marquez’ shoulder fare in Qatar…?

Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) is keen to test his physical condition further as he comes back from injury.

Takaaki Nakagami

“So, it’s the second test of the season after the first one in Sepang. Doing the Sepang test was a tough three days for me, the right shoulder was not in perfect condition. But after that we had nearly ten days and it was a good recovery for me, I was back in Japan and every day I was doing rehabilitation to try and improve the shoulder. It was good and it feels much better than last week. We’ll try to improve day by day, but it will be tough as the track condition is normally dirty and you struggle to find grip as it hasn’t been used for a long time. But I feel quite calm and we won’t try to rush things, we’ll just look to keep improving the bike and the shoulder too.”

Takaaki Nakagami

Suzuki, meanwhile, seemed positively brimming for much of the Sepang Test. And for good reason, as both Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and team-mate Joan Mir showed serious speed on longer runs and single laps. That caught the attention of many up and down pitlane too – so will we see that transfer into more speed in the desert?

Joan Mir

At Ducati, the feedback was more cautious – as is often the case – but Ducati Corse boss Luigi Dall’Igna was fairly satisfied with the improvements they made. The new tyres were something Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and teammate Danilo Petrucci were focused on for a lot of the time – also running in tandem to gain more data. Dall’Igna also said there was more to come from the Borgo Panigale factory in Qatar, which is certainly something we’ve come to expect in recent years.

Luigi Dall’Igna hinted that there might be some more surprises revealed on the 2020 MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici when the covers come off in Losail…

Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), meanwhile, was less guarded. The Australian was fastest Ducati much of the time in Malaysia and Dovizioso said both he and Miller ended the test without doing a single lap time attack on the softer tyre. So that could be something to watch out for, as is the progress of Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) heading into his second year, and Johann Zarco (Reale Avintia Racing) as he adapts to life on a Ducati, in his case a GP19.

Jack Miller was consistently impressive at Sepang

KTM continued their mammoth conveyor belt of new things to try. A new chassis is one key change, and the Austrian factory also brought some interesting aero to Sepang – “serrated” edges on the back of the front fairing. Will there be more to see? After test rider Dani Pedrosa’s impressive performance on Day 2 at Sepang, Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) then bettered that laptime before the end of the test and there were a good few smiles in the pitbox. Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) progress will be something to look out for too as he adjusts to the premier class, likewise Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) as he begins his first full season in MotoGP. And Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), so often impressive in 2019, is another coming back from injury – what does he have in the locker?

2020 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC16 Specifications

Arguably one of the biggest headline stealers at Sepang, however, were Aprilia. Straight out the box with their new V4 RS-GP, the Noale factory impressed. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was so positive about it he got emotional.

Aleix Espargaro is in love with the new RS-GP

Although it wasn’t a perfect start free of teething problems, it was a big news within and without the garage – as was Espargaro’s long run pace at Sepang. What will we see from him and test rider Bradley Smith in Qatar? Will the positivity that begun at the shakedown test keep that incredible momentum?

Is this the closest Iannone is going to get to riding the Aprilia RS-GP in 2020…? That depends on the outcome of his appeal against his ban for the presence of illegal substances
Source: MCNews.com.au

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

All-new Aprilia RS-GP unleashed ahead of 2020 season

February 21, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

News 22 Feb 2020

All-new Aprilia RS-GP unleashed ahead of 2020 season

Section: Competition

Suspended Iannone joined by Espargaro and Smith at team presentation.

Image: Supplied.

Aprilia Racing has launched its brand new RS-GP MotoGP contender ahead of its 2020 campaign, presenting a revamped livery with Team Gresini.

With Andrea Iannone currently provisionally suspended due to an anti-doping violation, he and teammate Aleix Espargaro were joined by factory test rider Bradley Smith at the launch.

A significant commitment from Piaggio Group will see Aprilia – winner of 54 world titles – take another step forward with its premier class project this season.

Aprilia Racing has produced a prototype that is optimised in every aspect, beginning with the refined aerodynamics, which combine with a new V90 engine. The package is completed by the exclusive seamless gearbox developed in-house and a double rail frame in aluminium – the same material used for the swingarm.

The electronics department also received great attention, supported by an in-house Aprilia Racing organisation that was strengthened throughout last season.

“This has been the longest winter of recent years for Aprilia Racing,” commented Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola. “The guys and girls in the racing department put forth a truly incredible effort. Arriving in Sepang with two prototypes was already a small victory for us.

“In the first test, the new RS-GP showed good signs, so we need to pick up from there to build our new season. We will most likely have a complicated early part of the season with an bike that is very much still wet behind the ears.

“But I am certain that from mid-season, we will be able to see the true value of the hard work done in Noale. Hopefully Andrea we’ll have Andrea with us soon and be able to complete, along with Aleix and Bradley, our trio of riders.”

Aprilia Racing technical director Romano Albesiano said: “For Aprilia Racing, the 2020 RS-GP represents and unique technical challenge. The new bike was created by taking the cardinal concepts of the racing department and reworking them in light of the experience accumulated in recent seasons.

“It is an innovative prototype in many aspects, beginning with the clearly visible ones, and this confirms the attitude of Aprilia Racing, which boasts technological innovation as its primary value. As with any redesign, it will take a period of refinement. I am absolutely satisfied with the result achieved.”

The structure of the team, with the exception of a few new additions, remains substantially unchanged. Working alongside Rivola will be Albesiano and team manager Fausto Gresini.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

Aprilia officially launch the new RS-GP for 2020 MotoGP challenge

February 21, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

An entirely redesigned RS-GP optimised in every aspect, beginning with the refined aerodynamics, which combine with a new 90-degree V4 engine.

2020 Aprilia RS-GP

The package is completed by the exclusive seamless gearbox, developed in-house, and a double rail frame in aluminium, the same material used for the swingarm.

The electronics department also received great attention, supported by an in-house Aprilia Racing in-house organisation that was strengthened throughout last season.

2020 Aprilia RS-GP

Massimo Rivola – Aprilia Racing CEO

“This has been the longest winter of recent years for Aprilia Racing. The guys and girls in the racing department put forth a truly incredible effort. Arriving in Sepang with two prototypes was already a small victory for us. In the first test, the new RS-GP showed good signs, so we need to pick up from there to build our new season. I said it before, and I’ll confirm it again: we cannot expect a clear path. We will most likely have a complicated early part of the season with an bike that is very much still wet behind the ears, but I am certain that from mid-season, we will be able to see the true value of the hard work done in Noale. Hopefully Andrea we’ll have Andrea with us soon and be able to complete, along with Aleix and Bradley, our trio of riders.”

2020 Aprilia RS-GP

The structure of the team, with the exception of a few new additions, remains substantially unchanged. Working alongside Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola will be Technical Director Romano Albesiano and Team Manager Fausto Gresini.

2020 Aprilia RS-GP

The two sides of the garage will be managed by Antonio Jimenez and Pietro Caprara, seasoned crew chiefs in the MotoGP paddock.

Is this the closest Iannone is going to get to riding the Aprilia RS-GP in 2020…? That depends on the outcome of his appeal against his ban for the presence of illegal substances

Romano Albesiano – Aprilia Racing Technical Director

“For Aprilia Racing, the 2020 RS-GP represents and unique technical challenge. The new bike was created by taking the cardinal concepts of the racing department and reworking them in light of the experience accumulated in recent seasons. It is an innovative prototype in many aspects, beginning with the clearly visible ones, and this confirms the attitude of Aprilia Racing, which boasts technological innovation as its primary value. As with any redesign, it will take a period of refinement. We have had an extremely heavy workload over the last few months, but I am absolutely satisfied with the result achieved. This is a satisfaction that I am pleased to share with the Noale work group.”

2020 Aprilia RS-GP

Fausto Gresini – Aprilia Team Manager

“Hearing that the riders liked the new bike straight away in the Malaysian tests was the first bit of good news for our 2020 season. Aprilia Racing’s efforts were incredible and are a demonstration of desire and dedication for this championship. The beginning will not be simple. The bike is very young and obviously needs to be developed. But, I believe that the strength of a team can be seen precisely in times like these, when we need to close ranks and all set our sights on the same objective. After the enthusiasm over a good début, we’ll wait to see the response of other tracks, beginning precisely with Qatar. We all need to stay focused on a single ambition: taking this project as high as possible.”

2020 Aprilia RS-GP 2020 Aprilia RS-GP 2020 Aprilia RS-GP 2020 Aprilia RS-GP
Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, News

Is Harley-Davidson planning a sportsbike?

February 21, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

This image has been doing the rounds of the internet rumour mill for days suggesting Harley-Davidson is about planning to return to sportsbike manufacture.

It’s an artist’s rendering from Japanese magazine Young Machine who frequently speculate and don’t always get it right.

In October 2018, their artists suggested this would be the small bike Harley would make in China for the Asian market.

Young Machine rendering of small Chinese Harley

However, this is now the official Harley drawing of the 350cc bike they are calling project HD350. It’s substantially different to the Young Machine drawing.

Harley-Davidson HD350

So has the magazine go it right this time?

Sportsbike return

And would Harley really return to making a sportsbike like its 1994 VR1000?

VR1000

Later this year they will introduce their bareknuckle 115hp/94Nm Bronx Streetfighter range.

Bronx Streetfighter

It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to give the Bronx a half fairing and extended belly pan as in the latest artist’s rendering.

VisorDown points out that a similar image is featured in the background of this photo from the Harley design house when the Bareknuckle was in its clay model stage.

Bronx clay model wth small sportsbike image indicated (Image: Visordown)

But the question is why would Harley return to sportsbikes after axing its Buell brand and selling MV Agusta in the wake of the GFC?

Sportsbike sales have been declining in sales in recent years, although super-hi-tech models have had a slight recovery.

Asian Harleys

Meanwhile, India’s Hero MotoCorp is suggesting Harley may extend its Asian presence with a collaboration.

Hero MotoCorp’s Chairman, Pawan Munjal recently told the Times of India his company was open to partnering with Harley-Davidson, which is looking at making a 250-500cc motorcycle for the domestic market from 2022.

“The sooner it happens, it’s good for everyone,” he is quoted as saying.

Other recent motorcycle joint partnerships in India include KTM, Kawasaki and now Triumph with Bajaj; MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi and even Norton with Kinetic; and BMW’s G310 built by TVS.

Proposed Triumph 250

Harley already has a factory in India making Street models and a plant in Thailand commissioned late last year to make motorcycles for Europe to avoid high tariffs on American products in response to Trump’s trade wars.

In June 2019, Harley-Davidson also announced plans for a joint venture with China’s Qianjiang to produce a motorcycle under their HD350 project, indicating a 350cc engine.

Harley-Davidson HD350

However, it could be even smaller as they now call it the HD338, presumably powered by the Benelli 338cc twin-cylinder engine from the Benelli 302S as Qianjiang also owns and makes the former Italian brand of motorcycle.

The baby Hog will hit the showrooms in China in June and India by the end of the year.

There is no word on whether it will be exported to any other markets, but we suspect it will be sold throughout Asia.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

Ogura, McPhee and Rodrigo set 1:44s at Jerez Test

February 21, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

The final day in southern Spain saw the Moto3™ riders go into time attack mode as the riders aimed to see what their one-lap qualifying pace was like. The top three all set their 1:44s in the opening session of Friday, along with 14 other riders as Honda riders locked out the top five, Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Sergio Garcia (Estrella Galicia 0,0) sitting 0.5 off Ogura’s time. And talking of the Japanese factory, their new Moto3™ machine made more of an appearance on Friday, with the biggest difference being the gearbox.

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here

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New Gear: Pyramid Plastics Rear Hugger and Handguard Extensions

February 21, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Pyramid Plastics Rear Hugger and Handguard Extensions for the Yamaha Tracer 900/GT.

Pyramid Plastics has launched a new Rear Hugger and Handguard Extensions for the latest Yamaha Tracer 900/GT. The Hugger ($119.50), which uses the original mounting points and requires no modifications or brackets, improves coverage and protection of the shock and underside of the tail. The Handguard Extensions ($67.50) are also easy to fit to the existing mounting points and offer greater protection as well as giving the bike a unique look.

Call (703) 372-7241 or visit pyramid-plastics.co.uk

Source: RiderMagazine.com

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

Lap record sees Lüthi end Jerez Test at the summit

February 21, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

On the third and final day at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, a total of 20 intermediate class riders improved their times from the opening couple of days as the sun shone once more. Lorenzo Baldassarri (FlexBox HP 40) was first out on track to get as much mileage on the board as possible, with him and the team doing less private testing that most of the other riders, while they spent most of Wednesday testing Kalex’s more “radical” 2020 chassis. The five-time race winner finished P14 overall after getting his lap time down to a 1:41.137 on Day 3.

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Factory Honda WorldSBK entry uncovered for 2020 campaign

February 21, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

News 21 Feb 2020

Factory Honda WorldSBK entry uncovered for 2020 campaign

Section: Competition

Striking new HRC CBR1000RR-R race bike of Haslam and Bautista launched.

Image: Supplied.

The brand new Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) team of Leon Haslam and Alvaro Bautista has been launched ahead of the 2020 Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), introducing the all-new CBR1000RR-R.

Officially back in WorldSBK with the experienced pairing for the first time in near two decades, Honda’s striking new Fireblade will debut at Phillip Island’s opening round next weekend.

“I am happy to be a part of Honda once again and HRC,” commented Team HRC manager Jaume Colom. “I would like to thank them for this project. It is a new team with a new machine and we know that at the beginning is not easy.

“Our clear target is to bring the bike to the top positions in the new future. This is a new challenge for Honda, the riders and the team and we will fight with our passion, motivation and courage.”

Haslam added:“To be a part of this project is a dream come true. To be here in Tokyo, the effort HRC are putting in with the brand new Fireblade, I’ve been smiling from the very first laps I did and I cannot wait to start in Australia next week.”

Bautista said: “For sure, this is a very special moment for me. It will be a really good project and we are looking forward to starting the season. It will be difficult as we have to develop the new bike, but I am sure that together with Honda we can reach our target – that is to win.”

The MIE Racing Althea Honda Team were also launched at the event, with Japanese rider Takumi Takahashi on stage, while their second rider was confirmed as talented Spaniard Jordi Torres.

Honda’s most recent win came with the late Nicky Hayden at Sepang in 2016. The brand’s last title came with Britain’s James Toseland back in 2007, but as a factory team, there’s been no success since 2002 and Colin Edwards’ historic second WorldSBK crown at Imola.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

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