Reigning Pikes Peak International Hill Climb champion Rennie Scaysbrook will make his debut at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, riding for the highly experienced PRF Racing team.
The Australian will ride a GSX-R600 Suzuki and will contest both of the four-lap Monster Energy Supersport races held this June.
Son of former racer and highly regarded competitor and journalist Jim Scaysbrook, who himself competed at the TT in 1978 as team-mate to Mike Hailwood on an NCR Ducati and again in 1980 and 1984, Rennie has recently established himself as one of the best competitors in the challenging Pikes Peak competition.
The 37-year old immediately impressed on his debut in 2016 when he finished in a stunning second place on the 12.42-mile course, which is comprised of some 156 corners up to the Colorado Mountain’s summit of 14,115 feet.
Scaysbrook finished runner-up again in both 2017 and 2018 behind the late Carlin Dunne but, riding an Aprilia Tuono Factory, went one better last year when he posted a time of 9m44.963s during the 97th edition of Pikes Peak.
That was 14s quicker than his previous best time and broke the previous record set in 2017 by Chris Fillmore of 9m49.625s. He’s also one of just five riders to post a time under ten minutes on the famous climb.
King of the Colorado Mountain, Scaysbrook, who is Road Test editor for Cycle News in America, will now turn his attention to another mountain, specifically the 37.73-mile Mountain Course with PRF Racing who have been competing on the island since 1995.
TT organisers still hoping to stage the event
With the Isle of Man mirroring the UK’s move into a ‘delay’ phase on its response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Island’s Health Minister, David Ashford, has moved to reassure residents and visitors that the Island is prepared to respond.
Questioned on how Coronavirus might affect the TT, Mr Ashford reiterated that no decision to cancel the event had been taken, and with several months to go until the start of TT 2020, time was on the side of the Department.
Referring to postponements and cancellations of major global sports events, Mr Ashford told Manx Radio that a decision on whether to hold the TT was not imminent, but that the situation remained under close review.
Mr Ashford further reiterated that current scientific evidence did not support the idea that visitors to a country represented the most significant threat of spreading infection.
24 HEURES MOTOS POSTPONED TO 5 AND 6 SEPTEMBER 2020
As a result of continued coronavirus-related health concerns and the French health minister’s ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people, the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), Eurosport Events, promoter of the FIM Endurance World Championship and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, organizer of the 24 Heures Motos, have decided to postpone the 43rd edition of the 24 Heures Motos, initially scheduled to be held on 18 and 19 April 2020.
ACO and Eurosport Events have already fixed the new dates, 5 and 6 September 2020, for the race which will as an exception close the 2019-2020 FIM EWC season.
The FIM, Eurosport Events and ACO’s priority is to ensure the safety of spectators, teams, riders and all the people involved in organizing the event.
These measures are being adopted in response to an unprecedented situation and the organizers are confident on the understanding of those concerned despite of the inconvenience caused.
The “Pre-Mans” tests scheduled to be held on 31 March and 1 April have therefore also been cancelled.
All current tickets will be valid for the new dates (5 and 6 September). No exchange required.
Honda has unveiled the first in a series of onboard laps of the Losail International Circuit in Qatar aboard the new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, with Leon Haslam giving the inside line on how to tackle this track, on board the all new Fireblade.
Filmed at the new bike’s European Press Launch the video explains how to build the perfect lap of the Qatar circuit.
Three-time world Endurance champion Freddy Foray was joined by Team HRC WorldSBK riders Leon Haslam, Álvaro Bautista and official HRC WorldSBK test rider and Honda Switzerland ambassador, Dominque Aegerter, alongside HRP Motorsports IDM rider Alessandro Polita.
First revealed at EICMA in November, the new 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP has already made an impact in WorldSBK at the opening round in Australia. The most powerful mass-produced naturally-aspirated inline four cylinder motorcycle in the world, the new Fireblade produces 160 kW at 14,500rpm and features MotoGP-style aerodynamics and a cutting-edge electronics package including market-leading Öhlins semi-active electronic suspension.
After spending the day riding the Superbike contender around the Qatar circuit, the riders also took the time to give their opinions of the ‘Born to Race’ new Fireblade, which started to arrive at dealers across Europe from the start of March.
This comparo is a fixed-fairing fistfight between an icon — Harley-Davidson’s Road Glide Special — and an upstart — Indian’s all-new Challenger Limited. These are premium V-twin touring cruisers that deliver big-time torque, style and functionality. We put them to the test to find out which is the better bagger. Photos by Kevin Wing.
V-twin baggers are as American as baseball and apple pie. Big, stylish and built for our wide-open highways, they embody the self-expression and freedom that make motorcycles objects of obsession rather than just vehicles. America’s two major bagger manufacturers — Harley-Davidson and Indian — are well-known brands from coast to coast, even among folks who’ve never ridden one, and their histories and rivalries stretch back more than a century. Being so steeped in tradition, Harley and Indian take great pains to satisfy their base, building motorcycles that conform to the expectations of loyal cruiser riders.
Modern baggers must strike a delicate balance. On the outside they need to look a certain way — a big V-twin front and center, a long, low profile and muscular styling with bodywork covered in rich paint. But on the inside they need to meet increasingly stringent emissions, sound and safety standards, provide modern levels of comfort and reliability and deliver an engaging riding experience in terms of performance, technology and features.
Both of these American-made baggers carry the nameplates of legendary brands, and are similar in many ways. But there are key differences between them—the Indian (left) is powered by a liquid-cooled, SOHC V-twin and has a modular cast aluminum frame, while the Harley-Davidson has an air-cooled, OHV V-twin and a tubular-steel double-cradle frame.
These two 2020 baggers, Harley-Davidson’s Road Glide Special and Indian’s Challenger Limited, strike that balance remarkably well. Being the latest incarnation of a model family that’s been in Harley’s lineup for 40 years — starting with the 1980 FLT, then known as the Tour Glide — the Road Glide is the seasoned veteran in this comparison, and its signature feature is a frame-mounted sharknose fairing with dual headlights. Powering the Road Glide Special is the air-cooled, 114ci (1,868cc) version of Harley’s Milwaukee-Eight 45-degree V-twin with pushrod-actuated overhead valves. The Challenger is Indian’s newest model platform and the first to be powered by the PowerPlus 108 (1,768cc), a liquid-cooled, 60-degree V-twin with valves actuated by single overhead cams. Like the Road Glide, the Challenger has a frame-mounted fairing, a first for Indian.
Compared to motorcycles with handlebar-mounted fairings, those with frame-mounted fairings like the Road Glide and Challenger have lighter steering.
As head-to-head competitors, the Road Glide Special and Challenger Limited are similar in many ways. Their fixed fairings have bright LED headlights and large vents that bring fresh air into the cockpit, and both have long floorboards and protective highway bars. Their rumbling V-twins have hydraulic valve adjusters, throttle-by-wire and rear-cylinder deactivation, and both send power to their rear wheels through 6-speed transmissions with assist clutches and belt final drive. Both have cruise control, electronic rider aids (cornering ABS, cornering traction control and drag torque slip control — standard on the Indian, optional on the Harley), keyless ignition and touchscreen infotainment systems with audio, navigation, Bluetooth and USB ports. They have low seat heights, 6-gallon fuel tanks, cast wheels with tire pressure monitoring, top-loading lockable saddlebags and a pair of non-locking fairing pockets. Even their as-tested prices are separated by just $45 and their curb weights differ by a single pound—the Road Glide Special costs $28,794 and weighs 847 pounds; the Challenger Limited costs $28,749 and weighs 848 pounds.
With about 31 degrees of cornering clearance on each side, both baggers can be leaned over quite a ways before their floorboards start to drag.
Despite so many similarities, these bikes are anything but clones. Specs and features are one thing, style and personality are quite another. With nearly every component bathed in black, a tinted shorty windscreen, minimal badging and foregoing traditional metal flake and gloss in favor of matte Barracuda Silver Denim paint, the Road Glide Special is dark and brooding. (The FLTRXS is available in five other colors, all with gloss finishes.) The Challenger Limited, on the other hand, grabs your attention with Ruby Metallic paint, plenty of chrome and multiple Indian logos visible from every angle. (It’s also available in two other gloss colors, while the Challenger Dark Horse comes in three matte colors.)
More differences between the Harley and Indian emerged after logging hundreds of miles in their saddles. Cruisers are tuned for low-end torque, helping heavy bikes — especially those loaded two-up with full saddlebags — pull away quickly from stops and make brisk passes. These baggers deliver ample torque, sending more than 100 lb-ft to the rear wheel, but they go about it in different ways. The Road Glide has great engine feel, with crisp throttle response, right-now thrust and a deeply satisfying V-twin pulse. The impressive refinement that went into the Milwaukee-Eight V-twin — more power and torque, less heat, less vibration at idle and smoother operation — is why we selected the entire M8-equipped Touring family as our 2017 Motorcycle of the Year. On Jett Tuning’s dyno, the Harley generated smooth power curves with nary a dip or blip, torque rising to 104.5 lb-ft at 2,900 rpm and dropping off thereafter while horsepower increases linearly to 78.5 at 4,800 rpm. Due to its low rev ceiling (5,100 rpm) and narrow torque spread, short shifting the Harley helps it stay in its meaty midrange.
With its liquid cooling, oversquare bore/stroke and SOHC valve layout, Indian’s PowerPlus generates more output with less displacement and revs higher than the M8. Starting at 2,400 rpm, the Indian’s advantage over the Harley increases steadily, the gap widening to 28 lb-ft of torque and 27 horsepower by the time the Harley’s rev limiter kicks in. The Indian keeps going, hitting a peak of 108 horsepower at 5,600 rpm before finally signing off at 6,300 rpm. With a broader spread of torque — more than 100 lb-ft are on tap from 2,400-5,600 rpm, reaching 113.3 lb-ft at 3,300 rpm — and much higher peak power than the Harley, the Indian likes to be revved. The Challenger has three ride modes that adjust throttle response, with Standard mode being fairly soft (Rain mode is even softer) and Sport mode delivering the goods immediately without abruptness.
These heavy machines can be a handful when pushing them around the garage or negotiating parking lots, but they feel well balanced and easy to maneuver at speed. With much of their weight carried low they roll in and out of curves gracefully, and their generous torque propels them out of corners with authority. About 31 degrees of cornering clearance on either side means they can be heeled way over before anything starts to scrape, especially with some extra preload dialed into the rear suspension. Despite having “race-spec” radial-mount Brembo calipers up front, the Indian’s front brake lever feels vague and requires a firm pull to generate full stopping power. In contrast, the Harley’s front brakes have the perfect amount of initial bite and better response at the lever.
If you’re ready to lay down some serious miles, these baggers have nearly everything you need (except heated grips — a curious omission for premium models costing nearly $29,000). But they’re not created equal when it comes to touring comfort. With a lower laden seat height (25.9 inches vs. 26.5 inches on the Indian), you sit deeper in the Harley’s cockpit, with hips rolled back in the dished seat. Because the seat is U-shaped front to back and has a slick finish, it’s difficult to sit farther back; hit one bump and you slide back down.
The Harley has an upright riding position with a comfortable reach to the handlebar. The seat locks the rider into place, and those with long legs will ride with their knees above their hips.
And bumps can be a problem on the Harley. Most of the time the Road Glide Special provides a comfortable, compliant ride, but its rear shock, which is firmly damped and allows only 2.1 inches of travel, responds harshly to pavement ripples, cracks and seams. Big bumps and potholes send shock waves right up the spine and can bounce a rider out of the seat. Also, the Harley’s fairing sits much farther forward (it’s a long reach to the infotainment screen), its windscreen offers no adjustment and the two large vents flanking the headlights cannot be closed so a high volume of air always flows into the cockpit. This comparison took place in December, and testers always felt colder and more buffeted by the wind on the Harley than on the Indian.
The Challenger Limited provides a more comfortable and enjoyable riding experience. Its seat is flatter and has more grip and support, its long tank is narrower between the knees and its fairing provides more wind protection. The Indian’s fairing is closer to the rider and its windscreen is electrically adjustable over a 3-inch range — raising the screen all the way up and closing the fairing vents creates a calm, quiet space for the rider. With 5.1 inches of suspension travel in the front and 4.5 inches in the rear — 0.5 inch and 2.4 inches more than the Harley, respectively — and more compliant damping, the Indian is much better at insulating the rider and passenger from rough roads. Even at a sporting pace with riders well over 200 pounds in the saddle, the Indian never bottomed out nor reacted harshly.
The Challenger’s fairing is closer to the rider and has an electric windscreen. Its seat also locks the rider in place but is flatter, more supportive and has a taller rear bolster.
The Road Glide Special was clearly Indian’s benchmark for the Challenger Limited. At the press launch last October, Indian provided a side-by-side comparison of their performance and features as well as a Road Glide Special for us to ride. With Indian’s sales being about one-tenth of Harley’s, one way to improve its market share is to offer more bang for the buck on competing models. Indian has done so in terms of performance with an all-new, liquid-cooled engine that makes more power and torque and offers the flexibility of throttle-response modes. It has done so in terms of convenience with a more modern and user-friendly infotainment system with higher audio output (100W vs. 50W on the Harley) as well as extra features like central saddlebag locks and a keyless locking fuel cap. And it has done so in terms of comfort with a more supportive seat, better wind protection and superior ride quality, all in a package that costs and weighs nearly the same.
Healthy competition is good for the industry and good for riders because it provides us with better motorcycles. Since the launch of Project Rushmore for 2014, Harley-Davidson has continuously raised the bar with improvements to its engines, chassis, comfort, convenience and other features. The 2014 model year also happens to be when Indian launched its all-new Thunder Stroke V-twin and Chief lineup, reigniting an old rivalry and spurring a feverish pace of innovation from both companies. The 2020 Road Glide Special is better than ever, but the Challenger Limited surpasses it.
The Harley-Davidson vs. Indian wars are alive and well, and both make gorgeous motorcycles that are desired the world over. Brand preference is the lens through which many will view these bikes, but the Indian wins this battle.
Keep scrolling for more detailed photos after the spec charts….
2020 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special Specs
Base Price: $27,299 Price as Tested: $28,794 (RDRS, color) Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. miles Website: harley-davidson.com
Engine
Type: Air-cooled, transverse 45-degree V-twin Displacement: 1,868cc (114ci) Bore x Stroke: 102.0 x 114.0mm Compression Ratio: 10.5:1 Valve Train: OHV, 4 valves per cyl. Valve Insp. Interval: NA (self-adjusting) Fuel Delivery: Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection Lubrication System: Dry sump, 5.2-qt. cap. Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated wet assist-and-slipper clutch Final Drive: Belt
Fuel Capacity: 6.0 gals., last 1.0 gal. warning light on MPG: 91 AKI min. (low/avg/high) 39.3/40.4/42.3 Estimated Range: 242 miles Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 2,200
2020 Indian Challenger Limited Specs
Base Price: $27,999 Price as Tested: $28,749 (color) Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. miles Website: indianmotorcycle.com
Engine
Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse 60-degree V-twin Displacement: 1,768cc (108ci) Bore x Stroke: 108.0 x 96.5mm Compression Ratio: 11.0:1 Valve Train: SOHC, 4 valves per cyl. Valve Insp. Interval: NA (self-adjusting) Fuel Delivery: EFI, 52mm dual bore throttle body x 2 Lubrication System: Semi-wet sump, 5-qt. cap. Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated wet assist clutch Final Drive: Belt
Frame: Modular cast aluminum w/ engine as stressed member & cast aluminum swingarm Wheelbase: 65.7 in. Rake/Trail: 25 degrees/5.9 in. Seat Height: 26.5 in. (laden) Suspension, Front: 43mm USD fork, no adj., 5.1-in. travel Rear: Single shock, remote adj. for spring preload, 4.5-in. travel Brakes, Front: Dual 320mm floating discs w/ opposed 4-piston radial calipers & ABS Rear: Single 298mm floating disc w/ 2-piston pin-slide caliper & ABS Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 19 in. Rear: Cast, 5.00 x 16 in. Tires, Front: 130/60-B19 Rear: 180/60-R16 Wet Weight: 848 lbs. Load Capacity: 537 lbs. GVWR: 1,385 lbs.
Performance
Fuel Capacity: 6.0 gals., last 1.0 gal. warning light on MPG: 91 AKI min. (low/avg/high) 37.7/38.1/38.6 Estimated Range: 228 miles Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 2,500
Harley’s optional Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS) include cornering ABS, cornering traction control and drag torque control.An American classic, finished in black.The Harley’s Boom! Box 6.5GT touchscreen infotainment system includes audio and GPS.Smart Lean Technology (cornering ABS and TC and drag torque control) is standard on the Challenger Limited. Indian’s all-new PowerPlus 108 belts out serious horsepower and torque. Indian’s Ride Command is a comprehensive, customizable infotainment system.
Due to the increasing spread of COVID-19 and expanding restrictions on domestic and international travel, and in accordance with national state and local governments prohibiting large group gatherings, the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season has been postponed until further notice.
Following Supercross events have been cancelled
March 14 in Indianapolis, IN at Lucas Oil Stadium
March 21 in Detroit, MI at Ford Field
March 28 in Seattle, WA at CenturyLink Field
April 4 in Denver, CO at Empower Field at Mile High
April 18 in Foxborough, MA at Gillette Stadium
The health and safety of everyone attending and competing in our live events, as well as our touring personnel, is our top priority. We will continue to monitor the situation.
Daytona 200 and Daytona TT Postponed
Official Statement
“American Flat Track has postponed this weekend’s race events at Daytona International Speedway, which includes Saturday’s DAYTONA 200 presented by CoMoto and the DAYTONA TT. The 79th DAYTONA 200 will be held as part of Biketoberfest in October and the DAYTONA TT will be rescheduled on a future date. We believe this decision is in the best interest of the safety and well-being of our fans, competitors, officials and everyone associated with the sport. We will continue to monitor this dynamic situation as we assess future race events.”
Yamaha Motor Australia has issued an immediate safety recall of its learner-approved 2019 YZF-R3A over a fault with the front brake hose.
The official notice issued through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the bracket supporting the front brake hose may dislodge.
It says this could cause “friction between the brake hose and the front fork, resulting in brake fluid loss”.
“If the brake system loses fluid, the effectiveness of the brakes decreases, increasing the risk of an accident causing serious injury to the rider and other road users,” the notice says.
Owners should “immediately” contact their local Yamaha Dealer and arrange to have a replacement brake hose bracket fitted at no charge.
The vehicle identification numbers for the 202 affected bikes are listed at the end of this article.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R3
This LAMS model has now been recalled over 10 fault issues since 2015.
Issues include such as radiator leaks, gear shift problems, noisy gears, engine vibrations, fuel leaks, loss of electrical power, engine stalling, clutch failures and handlebar crown cracking.
Even though manufacturers and importers usually contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.
Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle and scooter recalls as a service to all riders.
If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.
To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:
The novel coronavirus has claimed two more moto-victims. Both the American Flat Track events and the Daytona 200 have been postponed. That sound you heard this afternoon was the cries of hundreds of racers crying out in agony as they visualize how much money they spent to get ready and get to the events only to have them rescheduled for them to do it all again. More as this develops.
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DAYTONA 200/DAYTONA TT Postponed
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 13, 2020) – “American Flat Track has postponed this weekend’s race events at Daytona International Speedway, which includes Saturday’s DAYTONA 200 presented by CoMoto and the DAYTONA TT. The 79th DAYTONA 200 will be held as part of Biketoberfest in October and the DAYTONA TT will be rescheduled on a future date. We believe this decision is in the best interest of the safety and well-being of our fans, competitors, officials and everyone associated with the sport. We will continue to monitor this dynamic situation as we assess future race events.”
Several motorcycle factories have halted motorcycle production as the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc across the world.
Australian PM Scott Morrison is banning organised non-essential gatherings of more than 500, US President Donald Trump has just declared a national emergency and countries are going into lockdown.
Now the KTM group, which also includes Husqvarna and GasGas, will close their Austrian factories at the end of the month for two weeks and Moto Morini in Italy has already temporarily closed.
The Piaggio Group – owner of Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Vespa – will close its factories this weekend for a “deep clean”, but we believe production will continue next week.
MV Agusta near Milan which is an epicentre of the contagion is playing a waiting game as the situation changes rapidly.
“At the moment the factory is continuing with production and we do not have any problems with the supply chain,” says spokeswoman Alessia Riboni.
“We will see in the next hours/days.”
Ducati has closed its museum and factory tours, but production is continuing.
Ducati factory
Apart from motorcycle factories, there could also be closures at component factories such as Brembo in Italy.
Davida Helmets in the UK has halted production because of a lack of components from Europe and Asia due to the virus.
So the effects for riders in coming months could be a lack of spare parts and further disruption to motorcycle rallies and races.
While we are unsure what Trump’s national emergency will mean for Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle production, it hasn’t halted the Daytona Bike week in Florida which winds up this weekend.
How to stay safe in pandemic
Despite all the doom and gloom, there is no need for riders to panic and stay at home, unless they have virus symptoms.
After all, riders wear a face mask of sorts and protective gloves while riding a bike puts us in a type of isolation, certainly, 1.5m from others.
Riders also usually head out into the country where there is less chance of big group gatherings.
And we often stop for lunch at small coffee shops and restaurants.
We have not heard of any group rides being cancelled and planning is still ongoing for the Dubbo Rally in May.
If you are concerned, there are several steps you can take to continue riding and stay safe.
Avoid large groups;
Use your credit card instead of cash when buying fuel and food;
Wash your hands thoroughly, even tough you wear gloves; and
Give yourself a 30-minute break from panicking about the Coronavirus and stocking up on toilet paper to check out the four-part video series: Valentino’s Secret Room.
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Inside The Doctor’s Hidden Archive
Dainese Releases a Mini-Series That Gives You an Exclusive Look Inside the Personal Archive of One of MotoGP’s Greatest
A secret room that contains the whole story of one of the greatest legends in the history of the sport. Valentino Rossi shows you his most iconic suits, helmets, boots and, above all, tells stories and experiences stretching back more than 25 years, from a career at the pinnacle of the sport.
EP.01 – THE SECRET ARCHIVE
A room in which no one has ever been, an incredible story contained in one unique place. Welcome to Vale’s secret archive.
EP.02 – INSIDE THE DOCTOR
Vale tells us anecdotes, about people, challenges and friendships. Come inside a secret room, inside the personal story of a champion.
EP.03- A KNIGHT’S ARMOR
From first to last. A rider’s suit is like a knight’s armor. Vale’s suits have a unique story.
Coming soon…
EP.04 – VALE’S HELMETS
The Doctor’s most iconic racing gear. Designs that have made history, with never-before-seen graphics, to celebrate a champion.
Ducati put together a winning combination for the 2020 Mint 400 Hooligan Class that saw Jordan Graham #47 crossing the line 45 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher.
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Scrambler Ducati Desert Sled Dominates Inaugural Mint 400 Hooligan Class
Fasthouse Scrambler Ducati rider Jordan Graham claims first place in Hooligan Open
Graham #47, finishes 45 minutes ahead of the next finisher
Pikes Peak Winning Spider Grips team reform to support Scrambler Ducati Mint 400 project
Mountain View, Calif., March 12, 2020 – For 2020, The Mint 400 introduced Hooligan Classes to the oldest and most prestigious off-road race in America. On Friday, March 6, the motorcycle classes lined up at 7 a.m. to tackle two 80-mile laps of The Mint 400’s grueling bike course.
Ducati North America, working in partnership with off-road brand Fasthouse, entered riders Jordan Graham #47 and Ricky Diaz #51 in the Hooligan Open class on two modified Scrambler Ducati Desert Sleds prepared and managed by the Pikes Peak winning Spider Grips Team.
A third Scrambler Ducati Desert Sled, also prepared by Spider Grips, was ridden in the two-man tag team of Alexander Smith & Michael Allen, using #5 in memory of fellow racer Carlin Dunne.
From the start, both Fasthouse Scrambler Ducati riders attacked the course hard with their top speeds exceeding 100 mph across the lake beds before riding into dangerous rock fields. By the completion of the first lap Graham #47 entered the pits to refuel and continue in the lead, closely followed by Diaz #51. Alexander Smith #5 entered the pits in third, handing over riding duties to team member Michael Allen #5.
In the final 80-mile lap, Graham #47 attacked hard on his Desert Sled to extend his lead over Diaz #51 who responded with an aggressive charge of his own, only to take a hard hit in the rock fields ending his race prematurely with a broken gear shifter, handing second place to Michael Allen #5 on his Falkner Livingston Scrambler Ducati Desert Sled.
At the close of the race Jordan Graham #47 crossed the line in 4:45:35 to claim the win in the Hooligan Open Class, 45 minutes ahead of the Scrambler Ducati of the two-rider team of Smith & Allen #5 and dominating all other Hooligan class machines.
“The Scrambler Ducati was great, it tracked through the sand washes perfectly and on the open stretches we were blasting past the 450 enduros,” said Jordan Graham, Fasthouse Scrambler Ducati Rider. “It’s a brutal, fun course and the Desert Sled soaked up a real beating. I’m stoked to get this win for Fasthouse, Scrambler Ducati and the Spider Grips team.”
“A win at the historic Mint 400 is a great achievement, made all the more exciting due to Scrambler’s connection with the spirit of off-road riding in the deserts of the Southwest,” said Jason Chinnock, Chief Executive Officer of Ducati North America. “Both the Scrambler and the Mint 400 story began in the 1960s, so it made sense for us to come together again for the exciting new Hooligan Class.”
The Mint 400 is the oldest and most prestigious off-road race in America. Held annually in March, more than 550 race teams in 80+ classes compete for two days on a grueling desert course in the desolate foothills of Las Vegas. For 2020, a newly created Hooligan Class was created.
“Hooligan desert racing is a true embrace of the spirit of the Mint 400. This race was started by crazy dreamers who didn’t have ‘race’ equipment. They raced in stock vehicles, VW Bugs, Jeeps, street bikes, sedans, whatever they had,” commented Mint 400 CEO, Matt Martelli. “We will never forget that off-road racing at its core is about the regular guy building a bike or vehicle in their garage and coming and having an amazing experience with their friends and family, challenging ‘The Great American Off-Road Race.’”
Bike Build Information
Bikes: 2019 Scrambler Ducati Desert Sled
Exhaust: Scrambler Ducati Termignoni Full system with Ducati Performance MAP
Rear Shock: Fox
Forks: Standard Desert Sled with Racetech set-up
Wheels: Excel rims 21″ / 18″ on standard hub, fitted with tire mousse.
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Ducati factory
