Monthly Archives: March 2022

Motorcycle News, News

Nelson-Rigg Trails End Adventure Tank Bag | Gear Review

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Nelson-Rigg Trails End Adventure Tank Bag

Whether cruising the pavement or banging along a remote dirt road, tankbags are a rider’s most convenient place for storing frequently used items. Where else could I keep my sunscreen, hat, and snacks so easily at hand? I’ve used several high-capacity bags over the years on various motorcycles, and although appealing for the sheer volume of stuff they hold, I find large bags can also interfere with bike control. This is most noticeable when standing on the pegs while riding off-pavement. The Nelson-Rigg Trails End model, part of its Rigg Gear Adventure line, creates no such problem.

It has a useful 12-liter capacity, and is expandable vertically to 16.5 liters. Securely mounted to my Yamaha Ténéré 700’s tank with four side-release buckles and the requisite straps, it stays put over the roughest ground, yet is easy to partially remove for fueling. The Trails End’s base is slightly tacky to assist in stabilizing it, and there are protective fabric tabs where the straps contact the tank.

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Sewn from UltraMax synthetic fabric, which is said to resist fading (as it has for 8 months), the Trails End maintains its tapered, box-like shape, and it features reflective piping all around. The twin zippers are easy to operate and designed to prevent dust entry, and the two narrow side pockets are large enough for my faceshield cleaning kit, a few small tools, and a notebook.

RELATED: 2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700 | Long-Term Ride Review (Part 2)

Nelson-Rigg Trails End Adventure Tank Bag

Perhaps best of all, the left pocket doesn’t sound the 700’s horn with the bars at full lock. Since the bag is narrow, the map pocket can’t accept two folds of an AAA map, requiring some field origami to make one fit. The clear top is touchscreen-friendly and includes an inside pocket with a net to hold a phone, but my phone had to be securely supported from below (as in stuffing a shirt in the bag) for me to use it easily. At the rear of the bag is a weather-resistant power port; from there, a cord can be run into the map pocket.

With the bag in its unexpanded configuration, the extra two-layer body material from the extension crowds the interior a bit without seriously limiting volume. The large hump of my Yamaha’s tank steals space too, so those extra 4.5 liters when the bag is expanded are invaluable for stashing an extra layer or stocking up on Fritos at the last gas stop before camp. This is a handsome, well-built bag, with its only flaw being some imperfect sewing to attach the map pocket net and second power port.

The Nelson-Rigg Trails End Adventure has a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, and comes with a tight-fitting rain cover with a clear top and the ability to extend to protect the expanded bag. It sells for just $119.95.

For more information, visit nelsonrigg.com.

The post Nelson-Rigg Trails End Adventure Tank Bag | Gear Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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Charging Across America Challenge Unveils Record Attempt and Sponsors

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CAAC Logo

Plans for the inaugural Charging Across America Challenge (CAAC) have been announced by event founder Robert Swartz. Designed to promote the nation’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and the growing EV infrastructure network, the event kicks off April 18, 2022, with finish-line crossings scheduled in Redondo Beach, California, and New York City on April 22, 2022 (Earth Day).

The challenge features two Energica riders, Swartz and Steven Day, attempting to break the Cannonball cross-country electric motorcycle record of 178 hours and 17 minutes. Both riders will simultaneously journey coast-to-coast in opposite directions following the original 2,906-mile route of the Cannonball Run, creating a unique “race within a race.”

“I built a Model T Speedster before I got my drivers license, so Henry Ford was my hero. Ford co-sponsored America’s first real coast-to-coast competition in 1909, the ‘Ocean-to-Ocean Automobile Endurance Contest,’ a race from Manhattan to Seattle. Growing up in the ‘70s, the Cannonball Run was extremely popular. I combined these events to create the ‘Charging Across America Challenge’ to promote high-performance electric motorcycles and clean energy,” said Swartz, owner of three motorcycle businesses – Rob’s Dyno Service, Motus of New England and Energica of New England (EONE).

Voltrek recently supervised installation of a fast-charging system at Swartz’ EONE facility. “Voltrek is proud to sponsor the Charging Across America Challenge,” commented CEO Kathleen Connors. “This unique competition showcases the power and range of today’s zero emission motorcycles while dispelling ‘range anxiety’ by highlighting the nation’s expansion of reliable charging infrastructure. Riders will visit dozens of EV charging stations, including ChargePoint hubs, one of the world’s largest EV charging networks.”

Stefano Benatti, CEO of Energica Motor Company Inc., also added, “Real-world endurance contests are a true test of individual rider and machine, but even more so with electric powered vehicles. Strategy is more important than top speed, since air temperature, wind and elevation changes affect electric vehicle range far more than conventional internal combustion vehicles. This requires precise advanced planning based on charging station availability and anticipated riding conditions.  It’s a far more subtle and difficult challenge than a typical record attempt.”

Vanson Leathers is providing custom-fitted safety leathers for both riders. “We’ve worked with Rob for many years. We can’t wait for Earth Day to see who wins and what the new record will be,” said Vanson founder, Michael van der Sleesen.

“I’m delighted to have Voltrek and Vanson Leathers as our initial sponsors for this first-time event to promote Earth Day and electric powered vehicles. I’ve worked with each of these companies and look forward to promoting businesses I know and trust,” said Swartz, who is seeking additional sponsors to help offset event expenses. Details available at caac2022.com.

The post Charging Across America Challenge Unveils Record Attempt and Sponsors first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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Harley-Davidson Set to Defend its King of the Baggers Championship Title

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The King of the Baggers Championship kicks off in under two week’s time.

Begin Press Release: 

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY TEAM READY TO DEFEND MOTOAMERICA MISSION KING OF THE BAGGERS CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

Defending Champ Kyle Wyman and Brother Travis Wyman to Race Road Glide Bikes Powered by Screamin’ Eagle Milwaukee-Eight 131 Crate Engines

MILWAUKEE, WI (March 1, 2022) – The Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle® factory racing team will return to the track in 2022 to defend its MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers road racing series championship. The team will field returning riders Kyle Wyman (#1), the 2021 Mission King of the Baggers champion, and his brother Travis Wyman (#10) aboard race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® motorcycles powered by race modified Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight® 131 Performance Crate Engines. The MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series features American V-Twin touring motorcycles prepared for competition and equipped with a fairing/windscreen and saddlebags. The seven-race series, with each round held in conjunction with the MotoAmerica Superbike Series, opens with a doubleheader on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, March 10-12.

king of the baggers

“The MotoAmerica King of the Baggers race series provides exciting racing on motorcycles everyone can relate to,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “For Harley-Davidson, King of the Baggers is also an opportunity to demonstrate the championship winning capabilities of our industry-leading performance baggers and to showcase our Screamin’ Eagle performance products and engineering capabilities. The lessons we learn on the track benefit the performance parts we develop for Harley-Davidson customers around the world.”

In addition to competing in the series, the H-D Screamin’ Eagle team is happy to announce they are working directly with MotoAmerica to promote the series by supporting all Harley-Davison competitors. Select performance products developed for the 2021 championship bike are now available to all qualified racers. Teams should reach out directly to their local Harley-Davidson dealership for availability and pricing.

Fast Brothers

Kyle and Travis Wyman are the sons of Kim Wyman, owner of Harv’s Harley-Davidson in Macedon, N.Y. and grew up around Harley-Davidson and flat track racing.

Veteran road racer Kyle Wyman, 32, scored two wins and a second-place finish in the three-race 2021 Mission King of the Baggers series, notching 70 points to lead scoring by 25 points.

Wyman began racing professionally in flat track aboard a Harley-Davidson XR750 and formed Kyle Wyman Racing at the age of 21 to compete at the highest level of professional road racing in the United States. He won the Daytona 200 in 2019 and in addition to winning the Mission King of the Baggers crown, placed ninth in the 2021 HONOS Superbike series. In 2022 Wyman will not compete in Superbike and will focus his full attention on defending his King of the Baggers championship title with the Factory Harley-Davidson team.

travis wyman and kyle wyman

“I’m really eager to be defending this championship with the Harley-Davidson Factory Team,” said Kyle Wyman. “The longer season is going to require us to be prepared to be consistent and for the bikes to be durable and reliable, because it’s still a short enough schedule that one bad result can be very significant in the points race.

“Starting the season with a doubleheader at Daytona will be a special challenge because we’ve never raced these bikes on the high banks, which requires such an extended run at sustained high RPM,” said Kyle.

Travis Wyman is the owner of Travis Wyman Racing, based in Las Vegas. The 30-year-old racer finished the 2021 MotoAmerica season in second place in the Stock 1000 series, and fifth place in the Mission King of the Baggers series after scoring second and fourth-place finishes in only two attempts, and 11th place in the HONOS Superbike series.

“Having joined the Harley-Davidson Factory Team mid-season last year and with limited seat time, I was a little behind the curve,” said Travis Wyman. “Now I’ve had a chance to gel with the team and I understand how to go fast on this bike, and this year I expect to be racing with Kyle for the championship. With the expanded schedule I’ll also have a chance to race on some tracks I’ve done well at in the past, including Daytona and Road Atlanta. It should be an exciting season.”

Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle VIP Package

Harley-Davidson riders and fans can join defending champion Kyle Wyman, Travis Wyman, and the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle race team as they kick off the King of the Baggers season on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway during Daytona Bike Week.

The Harley-Davidson VIP Ticket Package includes a seat to see all of the action along with exclusive Harley-Davidson perks including premium parking and the unique opportunity to ride your Harley-Davidson motorcycle on the legendary Daytona International Speedway.

The Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle VIP Ticket Package includes:

  • 3-Day Pass: Admission to all of the MotoAmerica racing including Mission King of the Baggers and the 80th running of the Daytona 200. See practice runs, qualifiers, and all of the races.
  • Exclusive Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Parking: Access premium parking reserved for Harley-Davidson motorcycles on all three days of the event.
  • Harley-Davidson Track Walk: Get up-close and personal with the legendary banks of Daytona with a track walk and guided tour provided by the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle King of the Baggers race team.
  • Harley-Davidson Parade Lap: Strap on your helmet, and ride two laps around Daytona International Speedway on your Harley-Davidson motorcycle with fellow H-D enthusiasts.

About the Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight 131 Performance Crate Engine: The Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight 131 is the most-powerful street-compliant performance engine offered by Harley-Davidson. Built from the bottom up in Milwaukee, this 131-cubic-inch (2147cc) Screamin’ Eagle® crate engine delivers 131 ft-lb of torque to the rear wheel, and may be installed in 2017-later Harley-Davidson Touring models.

MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Contingency

Harley-Davidson will offer a $110,000 cash contingency program for qualified Harley-Davidson racers competing in the Mission King of the Baggers series, with a contingency payout from first to 10th place and a $35,000 championship bonus. New for 2022, all contingency place payouts earned by H-D Screamin’ Eagle factory team riders will be redistributed to qualified place winners making more contingency available to private teams. Terms and conditions apply; please see www.MotoAmerica.com for full details, eligibility requirements and deadlines.

2022 Mission King of the Baggers Schedule

March 10-12: (Doubleheader) Daytona International Raceway – Daytona Beach, FL.

April 22-24: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta – Braselton, GA.

June 3-5: Road America – Elkhart Lake, WI.

July 8-10: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca – Monterey, CA.

July 29-31: Brainerd International Raceway – Brainerd, MN.

September 9-11: New Jersey Motorsports Park – Millville, NJ.

The post Harley-Davidson Set to Defend its King of the Baggers Championship Title appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

News

Yamaha Motor Unveils Hydrogen-Powered V-8 Combustion Engine

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Powerful hydrogen power: 397 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm are the claimed figures.

Powerful hydrogen power: 397 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm are the claimed figures. (Yamaha Motor/)

Exciting and surprisingly specific news from Hamamatsu: Yamaha Motor has been tapped by Toyota Motor Corporation to develop an automotive engine fueled entirely by hydrogen. Here it is, in the form of a just-unveiled 5.0-liter V-8 engine, to be exact.

In November of last year the Subaru Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, and Mazda Motor Corporation joined up with Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Yamaha Motor Company to collaborate on research into carbon neutrality with an eye toward keeping internal combustion relevant in a post-gasoline world. It’s a nebulous and wide-open area of endeavor, but it includes exciting ideas like hydrogen power.

The resulting V-8 hydrogen engine is based on the 5.0-liter engine in the Lexus RC F luxury sport coupe. Obviously the injectors, cylinder heads, intake manifold, and so on are heavily modified, with the real story being the injection system; Kawasaki’s recent Ninja H2 injectors, which are capable of delivering fuel 1,450 psi, are likely a preview times two. This new mill reportedly delivers up to 450 hp at 6,800 rpm and a maximum 540 Nm of torque at 3,600 rpm.

This power exercise yields emissions consisting of plain old water (yay!) and varying amounts of nitrogen oxides (…damn). The fueling and aspiration systems are key; if a direct-injection turbo system is used, power goes up to levels higher than comparable gasoline engines, but so do NOx emissions. A naturally aspirated hydrogen engine runs significantly cleaner.

Inquiries to every conceivable Yamaha number and email went unanswered, though the Finance Installment folks were very polite, if a bit confused. Here are our four most pressing unanswered questions:

  • Are there any sexy and compelling details Yamaha can tell us about any two-wheeled hydrogen projects right now?
  • What sort of motorcycles (or anything on two wheels) would be a natural fit for hydrogen power?
  • Would future hydrogen plans focus on “green” or sustainably produced hydrogen? Does hydrogen made from methane or fossil fuels fit into future carbon-neutral goals?
  • What would a naked hydrogen-powered motorcycle look like compared to a current gasoline-powered bike?

In the event that a highly important and knowledgeable person from Yamaha is reading this, feel free to reach out to Motorcyclist with informative and illuminating answers. Thanks in advance.

Head-on view of Yamaha’s hydrogen-powered engine work for Toyota.

Head-on view of Yamaha’s hydrogen-powered engine work for Toyota. (Yamaha Motor/)

The Fukuoka City Chubu Water Treatment Center produces green hydrogen from sewage biogas.

The Fukuoka City Chubu Water Treatment Center produces green hydrogen from sewage biogas. (Yamaha Motor/)

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com

Motorcycle News, News

2021 KTM 890 Adventure R | Long-Term Ride Review

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2021 KTM 890 Adventure R
The 890 Adventure R has proven to be highly capable on- and off-road. Photo by Kevin Wing.

RELATED: 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R | (Off) Road Test Review

Mileage: 3,314
Base Price: $14,199 (2021); $14,599 (2022)
Price as Tested: $14,749 (Tech Pack)
Accessories: $114.95

After years of making primarily hard-edged, off-road-oriented adventure bikes, KTM balanced the on-/off-road scales when it introduced the 1190 Adventure for 2014. It had a more refined – and more powerful – V-Twin, and although its 19-inch front/17-inch rear wheels were spoked, they were shod with tubeless, touring-friendly 90/10 adventure tires.

2021 KTM 890 Adventure R
The KTM’s unique tank design keeps fuel weight down low. Photo by Kevin Wing.

The 1190 Adventure also fully embraced the then-nascent trend in electronic rider aids, becoming the first production motorcycle to offer lean-angle-sensitive ABS. It was also equipped with throttle-by-wire, ride modes, multi-stage traction control, an off-road ABS mode, electronically controlled suspension, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

In the years that followed, KTM filled out its Adventure range with the 1290 Super Adventure (followed by R, S, and T variants), 1090 Adventure R, 790 Adventure (standard and R variants, which won Rider’s 2019 Motorcycle of the Year award), and 390 Adventure. In 2020, the 790 evolved into the 890, and we tested the 890 Adventure R you see here in 2021.

2021 KTM 890 Adventure R windshield
The short windscreen parts airflow smoothly but is not adjustable. Handguards are standard. Photo by Kevin Wing.

Collectively, Rider staffers and contributors have put tens of thousands of miles on all the various KTM Adventure models, and the 890 sits right in the sweet spot – not as big, heavy, powerful, or expensive as the 1290 Super Adventure, nor as small and touring-limited as the 390 Adventure. (The 1090 and 1190 were dropped as KTM dialed in its small/medium/large model offerings.) It also features the latest in electronics that allow riders to alter the bike’s performance and personality with the push of a few buttons.

Our 2021 890 Adventure R test bike arrived with just 15 miles on the odometer, and over the course of nine months we logged 3,300 miles. We burned 71 gallons of premium fuel, averaging 46.4 mpg and roughly 246 miles of range from the 5.3-gallon tank.

2021 KTM 890 Adventure R wheel
Spoked wheels are shod with tubeless Continental TKC80 knobbies. Photo by Kevin Wing.

The 890 has a horseshoe-shaped fuel tank, with a filler on top and two sections that run down either side of the engine and end in bulbous pods, as first seen on the 790 Adventure. The design, though not especially attractive, offers several advantages: The upper tank area is narrow between the knees during stand-up riding; fuel weight is mostly down low, which contributes to better handling; and the lower pods provide some lower-leg and crash protection. Because of the tank’s unusual shape, however, it’s difficult to get accurate readings of remaining fuel, and only the final 50% of tank capacity is shown on the fuel gauge. There’s a fuel range reading on the 890’s TFT display, but it wasn’t even remotely accurate during our test.

2021 KTM 890 Adventure R
This Range Rover’s owner should have bought a KTM.

With its short windscreen, high front fender, rally-style seat, and Continental TKC80 tires (rated for 40% road/60% off-road), the 890 Adventure R is clearly designed for heavy off-road use. On rough dirt roads and technical trails, the 890-R was well-balanced, forgiving, and exciting, especially in the optional Rally mode that’s part of the Tech Pack. Out of our testing miles, however, only about 10% were off-road. We spent most of our time flogging the 890-R on paved backroads, desolate highways, freeways, and city streets. While the standard 890 Adventure would have provided more comfort and wind protection, the 890-R never felt like a fish out of water. That sort of versatility is what makes ADV bikes such an attractive proposition.

2021 KTM 890 Adventure R
A Nelson-Rigg Sahara Dry Duffle Bag fits perfectly on the rear rack. Photo by the author.

We strapped on a Nelson-Rigg Sahara Dry Duffle ($114.95; nelsonrigg.com) for longer trips, but we didn’t add any other accessories. Other than a break-in service, maintenance consisted of checking the air in the tires and cleaning/lubing the chain, though the rear TKC80 was pretty well shagged by the time we handed back the keys.

KTM announced that the 890 Adventure ($13,399) and 890 Adventure R ($14,599) will return unchanged for 2022.

The post 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R | Long-Term Ride Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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Indian Motorcycles Announces King of the Baggers Factory Race Team

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Indian Motorcycles pulls the wraps off its six-pointed attack of the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers series.

Begin Press Release: 

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RACING ANNOUNCES FACTORY RACE TEAM, PRIVATEERS & CONTINGENCY FOR 2022 KING OF THE BAGGERS SERIES

  • Tyler O’Hara & Jeremy McWilliams to Pilot S&S Indian Challengers as Factory Race Team
  • Indian Motorcycle Racing Offering Nearly $40,000 in Privateer Contingency
  • Roland Sands Design® Returns to King of the Baggers with Rider Frankie Garcia; Adds Superbike Veteran Bobby Fong to Pilot Second RSD Indian Challenger
  • Saddlemen Calls Upon Lloyd’z Garage to Support Patricia Fernandez & Cory West; Fernandez Returns On Saddlemen Indian Challenger, While West Rides the Series’ Only Chieftain Bagger

MINNEAPOLIS (MARCH 1, 2022) – Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, today announced Tyler O’Hara and Jeremy McWilliams as factory riders aboard two Mission® Foods S&S® Indian Challengers for the 2022 MotoAmerica® King of the Baggers series. In addition, Indian Motorcycle Racing is announcing nearly $40,000 in privateer contingency for the 2022 season. Privateer efforts include two privately backed teams: Roland Sands Design and the Saddlemen, Indian Motorcycle Charlotte & St. Paul powered by Lloyd’z Garage – each team with two riders aboard Indian Motorcycle baggers.

“The inaugural King of the Baggers race in 2020 truly disrupted the motorsports world, and the three-race season in 2021 expanded on that and left fans hungry for more. Now with seven races in 2022, King of the Baggers season is primed to take bagger racing to an entirely new level,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Racing, Technology and Service for Indian Motorcycle. “These races are dynamic platforms to showcase the performance capabilities of our baggers, and we are proud to expand our efforts with an official factory team and growing roster of talented privateers.”

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Indian Motorcycle Racing,” said Juan Gonzalez, Mission Foods Chief Executive Officer. “They are supporting an amazing group of riders that will provide lots of racing excitement for all King of the Baggers race fans.”

Taking to the grid are six Indian Motorcycle baggers, including two factory rides and four privately backed efforts.

S&S® Cycle: Tyler O’Hara & Jeremy McWilliams

Tyler O’Hara enters his third year piloting the Mission® Foods S&S® Indian Challenger, considered by most as the most formidable challenger to recapture the King of the Baggers title in 2022. After winning the inaugural King of the Baggers title in 2020, O’Hara fell just short in 2021, finishing the points race second overall.

Hailing from Ireland, and making his bagger racing debut, is seasoned road racer Jeremy McWilliams. Piloting the second S&S Indian Challenger factory ride, McWilliams brings a wealth of experience and valuable technical knowledge to the team in the ongoing effort to refine and optimize Indian Challenger setups for each race. A four-times Irish Champion, McWilliams began his professional racing career in 1993 and has competed in a variety of road races, series, and classes – including nine years in MotoGP.

“Jeremy is the ideal addition to our team, bringing significant experience and technical knowledge that will compliment the highly cerebral approach that Tyler O’Hara brings to the team. He’s got an unwavering desire to be the fastest and reach the top of the box each-and-every race,” said Paul Skarie, S&S President. “Having a second bike in the paddock is incredibly valuable, allowing riders to bounce feedback off of each other and help team mechanics optimize setups on race day.”

RSD: Frankie Garcia & Bobby Fong

For the 2022 King of the Baggers season, the RSD team welcomes veteran racer Bobby Fong. Having competed in flat track and Superbike, and winning 2021’s Road America 2, Fong brings a diverse experience to the RSD team. Piloting Steve Delorenzi’s S&S-built RSD Indian Challenger, backed by Sacramento Mile and SDI racing, Fong will ride alongside fan-favorite and ever-popular privateer Frankie Garcia who makes his return to the RSD Indian Challenger after finishing on the podium in third-place finish in 2020 and fourth overall in the 2021 series.

“We’re stoked to be expanding our bagger racing efforts with Bobby and grateful to Steve Delorenzi for commissioning the factory team to build a second Indian Challenger and trusting us to take it racing this season,” said Roland Sands. “Bobby’s an incredibly talented racer who demands a lot of himself and pushes the limits, and that makes him a perfect fit for RSD. He and Frankie go back a long way and will help each other, while also pushing each other.”

Saddlemen & Lloyd’z Garage: Patricia Fernandez & Cory West

Entering its third year of bagger racing, its second with Indian Motorcycle Racing, Saddlemen called upon long-time v-twin performance shop, Lloyd’z Garage, to handle race craft efforts for its two Indian Motorcycle entries. The tandem of Lloyd Greer and Tim Sutherland will be at the helm of race-team management and mechanics, supporting Patricia Fernandez aboard the Saddlemen Indian Challenger, as she returns to the King of the Baggers grid as the only female racer.

Joining Fernandez, and making his Indian Motorcycle privateer debut, is veteran motorcycle racer Cory West. After finishing in the middle of the pack in 2020, and missing the 2021 season, West will pilot the series’ only Indian Motorcycle Chieftain bagger. Unlike the fixed-fairing, liquid-cooled Indian Challenger, the Chieftain features a fork-mounted fairing and an air-cooled, Thunderstroke engine.

“V-Twin performance is in our blood, and we have been salivating over the idea of operating our own privateer effort in King of the Baggers ever since its debut in 2020,” said Lloyd Greer of Lloyd’z Garage. “When Saddlemen approached us, we jumped at the opportunity and feel extremely honored and grateful to assume responsibilities for their bagger racing efforts. Patricia is a badass racer, and we’re excited to see her compete again, while Cory’s diverse racing background and expertise will provide valuable feedback and insight for Patricia and our mechanics.”

In support of its privateer efforts, Indian Motorcycle Racing is offering nearly $40,000 in contingency, including a $10,000 championship payout and $3,000, $1,000, and $500 for first, second, and third-place finishes, respectively.

Sponsors for Indian Motorcycle Racing’s King of the Bagger efforts include Mission® Foods, S&S®, Medallia, Drag Specialties and Parts Unlimited.

For the 2022 season, MotoAmerica® will host seven rounds of King of the Baggers racing, including the season opener at Daytona International Speedway on March 10-12.  For more information on bagger racing, visit MotoAmerica.com.

To learn more about each race team, visit SSCycle.com, RolandSands.com, Saddlemen.com and LloydzGarage.com. For information about Indian Motorcycle, visit IndianMotorcycle.com, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The post Indian Motorcycles Announces King of the Baggers Factory Race Team appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

All you need to know about the Pro Draft Qualification Phase

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VideoPass allows you to watch every single second of every single sector LIVE and OnDemand. VideoPass offers you unrivalled access to interviews and features as well as every competitive lap at every Grand Prix. VideoPass is also available on the MotoGP™ app for iOS and Android, while you can also watch LIVE or OnDemand content with Roku TV, Apple TV, Android TV or Amazon Fire TV.

More than 45,000 videos dating back to 1992, with a comprehensive back catalogue of MotoGP™ coverage including full races, interviews, summaries, reports and documentaries, are at your disposal – when you want, where you want.

Different camera feeds and OnBoards allow you to choose your preferred viewing experience, and to enjoy the race from so many angles. SIGN UP NOW!

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

NBC Sports announces 2022 MotoGP™ telecast schedule

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– Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas from Circuit of the Americas on Sunday, April 10 live at 1:30 p.m. ET
– Grand Prix of Finland from KymiRing on Sunday, July 10, at 1 p.m. ET
– San Marino Grand Prix from Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on Sunday, Sept. 4, at 1:30 p.m. ET
– Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix from Philip Island Circuit on Sunday, Oct 16, at 12:30 p.m. ET
– Grand Prix of Valencia at Circuit Ricardo Tormo on Sunday, Nov. 6, at Noon ET

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here

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Meet the 2022 MotoGP™ rookies

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The Rookie of the Year fight looks set to be a corker once again as five stars get set for their maiden premier class voyage

As we get set to see the 2022 MotoGP™ season burst into life under the Lusail International Circuit lights, five rookies are waiting to embark on their maiden premier class voyage.

It’s all about… MotoGP™!

Those five rookies will be hoping they can repeat the feats that eventual Rookie of the Year Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) and Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) did in 2021 – establishing themselves amongst the elite by claiming podiums. Let’s have a look at new faces we’ll be seeing in MotoGP™ this season, starting with the reigning Moto2™ World Champion.

Remy Gardner (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing):

Son of former 500cc World Champion Wayne Gardner and 2021 intermediate class King, Remy Gardner started and finished last season in stellar fashion. In the first nine races, Gardner finished off the podium just once, notching up three victories in that time. This allowed the Australian to go into the summer break with a 31-point lead over rookie wonder teammate Raul Fernandez. In the second half of the season, he took four more podium finishes, including victories at Silverstone and Portimao before finally beating Fernandez to the Moto2™ title by four points after the season finale in Valencia.

Gardner’s pre-season has, unfortunately, been marred by a wrist injury, which has prevented us from seeing his full early potential. However, the Australian has quietly gone about his business and there’s no doubt that a fully fit Gardner will be frighteningly fast and one to watch in 2022.

How is Remy Gardner preparing for life as a MotoGP™ rookie?

Raul Fernandez (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing):

The latest rapid Spaniard comes into MotoGP™ after an astonishing Moto2™ rookie campaign. In a fantastic head-to-head battle with teammate Gardner, KTM had little choice but to promote Fernandez into the Tech3 ranks alongside Gardner, as other factories showed more than a genuine interest in the number 25’s services.

Early issues lead to factory KTMs being outshone by rookie

2022, as expected, has seen Fernandez take to the premier class very well. A heavy crash on Day 2 was, from the outside, the only negative from a strong looking pre-season. Fernandez will be many people’s pick for the Rookie of the Year award after what he showed he was capable of in 2021, and with someone who is oozing confidence, Fernandez’s 2022 season could be a thriller. 

Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team):

Three-time Moto2™ race winner Marco Bezzecchi ultimately saw a 2021 title charge slip away after Gardner and Fernandez produced such strong and unrelenting seasons. But the Italian enters the fray with plenty of promise and excitement surrounding him.

Bezzecchi: “I didn’t expect to be so fast in pre-season”

Seven podiums, including a win at the Styrian GP, and third overall was a cracking season for Bezzecchi last year, who lines up alongside sophomore and close friend Luca Marini in the new Mooney VR46 Racing Team ranks. In very familiar, comfortable surroundings, it feels like the perfect recipe for Bezzecchi to get his head down and have a strong first season in MotoGP™. Bezzecchi was the fastest rookie in Mandalika, finishing just 0.8s away from Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team).

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™):

Another one of Italy’s rising stars is Gresini Racing MotoGP™’s Fabio Di Giannantonio. The standout ride of his 2021 season was his victory in Jerez, with Diggia eventually finishing seventh overall in the standings after claiming three other podiums in Qatar, America and Valencia.

How does Di Giannantonio feel ahead of debut MotoGP™ season?

A bout of gastroenteritis saw Di Giannantonio, who will run the number 49 this year instead of his usual 21, miss the second and third day of the Shakedown Test. Two crucial days were lost on the bike for the fastest rookie at the Jerez Test, but ending the Mandalika Test as the second best rookie and 0.8s from the fastest pace was more than promising.

Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team):

Darryn Binder grabbed the headlines when WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team confirmed the South African would be making the colossal jump from Moto3™ to the premier class. A lightweight class title charge went astray in 2021 for Binder as a rookie named Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took the world by storm, but Binder had a solid year. His height and weight caused him problems in Moto3™, and it’s fair to say that he’s had a good start to life as a MotoGP™ rider.

A day in the life of a rookie: Darryn Binder in Sepang

Having the experience of Andrea Dovizioso beside him in the box should be like gold dust for Binder, who was less than two seconds down on the quickest time in Mandalika. It will be a fascinating watch to see how Binder gets on.

Sunday evening at the Lusail International Circuit will be the biggest race of the MotoGP™ rookies’ lives, as their premier class adventures begin. Who are you backing to be the 2022 Rookie of the Year? Follow the battle live and OnDemand with VideoPass so you don’t miss any of the action.

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Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here