There are perhaps few circuits on the calendar where a tow is more important than Mugello, particularly in the lightweight class, and that was how John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) put himself in top spot in the early stages of Q2 with a 1:57.299. Foggia, on the other hand, was having to punch his own hole in the air, although he managed to go second-fastest in the last few minutes with a 1:57.367.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Flexbox HP40’s Aron Canet is the Moto2™ pace-setter after a dramatic FP3 at the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, but some big names will have to go into Q1. Canet, who had been third-fastest in Friday practice at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, jumped to the top with a 1:51.761 late in the third session of the weekend. He finished just hundredths of a second ahead of the Red Bull KTM Ajo duo of Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez, who clocked a 1:51.820 and 1:51.828 respectively, while Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) took fourth on a 1:51.864.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
It’s been about seven years since I started riding motorcycles. Those seven years have been some of the most transformative of my life—sappy, maybe, but true. Now, instead of going on about the freedom I’ve experienced and the fun I’ve had, I’m going to help you experience it all yourself.
From cruisers to adventure bikes, a wide variety of streetbikes are appropriate new motorcycles for the female beginner rider, priced in a range that’s easy to swallow.
Royal Enfield Meteor 350
Related: How to Buy a Motorcycle Online
The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 was introduced in 2021. When I first rode it, I was smitten by its classic cruiser charm. Its 349cc single-cylinder engine is quite mellow, with only 17.4 hp and 18.2 pound-feet of torque as measured on our dyno, but that’s great for beginners who don’t want twisting the throttle to be a frightening experience. The seat height is low at 30.1 inches, and the wide cushion is comfortable. There’s also a navigation cluster for riders who want just a few modern amenities. Multiple trim levels are available depending on how much of a touring bike you want. MSRPs for 2022 models start at $4,649 and go up to $4,799.
Honda Rebel 300/500
No list of beginner motorcycles is complete without the Honda Rebel. The Rebel has been around for decades in its many forms, introducing countless motorcyclists to the sport, and with good reason. The Rebel 300 and 500 have low seat heights at a claimed 27.2 inches, approachable engines with nonthreatening power delivery suitable for rider growth, and low centers of gravity that make the bikes easy to handle. Plus, they have Honda reliability. For 2022, the 300 slots in with an MSRP of $4,699 and the 500 comes in with an MSRP of $6,399.
Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS or Z400
Related: 3 Tips for Buying Your First Motorcycle
Looking for something more sporty? The Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS, and its naked sibling the Z400, are great fun on the track yet still comfortable enough to be daily commuters. These bikes feature a zippy, compact 399cc parallel twin for a spirited ride. While the seat height is naturally taller than a cruiser at 30.9 inches, these light sportbikes handle extremely well. Pricing is also beginner-friendly, with both models starting at $5,199.
Yamaha YZF-R3
Yamaha’s YZF-R3 is another pinnacle of the small-displacement sportbike category. An aggressive riding position, sporty handling, manageable 321cc twin-cylinder engine, and superbike styling (see the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP or World GP 60th Anniversary editions especially) make this bike a top contender in the sporting small-displacement category. Since racing is in its blood, it’s a blast on the track. A trackday on this bike is recommended; not only is it a rip-roaring good time, but the skills developed will be helpful in street riding, and it’s nice to learn them without the worry of traffic. The bike’s price is as competitive as its DNA at $5,299.
Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 or Vitpilen 401
The twin arrows of Husqvarna. No, it’s not some awesome Scandinavian fantasy book. Arrows are the namesake of Husqvarna’s Svartpilen 401 (Black Arrow) and Vitpilen 401 (White Arrow). These bikes, and their 501 and 701 counterparts, took the industry by storm with their futuristic looks when they were introduced in 2018. They’re powered by 373cc single-cylinder engines and two flavors of style; whereas the Svartpilen takes a slightly more upright scrambler approach, the Vitpilen has cafe style with low-slung handlebars. Both have a price tag of $5,399.
KTM 390 Duke
Related: Best Full-Size Motorcycles For Beginning Riders
The KTM 390 Duke is a sharp-handling and spunky small-displacement motorcycle descended from the 790 Duke (now the 890 Duke) and of course the 1290 Super Duke. Because it’s lightweight and compact with its 373cc single, it’s not intimidating to ride, and is great fun for riders of all skill levels. Tapping into Supermoto ride mode, for instance, allows the rider to unleash the fun just that much more. The Duke is priced at $5,799.
Kawasaki Versys-X 300
You’d be hard-pressed to stick to your commute and not veer off on the scenic route when aboard the Kawasaki Versys-X300. Thanks to its windscreen and upright riding style, you’ll be sitting comfortably. The bike is powered by a peppy two-cylinder 296cc engine; a slipper clutch makes clutch action fatigue-free. The Versys-X is also ready for accessorization with hard cases, hand guards, auxiliary lights, and all sorts of equipment. It is priced at $6,099.
KTM 390 Adventure
Take the 390 Duke and adventure-fy it and you have the KTM 390 Adventure. The 373cc single-cylinder is surrounded by adventure bike styling, from the beaky front headlight to five-spoke wheels carrying knobby Continental TKC 70 tires. The Adventure features an off-road ride mode as well as off-road ABS and lean-angle-sensitive traction control. Admission to KTM’s program of dirt-road and trail entertainment is another $1,000 tacked on to the 390 Duke’s price, for an MSRP of $6,799.
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
The Ducati Lenovo Team’s Francesco Bagnaia has set the fastest lap time in MotoGP™ FP3 at the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, bouncing back from an early crash in emphatic fashion. The Italian blasted to a 1:45.393 with 10 minutes to go at a sunny Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, and enjoyed a margin of 0.276 seconds over the field once the session was done. Friday fast man Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) was next-best, booking his place in Q2, but eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) will be going into Q1.
‘Pecco’ was certainly not the only Ducati rider who had a rough start to Saturday morning, with team-mate Jack Miller forced to hitch a ride back to the paddock after an early technical failure, Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) running off into the gravel at San Donato (Turn 1), and later Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) taking a tumble at Scarperia (Turn 10). By the time the music stopped, however, the top seven featured six of the nine Desmosedicis in the field, with one bike from fellow Italian manufacturer Aprilia among them.
Bagnaia had tucked the front and crashed at Correntaio (Turn 12) just over 10 minutes in, but that was only a temporary hindrance before he set the quickest time of the weekend so far. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) got as high as second on the timing screen with a 1:45.762, and was third all-told after Aleix Espargaro rode his RS-GP to a 1:45.669 in the final minutes. Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) claimed fourth with a 1:45.767, ahead of Bezzecchi on a 1:45.853. Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) took sixth on a 1:45.860, before a crash at Bucine (Turn 15) with the chequered flag out, while Martin dusted himself off after his spill to earn seventh with a 1:45.879.
After seven Italian motorcycles came three from Japan. The Repsol Honda Team’s Pol Espargaro was eighth-quickest on a 1:45.880 and satellite counterpart Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) clocked a 1:45.999. World Championship leader Fabio Quartararo had a battle on his hands to secure an automatic Q2 berth, but the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) rider did just enough with a 1:46.032.
With so many top 10 aspirants, clearly some were going to be disappointed, and the biggest disappointment might have been felt by Marc Marquez. The Spaniard was a full 1.184 seconds off the pace set by Bagnaia, and 0.545 seconds slower than the lap time which Quartararo set to get into Q2. Both of the Team Suzuki Ecstar entries will be going into Q1, with Alex Rins 12th in FP3 and Joan Mir 16th, while Miller was arguably the biggest surprise of the three Ducati riders who failed to get into the top 10. He headed back out on his second bike after having to park his first, but the Ducati Lenovo Team pilot could only improve to a 1:46.169 which left the Australian 15th.
Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team) is under investigation by stewards after he also crashed at Bucine where Bastianini had gone down shortly prior. The South African is 25th on the combined timesheet after FP3.
The MotoGP™ action resumes when FP4 gets underway later on Saturday at 13:30 (GMT +2).
MotoGP™ Top 10:
1. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1:45.393
2. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) + 0.276
3. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) + 0.369
4. Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) + 0.374
5. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) + 0.460
6. Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) + 0.467
7. Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) + 0.486
8. Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) + 0.487
9. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) + 0.606
10. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) + 0.639
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
With the rain holding off for now, there was plenty of the usual movement on the timing screen right at the very end of proceedings. Three other riders got into the 1:56s, all with their final lap of the session, those being Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) on a 1:56.793, Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) with a 1:56.902 which rescued a berth in Q2, and World Championship leader Sergio Garcia (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) on a 1:56.966. The rest of the top 10 was Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI), Izan Guevara (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team), Riccardo Rossi (Sic58 Squadra Corse), Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo), John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max), and Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing).
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team), Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team), and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), are the subject of talks with the house of orange about saddling up on an RC16 in the 2023 MotoGP™ season. However, with Brad Binder already contracted until the end of 2024, there are as many as four riders, Oliveira included, who have their eyes on the other, as yet unspoken for seat at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
1st Trast73, 38 points
2nd AndreaSaveri11, 36 points -2
3rd Adriaan_26, 32 points -6
4th PieroRicciuti55, 28 points -10
5th Jack Hammer4658, 27 points -11
6th Cristianmm17, 24 points -14
7th Vindex813, 20 points -18
8th Sbadalongo, 17 points -21
9th MrTftw, 15 points -23
10th DarkBright, 13 points -25
11th Davidegallina23, 10 points -28
12th TateeGo, 8 points -30
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Aegerter was not willing to settle, either, clocking a 1:59.205 next time around which moved him to 0.268 seconds clear of Zannoni. Beyond that, the margins were close, with Casadei 0.062 seconds away from second place, and Eric Granado (LCTR E-Team) missing the front row by only 0.002 seconds. A winner of both races at Jerez just a few weeks ago, Granado is set to line up in fourth for the two Mugello encounters, with Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) fifth and Q1 graduate Kevin Manfredi (Octo Pramac MotoE™) sixth.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
However, the Indonesian GP winner would set the very fastest lap of FP2, a 1:52.350 which puts him fourth overall. World Championship leader Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 racing Team) is also into Q2 for now, with the 12th-fastest time of the day, and fellow heavy-hitter Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) is three positions better off on the timesheet. However, Chantra’s Idemitsu Honda Team Asia team-mate Ai Ogura is on the outside looking in, with P17 against his name.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
When the time attacks came in the final minutes, Bagnaia punched out a 1:45.940 to go to the very top, with Miller following him across the line to set a 1:46.313, and Zarco also in tow as he rolled out a 1:46.349. They were first, second, and third, with more Ducati riders also in fourth, fifth and sixth, but Espargaro had other ideas – he moved the marker to a 1:45.891 in the final three minutes, thanks in part to a slipstream from team-mate Maverick Viñales.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here