After two positive tests aboard a Honda CBR600RR at the MotorLand Aragon circuit on August 31st and September 2nd, Marquez has gained valuable knowledge on the condition of his arm. With the information gained and satisfied with the progress of his right humerus, Marquez will now travel to the San Marino GP with the intention of testing his physical condition further on his Honda RC213V during the test.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Leopard Racing’s Dennis Foggia has marked himself as an early favourite in Moto3™ at the Gran Premio Gryfyn di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini after prevailing by a margin of 0.382 seconds in FP2. ‘The Rocket’ lived up to his nickname by setting a 1:41.608 around the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli when no one else could go any better than a 1:41.990. That was Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max’s Ayumu Sasaki, the race winner a fortnight ago at the Red Bull Ring, while Tatsuki Suzuki was a full 0.546 seconds off the pace after the second Friday session on the other Leopard Racing Honda.
Foggia had been the pace-setter by a smaller margin in FP1 on a 1:42.442 and he was first to improve that benchmark when he clocked back-to-back 1:42.361 and 1:42.323 with around a quarter of an hour to go in FP2. Suzuki soon made it a Leopard one-two when he set a 1:42.349, before Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) joined the top three on a 1:42.467.
With less than three minutes remaining before the chequered flag, Sasaki went quickest on a 1:41.990 and World Championship leader Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) jumped from 24th to second-fastest on a 1:42.158. However, Foggia hit back with his 1:41.608, following Suzuki across the stripe. Behind that top three of Foggia, Sasaki, and Suzuki is Garcia and another rider who was outside the top 14 Q2 cut-off for much of the session in John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max), who lapped as quickly as a 1:42.278.
Sixth and seventh went to MT Helmets – MSI team-mates Diogo Moreira and Ryusei Yamanaka, while Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) shook off pain from a highside in FP1 to claim eighth at 0.818 seconds off the pace. Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) and Öncü rounded out the top 10, with David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) last of those within one second of Foggia’s pace. The latter had regrouped from an early spill at Tramonto (Turn 10), while Lorenzo Fellon (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) also went down during the session.
The fight for Q2 places resumes on Saturday with FP3 from 09:00 (GMT +2) – tune in then!
Moto3™ Top 10 on Friday:
1. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) – 1:41.608
2. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) + 0.382
3. Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) + 0.546
4. Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.550
5. John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) + 0.670
6. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) + 0.755
7. Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) + 0.761
8. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.818
9. Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.858
10. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) + 0.859
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “The Global MotoGP™ Fan Survey, undertaken in partnership with Motorsport Network, has been true to its name with over 109,000 fans from 179 countries investing their time. We couldn’t be more proud of that response, nor of many of the answers they’ve given. We have a truly global and passionate fanbase. Put simply, we asked and our fans delivered.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
After a briefing with the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards on Friday morning after MotoGP™ FP1, title-chasing Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the Gran Premio Gryfyn di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Close to the city of Rimini, the Misano Adriático circuit was constructed in 1972 and has since undergone an array of modifications. A regular scene for Italian Grands Prix throughout the 80s and early 90s, Misano returned to the MotoGP calendar in 2007. With updated facilities, track and grandstands, the Misano Adriatico holds a maximum capacity of 60,000 spectators. In accordance with MotoGP safety regulations, the 4.2km track runs clockwise for the World Championship races.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Royal Enfield’s current focus on producing bikes for its home and emerging markets is eloquently expressed by the Indian manufacturing giant’s new Hunter 350.
The Hunter 350 is specifically designed to excel in the cut and thrust of the world’s largest and most congested megalopolises. It’s nimble, cheap to run, and propelled by an unburstable air-cooled single-cylinder engine that gives the bike just enough gumption to keep ahead of the scooter hordes when the lights turn green.
But there’s more to the Hunter than practicality. At just 399 pounds, it’s 22 pounds lighter and has a shorter wheelbase and sharper geometry than its 350 siblings. Its 17-inch wheels, a first for Enfield, help give it a welcome sporting edge in the urban context. With more than 80 percent of the manufacturer’s sales now coming from India itself, its modern styling is clearly aimed at a younger audience too.
The air-cooled SOHC 349cc single is identical to that found in Enfield’s Classic 350 and Meteor 350, producing a gentle 20.2 hp at 6,100 rpm and 19.9 lb.-ft. torque at 4,000 rpm. The fuel injection has been tweaked to improve throttle response; Enfield quotes a top speed of 71 mph. As you might expect, there are no electronic riding modes or rider aids.
There’s no hiding the fact the SOHC two-valve 350 is as basic as they come. But in Thailand’s seething capital of Bangkok, Enfield’s carefully selected location for its first test, the Hunter excelled. It was punchy enough to surge ahead of the traffic, chassis perfectly balanced at low speeds, a breeze to steer through the gridlocked cars and taxis.
The fueling is soft and easy, the gearbox positive while feeling robust, and even during a 62-mile night ride, I never for a moment wanted any more power or performance. An indicated 75 mph was achievable when I tucked in tight, though only when the going was flat and there was no headwind.
Of course, the traffic usually moves with a little more freedom in the cities of Europe and the USA, and there’s a question mark regarding how well the Hunter will cope in a faster environment. It lacks zip when accelerating from 50 mph, and if you are commuting in and out of the city, it may struggle to stay ahead of the traffic.
Chassis-wise, those new 17-inch wheels are 3.3 pounds (front) and 3.5 pounds (rear) lighter than the rims seen on its stablemates, for a significant saving in unsprung weight. The frame is beefed up, the wheelbase is shorter, and the head angle is more aggressive than its 350 cousins too. Suspension is completely new, with 5.1 inches of travel at the front and 4 inches at the rear, plus preload adjustment on the rear. The footpegs are slightly higher and set back farther, while the CEAT tires have been specifically designed for this model.
All this, plus a low, generous, pillion-friendly seat, makes for a supremely easy bike to ride. The Hunter feels perfectly balanced, agile and relaxed as if the center of mass is held low in the chassis. The steering lock has an extremely tight turning circle that’s perfect for weaving through stationary traffic.
When the streets clear and the pace gets hotter, the Hunter 350 maintains its chilled but sporty attack plan. Specially developed CEAT tires lack feel and side grip when pushed (and the exhaust touches the asphalt a little early), but there’s plenty of fun to be had. The front fork is a little soft, the rear end a little firm; the only adjustment available is rear spring preload. The single disc and twin-piston caliper with dual-channel ABS up front is unintimidating to newer riders and delivers just about all the stoppage the Hunter needs.
In fact, it’s easy to imagine new riders and veterans alike enjoying a gentle ride along a country lane on the Hunter. It is modern in its outlook and poise, but also charming and refreshingly simple; slightly old-fashioned too, if that makes sense. It will also be pleasantly cheap to run. The other 350 models in this Enfield stable regularly average over 83 mpg (US) if ridden sensibly, and Enfield quotes a slightly pessimistic 71 mpg (US) for the Hunter.
There’s no doubt that the Hunter’s ease of use and friendly delivery will make it a favorite with many. Some will understandably turn their nose up at its lack of power and performance, its basic LCD clocks, and ugly switch gear. But swap those CEAT tires for something grippier and the Hunter will make for a rewarding ride, both in the city and along quiet back lanes.
2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Technical Specifications and Price
| PRICE | TBD |
| ENGINE | 349cc, SOHC, air-cooled single-cylinder; 2 valves/cyl. |
| BORE x STROKE | 72.0 x 85.8mm |
| COMPRESSION RATIO | 9.5:1 |
| FUEL DELIVERY | Fuel injection |
| CLUTCH | Wet, multiplate; cable actuation |
| TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE | 5-speed/chain |
| FRAME | Steel downtube spine |
| FRONT SUSPENSION | 41mm telescopic, nonadjustable; 5.1 in. travel |
| REAR SUSPENSION | Twin shocks, preload adjustable; 4.0 in. travel |
| FRONT BRAKES | 2-piston caliper, 300mm disc w/ ABS |
| REAR BRAKE | 1-piston caliper, 270mm disc w/ ABS |
| WHEELS, FRONT/Rear | Cast alloy; 17 x 3 in. / 17 x 4 in. |
| TIRES, FRONT/REAR | CEAT; 110/70-17 / 140/70-17 |
| RAKE/TRAIL | 25.0°/3.7 in. |
| WHEELBASE | 54.0 in. |
| SEAT HEIGHT | 31.5 in. |
| FUEL CAPACITY | 3.4 gal. |
| CLAIMED WET WEIGHT | 399 lb. |
| WARRANTY | 36 months |
| CONTACT | royalenfield.com |
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40) and second in the World Championship Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completed the top five, but it wasn’t the start to the weekend the latter would have wanted. Fernandez crashed unhurt at Turn 1 early in the session but recovered well to finish just 0.244s from Vietti’s pace.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
MotoGP™ World Championship leader Fabio Quartararo has gone quickest in FP1 for the Gran Premio Gryfyn di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, and the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ rider certainly earned his place at the top of the timesheet. On at least three occasions, the Frenchman ran wide through the super-fast Curvone (Turn 11) right-hander, before clocking a 1:32.313 on his last lap to consolidate first position. In the second visit to Italy for the year, it was Italian motorcycles filling the next six positions, with Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) second on a 1:32.537 and Ducati’s test rider, Michele Pirro (Aruba.it Racing), third on a 1:32.693.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team), who is second in the World Championship by a margin of five points, claimed third for the session on a 1:42.665, ahead of Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PruestelGP) and Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI). The rider at the very top of the Championship standings, however, that being Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team), would only be classified 18th on a 1:43.528 after he too had his run-ins with the track limits sensors.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Our guest on Episode 44 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Moshe K. Levy, a motorcycle journalist also known as Moto Mouth Moshe. Moshe is a renaissance man in the motorcycle world. He’s written hundreds of articles and columns for motorcycle magazines, including Rider, American Rider, Motorcycle Consumer News, BMW Owner’s News, On the Level, American Iron, Backroads, and others. Moshe owns and rides all kinds of bikes, everything from mopeds to BMWs to Harley-Davidsons. He restores old mopeds and motorcycles, he tests products, he’s a marketing executive at a technology company, and he’s a family man. We talk to Moshe about his protracted struggle with symptoms of long Covid, which prevented him from riding motorcycles. He found his way back from the abyss on a Honda Trail 125, which he wrote about in the February 2022 issue of Rider (link below). We also talk about how he got started writing for motorcycle magazines, the bikes he has in his garage, and what he loves most about motorcycles.
LINKS: Moto Mouth Moshe website, Moto Mouth Moshe on YouTube, You Meet the Healthiest People on a Honda
You can listen to Episode 43 on iTunes, Spotify, and SoundCloud, or via the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes.
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The post Moshe K. Levy | Ep. 44 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com