Women motorcycle editors and influencers share their Harley experiences
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
Team Suzuki Ecstar field Alex Rins, another man aiming for a consistent challenge at the front this season, and another hotly-tipped rookie in Joan Mir. They also have a test rider present in the form of Sylvain Guintoli, with both the veteran Frenchman and Rins, now a sophomore, adding some continuity to the Hamamatsu factory’s programme as Mir settles into life in the premier class. Suzuki no longer have concessions, however, after an impressive season last year…could that play a role in their 2019? After some more difficult directional decisions for 2017, the factory want to make sure they have another stellar campaign.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
“With any team structure, there will always be changes that need to be made,” began Jarvis. “Of course on the technical side is one of those, but also on the staffing side it’s also important some of the changes we’ll be making this season. In Japan we have seen there is a new organization, a fresh organization, headed by Kouchi Tsuji, we have two people in particular who have joined us. One is Mr Itou who is the General Manager of Motorsports Development Group, he is new this year. And we also see the group leader has changed to Mr Sumi.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Después de un largo invierno con 79 sesiones y 217 horas de recuperación, llega el momento de probarme en el primer Test de Sepang! ✊🏼
After a long winter with 79 sessions and 217 hours recovering my shoulder, it’s time to try myself in the first Test in Sepang! 😃
HRC – Honda Racing Corporation Box_Repsol #MM93 #preseason
Source: Marc Márquez on Facebook
Bridgestone have introduced their new FIM/DOT approved Battlecross E50 Enduro tyres with three sizes currently available in Australia at launch.
The Battlecross E50 is road homologated, can be used in all Enduro competitions, and incorporates Battlecross Motocross technology optimised for real enduro usage. It has shown improvements in all performance areas and on all types of surfaces compared to its predecessor.
Castle block technology offers a flexible tyre response on changing surfaces thanks to an additional edge effect, while the bunker area produces a small amount of extra traction power when the tyre is fully buried in the surface.
The change from a harder tread rubber integrated with the sidewall rubber to an optimised dual compound division and change of the shape and profile at the bottom part of the sidewall by redesigning the rim guard part increase the mounting ease on the side of the track and improve the rim fitting.
The new pattern design also has increased dramatically the edge component of the blocks. +60 % in the front and +120% on the rear. Bridgestone claims this improves both cornering and
traction grip.
Source: MCNews.com.au
Jakub Kornfeil: “It’s my third year in this team and it shows me that they still believe in me and that they like my riding style, my mentality and behaviour. I am honestly happy to continue with this Team. I think we can achieve great results again. We are definitely ready to attack and I am happy to have my crew with me this year, although there has been a change of one mechanic that I would have liked to keep. We will fight strong again. Many fast riders moved out of the Moto3 championship, which could make it easier for us. I feel ready for the season and our target is really high and I hope we constantly make it to the top 5 or even top 3. That’s our goal but we need to make a strong first part of the season, because if you are within the front from the beginning it surely is much easier. I happy to stay with this team because I know the team structure, the feeling, I know the people and the owners well and that’s an important factor for a rider which I know from the past when I was changing teams many times. I am looking forward to continuing with this great team and the people around. I would like to thank everyone for supporting us, may it be materially or financially, I love the Redox PrüstelGP family and I am really looking forward to the 1st of February to unveil our new bikes.”
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
If you’ve ever wanted to buy a classic bike at auction, it might be time to have a go as there are some potential bargains offered at no reserve in a Sydney auction next month.
There are 14 motorcycles available at the annual Shannons Autumn Classic Auction & Rare Number Plates in Sydney on March 4 2019.
The motorcycles span 86 years. The oldest is a rare 1911 Abingdon ‘King Dick’ 500cc solo and the most recent is a limited-edition 1997 Ducati 916 ‘Senna’, number 13 of just 300 built.
However, the most expensive is expected to be a 1953 Vincent Black Shadow.
The numbers-correct bike from a deceased estate could fetch up to $150,000.
It was first registered in the UK in 1953 to Colonel AD McKechnie of Aberdeen.
The Vincent was shipped to Australia in 1965 and was bought by the current owner in 1972 who comprehensively restored it.
The owner was a long-standing member of the Vincent owners club and also a founding member of the Ulysses Club.
Accompanying the bike is a history file documenting UK owners (Roads Act ,1920 Registration book), shipping documents and a receipt file.
The Vincent is in running condition and has been started.
The best deals of the show are probably the “no reserve” bikes.
That means the bikes will be sold regardless of price and it includes the 1911 Abingdon ‘King Dick’ 500cc estimated to fetch $24,000 – $28,000)
Here are the other no-reserve bikes with estimated prices in brackets:
There are only four bikes being auctioned with a reserve.
That means the bikes will not be sold if the final bid is not high enough to satisfy the seller.
You can attend the auction in person, bid online or over the phone.
The best advice we can offer for auction beginners is to go to an auction or two with no plans to buy, only to watch and learn. Even for those who have bought at auction before, there are always things you can learn.
Check out our top 10 tips for buying at auction.
Click here to view all Shannons March 4 Sydney Autumn Auction lots.
The auction also includes many cars and 30 collectible black and white New South Wales Heritage plates.
The ‘271’ plate is expected to top the plate auction at up to $110,000.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Naoya Kaneko, formerly Chief Mechanic to Alex Marquez, takes up the position of Technical Director, whilst taking his place on the number 73 side of the garage will be David Garcia, telemetry engineer for Dani Pedrosa at Repsol Honda up until 2018. Vierge, meanwhile, will benefit from the experience of respected French crew chief Gilles Bigot, who stays with the team after a year spent leading the MotoGP™ project with Tom Luthi.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
German contender equal second in 450SX title fight.
Image: Supplied.
Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen has expressed a sense of relief to exit the initial west coast rounds of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championships in full health.
The talented German suffered a horrific season-ending – and almost career-ending – crash at Anaheim 2 in 2017, while last year his supercross campaign was cut short at San Diego with a hand injury.
Saturday’s fifth stop of the current series at San Diego saw Roczen push through the muddy conditions to earn his third podium of the year, equalling him on points with Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in the championship standings.
“Today was a really weird day,” Roczen reflected. “We didn’t even get on the track until after 5pm and only had the one qualifying practice. I got 12th, which wasn’t great, but the conditions were absolutely brutal. I got off to a pretty good start in the heat race and ended up winning, which was great.
“Going into the main and being able to pick whatever gate I wanted was huge. I got off to such a good start, it was crazy, and actually almost went down in the first turn because it was so slippery but pulled it off; then I actually went down in the second turn, which I was really bummed about.
“In those conditions, you don’t want to be anywhere but in the front. Going back to fourth or so was not what I wanted and just made it harder on me. I thought I was third most of the time but I guess I was second, and then Marvin [Musquin] got by me with just a turn left so I was pretty bummed.
“There was so much craziness going on, you can lose 10 seconds in a lap – or gain it, for that matter. I’m glad to be on the podium and be getting out of here safe. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten out of the West Coast healthy, so I’m happy about that and looking forward to the rest of the season.”
The AMA Supercross series heads to Minneapolis in Minnesota this Saturday for the first east coast round of the championship.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
Yamaha pilot still coming to grips with increased speed of premier class contender.
Image: Russell Colvin.
A personal best lap-time of 1m33.211s at Phillip Island has offered Cru Hallidy a boost of motivation in his return to the premier class in 2019.
The Island’s official Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) test at the weekend presented Halliday with just his second opportunity to ride the larger Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1M since capturing the Supersport crown last year, having previously completed a one-day test at Morgan Park in January.
The New South Welshman displayed promising progress throughout each and every session, recording his fastest lap in the final outing of the weekend to position himself eighth in the times – less than one second off pace-setter Wayne Maxwell (Team Suzuki Ecstar).
“It was pretty good and I wasn’t really sure what to expect down there,” Halliday explained to CycleOnline.com.au. “I rode the bike once at Morgan Park before the official test, but that was mainly tyre testing rather than set-up. Phillip Island is a track I’ve struggled with in the past on a 1000cc, but I came to terms with it on the 600cc.
“So I had confidence coming into the test – I did a PB down there by two tenths, so I’m happy with it. Day one down there was trying to get adjusted to the speed and riding style of the bike – I think I still struggled with that going into day two, and halfway through I got to grips with it.
“The speed difference is 40kph down the first straight – it doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re tipping into turn one it’s a big difference. Every session I went out, I was about three tenths quicker. It’s just stepping stones. We were trying to take minute steps every session, which we did. Overall I’m happy and very confident.”
The opening round of the ASBK is scheduled for 21-24 February at Phillip Island, which will run in conjunction with round one of the FIM Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).
Source: CycleOnline.com.au