Honda transition for Reed ahead of Monster Energy Cup
Section: Competition
Australian likely to pilot CRF450R at S-X Open Auckland and AUS-X Open Melbourne.
Image: Supplied.
Australian fan-favourite Chad Reed will transition to a privateer Honda CRF450R this weekend at the Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas, according to his wife Ellie.
The two-time Monster Energy AMA Supercross champion’s partner briefly shared details in a social media post, revealing the number 22’s ride for Saturday’s event.
Reed, who was a member of the JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing squad this season, indicated last month that the manufacturer he rides at the Monster Energy Cup will likely be his set-up for an array of off-season races, including Paris Supercross, S-X Open Auckland and AUS-X Open Melbourne.
While Reed was initially tipped to remain at JGRMX, it’s understood that potential deal deteriorated since the supercross season concluded. The squad recently halted testing as it continues to work through the final year of its contract with Suzuki, however they’ve resumed riding with only Alex Martin signed for 2020 at this stage.
The New South Welshman last raced a Honda in 2013, where he raced a factory-supported CRF450R under his own TwoTwo Motorsports outfit.
The busiest three-weeks of the MotoGP season is upon us as the championship begins a trio of races starting with the Motul Grand Prix of Japan at Twin Ring Motegi this weekend before heading to Australia and Malaysia to complete the quick-fire Pacific Rim tour.
Situated between the towns of Mito and Utsunomiya in the northern Kantō region of the Haga District within the Tochigi Prefecture, the Twin Ring Motegi circuit is a purpose-built motorsport venue featuring the road circuit, an oval track, safety and riding school, dirt track, go-karts and the impressive Honda Collection Hall.
Motegi quite often requires the use of wets….
The circuit’s position in this area is surrounded by dense woodland and its location can mean it is susceptible to fog, mist and wet weather.
Last time out Marc Marquez won the race and Championship. The celebrations have doubtless been continuing for the now eight-time World Champion since the paddock packed up and left Buriram. But despite that title fight being over, the season is far from it and the first of the four remaining races of the year sees us head for the hard-braking home race for so many manufacturers in the paddock – with plenty of pride on the line.
Marquez topped the Thai podium from a close Quartararo and distant Vinales
For Marquez, it’s a chance to race without his mind set quite so much on the maths – and he’ll also surely be chasing pole as Motegi is the last venue on the calendar at which he’s never achieved the feat in the premier class. He’s won here though – twice in MotoGP, once in Moto2 and once in the 125 World Championship – so his record says it’s a surprise he’s not yet started from the front.
Marc Marquez
“It is a special feeling to bring the World Championship home to Honda. In previous years I have been able to win the title there, but now I will be able to visit all of the people in Honda and HRC who helped make 2019 possible behind the scenes. Now it is the time to push for the other titles, there is still the Constructor and Team titles to help Honda win. I am looking forward to racing in Motegi because it is Honda’s home race and the Japanese fans are very special.”
Andrea Dovizioso and Marc Marquez at Motegi in 2017 – Image by AJRN
But there are the team and manufacturer standings to consider, and it’s Honda’s 60th anniversary year of racing in the World Championship as well…so it won’t be a quiet weekend. It will be a milestone for team-mate Jorge Lorenzo too, as he celebrates, or commiserates his 200th premier class Grands Prix… This is a circuit where Lorenzo owns the current lap record and also the fastest ever motorcycle lap recorded at Motegi. The lap record he set at 1m45.350 in 2014, and the fastest ever practice lap benchmark is 1m43.790 from 2015, he set both markers while riding Yamaha machinery.
Jorge Lorenzo
“We head to Japan looking for more after two difficult weekends. Myself and the team have some ideas to try for the bike in Motegi which will hopefully allow us to get back to where we need to be. I have some good memories at the track and it will be special to race in front of the Japanese crowd for the first time as a Honda rider.”
Jorge Lorenzo
Andrea Dovizioso will be hoping to make more of a fight of it at Motegi. The venue has been a good one for the Italian and he is a man who’s been on pole before: the track was where Dovizioso took his first pole in the premier class in 2010, and he did it again in 2014 and 2018.
MotoGP 2017 – Round 15 – Motegi Race Results DOVIZIOSO Andrea 4 ITA 25 Ducati Team 47’14.236 MARQUEZ Marc 93 SPA 20 Repsol Honda Team 0.249 PETRUCCI Danilo 9 ITA 16 Octo Pramac Racing 10.557
Dovizioso also won the 2017 showdown with Marquez in the rain – one of the most stunning duels of recent years, and there have been a few – and he’s been on the podium in the dry.
Motegi 2017 – Image by AJRN
Danilo Petrucci is now fifth overall and only a handful of points off Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) in third and one point behind Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). He’ll want more from Motegi and the final four rounds overall.
That tight fight will certainly be one to keep an eye on. Rins will be pushing to the max to try and get the most from the home weekend for Hamamatsu factory Suzuki, as will rookie team-mate Joan Mir, but Viñales is closing fast on third overall – so gaining back some consistency is also key for Rins.
Alex Rins
Suzuki will also have another machine on track too in Japan in the form of a wildcard for test rider Sylvain Guintoli, so that could aid them in their search for more speed.
Yamaha, meanwhile, have been seriously gaining traction as the latter half of the season goes on, especially Viñales as he chases down a place in the top three overall, and limelight-stealer Fabio Quartararo’s (Petronas Yamaha SRT) shining performances speak for themselves.
Fabio Quartararo
“We’ll keep working in the same way as we have in the past few weeks, and try to challenge for a good position and to aim for the podium. We’re also obviously keeping an eye on the rookie of the year title with Motegi being the first place where it can be won – but there’s no rush on it either! We’ve seen that Marc [Marquez] has been really fast at Motegi in the past, but it’s also a circuit where I was very strong last year, and for sure it’s going to feel great to be able to ride a MotoGP bike there.”
Could Japan witness Fabio Quartararo’s first MotoGP victory….?
The French rookie is now only two points off Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) overall and could conceivably still catch Viñales for top Yamaha.
More pressing, though, is Rookie of the Year – with Quartararo 85 points ahead of Mir as it stands. If he leaves Japan 75 points ahead of the Spaniard, he’s taken the first of what could be a few accolades in 2019.
The Independent Team rider standings are another key battlefield. Quartararo has now got a nice buffer back to Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) in the fight for top Independent Team rider, but Miller will be pushing and so will Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol).
Jack Miller will be out to make amends for his start-line mistake in Thailand
Crutchlow is on Honda turf and will want to bounce back after an issue in Thailand…although the pressure will likely more be on the other side of the garage and home hero Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu), who recently inked a contract extension with HRC for the 2020 MotoGP World Championship.
Now in his second year aboard the RC213V Takaaki Nakagami has demonstrated consistent improvements in his riding and results in the premier class in 2019. With eight top-ten finishes and a best result of fifth at the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello so far, the Japanese rider has already amassed more than double the points he scored in his rookie campaign.
After his home race in Motegi, Nakagami will undergo an operation on his right shoulder to resolve an injury that has troubled him throughout the season. The nature of the operation warrants an extensive recovery period, forcing the Japanese rider to prematurely end his 2019 season. By performing the operation now, Nakagami is aiming to be fully fit for the first test of the 2020 season in Sepang on February 7th.
Takaaki Nakagami
“First of all I am delighted to stay with Honda and the LCR Honda IDEMITSU Team. I have been able to improve a lot this year and Honda have shown me great support and given me a very strong package. I am sure together we can continue this in 2020. About the injury, after the crash I had in Assen during the race I found myself in some pain and lacking a bit of strength in my right shoulder. I went to visit Doctor Mir twice in Barcelona, and more recently I had an appointment with Doctor Hiroyuki Sugaya at Funabashi Orthopedic Surgical Hospital in Tokyo to fully understand the situation. While I have been able to ride with the injury, it has not been ideal, so we made the difficult decision alongside Honda and the LCR Honda IDEMITSU Team to have this operation in Japan straight after my home race”.
Takaaki Nakagami and Miguel Oliveira in action at the Red Bull Ring
Rumour suggests that KTM exile Johann Zarco might be on the LCR Honda in Australia while Nakagami undergoes surgery…
Those riders still on KTM machinery will be looking to make an impact on the Japanese tarmac with their Austrian machines.
Hervé Poncharal – Red Bull KTM Tech3 Team Manager
“Right now, the bike is improving a lot, Miguel’s feeling with it is more and more positive race after race. The main struggle we have is not technical, it’s physical, because clearly since the Silverstone incident, Miguel has been suffering with the shoulder. There are some circuits where the pain is less than others, but obviously in Thailand that didn’t help the last third of the race. We believe, of course that two weeks will be helping further recovery. It is a circuit, that suits quite well both, the KTM and Miguel’s riding style, I believe. We are just keen to be there. We hope we have stable weather, because Motegi in October is not always easy. Clearly, it will be cooler than what we experienced in the previous round in Thailand. More than that, Japan is the country of the biggest motorcycle manufacturers in the world and if there is a place you want to shine, this is Japan. The team is coming after a few days off, hopefully everybody will be in a good mood after having a rest. Most of them have been spending their off-week in Asia and everybody is ready to start working on Wednesday. After hearing about the huge typhoon last weekend, I really hope that all the people in Japan are healthy and that all the facilities are ok, so we can have a fantastic Grand Prix in Motegi as every year.”
KTM RC16 MotoGP
So many narratives make up a MotoGP season, and we may well be reading the first epilogue of the riders’ Championship but we’re far from the end of the story overall. Teams, constructors, rookies, Independent Team riders; milestones, records and more remain just around the corner in the final four rounds of the season.
Braking performance is key to a good lap-time at Motegi
Talking Tyres
Piero Taramasso – Michelin
“This is the second of the four flyaway races and the first of the three-week tour around the Pacific Ocean. This is always a demanding time for logistics and for the different circuits we face. Motegi is a track that demands stability from the front as the riders brake hard into many turns, especially ones such as ’90-degree Corner’, but then they also need the grip from the rear to get the power down to accelerate from these slower corners. We select compounds which we know will meet these requirements and give all the riders the confidence they need to push hard into these corners, while still having total control of their machines. Motegi can also be wet, but after what happened there in 2017, we know how well the rain tyres work, so have no worries about those giving top performance for all.”
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship title fight will do down to the wire this weekend as protagonists Scott Redding, Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell battle it out for the final time in 2019 in their quest to be crowned champion at Brands Hatch.
We spoke to Josh Brookes overnight about the weekend ahead. The Australian trails Be Wiser Ducati team-mate Scott Redding by 28-points heading into this weekend triple-header.
Josh Brookes
“Under normal circumstances a second and a third at Donington in British Superbike would be a good achievement, but when the championship leader gets two wins then that makes that performance not so good after all, and that’s the reality that I am facing at the moment.
Josh Brookes did the double at Brands Hatch earlier in the year
“The championship points are well favoured towards Scott, mathematically the championship is always a possibility until the end, or until the numbers rule it out, but I will go into this weekend with the most optimism I can and try as hard as I can to get the results, but it’s diffifcult to think that Scott is going to offer a poor performance.
Brookes leading Redding at Donington earlier this month
“I am standing here in poor weather at the moment, it is drizzling rain, the last round is often affected by weather here so we never know what can happen.
Josh Brookes
“All I have to do is focus on the best results I can, rather than thinking I have to finish a certain place etc. so that almost probably takes the pressure off me a little. I have to just go out and win, that is all I can do. Then how Scott goes out and plays it will decide the final results.
Josh Brookes
“Every year I have been in BSB I have given 100 per cent and irrespective of the outcome I am proud of what I have achieved this year.”
Josh Brookes did the double at Brands Hatch earlier in the year
BSB 2019 so far…
After 24 races there have been seven winners and 12 different podium finishers, but it comes down to three champion elects ahead of the final three races of the 2019 season on the Grand Prix circuit.
Scott Redding heads the standings coming into the crucial decider and the former MotoGP contender willl attempt to claim the title in his debut season to make Bennetts BSB history. The 26-year-old has delivered an incredible performance so far in the Showdown, to return to Kent with a 28-point advantage over his Be Wiser Ducati teammate.
Josh Brookes and Scott Redding – Image by David Yeomans
Scott Redding
“This year has been really good; I have enjoyed the championship and the racing has been great and now we have just got Brands Hatch to try and finish the job! I feel like I have been the strongest rider in the Showdown so far but I have been building all season for this. The results at Brands Hatch earlier in the year doesn’t show how strong we really were there and the pace that we had; I took a gamble on the tyre choice in race one and then had a podium in race two and we had pole position. I think some people think that it might not be the best track for me and I might not be as strong there, but when people doubt me I want it even more. I am really calm now and with how I am and what we can do at Brands Hatch. I get even more motivation from the energy and the big support that I get from the fans and I think there is going to be a big atmosphere next weekend.
Scott Redding, Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell were top performers at Donington – Image by David Yeomans
“I am definitely in a prime position; I didn’t start the season saying what I could do and I have just been working hard and building up so that we were strong for the Showdown. I am getting stronger and more confident. I wanted to build throughout the year and now it’s the time.”
On the opposite side of the garage, Josh Brookes is ready to take the title fight all the way to the line. The 2015 champion was unstoppable at the Grand Prix circuit earlier in the season, claiming a double win, making him the most successful rider at Brands Hatch currently on the grid.
Josh Brookes – Image by David Yeomans
However, the pair also have a determined Tommy Bridewell ready to spoil their title celebrations, and the Oxford Racing Ducati rider thrives on his underdog status as he aims for his first championship victory, having finished third in the series back in 2014.
The title contenders are firmly focused on claiming the maximum 75 points available. However, they will face tough competition for the final honours of the 2019 season with the closest opposition coming from Danny Buchan, Tarran Mackenzie and Peter Hickman who currently lock out the remaining positions in the top six.
Tommy Bridewell – Image by David Yeomans
Australian Jason O’Halloran heads south to Kent for the season finale sitting ninth in the standings, a single point ahead of Christian Iddon, and with Andrew Irwin and Xavi Fores within striking distance given a strong enough end of season result. After admitting to struggling for feel and grip which resulted in poor 11-10 results at the previous Donington Park round, O’Halloran will be keen to finish the season strong. He will have three bites of the cherry, as there is an extra race on the usual double header programme, with 75 points up for grabs; if he could record three strong results it could move him up the finishing order in this year’s championship standings.
Jason O’Halloran – Image by David Yeomans
Jason O’Halloran
“That was one of the more difficult weekends. We struggled all weekend. Friday was wet, Saturday was dry and both races today were dry. We generally struggled to find a feeling. I struggled for grip in the first race and in one of the biggest surprises; I really struggled on new tyres. I got stronger towards the end once the tyre went away and did my fastest lap on the last lap of the race which is a bit backwards. Race two was better but I struggled with wheelies on the stop start corners, I’m having to use the rear brake so much we’re just getting beat on the straights. We need to see what we can do to improve it to see if we can finish the year off good.”
BMW Motorrad Heritage collection announced for 2020
BMW Motorrad have announced they will be expanding their involvement in the Heritage segment and launching its own Ride & Style” collection on the market for the first time in 2020. The BMW Motorrad Heritage Collection 2020 features a wide range of new items, from leather jackets to denim outfits, as well as motorcycle gloves and signature boots. This move is no doubt timed to coincide with and capitalise on BMW’s new entries into the cruiser market.
2020 BMW Motorrad Heritage collection
Inspired by timeless classics and BMW Motorrad icons and details, the new Heritage Collection aims to combine traditional style with the best of what contemporary and authentic motorcycle lifestyle clothing has to offer. All the materials and textiles used will also be robust and long-lasting and fulfil the highest standards of safety and functionality, as riders have come to expect from BMW gear.
2020 BMW Motorrad Heritage collection
The famous colour identity of the early classic motorcycles – bold black metal parts adorned with the fine white decorative lines, the so-called Twin Stripes – will be heavily reflected throughout the entire collection. The original branding and the BMW metal emblem are also incorporated in the design. The copper-coloured details and visual accents displayed in these garments hark back to the materials used in classic BMW motorcycles. The new collection celebrates the history of BMW Motorrad and its longlasting passion for motorcycling.
2020 BMW Motorrad Heritage collection
The history of BMW Motorrad dates back to 1923, while the first BMW motorcycle to go into production was the R32 – naturally equipped with an air-cooled, two-cylinder flat-twin boxer engine. Fast forward to 1978 and BMW Motorrad became a pioneer in a completely new area, as one of the first serial-production manufacturers in the world to introduce its own rider equipment range.
2020 BMW Motorrad Heritage collection
The Heritage segment was established with the market launch of the BMW R nineT in 2014 and has since become an important segment of the BMW Motorrad brand. In the coming year, the segment is set to expand into fully new dimensions. BMW Motorrad has also announced the launch of a serial-production motorcycle for the second half of 2020, which will mark its entry into the Cruiser segment.
2020 BMW Motorrad Heritage collection
The BMW Motorrad Heritage Collection will be available from January 2020. In addition to this collection, all other new BMW Motorrad Rider Equipment products will be presented, as always, at the EICMA 2019 motorshow in Milan.
Pick up a 2019 V-Strom 1000XT with $3k of luggage for $17,990 R/A
For a limited time, riders can ride away on a new MY19 V-Strom 1000XT adventure tourer equipped with the newly released Genuine Suzuki three-piece aluminium luggage system worth over $3,000 for $17,990. That’s the normal ride-away price of the 1000XT!
2019 V-Strom 1000XT
The bonus luggage set consists of a robust 38L waterproof top case, constructed from 1.5mm aluminium and powder coated black to protect against oxidation and abrasion whilst being easy to clean. Additional protection is offered by glass-fibre reinforced plastic covers at each corner top and bottom, the lid also features four large tie-down points integrated into the design.
The top case is accompanied by a set of tough 37L quick-release, waterproof side cases. As a matching system, many features are shared across all three pieces including construction material, black powder coated finish, plastic corner covers and integrated tie-down points. The side case lids are also completely removable via a quick release fastener system for superior access and cleaning.
Combined the bonus luggage set offers users 112L of usable storage. All three pieces and mounting points are lockable by key and can be quickly removed from the model specific bracketry. Available now from Suzuki Motorcycles dealerships for a manufacturer’s suggested price of $17,990 Ride Away including 12-months registration and fitment of the bonus aluminium luggage set.
2019 V-Strom 1000XT
2019 Suzuki V-Strom 1000XT
The pearl in the V-Strom 1000’s crown is the versatile 1037cc 90-degree V-twin engine. The rider-friendly nature of the big V-twin is tuned to deliver a thick layer of torque (101Nm) from as low as 4000rpm.
The XT Cross-Touring model features wire-spoked wheels and tapered handlebars as standard. The MY19 iteration sports three new colour schemes: Champion Yellow No.2, Pearl Blue/Pearl Glacier White & Glass Sparkle Black.
Suzuki’s advanced traction control system proves sometimes simple is better, featuring two modes of assistance; Mode 1 has the least amount of intervention allowing for a certain degree of rear wheelspin to not get in the way of spirited riding. Mode 2 has a higher level of intervention, applied at an instant controlling and preventing the slightest amount of spin, particularly effective in supporting the rider in situations such as rain or on slippery road surfaces. The system can also be turned off altogether.
The Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS) acts as a slipper clutch system when changing down rapidly, while always providing light use at the lever. Suzuki’s Low RPM assist system has been installed, freeing the rider from unexpected engine stalls. This system will automatically raises the idle speed when engaging the clutch or when riding at low rpms, preventing sudden engine stalling.
Braking duties are taken care of by radial mounted four piston mono-block Tokico brake calipers and twin 310mm diameter discs up the front, and a 260mm diameter single disc with a single piston caliper on the rear, providing strong and controllable braking performance.
The Bosch ABS “Motion Track Brake System” employs a five-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and by combining data regarding the posture of the motorcycle with the front and rear wheel speeds, have made it possible for the ABS to activate not only in a straight line braking but also when the motorcycle is cornering.
This new sophisticated system instantly assesses the need for ABS intervention when the lever or pedal is operated by calculating the angle of the motorcycle versus the wheel speeds. The intelligent unit controls the increase/decrease in braking pressure at an advanced level matching it to the level of traction available.
Also a new feature is the Combination Brake system which automatically activates the rear brake in an effort to stabilise the motorcycle when the front brake pressure rises above a certain threshold.
The exterior design draws inspiration from the DR-Z800 raced by Gaston Rahier in the Dakar rally and the production DR-BIG model that followed. Developed through extensive wind-tunnel testing the windscreen is 49mm taller than the previous version for increased rider comfort and protection whilst significantly reducing wind buffering. Three pre-set height options are available, the windscreen is set at its lowest position from standard and can be lifted by either 15mm or 30mm according to rider preference.
Suzuki’s ratchet-gear mechanism allows the rider to easily choose from three windscreen angles. No tools are required and the desired position can be achieved by simply pushing the windscreen out by hand, even with riding gloves on.
A double stich seat provides luxurious comfort for both the rider and passenger. The revised shape is now slimmer at the front for increased rider clearance combined with the low seat height making it easier for riders to reach the ground. The sides of the seat provide a high level of grip thanks to using the same materials as from the competition RM-Z motocross range.
19 inch front and 17 inch rear wheels provide balance, stability and nimbleness to effectively cope with all riding situations. The V-Strom 1000XT features tubeless wire-spoke wheels. Wire-spoked aluminium-alloy rims absorb shock effectively at low speeds to promote friendly handling character.
Black-anodized 43mm inverted front forks and a dial-adjustable rear shock help to ensure great road holding and a smooth, comfortable ride even with a passenger and a full complement of luggage. Both front and rear suspension systems are fully adjustable enabling the rider to maximise performance in any situation.
The V-Strom 1000XT is built on a slim, twin-spar aluminium-alloy frame, providing a smooth ride, and a sporty riding experience when pushed hard. The aluminium swingarm provides a high level of straight-line and cornering stability. The chassis has been designed to perform regardless whether it’s fully loaded with luggage and/or pillion or solo.
The instruments include an analogue tachometer and a brightness-adjustable LCD speedometer. The LCD readouts include an odometer, dual trip meters, the gear position, the coolant and ambient temperatures, the voltage, the riding range, the average fuel consumption, the instantaneous fuel consumption, the traction control mode, a fuel gauge and a clock.
A convenient 12V DC outlet is located below the instrument panel and is ideal for powering GPS units or charging mobile devices.
The Constructors Championship looks very likely to again go Honda’s way, with the Japanese factory 77 points clear of Ducati. However, in the chase for the Team title, Repsol Honda Team currently sit second, 19 points adrift of Andrea Dovizioso, Danilo Petrucci and the Ducati Team.
National Cycle VStream windscreens for the Honda Africa Twin, available in three sizes (left to right): Sport, Sport/Tour and Touring.
National Cycle now offers its VStream windscreens for the popular Honda Africa Twin. VStream screens’ patented “V” shape and advanced dimensional contouring reduce wind noise, create less turbulence and offer superior strength compared to the stock windscreen. The VStream is available in three heights, Sport (17 ¼ in. tall, dark tint, $149.95), Sport/Tour (20 ¼ in. tall, light tint, $159.95) and Touring (23 in. tall, clear, $174.95), to suit any riding style, and they all utilize the bike’s existing hardware for easy installation.
The configuration of six left- and eight right-hand turns places specific demands on the front tyre, with good braking stability and warm-up performance being two important requirements. As a result, MotoGP™ teams will the following on offer to them throughout the weekend: front tyres in the soft, medium and hard compounds, all symmetric, whilst the rears will have a harder right-hand shoulder to give an asymmetric finish.
Afridza Munandar, meanwhile, is now 20 points down but if Buriram proved anything, it proved how quickly things can change. The Indonesian rider had some bad luck to be crashed out of Race 1 but bounced back to take the podium in Race 2, so he’ll be one to watch. As will Malaysian Syarifuddin Azman, who had his best weekend yet by some stretch at Buriram.
Three grands prix in the space of two hectic weeks on the other side of the world in Japan, Australia and Malaysia embracing so very different cultures, contrasting weather and food. Three totally different race tracks in Motegi, Phillip Island and Sepang which so often produced the new World Champion although not this time round.
