News Articles
With Championship contenders Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) and Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) moving up to the Moto2™ class next season, along with Leopard Racing’s Marcos Ramirez, there’s space for plenty of movement. Only six riders have only been officially confirmed so far, with Leopard Racing and VNE Snipers the only two teams to have completed their 2020 lineup.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
“But this year we have taken off from where we left off at the end of last season, and we raised the bar, giving us the objective of winning at least one race. So far we have won two and I would say that it’s because of the great consistency we have. There were steps made with the bike in the first place, and then we improved and refined many technical aspects, and there was also a lot of growth from Rins, who has matured rapidly and is now in his third season in MotoGP. In my opinion he has become a top rider in every way, especially as he is able to fight well at every race.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
In 1919, Indian Motorcycle announced the world’s first Scout motorcycle with the 1920 model year Scout. In celebration of the Scout’s 100th birthday, Indian Motorcycle has created a Scout 100th Anniversary model, limited to 750 produced globally.
“The Indian Scout has stood the test of time as one of the most influential, iconic and recognisable motorcycles in the world,” said Reid Wilson, Vice President for Indian Motorcycle. “100 years is an incredibly special milestone, and it made perfect sense to honour Scout’s history and legacy with these two heritage-inspired 2020 models.”
The special anniversary edition takes styling cues from the original Scout, highlighted by its striking paint scheme of Indian Motorcycle Red with Anniversary Gold trim, and colour-matched Scout 100th Anniversary badge.
The bike’s finishing touches include a Desert Tan Genuine Leather Solo Saddle Seat, Black Wire Wheels, Beach Bars.
A luggage Rack and chrome finishes to complete the heritage-inspired throwback styling.
The “Twenty” in Scout Bobber Twenty also pays homage to the original 1920 Scout, as do several of the bike’s unique features, including wire wheels and a floating saddle.
The 2020 Scout Bobber Twenty delivers a meaner, ‘old school’ bobber style, with improved ergonomics.
Scout Bobber Twenty features an old-school mix of chrome and blacked-out finishes, 10-inch Ape Hanger Handlebars, and comes in three colors: Thunder Black, Sagebrush Smoke and Burnished Metallic.
2020 Scout models will be available in several new colors. The Indian Scout will be available in Thunder Black, White Smoke, Deepwater Metallic, Metallic Jade over Thunder Black and Indian Motorcycle Red over Ivory Cream with Gold Pinstripe.
The Indian Scout Bobber will be available in Thunder Black, Thunder Black Smoke, Deepwater Metallic, Bronze Smoke and White Smoke.
All 2020 Scouts receive key feature upgrades, including floating rotors, new calipers and master cylinders for improved braking performance. All Scout Bobbers will receive new Pirelli MT60RS tires, while the 2020 Scout features a Sport Seat and passenger pegs.
More announcements are expected in the coming weeks for other developments across the Indian range.
Source: MCNews.com.au
Exclusive Yamaha ride day to take place at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Image: Supplied.
Yamaha Motor Australia has announced its Ultimate R-Series Track Day that will take place at Sydney Motorsport Park on 13 October.
The unique experience is exclusively available to owners of any R-series model from the entry-level YZF-R15, right through to the track weapon YZF-R1M. Participants will be provided with advanced rider training to improve riding ability and enjoyment through motoDNA.
All level of riders are welcome, with first-timers and beginners given a track induction and racing circuit familiarisation. Riders will also get the chance to meet Yamaha Racing Team riders Daniel Falzon and Cru Halliday, while they’ll also be able to check out the 2020 R-series models, including the new YZF-R1 – which will be available for demo rides to selected participants.
There will be four groups of riders based on skill and experience levels, each who will each receive five 20-minute track sessions and five 20-minute classroom sessions. Limited spots are available for $199 per rider. For more information, visit www.yamaha-motor.com.au.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
Motorcycle luggage has to be convenient, practical and attractive, and Nelson-Rigg Commuter Lite tail bag ticks all those boxes for riders on small bikes.
And at just $A119.95*, this expandable commuter tail bag (11.7-15.7 litres) is great value.
I love a tank bag on a sports bike for carrying an extra pair of gloves, visor cleaner, rag, multitool, tyre repair kit and other incidentals.
It’s also handy to put a map in the top clear-plastic compartment and you know it is secure because you can see it right in front of you.
However, tank bags can get in the way and even scratch your tank if you happen to get a tiny bit of road grit in between the bag and the tank. Nasty!
But this tail bag has all the benefits of a tank bag (except that it doesn’t have a clear top nor sits in front for visual security) without the possibility of damaging your bike.
Simply sit it on your seat or luggage rack and it connects via strong webbing straps with four tough nylon clips that are quick and easy to use.
Even though you can’t see it, you can be confident it is still there as the fasteners are secure.
It didn’t shake loose even on some rough roads where I took my Ducati Scrambler and Triumph Street Scrambler.
You can loop the ties together or use an underseat attachment. Both are secure. There is also a long strap in case it is needed for some bikes where the straps won’t go under the seat.
Quickly un-click the four clasps and you can carry the bag with the flush-mounted handle or add the long strap that turns it into a backpack.
Mind you, the backpack is a bit naff, fiddly to thread the long strap and not very comfortable, so I just use the handle.
Tank bags looks a bit silly perched high up on a bike and spoil the lines. Tail bags look a bit more stylish.
This is a particularly stylish bag that fits in with the lines of a small bike with a small back seat, especially my Ducati Scrambler.
It’s almost as though Nelson-Rigg designed it for this bike as the seat is the same shape and size as the bag.
What makes this bag look extra stylish is the semi-rigid top and sides. It doesn’t look floppy when there’s nothing in it like many other soft bags.
The moulded Fibertech top even has a stylish carbon-fibre-style finish.
It’s good-quality construction all round with robust zips, reflective piping and premium lining.
The instructions are stitched inside so you never lose them.
There are also two straps to keep your stuff from rocking and rolling around, an under-lid storage area with a mesh zipped cover and two stretch pouches to hold pens, multitool, screwdriver or small torch.
It hasn’t rained here for a while, so I haven’t been able to test out its weatherproof qualities.
However, it does keep out the dust!
There is also a waterproof cover that you can store away in the top pouch.
Yes, they even thought about the fact that sometimes you have the tail bag zipped out to the expanded 15.7-litre capacity, so the waterproof cover also has an expansion zip.
Nelson-Rigg is an American family-owned company that has been around for more than a quarter of a century.
They make a range of motorcycle and scooter accessories, including covers, soft luggage and rainwear.
They stand by their products with a lifetime warranty.
Specifications
(* Link International says the $119.95 price is for Queensland, NSW and ACT only. Pricing may vary in other states.)
http://www.linkint.com.au/nelson-rigg.html
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
World championship returns from mid-season break this weekend.
Image: Supplied.
Four-time reigning champion Jonathan Rea is eager to hit the track this weekend as the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) returns from a mid-season break at Portimao, the Kawasaki Racing Team ace already establishing a set-up direction after recently testing at the venue.
Rea, who’s anticipating a significant turnout of Irish fans at the Portuguese circuit, gained valuable data throughout two days of testing at Portimao last month, which he believes will put him on the front-foot come Friday’s practice.
“I am really excited to get back into racing again,” said Rea. “It has been such a long time since the last WorldSBK races and I can’t wait for the Portimao weekend. I love the track and after the tests we have a clear direction of the base settings that we will start with on the Ninja ZX-10RR.
“We will work step-by-step through Friday, trying to get a race package, and then focus on our qualifying to make sure we have a good race. I am going to have a lot of travelling support over from Northern Ireland and I cannot wait to get back to business. That race weekend feeling is something I really enjoy, together with all my team.”
The Irishman currently leads Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) by 81 points in the championship rankings.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
34 teams confirmed for the 2019 edition in the Netherlands.
Image: Supplied.
The entry list has been finalised for the 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) set to be staged at Assen in the Netherlands on 28-29 September.
This year’s edition will see 34 teams take on the prestigious event, with hosting nation the Netherlands tipped as the favourite to win its first-ever MXoN title in front of the home crowd.
Five-time defending champions Team France will purse a sixth-straight title, however recent controversy within the team could hinder them after Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) excluded overnight due to a logo dispute.
Finishing fourth last year, Team Australia will bring along experienced MXoN contenders Dean Ferris (Raceline Recover8 KTM) and Mitch Evans (Team Honda 114 Motorsports), while Pirelli MX Nationals MX2 runner-up Kyle Webster (Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing) will make his debut.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
Australian filling in for Loureiro at Nutec – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki.
Image: Gorini’s Photos.
Youthful Australian Joel Kelso will make his debut in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship (WorldSSP300) at Portimao in Portugal this weekend after scoring a fill-in ride at Nutec – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki.
Kelso, who currently races for the Leopard Racing Team in the Campionato Italiano Velocita (CIV) Moto3 series, will fill in for regular Dorren Loureiro, the South African unable to compete due to family circumstances.
“I’m really excited for this opportunity to race in the world supersport 300 championship,” said Kelso. “I can’t thank Rob [Vennegoor] enough for giving me a go. I understand this weekend will be difficult because I have never ridden a Ninja 400 and never ridden at Portimao.
“However, the Nutec – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki is a very professional team which will no doubt supply me a great bike to race on. So, all I have to do is work out which way the track goes and give it my best shot and we’ll see where we end up at the end of each day.”
The team currently fields fellow Australian Tom Bramich alongside Dino Iozzo and Nick Kalinin.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
For 2020, the Indian Scout gets a new model and a limited edition to mark its 100th anniversary, plus better brakes, tyres and a host of accessories for current models.
However, there is no word on updates to the rest of the Indian range nor the expected Challenger models powered by a new liquid-cooled 1770cc engine called the Powerplus.
Pricing will be announced on September 11, says Indian Motorcycle Australia and New Zealand marketing manager Chris Gale.
“We will be selling the 100th Anniversary and Bobber Twenty in Australia and will receive stock later this year. No dates confirmed,” he says.
The Scout Sixty is not returning to Aussie showrooms “any time soon”, he says.
The new Scout is a Bobber Twenty which refers to 1920 and pays homage to the original Scout in its 100th year since it began.
In acknowledgement of its tradition it comes with classic wire wheels, 10-inch ape hanger handlebars and a floating saddle like the original.
Expect a small premium over the standard ride-away Bobber price of $A18,995.
They come in a choice of Thunder Black, Sagebrush Smoke (green) and Burnished Metallic (red).
Only 750 limited-edition 100th Anniversary models will be available worldwide.
It is highlighted by the “100th” badge on the engine and features “Indian Motorcycle Red” paint with “Anniversary Gold” trim, a desert tan leather solo seat, black wire wheels, beach bars, a luggage rack and chrome finishes.
In the US, they cost an extra 28% more than the standard model, so they could be around $A24,000.
Scout and Scout Bobber models get upgraded brake callipers, master cylinders and floating rotors.
Bobber now comes with Pirelli MT60RS tyres.
All other Scout models get a new sport seat and passenger pegs.
There will be quite a colour range to choose from.
For those who want to convert these competent cruisers into competent tourers, there is a host of accessories.
The most interesting is the colour-matched quick-release bikini fairing with a 5cm windscreen or optional 12cm and 18cm screens.
There is also a solo luggage rack and solo rack bag and new semi-rigid quick-release saddlebags.
Other accessories include a new Bobber seat plus bar-end mirrors, smoked turn signal lenses, tinted windshields and various handlebar and foot control options for the standard Scout.
To cap it off are new stage 1 shorty slip-on mufflers and a 2-into-1 full exhaust system.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
With Phil Aynsley
Released in 1977 Laverda’s 500cc parallel twin was designed to be a light-weight, sporty, everyday machine. A marked contrast to their 1000cc triples.
The specifications were quite advanced with DOHC and four-valve heads. It was also the first non Japanese production motorcycle with a six speed gearbox. Originally named the Alpina for the UK market, that was soon changed to the Alpino. In the US it was known as the Zeta.
The only major engine change during its production life was the fitment of a counterbalance shaft in 1978. Production ceased in 1982. However the Alpino formed the basis for the more famous Formula and Montjuic models. The motor (somewhat updated) was used in 1985 to power the OR600 Atlas enduro bike as well as the later 668 and 750 that were built up until 2000.
This particular bike is one of the last that came off the line in 1982 and is used by Laverda Corse as their track learning bike. It has non standard rear shocks and rack and offered 38hp at 8500rpm with a wet weight of 170kg, and top speed of 175km/h.
The Laverda Cup race series was instigated by the company when the Italian government introduced a punitive 35% tax on motorcycles over 500cc in 1977 – just prior to the release of the 500 twin.
It was one of the first, if not the first, single model race series and ran from 1978 to 1981. Three batches of Formula machines were produced, each of 70 bikes – in ’78, ’79 and ’81.
The Formula was basically an Alpino S with an upgraded motor which used the S1 race cam, pistons that raised the compression ratio to 10.5:1 and a close ratio gearbox.
Sandcast rear sets and Menani clip-ons were fitted along with the race fairing and seat/tank unit. The removal of all the street equipment meant that, despite the additional bodywork, the Formula was 16kg lighter than the standard bike.
This 1979 bike is in “as finished” condition and is original apart from the additional seat padding, with power output 52hp at 10,000rpm, a wet weight of 160kg and top speed of 200km/h.
Source: MCNews.com.au
