Honda
Josh Brookes quickest at Guadix
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » BSB - Thursday, 11th March 2010, 15:17 GMTJosh Brookes is top of the unofficial timesheets, ahead of Tommy Hill, on the second day of the Guadix British Superbike pre-season tests. The Australian, who won points at last week’s Phillip Island Word Superbike event, finished around three tenths faster than Hill with a time of 13.6 seconds as he practised on the Spanish circuit. There were some problems on the opening days of the test, with snow interfering with the riders being able to start the test. Brookes put the time to good use however and spent it working on Honda’s new Motec ECU control system and Ohlins suspension. Brookes said: “We did lose out yesterday unfortunately due to the weather but we have made some really steady progress today and I am now definitely feeling more confident about the first round at Brands Hatch.” “We still have a few areas that we can work on when we are back testing in the UK, like the suspension and fuelling but we are leaving here happy with the work we have done.” Hill was in second position followed by Swan’s James Ellison, who was also last season’s runner-up and who has spent time getting reacquainted with the machinery of Honda and managed to beat former champion Ryuichi Kiyonari as well as team mate Stuart Easton. In sixth position was Suzuki’s Yukio Kagayama who was narrowly behind Stuart Easton, while bringing up the rear were Simon Andrews in seventh and Gary Mason in eighth. There is still one more day left of testing of the Guadix testing in Spain, however, HM Plant will reportedly not be participating in the test. Read article
VFR1200 boosts Feb bike sales
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Tuesday, 9th March 2010, 11:37 GMTHonda’s VFR1200 boosted the February new motorcycle sales total, with a healthy 97 units snapped up, reports Alastair Walker. The MCIA recently released last month’s sales statistics and Honda’s impressive performance from Feb 13th onwards, when the bike was launched, helped bump up the sports-tourer segment by 59%. Elsewhere the market continued its relentlessly downward spiral. Custom bikes dropped by 6%, whilst touring and trail machines fell by 12%, relatively modest reductions considering the weather, rising unemployment and the end of the 15% VAT rate in 2010. But other sectors like adventure touring were off 20%, mopeds dropped 28%, naked bikes fell 35% and supersports fell by an alarming 45%. Total two-wheeler registrations last month were 3197, down 23% and the one positive note is that figure is smaller than the huge drop in January, which saw many dealerships deserted as snowfalls affected daily life. One interesting figure is that the VFR1200 notched up 97 sales in two weeks, whilst BMW’s new sportbike the S1000RR could only manage 30 sales in the entire month. This despite rave reviews in the motorcycle press for the new BMW and lukewarm reports on the new Honda. Could it be that today’s sportbikes are almost all too uncomfortable for today’s 50-something motorcycle buyer, or is the depreciation suffered by sportbikes the main factor? Perhaps the most worrying trend in the new machine registration figures is the lack of sales for mopeds and scooters. The recessions of the 70s and 80s both saw large increases in small motorcycle and scooter sales, but the younger generation, and commuters, seemed to have more or less abandoned the idea of motorcycling. Those are arguably two social trends which will see motorcycling in the UK become a pastime for pensioners within a decade. Unless something is done, and soon. Read article
New Yamaha Super Tenere 1200
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Monday, 8th March 2010, 15:51 GMTYamaha has announced one of its most interesting models for 2010: the XT1200Z Super Ténéré, the long-awaited rival to BMW’s class-leading R1200GS machine, reports Alastair Walker. The new bike will be available for sale online this week - but you’ll have to wait until May to actually get the bike delivered. The new Tenere 1200 is a go-anywhere adventure machine, with spoked wheels, generous ground clearance and decent engine protection. The entire design is aimed at keeping the bike’s mass low and central for good balance and agile handling at speed. Hopefully Yamaha have done a good job, as the new XT1200Z is a hefty 261Kgs wet - that makes it one of the heaviest machines in its class, and heavier than the BMW - which has the same power output. Another rival, the Ducati Multistrada 1200 weighs 189Kgs ( dry ) and makes 150bhp, compared to the Yamaha’s 110bhp. The Tenere isn’t going to feel fast, especially two-up. So why is it so heavy? True, the new Yamaha has a hi-tech brake system with ABS, shaft drive, plus hard luggage, and the usual weighty catalyser in the exhaust, but it seems a mystery why the bike should weigh so much more than the BMW, which is another 1200cc twin, with similar equipment. The Yamaha also has a six-gallon fuel tank as standard by the way, which is good for long distance riders. Once full, this will probably make the 575lbs Super Tenere a bit too heavy for off-road use, except by expert riders. Yamaha say that the new Tenere will have luggage, headlight protector and ABS brakes as standard this year, but they will be optional extras next year. That’s a cute way of saying a cheaper version will be made available in 2011, which will sell at much less than the huge £13,499 asking price for Spring 2010. For that price you still don’t get heated grips, a low seat option, inner bags for the panniers, a top case, or a high screen. Like most manufacturers this year, Yamaha are giving little away and gambling that the adventure touring customer can afford to splash out about 15K on a new machine. They could be right, Honda’s VFR1200 and Ducati’s Multistrada both seem to have sold well initially. One other factor that may well help sales is that the new Super Tenere looks stunning, the styling is exceptional. If you fancy dedicated Tenere 1200 clothing, you can buy that at; www.yamaha-motor.co.uk/accessories too. Read article
Camier backs Sport Relief
Source: | Motorcycle Sport | World Superbikes - Monday, 8th March 2010, 11:39 GMTFactory Aprilia World Superbike rider, Leon Camier is making the most of his Superpole crash at Phillip Island in the opening round of the series by auctioning off his damaged screen in aid of Sport Relief. Camier crashed at Honda... Read article
Camier backs Sport Relief
Source: | Motorcycle Sport | World Superbikes - Monday, 8th March 2010, 11:39 GMTFactory Aprilia World Superbike rider, Leon Camier is making the most of his Superpole crash at Phillip Island in the opening round of the series by auctioning off his damaged screen in aid of Sport Relief. Camier crashed at Honda... Read article
BSB: Supermoto Champion Christian Iddon switches to British Superbikes
Source: bikeracenews.com - Saturday, 6th March 2010, 12:24 GMTChristian Iddon will make a full-time switch to circuit racing in 2010 when he makes his debut in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship with the sorrymate.com SMT Honda team. The 25-year-old reigning British Supermoto champion has several British titles to his name and has already raced in both World and European Championships. He is now [...] Read article
Termignoni release exhaust as used by Rossi
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » New Products - Saturday, 6th March 2010, 5:57 GMTTermignoni, the most successful exhaust system of World Superbike and MotoGP, has developed a wide range of systems for the street and is now distributed by Pirelli Moto. The iconic Italian brand, long associated with Ducati exotica, now has exhausts for every type of machine from the popular YZF-R125 through supersport, naked, off-road and even custom machines. The company, which has won four MotoGP championships at the hands of Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner has looked carefully at its supply and pricing structure to make its exhausts more accessible for all riders. Although synonymous with Superbikes having taken 14 WSBK crowns, Termignoni has used their advanced R+D division to maximise the performance of machines from 125cc all the way through to cruiser machines. There are now Termignoni systems and slip on exhausts for brands as diverse as Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, BMW, KTM, Benelli, Buell, Harley-Davidson, Triumph, MV Agusta, Moto-Morini, Beta, Montesa, Sherco and Husqvarna. Termignoni exhausts are created using titanium, carbon fibre and aluminium, utilizing computer design and 3-D laser cutting. Each prototype is skilfully hand-built, while technology follows every step. Each exhaust is designed in Termignoni’s Research & Development department under the direct supervision of Mr. Termignoni himself and carefully fitted to ensure the best components and pure Italian style. Each exhaust is developed for optimum power delivery on a computer-assisted dynamometer. A stamp of approval by Mr. Termignoni sends each prototype into production, where experienced craftsmen then build each system by hand. The final stamping of the Termignoni insignia invokes memories of a logo emblazoned upon the side of some of the most legendary race machines including those of Valentino Rossi! Steffen Baum, UK Product & Consumer Marketing Manager of Pirelli Moto, commented, “For us Termignoni exhausts go hand in hand with Pirelli as they invoke a feeling of Italian passion and also great racing success. However, we go even further as we are pleased to be able to showcase a wide range of exhausts for every type of machine and at competitive prices.” Read article
Scott Redding upbeat despite lowly finish
Source: | Motorcycle Sport | MotoGP - Thursday, 4th March 2010, 11:08 GMTBritish teenager Scott Redding declared himself happy with progress on his Marc VDS Racing Moto2 machine despite finishing a lowly 28th at the first official test in Valencia. Using Honda’s new spec CBR600RR motor for the first time, Redding logged... Read article
Scott Redding upbeat despite lowly finish
Source: | Motorcycle Sport | MotoGP - Thursday, 4th March 2010, 11:08 GMTBritish teenager Scott Redding declared himself happy with progress on his Marc VDS Racing Moto2 machine despite finishing a lowly 28th at the first official test in Valencia. Using Honda’s new spec CBR600RR motor for the first time, Redding logged... Read article
Rain disrupts Valencia Moto2 test
Source: | Motorcycle Sport | MotoGP - Thursday, 4th March 2010, 10:53 GMTRain disrupted the final day of Moto2 testing action in Valencia yesterday leaving reigning world 125GP champion Julian Simon on top of the timesheets. In the first official testing using the new spec Honda CBR600RR motor, Simon’s best time from... Read article
