The Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” saw phenomenal action across all three classes, but it also saw the Championship bear witness to history being made, with the debut round of the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship delivering some of the biggest highlights across the weekend. The big winner was Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) who won both races in what proved to be an exceptional opening weekend for the Spaniard.
“THE BRAKE WAS DIFFICULT TO MANAGE”: Herrera discusses Misano double
Given that she was able to pick up maximum points from the weekend, there was only one place to start – making history by winning an incredible Race 2. Herrera and compatriot Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) engaged in an intense duel across the final few laps, before the #6 rider took advantage of the final Sector at Misano to secure a second win. Herrera gave her thoughts on the finish by saying: “I am really happy with the race today, because I started from fourth position. It was difficult to put myself in the right position in the first corner…but the pace was fast! The brake was difficult to manage in the temperature, but for sure I could be fast.”
“I SAW SARA BRAKE EARLIER THAN ME”: Herrera on last lap duel
Herrera, who managed to secure a brilliant last sector overtake on Sanchez, was asked about how she managed to pull off such a dramatic, yet brilliant move to secure a second consecutive win. Discussing this, Maria said: “Mamma Mia! It was difficult to pass Sara, but she closed the door. I thought about going around the outside, but the rear tyre was sliding. I thought I was going to finish second, but then I saw Sara brake earlier than me, and I realised that I could do it.”
Onwards to Donington Park: “I HOPE TO ESCAPE A LITTLE BIT MORE!”
It appears that there is a lot of widespread excitement and intrigue regarding the next round coming from the UK; specifically, Donington Park. And it appears that the Championship leader shares that excitement and optimism. Discussing coming to the track with the WorldWCR grid, Herrera said: “I think that track will be fast, and with a big group also. I hope to be a higher level, and to escape a little bit more!”
The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship burst back into action with a thrilling visit to the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” but, for a few teams, that wasn’t enough track time. Team HRC were one team who opted to stay in Italy but ventured across to the Cremona Circuit for a two-day test on Wednesday and Thursday and the comments from riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge were overwhelmingly positive.
Lecuona finished the test as the fastest of the two teammates, claiming third overall after setting a best time of 1’28.922s. He was beaten by Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) on Day 2 and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) – who only tested on Wednesday – was faster overall, but that didn’t stop the #7 being delighted with how things have progressed in recent weeks, following on from a Misano round where he enjoyed his best weekend of the season with three top-ten finishes.
Reflecting on the test, Lecuona said: “Overall, it wasn’t too bad. We tried many things on the base. We didn’t try new items, but we tried all the progress we made at Misano to see if it was working or not, but it was only setup and electronics. On the first day, we struggled a lot. We were stuck in the 1’30s and couldn’t improve the lap time. On Thursday, it’s true on the first run the track was a bit colder compared to Wednesday; the weather was better, so it was easier to beat the lap time. We started to feel good. During the day, at the end of the morning on a long run, I kept a really good pace, keeping it consistent with just two tenths difference every lap. I’m really happy about that. The step, I think, is there but until the race we won’t know”
Vierge was also positive following the test although did point out there was still more to come. The #97 was the slowest of the six WorldSBK riders across both days, setting a 1’29.349s but also racking up 123 laps on his CBR1000RR-R. The Barcelona-born star used the SCQ tyre to set his fastest lap time, but he stated that the team found the best base setup they’ve had so far, which could point to more gains for Honda.
A positive Vierge stated: “Thursday was a good day for us with a much more stable bike, trying to focus on taking the maximum performance from it. My feeling improved a little bit and I’m happy about that. Race pace is not so bad. We used one SCQ tyre and I was able to improve the lap time quite a lot. Overall, it’s been good. The good thing is we finished the test with the best base setup we’ve found so far, and this is important in order to be able to regain some feeling with the bike.”
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The Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK squad were one of three outfits to head to the Cremona Circuit directly from Misano for a two-day test for a few MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship teams. After not going to the previous test there in May, it was a chance for riders Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani to learn the track, while the latter continued to to adapt to his new bike and left the Italian venue feeling optimistic.
Before his home round at Misano, Bassani’s best result for Kawasaki had been ninth at Assen in a mixed conditions Race 1, but he appeared to have made a step forward on home soil. A Tissot Superpole result of 11th – his best of the season – was followed up with 11th in Race 1, sixth in the Tissot Superpole Race and seventh in Race 2 to reach new heights on the ZX-10RR, although he was still behind Lowes with a reduced gap.
At the Cremona test, Bassani posted a 1’28.935s to finish fourth on Day 2 and fifth overall (as Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) set the best time of the test on Day 1 and didn’t test on Day 2) with 143 laps completed. He was just a couple of tenths behind his teammate and four tenths away from Razgatlioglu’s best time of a 1’28.578s, showing good promise for ‘El Bocia’ and perhaps another step forward as he continues to learn the ZX-10RR after three seasons on the Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Speaking after he completed his two days of running at Cremona, the #47 said: “We finished two days of testing here at Cremona and they were two really positive days. We tried a lot of things. On Thursday morning, we did a really good lap, and, in the afternoon, we worked on the setup of the bike. I think we improved a lot; we were really near to the first position. I’m really happy with the feeling of the bike. It’s the first time I’m feeling really good with the Kawasaki, and I think we made a step at Misano and here we did one more. Now, we will wait for Donington.”
Bassani has often gone well at Misano, claiming podiums with Team Motocorsa Racing there, and in previous years it has been where his seasons have really kicked on. A test straight after where he was once again close to Lowes suggests that might be the case again and, with his future secured after re-signing with the team that will morph into the Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team for 2025, the next step for Bassani is to ensure he remains within touching distance of Lowes next time out at Donington Park.
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Riders competing in the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2024 Namibia event, Sept. 15-20, will do so on the BMW R 1300 GS Trophy Competition Bike, a bike based on the R 1300 Style GS Trophy with a few extras to help tackle riding in East Africa.
Celebrating togetherness through competition, the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy features off-road enthusiasts from 22 national teams competing in various tests, including GPS navigation exercises, off-road rides, and technical tests. A total of 60 riders will compete in Namibia in 2024.
The BMW R 1300 GS received significant upgrades for 2024. Displacement was increased from 1,254cc to 1,300cc, peak horsepower increased from 136 to 145, and peak torque increased from 105 to 110 lb-ft. The new GS is also 26 lb lighter than the previous R 1250 GS, the previous tubular-steel space frame has been replaced with a sheet-metal main frame, and the Telelever and Paralever suspension systems have been upgraded to the next generation. More has been changed for this updated model, which you can read more about in our First Ride Review.
BMW R 1300 GS Trophy Competition Bike (left) and F 900 GS Trophy Marshal Bike (right)
The BMW R 1300 GS Trophy Competition Bike, which is not available for sale, is very similar to the R 1300 Style GS Trophy model with the optional Enduro Package Pro. It’s fitted with handlebar risers, an engine protection bar, a skid plate and frame guard, adjustable gear shift and brake levers, GS Vario rider footrests, enduro hand levers, a headlight protection guard, and white handguard extensions. It also features off-road tires on black cross-spoked wheels and a solo seat.
The GS Trophy Marshals will guide riders through Namibia during the event, and they’ll also get specific bikes for the job. The BMW F 900 GS Trophy Marshal Bike is based on the BMW F 900 GS mid-sized ADV, which was also updated for 2024. Updates include the engine punched out to 895cc making 105 hp, larger forged pistons, a weight reduction of 31 lb, a new Akrapovič muffler, a lower tailsection, and more.
The Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 replaces the Svartpilen 701 for 2024. The visually-striking naked is powered by the 799cc LC8c parallel-Twin that’s also found in the KTM 790 Duke and 790 Adventure.
We had a chance to give the Svartpilen 801 a good flog at a press launch Husqvarna hosted in Provence, a region in southern France, where we hustled the bike around the region’s craggy mountains.
Third Eye Design’s inView wireless helmet brake and turnsignal display device, which I’ve been using since 2019, has been significantly updated for 2024. As before, it offers riders enhanced conspicuity by mimicking the motorcycle’s brake and turnsignal lights on a remote wireless ultra-bright LED cluster, which attaches to the rear of the rider’s helmet.
For 2024, the new InView2 design has been enhanced to include a Fresnal lens with 4x brighter LEDs, DOT-C2 reflective tape behind the lens that illuminates from a following vehicle’s headlights, and longer-life AA batteries. In addition, several other notable features are planned via an app refresh, due in Q4 of this year.
The system consists of three main components: the Transceiver Module, an LED Accessory Brake Light, and the aforementioned Helmet Receiver Unit (wireless LED cluster). Installation is relatively straightforward. We begin with the Transceiver Module, which has been fortified with better water protection, improved power conditioning, and more advanced electronics to accurately determine rider position. This module should be mounted in a relatively protected area, away from direct exposure to the elements. For reference as shown in Figure 1, there was plenty of room under the passenger seat on my 2019 BMW R 1250 RT test mule. Posi-Tap connectors are included to allow for wiring up 12 VDC power, as well as the power wires for brake lights, left turnsignal, and right turnsignal. Final mounting of the Transceiver Module is via included double-sided 3M foam tape, which has the added benefit of cushioning the device.
The 2.25×0.25-inch LED Accessory Brake Light connects to the Transceiver Module’s 12VDC power out wires and is designed to mount using included double-stick tape facing straight back toward the rear of the motorcycle as shown in Figure 2.
The 4-ounce, 5×2.5-inch Helmet Receiver Unit mounts to the rear of the helmet using the included 3M Dual-Lock mounting tape as shown in Figure 3. It’s powered by two AA lithium batteries, which (depending on use) can last approximately three months in regular usage. The lens is available in either clear (shown) or red.
From a user-friendliness perspective, once installed, the inView2 requires minimal attention. The Helmet Receiver Unit issues two short beeps, vibrations, and flashes when it “wakes up” and one short beep, vibration, and a flash when it goes to sleep, alerting the user that it is functioning normally. The module automatically performs diagnostics on itself, checking functionality, LEDs, orientation, and battery life, making this truly a “set it and forget it” type of installation. The InView2’s smartphone app allows for functionality testing, single button firmware upgrade, and tech support features. As of press time, the inView should work with any modern motorcycle, including those with CAN-bus.
Out on the road, I received many positive comments from other riders (and even car drivers), especially during night riding. The high, centered position of this unit made the brilliant LEDs really pop in the darkness. As a safety feature, I especially appreciated the integrated accelerometer, which automatically triggers the InView2’s brake lights during medium to aggressive downshifts, even without actuating the brakes.
The inView2 is an intelligent device, and Third Eye Design is continually working on firmware updates and additional capabilities. The company is currently planning on a Q4 2024 rollout of a crash detection and emergency dialing feature, as well as a helmet-only mode that will allow the Helmet Receiver Unit to operate in the absence of the Transceiver Module. Third Eye Design is also currently working on a means of allowing the rider to measure acceleration, cornering, and braking metrics via the InView2 device, though there is no planned date for this yet as of press time.
Overall, given its superb functionality and ease of use, I strongly recommend the InView2 to safety-minded motorcyclists who are looking for ways to enhance conspicuity – especially for night riders!
Some teams and riders opted to stay in Italy after the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round for a two-day test at the Cremona Circuit ahead of its scheduled first MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship round in September. The fastest time of the test was recorded by Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) on Day 1, with Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) finishing as the fastest rider on Day 2 but slower than the #54’s time overall.
RAZGATLIOGLU CONTINUES IN P1: faster than the previous Cremona test
Despite it being Razgatlioglu’s first test at Cremona, the 2021 Champion was faster than the previous best time set by Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) by a few tenths. Coming into the test on the back of a Misano hat-trick, he set a 1’28.578s for P1 on Day 1 and overall while also completing 78 laps on his M 1000 RR; the #54 only tested on Day 1. Teammate Michael van der Mark was fifth in the combined standings after he set a 1’29.098s on Day 2, with the Dutchman focused on testing setups on his M 1000 RR during his test. The #60 only took part on Day 1 and the morning of Day 2 but was still able to rack up 107 laps during his first time at the track.
LOTS OF LAPS FOR KAWASAKI: Lowes P2 in the combined standings, Bassani third on Day 2
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was the fastest KRT rider at the test, putting in a late lap of 1’28.790s to claim first place on Thursday and second overall in the classification, pipping Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) by 0.132s. Compared to Razgatlioglu’s Day 1 time, the #22 was around two tenths slower. Teammate Axel Bassani was third in the Day 2 classification after he set a 1’28.935s as both riders racked up a huge number of laps. Lowes completed 149 across the two days, while Bassani lapped the Cremona Circuit 143 times. For the Brit, the test was about learning the track and setting up his ZX-10RR for the new-for-WorldSBK circuit; KRT didn’t take part in the first test back in May. It was similar for ‘El Bocia’ as he got up to speed at the venue, while he also worked on the setup of his bike.
MORE PROGRESS FOR HONDA? Lecuona second overall, fastest on Day 2
After his best weekend of 2024 by far, Lecuona was strong at Cremona too. His best time was a 1’28.922s, set on Day 2, as he finished just over a tenth behind Lowes. The #7 added 97 laps to his belt to go with the 99 he set during the first Cremona test back in May, while teammate Xavi Vierge was sixth during the latest test. His best time was a 1’29.349s and he completed 123 laps across both days. With Honda’s previous test at the track, albeit with conditions not exactly the same, it’s possible to compare times. Lecuona’s previous best was a 1’29.787s, so he’s found around eight tenths, while Vierge has improved from a 1’30.135s; a similar margin to Lecuona’s gain. For Honda, the test was about refining setup and continuing to make small steps, including on electronics and setup, after a challenging season so far, although they headed into the test after three top-ten finishes at Misano, while they also tested tyres from Pirelli that were at the previous round. Honda’s test finished at lunchtime on the second day.
LEADING THE WORLD SUPERSPORT FIELD: Sofuoglu on top, Montella fastest on Day 1
In WorldSSP, one-time race winner Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was on top on Day 2 after he set a 1’31.866s with 50 laps under his belt, finishing ahead of teammate Marcel Schroetter in second. The two MV Agusta riders were separated by just a few tenths. French rider Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) secured third on Day 2 with a 1’32.361s and 64 laps recorded. On Day 1, Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was the fastest WorldSSP rider after the #55 posted a 1’32.579s but he did not test on Day 2.
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Ten years after its debut in the U.S., the Yamaha MT-09 has been updated and refined for 2024 while maintaining its wild side that we enjoyed on the first generation. Updates on this generation are extensive, including new acoustic amplifier grilles, an improved transmission, more aggressive ergonomics, a stiffer chassis, updated suspension, new Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tires, a new 5-inch TFT display, new switchgear, and a complete electronics package.
We rode the MT-09 in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California during Yamaha’s press launch and then rode the bike home after the launch, testing the MT-09 on a variety of roads. We came away impressed with the bike’s refinements and happy to see how this motorcycle has evolved in the past decade.
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