Our friends at Westx1000 have released the latest episode of their new travel show, Perpetual Motion Tejas. Take a load off, kick back and check it out.
Begin Press Release:
WESTx1000 Releases Second Episode of New Moto-Travel Show
Stetson, Steers and Lone Stars… Welcome to Tejas!
In the last four years, Justin and Kyra have ridden more than 60k miles, explored 15 countries and been lucky enough to see the world from behind the handlebar of a motorbike.
With the help of friend, filmmaker and fellow motorcyclist, Nathan Slabaugh, they’ve decided to create a new moto-travel series called #Perpetual_Motion. First, they toured Baja California. Now the duo finds themselves in the Lone Star State asking anyone who’ll listen why they’re so proud of being from Texas.
This episode is packed with insight and excitement as they shake hands with rodeo royalty, smoke cigars with a mystery man, dine on tacos, ribs and giant turkey legs, and seek guidance from Yoda.
Grab a seat and push play to see what a half-million-dollar steer looks like, if the pair can withstand a Texas-sized hail storm, whether Kyra can rope a dope, and to learn about the most iconic cowboy hat company in the world!
Norton has unveiled a surprise with not one, but two Atlas 650cc models – the cafe racer Nomad and the Ranger scrambler.
The bikes go on sale as early as this weekend in the UK for £9995 (Nomad) and £11,995 (Ranger).
There is no word of export schedules or overseas pricing yet.
Since the Norton Commando 961 starts at £15,995 in the UK and $A29,990 in Australia, we can expect the pricing to be just under $20,000 for the Nomad and just over for the Ranger.
Atals Ranger
Atlas Nomad
All Nortons are handmade in the UK and these will only be available in small numbers in the UK. So it might be some time before they are exported in significant volumes.
They draw inspiration from Norton’s original 750cc Atlas of the 1960s.
Both new Atlas models are powered by a 650cc twin engine. It is basically half of the 1200cc V4 they are working on for their flagship V4 model expected to be released next year.
Norton V4 RR
The liquid-cooled, parallel twin engine in the Atlas models has a 270-degree firing order like the new Triumph Bonnevilles.
It has 62kW of power at 11,000 revs and 64Nm of torque.
In cafe racer form, the Nomad features an 18-inch front wheel, 180mm rear tyre, wire wheels, straight bars, suede and vinyl bench seat, single headlight and twin pod instruments.
The scrambleresque Ranger has a 19-inch front wheel, high front guard, 50mm higher suspension, a 43mm higher seat (867mm), sport screen, headlight protection and dual-sport tyres.
Both come in a choice of grey, light blue, maroon, black or white.
Norton Atlas Ranger
Engine: Norton Designed 650cc parallel twin. 270 degree firing order. Chain driven double overhead cams with idler gear.
Wheels: 19-inch front spoke wheel with Titanium coloured aluminium rim and 120/70 R19 Avon Trekrider tyre; 17-inch rear spoke wheel with Titanium coloured aluminium rim and 170/60 R17 Avon Trekrider tyre.
Bodywork: High mudguard, brushed aluminium rear panels.
Wheels: 18-inch front spoke wheel with polished aluminium rim and 110/80 R18 Avon Trekrider tyre; 17-inch rear spoke wheel with polished aluminium rim and 180/55 R17 Avon Trekrider tyre.
Bodywork: Aluminium polished low front mudguard. Polished aluminium rear panels.
Seat height: 824mm
Brakes: 2 x 320mm full floating Brembo discs. Radially mounted twin Brembo monoblock callipers with ABS. Brembo master cylinder; single 245mm Brembo disc. Brembo twin piston rear calliper with ABS. Brembo master cylinder.
Suspension: 50mm diameter Roadholder USD forks. Preload, compression and rebound adjustable. 150mm wheel travel; Roadholder monoshock with rising rate linkage and piggyback reservoir. Adjustable preload. 150mm wheel travel.
The SoCal BDR (CABDR-South) route will be available January 1, 2019. Photo by Ely Woody.
Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR), a non-profit adventure riding organization, has released the trailer for its upcoming Southern California Backcountry Discovery Route (CABDR-South) documentary film. The CABDR-South is the ninth route developed by the BDR for dual-sport and adventure motorcycle travel, and the first BDR designed to be ridden in the winter.
Free GPS tracks and travel resources, and a waterproof Butler map and feature-length documentary on DVD or video on-demand, will be available on January 1, 2019, on RideBDR.com.
The film features 4-time Baja 1000 Champion and Dakar Rally racer Quinn Cody of KTM, taking a first run on the new Southern California route. The spectacular, yet challenging, 820-mile ride across the southeastern region of California, starts in Yuma, Arizona, and ends in Benton, California.
The CABDR-South route takes riders across deserts and mountains, including the famous Joshua trees in the Mojave National Preserve. Photo by Ely Woody.
Primarily using rugged two-track and remote dirt roads, the route leads riders through the majestic canyons, rocky riverbeds and sandy washes of California’s famous deserts and national preserves. You’ll experience quirky desert enclaves and ghost towns, visit historic mines, see ancient petroglyphs and intaglios, dip in healing mineral hot springs and ride among the unique Joshua trees in the Mojave National Preserve.
A film tour presented by MotoDiscovery is being planned in more than 40 cities across the country. Dealerships and motorcycle clubs interested in hosting the film event locally are encouraged to contact BDR by January 1 to reserve their date on the tour.
The project is presented by KTM North America and BMW Motorcycles of Riverside, with additional support from Touratech, KLIM Technical Riding Gear, Rottweiler Performance, Wolfman Motorcycle Luggage, SENA, Arizona Motorcycle Adventures, Trailmaster Adventure Gear, PYI, CORVA and James Howard Creative Group.
Everyone’s been harping on about the death of sportbikes for so long that it’s become accepted wisdom: No one—especially “the youths”—wants uncomfortable, single-minded sportbikes anymore. Well, everyone must be wrong (thank goodness).
When we look at dwindling sportbike sales, we have to look at what’s available at dealerships. Sportbike riders like progress. If a model is lingering on the showroom floor, is it because it’s in the seventh year of production? No one wants that. Supersport machines aren’t irrelevant; it’s just that there’s nothing totally new or exciting out there. Until now(-ish).
At EICMA, the most exciting machines were sportbikes. Surprisingly. And there weren’t just a couple of them. It’s clear the OEMs are finding new ways to make sportbikes exciting without watering down their raison d’être. Clip-ons, ultimate performance, and full fairings remain. Dime-a-dozen inline-fours and the characterless pursuit of speed are on the way out.
Sportbikes still represent the frontier of technological progress. Designers and engineers rely on the sportbike form to experiment with big ideas and new ways forward. And many riders will respond with enthusiasm.
If you build it, they will come.
We’re disappointed we didn’t see a new Suzuki Hayabusa or a V-4 Honda superbike, but EICMA 2018 was still the year of the sportbike. Here, we take a look at the most intriguing and exciting machines on display—from innovative concepts, to small-batch kit bikes, and ready to-go production models.
2019 BMW S1000RR
We’ve been anticipating the new S1000RR for some time. Even before its official debut at EICMA, the webs were full of spy shots and design patents. Now that the Germans have taken the wraps off, we can say with some confidence that this thing is going to be awesome. It has 204-hp at the crank and 83 pound-feet of torque all in a 434-pound package (wet). That’s 25 pounds less (at the curb) than the outgoing model. Naturally, there’s a full suite of electronics managed by the six-axis IMU. When the S1000RR debuted in 2009 it crushed the competition. That may be more difficult to do now, but the Bavarian inline-four still means business.
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R
Homologation-spec Ducatis are always worth getting excited about, but the 2019 Panigale V4 R feels like the denouement of season one of the V4 story. Most of us figured the 998cc R version would put up similar numbers to the 1,103cc road-going model, not exceed it. But that’s not the Ducati way. The V4 R pumps out 221 hp with the stock cans, or 234 hp when fitted with “track-only” Akrapovics. And it’s 4 pounds lighter than the V4 S with a 379-pound claimed dry weight. And it redlines at 16,500 rpm. And it has MotoGP circa 2016 winglets. And track-inspired bodywork, adjustable swingarm pivot, the list goes on.
Even Taiwanese scooter maker Kymco got in on the sportbike action. The Kymco SuperNEX is an electric supersport concept the company claims can go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, all the way up to 155 in 10.9 seconds. Okay, so it has a super-cheesy “Active Acoustics Motor” (read: a speaker) that plays a fake engine soundtrack, and there’s an unnecessary six-speed “transmission,” but we like that Kymco is dreaming bigger than budget scooters. Who knows if this thing will ever make it to market (or if there’s even a working prototype—the promo video shows only a computer-generated version in motion), but Kymco is savvy enough to know that as far as halo models go, nothing beats a sportbike.
Aprilia RS 660
Aprilia’s RS 660 is one of the most exciting concepts displayed at Milan, and proves that supersports can be just as exciting as anything with a 1,000 (or more) cc. The 660 RS is powered by a parallel-twin engine based on the current RSV4 platform. Other than missing the rear bank of cylinders, details are scant re: firing order, counterbalancer, etc. The concept teases some version of a future production middleweight, but it also gives the Noale factory a chance to display new thinking in terms of aerodynamics. Aprilia Active Aerodynamics (A3), from the sound of it, represents a new frontier for motorcycles. Even without such trickery, this concept’s got legs.
2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory
When Ducati unveiled the Panigale V4 with a too-big (for production racing) 1,103cc engine, it made comparing it with other literbikes a challenge. Ducati cheated. Aprilia strikes back, saying, “two can play at that game.” By increasing bore to 81mm, Aprilia boosted displacement to 1,078cc (the same as the Tuono 1100) for a claimed output of 217 hp to Ducati’s 214. To top it all off, Aprilia gave the Factory version MotoGP-inspired winglets. Game on.
MV Agusta Super Veloce Ottocento
We’re big fans of the Varese factory’s three-cylinder platform. Even though the 800cc triple isn’t the newest thing on the block, it’s still an enticing platform with room for development. The Super Veloce takes a great bike and wraps it in retro-futuristic bodywork that looks fresh and familiar. If it appeals to a new generation of would-be sportbike riders, we wouldn’t be surprised. Hopefully MV ditches that boomerang thing on the windscreen on the production model though.
Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 Aero
Once again, Husqvarna tempts us with an alluring concept. In 2016, Husky brought out the 401 Aero, and now further explores the design scheme with the 701 Aero. It doesn’t have any lights, and the lack of windscreen sways a bit too far toward form over function, but in general, the thing is a looker. Like the Vitpilen and Svartpilen production models, the Aero has a design language that transcends the conventional genres we’re used to seeing. Anything to reach a larger audience, right? Husqvarna has been flirting with this sportbike thing for a while. We think it’s time for Husky to pull the trigger. Or maybe wait to give us a sportbike with the Herculean motor from the KTM 1290 Super Duke R. Yes, do that. Please, do that.
Pierobon X85R
While the world moves on from V-twin Ducati superbikes, Italian frame specialists Pierobon gives new life to the Superquadro, the last of the great Italian racing twin engines. The centerpiece of the X85R is the trellis and CNC frame, which replaces the monoscocca unit from the Panigale 1199/1299/899/959. Pierobon also offers a single- and double-sided swingarm, load-bearing aluminum tank, carbon-fiber bodywork with aerodynamic winglets, and a carbon-fiber intake system. The whole thing is enough to make any sportbike enthusiast swoon.
What’s your favorite sportbike at EICMA 2018? Comment below.
¿ Marc Márquez componiendo una canción con la Honda X-ADV? Si crees que no es posible, entra en http://spr.ly/6180EBN3q y descúbrelo 😉
#mm93playsxadv Source: Marc Márquez on Facebook
The second day of competition in the 2018 FIM ISDE saw competitors repeat the same dusty course as day one. However, with the dry conditions deteriorating it was a physically tough and demanding day for all competitors.
ISDE 2018
At the head of the field, the leading riders were able to avoid the majority of the heavy dust kicked up by the four-hundred and forty-six competitors from the twenty-five competing nations. Those competing towards the rear of the entry certainly had a tough time during day two of the ninety-third edition of the FIM ISDE.
Daniel Sanders
Finishing a close second to the United States on day one, Australia upped their pace considerably on day two. Fastest in the majority of the tests, they turned their four-second deficit into a ninety-one second advantage by the end of the day’s sixth and final special test.
However, there was little reason to celebrate as the team also saw Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM) drop out of the competition. With all remaining rider’s scores counting, Australia can no longer afford another mistake as overall day two winner Daniel Milner (KTM) explains.
Daniel Milner
“It’s been a great day for Australia by taking the overall lead in the FIM ISDE, but we weren’t without trouble either as Lyndon dropped out. With all our scores now to count, we can’t afford another mistake for the next four days.”
Daniel Milner
“Personally, today was my day and I’m happy to take the win,” continued Milner. “I was one of the first riders to start, so that made the tests a little bit easier with no dust and or slower guys to overtake. Tomorrow the plan is to remain smooth and consistent, but most importantly trouble free.”
Daniel Milner
Unable to find an answer to Australia’s relentless pace, the United States were forced to play second fiddle to their close rivals on day two. With day three offering a new course and a fresh set of special tests, they aim to regroup and continue pushing hard.
Josh Strang
Putting in a consistently strong day, Italy moved up one position in the overall standings to third, but are almost two minutes behind the Unites States, with defending champions France yet to find their form in fourth. It was not a good day for Spain as they slipped from third to fifth, while host nation Chile maintain their position of sixth in the overall classification.
In the FIM Junior World Trophy class there was no stopping Italy as they powered their way to another day win. Setting the pace in this year’s race, both Andrea Verona (TM) and Matteo Cavallo (Beta) placed inside the top ten overall, with Verona an impressive fifth.
“Fifth today is a really big result for me,” confirmed Verona. “I pushed hard from the first special test and was able to improve my speed over the previous day. Now, with the team we’ve also increased our lead in the standings and we look forward to what day three will bring.”
The United States hold onto the runner-up result, but are almost three minutes behind the Italians. Nearly a further three minutes back, France end day two in third, while Australia and Chile complete the top five.
Feeling at home in the dry and dusty conditions, Australia were able to build on their lead in the FIM Women’s World Trophy competition. The trio of Tayla Jones (Husqvarna) – fastest overall – Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha) and Mackenzie Tricker (KTM) now enjoy a three-minute and fourteen-second advantage over the United States as they approach the midway point in this year’s race. Spain maintain third overall but slip six minutes behind the United States, while France and Sweden round out the top five.
Tayla Jones
In the individual classification, Taylor Robert (KTM) from the USA maintains his overall lead in the FIM ISDE by three seconds from Milner. Claiming his second consecutive Enduro 2 day win, Taylor is one-minute and fifty-two seconds ahead of Italy’s Alex Salvini (Husqvarna), with Grant Baylor (USA-KTM) thirteen seconds behind Salvini in third.
With his winning ride on day two, Milner also moves to the top of the Enduro 3 category. He holds a seventeen-second advantage over teammate Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna), while Cavallo is third.
Daniel Sanders
The Enduro 1 class is hotly contested with Italy’s Davide Guarneri (Honda) taking a seven-tenth of a second win over compatriot Verona. Guarneri now leads the category by fourteen seconds from American Ryan Sipes (Husqvarna), with Verona third.
Day three of the FIM ISDE will take competitors inland on a new course offering a mixture of hard packed and rocky, mountainous terrain. The proposed two laps and six special tests will total three-hundred kilometres of riding.
Dual MotoGP world champion departs test rider and ambassador role.
Image: Supplied.
Following months of speculation, Ducati has confirmed its partnership with two-time MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has come to an end following a three-year period as a test rider and brand ambassador.
Ducati released a statement declaring Stoner’s contribution was important to the manufacturer, assisting it in constantly improving the performance of the Desmosedici GP, while also playing a role the final development of the Panigale V4.
“I want to thank Ducati for the great memories and especially the support and enthusiasm of the Ducati fans for our shared passion for racing and motorcycling, I’ll always remember this,“ said Stoner.
“Over the past three years I have really enjoyed doing my job with the test team, the engineers and technicians, as we worked towards improving the Desmosedici GP package and I sincerely want to wish the team all the very best for their future endeavours.”
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali commented: “Casey is and will always remain in the hearts of Ducatisti and it is also on their behalf that we wish to thank him for the important collaboration he has offered us over the last three years. His technical indications and suggestions, together with the work and the feedback of the factory riders and Michele Pirro, have helped to make the Desmosedici GP one of the most competitive bikes on the grid.
“His advice for the development of our production bikes has been just as precious and useful. Ducati and its many fans wish to offer their sincere thanks and their best wishes to Casey and his family for a serene and happy future.”
The Australian captured his maiden premier class crown with Ducati in 2007, which marks the company’s sole MotoGP championship to date.
Trio of second place finishes grant American guest victory in AUS Supercross debut.
Image: Supplied.
Penrite Honda Racing guest Cameron McAdoo has dubbed his SX2 victory on Saturday night at the Monster Energy AUS-X Open Sydney as one of the best of his career.
The American was called into the squad for the final round of the Australian Supercross Championship, replacing injured countryman Bradley Taft.
The number 44 lodged a supremely consistent 2-2-2 scorecard in the Triple Crown secure the overall victory in his Australian debut, edging out two-time Australian champion Jackson Richardson (Penrite CRF Honda Racing) by a slender one point margin.
“I am so happy, this is what we wanted but I didn’t know how I would fair against everyone,” McAdoo explained. “There are some fast guys in Australia and to take the win is amazing. his is one of my best wins of my professional career and I couldn’t be happier for the team and everyone that helped make this happen.
“The team is top class, everyone was so accommodating and I knew we had a competitive package following our first test. We only had to make a few minor adjustments and it was all sorted efficiently. I came into race day really prepared considering the turnaround.”
McAdoo is set to return home to America as Penrite Honda Racing SX1 contenders Justin Brayton and Brett Metcalfe head to New Zealand on 24 November for the S-X Open Auckland.
Dates and locations revealed for 2019 world championship.
Image: Supplied.
The provisional 2019 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) calendar has been revealed, indicating the dates and locations for majority of the 13-stop series.
The 2019 championship is set to see the introduction of a three-race format, where race one will remain on the Saturday of each round, while races two and three will be hosted on Sunday, boasting a sprint-length outing on Sunday morning before a traditional-length encounter in the afternoon.
The opening round of WorldSBK will take place at Phillip Island on 22-24 February, before heading to Thailand for round two on 15-17 March. First of the European rounds is Aragon in Spain on 5-7 April, followed by Assen in The Netherlands on 12-14 April and Imola in Italy on 10-12 May.
Spain’s Jerez will host round six on 7-9 June before the series heads to Misano, Italy, on 21-23 June. Round eight is scheduled for 5-7 July Donington Park in the UK, while round nine is still to be announced.
Following the European summer break, racing resumes on 6-8 September in Portugal ahead of round 11 at Magny Cours in France, set for 27-29 September. Argentina will host the penultimate round on 11-13 October, with series wrapping up in Qatar on 24-26 October.
Provisional 2019 WorldSBK calendar:
Rd1- 22-24 February – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Australia
Rd2 – 15-17 March – Chang International Circuit, Thailand
Rd3 – 5-7 April – MotorLand Aragon, Spain
Rd4 – 12-14 April – TT Circuit Assen, The Netherlands
Rd5 – 10-12 May – Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola, Italy
Rd6 – 7-9 June – Circuito de Jerez, Spain
Rd7 – 21-23 June – Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Italy
Rd8 – 5-7 July – Donington Park, UK
Rd9 – 19-21 July – TBA
Rd10 – 6-8 September – Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal
Rd11 – 27-29 September – Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, France
Rd12 – 11-13 October – Circuito San Juan Villicum, Argentina
Rd13 – 24-26 October – Losail International Circuit, Qatar
Milner tops individual results as Australia’s Women’s team continues dominance.
Image: Supplied.
Team Australian has taken charge of the 2018 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Chile after surging ahead in the World Trophy category, comfortably defeating the USA and Italy on day two.
Unfortunately, the squad saw Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM Enduro Racing Team) drop out of the competition, meaning Australia can no longer afford another mistake for the remainder of the event with all rider scores counting.
In the Junior World Trophy class there was no stopping Italy as they powered their way to another day win. Setting the pace in this year’s race, the team edged out USA and France, with Australian winding up in fourth.
Feeling at home in the dry and dusty conditions, Team Australia were able to build on their lead in the Women’s World Trophy competition. The trio of Tayla Jones (Husqvarna), Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha) and Mackenzie Tricker (KTM) now enjoy a three-minute advantage over the USA and Spain.
In the individual classification, Taylor Robert (KTM Factory Racing) from the USA maintains his overall lead by three seconds from Daniel Milner (KTM Enduro Racing Team), who won day two. Milner holds a 17-second advantage over Australian teammate Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna Enduro Racing) in the E3 category, as Robert and Davide Guarneri (Honda) lead the E2 and E1 class respectively.
Aussie contender Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team) is ranked sixth in the E1 category after the opening two days, while Josh Strang (Husqvarna) holds down seventh in the E2 overall standings. Behind fellow Australians Milner and Sanders in E3 are Thomas Mason (KTM) and Andrew Wilksch in 11th and 13th respectively. Jones controls the individual Women’s standings followed by compatriots Tricker and Gardiner in fifth and sixth.
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