Yamaha reaffirms heavy commitment to dirt bike racing next year.
Image: Foremost Media.
Yamalube Yamaha Racing will make an assault at both the 450 and 250 categories in the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals and Australian Supercross Championship, as Yamaha reaffirms its heavy commitment to dirt bike racing domestically.
The factory-backed team, which transitioned from a MXD based squad to the quarter-litre division this season, is still to officially announce its line-up, although it’s tipped the roster will remain unchanged with Jay Wilson set to defend his SX2 crown, while Richie Evans is anticipated to graduate to the premier class.
Alongside Yamaha’s support of a number of championships, the manufacturer has confirmed it will continue to back four official teams in motocross and supercross next year – CDR Yamaha Monster Energy, Serco Yamaha, Yamalube Yamaha Racing and WBR Yamaha – as well as maintaining its Yamaha Junior Racing program, which will see 14 riders supported across six states.
Yamalube Yamaha Active8, headed up by AJ Roberts, will continue to represent Yamaha’s off-road efforts in the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC), Australian Four-Day Enduro (A4DE) and Hattah.
“Yamaha Motor Australia has a proud and successful racing history and it is one of the foundations of which Yamaha is built on,” explained Yamaha’s motorsport manager Ray Howard. “We invest heavily in motorsport as we believe it is not only a great showcase for our products but also the best development grounds to create better ones and Yamaha continue to push the envelope in terms of product development and performance.
“Some of our highest selling bikes, like the WR450 as well as the YZ250F and YZ450F are also racing bikes and our success on the race track has a correlation back to the showroom floor and therefore we will continue to strive for on track success with all our race teams.
“We look forward to an exciting 2019 in all aspects of racing and are confident we have the bikes, riders, teams and sponsorships in place to make it another memorable year for Yamaha.”
Introduced in 2018, the YZ65 Cup will make a welcomed return at selection national events.
MotoGP testing recommences in Spain ahead of 2019.
Image: Supplied.
Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) topped the timesheets on day one at the Jerez MotoGP test after setting a 1m37.968s in the afternoon, heading teammate Andrea Dovizioso – the 04 Italian crashing at turn five late in the day – by 0.217s, with Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) having a very positive opening day to finish P3 on the timesheets.
A cold morning in southern Spain meant the track action didn’t get going until 11:30am local time, but conditions soon improved in the afternoon as the premier class riders continued their crucial 2019 preparations under sunny skies in Jerez. By the half way mark it was Repsol Honda Team’s Jorge Lorenzo heading the pack, but times would tumble further – and Petrucci would emerge fastest.
At Ducati, Petrucci completed 53 laps on Wednesday to be the only rider to dip below the 1m38s bracket. Both he and Dovizioso had a 2018 spec and 2019 spec bike to compare on the opening day in Jerez, but according to team manager Davide Tardozzi, both riders soon switched to the 2019 Desmosedici.
On his last run, however, Dovizioso crashed at turn five to end his day prematurely, although he was ok and had already managed to get 53 laps in as he and Ducati concentrated on electronics, chassis and the engine. The returning Alvaro Bautista – the Spaniard replacing injured test rider Michele Pirro – had a full 2019 spec at his disposal, with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati WorldSBK rider ending the day ninth on the timesheets.
Just ahead of him was Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) in P8, the Australian on a part-2018 and part-2019 Desmosedici for the time being as he worked on the geometry. Miller’s rookie teammate Francesco Bagnaia (Alma Pramac Racing) had another good day on track and was 14th fastest on day one.
The reigning Moto2 Champion has the 2018 Ducati available to him and he completed another 51 laps, finishing 1.189s off Petrucci. Bagnaia described Jerez as a ‘more difficult’ track than Valencia to rider a premier class machine, but he also confirmed he’s progressing in the right way.
For Honda, Takaaki Nakagami was the leading name on Day 1, continuing his impressive start to the 2019 preseason. The Japanese rider completed 66 laps on board a 2018 RC213V, the same bike teammate Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) was using last season. The number 30 rider said the improvement in the engine between the 2017 Honda and the 2018 Honda is quite big, and he was also able to set consistent lap times on the used tyre. Overall, Nakagami was delighted with his progress so far.
Reigning World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) wasn’t far off, though. The second fastest Honda after the first day of action, the Spaniard ended Wednesday P5 on the timesheets. According to team manager Alberto Puig, the bikes were the same as they had in Valencia as the Japanese factory continue to mix parts in order to find the best combination to take to Japan.
Marquez ended the day 0.549s from the top after completing a half-century of laps, while also sporting a new aero package on the front of his Honda. New teammate Lorenzo, who led in the morning for a time, was seventh fastest on his third day riding a Honda. The Spaniard set a quickest time of 1m38.749s to finish 0.781s off Petrucci after getting another 56 laps under his belt. Lorenzo is still not 100 percent fit, adding to the challenge of adaptation from the Ducati.
At Yamaha, work continued on the engine. Maverick Vinales (Yamaha Factory Racing) was a threat at the top throughout the day and put in 58 laps before the end of play – with the number 12 finishing up just over four tenths off the top in P4. He said they were working on race pace, but also said they’re not yet sure about one of the two different spec engines they’re testing – with more work to do on Thursday.
Teammate Valentino Rossi was a later presence pitting out, but the number 46 put in 50 laps on Wednesday once out on track. He ended the day just over a second off Vinales, in P17, but didn’t put in new tyres. He also suffered a technical problem that brought one run to a halt, with Rossi pulling off track after hearing a problem in his M1.
Petronas Yamaha SRT, meanwhile, had another solid day. Franco Morbidelli was sixth overall after 70 laps and a best of 1:38.659, and rookie teammate Fabio Quartararo ended the day in sixteenth. The Frenchman’s best was a 1m39.414s as he continues settling into the premier class.
Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was another entering a new era who impressed – and he was the fastest rookie. He led the way for Suzuki in Jerez to finish the day tenth on the timesheets, although, the 2017 Moto3 World Champion suffered his first MotoGP crash after going down at turn seven just after 13:00 local time. The Spaniard was ok and headed back out later in the day to improve – a hot 1m38.956s his best time, putting him under a second from the top.
His teammate Alex Rins, alongside test rider Sylvain Guintoli, had a lot of new parts to try on Wednesday. The new engine and the chassis has been the main focus for the Hamamatsu factory, with the new engine more powerful than last season’s.
According to team manager Davide Brivio, Rins was on an aluminium chassis, while Guintoli was testing a carbon-based chassis – with Brivio also confirming the plan is to build an aluminium chassis that has the same stiffness as the carbon one. Rins ended the day P13 on the timesheets after completing 87 laps – the most of any rider – while the Guintoli was P22.
At Aprilia, the test got off to a tough start as Aleix Espargaro missed day one through illness – although he’s hoping to ride on Thursday – but new signing Andrea Iannone put the Noale factory in P11 overall with a 1m39.008s. He was only able to complete 24 laps, however, then sitting out the rest of the session after a crash.
Test rider and new arrival Bradley Smith, meanwhile, did 69 laps. He was working with Aleix Espargaro’s bikes, with a new spec engine focused on power delivery and torque, and each Aprilia rider had two chassis to compare. CIV Superbike superstar Matteo Baiocco was also on track for the Noale factory, and he did 49 laps.
Finally, for KTM, it was all hands on deck as the Austrian factory look forward after a more difficult 2018 – Valencia notwithstanding – and they had six bikes in the garage. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider was the lead Orange machine on day one in Jerez too, in P15 with a best of 1m39.241s after 58 laps.
New teammate Johann Zarco was in P19, but the focus? Development and definitely not the timesheets. KTM are working on a huge list – seamless gearbox, chassis parts, aerodynamic parts, a slightly different engine…and they’re using the new IMU.
Their two Independent Team riders at Red Bull KTM Tech 3, meanwhile, were working on the best bike from 2018 – although they’re expected to receive an update in Sepang. Hafizh Syahrin did 51 laps with a best of 1m40.630s and rookie Miguel Oliveira put in 61 laps, ending the day around a second off his more experienced teammate. Testing resumes tomorrow.
Taiwanese company Jarvish has launched a crowd-funding campaign and discounts to produce their X and X-AR smart helmets that include a host of technology as well as voice-only access to Siri, Amazon Alexa and OK Google control.
Other features are a carbonfibre shell, front and rear 1080p 360-degree cameras, Bluetooth audio, active noise cancelling to reduce wind noise, a drop-down HUD screen, and integrated satellite navigation.
A range of those features has been promised in other smart helmets, but none promises all of them.
There are other points of difference:
The cameras will not only record video on 16 GB of internal storage plus a 256GB card slot but the rear camera can also be used as a rear view mirror;
Its head-up display screen is voice-activated to retract and deploy so it isn’t in your face the whole time;
Automated sensors turn the helmet on when you put it on and turns off when you remove the helmet;
Gyro, e-compass, accelerometer and ambient light sensors analyse the weather and road conditions to provide real-time alerts;
Access to Siri, Alexa and OK Google is voice activated without having to tap a button; and
Wireless charging.
Now they have launched their Kickstarter campaign with early bird pledge offers.
The full-featured X-AR is being offered at $US899 (about $A1230) compared with the retail price after the campaign of $US1599 ($A2190). It is scheduled for delivery in September 2019.
A “budget” X version without HUD and the rear camera will cost $US399 ($A545) for early bird backers compared with the retail price of $US699 ($A950). Delivery is planned for April 2019.
Shipping will be free in the UK and US, but $US100 (about $A135) elsewhere.
Jarvish promises to deliver
The Jarvish HUD promises to show “critical information” such as bike speed, local speed limit, time, weather, chance of rain, media, phone calls, fuel stops, compass, navigation, traffic alerts, and even “road slip notifications”.
That’s a lot of information available to overload the rider and possibly make the helmet very heavy.
However, voice activation means the rider can keep their eyes on the road and hands on the bars while control the cameras, make a call, adjust the volume, play music and more.
Even with all that technology and capability, the ECE and DOT-approved carbon helmets weigh only 14.kg for the X and 1.7kg for the X-AR.
Battery life will be six hours for the X. The extra tech in the X-AR will drain the military-grade solid-state flexible type lithium ceramic battery in four hours.
There is also an Android and iOS app that comes with the helmet to widen its capabilities.
So it would be understandable if riders were sceptical about this product materialising as promised next year.
However, at least they are not asking for crowd funding as most others have, including the infamous Skully which squandered its funding on fast cars and fast women and was then supposed to be resurrected by now.
The 2019 Zero DSR electric dual-sport gets more power and torque, increased range and useful features like a windscreen, grippy tank panels, hand guards and a 12V socket. (Photos by Aaron Brimhall)
Sometimes, I can be such a sucker. Apparently, the good folks at Zero Motorcycles know this and jumped on my weakness. While unveiling the 2019 DSR dual-sport electric motorcycle in Santa Cruz, California, the Zero reps set the hook and reeled me in. Following the tech presentation they explained, “…and after the street portion of the ride we’ll ride off-road at a private ranch that we’ll have all to ourselves—dirt roads, unimproved roads, water crossings, a beach-riding photo op and some single-track too.”
Riding an electric dual-sport on a private ranch with wooded trails and beach access? Sign me up!
What??? In my younger years I spent lots of time riding motorcycles around this very same area, decades ago before much of the land became fenced and gated. So I had a good idea about the mix of redwoods, bay laurel trees, ferns and banana slugs we’d see. Sold! I was all in and ready to roll.
Weighing a claimed 416 pounds, the Zero DSR carries its weight low since the “tank” is an empty storage compartment and the enormous battery occupies the space where an internal combustion engine would normally be.
Regarding electric vehicles, some cite concerns about limited range and hassles with recharging battery packs. That’s legit to a point, but the Zero engineers continue to notch advancements by tapping into new battery chemistry, advanced magnet composition, better firmware and redesign of the motor controller for more efficient yet more powerful motors, increased long-term charge storage and more. Claimed horsepower increases from 67 on the DSR we reviewed in 2016 to 70 on the new model, and torque jumps from 106 lb-ft to a whopping 116 lb-ft—that’s more grunt than the most powerful 1,000cc sportbike in production today, as the Zero reps love to explain, and the controller delivers it very smoothly and quickly.
The Zero DSR’s digital instrument panel shows speed, mode, remaining charge, remaining range, battery output/regen as well as a clock and tripmeter functions.
Given increased range claims of 163 miles in the city and 78 miles on the highway, even this new and improved iteration still offers a radically different performance envelope compared to internal-combustion machines. So the key is to clearly identify and stay within the working envelope. Specifically, Zeros can work very well for commuting (especially if you can recharge your bike while at work or school), and in the case of the DSR, it would be grand to have one on hand for riding out from a mountain cabin.
Although considered a dual-sport in Zero’s lineup, the DSR is a street-biased motorcycle that is heavy by dual-sport standards. But having direct drive with no clutch simplifies things when the going gets rough.
On pavement the street-biased DSR feels agile like a sporting 600cc bike in terms of weight and size—albeit one with monster torque. Much of its weight is carried low, which makes it feel even lighter and more nimble than its claimed 416-pound curb weight would suggest. Yet the instant-on torque rockets you out of corners, setting the front end to skipping over the pavement if you’re not careful. The wide handlebar lends leverage for steering input and you can slice and dice your favorite back road right into bite-sized pieces thanks to the stout aluminum frame and high-quality fully adjustable Showa suspension.
The Zero DSR has fully adjustable Showa suspension front and rear. Ahead of the rear shock is the air-cooled electric motor.
I got caught out on the fast-paced first corner; set on Sport mode, the Zero returns little regenerative “engine” braking when you roll off the throttle—surprise! Luckily, my old two-stroke reflexes kicked in and I just squeezed harder on the lever for the single-disc front brake. Off-road, braking power is less of an issue than tire traction; the hybrid Pirelli MT-60s strike a good compromise for street and dirt use, but of course they can’t match the grip of full-on knobby tires when riding on the loose stuff.
The DSR’s riding position feels open and comfortable, with a fairly broad and sufficiently padded seat, though the passenger step restricts rider movement a bit. The handlebar sits a tad too low for this six-footer while standing on the pegs, but the nice, wide footpegs are dual-sport comfortable.
The Zero DSR has an open, comfortable seating position, but for tall folks the bars are too low for stand-up riding.
In the dirt, managing the strong initial power onset can be a little tricky. But with practice it becomes simple to modulate power while negotiating tight spaces, especially if you ramp down to the Eco setting that restricts power delivery. (There’s also a Custom setting for adjusting power and regen to your liking.) Once you get the hang of it, negotiating tight quarters on heavily wooded trails becomes a joy since no clutch skills are needed—one less thing to distract you from the task of actually riding the bike.
In keeping with dual-sport and ADV bike trends, the DSR now comes equipped with a modestly sized windscreen, grippy tank panels for off-road, up-on-the-pegs riding, hand guards and a handy 12-volt accessory socket—all at no added cost over last year’s MSRP of $16,495. That adds measurably to the utility and versatility quotients. Also, the decent-sized “tank top” storage compartment is handy if you don’t install Zero’s accessory extra battery (Power Tank) or fast-charge (Charge Tank) setup.
The Zero DSR’s windscreen, formerly an accessory but now standard, adds wind protection and should improve aerodynamics for better range. The DSR has belt final drive, but a chain conversion kit is available.
Adapting to any vehicle takes some effort as you work to its strengths and cover its weak spots. We already do that when we jump back and forth from four wheels to two, so it’s just another parallel path when we jump from internal combustion to electric bikes. In summary, it’s not about the DSR’s limitations; it’s about how well it actually works as a motorcycle in a variety of settings. And as this short first ride proved, the 2019 Zero DSR can work very well indeed as a capable and versatile dual-sport machine.
2019 Zero DSR Specs Base Price: $16,495 Warranty: 2 yrs.; 5 yrs./unltd. miles for power pack Website:zeromotorcycles.com
Engine Type: Z-Force 75-7R passively air-cooled, high efficiency, radial flux, interior permanent high-temperature magnet, brushless motor Controller: High efficiency, 775-amp, 3-phase brushless controller w/ regenerative deceleration Battery: Z-Force Li-ion intelligent Max. Capacity: 14.4 kWh Nominal Capacity: 12.6 kWh Standard Charger Type: 1.3 kW, integrated Input: Standard 110V or 220V Transmission: Clutchless direct drive Final Drive: Belt
Chassis Frame: Aluminum twin-spar w/ aluminum swingarm Wheelbase: 56.2 in. Rake/Trail: 26.5 degrees/4.6 in. Seat Height: 33.2 in. Suspension, Front: 41mm USD fork, fully adj. w/ 7.0-in travel Rear: Single shock, fully adj. w/ 7.0-in travel Brakes, Front: Single 320mm disc w/ asymmetric 2-piston floating caliper & ABS Rear: Single 240mm disc w/ asymmetric 1-piston floating caliper & ABS Wheels, Front: Cast, 2.50 x 19 in. Rear: Cast, 3.50 x 17 in. Tires, Front: 100/90-19 Rear: 130/80-17 Claimed Wet Weight: 419 lbs. Claimed Load Capacity: 356 lbs. GVWR: 775 lbs.
Performance Claimed Peak Horsepower: 70 Claimed Peak Torque: 116 lb-ft Claimed Top Speed: 102 MPH Claimed Range: 163 miles city/78 miles highway Charging Time (110V): 9.8 hours
If you’re wondering what to get the gearhead in your life for the holidays, Alpinestars has some ideas.
Begin press release:
Just in time for the Christmas season, Alpinestars presents to you just a small array of items from our 2019 collection (click on the product name for links to more information, including purchasing instructions):
A cold morning in southern Spain meant the track action didn’t get going until 11:30am local time (GMT +1), but conditions soon improved in the afternoon as the premier class riders continued their crucial 2019 preparations under sunny skies in Jerez.
By the half way mark it was Repsol Honda Team’s Jorge Lorenzo heading the pack, but times would tumble further – and Petrucci would emerge fastest.
Jorge Lorenzo
At Ducati, Petrucci completed 53 laps on Wednesday to be the only rider to dip below the 1:38 bracket. Both he and Dovizioso had a 2018 spec and 2019 spec bike to compare on the opening day in Jerez, but according to Team Manager Davide Tardozzi, both riders soon switched to the 2019 Desmosedici.
Danilo Petrucci – P1
“I’m very pleased with the way things went today, because it’s always good to finish the day in first place, but in particular I really like the feeling with the used tyre. I always felt good on the bike, like at Valencia, and for me this was important because we changed almost nothing in the set-up and in any case we always went well. Today we didn’t focus on lap times, but instead worked a lot on our pace and also tried some new components that gave us very useful information. Overall I’m really happy with the way we are working together as a team.”
Danilo Petrucci
Dovizioso crashed at turn five on his final run which put a premature end to his day after getting 53 laps in as he and Ducati concentrated on electronics, chassis and the engine. In the evening Andrea went for a check-up with the Clinica Mobile doctors, who diagnosed him with a bruised left thumb, but the Italian rider should be able to go out on track again tomorrow.
Andrea Dovizioso – P2
“Today we were able to do several tests and we were very quick, even on used tyres, and so I’m pleased about that. Unfortunately at the end of the session I crashed at turn 5 while I was improving my time and I hurt my left thumb. Luckily nothing seems to be broken and if the pain is bearable tomorrow I’ll continue with our work load because we still need confirmation on some of the new components.”
Andrea Dovizioso
The test also saw the presence of Álvaro Bautista, who on Monday and Tuesday had made his debut with the factory Panigale V4R of the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team with whom he will compete in the 2019 Superbike World Championship. In this two-day MotoGP test, Álvaro is standing in for Michele Pirro on the Ducati Test Team’s Desmosedici GP, because this afternoon the Italian underwent surgery on his right shoulder, which he injured in a crash during practice at Mugello. Bautista did a total of 64 laps, the best of which was 1’38.830, and he finished the day in ninth place.
Alvaro Bautista and Andrea Dovizioso
Álvaro Bautista – P9
“I’m very pleased to be able to help Ducati to develop the new bike and collect some important information, but it was also nice to get back on a MotoGP bike once again. It’s been two months since I raced the GP18 at Phillip Island, but today I felt good on the bike, even with the gearbox that created a few problems for me in Australia.We managed to test everything we had planned and I believe it was a positive day from all points of view. Tomorrow we’ll continue to try some new parts in view of the next season.”
Álvaro Bautista
Just ahead of Bautisa was Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) in P8, the Australian on a part-2018 and part-2019 Desmosedici for the time being as he worked on the geometry.
Jack Miller
Jack Miller – P8
“It was a good day for us. We have been on track a lot and lap after lap I feel more and more comfortable on the bike. The chrono is not bad even if I have to do better in the fourth sector where I think I have left at least three tenths of a second. Tomorrow we will also work on this”.
Jack Miller
Miller’s rookie teammate Francesco Bagnaia (Alma Pramac Racing) had another good day on track and was 14th fastest on Day 1. The reigning Moto2 Champion has the 2018 Ducati available to him and he completed another 51 laps, finishing 1.189 off Petrucci. Bagnaia described Jerez as a “more difficult” track than Valencia to rider a premier class machine, but he also confirmed he’s progressing in the right way.
Pecco Bagnaia
Pecco Bagnaia – P14
“This track is more demanding than Valencia and you need to control the bike a lot. I’m pleased with the progress made on the setup but I still have some difficulties in braking: I have to be able to use the rear brake more like Dovi does. We did a lot of laps with used tyres and the pace is good”.
Pecco Bagnaia
For Honda, Takaaki Nakagami was the leading name on Day 1, continuing his impressive start to the 2019 preseason. The Japanese rider completed 66 laps on board a 2018 RC213V, the same bike teammate Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) was using last season. The number 30 rider said the improvement in the engine between the 2017 Honda and the 2018 Honda is quite big, and he was also able to set consistent lap times on the used tyre. Overall, Nakagami was delighted with his progress so far.
Takaaki Nakagami – P3
“I’m really happy with today’s first day of testing, and in particular with my feeling on board the bike. The lap time was really consistent both with new and old tyres. We focused on trying to improve rear grip, and Öhlins gave me a different shock and some other new items to test which were quite positive for me, because I had a really good feeling with the machine. Still we have to try to make myself more consistent in my riding with the used tyre. Tomorrow we have a few small things to try, but I am happy with the progress we have made on this first day.”
Reigning World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) wasn’t far off, though. The second fastest Honda after the first day of action, the Spaniard ended Wednesday P5 on the timesheets. According to Team Manager Alberto Puig, the bikes were the same as they had in Valencia as the Japanese factory continue to mix parts in order to find the best combination to take to Japan. Marquez ended the day 0.549 from the top after completing a half-century of laps, while also sporting a new aero package on the front of his Honda.
Marc Marquez
Marc Marquez – P5
“We started with this season’s bike before swapping to the new one. We did that in order to try and better understand a few things, because the feeling is different. Tomorrow we’ll concentrate more on the new version. Today we mainly worked on the bike’s base setup and tried some new details. Our race pace was good. I already feel comfortable on the bike, and tomorrow we’ll work to further adjust the setup and geometry, besides continuing to try new particulars. I think the base is good and that we’re going on the correct direction.”
Marc Marquez
New teammate Jorge Lorenzo, who led in the morning for a time, was seventh fastest on his third day riding a Honda. The Spaniard set a quickest time of 1:38.749 to finish 0.781 off Petrucci after getting another 56 laps under his belt. Lorenzo is still not 100% fit, adding to the challenge of adaptation from the Ducati.
At Yamaha, work continued on the engine. Maverick Viñales (Yamaha Factory Racing) was a threat at the top throughout the day and put in 58 laps before the end of play – with the number 12 finishing up just over four tenths off the top in P4. He said they were working on race pace, but also said they’re not yet sure about one of the two different spec engines they’re testing – with more work to do on Thursday. Viñales was joined in the pit box by new crew chief Esteban García for the first time today.
Maverick Viñales
Maverick Viñales – P4
“We tried the same engine as we used in Valencia, to try to understand which way we should go. This track is even more difficult for us than Valencia, there it‘s easier to make a good lap time, so I‘m quite happy that today we were so consistent with many laps on the tyre. The track was a bit slippery for our bike today, but the M1 was working well, so I think the decision is more or less made, but we still have to check. I prefer riding with more engine brake, because for my riding style it helps a lot. I‘m quite curious to see what happens tomorrow when we start modifying the set-up a little. Let‘s see if we can be more competitive. I think we can still improve the electronics and the base set-up a lot, because the bike works a bit different now and it permits me to enter the corner faster, so we need to change the setting, because I can ride more naturally now. It was a good first day with Esteban. It was good to reconnect, he‘s a really calm person, so we work well together. We were on top for a while today, so I‘m happy.”
Maverick Viñales
Teammate Valentino Rossi was a later presence pitting out, but the number 46 put in 50 laps on Wednesday once out on track. He ended the day just over a second off Viñales, in P17, but didn’t put in new tyres. He also suffered a technical problem that brought one run to a halt, with Rossi pulling off track after hearing a problem in his M1.
Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi – P17
“At the end my position in the timesheets is really bad, also because we had some problems with the new tyres, so I didn‘t do a time-attack. My pace is a little bit better, but I have to check the data more thoroughly. We continued to test the engine, we made some comparisons. The direction to go in and the decision is quite clear. I started riding on new tyres, but at one point I heard a strange noise, so I stopped. I sincerely don‘t know what happened yet.”
Valentino Rossi
Petronas Yamaha SRT, meanwhile, had another solid day. Franco Morbidelli was sixth overall after 70 laps and a best of 1:38.659, and rookie teammate Fabio Quartararo ended the day in sixteenth. The Frenchman’s best was a 1:39.414 as he continues settling into the premier class.
Franco Morbidelli – P6
“I am very happy with today. We have backed up the good feeling from Valencia at a different circuit, which is not as suited to the characteristics of our bike as other tracks. It has been a good day in terms of our speed, we have to improve our consistency but the feeling on new tyres was good. We have to work out what else we can improve and I also have to keep learning but it’s a case of ‘so fast, so good’. Today we basically focused on working with the electronics at this circuit, especially on our first runs. We also tried some set-up changes but nothing really new compared to last week.”
Franco Morbidelli
Fabio Quartararo – P16
“Today we took another step forward in terms of corner speed, in comparison with Valencia, which is important. Now we need to analyse corner by corner where we are losing the most time – some in the exit, some in the entry – and see from the data what we can work on. The important thing is that we are improving and especially here at one of the most difficult circuits on the calendar, where I have not ridden a MotoGP bike before. I am really happy with today and I hope we can continue improving tomorrow. We have saved some new tyres with the second day’s work in mind.”
Fabio Quartararo
Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was another entering a new era who impressed – and he was the fastest rookie. He led the way for Suzuki in Jerez to finish the day tenth on the timesheets, although, the 2017 Moto3 World Champion suffered his first MotoGP crash after going down at Turn 7 just after 13:00 local time. The Spaniard was ok and headed back out later in the day to improve – a hot 1:38.956 his best time, putting him under a second from the top.
Joan Mir – P10
“The important thing is that I’m feeling good. I have some bumps and bruises but nothing worse, despite it being a hard crash. After the crash I was able to get my good feeling back straight away and recover my lap times, and I continued to put in laps until the end of the day. I set a time in the 1:38 bracket and I’m very satisfied with that for the first day. I also worked a bit on the electronics and a few new parts. We’re happy with what we’ve achieved today and how it’s all been going, and we hope tomorrow will also be good.”
Joan Mir
His teammate Alex Rins, alongside test rider Sylvain Guintoli, had a lot of new parts to try on Wednesday. The new engine and the chassis has been the main focus for the Hamamatsu factory, with the new engine more powerful than last season’s. According to Team Manager Davide Brivio, Rins was on an aluminium chassis, while Guintoli was testing a carbon-based chassis – with Brivio also confirming the plan is to build an aluminium chassis that has the same stiffness as the carbon one.
Davide Brivio – Suzuki Team Manager
“Today was a good day, despite Joan’s crash. Fortunately he was OK and able to test again in the afternoon. He set some very good lap times and he tried a few different parts, he did a good job after the crash. Alex had a tricky day with a lot of hard work on testing; back-to-back comparisons with chassis in order to get as much information as possible. So we feel good about today and everything is on schedule. We’re looking forward to working again tomorrow.”
Alex Rins
Rins ended the day P13 on the timesheets after completing 87 laps – the most of any rider – while Guintoli was P22.
Alex Rins – P13
“I tried the 2019 chassis today and I’m quite happy. The new chassis has some positives and some negatives at the moment, but we’ve only just started to test it so there’s plenty of time to make more comparisons and improvements. I also had the new engine to try, the one I already had in Valencia last week. I feel that the new spec. engine has more power than the old one. We’ve improved it since Valencia, because there it felt a bit aggressive, but now the power delivery has been made smoother thanks to the electronics. So now I feel really good with this engine, but we’ll continue working on it to get the perfect feeling. We got a lot done today and we’re happy.”
Alex Rins
At Aprilia, the test got off to a tough start as Aleix Espargaro missed Day 1 through illness – although he’s hoping to ride on Thursday – but new signing Andrea Iannone put the Noale factory in P11 overall with a 1:39.008. He was only able to complete 24 laps, however, then sitting out the rest of the session after a crash. Test rider and new arrival Bradley Smith, meanwhile, did 69 laps. He was working with Aleix Espargaro’s bikes, with a new spec engine focused on power delivery and torque, and each Aprilia rider had two chassis to compare. CIV Superbike superstar Matteo Baiocco was also on track for the Noale factory, and he did 49 laps.
Bradley Smith – P18
“This type of test with Aleix’s material was planned, but his physical problem sped up the timeline. It was important for me to test all the material available to Aprilia in order to complete the programme and provide the technicians with the best possible indications. Compared to Valencia, some big steps forward were made. I feel much more at ease with the RS-GP. Today I compared to different types of engine and tomorrow morning I’ll continue with Aleix’s bike before going back in the afternoon to work with the test team.”
Bradley Smith
Finally, for KTM, it was all hands on deck as the Austrian factory look forward after a more difficult 2018 – Valencia notwithstanding – and they had six bikes in the garage. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider was the lead Orange machine on Day 1 in Jerez too, in P15 with a best of 1:39.241 after 58 laps. New teammate Johann Zarco was in P19, but the focus? Development and definitely not the timesheets. KTM are working on a huge list – seamless gearbox, chassis parts, aerodynamic parts, a slightly different engine…and they’re using the new IMU.
Their two Independent Team riders at Red Bull KTM Tech 3, meanwhile, were working on the best bike from 2018 – although they’re expected to receive an update in Sepang. Hafizh Syahrin did 51 laps with a best of 1:40.630 and rookie Miguel Oliveira put in 61 laps, ending the day around a second off his more experienced teammate.
Hafizh Syahrin – P21
“The first day here is already over and I have the feeling that we are going in the right way together with my crew to set up the new bike. We start to understand it step by step, the character and how to ride it. We did quite a good amount of laps and began to find out how the suspension works, what we can change about it and how we can use it. We believe that we could have improved the lap time if we would have changed the tyres again, but we saved them because I wanted to do a long run in order to simulate a race. Even by the end, my lap times were quite good. So, I’m very happy and I hope we can make another step forward tomorrow, trying to get closer to the top.”
Hafizh Syahrin
Miguel Oliveira – P23
“Today we rode here in Jerez de la Frontera for the first time. We made some good progress in the course of the day. We didn’t do huge steps, but went one small one by another. We were able to understand the bike better and better, found some things that are missing, which also refers to the riding side. Now we focus on improving tomorrow.”
Miguel Oliveira
Testing continues on Thursday.
Jerez MotoGP Test- November 2018 Day One Times
PETRUCCI Danilo 9 ITA Ducati Team Ducati 1:37.968
DOVIZIOSO Andrea 4 ITA Ducati Team Ducati 1:38.185 / 0.217
KTM give you a chance to own a genuine MotoGP bike
Chances like this do not come along too often: KTM is releasing two of their ground breaking MotoGP KTM RC16 race bikes for sale.
The motorcycle comes as part of a special ‘pack’ to ensure an exclusive and special MotoGP experience for the most avid of racing fans
There are a lot of motorcycles leaving the factory floors at Mattighofen but hardly any are as exclusive as this.
Randy De Puniet – Valencia MotoGP Testing 2016
KTM are thrilled to be able to offer two of our MotoGP KTM RC16 race bikes for private purchase.
Mika Kallio – Valencia MotoGP Testing 2016
This pure track weapon was sculpted and created over a two-year period up until the motorcycle’s wildcard MotoGP debut at Valencia in 2016.
Mika Kallio – Valencia MotoGP 2016
Just two seasons of full time competition on the MotoGP grid later and the RC16 was part of the 2018 Valencia Grand Prix podium celebration.
Included in the very rare sale of this milestone of engineering are a number of other items. For the sum of 250,000 euros the bike is accompanied by: a full set of Pol Espargaro’s race gear, a signed Pol Espargaro helmet and the chance to become a member of the Red Bull KTM Factory Team for the weekend with a paddock tour, pitbox tour, a meet and greet with Pol and Johann Zarco, a set of Red Bull KTM team wear and Red Bull Energy Station access all weekend at a Grand Prix of your choice.
Pol Espargaro – KTM RC16
KTM take pride in their motorcycles having the READYTORACE DNA but it doesn’t come more unique and refined as the RC16.
Interested buyers should contact: [email protected] for initial enquiries
If you’re headed to the New York International Motorcycle Show, here’s your chance to see all the new Ducati models.
Begin press release:
The city of New York will soon have their chance to witness the breathtaking new 2019 lineup from famed Italian motorcycle leader Ducati, as the brand is bringing their newest models to the East Coast for the first time. The display at Manhattan’s Javits Convention Center will be open to the public Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2, as part of the New York International Motorcycle Show (IMS).
Leading the way is the new pinnacle of performance technology, the Panigale V4 R, along with an adventurous and all terrain capable Multistrada 1260 Enduro, and the first significantly new Diavel since its debut in 2010, with a new 1262 cc engine and muscular styling — making it a completely new motorcycle. The Hypermotard 950 also gets a big update with a new look, lighter weight improved technology and higher horsepower engine.
Celebrating one of this year’s key victories for Ducati, four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb champion Carlin Dunne’s Multistrada Pikes Peak motorcycle, which won the 96th running of the 2018 race in June in practically stock trim, will also be displayed.
Movie and comic fans will additionally enjoy the presence of the Scrambler Full Throttle ridden by actor Tom Hardy, as Eddie Brock in the blockbuster film “Venom” – which will be onsite for fans to take photos with.
Along with showcasing new models, other favorites on the show stand will include the Panigale V4 S superbike, 959 Panigale, SuperSport in new Titanium color, as well as the Monster 821, representing the Ducati Worlds, ranging from Racetrack, Travel, Lifestyle, Scrambler to Sport & Fun. For those wishing to be one of the first clients to take delivery of a 2019 model, Ducati also will be taking orders on-site at the Javits Center.
Motorcycles Slated for New York IMS Showcase
Diavel 1260 ($19,995 MSRP / Available April 2019) – Unconventional, unique and unmistakable, the second-generation Diavel 1260 remains faithful to the original spirit of this incredibly special bike, drawing on its key styling elements and putting a decidedly more contemporary slant on it. Its Testastretta DVT 1262 engine is capable of delivering 159 horsepower at 9,500 rpm. The bike also includes an upgraded chassis to make it more responsive on mixed-road routes. The S version on display also features fully adjustable Öhlins suspension, dedicated wheels, and an even higher-performance braking system, with Ducati Quick Shift up & down Evo (DQS) as standard to allow clutchless shifting.
Panigale V4 R ($40,000 MSRP / Available March 2019) – The new Ducati flagship superbike, the Panigale V4 R, will make its East Coast debut in New York. The motorcycle features technology taken from MotoGP racing and is a racing bike that can be enjoyed on the streets. Following Ducati’s first mass-production four-cylinder engine, the V4, debut in 2017, the V4 R is now the pinnacle of the new Panigale V4 family and can claim the title as the ultimate road-legal Ducati competition bike. This is the most powerful, high-performance factory bike ever built by Ducati, with new technology like carbon fiber aerofoils that increase stability and allow for reduced reliance on electronic controls.
Multistrada 1260 Enduro ($21,795 MSRP / Available March 2019) – The Multistrada 1260 Enduro is the new generation of the off-road member of the Multistrada family. It has an increased engine size with the 1262 cc Testastretta DVT engine pushing out 158 horsepower, which is an increase from 152 horsepower from the previous Multistrada 1200 Enduro.
Hypermotard 950 ($13,295 MSRP / Available February 2019) – With new sharper angles and a lighter weight, the adrenaline-packed Hypermotard takes its look from the supermotard race world and for 2019 comes with completely overhauled ergonomics and an ultra-advanced chassis set-up and electronics package. A full 8 lbs lighter than the previous model, the Hypermotard mounts a renewed 937 cc Testastretta 11° engine with a more muscular 114 hp.
Hypermotard 950 SP ($16,695 MSRP / Available February 2019) – The spirited and higher-performing Hypermotard SP also on display is Ducati’s offer for those looking for Hooligan-style excitement, featuring a flat seat, increased-travel Öhlins suspension, Marchesini forged wheels and Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up and Down EVO, as well as Carbon Fiber components such as front mud guard and timing belt covers.
XDiavel (Matt Liquid Concrete Grey) ($20,795 MSRP / Available December 2018) – New for 2019, the XDiavel – famous for representing the best parts of the Ducati performance world and the relaxed cruiser world – now comes available in an uncompromising new color palette, the stunning Matt Liquid Concrete Grey. The finish and style express the motorcycle’s edgy spirit and take the XDiavel’s strong look to new levels.
Scrambler Icon ($9,395 MSRP / Available January 2019) – The Scrambler brand was launched in 2014 and has become Ducati’s best-selling model by volume. For 2019, the new Scrambler Icon continues this vintage-inspired-joy of a motorcycle with important technological updates in the world of safety, including Bosch Cornering ABS. Visually, the new motorcycle continues retro-inspired style with new, beefier side panels to match the steel of the teardrop tank and the glass of the headlight. A black-painted engine, brushed cylinder head fins and machine-finished rims give the new Ducati Scrambler Icon even more eye-catching panache.
Scrambler Desert Sled ($11,995 MSRP / Available January 2019) – For 2019, the Scrambler Desert Sled rekindles the spirit of classic American off-road bikes without compromising the Ducati Scrambler lifestyle. With its red frame, new seat with color-coordinated stitching and spoked wheels with black rims, it exudes off-road fun. The new Desert Sled also features an Off-Road Riding Mode that allows ABS disengagement for down-in-the-dirt joy. A dedicated riding position and adjustable Kayaba suspension also ramp up the fun factor. Rugged off-road character oozes from the type-approved headlight mesh guard, high mudguards (specially designed for this version) and engine skid pan.
Scrambler Café Racer ($11,995 MSRP / Available January 2019) – The new 2019 Scrambler Café Racer draws its inspiration, and its Silver Ice Matte graphics with blue frame, from the legendary Ducati 125GP Desmo. The new 17″ spoked wheels and aluminum bar-end mirrors give the bike a cool 1960s race look, while a modern radial front brake pump provides braking performance on a par with that of a sport bike. It’s a rare Ducati in blue – one surely to catch the eyes of everyone on the streets.
Scrambler Full Throttle ($10,995 MSRP / Available January 2019) – The new 2019 Full Throttle takes its cue from the flat track Scrambler ridden by Californian racer Frankie Garcia in the 2018 American Super Hooligan Championship. With its two-tone black-yellow, white-striped tank, all-new rear end with dedicated seat and white-rimmed yellow number holders, this bike has a real dirt track competition feel. A low-slung tapered handlebar – light and ergonomic – stubby front mudguard and dual-silencer exhaust add to the distinctiveness of the Scrambler Full Throttle.
SBS is going to stop using glue and other chemical bonding agents for its brake pads, becoming the first company to do so.
Begin press release:
SBS Friction A/S on the way to complete implementation of mechanical bonding for both ceramic and sintered brake pads.
The leader in power sport brakes, SBS Friction is committed to work towards implementation of 100% NRS Safe usage throughout its brake pad product line. NRS Safe products eliminate glue and other ways of bonding the friction material to the backing plate. Instead, SBS will exclusively use the NUCAP Retention System (NRS), the most advanced mechanical attachment technology with a zero failure rate in over 1 Billion units Worldwide.
SBS last year released the SP sinter compound with NRS Safe technology for street riding, a first in the motorcycle industry. The SP line was well received by customers and garnered great reviews by industry media worldwide. NRS Safe was previously used only on organic brake pads, but through extensive Research and Development, SBS is now able to expand this technology into sinter compounds.
“The braking environment demands components that are capable of standing up to its violent vibration as well as incredible heating and cooling fluctuations. NRS Safe attachment is a mechanism that does not fail” NUCAP CEO Montu Khokhar comments.
A new range of industry leading road racing brake pads with NRS Safe technology was developed over the past few years and launched as the new Dynamic Racing Concept at EICMA in Milan, Italy in early November 2018. This underscores SBS’ position as the high standard in braking through design, quality, performance and durability.
“There is no room for error in motorcycle braking. By going 100% NRS Safe, SBS is using the absolute best in mechanical attachment enabling its riders to feel confident that they are using the safest performing brakes available” SBS Friction A/S CSO Christel Munk Pedersen says.
ABOUT SBS
SBS Friction A/S is a Danish based company that develops, manufactures and markets brake pads and friction solutions for motorcycles, scooters, special cars, ATVs and industrial applications such as wind turbines. The product range includes other important brake components such as brake discs, brake shoes, brake pins and accessory parts for the motorcycle enthusiast. The history goes back to 1964, now being number one 1 in the European aftermarket for motorcycle brake pads SBS is known for braking excellence.
ABOUT NUCAP and NRS Safe
NUCAP is the global leader in brake system component innovation and manufacturing. With locations in Canada, China, Spain and the United States, NUCAP co-develops and supplies next generation brake safety technologies to the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors of brake pads and shoes. The NUCAP Retention System (NRS) is a process for the surface modification of disc brake backing plates, adding a consistent matrix of raised steel hooks that facilitate a mechanical bond between disc brake plate and friction materials.
If you’ve ever had your helmet stolen from your bike or accidentally knocked or blown off your bike, then the stylish rear-rack-mounted Kobe Smart Case could be your solution.
It electronically secures your helmet to your bike when parked and neatly folds away when not in use to be visually discrete and aerodynamic while riding.
The waterproof case not only protects your helmet from the elements, but an electronic alarm and a reinforced steel cable also protect it from thieves.
When not in use, the flexible case folds away to just 6cm to it doesn’t look ugly or cause any air turbulence.
But the Kobe Smart Case does not come cheap at €199 (about $A310, $US225).
It was developed by Infinitum Projects in Barcelona and Kobe founder and CEO Jordi Mercader ays the Kobe Smart Case will not spoil the beautiful lines of your bike.
“The best design is the smallest design,” he says.
“Less, but better because it concentrates the essential aspects and the product and is not loaded with non-essential features.”
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