“KTM is now gunning to become one of the top three manufacturers of full-size motorcycles. In the past decade, [CEO Stefan] Pierer has more than quadrupled sales even as the European market for two-wheelers shrank 14%. He says new designs and a greater focus on Asia will help him reach annual sales of 400,000 by 2022, which would put him within striking distance of today’s No. 3, Kawasaki Motors Co.”
“I don’t think there’s any shadow of a doubt about that and what he has done. And when I came back (to the sport), it was his first year in the 500s. I have actually commentated on every one of his 500 or MotoGP™ victories. But I want that fact to disappear as I’d love to see him win again! But the impact he’s made on and off the track is amazing. He is an amazing motorcycle racer, his charisma off the track… I remember going to Silverstone when they launched the new pit complex, the Wing. They’d assembled all the greats of motorsport there, from Jackie Stewart, Murray Walker, Niki Lauda, Damon Hill, you name them, they were all there.
“I don’t think there’s any shadow of a doubt about that and what he has done. And when I came back (to the sport), it was his first year in the 500s. I have actually commentated on every one of his 500 or MotoGP™ victories. But I want that fact to disappear as I’d love to see him win again! But the impact he’s made on and off the track is amazing. He is an amazing motorcycle racer, his charisma off the track… I remember going to Silverstone when they launched the new pit complex, the Wing. They’d assembled all the greats of motorsport there, from Jackie Stewart, Murray Walker, Niki Lauda, Damon Hill, you name them, they were all there.
From there, the road ascends to a high altitude ecosystem, known as el páramo, home to the spectacled bear and frailejones, the only South American bear and a water gathering plant in the sunflower family, respectively. At this altitude, the temperature gauge on my bike read 17° centigrade, but I suspect the temperatures, with windchill and blanketed fog, were much lower.
“From a stroke, as if it were a signature, we designed this special helmet, drawing the elements that most identify me: the 93 and the ant,” said Marquez. “Plus, the elements that identify the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya: the main grandstand, the tower of the straight and the piano characteristic of the circuit.”
The Trilobite Rally jacket is made of abrasion-resistant Trilobitex that looks like waxed cotton.
Before disappearing in the mass extinction at the end of the Paleozoic era about 252 million years ago, trilobites were one of the most enduring early animals, thriving in the seas for more than 300 million years. Much credit for their survival goes to the arthropod’s tough exoskeleton, which resembles an articulated motorcycle back protector.
This flexible protective shell (and more than likely a few beers) was the inspiration for the name Trilobitex, a strong denim-like material at the heart of the Trilobite premium aramid apparel line. It includes jackets, shirts, gloves and men’s and women’s riding jeans, all designed in the Czech Republic and imported to the U.S. by Motonation.
Trilobite’s Rally jacket jumped off the catalog page at me thanks to its traditional but stylish waxed cotton and denim look. A technical touring jacket, the Rally’s outer materials include Trilobitex in the impact and abrasion areas, which is a laminate of Dyneema denim (said to have extremely high tensile strength), a Kevlar layer for abrasion and tearing resistance and a Tri-Tex waterproof membrane.
All told Trilobitex is far stronger and more abrasion resistant than Cordura nylon but looks like denim. The rest of the jacket features waxed cotton laminated with Kevlar and a Tri-Tex membrane for good looks, durability and waterproofness, and YKK zippers are used throughout.
The Trilobite Rally jacket comes in men’s sizes S-2XL.
Backing up the Rally’s rugged shell is CE Level 2 armor in the shoulders and elbows, and there’s a pocket for an optional $79 CE Level 2 back protector. For additional warmth and water resistance, the jacket includes a zip-out Thermolite vest and zip-out Tri-Tex waterproof jacket liner that can be worn separately. With the liners out the Rally jacket is a nice weight for warm-weather riding, and large zippered vents on the chest, back and sleeves flow lots of air.
Comfort and fit are enhanced with soft-touch material on the cuffs and collar, which has a strap retainer, and adjustable waist belts and sleeve straps. Cargo capacity is immense, too, with a total of nine pockets, including a large zippered hunter’s pocket on the lower back, and interior wallet and media pockets. For conspicuity there’s a reflective Trilobite logo emblazoned across the back.
With the Tri-Tex liner zipped in the Rally jacket is thoroughly waterproof, and it takes a real gully washer to make it leak even with the liner out. I find it the perfect weight for three-season riding with mild summers, and I really like the look and fit. The Trilobite Rally jacket comes in Dark Blue/Black in men’s sizes S-2XL and goes for $319 with a one-year warranty.
For more information, call (619) 401-4100 or visit motonation.com.
On top of the excitement and buzz of Barcelona’s beautiful architecture, landmarks, restaurants and bars, the wider Catalonia region has superb beaches, forests, mountains, and a highly agreeable Mediterranean climate. A perfect destination for your trip to a Grand Prix weekend.
372 – 372 different riders have stood on the top step of the podium. Giacomo Agostini leads the way with 122 wins, followed by Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) with 115 victories, 90 for Angel Nieto, 76 for Mike Hailwood and 73 for Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team).
Muhammad Idil Fitri Bin Mahadi is the first home hero in the standings lining up and he’s currently 11th overall, but his best finish has been an eighth place in Buriram. Can he move forward on home turf? Syarifuddin Azman will want to join him, too, with the second Malaysian in the Championship having been in the top ten already. (And there’s more – Sepang also welcomes the return of Danial Sharil after a long period of recovery following his crash in the 2018 season finale. He’s a former podium finisher at the venue and Championship contender, so how will he fare as he gets back to competition?)
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