Summer temperatures to offer new challenge this weekend in Spain.
Image: Supplied.
Four-time defending champion Jonathan Rea has expressed the importance of taking advantage of the opening practice sessions this weekend at Jerez for round six of the 2019 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), as track temperatures are set to rise above conditions previously raced in.
The Kawasaki Racing Team contender, who’s coming off a stellar season-first victory at Imola, says lapping the circuit in practice will offer a boost in crucial data for the remainder of the weekend as the WorldSBK takes to the Spanish circuit in the European summer for the first time.
“I’m excited to go to Jerez and understand our potential there,” Rea commented. “After the race weekend in Imola and a positive test at Misano I feel ready for this next challenge. Jerez is a very nice circuit to ride, especially the fast flowing corners at the end of the lap.
“It will be important to make a lot of laps during practice to prepare for the races, as it’s the first time we have raced in Jerez during the summer. The temperatures will be much higher than we experienced during our winter tests. With this in mind, we will work hard and try to keep the momentum going.”
Rea sits second in the championship rankings, 43 points behind WorldSBK rookie Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).
Herlings return scheduled for this weekend in Russia
Section: Competition
Reigning world champion to make first MXGP start of the year.
Image: Supplied.
Reigning MXGP world champion Jeffrey Herlings will return to racing this weekend at the MXGP of Russia in Orlyonok, marking round eight of the world championship.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider suffered an injury while training in Spain in January, undergoing a complex procedure with renowned surgeon Dr Claes to fix multiple fractures in his right foot.
The 24-year-old completed national race events in Holland and Austria last week where he scored top three classifications, in what were his first competitive outings for the Dutchman since he sustained the damage.
“I’ve just been on the bike for three weeks and it has been going okay,” said Herlings. “I’ll be going to Russia with a different mindset to usual. It will be the first of three races in a row and those will be important weeks to build-up race-rhythm for the rest of the season.
“I did two national events and my speed was there but I was struggling with the normal things you get on the way back from injury – arm-pump and running with other riders again. It will be even tougher with a whole bunch of top guys in Russia!
“I don’t have a position in mind. I’ll do my best of course and I’ll be happy with something between 5-10 but we have to keep realistic. When we go to Latvia next, which is a bit sandy, then we can look and see and maybe think a bit differently.”
The 2019 MXGP World Championship is led by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, who holds a 10-point advantage over Tim Gajser (Honda HRC).
Toowoomba riding trainer Tony Gallagher watched as his 2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R sunk into thin bitumen and then fall over in a Crows Nest main street parking bay.
To add insult to “injury”, Toowoomba Regional Council insurance officer Josie Hooper says council is not liable for compensation.
“Under Section 37 of the Civil Liability Act, a road authority such as Council cannot be held liable for claims that arise out of alleged lack of maintenance, repair, or inspection of a road if, at the time of the damage, the road authority was unaware of the defect which allegedly caused the damage,” she says in an official letter to Tony two months after his complaint.
Crows Nest Motorcycle Friendly Town spokesman Ron Anderson says he is not aware of any other motorcycles falling over in parking bays in town.
Fall from grace
Tony and his 2001 Kwaka
“The bike was parked for at least 10 minutes, maybe 15, before falling over. I saw it fall over,” Tony says.
“The bitumen beneath the sidestand failed and the stand sunk into the ground several inches.”
Tony contacted council who patched the hole before he left town on the day.
Patch repair
“The staff member who did the repair apologised to me,” Tony says.
“I would argue that they could have reasonably known that there was a fault with the road surface as there have been issues with the adjoining footpath and kerbing.
“As TRC are fully aware of these issues, the quality of the road surface where vehicles park should have been investigated and rectified prior to this incident. As such TRC have breached their duty of care.
“I went back the following Monday on my GPZ and noticed parks further up the hill are decaying — not obvious in the park I was in.
“Hardly a ‘Motorcycle Friendly Town’ if you can’t park your bike safely.”
Tony says the bitumen was about 10mm thick with mud underneath and suspects an underground water problem.
He returned to the site this week and says there is moisture coming from the patched repair.
The incident occurred on a mild April day, so there was no problem with melting tar.
Tony says he has witnesses who can prove his bike did not roll off the stand and was parked facing uphill.
No liability
Legal precedence shows that council is cannot be held liable if they did not know about the damage.
In her letter to Tony, Josie says their investigations found that council was unaware of “the specific characteristic of the road and/or car park you say caused the damage to the motorcycle”.
TRC says riders can report road damage to Customer Service on 131 872. Customer Service will create a ticket in the system to have the incident investigated by the relevant team in Council.
It was 30 years ago today at the TT when the father of four times WSBK Champion Jonathan Rea took victory in the 1989 Junior TT Race. Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook
Yamaha have revealed details of their 2020 YZ MX range highlighted by a newly redesigned YZ450F.
The new YZ450F features a lighter and more compact engine, redesigned frame with new flex characteristics and host of other features to deliver a lighter, more powerful and better handling experience.
2020 Yamaha YZ450F
Also returning for 2020 is the championship-winning Yamaha YZ250F, along with Yamaha’s legendary two-stroke lineup featuring the YZ250, YZ125, YZ85/LW and YZ65.
The new 2020 Yamaha YZ450F has been redesigned to provide a lighter, more powerful, and better handling motorcycle. The new 449cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, electric start engine features an all-new compact and lighter cylinder head with redesigned combustion chamber shape, steeper valve angles and more aggressive cam profiles.
2020 Yamaha YZ450F
The rearward-slanted cylinder houses a higher compression piston with low friction rings attached to a longer connecting rod. The transmission has been refined to provide smoother shifting, and a more efficient crank breather system has been adopted to decrease pumping losses. In all, the lighter, more compact engine produces increased power across the entire RPM range for stronger and more linear pulling power.
2020 Yamaha YZ450F
The new motor is housed in the latest evolution of Yamaha’s lightweight aluminium bilateral beam frame, which has been redesigned with all-new flex characteristics and provides improved cornering performance, traction and bump reaction to give the rider more confidence to push harder.
Other chassis components such as engine mounts, top triple clamp and front axle, as well as the class-leading KYB suspension with enhanced compression and rebound characteristics are carefully refined to reduce weight while improving handling and performance.
2020 Yamaha YZ450F
To bring the new package to a stop, the 2020 YZ450F features a newly designed front brake caliper, brake pads and front and rear discs. The overall changes of the 2020 YZ450F deliver increased power output with more controllable linear acceleration and lightweight handling characteristics that mimic a YZ250F.
Featuring Yamaha’s advanced racing technology, the new 2020 YZ450F has been updated to give racers the edge right out of the gate. Standard equipment including electric start, a lightweight lithium battery, advanced fuel injection, and a wrap around rear-positioned exhaust deliver powerful and reliable performance featuring industry leading mass-centralisation.
2020 Yamaha YZ450F
Racers can achieve quicker, smoother race starts with Yamaha’s Launch Control System, adjust their on-track performance using a smartphone thanks to the Yamaha Power Tuner App, and choose between two user defined ECU maps on the fly with the handlebar mounted dual-mode engine map switch.
The new 2020 YZ450F will be available in Team Yamaha Blue and White, and Grey – pricing and availability are to be announced.
YZ450F features and benefit summary for 2020
• Lighter and more compact high-compression cylinder head
• New high compression, bridge-box designed forged piston with DLC coated piston pin
• More aggressive cam profiles
• New bar mounted map switch – blue button, dual function
• New free flow, high seal air filter system
• Yamaha bilateral beam aluminium frame featuring updated main spars
• New engine mounting points that centralise mass and provide an ideal rigidity balance between cornering feel and straight-line confidence.
• Refined, speed-sensitive damping in KYB twin chamber forks to give industry-leading suspension performance straight out of the box.
• Larger diameter front brake piston and increased caliper rigidity for improved braking power
• New brake pads with expanded pad area for increased braking power and controllability
• New lighter front brake rotor with expanded braking area for strong and stable braking
• New lighter and wider diameter rear brake rotor with improved heat dissipation
• Lighter bar clamps
• New lighter front axle and triple clamp
• Stiffer seat foam for ease of rider movement
• New pattern Dunlop tyres for increased corner traction
• Weight shaved everywhere – from the footrests to the electrical system
• New graphics and grey colour option
Last year, the 2019 YZ250F introduced an all-new engine, frame, and bodywork with features never-before seen on a 250cc class motorcycle to deliver class-leading engine performance. Yamaha’s championship-winning design returns with the 2020 YZ250F.
2020 Yamaha YZ250F
Sporting an electric start, 250cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine housed in an aluminium bilateral beam frame and rolling with industry leading KYB suspension, the 2020 YZ250F provides the ultimate balance of race-winning performance, rideability and comfort. YZ250F also continues to feature Yamaha’s advanced racing technology including dual-mode switchable engine mapping and smartphone tuning capability.
2020 Yamaha YZ250F
The 2020 YZ250F will be available in Team Yamaha Blue and White, and Grey, availability and pricing is to be announced.
Yamaha’s YZ125 and YZ250 models return for 2020 to complete Yamaha’s full-size lineup of motocross bikes. Lightweight aluminium frames, Yamaha’s patented Power Valve System and reed-valve inducted engines provide an incredible power-to-weight ratio while maintaining Yamaha’s excellent reliability and durability. Both the YZ125 and YZ250 each sport industry leading KYB spring-type fork and KYB rear shock for unmatched comfort and performance on the track.
2020 Yamaha YZ250
For Australia, both 2020 YZ125 and YZ250 are fitted with race kits that include GYTR by HGS exhaust systems, launch master holeshot buttons and alloy rear sprockets. Both models will be available in Team Yamaha Blue and White, pricing and availability are to be announced.
2020 Yamaha YZ85/LW and YZ65
Yamaha’s YZ85/LW and YZ65 are ready to tackle the track with winning performance out of the gate. They are respectively powered by confidence-inspiring 85cc and 65cc two-stroke engines featuring YPVS for broad, tractable power across the rev range without losing peak power at high RPM — improving rideability and reducing the need for frequent shifting.
2020 Yamaha YZ85
Industry-leading 36mm KYB spring type forks and KYB rear shock are fully adjustable for compression and rebound and contribute to class-leading handling and performance in a wide range of conditions. 4-way, adjustable handlebar positioning as well as lever reach adjustability are designed for ultimate rider comfort regardless of size. Finally, with 2-stroke ease of maintenance and Yamaha’s proven durability, the 2020 YZ85/LW and YZ65 are built to keep kids on the track.
2020 Yamaha YZ65
The 2020 YZ85/LW and YZ65 come in Team Yamaha Blue and White – pricing and availability are yet to be announced.
An all-new model for 2020, the Yamaha YZ125X is optimised for racing in the bush. It sports Yamaha’s Power Valve System-equipped (YPVS) 125cc, liquid-cooled, two-stroke, reed-valve-inducted engine, combined with a six-speed transmission tuned for smooth, wide, and controllable power character across the rev range.
Enduro race performance is optimised with model specific Digital CDI ignition settings, new power valve shape and a new cylinder head combustion chamber shape. All these engine changes are focused on creating broad power delivery that suits off-road terrain and a wide range of rider skill levels.
2020 Yamaha YZ125X
The YZ125X has an ultra-lightweight aluminium frame carefully engineered for balance of rigidity and flex. To tackle punishing terrain with durability and comfort, YZ125 also features a sealed O-ring chain, a standard sidestand and fuel tank petcock with reserve position. Australian models will all come fitted with an off-road kit – including lights – designed to enable recreational registration in relevant states.
2020 Yamaha YZ125X
Fully adjustable, industry-leading KYB speed-sensitive spring-type suspension has been tested and tuned specifically for the needs of cross-country racers. Enduro-specific Dunlop Geomax AT81 tires with an 18-inch rear are ready to head straight to the races thanks to taller sidewalls for improved comfort and reduced pinch flats.
A large 270mm front disc brake coupled with high-performance pad material offers outstanding machine control and performance, with exceptional stopping power and controllability for tight wooded trails.
2020 Yamaha YZ125X
The all-new 2020 YZ125X is designed to appeal to junior and entry level enduro racers and other riders who appreciate the benefits of a lightweight two-stroke on full noise. YZ125X will come in Team Yamaha Blue – pricing and availability are to be announced.
This enduro has various new feature including the smartphone power tuner app that adjusts power settings to your riding style and track conditions.
The 2020 YZ250FX is an out-of-the-box competition machine. Based on the championship-winning 2019 YZ250F, it features Yamaha’s revolutionary front-intake, rear-exhaust, liquid-cooled, DOHC four-stroke power plant with an added sixth gear, wide ratio transmission, and a range of off-road upgrades.
2020 Yamaha YZ250FX
Yamaha’s latest generation, aluminium bilateral beam frame delivers strength, lightness and durability for the tight, technical terrain of cross-country racing while still providing optimum stability in fast sections. The bike also features improved electronics including a compact, electric start system powered by an ultra-lightweight, four-cell, lithium-ion battery to get you up and running at the press of a button.
All-new bodywork on the YZ250FX is slimmer than ever, giving the bike a compact, nimble feel and easing rider movement across the machine in tough terrain. Fully adjustable, industry-leading KYB suspension is specifically tuned for off-road racing and combined with Dunlop MX3S tyres with 18-inch rear to deliver excellent comfort and durability in harsh conditions.
2020 Yamaha YZ250FX
Additionally, the YZ250FX is equipped with four-position rubber-mounted handlebar clamps, a side-stand, smartphone tuning capability and – new for 2020 – a handlebar-mounted map switch to adjust preselected engine maps on the fly.
2020 Yamaha YZ250FX
For Australia – and as per all other models in the enduro range – YZ250FX is available with an off-road kit that makes it eligible for recreational registration in applicable states (this model is called YZ250FXR). The 2020 YZ250FX/R will come in Team Yamaha Blue – pricing and availability are to be announced.
The 2020 YZ450FX is built for enduro racing, with electric start and smartphone power tuning that adjusts the bike’s settings to your style and track conditions.
2020 Yamaha YZ450FX
The 2020 YZ450FX uses Yamaha’s distinct reward-slanted cylinder, 449cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine design, complete with rear exhaust and forward-mounted intake system all working together to deliver class leading power and controllability for enduro racing.
2020 Yamaha YZ450FX
Its bilateral beam frame and engine mounting position optimises the machine’s rigidity balance, resulting in improved cornering ability and traction, while industry-leading KYB suspension is specifically tuned to provide comfort and performance in the toughest off-road conditions.
Rider convenience is also a priority in the YZ450FX with enhancements including Yamaha’s ultra-lightweight electric start system for effortless restarts under pressure, smartphone tuning capability and a handlebar-mounted map switch to choose between user defined engine maps on the fly.
The 2020 YZ450FX will come in Team Yamaha Blue -pricing and availability are to be announced.
Engineered with all the reliability and durability you’ve come to expect from Yamaha, this two-stroke was born to win.
Yamaha’s 2020 YZ250X delivers classic two-stroke performance for the enduro racer. Its lightweight aluminium frame together with specifically tuned KYB spring type forks and rear shock provide unmatched handling performance and comfort in bush race conditions.
2020 Yamaha YZ250X
The 249cc, reed-valve inducted engine, mated with a wide-ratio 5-speed transmission is race-ready. Based on the YZ250 motocross model, the YZ250X features compression ratio, exhaust port, power valve timing, and model specific CDI unit for improved trail performance. All these features are focused on creating a wide, controllable power character along with light, nimble, and precise handling ideal for cross-country racing.
2020 Yamaha YZ250X
The 2020 YZ250X will come in Team Yamaha Blue – pricing and availability are yet to be announced.
We first showed you the initial images of the promised new Arc Vector over six-months ago, but overnight the British company updated their progress on the new project.
Arc Vector
Having prototyped the Vector in Coventry, Arc is targeting expansion to a 65,000 square feet HQ in St Athan, South Wales, in 2020.
Arc Vector
Early price indications suggest a built to order price starting at £90,000 for an anticipated 399 unit initial production run for the high-end battery powered machine.
Arc Vector
The Arc Vector features a carbon monocoque frame and a claimed weight of 220-kilorgams.
Arc Vector
Innovations include hub-centred steering, a custom carbon swing arm, Human Machine Interface, Heads-Up Display, haptic alerts and one of the most energy-dense battery cells in existence.
Arc Vector
At the centre of the Vector is its ingenious battery-module carbon monocoque where the motor and batteries are structurally integral to the monocoque, making the chassis incredibly stiff.
Arc Vector
Arc is one of a tiny number of OEMs to develop its own carbon swing arm, in collaboration with MotoGP manufacturers Riba, which enables lateral flex for cornering stability, grip and agility.
Arc Vector
The liberal use of carbon, and other exotic materials such as quality alloys, exposed copper detailing and aircraft-grade aluminium, helps to keep the machine’s total dry weight down to 220kg.
Arc Vector
Founder & CEO Mark Truman, the visionary engineer behind Arc, has undertaken the lion’s share of track testing himself at circuits and airfields around the Midlands, fettling the finer points of the Vector’s geometry and handling.
Arc Vector
A notable design direction has been hub-centre steering. This is characterised by the steering pivot points being inside the hub of the wheel, rather than above the wheel in the headstock as in a traditional layout.
Mark Truman is the largest shareholder in Arc won the Society of Automotive Engineers International Young Engineer of the Year Award in 2005 for his experimental work on motorcycle chassis and swing arm flex and design parameters. He’s also a former Data Acquisition Engineer in top-level racing and has 35 years of motorcycling experience.
Truman explains his approach
“The system we’ve developed gives the bike low-speed control. There are a handful of manufacturers who’ve implemented hub-centre steering in the past, but they did so with an anti-dive system. Riders want the bike to dive under braking, that’s what we’re used to. For the Vector, we’ve created a system that has all the benefits of HCS but which feels like a set of forks. The advantage is stiffness which allows for a steep rake angle and a chassis that enables fast changes of direction with stability at high-speed. What we’ve devised is the best of both worlds with none of the negatives.”
Arc Vector
While the details provided by the company indicate that belt drive has been employed to deliver the 133 horsepower to the 17-inch rear wheel, these pre-production images curiously show the prototype as being chain driven…
The Vector’s brake discs are Brembo and the calipers are their Stylemas, but bespoke in black oxide.
Arc Vector Rear Shock
The Ohlins suspension is entirely customisable, and the unique BST wheels are light and strong.
Arc Vector – Front shock
Anti-lock brakes have been provided by Continental and the battery package is by Delta Motorsport.
Arc is developing its own bespoke motor which they claim will save on packaging space whilst being light and very powerful with all the ECUs automotive-grade.
They also claim that their packaging of these components enables the lowest possible centre of gravity, minimal weight, sufficient cooling and a short, nimble wheelbase.
In addition to handling, a lot of development has been done on the powertrain with battery cell suppliers Samsung and on the dyno and the track in order to coax out every last drop of performance.
The cutting-edge Samsung 21-700 batteries, of which the Vector packs a vast 960, are some of the most energy dense and reliable cells on the planet and the Arc Vector is scheduled to be the first motorcycle to use them.
Arc’s Head of Electrical Engineering – Robin Boyd
“Right now, you can’t actually buy them. Samsung are prototyping and developing them, and have partnered with Arc Vehicle as part of this process. The battery cells rank as some of the most powerful of their kind and have the most longevity. With 960, the Vector has more battery cells and, in turn, power than any other electric motorcycle. A lot more. With these upgraded cells, we are extremely confident in meeting our performance and range targets.”
Arc Vector
With a 399-volt electric motor producing 133bhp and a weight of 220kg, the Arc Vector should boast the best power-to-weight ratio of any electric two-wheeler – 650 hp per tonne.
Arc claim that the combined range will be over 400 kilometres and that the Vector will cut the 0-100 kmh dash in three-seconds flat. The top speed is claimed to be 200 km/h.
And of course due to electric power, there is no requirement for a a clutch or gears.
Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam, plus key members of their regular WorldSBK squad, joined forces with KHI to take part in an important two-day test session earlier this week in readiness for the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours race in late July.
Suzuka 8 Hour Testing – KRT
The official ‘Kawasaki Racing Team Suzuka 8 Hours’ project is a new initiative, with more KRT WorldSBK staff inside the team than previous Suzuka 8 Hours entries.
Suzuka 8 Hour Testing – KRT
It is still a direct and official KHI set-up overall, and therefore takes the name Kawasaki Racing Team – abbreviated to KRT – for the 2019 Suzuka 8 Hours.
Suzuka 8 Hour Testing – KRT
Jonathan Rea
“I feel happy where we are for a first test. We are in some ways jumping into this project at zero because we have a new ZX-10RR, which is a little bit different from last year. We have used these two days to understand the window the bike is working in. We have been focusing on our 8 Hours specification bike, understanding fuel consumption, riding position and set-up. The most positive thing is that Leon and I are both working in the same way, the lap time is respectable – faster than last year – and more consistent. There are also clear areas to improve so it has been a positive test.”
Suzuka 8 Hour Testing – KRT
The two-day Suzuka test, held between 3 and 4 June, was used to find the best development and machine set-up direction to take in the build up to race weekend, which will be held in the last weekend of July. With a new model Ninja ZX-10RR this year these sessions were vital, especially as KRT shared track time with many of their main rivals.
Suzuka 8 Hour Testing – KRT
Leon Haslam
“It has been a good first test and we have a little bit different structure in the team this year, with more KRT WorldSBK staff in there. For a first go, I am pretty happy. These two days were about evaluating big areas, so we had a clear direction, which we managed to find. It was also to get up to speed to know how to ride this bike on these tyres when we come to race weekend. The lap times were the quickest we have been and I feel like we have only just started with getting feeling from the bike, the new set-up, plus a new engine character that is quite different to last year. We have tried lots of things over the last couple of days. We got through most of our test items and I am back here again in a couple of weeks. So far, so good.”
Suzuka 8 Hour Testing – KRT – Leon Haslam
With a new spec’ bike running Bridgestone tyres, not the Pirellis that are used by all teams in WorldSBK, Rea and Haslam combined well with their team staff to evaluate overall bike feel and performance, gathering data and experience while also setting faster lap times than before. The number 11 Kawasaki’s best lap was a strong 2m06.523s.
Suzuka 8 Hour Testing – KRT
This was Rea’s lone 8 Hours test before he returns to compete in the race build-up itself, but Haslam is scheduled to take part in further tests to confirm the development direction and set-up improvements.
For most of us, the adventure motorcycle is our favorite mode of transportation. Luckily, there were manufacturers at the expo giving demo rides (Ducati, Ural, and Cake electric bikes to name a few), plus on display were an innumerable amount of products that were tailor made for any adventure bike, whether you have a KTM Adventure, BMW GS, Triumph, or more. Some of the products included: soft and hard bags, performance upgrades, GPS kits to help you find your way, gear sets, and just about everything else. One of the most unique products had to be soft-sided gas bags that allow you to strap the pouch to your motorcycle for extra fuel.
“The owner of the team, Raul Romero, who has struggled his whole career to bring a team to the MotoGP class. Lately, the machinery works better and better and, for the first time, this team has the same bikes as Bagnaia, the two 18 spec bikes from Dovizioso and Lorenzo last year, and this has another value to make everything better and the team is really stepping up the situation.
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