#10yearschallenge
2008-2018
First podium – Last podium
Source: Marc Márquez on Facebook
Bridgestone Releases Battlax Hypersport S22 Motorcycle Tire
Less warm-up time, better wet-weather performance
Bridgestone announces the release of the successor to the S21, the new Battlax Hypersport S22.
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
To be made a Freeman of the Borough is a humbling experience and a significant honour for which I am…
To be made a Freeman of the Borough is a humbling experience and a significant honour for which I am extremely grateful and which I shall continue to treasure. I want to thank all those who not only have taken the time to join me here on this special occasion, but have supported me and travelled with me at my races all over the world. http://jonathan-rea.com/news/rea-awarded-honorary-freedom-borough-antrim-and-newtownabbey
Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook
2019 Suzuki Boulevard M109R Black Edition | $18,990
Two new Boulevard M109R colour schemes for 2019
Suzuki have announced two new ‘Black Edition’ colour schemes for the 2019 M109R for a special offer price of $18,990 Ride Away, backed by Suzuki’s two-year unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Both Black Edition models are illustrated by a host of parts from the standard M109R transformed from chrome to black, including rear-view mirrors, drag-style handlebars and switches, clutch and brake levers, tank, clutch, magneto, side and cylinder head covers, brake calipers, side stand and the slash-cut mufflers. The Black Edition also features clear indicator and tail light lenses.
The 109 cubic inch, 54-degree liquid-cooled V-twin engine, produces 123 hp at 6200 rpm and an impressive 160 Nm of arm-stretching peak torque.
The big V-twin also produces a throaty, aggressive exhaust note that identifies the M109R as a power cruiser. The Japanese chassis is built to handle all the power and torque available while delivering good lean angles, for a cruiser, and a comfortable ride.
A massive 240mm low-profile radial rear tyre means business and is also the largest ever tyre used on a Suzuki motorcycle. GSX-R derived radial-mounted calipers clamp 310mm twin floating discs to ensure this power cruiser can stop as well as it goes.
The 2019 Suzuki Boulevard M109R Black Edition models are available for a special offer price of $18,990 Ride Away. For further information on the Boulevard M109R Black Edition and the rest of the Boulevard range, interested customers should visit their local Suzuki dealer, who can be found through the Dealer Locator on www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au (link).
Source: MCNews.com.au
“Winning four titles and breaking lots of records is a huge achievement for sure but gaining…
“Winning four titles and breaking lots of records is a huge achievement for sure but gaining recognition at home is a great honour. Being named Belfast Telegraph Sports Star of the Year for the second year in a row means a lot to me. It’s scary to think I’ve done four Superbike titles in a row. The only way is down but I can’t see retirement now. I’m having fun. I’ve just finished my training camp and I’m feeling better than ever. I’m really motivated for this year and I can’t wait to start. People say it’s become boring but it’s not boring for me. I’m having the time of my life winning races. My young son Jake has just started riding motocross. That keeps me young. I’m having the time of my life and I’m doing it with my family at my side. We’re going to have great family albums!” http://jonathan-rea.com/news/rea-named-sports-star-year-belfast-telegraph
Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook
Broadcast deal reached for International Island Classic
Historic racing event attracts Destination Phillip Island as naming rights sponsor.
Image: Supplied.
The International Island Classic has reached a broadcast deal that will see the 26th edition showcased on television across the world, while securing Destination Phillip Island as the naming rights sponsor.
Held over the Australian Day long weekend at Phillip Island, the International Island Classic is one of the largest historic bike meets in the world with close to 450 bikes raced or on display, and over 300 riders journeying from all corners of the globe to compete.
A two hour television program will be introduced this year, where a production will focus on the headline act, the International Challenge between teams from Australia, New Zealand and the USA, and the sponsorship ensures viewers are introduced to the myriad of experiences at Phillip Island that lie outside the circuit.
Interest in the television program has been strong with MAVTV picking up screening rights for the USA and Canada, while Fox Asia will be broadcasting to 14 million subscribers across the region, and commitments from networks across UK and Europe, along Fox Sports picking up the feed in New Zealand.
The largest online streaming channel for motorsport content in the world today, MotorsTV/MotorTrend will also showcase the 2019 International Island Classic production. For Australian fans, the Island Classic broadcast will be screened on delay on SBS’s Speed Week and on Fox Sports, plus a video streaming of the International Challenge will take place via the circuit website. For more information, visit www.islandclassic.com.au.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
Dead-end roads are a rider’s paradise
Most riders love a good round-trip, but there are many dead-end routes that can be just as rewarding for motorcyclists.
I’ve been riding with people who never venture down a road that says “No through road”.
They figure that it will be like doing the road twice.
Yet I’ve ridden on famous motorcycling roads such as Mt Glorious Rd, the GOR, Putty Road, Big Sur (USA), etc, in both directions and it feels almost like two completely separate trips.
As they say, motorcycling is not about the destination, but the journey.
Who cares if the journey doesn’t have a destination, at all?
In fact, most destinations are a return to your home, anyway.
Dead-end paradise
MBW reader Tee Jay summed it up perfectly in this Facebook post:
If you think riding up and down the highway is freedom and it doesn’t get any better, then think again. SEQ’s (South East Queensland’s) back roads and dead ends are where the proper motorcyclists go.
The same goes for just about anywhere in the world.
Our tip for great rides is to look for dead-end valleys.
We recently used our TomTom Rider 550 GPS units to navigate three valleys south of Laidley in SEQ which go nowhere.
However, the deeper we rode into the valleys, the closer the mountains and stunning scenery became.
And more importantly, the roads get twister and twister.
If you’re game, there is often a dirt road that will wind over the hills near the end of the valley to link to the next valley.
These SEQ valleys are only 40 minutes from the city, yet you feel like you are a million kays from home.
We were surprised at what we saw along the way: pecan plantations, camels, scenic creeks, stunning rock formations and more.
If you plan to do this ride on your own, wth friends or a group, you can stop for lunch at the pubs in Mulgowie (McGrath Crossing) or Upper Tenthill.
Click here for the Google Maps of our three-valley ride.
Click here for the TomTom My Drive route.
Suburban tip
Tee also supplies this tip for those who don’t want to venture too far from the city.
“Go where the wealthy folks live. Their roads are brilliant. From Dayboro you can spend an hour going down two roads that end in dirt and return for coffee. How convenient is that? Do it before 10am because the sunshine through the trees is just; well it’s all part of the experience.”
I have another nearby favourite that I use to test the suspension on bikes I have for review: Upper Brookfield Rd.
It’s only 10 minutes from home and it winds through some very wealthy areas.
The road is tight and twisty, it has concrete dips that cross creeks, there are on-and-off-camber corners, the greenery is stunning and there is hardly any traffic.
At the 60km/h posted speed limit it’s still great fun.
As Tee says, “dead-end roads are excellent, less traffic, terrific scenery and all so close to town”.
Tell us about your favourite dead-end ride? Leave your comments in the section below.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Injury downtime a benefit according to Crawford
Serco Yamaha ace anticipating riding return next month.
Image: Foremost Media.
Nathan Crawford believes there are a number of benefits to come out of the downtime he’s experiencing due to a leg injury sustained last year, as he’s still yet to make a return to riding.
Crawford, who signed on with Serco Yamaha for 2019, split the top of his tibia at Coolum’s Australian supercross round in 2018 while acting as a replacement for Dean Ferris at CDR Yamaha Monster Energy, which also marked his racing return after a shoulder injury sidelined him from Wonthaggi’s Pirelli MX Nationals in May.
The popular Queenslander is expecting clearance to ride within the next four weeks, and despite that leaving him just a month to prepare for Appin’s MX National opener on 17 March, he’s adamant the time away from the bike will only impact positively.
“I’ve obviously not got back on the bike yet, but I’ve been doing heaps of training so my off the bike fitness is up to date by the time I start riding,” Crawford explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “I’m flat-out into training off the bike, and I think I’m only three or four weeks off from riding – we’re not too far away.
“It’s a reasonable amount of time before round one – I don’t think I’ll be 100 percent, but I don’t think I’ll be too far from it. For the amount of time I’ve had to recover on this injury, I’m well on my way. The doctor’s happy, and I’m as happy as I can be. It’s hard watching everyone while I’m still not riding.
“It’s alright though, it’s kind of working out in my favour as I’ll be fresh – everyone’s having a really big pre-season – which is good for them – but at the same time I’ll be fresh, keen and motivated. There are plenty of benefits to my situation.”
Yamaha introduced a heavily revised YZ250F for 2019, which Crawford was able to briefly sample prior suffering his injury in October, which allowed the talented MX2 contender to gain insight on the updated model he’ll campaign this season.
“I did a little riding on the new YZ250F right before I broke my leg, so I’ve ridden the bike and it’s good,” he continued. “My suspension guy, Kenny from Factory Spec, he’s already got my suspension ready for when I’m back on the bike. I’m pretty confident it will be close [to where it needs to be], it will just be fine tuning everything before round one.”
Tipped as a title favourite, Crawford will be joined by newcomer Aaron Tanti at the Queensland-based Serco Yamaha outfit.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
Dakar exit ‘heart-wrenching’ for former leader Brabec
Mechanical failure cruelly rules out American from prestigious rally.
Image: Supplied.
Former leader of the 2019 Dakar Rally Ricky Brabec has been forcde to exit the event after experiencing a mechanical failure on the eighth stage.
The Monster Energy Honda Racing rider had taken control of the classification on multiple occasions in the first seven stages, and led the standings heading into the eighth stage before an engine malfunction 56 kilometres in crushed his hopes of a maiden Dakar crown.
The American has described scenario has heart-wrenching, stating he’s at a loss for words after holding down P1 in the closing days of the prestigious event.
“It was a really hard day,” Brabec expressed. “There was nothing really positive about my day, especially for the race. The coolest part was getting a helicopter ride along the beach and back. It’s heart-wrenching – not easy. We have to go home, take a break and come back.
“I’m at a loss for words. It was amazing to be on the top for the previous days. It’s really nice to have the team support me and the whole team. It felt like the vibes and the confidence in me were good. That helped me to achieve so many great days.”
Brabec is the third Monster Energy Honda Racing contender to retire from proceedings, with Joan Barreda becoming stuck on day three, as Paulo Goncalves injured himself on day five.
Winner of the Dakar Rally in 2016, Australian Toby Price (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), now leads the Bike category despite not yet recording a stage win. Day eight of racing was won by defending champion Matthias Walkner (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
Reed identifies weak point in Glendale Supercross encounter
Australian achieves desired feeling in factory Suzuki RM-Z450.
Image: Supplied.
Two-time champion Chad Reed has identified his starting technique as the weak point of his main event outing at Glendale’s second round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
The JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing rider has reviewed footage from the 18-lap affair, which has allowed him to establish the key areas to work on ahead of A2 this weekend.
The number 22 put on an inspiring ride in his heat to finish second, although a mediocre start let him down in the red-flagged main, which saw him climb to 14th following the restart in the earlier stages of the encounter.
“Glendale was a really positive day, and the heat race was special,” Reed reflected. “The team did a great job of helping me find a feeling that I’ve been chasing. This helped massively throughout the whole weekend.
“The main was disappointing, but I’m focused on the feeling we found, and I’m looking forward to a solid week ahead. Video replay shows what I’m doing wrong on my starts, so I’ll look to correct that before Anaheim 2.”
Positioned 12th in the championship standings, the Australian has shown plenty of promise in the opening two rounds as he endeavours to become the oldest main event victor at 36 years of age.
Saturday’s race was won by Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM) – the first of his career – followed by defending champion Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) and Ken Roczen (Honda HRC).
Source: MotoOnline.com.au