Indian fit Akrapovic to FTR 1200 S Race Replice as STD

Indian FTR 1200 S Race Replica

Indian have announced today a $1000 price hike ahead of the pending arrival of the Indian FTR 1200 S Race Replica in the second quarter of 2019.

The new FTR 1200 S Race Replica will now start at $24,995 Ride Away but that price rise has been offset by a decision by Indian to fit the exlusive Race Replica model with an Akrapovic exhaust as standard.

Indian FTR S RaceReplica
Indian FTR 1200 S Race Replica

Indian made this decision based on feedback they received following the release of images of the pre-production machines that featured the Akrapovic low-mount exhaust that was originally slated to be an optional accessory.

Indian FTR S RaceReplica
Indian FTR 1200 S Race Replica

Source: MCNews.com.au

Melting Oxley Highway to be inspected

Parts of the famed and much-loved Oxley Highway are melting in recent heatwave conditions, prompting a departmental inspection to assess the dangers to motorcyclists.

Local rider Ken Healey says on the Port Macquarie Road Riders Facebook page that the road 25km west of Gingers Creek not far past the 80km/h zone is melting in the heat.

He says the lines of molten tar are “right on the line your bike is going to take”.

Photographs on this page were taken when the temperature was 31C.

“The road was re-surfaced here about two years ago,” says Ken who organised the Save the Oxley petition and rally to retain the highway speed limits..

“Clearly it is not lasting and extremely dangerous.”

He says he and another rider had a front-tyre slip out on the molten tar.

We contacted Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) about the melting road and they said they said it would be inspected.

“The Mid North Coast maintenance teams are inspecting the section of the Oxley Highway this week, to determine if any further work is needed to ensure the safety of road users,” a spokesperson says.

Melting moments

A similar melting incident was encountered last summer on Mt Glorious Rd west of Brisbane.

One rider crashed in the molten tar and the road was subsequently resurfaced.

Melting tar claims first crash victim Mt Glorious costly engineers events steal reservations bitumen
Bike crashes into armco on molten bitumen

Melting road surfaces have also been encountered on recent roadworks on the mountain section of the Oxley Highway.

“It is already getting slippery on the new surface that is only a few weeks old, on the bottom half of the mountain,” Ken says.

“It will be ripped to bits by the end of summer and even more dangerous.

Oxley roadworks

The RMS says it is “investing in the safety of Oxley Highway with a significant package of work recently implemented along the corridor”.

Roads and Maritime undertook resealing work in November and December on the Oxley Highway between Toms Creek and 85 kilometres west of Wauchope, which includes work in the mountain section.

“This reseal was comprised of a spray seal mix of bitumen and aggregate,” the spokesperson says.

“It is acknowledged motorbike riders frequently use the Oxley Highway for recreational purposes.

“Riders need to take safety precautions at all times while riding and this includes being aware of the road environment, particularly during extreme temperatures at this time of year – which can affect road surfaces.”

Save the Oxley organiser Ken Healey on his BMW K 1300 R - Motorcycle Friendly Town (Photo: Keoghs Vision Photography) siege flawed temporary repairs
Save the Oxley organiser Ken Healey on his BMW K 1300 R (Photo: Keoghs Vision Photography)

More complaints

This is not the first time riders have complained about roadworks on the Oxley Highway.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

MX Nationals calendar made official for 2019 season

Selection of new and familiar venues return to 10-round series.

2019 mx nationals calendar

Image: Foremost Media.

The official calendar of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals has been confirmed, revealing the dates and locations that will make up the 10-round series this season.

The championship will remain at 10 rounds over eight weekends as a selection of new and familiar venues return, while two double headers will feature for the second consecutive year – this time at the middle and conclusion of the series.

Appin in New South Wales will host the season-opener on 17 March, followed by Victorian stops at Wonthaggi and Broadford on 31 March and 14 April respectively.

Murray Bridge in South Australia will be the first double-header on 4-5 May for rounds four and five, as Gympie in Queensland will host the returning round after lengthy break on 23 June.

Maitland, New South Wales, marks round seven on 14 July, while two weeks later on 28 July, the series will visit Moree, also situated in New South Wales. As usual, Coolum will put on a stellar finale hosting rounds 9-10 on 3-4 August.

The shake up of venues sees a number of 2018 locations dropped and replaced, including Newry, Ranch MX, Conondale and Gladstone.

2019 MX Nationals calendar:
Rd1 – 17 March – Appin, NSW
Rd2 – 31 March – Wonthaggi, VIC
Rd3 – 14 April – Broadford, VIC
Rd4 – 4 May – Murray Bridge, SA
Rd5 – 5 May – Murray Bridge, SA
Rd6 – 23 June – Gympie, QLD
Rd7 – 14 July – Maitland, NSW
Rd8 – 28 July – Moree, NSW
Rd9 – 3 August – Coolum, QLD
Rd10 – 4 August – Coolum, QLD


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

New Zealand incident prompts surgery for Ward

Plans in place for 2019 MX Nationals assault confirms the Queenslander.

Image: Foremost Media.

A heavy fall at the 2018 Honda SummerCross in New Zealand has ultimately forced Australian talent Caleb Ward to undergo surgery, which will see the fourth and fifth metacarpal repaired in his left hand this Wednesday.

The Queenslander was making a guest appearance at the event with CML KTM Racing, earning 5-3 results in first two outings before crashing out of proceedings.

Ward downplayed the injury and is confident he’ll return to riding next month, which will leave him adequate time to be prepared for the opening round of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals, scheduled for 17 March at Appin in New South Wales.

“I’m actually in Brisbane at the moment, and I’m set to undergo surgery on Wednesday to fix my hand up,” Ward revealed to MotoOnline.com.au. “I’ve got a couple of broken bones in there – I think they’re going to chuck some wire in to hold it together, so it will just be the standard six weeks [of recovery] and I should be all good.”

The 21-year-old shone in 2018 in what was his rookie season contesting the premier class, and despite being tight-lipped on his plans, a contract is waiting to be imminently signed that will see him supported for the 10-round series.

“I still have to sign some stuff,” he added. “I have a fair idea of what I’m doing, I just haven’t signed the contract yet. It’s basically a done deal and I’ve got plans in place. I’m 99.9 percent sure I’ll still be on a 450 – hopefully I can have a crack and see how I go trying for a title this year.”

The number 79 wound up fourth in last year’s championship standings, earning overall podiums at the final two rounds of the series.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Price still not 100 percent as Dakar Rally start looms

Former victor adamant wrist injury won’t cause issues throughout gruelling event.

Image: Supplied.

Toby Price admits he’s still not 100 percent heading into the 2019 Dakar Rally after fracturing his scaphoid last month, with the event set to commence today in Lima, Peru.

The Australian revealed he generally feels prepared, although is still suffering pain from the injury, which has had only four weeks to rehabilitate. Despite that, the 2016 Dakar Rally victor is adamant it won’t cause him any issues throughout the gruelling event.

“Things are looking good here in Lima, the team have been working really hard on the run up to the event and now it’s time for us to deliver,” Price commented. “Generally, I’m feeling good and well prepared, my arm isn’t quite 100 percent perfect – it still gives me some pain from time to time – but I am confident it’s strong enough not to cause me any issues in the race.

“I really don’t know what to expect from the race, it’s going to be a hard one to judge and we won’t really know how it plays out until we get out there. It’s going to be tough to pull time on the others if you are starting out front as we all know it’s often easier to follow the tracks in front through the sand.

“Having said that, there is scope for some big mistakes as navigation could prove really tricky. I’m looking forward to the sand to be honest, I ride well in the dunes and it could be a little easier on my wrist.”

Price, the reigning FIM Cross-Country Rallies world champion, has landed on the podium in three of four attempts at Dakar, clinching the crown in 2016 before a severe leg injury in the 2017 edition denied him of defending his title.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Todd to defend MX2 title with DPH Motorsport Husqvarna

Queenslander to pilot FC 250 on return to the Victorian squad.

Image: Foremost Media.

Reigning Pirelli MX Nationals MX2 champion Wilson Todd has confirmed he’ll defend his crown with DPH Motorsport Husqvarna in 2019, returning to the squad that assisted him to a breakout season in 2017.

Todd has spent his entire professional career, and much of his junior career, aboard Yamaha machinery, ultimately claiming the MX2 title in a commanding campaign throughout 2018.

The Queenslander admits a desired deal in Europe fell through as majority of seats in the Australian championship were already fulfilled, leaving him with limited options. However, DPH Motorsport pulled through to sign the talented 20-year-old, which will see it’s factory-prepared FC 250 fitted with the number plate throughout the 10-round MX Nationals series.

“I’m looking forward to it and it’s nice to have a change,” Todd explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “It was a little bit funny working [2019] out – I had planned to go to Europe and was committed that, but it fell through and I didn’t have too many options.

“I really like the people and it’s a great team – I think we’ll work really well together. We go to the races and have fun – it’s really enjoyable and not like a business kind of thing, and the results will reflect that. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Todd has relocated from Queensland to Victoria and is currently residing with coach Ross Beaton, a move that allows him to be nearby DPH’s workshop while also utilising the state’s selection of ride parks to train on. Admitting his initial transition to the European-built machine took adjusting, he believes a week aboard the MX2 contender has him settled in already.

“DPH is really close and my mechanic Pynee is five minutes down the road,” he continued. “It makes it really easy for me, and if I do have any problems, my team and mechanic are here.

“I started riding the Husqvarna on 2 January and I’ve been living with Ross Beaton in Victoria, so I’ve got some time on the bike under my belt already and I’m really loving it. It’s taken a little getting used to with a whole different frame and engine, but I’ve really come around now and I’m enjoying it. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

According to the team’s Instagram, Todd Waters and Bailey Malkiewicz will join the squad in 2019. More to come.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Barcia tops a muddy A1 Supercross from Roczen and Tomac

AMA Supercross 2019
Round One – Anaheim 1

The opening round of AMA Supercross for 2019, the famed Anaheim 1 event, was staged in uncharacteristically muddy conditions at the Californian venue on the weekend.

AMASX Rnd Fireworks
2019 AMA Supercross underway! Image Hoppenworld

Chad Reed took second place in the LCQ in order to move through to the main, but was caught up in a turn one incident in the main event that left the 36-year-old Aussie legend with plenty of work to do.  Reed was down around 16th place after the incident, but steadily plugged his way through the field in the trying conditions to take 14-points from his ninth place finish, ahead of Cole Seely and Justin Brayton.

AMASX Rnd Start
Chad Reed got caught up in a turn one incident on the opening lap – Image Hoppenworld

Reigning AMA Supercross Champion Jason Anderson had conversely started well, but then drifted back through the field, looking increasingly uncomfortable as the race wore on before eventually finishing in 14th place.

Another top runner that failed to fire to his potential was KTM’s Marvin Musquin. The 29-year-old was inside the top ten throughout the event, but never looked likely to threaten the front runners.  The Frenchman still took eighth place to get a good first score on the board and 15 points.

Marvin Musquin

“The riding was not too bad but physically it was not an easy day as I didn’t have much time on the bike this off-season. But we knew it coming in, so the goal was to score some points and I ended up eighth in the Main Event. I had a great start and Cooper did too, but we almost got into each other and he went down. I avoided him but I lost a lot of ground. It would have been a little bit easier on me to get out front – I was right there in second place behind Cooper, it was pretty cool – but almost both of us crashing. My goal, once again, was to be consistent and score points and that’s what I did. Eighth is not too bad considering and now we can move on and get better from there.”

AMASX Rnd Marvin Musquin
Marvin Musquin

Cooper Webb was caught up in the same lap one melee that had troubled Reed but recovered strongly and, at times, was the fastest man on the track as he pushed his way forward all the way to fifth place at the flag. One was left with the impression that if the race went longer, Webb would have made up even more places as the 21-year-old really did look stronger than the others in the late stages of the main and set the fastest lap of the race.

Cooper Webb

“Anaheim I is in the books and overall it was a really good day. We started with free practice just getting the hang of the track and I was able to qualify seventh. In the heat race, I didn’t get off to the greatest of starts and I didn’t ride to my potential, so I had a bad gate pick in the Main Event. I had a pretty outside gate but I nailed the start and I was first in the first turn but unfortunately, I fell over. It was slicker than I thought but I was able to get up and really put my head down and charge really hard to come back to fifth. I guess I had the fastest lap of the race, so that was really cool and I’m feeling confident and good with that result, so I’m ready to go to Phoenix next weekend!”

AMASX Rnd Cooper Webb
Cooper Webb

Dean Wilson was another rider that looked very strong in the trying conditions, but unlike Webb, Wilson started really strongly and looked likely to win the event before he made a mistake, and then seemed to lose his speed. Wilson was eventually chased down by Justin Barcia, Ken Roczen and Eli Tomac but still bagged a highly creditable fourth place in the season opener. That performance from the privateer certainly raised plenty of eyebrows.

AMASX Rnd Dean Wilson
Dean Wilson – Image by Hoppenworld

Malcolm Stewart had started strongly with Wilson, the pair running in close company up front for most of the early laps and it looked as though it would be a battle between the two for a win.

AMASX Rnd Dean Wilson Malcolm Stewart
Dean Wilson and Malcolm Stewart were the early breakaway leaders – Image by Hoppenworld

Stewart though lost the rear on a corner entry and went down, he rejoined the race quickly but did not look like a challenger again as he drifted back to seventh place by the chequered flag, 12-seconds behind sixth place finish behind 450 debutante Aaron Plessinger.

Aaron Plessinger

“Anaheim 1 went pretty well. I got better and better every time I went out on the track. The heat race went awesome. I started out about fifth or sixth, got past some guys and finished third. I was pretty amped on that and I went into the main event pretty happy with myself. I got a great start and just maintained it. There were sometimes where I felt a little winded, but I couldn’t back down and pushed on to the finish and got sixth. I’d say Anaheim I, my first 450 race, was pretty good in my eyes. We’ll keep making improvements and head into Phoenix hot on the ball.”

AMASX Rnd Aaron Plessinger
Aaron Plessinger

It was Plessinger’s team-mate Justin Barcia though that took the major price and the $12,000 USD prize money for the win, let alone his contingency bonuses from a very happy Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team and other sponsors.

Jim Perry – Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager

“Today at Anaheim, the Monster Energy AMA Supercross kick off was a great day for the bLUcRU. Justin Barcia took the main event win which was awesome. The new YZ450F has been a great bike for Justin. The team’s been working hard in the off season. He’s been working hard in the off season; and it showed tonight. He was fast in practice and was fast in his heat race. It kind of came together in the main event. Justin enjoys the mud and it was starting to rain pretty heavy. Definitely a great night for him and awesome to see the YZ450F in the winner’s circle. It was also a great night for Aaron Plessinger, the rookie, as he starts his career in the 450SX class. He got a great Heat race finish in third and went on to the Main Event, started towards the front, put in a solid moto and finished sixth. Great results for both guys and looking forward to next weekend.”

AMASX Rnd Track
2019 AMA Supercross got underway at A1 – Image Hoppenworld

Barcia had also won his heat race to qualify for the main, but was in seemingly no hurry to make his way to the front of the pack in the main event. The 26-year-old just plugged away smoothly as he saw those in front eventually flail, allowing the New Yorker to avoid any incidents and go on to take what in the end was a fairly dominant win.

Justin Barcia

“Anaheim 1 was an awesome day. I had a lot of fun in practice, then going into the heat race it started to sprinkling a little. I didn’t get the best start but made some good passes and got into the lead and won my heat race which was awesome, and it felt really good to get that first one out of the way at the first race. The main event it was really pouring down. It was looking tricky watching the 250 start so I definitely got a little excited and nervous and all those feelings you get at the first race. I got off to a pretty decent start and worked my way up to third by a little over half the race. I played it smart and tried to make no mistakes. One of the guys went down in front of me and then I was able to charge harder and catch the leader, make the pass and ride a smooth race to the win. For me this is incredible, I haven’t won a 450 race in over six years so it’s a pretty awesome feeling. I couldn’t be much happier, I’m really excited to go to Phoenix. I just want to stay, smart, smooth, fast, consistent and focus on the championship plate.”

AMASX Rnd Justin Barcia
Justin Barcia – Image Hoppenworld

Likewise Ken Roczen, rode smart but looked strong and in the final laps closed down markedly on Barcia. The Yamaha man likely had speed left in his toolkit as he buttoned off in the closing laps, but after Roczen’s horrific injuries and considering the very tough conditions, it was heartening to see the German looking strong and confident.

2018 AMA Motocross Champion Eli Tomac also started the season steadily and strong. Racing again for Monster Energy Kawasaki, the 26-year-old (why does it always seem he is so much older than that?), showed that he is going to be a force to be reckoned with. Tomac confidently marched his way through the field after being caught out by the same lap one incident that troubled Reed and Webb.

AMASX Rnd Eli Tomac
Eli Tomac – Image by Hoppenworld

Tomac dominated the latter half of the 2018 Supercross season, and pretty much decimated the competition in the 2018 AMA Pro Motocross Championship. My money is on Tomac for the 2019 AMA SX Title.

AMA Supercross 2019
450 Round One Main Event Results

  1. Justin Barcia – Yamaha
  2. Ken Roczen – Honda +3.053
  3. Eli Tomac – Kawasaki +4.890
  4. Dean Wilson – Husqvarna +9.948
  5. Cooper Webb – KTM +17.107
  6. Aaron Plessinger – Yamaha +24.833
  7. Malcolm Stewart – Honda +36.186
  8. Marvin Musquin – KTM +47.621
  9. Chad Reed – Suzuki +58.144
  10. Cole Seely – Honda +71.386
  11. Justin Brayton – Honda +1 lap
  12. Blake Baggett – KTM +1 lap
  13. Vince Friese – Honda +1 lap
  14. Jason Anderson – Husqvarna +1 lap
  15. Justin Hill – Suzuki +1 lap
  16. Joey Savatgy – Kawasaki +1 lap
  17. Carlen Gardner – Honda +2 laps
  18. Ben Lamay – Honda +2 laps
  19. Justin Bogle – KTM +2 laps
  20. Ryan Breece – Yamaha +3 laps
AMASX Rnd Podium Barcia Roczen Tomac
AMA Supercross 2019
450 Round One Main Event Results
Justin Barcia – Yamaha
Ken Roczen – Honda +3.053
Eli Tomac – Kawasaki +4.890

AMA Supercross 2019 Championship Points

  1. Justin Barcia – Yamaha 26
  2. Ken Roczen – Honda 23
  3. Eli Tomac – Kawasaki 21
  4. Dean Wilson – Husqvarna 19
  5. Cooper Webb – KTM 18
  6. Aaron Plessinger – Yamaha 17
  7. Malcolm Stewart – Honda 16
  8. Marvin Musquin – KTM 15
  9. Chad Reed – Suzuki 14
  10. Cole Seely – Honda 13
  11. Justin Brayton – Honda 12
  12. Blake Baggett – KTM 11
  13. Vince Friese – Honda 10
  14. Jason Anderson – Husqvarna 9
  15. Justin Hill – Suzuki 8
  16. Joey Savatgy – Kawasaki 7
  17. Carlen Gardner – Honda 6
  18. Ben Lamay – Honda 5
  19. Justin Bogle – KTM 4
  20. Ryan Breece – Yamaha 3

250 SX

Colt Nichols got the new year off to a sensational start tonight, taking his first career Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX win at the season opener at Angels Stadium of Anaheim. It was great night for Monster Energy/Star/ Yamaha Racing with teammate Dylan Ferrandis joining the Oklahoma native on the podium in second-place.

AMASX Rnd Dylan Ferrandis
Dylan Ferrandis

Nichols started the night looking poised for a top result with his solid second-place finish in his Heat race. When the gate dropped for the Main Event, he was ready. He got a good start and went on to lead every lap of the race in spite of worsening weather conditions. The result was an impressive win for the 24yr old and a stunning debut for the all-new 2019 Yamaha YZ250F.

AMASX Rnd Colt Nichols
Colt Nichols

Colt Nichols

“It’s really an indescribable feeling to win at A1. The conditions were far from perfect but I was able to stay focused, ride my laps to take the win. That was the longest race of my life, it felt like. My mechanic gave me five to go, four to go, three to go… You’re kind of talking to yourself a little bit to get through it. I just tried to stay consistent. I really didn’t know how big of a lead I had and who was in second at the time, so just tried to keep the focus forward. I knew if I tried to relax a little too much I’d probably make a big mistake and crashed. So I just kind of tried to keep it moving and it ended up working out for me. The off-season was great this year. I was really, really pumped on how everything went. This is really what it was for. You can’t describe the feeling I had jumping that finish line in first. That’s why we all do this. For me to cross that off my list was a really, really big deal. That made all the suffering, all the pain of the past two years completely worth it.”

AMASX Rnd Colt Nichols
Colt Nichols

Victorian privateer Tomas Ravenhorst contested the A1 series opener on his privately entered KTM 250 SX-F.  The 23-year-old finished a creditable 12th place in his Heat Race then went on to finish eighth in the LCQ but missed out on joining the main event this time around.

AMA Supercross 2019
250 Western Round One Main Event Results

  1. Colt Nichols (Yamaha)
  2. Dylan Ferrandis (Yamaha) +16.398
  3. Shane McElrath (KTM) +20.268
  4. RJ Hampshire (Honda) +42.339
  5. Adam Cianciarulo (Kawasaki) +48.964
  6. Garrett Marchbanks (Kawasaki) +59.254
  7. Jimmy Decotis (Suzuki) +1 lap
  8. Jacob Hayes (Yamaha) +1 lap
  9. Chris Blose (Husqvarna) +1 lap
  10. Jess Pettis (KTM) +1 lap

AMA Supercross 2019 250 Western Championship Points

  1. Colt Nichols (Yamaha), 26
  2. Dylan Ferrandis (Yamaha), 23
  3. Shane McElrath (KTM), 21
  4. RJ Hampshire (Honda), 19
  5. Adam Cianciarulo (Kawasaki), 18
  6. Garrett Marchbanks (Kawasaki), 17
  7. Jimmy Decotis (Suzuki), 16
  8. Jacob Hayes (Yamaha), 15
  9. Chris Blose (Husqvarna), 14
  10. Jess Pettis (KTM), 13

Monster Energy Supercross next heads to Glendale, Arizona, next Saturday, January 12, for Round 2 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at State Farm Stadium.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Fourth MotoGP crown far-fetched for Lorenzo in maiden Honda campaign

Spanish contender comments on transition to Repsol Honda for 2019.

Image: Supplied.

Speaking openly on his transition to Repsol Honda for the first time, Jorge Lorenzo believes a fourth MotoGP crown in 2019 is a far-fetched idea.

The Spaniard, who went without a win for the first 18 months during his two years at Ducati, acknowledges his closest rivals have spent a number of years aboard their current machines, which will make challenging for the the title all the more difficult with just two tests under his belt on the RC213V.

“I do not know if I will be ready to fight for the world title from the first season at Honda,” Lorenzo explained. “For sure, I am going to try to be the best prepared for the first race in Qatar but it is not that simple, and even more now we have just three or four tests before the beginning of the season.

“You have to fight against Marc Márquez, who is a very good rider and it will be the sixth or seventh year on the same bike. It is very complicated, and not only him, I have to fight with Andrea Dovizioso, who is with his seventh year in Ducati, and Valentino Rossi, who has more than ten years with Yamaha.

“So, there are a lot of riders with a lot of experience with their own bikes that will be very difficult to beat. I do not know if I will be ready.”

The three-time MotoGP world champion commented on the harmonious feeling within the squad since appearing with them at Valencia last year, adding adjustments to his riding style and the bike will be necessary after a positive beginning on the title-winning contender.

“It was all great at the Valencia test, the first time I jumped onto the Honda, and the second time in Jerez, everything was unbelievable in the team,” he continued. “The team is so big, so professional, everything is perfect and they took care of all the details. They paid me a lot of attention, they looked after me a lot, they brought me all that I ask for and that is very important.

“I feel loved by them and for the moment everything is like that. The feeling on the bike is fantastic right now. I think, obviously, I still need to improve my riding style on the bike, I still need to make the bike more in my style but the beginning has been great.”

Repsol Honda will launch its 2019 colours at the team presentation scheduled for 23 January at Madrid in Spain, while the first test of the year is pencilled in for 6 February at Sepang in Malaysia.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Record-setting BMW K 1600 GT for auction

This record-setting BMW K 1600 GT is up for auction in Las Vegas on Australia Day (January 26, 2019) with 20% of the proceeds going to a veterans charity.

The bike belongs to Carl Reese who set records for fastest USA crossing in 38 hours, 49 minutes, in August 2015, and the longest ride in 24 hours, completing 2116.5 miles (3406km) at an average speed of 94mph in February 2017.

The Californian could have ridden even further on his mile-munching K 1600 GT (Read our review here) in the latter record. However, he had to stop after 22 hours and 52 minutes because his team ran out of available tyres. He says he could have ridden the K 1600 GT an extra 150km.

K 1600 GT aids charity

Now the BMW is up for auction with no reserve at the Mecum Auction in Las Vegas on January 26.

Carl is generously donating 20% of the proceeds from the sale of his K 1600 GT to the “Motorcycle Relief Project”.

The nonprofit organisation provides relief to veterans and first responders with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and other injuries. It takes PTSD sufferers on structured and professionally led, multi-day motorcycle adventure tours.

Despite the record distances, the bike only has 39,000km on the clock.

“There have been no mechanical issues to speak of,” Carl told us.

“All maintenance has been done by West Valley Cycle Sales, the oldest motorrad dealer in the USA.

“This bike is set up for anyone that wants to take a shot at any of my records. It’s in perfect working order.

“I have plans to set more records in the near future, and I need to thin out the stable to finance those attempts.”Record-setting BMW K 1600 GT for auction

The K 1600 GT has been upgraded with 30,000 lumens Clearwater Lights, BST Carbonfibere wheels, EarthX Lithium Battery, GPS Insight Global Tracking System, Lidar Cloaking, Russell Daylong Seat, ZTechnik windshield, AltRider Engine guards, auxiliary fuel tank and Worldwide Ceramic bearings.

The winning bidder will also receive a Guinness World Record letter of authenticity, certificate of origin and signed photograph and official BMW Motorrad t-shirt featuring the bike.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

German triumph grants Webb SuperEnduro points lead

Blazusiak and Haaker complete the podium in Riesa.

Image: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cody Webb has bumped teammate Taddy Blazusiak from the top of the Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship after claiming victory at round two in Riesa, Germany, at the weekend.

Webb lodged a 1-1-3 scorecard to earn the number one spot, with Blazusiak recording a pair of second place finishes before completing the round with a win in race three, positioning him second for the weekend.

Just one point shy of runner-up honours was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Colton Haaker, who went 3-3-2 for third overall, followed by Cristobal Guerrero (Yamaha) and Pol Tarres (Husqvarna).

Webb now holds a two-point advantage in the standings over Blazusiak, with Haaker a further six points behind as the championship heads to Madrid in Spain on 26 January.

Detailed results


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

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