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Strong start for Bautista in first WorldSBK test aboard Panigale V4 R

Spaniard second in maiden Aruba.it Racing – Ducati outing.

Image: Supplied.

Alvaro Bautista has impressed in his first time out aboard a WorldSBK machine during day one of testing at Jerez in Spain, recording the second fastest time aboard the all-new Ducati Panigale V4 R.

The Spaniard’s priority was to get acquainted with the newly-introduced machine as he transitions from MotoGP, displaying strong form with both the bike and the team to lodge a best-time of a 1m39.979s, just 0.322s off four-time champion and pace-setter Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team).

Bautista, who was joined by Aruba.it Racing – Ducati teammate Chaz Davies in third, explained the WorldSBK-spec motorcycle requires a different riding style to that of the Desmosedici he piloted in MotoGP, although the pair still retain certain Ducati characteristics.

“It felt like the first day at school and, while it’s still very early, I’ve been enjoying the bike quite a bit,” said Bautista. “For sure, the V4 R is different compared with the Desmosedici, in terms of engine, chassis and tires, but the character is similar. You need to ride it differently though, a bit smoother.

“We did not make many changes, just small adjustments, and we basically just tried to get as much kilometres as possible under our belt to get acquainted with the whole team. I was surprised to be this fast, but we must not get carried away and we’ll keep following the same plan tomorrow.”

The WorldSBK newcomer will be back out on track tomorrow along with the remainder of teams in attendance for the final day of testing in 2018.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Bopping not totally convinced he’s ready for full-time return

Yamaha pilot targeting 100 percent health before committing to full-time campaign.

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Lawson Bopping admits he’s not totally convinced he’s ready for a full-time return to racing at this stage after making a comeback campaign in this year’s Australian Supercross Championship.

Bopping was forced to step away from racing in 2016 after battling a mystery illness, which is still yet to be officially diagnosed, however a long course of medication this year promoted a boost in health for the New South Welshman, allowing him to comfortably recommence riding.

The number 70 returned to action at Coolum’s second round aboard a privateer Kawasaki KX450, scoring his season-best result at Geelong with sixth before being granted an opportunity with CDR Yamaha Monster Energy at the AUS-X Open Sydney and S-X Open Auckland.

Despite still being passionate about racing and enjoying his time back in the premier class, Bopping believes he needs to be 100 percent healthy before he can approach teams for a full-time seat in the Pirelli MX Nationals, although he’s adamant he’ll be back behind the gates for supercross in 2019.

“To be honest, I’d love to be back racing full-time next year,” Bopping explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “Right now though, I’m not totally convinced that I’m 100 percent healthy – I haven’t spoken to any teams – but I don’t want to approach a team and say I’m healthy when I’m not really.

“I don’t want to go to round one of the nationals and pull in after three laps because I’m still sick. I’m playing it day by day and it’s a tricky situation to be in. Supercross is a definite next year. I still love it and I still want to do it, I just want to be better at it and be healthy – I’m not where I need to be to have a full-time gig right now.

“It’s not good timing because it’s crunch time and everyone’s talking to teams and working out deals for next year. A fill-in ride might be on the cards, but who knows. I’m going to rest a bit now, but I’ll keep riding and get my body completely healthy – I’ll make a call from there.”

After missing the first round, Bopping wound up eighth in the Australian Supercross Championship and seventh in the Monster Energy S-X Open Supercross FIM Oceania Championship.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

How Much HP Does a Triumph Moto2 Engine Make?

Glad you asked. 138! The Honda CBR600 four-cylinder, which the Triumph 765 three-cylinder is replacing, made “just under 130 hp” according to Honda, with each engine making within 1.2 hp of its mates. There’s an interesting article here at Honda’s site explaining how the playing field is kept level in Moto2, MotoGP’s spec-engine feeder class. No one’s naming a torque figure, but the 165 cc-larger Triumph should produce quite a bit more than the Honda. And for 2019, Moto2 will remain a traction control-free zone.

———————————————————————————————————–Triumph Press Release:

TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES RELEASES ENGINE POWER OUTPUT FOR 2019 MOTO2 SEASON
Engine Development Press Conference – Valencia

 

Triumph Motorcycles presents at Moto2 press conference alongside Externpro, Magneti Marelli and Dorna to announce power figures for Triumph Moto2 race engines.

 

 

  • Triumph race engines are supplied fully developed and tested for reliability and consistency, producing more than 138 HP (140 PS) peak power output.

 

Engine Testing and Development

Triumph has completed a multiple phase testing programme focused on maximising; performance, durability and drivability, including;                   

  • An extensive 2 year engine development program of factory-based, dynamometer and multiple track locations for testing.  

  • More than 2,500 “race pace” laps have been completed at a range of European circuits

  • Developments include the application of high performance coatings to key internal components for enhanced performance

  • Completed engine “double-lifecycle” in continuous track durability testing

Stuart Wood, Triumph Chief Engineer said; “Triumph have been extremely warmly welcomed by Dorna, its partners and the Press. It really feels like people share our excitement in Triumph’s entry into factory supported, top flight motorcycle racing. We are confident that our engine development programme has been extremely comprehensive and that the increased power, wide spread of torque and amazing triple sound will bring exciting racing in 2019.”

To understand the background of our engine platform development, our Triumph Moto2 triple race engines are based on our 765cc Street Triple RS production engine, itself derived originally from the iconic Daytona Supersports 675cc bike.

These new race engines are built to bring more power and torque, designed to rev harder and run with a lower inertia and all delivered in a lighter weight package.

Our Street Triple RS engine which produces 121 HP in standard format was launched with over 80 new parts from the previous generation of Street Triple. For the new race engine in we have made the following changes;

  • Modified cylinder head with revised inlet
    & exhaust ports for optimised gas flow
  • Higher compression ratio
  • Titanium valves  & stiffer valve springs
  • Revised cam timing > for increased rpm
  • High Flow Fuel Injectors
  • Low inertia race kit alternator
  • Revised 1st and 2nd gear ratios
  • Race developed, adjustable slipper clutch
  • Magneti Marelli Race ECU
  • Revised engine covers for reduced width
  • Different sump for improved exhaust header run


ECU development testing

Triumph has also supported extensive ECU development testing with Magneti Marelli
This has been a track focused development program. In collaboration with Magneti Marelli, Triumph has supplied the base data and the provision of engines, a full test mule and Triumph technical support team.


Chassis development testing
Triumph has supplied development engines via Externpro to the chassis manufacturers to test. These tests have included current and former Moto2™ championship racers. Triumph has additionally provided ECU development input to the chassis manufacturers.

 

The post How Much HP Does a Triumph Moto2 Engine Make? appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Champion Rea tops the timesheets on day one of WorldSBK testing

All-new Ducati Panigale V4 R impresses with Bautista and Davies completing the top three.

Image: Supplied.

Sun shone down on the opening day Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) testing in Jerez, Spain, where riders were out to make strong steps for 2019.

With four teams out on track, the test was treated to an abundance of new bikes, new riders and new teams and plenty of laps were put in around the 4.4-kilometre track.

Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) has been working through his testing programme, meaning he had a busy day around the circuit. Working with suspension, tyre work, finding a balance with their chassis and weight distribution and their new engine, it was a productive day for the reigning world champion who came out on track at 1pm and shot right to the top of the timing screens. Rea ended day one with a time of 1m39.657s, putting in 57 laps.

Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) is continuing to get used to his new bike and team, and is focusing on putting in as many laps as possible throughout the two days in Andalusia. Despite suffering a crash through turn five in the early afternoon, the British rider ended day one in fifth putting in 71 laps, with a time of 1m40.390s.

Aruba.it Racing – Ducati had a big day in Jerez as their new recruit in Alvaro Bautista began to get to grips not only with his new team, but also adapting to the WorldSBK machine. Focusing on his pace with the all new Ducati Panigale V4 R, he was able to impress on his first day of the ‘new era’, setting a 1m39.919s after an impressive 65 laps, he ended the day in second position.

While for Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who is embarking on his third day with his new bike – his second in the dry – he was still working on base setting for 49 laps. His time of 1m40.202s put him in third overall.

Brand new WorldSBK team GRT Yamaha had their first day with the step up into the premier class, with experienced Marco Melandri and WorldSBK rookie Sandro Cortese. Spending their first day getting adapted to the YZF-R1, the team are taking things step by step and were able to put in 125 laps collectively. Melandri ended day one in sixth, whilst Cortese finished the day in eighth.

Continuing to work on improving the gap to the front runners, Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) and Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) continued to work through the parts and updates they had last week around MotorLand Aragon.

With elements of their chassis, swing arm and electronics to work on, the 2018 race winners had another productive day in Spain. Lowes was never outside the top four and ended in fourth with a time of 1m40.296s. Whilst van der Mark was taking a more steady approach and ended with a time of 1m41.572s in seventh position. Testing resumes on track tomorrow for the final day of pre-season testing in November.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Dainese D-AIR is 40% Off Today

If you’re interested in the latest in inflation safety, Cyber Monday (today) is the time to act.

———————————————————————————————————–

Dainese Press Release:

Offer valid on Dainese.com and in official Dainese Stores OFFER VALID IN USA ONLY
D-air® detects automatically an unsafe situation and it activates to protect. It is the first airbag system designed specifically for motorcyclists. The natural evolution of our mission: to create the next frontier in the protection of humans.
MISANO D-AIR® PERFORATED SUIT
Cyclone D-air
Misano D-air perforated suit
CONTINENTAL D-AIR

The post Dainese D-AIR is 40% Off Today appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Stan Dibbens New Book: Enterprise on the Edge of Industry

Isle of Man legend Stanley Dibben has written another book. MO‘s own IoM semi-legend Andrew Capone has written the foreword, and tells us all about it:

I was honored to write the foreword to Enterprise on the Edge of Industry, the next book you are going to buy and read!

It covers two world wars, two world motorcycle championships, two world land speed records, and scores of business successes and lessons along the way. All threaded through the life and times of the true ‘most interesting man in the world’, the still- sprightly at 93 years of age Motorcycle Grand Prix Champion, my friend, Stan Dibben, and his son, the brilliant academic Mark Dibben.

Photo by Andrew Capone

Incorporating the bulk of Stan’s now out- of- print autobiography Hold On, Enterprise is a unique motorcycle racing potboiler, history lesson, entrepreneurial how-to, and business academic tome. All in one. Don’t let the description dissuade you… this is a meaty, dense book, but with a lot of soul.

Whether you are a motorcycle racing fan, history buff, business exec, or just my friend, this is what you want for Christmas. Purchase at the link below, it’s in Aussie $, translates to $32 USD or so, and the US shipping fees will be lower as it will be printed in the US. Not on Amazon, so Stan might actually get a few bucks from this!

Purchase comes with a link to additional online- only photo essays, some really cool stuff. Buy it before 11/30, and I’ll send you a Stan-autographed bookmark if you PM me after purchase. Stay tuned for an in-depth interview with Stan and Mark, to follow. Sorry for the tag-o-rama, but we really want to see Stan’s book succeed. Please forward this around, and many thanks, friends!

http://scholarly.info/b…/enterprise-on-the-edge-of-industry/

The post Stan Dibben’s New Book: “Enterprise on the Edge of Industry” appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Reardon declares surgery required for ruptured achilles

Recovery period not yet known for supercross specialist.

Image: .

Three-time Australian supercross champion Dan Reardon has declared he’ll undergo surgery this Thursday to repair a ruptured achilles tendon sustained on Saturday night at the Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland.

Reardon, who was positioned second in the Monster Energy S-X Open Supercross FIM Oceania Championship ahead of the weekend, struck a tough-block prior to completing his Superpole lap, forcing him to come up severely short on the finish line double, ultimately resulting in the injury.

“Saturday night at the S-X Open in Superpole, I clipped a tough block, it got hung up on my rear brake pedal and forced me to come short,” Reardon explained in a statement.

“As a result I ruptured my achilles tendon and go in for surgery on Thursday. I won’t be kicking any goals in the next few weeks. 2018 was a great year, I can’t wait to be back in 2019. I want to say thank you to the Race Safe crew, you guys are world-class.”

It’s a significant blow for the Yamaha pilot, who races supercross-only and was currently in negotiations to race overseas at the beginning of next year. Depending on the severity, a ruptured achilles tendon could see a rider sidelined for a six-month period. Reardon’s recovery time is not yet known.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Hook surprised by user-friendly nature of MotoE contender

Pramac Racing rider experiences first taste of electric-powered machine.

Image: Supplied.

Josh Hook has experienced his first taste of the Energica Ego Corsa that he’ll pilot for Pramac Racing in the 2019 FIM MotoE World Cup following three days of testing in Spain.

The Australian stated he was surprised by the user-friendly nature of electric-powered machine, although acknowledged there are several key areas that require continued development.

Hook wound up ninth in the timesheets with his best lap coming in on Saturday along with the rest of the field, with Sunday’s third and final day being hampered by wet weather conditions.

“I had a great time,” Hook stated. “If I have to be honest, I was impressed by the power delivery of the bike when accelerating, but mainly the most impressive thing was how easy the bike is to ride. After two laps I was already pushing hard. I wanted to lap more but the battery doesn’t allow it

“The bike surprised me with its ease of riding even though there are many aspects that we will have to work on. Having only one bike was not the ideal condition but from the next tests we will be able to start working on the setup.”

The MotoE field will return to testing at Jerez 13-15 March 2019, which also hosts the first ever round of the MotoE World Cup.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Mellross reaches SX1 podium on debut aboard FC 350

New South Welshman impresses in one-off premier class appearance.

Image: Supplied.

An incredible display from Hayden Mellross in technical conditions at the weekend’s Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland saw him reach the podium while making his debut aboard Husqvarna’s FC 350.

Mellross, who has previously contested the premier class on a number of occasions over the years, stepped up to SX1 for the New Zealand event in a one-off appearance to close out the year.

The DPH Motorsport Husqvarna ace lodged a stellar 3-4-3 scorecard for second overall, defeating a host of world-class talents including Dean Wilson (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna) and Christian Craig (Geico Honda), who were third and fourth respectively.

“What a way to end my 2018 season,” Mellross commented. “It honestly was a dream to be standing on the podium with Chad [Reed] and Dean [Wilson]. With no pressure, I was looking to have some fun this weekend. I’d never ridden the FC 350 until the Friday, and after making a number of changes I was feeling really comfortable on the bike.

“I knew I would be in the mix, but to take home second overall in my first SX1 race is unbelievable. I can’t thank all those around me – the team, my mechanic, my family, girlfriend and of course my fans and supporters. I couldn’t have done it without all of you.”

Mellross finished runner-up in the Australian Supercross Championship SX2 standings, which marked his first campaign aboard Husqvarna machinery.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au