foto hot: June 2009

2009 Honda CBR600RR Project Part I

Crashing always sucks, especially on a brand new 2009 Honda CBR600RR, but with destruction comes creation.

It happens to everyone, we ride, we haul ass and inevitably we crash. It really sucks, so when we tossed our Supersport runner-up 2009 Honda CBR600RR down the bottom of Thunderhill’s Cyclone, damaging every square inch of the bike’s bodywork while also breaking off a few bars and levers, we decided to do a trackday bike re-build.Take a look at the post-crash carnage. It is amazing how much can happen so quickly. Then again, that’s why some people decide to replace their pristine OEM bodywork with aftermarket fiberglass before they go flogging their new cycle around the race track. Follow along as we transform our road-rashed RR into a trick trackday weapon.

A few shots from the Cutting Edge Illusions online gallery of the CBR600RR's progress.

The first order of business is to procure new bodywork and Sharkskinz is one of our favorites. Their fiberglass looks great, it comes with fasteners in place and the factory-primer finish is good right out of the box. We handed the blank slate over to our pals at Cutting Edge Illusions out of Eugene, Oregon, where our blank bodywork is going to be transformed into a Freddie Spencer-inspired blast from the past with a modern twist.“We are planning on keeping an overall traditional look the paint scheme,” explains Jeremy Kruempel, Designer for Cutting Edge Illusions. “But of course we will be adding plenty of our signature effects. So far the bike has been prepped (sanded). Then sealed and based. Then color sanded with 1000 grit paper. Next we laid down a super smooth white base with a pearl topcoat. We then put an intermediate coat of clear on then sanded that. Finally we added on a mid coat adhesion promoter. Now the bike is ready to begin laying out the racing graphics and logos.”Watch the process as the Cutting Edge Illusions team works their magic with their standard target turnaround of four weeks. If you’ve ever had something custom painted before you will understand how quick that actually is. They will be updating photo gallery images on their website throughout the process, so check that out Cutting Edge Illusions online gallery.

No, this isn't a prop from the recent Terminator movie; this is the beginnings of a new and exciting CBR600RR project.

On the performance side of the equation we bolted up an FMF Apex Slip-on Exhaust, ditching the stock exhaust for a much more-stylish carbon canister versus the stock unit. The stock suspension is pretty damn good but it can always be better so we ripped-off the fork and shock and shipped them to Race Tech where they will lay hands on them. Stay tuned for performance details.Last but not least, the final piece of the Stage 1 rebuild will be a set of Vortex clip-ons and rear-sets. So there you go, we’ve got the bike stripped and the parts are being shipped. If there are any CBR600RR owners out there with some suggestions for our little Honda, we would love to hear about them. Sound off and let us know in the comments below.

Mission One Electric Superbike Revealed

Be it bike tests, feature stories or racing reports Madson is just glad to be one of the 3% who found a career using their English degree. He rides whatever’s in the MCUSA garage - just don’t ask him to wheelie.

The Mission One claims a top speed of 150mph and range of 150 miles, amazing performance numbers for an electric motorcycle design.

For Mission Motors it’s all about the number 150. The Bay Area motorcycle start up has gained instant notoriety in the two-wheeled world with its unveiling of the Mission One electric superbike, making incredible performance claims of 150mph top speed and 150-mile range.The creator of Mission One is Forrest North, who founded Mission Motor Company after leaving the Tesla Roadster electric car project. Formerly known as Hum Cycles, Mission Motor has rebranded with the debut of its new design, taking its name from its office location on San Francisco’s Mission Street.Battery technology has been the hindrance of performance and range in previous electric rides, but it would seem that Mission has found a solution with its high-energy Lithium-Ion units. The secret to the impressive power claims may come from sheer battery quantity, as photos from the Mission Motor website (www.ridemission.com) show the exterior bodywork houses a tubular frame chassis that is practically bulging with battery packs.The battery power juices a liquid-cooled, three-phase AC induction motor, which Mission PR describes as “about the size of a soccer ball.” A chain drive is visible, which will transfer the immediate 100 lb-ft of torque produced by the electric mill. The electric drivetrain requires no gearbox, clutch or exhaust.But before the lofty 150 gets branded into consumer brains, it is worth noting those claims are listed on the spec sheet under “target performance.“ Making us wonder what the current real-world performance numbers are for the Mission One (we are eagerly awaiting official word from Mission representatives).

The Mission One was designed by fuseproject's Yves Behar.

Still, the claims shatter conventional performance and range limitations in other electric motorcycle designs – displaying the incredible potential of the electric drivetrain in a motorcycle application.Befitting the Mission One’s high-tech credentials is wireless data acquisition, enabling riders to download and tune their ride via wireless laptop connection. There will be some wires required, however, as the Mission One will need to be recharged – taking “under 2 Hours @ 240V (8 Hours @ 120V).” The cost to “fill-up” the new ride from full empty will be a scant $1.96 – a claim made by Mission based off California energy prices.Of course, the big to-do about electric vehicles are their pollution and CO2-reducing ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) benefits. Even sourcing fossil-fuel powerplants (mostly coal in the US), the efficiency of an electric motor is far greater than internal combustion – thus reducing C02 emissions.Like many battery-powered vehicles, the Mission One enhances its already high efficiency by taking advantage of regenerative braking, capturing otherwise wasted kinetic energy on deceleration. There is an extra wrinkle in the Mission design, however, as the regenerative braking is tunable by the rider.

Will the Mission One live up to its 150 claims? Potential owners can drop $5K and reserve a limited-edition version to find out.

The remaining specs live up the Mission One’s high-performance claims. Fully adjustable Ohlins suspension, front and rear. Brembo brakes, with dual 310mm discs and radial-mount four-piston calipers up front. Forged aluminum Marchesini wheels. The interesting styling of the Mission One, designed by Yves Behar of fuseproject, certainly make it look like something capable of 150mph.Mission is currently taking reservations for the “Premier Limited Edition of the Mission One” on their website. A $5000 fee will get you on the list for a 2010 Mission One. No final price is yet listed.Stay tuned for further developments of the Mission One and other electric designs here at Motorcycle USA.

2010 KYMCO Quannon 150 First Look

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The new KYMCO Quannon 150 is an all-new $3449 option for entry-level riders.

KYMCO, the good folks from Taiwan, have stepped up to challenge Kawasaki’s entry-level sportbike dominance with the introduction of the Quannon 150. KYMCO chose the recent IMS show in Long Beach to launch its all-new sportbike model.Powered by an air-cooled 149.3cc Single, the Quannon will debut in the US as a 2010 model. Sporting a 62 x 49.5mm bore and stroke, the air-cooled mill produces a claimed 14 horsepower. While the hp isn’t overwhelming, the beginner bike should enjoy phenomenal fuel efficiency (70-75 mpg claimed) with the four-valve engine and five-speed transmission. Combined with the 3.6-gallon tank, a rider can expect a range of over 250 miles on the little commuter/beginner motorcycle.A steel frame chassis is mated to a telescopic front fork and a rear monoshock (no indication of adjustability on KYMCO press material). Stopping the 299-lb (claimed) bike comes via single discs, front and rear. The Quannon’s 17-inch wheels should help the little bike handle like a bigger machine, similar to the Ninja 250 it will always be compared with (which increased its wheel size to 17-inch with its 2008 redesign). Seat height is 31.5 inches (an inch taller than the Ninja).

KYMCO Quannon 150 Photo Gallery

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R has long been the unchallenged newbie-friendly sportbike, but the Quannon at $3449 actually bests its rival in MSRP, with a $550 price break (the Ninja saw a $500 price bump this year). And the little Quannon comes with a standard two-year warranty – as well as an optional four-year extended warranty available at the KYMCO dealer.Available in red and blue, the Quannon 150 maintains a true sportbike look and isn’t half bad in the styling department. As for the Quannon’s future success, there figures to be plenty of entry-level riders to go around (the Quannon would do well just poaching sales off dealer’s standing Ninja 250 waiting lists). Either way, another option is a good thing for the entry-level market.KYMCO Quannon 150 SpecificationsEngine: Air-cooled 4-valve SingleDisplacement: 149.3ccPower Claims: 14 HPBore/Stroke: 62 x 49.5mmCooling: Forced airIgnition: ElectricTransmission: Five-speedChassis: Steel frameFront Suspension: Telescopic forksRear Suspension: Mono shockFront Brake: Single discRear Brake: Single discFront Wheel/Tire: 110/80-17Rear Wheel/Tire: 140/70-17Dimensions (LxWxH): 81”x28.5”x46.2”Seat Height: 31.5 in.

BMW S1000RR Breaks Cover in America

The recent Miller Motorsports Park round of World Superbike races marked the unveiling of BMW’s new 2010 S1000RR sportbike to the US market. And while the talk and buzz surrounding the actual machine and all it has to offer was high, no doubt piquing everyone’s interest was their loose pricing claims. But not in a typical BMW-high way. Quite the opposite.“We will be within $1000 of the competition,” said Pieter de Waal, VP of BMW Motorrad USA. And by competition, he refers not to the exotic Ducati and Aprilia sportbikes you may think, but the run-of-the-mill Japanese 1000cc sportbikes; the affordable bikes of the bunch. Which, depending on where their prices fall for 2010, should have the base S1000RR coming into American for roughly $14,000. Which, for a BMW packed full of high-tech engineering (even in base from), this seems almost unbelievable. Though considering they are aiming for nearly 90% of sales to be conquest sales from the Japanese makers, this would make sense.How they will do it and still make a profit? Now, that will be the tough part. And an important part at that. According to De Waal the success of the entire BMW Motorrad division rests in some part on the success of the S1000RR. Talk about pressure.After four years in the making, we had a chance to get a close-up look at the new Beemer in the flesh at MMP to see what all one gets for supposedly “under $14,000.”Technical Features

Titanium valves, both intake and exhaust, are actuated by equally small and light single cam followers. Valve play is compensated by means of adjustment platelets running on the spring plates.

“For us the key is to come to market with a product that will out-perform the competition in your (magazine and website) shootouts, as this is what the consumer basis a lot of their buying decisions on,” continued De Waal. “Most people will not go to the track and may not be able to push a bike like this to 99% of its limits, so it is important to us to set the fastest lap times and make the most horsepower in your comparisons as this show the buyers which bike is most capable.”Starting with the engine, BMW is claiming a strong 193 horsepower at the crank, putting it right in the mix, or even at the upper end of the liter-class competition. Not to mention they claim a whopping rev-ceiling of 14,200rpm, well over that of the competition. Bore and stroke comes in at a very oversquare 80mm x 49.7mm, making for a displacement of 999cc. In fact, at 80mm it’s the biggest bore in the literbike segment. But much of the BMW S1000RR engine’s capability is the result of their Formula-1 derived valvetrain system.

Exiting spent gasses is a uniquely-designed 4-2-1 exhaust system featuring a host of race technology mixed in with the emissions requirements designed to meet government regulations while still providing as much usable power as possible.

Exiting spent gasses is a uniquely-designed exhaust system, featuring a host of race technology mixed in with the emissions requirements.

Titanium valves, both intake and exhaust, are actuated by equally small and light single cam followers. Valve play is compensated by means of adjustment platelets running on the spring plates. On the intake side the spring plates are made of light aluminum-fiber material. Combined with a small sprocket driving each cam via an intermediate gear and lightweight cam followers, it allows higher revving of the engine with equal reliability.Another design highlight of the cylinder head is the arrangement of the cam follower axes, as both the intake and the exhaust followers are facing to the rear in the direction of travel. This keeps the cylinder head slimmer. All told this also means the engine weighs a feather light 132 lbs.Exiting spent gasses is a uniquely-designed 4-2-1 exhaust system, featuring a host of race technology mixed in with the emissions requirements designed to meet government regulations while still providing as much usable power as possible. It uses a short rear end muffler, pre-silencer and electronically controlled interference pipe flaps, as well as a fully controlled exhaust gas manifold and two fully controlled three-way catalytic converters.

Active safety when braking is significantly enhanced by Race ABS developed especially for the S1000RR as a genuine supersports and available as an option straight from the factory.

Slowing things is an available race-capable ABS braking system. While still keeping the machine’s weight at a claimed 450 lbs, BMW claims it is the lightest supersport 1000 with ABS, and they developed the system almost entirely on the racetrack, to aid in track prowess instead of take away from it. Part of the optional add-ons is the DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) system, which features settings from Rain to Sport to Racetrack and Racetrack Slicks. Included in the system are wheel-speed sensors that provide the rider a host of TC (Traction Control) options at the flick of a switch. While unconventional as to how it’s displayed, we can’t wait to try the systems. BMW has it down to a science on the M-series high-performance sports cars, so it will be extremely interesting to see how it works on their first true supersport motorcycle.As a stressed-member of the aluminum frame, the engine sits a 32% angle for claimed optimum weight distribution, while suspension up front is the latest in inverted fork fare, sitting 46mm in diameter. Out back a fully-adjustable race-bred shock controls a “very torsionally-stiff” box-type aluminum swingarm.

Supreme aerodynamics and sporting ergonomics ideal for both the tall and short rider.

Further keeping weight down is an aluminum gas tank, something not regularly seen in this market due to cost. Gauges feature an almost overwhelming amount of information, traditional BMW-style, though we would venture to guess once used to the interface they would come in quite handy. Rounding out the new machine is revolutionary-styled bodywork. Showcasing an asymmetrical design with one side of the fairing slightly different than the other and two different headlights up front, the angular skins have been much talked about since the bike first broke cover.“For us we needed to come up with something different,” De Waal said of the design. “If we make a Japanese lookalike then people would quickly criticize and with it being different people may not love it right away, but we are better off doing our own thing than making another Japanese bike. It’s already an Inline-Four, so it was important for us to separate ourselves from the competition with regards to styling.”As for the pricing, considering current Japanese literbikes come in right around $12,999 on average, that would currently put the S1000RR at $13,999 in base from. Of course optional equipment like DTC will come at a cost, though according to BMW these will be very competitively priced. It’s reasonable to assume that a fully-loaded S1000 would hit dealerships around $16,000-$17,000, putting it well under the equally-equipped $21,795 Ducati 1198S. We’ll believe it when we see it. But if so, BMW could have a real winner on its hands in the 1000RR.

"For a brand-new team with a brand new motorcycle these guys are doing an amazing job." - Ruben Xaus

Racing, Racing, Racing In a smart move, BMW took advantage to World Superbike’s fairly loose homologation rules to use 2009 as a development year for the S1000RR by fielding a full-factory BMW Motorrad team with riders Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus.In typical BMW fashion, instead of going the tradition route and outsourcing some of the tougher things to make, such as racing electronics, they have opted to do nearly it all in-house. But this is the BMW way. If you know anything about its racing history in other sports, when BMW wins, BMW wins. Not ones to like much help, BMW hasn’t made things easy by joining what could arguably be the most competitive form of road racing on the planet on an all-new motorcycle, one which they insist to develop as much in-house as possible.All this considered, BMW results thus far have been impressive. Corser has been seen in the top-10 on a semi-regular basis, while Xaus pulled off an impressive fifth-place in Monza, Italy, a few weeks back. Miller was a weekend the BMW squad would rather forget, missing Superpole for the first time all season in qualifying, with Corser finishing a best of 15th in Race 1.While BMW has been able to make impressive power from the new machine, getting it to the ground is the tougher task.

Troy Corser has been seen in the top-10 on a semi-regular basis aboard the S1000RR.

“We have plenty of power, but getting it to work in the right order is hard,” said Xaus. “But for a brand-new team with a brand new motorcycle these guys are doing an amazing job. Right now we just need to work with the electronics to get the power to the ground more smoothly and this will help in all areas (of the bike). I’m really happy to be here though and I know the bike can win once we get the time to develop it.”In reality, though, this provides the ultimate proving grounds for the new machine and that’s what it is all about. By year’s end BMW will have raced against the best in the world at tracks all over the world with technology that will directly trickle down to the production machine.In Our Eyes

In the process of developing the S 1000 RR BMW Motorrad focused not only on a lightweight structure but also on minimum dimensions as an absolutely essential requirement.

When first laying eyes on photos of the S1000RR we were a little skeptical. In the flesh our minds were quickly changed.

Having spent a great deal of time both riding and driving BMW machines, plus their extensive and impressive racing history on both two and four wheels, there’s little doubt in my mind the S1000RR will impress once in the saddle (we’ll be the first on the scene to ride it – expect a First Ride sometime in November). But the big question is: What about those looks? When first laying eyes on photos of the BMW we were a little skeptical. In the flesh our minds were quickly changed.The asymmetrical bodywork looks sleek and fast, though very unconventional, while fit and finish is undoubtedly typical BMW first-class. And best of all, this unconventional styling has assured it is by no means a cookie-cutter Inline-Four. While still not totally sold on the green color, both the silver, black and BMW-racing inspired graphics work well and highlight the machine’s shape equally effectively – especially the BMW-racing colored edition (this will cost extra, though).One to always impressive in terms of performance with its sports car lineup, it looks like BMW has finally followed suit in its two-wheeled department. And while it may take some time for the oddly-pointed taillight and one round headlight to grow on us, I can tell you that come shootout time next year if the bike is top of the time sheets as they say it will be, we’ll have no trouble getting to like those lights real quick. In this segment performance is the ultimate aphrodisiac, so the real answers will come in a couple months when we get a chance twist that right grip with the red mist. Stay tuned as this is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated new bikes of the upcoming season.

2009 BMW S1000RR First Look

The first pictures of the production version of the BMW S1000RR supersport motorcycle have been unveiled at BMW’s Berlin production plant. Until now, only the carbon-fiber clad World Superbike-spec version has been seen in action. This 403-lb performance riding machine is as high tech as any M-series automobile the Bavarian-based company has ever produced. Everything from traction-control to ABS as well as high-tech engine internals will make this first-ever BMW superbike a legitimate challenger to the Italian and Japanese sportbikes that have ruled the racetracks and back-canyon bi-ways of our little blue planet. Below is the press release on the unveiling as provided by BMW. -Ken

After weeks of waiting, we finally got to see what the full road version looks like and we like what we see.

Staff and fans of BMW Motorrad are looking forward to March 1, 2009 with great excitement. At the introductory race to the Superbike World Championship in Phillip Island, Australia, two BMW motorcycles will be in the starting line-up for the first time. After recent tests in Portimao and Valencia, riders Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus are optimistic about the future and the mood in the BMW Motorrad Motorsport team is positive. The racing bikes will be fairly close to serial production models, allowing for the greater audience identification characteristic of the sport. Behind the scenes meanwhile, production of the serial machine is getting underway: the BMW S 1000 RR.The package of this completely newly developed motorcycle with its 999cc in-line 4-cylinder engine is very compact and light. The dry weight of the motorcycle is 183 kg.Both its supreme performance figures and its outstanding riding properties make the BMW S1000RR an extremely attractive offer in the supersports segment.

This shot gives a close look at the chassis and frame of BMW's S1000RR Superbike.

The engine has a very compact cylinder head and is narrow in shape. The valves are activated by means of very small, light cam followers, virtually at Formula 1 level in terms of their dimensions. This construction ensures very high engine speeds and allows maximum freedom in engine design in terms of torque and output.For the supersports bike BMW S1000RR, a completely newly developed sports ABS featuring four different modes as well as the dynamic traction control system DTC will be available. The functional principle of the traction control system has been borrowed directly from racing.

Bikes are ready to roll out to dealerships in the next few months. A price and release date for the US market will be available soon.

The distinctive design of the S 1000 RR reflects the general style of the segment but also clearly represents the brand BMW. The new S1000RR will be available in the four finishes Mineral Silver metallic, Acid Green metallic, Thunder Grey metallic and - based on the BMW Motorrad racing colours - Alpine White/Lupine Blue/Magma Red.The serial production machine BMW S1000RR will be presented to the public in the early summer of 2009 but can already be ordered in dealerships.

2008 KTM 1190 RC8 First Look

KTM announces the dawn of a new era, making the official Superbike plunge with the 1190 RC8.

The 65th EICMA show in Milan keeps cranking out the surprises, with Austrian manufacturer KTM introducing its first-ever Superbike design - the 1190 RC8.Yet the KTM RC8 debut isn't too shocking, as the "Made in Austria" Superbike has been a long time coming. First breaking cover at the 2005 shows, the then-concept machine was powered by the Super Duke 999cc Twin. Promised for eventual production, the project morphed into the 1190cc version unveiled this week at Milan.Explaining the development of his company's first Superbike design at its Milan debut, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer said: "The RC8 is the perfect embodiment of the collective know-how and the sporting passion of our development teams. In addition, they have proven that KTM is capable of pushing through its own model strategy and in doing so, being absolutely true to our clear brand philosophy, also on the road."Based off the LC8 Twin powering the Super Duke, the RC8 motor is punched out to, we assume, 1190cc displacement. Power claims for the new V-Twin are 155 horsepower and 88.5 lb-ft torque. If our past experience with the LC8 platform is any indication, the RC8 will benefit from a bounty of torque and magnificent mid-range - characteristics which figure to only be enhanced by the extra 190cc.Dispensing with the raucous leftovers from the new V-Twin is an under-engine exhaust, positioning we've seen before on Erik Buell creations. The underslung design helping to keep a low center of gravity.

With its entry into the Superbike class, the 1190 RC8 is an exciting option with a style all its own.

The chassis is made up of a tubular steel frame mated to what appears to be a standard-fare aluminum swingarm. KTM continues use of WP suspension, with a non-traditional rear linkage located at the top of the swingarm. The WP components are complimented by radial-mount Brembo brakes, both of which the Austrian firm utilizes on its other high-performance streetbikes. The total design adds up to a claimed tank-full weight of 440 lbs.Images of the new Superbike entry indicate a stock steering damper, as well as a pivot in the subframe to adjust seat height. In this regard, the Austrians have taken an adjustability cue from their Northern Italian neighbors, Ducati, which offers seat adjustment forward and back. It is a feature which signifies the RC8's intentions to accommodate a wide array of riders on the street.But is this orange tiger a purpose-built streetbike or full-blown racing platform?Given KTM's history of competitive racing, it seems a safe bet that the RC8 will be contesting championships in the near future. A fact backed up at the Milan Show by the RC8 on display being in full Red Bull racing livery trim. But don't expect the new KTM to jump right into the deep World Superbike end of the racing pool right away. When we chatted with KTM reps at the Super Duke press intro last year, they hinted the RC8 would skip SBK right out of the gate and get its toes wet in some European national series first. (One possible arena where we could see the KTM here in the States is the MOTO-ST series.)

Either the new KTM superbike has a adjustable pivot to alter the seat height and subframe, or we had too much to drink last night.

Our conversations with the orange folk also gave us an insight into KTM's styling intentions with the RC8. At the Duke intro reps showed us blacked out silhouette shots of the future RC8 next to its Japanese superbike competition. It was clear then that KTM designers wanted a machine uniquely identifiable by its profile alone and they have delivered. From its spacious undertail rear to the sharp bodywork up front, there's no mistaking this KTM for any of its literbike competitors.Also, although no MSRP is listed in KTM PR, we were assured by our Austrian friends that they want the RC8 to be affordable for the general public. Whether Austrian notions of affordability conform to those of your regular Yankee remains to be seen.The 1190 RC8 will be offered in KTM's trademark orange and black scheme, as well as a white and black version. According to KTM PR the new model will be available March 2008, "just in time for the start of the new motorcycle season."

Superbike 749R

A SPORTS BIKE WITHOUT COMPROMISE

The 749R, designed to race in the World Supersport Championship, is an outstanding racing machine. It features the most powerful mid-size Testastretta engine produced by Ducati together with a state-of-the-art chassis set up, both developed specifically for top track performance. The 749R is driven by a mighty twin-cylinder Testastretta engine created especially for racing. The 121 hp at 10,500 rpm has been achieved through full race tuning, and shortening the piston stroke while increasing the bore to 94 mm, up from the 90 mm of the 749 and 749s, thus enabling the engine to run at higher rpm. The slipper clutch is also racing derived and prevents the rear wheel from locking during track style downshifting and heavy engine deceleration.This Testastretta twin-cylinder engine has been created using the best materials: titanium valves, valve retaining collets and connecting rods, magnesium head covers and carbon fibre belt covers that feature a ventilation system to enhance belt cooling. The feather-weight crankshaft and high resistance aluminium alloy pistons complete the array of top notch components.One of the unique features of this model is the rear suspension linkage, with flat rising rate as used on competition Ducatis, that is suited to extreme track use and a single-seat set up. The lower rising rate produces linear performance throughout the stroke with less rigidity at high ranges, typical of high-speed cornering experienced on the track. The suspension works in partnership with a fully adjustable Öhlins rear shock absorber, with a shorter stroke than in the standard version (down from 71 to 56 mm) and with a heavier spring, designed especially for this motorcycle and its unique rear suspension.This model is exclusively available as a single-seater and is finished off with a numbered silver plate on the top yoke.

Valentino Rossi's much-hyped trip to the Isle of Man TT this year captured on YouTube

Here are just a couple of links sent to us, via Italian clothing Goliath Dainese, of the MotoGP world champ's recent first trip to Manxland for the TT.The first clip shows Valentino Rossi, it has to be said, looking a bit wary at first following Giacomo Agostini on the TT course.The second clips shows some interesting footage of the air-bag infused Dainese D-Air suit being crash tested. The clip includes road racer Guy Martin trying to keep a straight face while the suit is inflated around him.The third here is the press conference at the TT with Rossi jabbering away in his own, unique style and talking "balls".

Grid girls. What's not to like? Grid girl wallpaper is what you want and it is what you get every Friday. This is from the Catalan GP

Grid girls. MotoGP, WSB, BSB grid girls. What's not to like? Grid girl wallpaper is what you want and it is what you get every Friday. This is from the Catalan GP and is the choice of our designer, Callum Tomsett.You want more? Well, here's the place to go

Leon Camier (Airwaves Yamaha) scored another double win from pole position at Snetterton BSB. With Steve Plater winning in supersport for HM Plant Hon

It's not that the racing was dull, but it was predictable. We could run an official press release, but our mole lurking around the back of the garages at Snetterton claims that he heard this de-brief between pole position man and double race winner Leon Camier (Airwaves Yamaha) and his chief tech after the race."Well... that was pretty easy. Obviously I wouldn't say that to that guy with the microphone or the telly people, but, fuck me, what's going on? What are the rest of the them doing? The bike is working fine and the tyres were OK, but we weren't the fastest bike down the straight and those wankers still couldn't beat me...(laughs a bit)...still...fair play, they had a go.I got my usual not brilliant start, caught up with little Stewey (we think he means Easton rather than the Family Guy character), then pissed off past him and waited to see if anything would happen. But it didn't. I actually thought about slowing up a bit to see if I could have a bit of a play, but I knew Colin (Wright) would blow a fuse and I'd get a bollocking if I did that, so I just kept counting off the laps. Where did James (Ellison) finish by the way?"

We test the California Superbike School's level one course at Brands Hatch

I've been riding a long time - twenty years this year. But to be honest, I've never had much in the way of formal training. Rather, I've sort of got stuck in, and hoped that spending thousands of miles in the saddle would magically induce talent within me.Of course that works, after a fashion. But there comes a point where you can really benefit from spending a bit of time with an external body analysing what you're doing, and working out how to make it work better.That point was probably about seven or eight years ago for me, but better late than never as they say, so I was pleased to sign up for the California Superbike School's Level One course at Brands Hatch last week. I borrowed a Suzuki GSX-R750 (the gentleman's premium choice for track duties), put on my best bib and tucker, and set the alarm for an early start (sign-on starts at 7am, erk).I'd heard a lot about the CSS over the years, not all of it good. But I have to say that my experience was overwhelmingly positive. There's a strong focus on classroom work - you spend half the day in a room with director Andy Ibbott, talking about what you do on a bike, broken down in quite a detailed way. Ibbott has a good classroom manner, engaging yet challenging, and the nature of his teaching has the students constantly asking and answering questions. If you're an experienced rider, you might not feel quite at home with some of the 'black or white' statements on the nature of things, but there's no doubt it's a positive, effective learning process.But don't think this classroom emphasis detracts from track time. I got five decent sessions at Brands, only maybe one less than at a trackday, and the more controlled nature of the day meant fewer red flag stoppages, so less lost time. The on track instructors follow you around, offering tuition from the bike, or calling you into the pits for more in-depth instruction.Criticisms? Well, the mix of abilities is very wide: my Level one group included a British Superstock racer and a novice rider who'd only ever ridden 500 miles in total. The instructors kept good order, but at times the disparity in speeds stood out, not helped by the compact nature of Brands Indy. And on a minor note, some of the instructors have rather outlandish nicknames, in the manner of a Top Gun parody sketch...But all that said, and the £412 cost of the day considered, I'd definitely go back to the school. All of the students I spoke to were similarly positive too, and if you're considering some track-based rider training, I'd be happy to recommend the school.

R200

Jakarta - Minerva Motor Indonesia (MMI), the quiet has launched variants of the newest types of sport. This is known detikOto in a shopping center in the area of Lebak Bulus, last week.Striping of the legible, written Minerva R200, which means that with a 200 cc engine.Sporty design, with full body fairing. The front appears to taper out. Similarly, the stern, when the note, still resembles buttocks CBR 150, with only spakboard different.When confirmed on the Minerva through its Marketing Manager, Eddy Susanto, recognizes this."Yes, it is a new variant," he said when contacted detikOto, Monday, (8/6/2009).In addition, to Edy, Minerva is not akan melaunch variants sport in this large-scale.Minerva R200 on the engines already use Balancer shaft. So that the engine vibration during disrupt this, can be muted.For the price, Minerva offer price of Rp 17.9 million On The Road. How, interested?