The competitors for the 91st Pikes Peak International Hill Climb have just concluded a two-day tire test at the Colorado road course, and it should perhaps come as no surprise that our boy Carlin Dunne has posted the outright fastest lap for a motorcycle during the tire test (the Santa Barbara native set the outright two-wheeled course record last year on his Ducati Multistrada 1200 S). What is surprising about Carlin’s result at the tire test is that he was on the Lightning Motorcycles electric superbike. That’s right, the fastest bike so far for 2013′s Race to the Clouds is a 200+ hp electric superbike that is refueled with solar energy. Petrol heads, eat your heart out.
Talking to the Indy Star, Mark Miles (CEO of Hulman & Co, the parent company to Indianapolis Motor Speedway) has put some doubt into the historic venue’s commitment to host the MotoGP Championship. Having a contract to run the race through the 2014 season, Miles said that IMS might opt-out of the final year in its agreement with Dorna (IMS apparently has this option for a brief window after the 2013 Indianapolis GP). However while the news has focused so far on IMS’s ability to opt-out, both Dorna and Indianapolis Motor Speedway have options in their contract to go through with the 2014 round, and with a bevy of variables in the air, we may or may not see three American GP rounds next year.
Surprise! America will be getting a 847cc three-cylinder naked bike for the 2014 model year, the 2014 Yamaha FZ-09. Replacing the Yamaha FZ8 in the Japanese company’s line-up, the FZ-09 is the first motorcycle from the tuning fork brand to sport the Yamaha’s new line of three-cylinder engines. The Yamaha FZ-09 comes about as the MIC is reporting its second-consecutive year of growth in the 751+cc sport bike segment, as well as increase in commuter riding over short-distance sport riding. With those trends in mind, Yamaha has punched out the displacement on its middleweight naked bike, and focused on giving riders a comfortable, yet stout, motorcycle. Priced at $7,990 MSRP, we think Yamaha hit the nail pretty much on the head with this one.
In the past few years I’ve come to believe that, while superior physical differences (their reflexes and fine motor skills) are significant, it’s the mental differences that are the most interesting. I suppose anyone who has ridden a motorcycle even a bit beyond one’s comfort zone can appreciate some part of the physical aspect of riding a racing bike. For most of us, even the speed of racers in local events is impressive compared to our street riding. While the skills with throttle, brakes, and balance are on a level similar to the best athletes in other sports, I think that what really sets motorcycle racers apart is their ability to overcome fear.
The progress in the last five years on electric motorcycles has been astounding. Taking their first laps around the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course, a 87.434 mph pace was the best an electric motorcycle could do at the prestigious road race in 2009 — a pace that was on par with the 50cc record set in 1971. In just five years after the first laps were taken by electric motorcycles at Snaefell, these machines have grown their average lap speeds by over 20 mph at the TT Zero race, setting a new record of 109.675 mph in 2013, and boasting a rate of improvement of roughly 5 mph each year since 2009. If hitting 142.2 mph down the Sulby Straight speed trap wasn’t further proof of the speeds these bikes are achieving, maybe some visual evidence will help support the notion.
Darius Glover is a dirt bike racer. Like you and me, he lives to ride, and when he is on two-wheels he feels the freedom that only other motorcyclists can truly understand. The thing is though, Darius is paralyzed from the waist down. Where others would give up their dreams and this sport, Darius at the age of 15 instead pushed onward. No pity parties, no excuses, just simply a daily example of where there is a will, there is a way, and a reminder that you can achieve anything that you put your mind to. It’s hard not to get a bit choked up listening to Darius tell his story, but you walk away feeling uplifted after feeling his attitude come across the screen.
Any race where 1,500 riders start, 500 qualify, and only 14 finish, has got to be an epic competition, and considering the fact that the Erzberg Rodeo starts in the excavation pit of an Austrian mine…well, it takes a special rider to be enticed by such an event. One such special rider is Graham Jarvis, who was the first of the fourteen men to reach the 20th and final checkpoint. Taking 2 hours and 52 seconds to complete the course, Jarvis made the 2013 Erzberg Rodeo look downright easy. However, with one look at the race-day conditions from this past weekend, we know it was anything but.
While normally, MotoGP fans never get enough of seeing Valentino Rossi on TV, there is one shot they would (for the most part) gladly be spared. As he leaves the pits, Rossi stands on the footpegs, and pulls his leathers from between his buttocks, before sitting back down again and leaving. These rituals – part useful limbering up, part invocation of Lady Luck – are something many riders perform, in their attempt to exert control over themselves, and over their environment. In a fascinating press release – by far the most interesting we have received in many months – the Aspar team today provided a discussion and explanation of what riders are trying to achieve through the use of these rituals.
Hoping to make it four wins in a row, it goes without saying that the MotoCzysz crew is working hard to close the gap to the John McGuinness and the Mugen team. However, having Team Principal Michael Czysz stuck back in the US, undergoing cancer treatments, must certainly add another level of motivation for the on-island MotoCzysz crew. Making time in their busy schedule, Asphalt & Rubber got to take some up-close photos of the 2013 MotoCzysz E1pc. The most obvious changes made to the MotoCzysz E1pc for the 2013 TT Zero race are the use conventional suspension pieces. Of course, it’s not a completely standard suspension setup, as MotoCzysz has developed its own adjustable triple clamp that incorporates tunable lateral flex parameters.
Max Biaggi is to make a surprise return to riding a MotoGP machine. The former 250 and World Superbike champion will take a seat on Ben Spies’ Ignite Pramac Ducati as part of a one-day test at Mugello, as part of Ducati’s testing program, according to Italian site GPOne. Spies was scheduled to stay on at Mugello to take part in a two-day test, but after the first day of practice at last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, it was clear to both Spies and Ducati that his shoulder was still too weak to ride a MotoGP machine. With work continuing on the Desmosedici, it was important for Ducati to get as much data as possible on their bike, and so Biaggi was offered the chance to ride the machine.
We hate to see riders going down, but this might be the most creepy awesome thing you see all day. It is a bit surreal to watch a motorcycle crash go from horrible to normal, especially as the rider flies around as if in some sort of Matrix-like kung fu fight, but it all just serves as a reminder to be good, wear gear, and do wheelies. Thanks for the tip Gigi!
Source: YouTube
thanks for the share!
I’ve seen some of this guy’s other stuff on youtube, but this is very damn cool – takes the cake.
That dude in crocs on the scooter……priceless
I’ve seen some of these videos before, numerous examples of inexperienced riders that don’t know how to handle their bike properly. Stupid things that experienced riders know better than to do, like mid-corner over breaking leading to low sides. Seeing someone use their rear brake healed over mid-corner and go down, is just embarrassing and should never happen. Such brake misuse on the street is usually symptomatic of someone who only has experience with dirt bikes.
There really needs a genuine motorcycle licensing process that requires road training in every state. Just like car drivers, riders need to be able to demonstrate that they have acquired basic street riding skills. I got my first street bike when I was 15, and had to learn the hard way much like these poor schmucks. A whole lot of lay-downs, accidents and injuries, not to mention deaths, could be avoided with just some basic training. It’s also shameful to see beautiful sport bikes trashed by people who have no business being on them in the first place, they deserve better riders in their saddles.
Have you met my Uncle? Buzz Killington?
Video: Crashing Backwards in Slow-Mo – http://t.co/Lybb4rHw #motorcycle
The scooter guy and his croc jumping over the guardrail in reverse, ROTFL!! Props to rnickeymouse and A&R for this evenings entertainment.
dear Aaron – shut the hell up.
I’m so tired of these sanctimonious jerk offs preaching about the right way. Come out to Cali with your mad skillz and try dragging a knee on the actual ground that corner in the video covers. That would be the Snake btw. But your so awesome that not only did you know that but all highlight reelz of the “right way” feature only you.
All of the people I have ever seen take that corner, some of them two dozen times in a single day none of them get it right every time.
It’s off camber. There’s dirt. Temp change the grip. Sun and clouds change the view. Sometime oncoming traffic even crosses into your lane and then there’s 4 camera men staring you down as well as several dozen others all hoping you crash, all waiting there weekend after weekend because someone always does. Even the cops lurk at times hoping to scrape someone off the road.
Wait….why am I bothering? You are obviously just another internet poser with likely no bike at all.
drops the mike…..
I see you have met my uncle.
“It’s off camber. There’s dirt. Temp change the grip. Sun and clouds change the view. Sometime oncoming traffic even crosses into your lane and then there’s 4 camera men staring you down as well as several dozen others all hoping you crash, all waiting there weekend after weekend because someone always does. Even the cops lurk at times hoping to scrape someone off the road.”
Maybe then they should take their kneedragging to the track.
…drops the mic.
awsome ! best off season distraction so far.
I thought Aaron was on peyote talking about MotoGP, but I agree with him here – graduated licensing would be a great boon to motorcycling in general, as it would produce more capable, more mature, and ultimately happier riders. But of course it will *never* happen, as anything that stops Harley Heroes from going to the dealer after getting their M1 and getting a 1800cc bike would never pass. Also, people are fast to scream FREEEDOOOOMMMMM anytime anyone mentions the concept of restrictions.
Morons on Mulholland?
All the local bike dealers must pay the local council to keep the road surface neutral camber and nice and shiny.
The Rock Store Follies. Real creative perspective. Outstanding.
Can i have the minute and a half of my life i wasted watching this back?
Dear Alex, don’t do stupid shit on the street. Take your “mad” skills to the track yo.
@Jensen
I am with you 100% on this. Knee dragging is awesome and everything, but no reason to be acting like you are Nicky Hayden dragging a knee on public roads.
Not to mention half of these cats are over-exaggerating their lean angle just to try and get a knee down. At most of those speeds there are faster ways to get through a corner.
@alex
Aaron is right you know, at least about incorrect braking. Improper rear brake (and excessive front braking) are probably the number one reason for sport bike crashes. Well technically, over riding one’s ability is. Seriously though if the corner is off camber and dirty, etc, etc, maybe people should pay the f*ck attention and take it slower instead of trying to get famous on youtube?
Rnicky camps out there because he know the corners will look brilliant or terrible.
Take it to the track.
I enjoyed the video as much as anyone, and I’m hoping nobody there was seriously injured. That being said, anyone who rides like that on the street is a total idiot. I have done that on the street long ago before I discovered the track, and I’ll be the first to admit I WAS AN IDIOT. And please dont try to explain just how hard that turn is by mentioning oncoming traffic. That just makes you sound dumb.
you’ll never catch me going over the speed limit on this road.
Where is this? Douchebag hairpin?
Looks similar to Ramsey hairpin, and if you listen, they barely touch the floor as they go round: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k-CZxkgKOY
Always amazes me how power rangers equate knee-down to actual talent…
@ alex
That was the most absurd and laughable comment I’ve ever seen on here. Guys that get hostile when given good advice and who feel the need to defend the inexcusable (riding like a moron on the street, which cannot be defended) are the biggest detriment to the sports bike culture. Unfortunately, John Q Public doesn’t really see me on the track practising the right way. No, what they see is you using your “mad skilz” on public roads, endagering people. And people wonder why the public in “Cali” isn’t fond of bikers. Come out to Cali? You mean the first place in the country to ban non-epa certified motorcycle exhaust because of obnoxious bikers? No sir, I think not.
@ Alex
Since everyone else here has already pointed out that you are a jackass, let me just add that an off camber turn is one in which the ground slopes to the outside of the turn. This turn is clearly not off camber. Stop using terms you don’t understand to make your squidly statements sound educated.
Maybe Alex meant to say decreasing radius?
Richard Mushmouth – you watched the Power Rangers too?! They were so cool.
Cruiser Loser…
Forget conditions, brake control and whether or not they should be doing this on an open road….
Proper body positioning would have saved most of these guys. Almost universally they are over-leaning their bikes. Get off the bike more, lean the bike less and stay on the meat of the tire.
@groves
But then they wouldn’t ride all the way to the edge of the tire! And of course, overleaning for corners just proves how awesome you are at turning. People are so funny.
That corner may not look off-camber in the video, but it sure feels that way when you’re in it. Mulholland, and nearby roads like Latigo Canyon, are filled with treacherous features – off-camber, decreasing radius, sand and gravel. Riders who are used to Los Angeles Crest, which has been meticulously nerfed by the highway engineers, often aren’t ready for the older-style canyon roads.
I mostly feel bad for the guy on the bagger – clearly wasn’t trying to demonstrate awesome lean angle, just got suckered in way too hot.
The bagger guy was being a douche. I assume you mean the white bike. There is video of him crashing all over, look up “Chuck Norris son motorcycle crash” as the rumor was it was really his son riding, which I assumed was a joke about how well the guy crashed (as Chuck Norris apparently would). In the video you hear him hauling ass up the hill and he takes the corner too fast for the clearance on the bike. As his foot folds under his leg (he put it out like a dirt bike rider) the bike wrecks and he leaps up swearing without even glancing at the bike like he wants to make sure he looks tough post wreck. You’ll stop feeling for him after seeing it.
I do agree that the roads in the coastal canyons are much more difficult to ride than the inland ones like the Crest. I haven’t ridden the Dragon down south (and have no desire to from seeing what a cluster*** it is on various crash sites) but I’ve ridden tens of 1000′s of miles of SoCal roads and those ones around/leading to the Rock Store are some of the most technical I’ve ridden anywhere and I’ve ridden in about 35 states.
Here is the video if A&R allows links:
I’ve been through this too, my rear tyre got itchy in the mids of corner, changing my lane & head straight to a divider which hold me & my bike(the front tyre become like “8″ shape) before falling into the valley, I flip in the air & there is nothing I can do at that moment, heard my neck making “cracking” sound while my helmet touch the ground (luckily there is no injury on my neck), my vision getting blur, trying to get up but my body won’t let me so I just raise my hand, thanks to god I’m still alive till today even I’ve been hit couple times by another rider/driver(flying like Superman & bouncing bang bang boom till drop in the sewer) after the incident. Wear a proper gear while riding & trust me it will make a big different rather a normal road rider attire. I still can flash back each of the incident but it’s keeping me away from riding, the fact is speed doesn’t kill but stupidity does. Be safe on the road guys, pay attention to the car in front of you cause there is possibility they will suddenly changing their lane without giving signal first.
sorry typo error, “It doesn’t keeping me away from riding…”