Q&A: Yukio Kagayama Talks About the Upcoming Suzuka 8-Hour with Kevin Schwantz & Noriyuki Haga

In case you missed the story last week, Kevin Schwantz is preparing to race in this year’s Suzuka 8-Hour endurance race. For the race, Schwantz will be riding on a team formed by Yukio Kagayama, who in addition to having raced in the MotoGP, World Superbike, and British Superbike Championships, is also a previous Suzuka 8-Hour winner with the Suzuki Endurance Race Team (also joining the three-rider team Noriyuki “Nitro” Haga). Releasing a Q&A about his team’s Suzuka 8-Hour entry, Kagayama-san walks us through how the team came together, what equipment the riders will use, and his outlook on the team’s competitiveness.

KTM RC4 Concept by Luca Bar Design

A single-cylinder hooligan-maker, the KTM 690 Duke is 330 lbs (curbside without fuel) and 67hp of two-wheeled fun, and we hope that the Austrians bring the KTM 690 Duke R our way as well. While we are on the topic of things missing from KTM’s American line-up, a decent supersport is painfully obvious, yet we can’t see the folks at KTM following the paths of other brands. That’s where our friend Luca Bar comes to mind with his latest concept: the KTM RC4. Using the KTM 690 Duke platform and its LC4 engine, Bar has designed a super-single full-fairing sport bike that takes the Austrian company’s “Ready to Race” DNA and applies it to an idea that is not all that disimilar to the Ducati Supermono.

Q&A: Claudio Domenicali Talks Frameless Chassis, Sacred Cows, & The Future for Ducati

When I sat down with Claudio Domenicali at the Ducati 1199 Panigale R launch, the now-CEO of Ducati Motor Holding was still just the General Manager of the Italian motorcycle company. Four weeks after our interview though, Gabriele del Torchio would leave Ducati for Alitalia; and Domenicali, a 21-year veteran of both the racing and production departments of Ducati, would take his place at the top of Italy’s most prestigious motorcycle brand. After reading our interview from Austin, Texas after the jump, I think you will agree too.

Is Yamaha Using A Seamless Gearbox? The Data Says No

That Yamaha is working on a seamless gearbox is no secret, with Yamaha’s test riders currently racking up the kilometers around tracks in Japan. Recently, however, Spanish magazine SoloMoto published an article suggesting that Yamaha has already been using its new seamless gearbox since the beginning of the season. My own enquiries to check whether Yamaha was using a seamless gearbox or not always received the same answer: no, Yamaha is not using the seamless gearbox. To test this denial, I went out to the side of the track on Friday morning at Jerez to record the bikes as they went by.

OCC Coming Back to TV? — Universe Collapses in on Self

After a very public father/son break-up between Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr., a steroid-ring scandal involving Paul Sr., and finally a bankruptcy proceeding, it appears that Orange County Choppers is the impossible to kill multi-headed hydra of doom that we all knew it was, as the custom chopper shop is once again headed to the small screen and recruiting some talent, on and off the show. Looking for “someone who will work alongside Paul Senior, running the shop and helping build some of the best custom motorcycles in the world,” OCC says it will be back on television with a new show later this month. Please for the love of god, will someone give this man the attention he craves so dearly??! Or, just shoot us in the face.

Alstare Superbike Concept by Team Alstare

We love us some concept bikes here at Asphalt & Rubber, and we have featured more than a few pieces of stunning design and imagination on our pages. Though, we can’t remember the last time one of these works of art were brought to us by a legitimate racing team, but that is what we have here with the Team Alstare Superbike Concept. A nod to the former Suzuki team’s return to the World Superbike Championship as the Ducati factory squad with Carlos Checa and Ayrton Badovini, Alstare has enlisted the help of designer Serge Rusak of Rusak Kreaktive Designworks to ink the shape of its futuristic Superbike concept, while Tryptik Studios handled the 3D modeling prowess.

Transcript: The Gay Question at Jerez

If you didn’t watch Thursday’s pre-event press conference for MotoGP at Jerez, it is worth a viewing right to the end (assuming you have a MotoGP.com account). Building off the news about the NBA’s Jason Collins coming out as gay in a self-written feature in Sport Illustrated, my good colleague David Emmett had the courage to inquire about the culture and acceptance of the MotoGP paddock for homosexual riders. For the sake of accuracy, after the jump is a full transcript of David’s question, as put to riders Cal Crutchlow, Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez, Andrea Dovizioso, Stefan Bradl, and Scott Redding, as well as those riders’ responses to David’s inquiry.

2014 Suzuki GSV-R Spotted Again

News that Suzuki plans on returning to the MotoGP Championship in 2014 should be old information for dedicated Asphalt & Rubber readers, and the Japanese company’s inline-four race bike was already spotted doing test laps last year by the eager eyes at Cycle World. Well the American print-mag has another set of eyebrow-raising high-quality photos of the 2014 Suzuki GSV-R to mull over from the Motegi race track, along with some technical insights provided by the venerable Kevin Cameron.

BMW F800GS Adventure – Germany’s Middleweight ADV

A surprise addition to BMW Motorrad’s 2013 model line-up, zie Germans have announced a new middleweight adventure-tourer, the 2013 BMW F800GS Adventure. Like its larger predecessor, the BMW F800GS Adventure is a more travel-ready and off-road capable build of the recently updated BMW F800GS motorcycle. Featuring a larger windscreen, panniers, and a bigger fuel tank capacity (2.1 gallons larger, for a total of 6.3 gallons of fuel), the BMW F800GS Adventure keeps the same 85 hp, liquid-cooled, 798cc, parallel-twin engine found on the F800GS, as well as the same chassis configuration. Pricing in the US will be $13,550 for the base model BWM F800GS Adventure.

Kevin Schwantz Returns to Motorcycle Racing – Enters the Suzuka 8-Hours with Team Kagayama

Former 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz has certainly been in the news a bit these past few months, mostly for his involvement and falling out with the Circuit of the Americas and the Americas GP, but also more recently for his comments regarding Dani Pedrosa — we also sat down with Mr. Schwantz in Austin, and the Texan gave us some sobering insight into the future of American road racing. As if all that wasn’t enough, Schwantz is making a return to two-wheeled racing, and has entered the prestigious Suzuka 8-Hours endurance race with Team Kagayama racing alongside Noriyuki Haga and team owner Yukio Kagayama.

2010 MV Agusta F4 Breaks Cover at EICMA

11/09/2009 @ 6:14 pm, by Jensen Beeler8 COMMENTS

2010 MV Agusta F4 Breaks Cover at EICMA 2010 mv agusta f4 6 560x373

The 2010 MV Agusta F4 has been hyped extensively by MV, but after seeing the Brutale release, we were skeptical about what the new F4 would bring. Expectedly, the 2010 MV Agusta F4 is based of Massimo Tamburini’s iconic design, and is updated to fit more with modern tastes. But MV has also changed the bike underneath the hood. More on that, photos, and technical specifications after the jump.

With a 998cc motor, the new F4 makes 3hp more than the comparably displaced 2009 MV Agusta R 312. The 2010 F4 also weights less, dropping 22lbs for a dry weight of 424lbs.

Like the Brutale, a new engine, chassis, and swingarm have been designed for the 2010 model. These changes make the 2010 MV Agusta F4 4cm narrower, while making the chassis more rigid.

Riders should find the new chassis more comfortable, and will be able to make use of the F4′s new 8-way adjustable traction control unit and twin-map ECU. Helping get the power to the ground is bike’s

Other changes include:

  • Power supply with TSS variable length intake system
  • TC MK II traction control system, adjustable on 8 levels
  • Two injectors per cylinder
  • New electronic injection system with 49-mm throttle bodies
  • New Magneti Marelli 7 SM ECU
  • New 4-1 exhaust system with valve

2010 MV AGUSTA F4 1000 R Technical Specs:

ENGINE

Type Four cylinder, 4 stroke, 16 valve
Timing system “D.O.H.C”, radial valve
Total displacement 998 cm3 (60.9 cu. in.)
Compression ratio 13.1:1
Starting Electric
Bore x stroke 76 mm x 55 mm (3.0 in. x 2.2 in.)
Max. horse power – r.p.m. (at the crankshaft) Full power version: 137 kW (186 HP) at 12900 – Lim. 13500 r.p.m. / Restricted power version: 73 kW (100 HP) at 9200 – Lim. 10800 r.p.m.
Max. torque – r.p.m. Full power version: 114 Nm (11.4 kgm) at 9500 r.p.m. / Restricted power version: 90 Nm (9.0 kgm) at 5500 r.p.m.
Cooling system Cooling with separated liquid and oil radiators
Engine management system Magneti Marelli IAW 7BM ignition – injection integrated system with Mikuni throttle body; induction discharge electronic ignition;
Sequential timed “Multipoint” electronic injection ; Variable height intake ducts with Torque Shift System (TSS)
Clutch Wet, multi – disc
Gear Box Cassette gearbox; six speed, constant mesh
Primary drive 50/79
Gear ratio
First gear: Speed* 13/38 128,2 km/h (79.6 mph) a t 1 3 5 0 0 r. p . m .
Second gear: Speed* 16/34 176,4 km/h (109.5 mph) a t 1 3 5 0 0 r. p . m .
Third gear: Speed* 18/32 210,8 km/h (130.9 mph) at 1 3 5 0 0 r. p . m .
Fourth gear: Speed* 20/30 249,8 km/h (155.1 mph) at 1 3 5 0 0 r. p . m .
Fifth gear: Speed* 22/29 284,3 km/h (176.5 mph) a t 1 3 5 0 0 r. p . m .
Sixth gear: Speed* 19/23 305,0 km/h (189.4 mph) at 1 3 5 0 0 r. p . m .
Final velocity ratio 15×41

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Voltage 12 V
Alternator 350 W at 5000 r. p . m .
Battery 12 V – 8,6 Ah
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Wheelbase 1430 mm (56.27 in.)
Overall lenght 2100 mm (82.63 in.)
Overall width 750 mm (29.51 in.)
Saddle height 860 mm (33.84 in.)
Min. ground clearance 115 mm (4.52 in.)
Trail 100,4 mm (3.93 in.)
Dry weight 192 Kg (423 lbs.)
Fuel tank capacity 17 l (4.49 U.S. gal.)

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed* Full power version: 305,0 km/h (189.4 mph) / Restricted power version: 249,0 km/h (154.6 mph)

FRAME
Type CrMo Steel tubular trellis (TIG welded)
Rear swing arm pivot plates: material Aluminium alloy

FRONT SUSPENSION
Type “UPSIDE – DOWN” telescopic hydraulic fork with rebound-compression damping and spring preload external and separate adjustment
Rod dia. 50 mm (1.97 in.)
Travel on leg axis 120 mm (4.72 in.)

REAR SUSPENSION
Type Progressive, single shock absorber with rebound and compression (High speed / Low speed) damping and spring preload adjustment
Single sided swing arm: material Aluminium alloy
Wheel travel 120 mm (4.72 in.)

BRAKE
Front brake Double floating disc with Ø 320 mm (Ø 12.6 in.) diameter, with steel braking band and aluminium flange
Front brake caliper Radial-type, single-piece with 4 pistons – Ø 34 mm (Ø 1.34 in.)
Rear brake Single steel disc with Ø 210 mm (Ø 8.27 in.) diameter
Rear brake caliper With 4 pistons – Ø 25,4 mm (Ø 1.00 in.)
RIM
Front: Material / size Aluminium alloy 3,50 ” x 17 ”
Rear: Material / size Aluminium alloy 6,00 ” x 17 ”
TYRES
Front 120/70 – ZR 17 M/C (58 W)
Rear 190/55 – ZR 17 M/C (75 W)
FAIRING
Material Thermoplastic

* = Top speed attained on closed course. Rev. 1 – 27/10/09
MV Agusta is committed to the constant improvement of our products. Therefore the information and technical characteristics of the vehicles are subject to change without notice.

Top 5 Related Posts:

  1. MV Agusta Brutale R 1090 Breaks Cover
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  3. 2012 MV Agusta Brutale 675 Breaks Cover
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Comment:

  1. Billy B says:
    November 9, 2009 at 7:12 PM

    in terms of mechanics, suppose it sounds good….but a big backwards step with the design. Luck that, now i don’t have to feel so bad i can’t afford it…

  2. Asphalt_Rubber says:
    November 9, 2009 at 10:14 PM

    2010 MV Agusta F4 – http://bit.ly/InxrY #motorcycle

  3. snacktastic says:
    November 10, 2009 at 3:10 AM

    I don’t think they took a step in any direction at all, it looks the same as the old bike.

  4. Jake says:
    November 10, 2009 at 8:12 AM

    I’m not really crazy about the changes to front and the square pipe, but I like the rest of the updates and love the return to the 5 star wheel design. Most importantly as I’ve said before they’ve at least tried to do something about the weight. Secondly all those cutouts should help the bike run cooler because they’ve always run hot. Glad they finally got off the more CCs is better thing and went back to 998cc and just looked to make a better over all motor, but have to wait to see the verdict on the fueling.

    If there is a single seater model and the ability to completely turn off or disable the traction control I’d really consider going back to the MV camp instead of getting a 1198

  5. Patron says:
    November 10, 2009 at 9:24 AM

    Pretty bike. Not sure why some bikes even bother having a pillion seat. Chances are if you have the cash for an F4, you could have another bike for two up. A revised tail section would be nice but still a nice bike. Looks best in graphite w the red trellis frame.

  6. draysse says:
    November 11, 2009 at 12:39 AM

    Massimo Tamburini has been the north star of motorcycle design for decades, his designs from the iconic Ducati 916 to the original F4 have pointed the way forward for all of motorcycle design. The new F4 is nice but that’s it, nothing new or innovative to talk about. I can only hope & dream that Massimo brings his immense talents to bare on something new, because frankly everyone in the industry is regurgitating design cues he pioneered years ago. I had high hopes for his new ideas with Harley money behind them, guess I’ll have to continue waiting…..

  7. max says:
    April 12, 2010 at 12:02 PM

    Still looks just as pretty as before. And as before the matt black variant will be the most desirable!

  8. Nathanel says:
    September 11, 2010 at 11:52 PM

    It looks like it`s doin’ 200 just sitin’ there.