PPIHC: Carlin Dunne Sets Outright Best Motorcycle Time at Pikes Peak Tire Test on a Lightning Motorcycle

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.

Report: Indianapolis “Opting-Out” of 2014 MotoGP Race?

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.

2014 Yamaha FZ-09 – Three Cylinders of Naked

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.

Trackside Tuesday: The Mind-Killer

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.

Video: Still Think Electric Motorcycles Are Slow?

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.

Here’s Your Feel Good Moment of the Week — Now, What’s Your Excuse for Not Riding Today?

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.

Erzberg Rodeo – Red Bull’s S&M Playhouse for Motorcycles

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.

Controlling the Uncontrollable – The Role of Ritual in Racing

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.

Up-Close with the 2013 MotoCzysz E1pc

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.

MotoGP: Max Biaggi To Test Ben Spies’s Ducati at Mugello, Michele Pirro To Replace Spies at Barcelona

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.

Asphalt & Rubber Turns Four Years Old Today

10/28/2012 @ 7:51 pm, by Jensen Beeler54 COMMENTS

Asphalt & Rubber Turns Four Years Old Today Jensen MotoCzysz E1pc 635x423

Today is a surreal landmark, as it marks our fourth year of publishing Asphalt & Rubber. If you cannot already tell, I am having a hard time believing that four years have gone by since I started this humble motorcycle blog (in the middle of corporate finance class, no less), but A&R continues to thrive despite my best dyslexic efforts.

It astonishes me that our “little” site is visited throughout the world on a daily basis, and that each month more people read A&R than all three of the major US motorcycle print magazines…combined.

Things keep on growing here, and I am deeply grateful now to be publishing the work of David Emmett on A&R, as he continues to be one of the most insightful writers in motorcycle racing, in both the print and online mediums.

This year, I am also very honored to have had regular written and photo contributions from Scott Jones, Daniel Lo, and Jules Cisek this year — their work has helped Asphalt & Rubber earn a reputation for stunning photography, and I hear compliments about their photography virtually every time I meet a loyal A&R reader in person.

Looking back on the last year, I realize that we have done quite a lot. We were first to ride some amazing and unique motorcycles, like the BRD RedShift SM prototype, the Mission Motors Mission R, and the 2012 MotoCzysz E1pc. As usual and whenever possible, we tried to get out from behind the computer screens to get our coverage in person, something that is surprisingly rare in this space.

This year alone, A&R visited four continents (you should see my frequent flier miles), and covered in person a bevy of MotoGP races, the Isle of Man TT, the EICMA show in Milan, not to mention a slew of great events in North America (our base), like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and World Superbike round at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah.

We have some great things planned for the site and for the brand next year, with a few exciting projects already in the works. All of us here at Asphalt & Rubber look forward to bringing you more interesting features and timely news items, and I plan on bringing a few more insightful and intelligent voices into the A&R family within the coming year as well. Stay tuned for all of that.

Something that transcends beyond just the past year, it is clear that the motorcycle industry continues to adapt and shift in these uncertain economic times, and moto-journalism continues to come to terms with an online format as well, but one thing for certain will be constant: Asphalt & Rubber will remain a reader-centric publication — meaning our site will always be free to our readers and independent in its thought and content from others.

I am deeply proud of what we have created here, and of course none of this would be possible without the hard work, encouragement, and support of a very loyal group of people. Many thanks to all of you that have been there these past four years — you really have no idea how much your support has meant. You too Mom.

Lastly and most importantly, thank you to all our readers who make all the work worthwhile. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, friend us on Facebook, or just leave a comment below. See you next year.

Some Photos from the Past Year of Asphalt & Rubber:

Main Photo: © 2012 Ryan Phillips / 360° Photography – All Rights Reserved

Top 5 Related Posts:

  1. Asphalt & Rubber Turns Three Years Old Today
  2. Asphalt & Rubber Goes Down Under to Oz and NZ
  3. A Year in Review with Asphalt & Rubber: 2012
  4. Site News: Asphalt & Rubber Is Now on Google+

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Comment:

  1. Hooi says:
    October 28, 2012 at 7:57 PM

    Hey guys, thank you very much for putting this website together. Yes, indeed times flies, it has been 4 years but I enjoyed every moment of it. Bringing motorcycle news of all sort from far & wide. Just want to tell you guys behind the scene that I really appreciate it. Keep up the good work and look forward to many more good years ahead!

  2. TJ says:
    October 28, 2012 at 8:02 PM

    I have greatly enjoyed the site’s features on bikes and the news. I am impressed you have have such comprehensive articles on WSBK and MotoGP. I hope the site has been profitable.

  3. paulus says:
    October 28, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    A big ‘thanks’ to you and your team.
    AS+R is a great source of information and professionally presented.
    It makes life easier to stay in touch with motorcycle news from around the world.

    Paulus, Thailand.

  4. Jon says:
    October 28, 2012 at 8:08 PM

    Congrats Jensen and Co! I’ve only been a reader for a year but it’s now part of my daily internet routine. Keep up the great work and keep the interesting pieces coming.

    Thanks!
    Jon Houle

  5. Ken C. says:
    October 28, 2012 at 9:02 PM

    Happy Birthday, A&R! Your website continues to be my go-to site for motorcycle news, day in and day out. Thanks for posting great articles and photos year round. Keep up the good work, guys.

    Ken C.

  6. Alex Dallwitz says:
    October 28, 2012 at 9:31 PM

    Asphalt & Rubber is such a welcome daily visit— great layout, easy to read, excellent photography, and great insight. Thanks for all the hard work you and the team do. Happy Birthday!

  7. TexusTim says:
    October 28, 2012 at 10:59 PM

    congrats !!! my favorite site.

  8. Benjamin says:
    October 29, 2012 at 12:11 AM

    Good on ya mate. Ze Germans like your site as well. It would be cooler if you kept writing your own articles (about GP and SBK mainly) though. You have the ability to write good articles, so keep following that route.

  9. Caleb Mackechnie says:
    October 29, 2012 at 12:35 AM

    I haven’t been around much lately, but I did want to let you guys know that I’ve been checking the site from time to time, even if I didn’t comment. The people that have taken on the writing of the articles while Max is ill…. you are all just awesome! It’s really great to see everyone pulling together to get the job done.

  10. Naftali Thaithi says:
    October 29, 2012 at 12:37 AM

    Happy Birthday A&R. Very informative site for bikers and fans alike. Wish you the very best next year.
    Lots of love from Kenya.

  11. Pedro says:
    October 29, 2012 at 3:58 AM

    Kudos, keep up the good work :)

  12. JohnEE says:
    October 29, 2012 at 4:05 AM

    Great Site Keep it up!!

  13. Kevin says:
    October 29, 2012 at 5:02 AM

    Happy Birthday A&R! Good job mate and love sitting next to you in the media room even if I have to keep an eye on my keyboard ; )

    K

  14. Moto bell says:
    October 29, 2012 at 5:33 AM

    Congrats guys.. I love the site. Would love to learn more about your story.. I am always fascinated by passionate projects such as this

  15. Damo says:
    October 29, 2012 at 6:00 AM

    Keep up the good work Jensen!

    Oh, and I want the scoop on the new 848 Ducati Motard ASAP!

  16. frod says:
    October 29, 2012 at 6:01 AM

    Felix cumpleanos A&R. I really hope it stays as it is.

  17. Jack says:
    October 29, 2012 at 6:06 AM

    Congratulations and thank you for informing and entertaining.

  18. All Things Ducati says:
    October 29, 2012 at 6:10 AM

    Happy Birthday RT @Asphalt_Rubber: Asphalt & Rubber Turns Four Years Old Today – http://t.co/9xwonxF2 #motorcycle

  19. joe says:
    October 29, 2012 at 6:14 AM

    Congrats on the four year mark, keep up the good work!

  20. D Santos says:
    October 29, 2012 at 6:36 AM

    Happy Birthday A&R! I have been a reader only since last year but since then visiting A&R is part of my daily routine. Good articles combined with great photos make this website a pleasure to read and a easy way of keeping in touch with the motorcycle world.

    Thanks!

  21. John says:
    October 29, 2012 at 6:39 AM

    Congratulations on reaching this milestone! A&R is a great site. I check in at least once a day. Thanks for all your hard work.

  22. Eduardo L. V. Tafner says:
    October 29, 2012 at 6:46 AM

    In good Brazilian Portuguese:

    Parabéns pelo aniversário de 4 anos, Asfalto e Borracha!

    Keep up the excellent work. It’s a pleasure to follow your work.

  23. Jake F. says:
    October 29, 2012 at 7:28 AM

    Way to go Jensen and Co.!

  24. CP says:
    October 29, 2012 at 7:28 AM

    Congrats! Keep up the great work. Love your site!

  25. Tim M says:
    October 29, 2012 at 8:21 AM

    Happy 4th!!! Thanks for one of the best moto sites around JB&Co. You can always be counted on for insightful and breaking news presented with integrity. Your love and respect for all things moto shows in your work. Proud you are in the SF Bay Area too. It’s you and Superbike Planet every morning!

  26. David Emmett says:
    October 29, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    Asphalt & Rubber Turns Four Years Old Today – http://t.co/oStzuyw5 #motorcycle

  27. Greg says:
    October 29, 2012 at 8:49 AM

    Thank you A&R, for keeping us abreast of motorcycle news at home and abroad. Happy Birthday, and keep up the good work!

  28. DareN says:
    October 29, 2012 at 9:00 AM

    Sto Lat! (that is in Polish). Always look forward to reading your stuff.

  29. Cpt.Slow says:
    October 29, 2012 at 9:40 AM

    Keep up the work guys, bravo!

  30. justadude says:
    October 29, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    I too am a relative newcomer but never miss a day. Good job!

  31. Shawn says:
    October 29, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    Congrats on the first 4! My favourite motorcycle news site.

  32. Doctor Jelly says:
    October 29, 2012 at 11:28 AM

    Hey, Congrats! I’ve been visiting and reading your articles nearly every day for just over 3 of those years, and don’t plan on letting up anytime soon. Thank you for all your work bringing us the newest of news, the techiest of specs, and the insights that most of us never get to see!

  33. Halfie 30 says:
    October 29, 2012 at 11:34 AM

    Congrats. Get most of my Moto news from you guys! Keep up the good work so I don’t have to ever subscribe to a magazine again!

  34. Halfie 30 says:
    October 29, 2012 at 1:08 PM

    Oh, and make some t-shirts and such so I can where them out and about!!!

  35. Phil says:
    October 29, 2012 at 1:35 PM

    Congratulations. A&R is a site that I visit every day for my “fix” of motorcycling news. Your roster of staff includes some of the people for whom I have the most respect in the sport so I know I’ll always get it “straight”.

  36. Marc F says:
    October 29, 2012 at 2:49 PM

    Congrats Jensen and team! Keep up the good work.

  37. Mike says:
    October 29, 2012 at 4:31 PM

    Happy Birthday A&R,The best M/C site on the planet,Thanks so much for everything you write and pics,keep it up,,,,,,,,,Mike,Kingsburg,Ca.

  38. Trane Francks says:
    October 29, 2012 at 4:36 PM

    Happy B-day, JB.

  39. MikeD says:
    October 29, 2012 at 5:08 PM

    CONGRATS to the one and only blog that let me let it all hang out from time to time, rant, bitch, discuss, disect and sometimes verbally abuse each others with almost ZERO CENSORING.
    Wish i could say the same of Motorcycledaily.com
    The owner (Dirck ?) got pissed and banned me cause i called the Big Aprilia scooter an Sperm Whale with lipstick (REALLY ? Do you kiss Aprilia’s ass too by any chance ?)…uptight old fart that can’t take a joke or tolerate other people’s point of view.

    Keep up the good work JB !!!!!!!!!!!!

  40. Trane Francks says:
    October 29, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    “i called the Big Aprilia scooter an Sperm Whale with lipstick”

    ROTFLMAO. Dang, Mike, that made me burst out laughing, literally. :-D

  41. Robert Smith says:
    October 29, 2012 at 7:00 PM

    Great work, guys. This is the only blog I would not like to be without. Lots of information out there, but it takes interpretation, context, insight and critical thinking to turn it into something worth reading. Well done…and here’s to the next four years. Best, R.

  42. MikeD says:
    October 29, 2012 at 7:08 PM

    @Trane:

    Glad u had a kick out of it. LOL. That’s why i love the comments section on this blog and the freedom of speech we enjoy HERE.

    Sometimes i skip the article to read the comments….souldn’t but i can’t help it.

  43. JW says:
    October 29, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Truth found here!

  44. FernandoARG says:
    October 30, 2012 at 12:42 AM

    Congrats and many more to come, I’ve been reading and expressing my opinions every step of the way, keep up the good work!

  45. Bryan says:
    October 30, 2012 at 1:15 AM

    A&R is clearly the best bike site. Real class. Cheers all

  46. neil says:
    October 30, 2012 at 1:19 AM

    It’s part of my day! Spooky that it covers my moto interests completely!

  47. Deepak Dongre says:
    October 30, 2012 at 3:39 AM

    Am late…but congrats and heartiest wishes on completing 4 years of biking bliss :) Thanks so much for bringing us stuff day in day out. And all the best for the future.

  48. Theyellowranger says:
    October 30, 2012 at 8:05 AM

    Great job on this site. I check it daily. Your success inspires me to continue work on my little blog. Kudos!

  49. Dr. Gellar says:
    October 30, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    Happy Birthday! I love this site…keep up the great work. :-)

  50. alex says:
    October 30, 2012 at 3:54 PM

    uncertain economic times….

    Yeah because a small super fuel efficient vehicle that’s able to travel in the car pool lane has no interest in the mainstream at this time. I bet the people marketing for these companies are all brainwashed to actually believe that.

    I’d rather be stuck in gridlock with my f150 gulping my paycheck down right.

    You might call A&R dislexic but the motorcycle industry has you beat 90:1

  51. alessandro borroni says:
    October 30, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    Congrats Justin,

  52. Ken says:
    October 30, 2012 at 5:51 PM

    Happy B”day
    Great site
    Keep it coming

  53. Michael L says:
    October 30, 2012 at 11:29 PM

    Congratulations, Jensen! I am very thankful to have found your site right when I was looking for a motorcycle counterpart to Autoblog at that time, and have followed work of you, your colleagues, and your commenters since then. I have enjoyed every minute. Keep up the good work. I look forward to next year’s coverage and editorials.

    Sincerely,

    Michael (American living in The Netherlands)

  54. DeezToolz says:
    November 5, 2012 at 6:04 PM

    Happy birthday, brotha. Love what you’re doing, so KEEP IT UP!!!