Kawasaki will be officially be “unveiling” its 2011 World Superbike-spec ZX-10R at Nurburgring this weekend, but has released photos of the bike, finally showing the ZX-10R in its green livery. Team Green has slowly been leaking photos and videos of the new 10R through a massive online social marketing campaign, which centered around the company’s Next_Ninga twitter account.
Kawasaki is putting a lot of weight on the superbike’s shoulders after being un-competitive in World Superbike racing, and withdrawing completely from MotoGP. Hoping the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-1oR will turn around Kawasaki’s racing fortunes, Kawasaki is also hopeful that the bike will help spur its fading sport bike sales.
Carmichael Lynch, the ad agency behind Harley-Davidson’s “Screw it, Let’s Ride” campaign, has just announced that it will be parting ways with the Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer. In a pair of “it’s not you, it’s me” press releases, the two companies, which have partnered together for the past 31 years, cite different reasons for their mutual departures.
We just think that Harley-Davidson is on Step 1 of our three part strategy on How to Save Harley-Davidson.
After holding an online contest to name its 125cc four-stroke based learner street bike, KTM has shockingly come to the conclusion that it should stick to its Duke nomenclature. Schedule to be the 2011 KTM 125 Duke, KTM debuted the concepts at the 2009 EICMA show in Milan. KTM’s plan is to engage young riders with the “Ready to Race” mantra, making them lifetime Team Orange riders with this stepping-stone model
The Mountain at Cadwell Park, as it is known, is like the British version of the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca: another one of those special points on a race track, that would not exist on the computer-generated courses we see today. Famous for lofting bikes into the air, The Mountain makes for spectacular photographs, and should be on every rider’s track day bucket list. Finding the fastest racing line over The Mountain can be difficult though, as riders have to contend with keeping the front of their motorcycles down, but such is not the case for HM Plant Honda’s Josh Brookes…
Track conditions were the talk of the paddock this weekend at the Indianapolis GP, as riders battled the changing tarmac surfaces, and undulating bumps of the Indy infield. Perhaps most vocal of his displeasure with the course was Ducati rider Casey Stoner, who called the Indianapolis Motor Speedway not a world class track, and specifically complained about plastic drains that would catch riders as the ventured in towards the edge of the track (Rossi also complained of these drains). Teammate Nicky Hayden was less critical before Sunday’s race though, saying that Stoner’s comments could be applied to many of the courses on the MotoGP calendar. However after losing a knee puck to one of the drainage grates that Stoner criticized earlier, Hayden may be re-thinking his tune.
Talking after the Indianapolis GP, Valentino Rossi explained that he is waiting to hear from Jeremy Burgess as to whether the Australian Crew Chief will retire next season. Assured of the fact that Burgess would not stay behind at Yamaha, and would not work with another rider, Rossi stated the buzz around whether Burgess would move with the Italian to Ducati, hinges as to when Burgess plans on retiring from motorcycle racing.
Under the lights of the Indy Mile, where motorcycle racing began for the Kentucky-born MotoGP racer, Nicky Hayden has signed a two-year contract with Ducati Corse for the 2011 & 2012 seasons. Not the biggest surprise in the paddock, Hayden’s contract renewal has never really been questioned this season as the American started the season off with series of strong finishes and continues to be a strong brand ambassador for Ducati in the United States. Hayden will be joined the next two years by former teammate Valentino Rossi, the pair rode for Repsol Honda in 2003, with Hayden finishing the season 5th in his rookie GP season.
Infront Motor Sports, rights holder to the World Superbike Championship series, has responded to the news that Ducati Corse will be leaving the series in 2011. Responding with an official press release, IMS’s message essentially boils down to poking holes in Ducati’s statement about technical regulations. Stating that the 2009 season was dominated by the Ducati 1198 Superbike, sans one Ben Spies, the Italian firm has clearly been able to be competitive with the current formula. IMS goes on to basically say that WSBK is about more than one manufacturer, and can’t cater to Ducati’s whims even if they do have a lengthy history together.
As expected, Ben Spies and Yamaha have announced that the current World Superbike Champion and MotoGP rookie will move up to the factory Yamaha team (noticeably not called Fiat-Yamaha in the press release) for the 2011 season. Spies’ move to the factory squad has lovingly been referred to as the “second worst-kept secret in MotoGP,” right after Rossi’s departure from the Fiat-Yamaha team to Ducati Corse.
No one makes the MotoGP media center come alive with emotion more so than Colin Edwards. A veteran of the sport, and born with no filter between his brain and mouth, the Texan Tornado captured the spotlight during the pre-race press conference at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP. A stark contrast to the polished veneers of other riders, Edwards isn’t afraid to tell things the way he sees it, even if it involves some colorful language. To get an idea of what we mean, check out a portion of the press conference transcript after the jump.
Erik Buell Racing 1190RR Race Bike Announced – Future World …: First up is the news that EBR will offer three.. http://bit.ly/6e66jq
Erik Buell Racing 1190RR Race Bike Announced – Future World … http://bit.ly/8PczVt
THIS IS COMICAL!!!!! Sure he can go World Superbike Racing with the machine, all he needs to do is sell 2000 street legal and certified units to be eligible. You will find THAT at notgoingtohappen.com
+1
Erik Buell Racing 1190RR Race Bike Announced – Future World … http://bit.ly/8xiZBN
Eric, he doesn’t have to SELL 2000 units, he only has to make them available to the public. If he can somehow convince the powers that be that the 1190 is a kit for the already made 1125R, he’s in. Stranger things have happened–remember the Petronas?
The rules that were put in place for 2009 and going forward prohibit just such the thing as the Petronas.
2.9.2 MINIMUM PRODUCTION QUANTITIES AND MARKET AVAILABILITY
The minimum required production quantities consist of units with identical equipment intended for sale to customers. Evidence of production quantities must be certified by the manufacturer’s auditing firm and/or any other institution which may provide reliable documentation. This certificate must be written in English or French and the model/type must be specified.
Market Availability and sale to the public may be demonstrated by waybills, bills of lading and/or any other import, export or customs documents duly certified by the relevant authority.
2.9.2.1 FIRST TIME APPLICATION FOR HOMOLOGATION
A manufacturer requesting a homologation for the very first time in its existence must follow the procedure below.
• The manufacturer must have produced at least a quantity of 125 motorcycles prior to the homologation inspection. The motorcycle must be on sale to the public at that time.
• The minimum quantity of 500 units must be reached by the end of September of the current year.
• The minimum quantity of 1000 units must be reached by the end of December of the current year.
• From 2010 onwards the minimum quantity will be 3000 units. • All motorcycles must be identical to the model to be homologated with the
same specifications. • Proof of production quantities must be provided by certified documentation
as stated in Article 2.9.2. • The FIM will withdraw the homologation if these rules are not respected.
2.9.2.2 SUBSEQUENT HOMOLOGATIONS
A manufacturer who has previously homologated a motorcycle and is requesting a homologation must follow the procedure below:
• The manufacturer must have produced at least a quantity of 250 motorcycles prior to the homologation inspection. The motorcycle must be on sale to the public at that time.
• The minimum quantity of 1000 units must be reached by the end of June of the current year.
• From 2010 onwards the minimum quantity will be 3000 units. • All motorcycles must be identical to the model to be homologated with the
same specifications.
168
• Proof of production quantities must be provided by certified documentation as stated in Article 2.9.2.
• The FIM will withdraw the homologation if these rules are not respected.
Quit wining. Why are you so set against EBR entering? The man has prived he can squezze power from a grape. Just look at how much he got out of a pathetic outdated sporster engine. HD screwed up by the numbers closing down the Beul line and he is going to prove it to them.
John you are EPIC!!! Next you will tell me that Erik heals lepers and cured cancer.
Wait…he doesn’t cure lepers and cure cancer??!
HA!!!!!!!!! Perfect Jenny, PERFECT!!!!
Eric, why is it so hard to believe that an American company can succeed? Have you any idea about Buell motorcycles? If Erik Buell can compete then by all means I am here to support him. Harley Davidson dropped the ball on an EPIC venture. Just my two cents.
I have no problem with an American company trying to succeed in WSBK, it’s just that Erik Buell is not the man to do it. Every step of the way he ALWAYS has an excuse of why he has not been as successful as he promised. He has a track record going well back in to the 80’s and the result is always the same.
The are his true believers that will disagree and you will not be able to get them to put down the mixture of his Kool-Aide and Snake Oil, and for them there is nothing I can do. A 25+ year track record can not be ignored. The only thing more ridiculous than Erik producing a bike that would be competitive in WSBK is Michael Czsyz going into production with ANYTHING after bilking investors out of over $50 million.
Buellの水冷レーサー1190RR、後輪出力で185HP出てるのか。クランクだとどんぐらいでてんだろ。 http://bit.ly/6MpH9v
I’m sure they’ll do great if they get to race WSS against stock 600 cc production bikes;-) Maybe Edmonson can get the FIM to fudge the rule book.
Wait…he won’t be racing in WSS?
if give me an oppourninty,i skip all of u.
Just tell me it’s not going to be interesting…
If you’re so sure EBR will get it’s collective ass handed to them in WSB, what’s the harm in letting it happen? I mean, what’s the worst that can happen?
Oh, yeah. He might win…
R
Holy CRAP CarbonBigFoot, that’s FUNNY!! The Chicago Cubs will win the World Series, The Detroit Lions will win the Super Bowl and China will win the World Cup of Soccer before Erik wins a race in WSBK.
So…. what’s the harm?
R
In letting EBR try, that is…
R
I assume the interested parties will figure this all out. Either the governing bodies will let Buells race, or they won’t. I would like to see it. However, I am prejudiced, since I own several air-cooled Buells. Whether ripping through the mountains, or doing track days, I have a blast. I’d hate to see the brand disappear.
I want to see EBR meet the WSBK homologation requirements just like all the other manufacturers – produce 1000 bikes for sale before the end of 2010 and another 1000 in 2011. What’s the harm in all manufacturers playing by the same rules? Then I want to see his bike compete in WSBK to see what he’s got.
I find it Ironic that the people have drank their kool-aide and said America can never succeed. Let’s talk Chevy. Let’s talk Cadillac. Both Marks made their re awakened racing challenge debuts in the overseas markets. They have to some degree learned how to dominiate their classes in Grand-Am Rolex and Lemans series racing.
What makes this endeavor any difference other than the economy right now. Is it because you are afraid that an American company that has parts engineered all over the world may just bust some chops and prove that we Americans have the engineering where with all, and the gumption to not back down from a fight for success? Or, did you buy a bike because of brand naming and recognition in the World Championships. I suspect that may be the case. But, I could very well be wrong.
However, Be nay sayers, or Yeay sayers, He is proceding on in difficult times. Can anyone here say they ever endeavored to own and operate a business or start a business from scratch? I have, just recently started and purchased my own franchise and it is not easy starting from nothing. But, he has endeavored to overcome this. So, I say proceed on EBR. The masses may not know any better but to duck and hide. Stick your head up and breathe. Go win…..
BuellってSBKに出るつもりなんだ http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/erik-buell-racing-1190rr-race-bike/
Well one thing they have for them is that they handle better than the japanese Superbikes and make In the 1190 trim almst as much power . With a good rider they should be in the running at least but cant se them as title contenders yet .
Long Live the BUELL!!!
I am looking forward to any and all classes that Erik Buell can get himself into. With a season of data logging in the AMA last year, they surely have lots of great information to study and use as input to further refine their racing machines.
The obvious source of the negative reaction to Erik Buell Racing’s conquest is, most definitely, FEAR.
If you do not know the real facts of Erik Buell’s last 25 years, please educate yourself. The history of the man and his company are well documented.
Eric, your posts come across as terrified, and considering all the inaccuracies, almost panicked.
—-”SIR” FREAKING CHADLEY
Nobody else will say ,so I will, Eric you sir are a narrow minded DOUCHE BAG! Good day to sir ………..I said good day!
Listen to this guy named ERIC did some black 1125r vtwin woop ur ass on the track or something?
Is This That The 1190rr?
Apple, no…That pic is a 1125RR that ran in a couple AMA Superbike races last season. The 1190RR has not yet had full photos published, as far as I know.
I know the PegasusRaceTeam that bought two 1190RR bikes from Erik Buell Racing has some close-up shots on their website. Those are all I personally have seen…Here’s a link:
http://www.pegasusraceteam.com/html/buell_1190_rr.html
You can find the official shots of the EBR 1190RR here: http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/erik-buell-racing-1190rr-185hp-amawsbk-specd/
You can find pictures of the new Erik Buell Racing 1190RR on the new Erik Buell Racing website at:
http://www.erikbuellracing.com/motorcycles/1190RR/
Enjoy.
It’s an amazing motorcycle.
It’s ERIK not eriC, and you are the douche bag blazin shot. From everyone in East Troy WI a BIG FU…Good day Sir
The 1190 is based on the 1125R which sold more then 2000 bikes.
if WSK does not allow it its prefectly understandable. The europeans are protecting their sport. Buell already spanked the Jappy bikes last year in the AMA. they don’t wan’t an American doing a peral harbour on them either.
botton line is we went to the moon while the europeans and japps were making toaster ovens.
the last thing they want is American competition.
BuellBoy, you have to produce 2000 units of the bike you intend to race, not some derivative of that bike. The rest of your comments are xenophobic, ignorant horsecrap
Me, I’d like to see them race too.
I’m also biased as my Buell is the best handling bike I’ve ever owned and with minor tweaks is fast enough for me. I also appreciate the engineering that’s gone into the Buells.
I’d just like to see something other than the established manafacturers on the track.
Let’s face it the rule makers have fudged for the likes of Ducati in the past so why the hell not?
I really just want to see more bikes racing and to have something American made in the mix is good isn’t it? I’m a Brit by the way so I’m not being nationalistic.