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.

Horex VR6 Delayed Until Spring 2012 – Supercharged Version Later

09/21/2011 @ 3:05 pm, by Jensen Beeler12 COMMENTS

German upstart Horex has announced that production of the Horex VR6 will be delayed from its planned start later this year, and instead will start production in Spring 2012. Citing part supply issues, particularly with the bike’s supercharger unit, Horex will first make available its 160hp normally-aspirated version, while the 197hp supercharged version will start production in late 2012.

The supply chain issue stems from the rebounding of the European OEM parts suppliers industry, who have lately been inundated with parts requests. Getting reportedly shuffled to the back of the queue, Horex does not have parts in the quantities it needs to make a proper production run, and thus has pushed production back further.

“We wanted to have the new Horex on the market in time for the 2012 season,” said Horex CEO Clemens Neese. “Therefore, we decided to move up the production date of the planned, non-supercharged model. The supercharged version of the bike will appear on the market somewhat later.”

On top of the production delays, the German company also announced that the Horex VR6 will instead come with a chain final drive. Horex says that the company’s original plan to have a belt drive had to be nixed, as the belt system did not perform as expected during road trials.

Using an extremely narrow 15(degree) cylinder head offset, Horex’s first motorcycle model takes its name from the bike’s VR6 engine configuration. With 1,218cc of cylinder displacement, the German roadster will have plenty of power in its natural form, though the company has also had a forced-induction version on the cards since Day One.

This announcement from the German company is a bit interesting as it is the first we’ve heard of a motorcycle company citing supply chain issues for its production capabilities. Normally when there is an issue of a motorcycle company with a parts supplier, it stems from the motorcycle manufacturer not having sufficient capital to pay for the parts in advance, as is rumored to be the case currently with MV Agusta.

We’ll get a chance to see the Horex VR6 up-close at EICMA later this year, and hope the company can make its 2012 production deadlines.

Source: Horex

Tagged under: Clemens Neese, delay, Horex, Horex VR6, supercharged, supercharger, supply chain, VR6

Comment:

MikeD says:
September 22, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Oh…that’s Uber B.S. How’s the belt not rigth for this Model ?
Why? Because It didn’t get all CAKED UP on GREASE AND ROAD GRIME and it DIDN’T HAVE TO BE ADJUSTED everytime i fart ? Who da hell is going to be changing final drive ratios on this Killer Whale ?
Im sure $$$ was the main determining factor here, as with almost anything these days. I doubt a modern day belt can’t put up with the Pojected 200hp Target.
DEATH TO DIRTY HIGH MAINTENANCE CHAINS!
MikeD says:
September 22, 2011 at 10:51 AM
P.S: This thing is looking better and better by the minute now that i saw it rolling and someone riding it. (^_^ )
MikeD says:
September 22, 2011 at 10:59 AM
P.S.1: I was going to say about the MASSIVE Can but that is an easy fix..{albeit xpensive} with the aftermarket.
Maybe Ducati should talk to Horex and copy their front end set-up(neat looking by the way). It could be the “end all, cure all headaches” Ducati is having with their GP Bike handling…lmao.
Bob says:
September 22, 2011 at 11:12 AM
A belt definitely can handle 200 RWHP. I’ve done it myself. There’s more than enough tensile strength in the belts to handle 400 HP. Keeping the teeth on it, long term, might be an issue. I’m a big fan of belts. I have little need to change final drive ratios on a street bike. Even less of a need when you have so much HP at your disposal.
Johndo says:
September 22, 2011 at 7:20 PM
Christmas wish list updated.
Damo says:
September 23, 2011 at 6:03 AM
@MikeD
Funny I have had nothing but chain bikes my whole life and I don’t recall ever being troubled with excessive maintenance.
First off try using a high quality paraffin based dry chain lubricant, works much better and nothing sticks to it.
Second buy a decent chain and it wont stretch so much. I routinely check mine every 700-1000 miles and I haven’t had to adjust mine in over 2,000 miles. Having to chronically adjust your chain is pure rubbish.
Damo says:
September 23, 2011 at 6:08 AM
@MikeD-2
I agree the thing does look great though. Still curious about the price tag. It is a seriously unique machine.
Shawn says:
September 23, 2011 at 9:53 AM
I totally agree with dumping the belt. Damo is right, a good chain lube and chain and you’re good to go. And I’d rather be making decisions on if I’d change the final drive, not some guy posting a comment on news-story on the anonymous internet.
Ed Gray says:
September 23, 2011 at 10:08 AM
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHH!
Could I possibly care less………………………………………………….Nope!
MikeD says:
September 23, 2011 at 2:38 PM
@Damo:
Im gonna give it a go to this Paraffin lube u mentioned…who makes it ? I have a can of BellRay Chain Lube(dark-tacky)…im affraid is not what ur talking about.
Price…probably will be more than a V-MAX or an MT-01 or Carbon Diavel.
The idea of riding a narrow v-six with the size of an I3 and Tons of power on tap sure is aluring. Call me Greedy…and foolish…i don’t care. lol. Too bad im too broke to even dream about it. (^_^ )
MikeD says:
September 23, 2011 at 2:44 PM
@Bob…go figure…after all we don’t wear fancy white lab coats and have a degree in a atom splitting nor own and manage our own motorcycle company and it’s R&D Department..
…chain, no chain…im not the target costumer so is W/E.
joe C says:
December 19, 2011 at 12:57 AM
$28,000. projected price maybe $22k-$25k without supercharger on the first production run.
Merry Christmas

Follow Asphalt & Rubber on Facebook

Follow Asphalt & Rubber