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.

Jesse James Starts New Media Production Company

04/22/2011 @ 3:20 pm, by Jensen Beeler20 COMMENTS

Jesse James, the man we love to hate, is back in the news today with reports that his Payupsucker Productions, Inc. has teamed-up with Circle King Networks to create El Jefe Entertainment, a motor sports enthusiasts focused production company. While James has always been regarded as a true artisan in the craft of motorcycle fabrication, his true spotlight of fame came from his media savvy in leveraging his name and creating shows like Monster Garage and Jesse James is a Dead Man.

El Jefe Entertainment’s goal is to ”develop, produce and distribute exciting, authentic motor-sport based and car enthusiast entertainment,” and will be focusing with movies and products that will be available on DVD, Pay Per View, as well as direct and mobile formats.

“El Jefe Entertainment is an opportunity for me to share with the fans the two things that I love so much, building and racing,” said Jesse James, CEO of Payupsucker Productions. ”With these new videos, I hope to bring the how-to series they’ve been asking for. I am at a point in life where I want to give away my skills. I want these videos to inspire others to make their own cool creations. This venture will also give people a shot-gun view of the crazy, out of control world of off-road racing that I live for.”

“Millions of people love Jesse James; he is a modern day master craftsman and the ultimate motor sports enthusiast,” added Jeffrey B. Grubert, CEO Circle King Networks. “Circle King Networks is excited to collaborate with Jesse James by launching El Jefe Entertainment and honor his unique vision and talent in a manner that provides millions the opportunity to learn from and experience more of Jesse’s continued influence.”

Source: Ultimate Motorcycling

Tagged under: business, Circle King Networks, El Jefe Entertainment, Jesse James, media, merger, Payupsucker Productions, production, West Coast Choppers

Comment:

jamesy says:
April 22, 2011 at 6:38 PM
HO F’IN HUMM
The guy could start a gold rush and most sentient humans would stay home… zzzzZzz.
BBQdog says:
April 23, 2011 at 2:54 AM
Seems more like this guy will start a fire working like that ……
Mark Gardiner says:
April 23, 2011 at 6:02 AM
Where are we going? And what are we all doing in this handbasket?
Zeitgeist says:
April 24, 2011 at 8:52 AM
@Mark
So true! I was told me the road to hell was paved very smooth and quite twisty but, it appears yours is the more correct assessment.
TheYellowRanger says:
April 24, 2011 at 11:37 AM
”With these new videos, I hope to bring the how-to series they’ve been asking for. I am at a point in life where I want to give away my skills.”
Skills?
- How to cheat on your wife / F*(% up your mar ridge
- How to flirt with white supremacy
- How to convert piece of crap cars into even more useless POS machines
- How to build the most expensive butt candy motorcycles
Pass. Jessie James is so last decade. You know its over when your gear is sold at Wal-Mart. Just take your money and go away.
tsweimer says:
April 24, 2011 at 1:14 PM
I’m at a loss for words. I used to love this guy. Monster garage was great fun to watch. Then it sort of all fizzled out. Jesse is a dead man? Really? Another staged reality show. I won’t talk about his marriage life, no one really know’s what goes on in anyones marriage. It’s clear he screwed up and that’s that.
What he needs is a true reality stunt, like a road trip done purely on bikes. Not trailered. Something al a Ewan Mcgregor/Charlie Boorman. Wether it’s across country in the States or some other destination. Pair him up with someone contrast to his personality. Take him out of his element, sit him on a bike and roll cameras. I’m sure it would be very interesting.
He loves off road racing, fine put him in the Baja. Follow him from training all the way to race day.
There’s something for him out there, just not these BS videos of himself making stuff. No one cares and no one needs him for inspiration save his children.
Earl Shives says:
April 24, 2011 at 1:16 PM
I love this website so fuckin’ much! The comments here are most always great, for I too am a curmudgeon.
Car & Driver did a great behind the scenes expose of Monster Garage years when the show was at its height of popularity. Revealed the show for what this dude and all of that crap really is, a bunch of staged shenanigans. These Los Angeles marketing schemes are nothing more than sideshow shills designed to squeeze the last few dollars out of the dying embers of what were his glory days.
By the way, I thought he “lived” to build motorcycles?
I’ll pass, back to reality…
hoyt says:
April 24, 2011 at 11:18 PM
@ YellowRanger – “- How to flirt with white supremacy”
Did you read that in PeoplefuckingMagazine? Based on 1 lousy photo of Jesse wearing WWII-era, German uniform (that possibly was making fun of Hitler)?
Jesse James educated thousands of people that it was Sugar Bear, a black man, that created the most famous chopper of all time, the Capt. America bike in the movie, “Easy Rider”.
J.James went out of his way to set the record straight and provide long overdue recognition to the contributions the black builders have made to the chopper sub culture. A culture that has many white racists. If Jesse James was “flirting with white supremacy” why the hell would he go out of his way to right that wrong?
“Skills” ? You may not like him, his personal life, or his choice in building, but no one can dispute his skill level.
tsweimer: road trip? In the early days of his rise to popularity he’s been filmed riding a rigid chopper from Long Beach to Sturgis.
TheYellowRanger says:
April 24, 2011 at 11:28 PM
@ Hoyt:
Google image search Jessie james nazi – there’s more than one.
Not saying that he is a white supremacist, but at the very least, the whole biker/maltese cross/ SS lightning bolt/swastika thing is stupid and tired. Much like the rest of JJ’s act.
The man has an amazing talent, there’s no doubt about that; i’m just tired of this side of motorcycle culture being shoved down the throat of the mainstream; why can’t we have a show about sport touring or charity motorcycle events, or a show about anything other than the “hardcore” chopper, HD, look-at-me-i’m-a-obnoxious-american-sterotype.
hoyt says:
April 25, 2011 at 7:49 AM
YellowRanger –
The mainstream is the morbidly obese consumer of these programs so there is no “shoving down their throat”.
There is a big difference between the maltese cross and a swastika in many ways….. other organizations use variations of the maltese cross, not just independent bike shops. e.g. International firefighter symbols use the maltese cross and the US Marine Corps uses it for their sharpshooter badge.
There is more than one photo in Google search, huh? Can it be from the same event/source and then perpetuated like you are doing?
tsweimer says:
April 25, 2011 at 8:03 AM
hoyt “tsweimer: road trip? In the early days of his rise to popularity he’s been filmed riding a rigid chopper from Long Beach to Sturgis.”
Hoyt I hate to tell you this but every “road trip” Jesse did his bike spent more time in a trailer then on the road. I’m not saying he didn’t ride a few hours here and there but he never road the whole way on a bike. That isn’t what I consider a road trip.
a). his bike wouldn’t last. b). he wouldn’t last.
I remember during one of the “motorcycle mania” films Jesse James and Kid Rock were at Weastcoast choppers and Kid Rock says “We’re the two luckiest guys in the world, look at our wives, look at our motorcycles”. Sure Kid, where are they now?
Anyway, I still like Jesse but I’d like to see him do something without polish and scripts.
Pearl Jones says:
April 25, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Jesse James Starts New Media Production Company: “El Jefe Entertainment is an opportunity for me to share with t… http://bit.ly/gvbEye
hoyt says:
April 25, 2011 at 12:17 PM
I am not positive he road his bike the entire way, but are you positive he did not? Cite a source.
Bikes wouldn’t last? Much older barley-based engines make that trip every year. A lot make it and some don’t make it.
hoyt says:
April 25, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Barley (auto correct Freudian slip)
Jesse says:
April 25, 2011 at 12:43 PM
@hoyt,
You might as well be arguing in favor of using a Fat Boy with straight pipes as a commuter bike in downtown Tokyo. Some things just don’t fly on A&R; support for anything “Chopper” is one of those things.
hoyt says:
April 25, 2011 at 5:00 PM
The biggest gripe is when people perpetuate an ugly accusation such as racism.
From the sounds of this new production company, there will be less mainstream content & more valuable, hands-on content. For example, Metal working tips that can be applied to cafe bikes
tsweimer says:
April 25, 2011 at 6:56 PM
hoyt -I am not positive he road his bike the entire way, but are you positive he did not? Cite a source.
Bikes wouldn’t last? Much older barley-based engines make that trip every year. A lot make it and some don’t make it.
WOW Hoyt you sure are something. Cite a source? Why should I have to cite a source? If you insist, number one I know a guy on the production crew and a guy who worked for him for his so called road trips. If that isn’t enough you can search youtube for behind the scene footage of Jesse saying he trailers his bikes most of the time. That his bike kept falling apart.
As for hands on and all that metal working I can tell you no one gives a shit about it. If people really where interested someone out there some where would have a show on it. This isn’t virgin territory for Jesse to plunder and make a fortune. Motorcycles on TV just aren’t in vogue any more, it’s done.
Steve says:
April 25, 2011 at 11:47 PM
The photo looks like he’s grinding the body part he stepped on with his wife. No more chlorine in the gene pool for this guy.
hoyt says:
April 26, 2011 at 8:58 AM
Why am I something else (and “WOW” in caps)?
“Why should I have to cite a source?” That deserves a WOW, especially considering other comments here make racial accusations. Brutal.
“Metal working – no one gives a shit about it?” right.
“Motorcycles on TV aren’t in vogue anymore”. Surprisingly, that comment is “right”, which makes this show have promise.
Gonzo says:
May 9, 2011 at 8:07 PM
Let’s not forget that ugly whore he dumped Sandra for. What a Douche! And he has yet to build something that actually performs. He’s be great in Hardly Ableson’s design department! Yawn… The only thing his “creations” need to complete them is the huge butt-plug sticking up from the seat.

Follow Asphalt & Rubber on Facebook

Follow Asphalt & Rubber