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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
wow, its like danica patrick but good
emd..good one.
Good luck Elena!
not even this is simply a massive marketing stunt (one that is working) for Suzuki MotoGP. The comment about her results as the basis for the guess ridetest is BS as there are other Suzuki riders in the AMA (all classes) that have had better results/season then she has. If she were a guy this wouldn’t be happening. This isn’t a knock on her either. To me stuff like this sets women back more then it helps because it sets a different standard for them to met then the standard to that of the men that want to compete against equally.
I really would have liked to have seen her turn this down just for that reason alone. But I know it would never happen. the marketing people behind her have been pushing this from day one. Regardless of how competitive she may or may not actually end up being against the top guys in the top class, she will be the Danica Patrick of bike racing. Great for her and others bank accounts. Bad for racing
Go get ‘em Elena!
I agree that if she wasn’t a woman she wouldn’t be able to do this…… But isn’t racin g a sport that is funded by marketing> Isn’t Elena an exceptional racer 16, female making several top 10 finishes all season?
I do disagree that this is bad for racing, how can publicity hurt? especially in a move that would most likely boost some american interest? America has a very low interest sadly and this will only help.
Lastly if you were a motorcycle racing 16 year old, wouldn’t you happily jump on board a free ride on a GP bike, heck if they offered me a free ride on a Guzzi bike, a HD race bike, any race bike regardless or how poor the reecent results I would do it. Imagine out of shape, 27 yr old offered ride on a race bike that would make headlines…
Go fast Elena, just don’t foget Jon and the guys at RRW good luck
There are plenty of Jobbers that are or have raced in GP because of publicity reasons or because they can bring money into a team. I am happy for her to take a couple of laps as both Ms. Meyers and Rizla Suzuki could use all the positive press they can get. Good luck to her. As for Rizla Suzuki, perhaps if Kevin Schwantz comes aboard as rumored that lame ass program can finally get off the ground.
No doubt marketing is needed, but if it comes at the expense of the quality of racing then what is the point? This whole thing about needing an American for american interest is BS and it’s why I hate the localized coverage of SBK & MotoGP races. I am american but I would rather watch 4 foriegn aliens battle for victory then get constant coverage of americans not making the top 10. When you put hype before the product to gain an audience you get a fickle base that will drop you once the next fad comes in. This was proven by the report audience drop when Rossi missed those races. Those people aren’t race fans they are rossi fans and if goes to Rally or F1 or whatever they will follow Rossi. short term gain maybe, but long term not good for the sport. Danica Patrick for supposedly all the good she does for Indy is only good for Indy if she is stays there. Any fans she brings will leave with her. But how is she good for the sport when you see all her marketing and hype, but never see her at the front of a race?
Again this isn’t a slight against Elena, no doubt she has talent, but don’t forget she has had more opportunites and breaks then most 16 year old. There is a huge difference between top 10s and dominating. but again if this were about results, there are other young suzuki riders who have “earned” a test/guess ride or whatever it’s being called more then her. but for them to give her this chance, based off results of a support class meant for rookies…….you can’t justify it other then a marketing gimmick.
To answer question, my point isn’t whether it’s a great chance to ride a cool bike (and yes I’d ride it if it were offered to me), my problem is with the hype surrounding it and Suzuki’s reason for doing it. Yeah it’s great for Suzuki because otherwise no body would be talking about their MotoGP project. I guess that old saying “any press is good press” applies here, but this isn’t something I’d want to be apart of. As an athlete I’d want any success or notoriety I received to be based of my achievements in my ports, not the combination of my parents genes
Elena Myers to Ride the Rizla Suzuki after Valencia – http://aspha.lt/18l #motorcycle
Jake, does Suzuki have another 16-yo, male or female, with her speed and potential? Nope. Make this about gender if you want to, but she is a phenomenally talented rider who is tremendously well-spoken, likeable and mature for her age.
Ohio, does Suzuki have other talented riders period? Are there other other young talented riders competing out there in the higher classes period? You guys seem to want to make like I’m attacking her or her potential which I’m not. But the bottom line is if she were male no one would be talking about her for getting top 10 finishes and asking her to ride a MotoGP bike. Just like if Danica Patrick weren’t female no one would be talking about her like they do.
A perfect example is Josh Herrin. There was hype on the kid people knew about him and then the moment he turned 16 Yamaha put him on a graves bike. Over the past couple of years the kid has gone from strength to strength, yet no one mentions him as a future SBK or MotoGP rider. Why is that? Why not some of the Suzuki riders he is competing with in Supersport? Or some of the other young riders on the world scene.
Take it how ever you want, I’m not going to keep going on because you guys seem to see what you want to see, but the bottom line is if she weren’t female no one would care about her unless she was always winning, because there are lots of young guys out there with potential. It’s great her being female is opening doors for her to show what she can or can’t do. But you can’t deny those doors have opened because she is female
They let a buncha jack ass journalist test the bike, why not her? yer a hypocrite jake, you list all these reason she should turn it down and claim its not something you would want to be a part of but in the same paragraph say “yes i would ride it if it was offed to me.” those breaks and opportunity you state came from hard work and talent. She created them.
also she didn’t get where she is because of her sexuality like danika did. that is the only reason we know her name not that she can drive a car. besides trashcar/indy fans are a completely different type of fan.
What are yer thoughts on gaybor and karel riding gp bikes? they run around mid pack also, albeit a different series.
At 16 I was still trying to figure out how to rub one off. Seriously though, did someone really suggest she should decline because it would set women racers back? Would YOU turn down a chance to turn some hot laps on a MotoGP bike? And would you be spouting off if it was any other rider? Bullsh!t.
The other Jake says, “If she were a guy this wouldn’t be happening.” I guess he must have missed the thread just a little bit further down the page about Karel Abraham who is not only testing a GP bike but apparently has a ride with Ducati next year because of who his Daddy is. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a sport without examples of special treatment and nepotism opening doors for certain individuals of questionable worthiness. I don’t mean to suggest that Elena Myers is or is not worthy of the opportunity she’s been given. I only mean to point out that Jake’s argument of sexism is pure rubbish.
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/ducati-will-run-six-bikes-in-motogp-next-year/
It’s not rubbish. As you say yourself, “you’d be hard pressed to find a sport without examples of special treatment and nepotism opening doors for certain individuals of questionable worthiness.”
Jake is only saying that this is another example of ‘special treatment’.