Asphalt & Rubber

Hands on with the MotoCzysz Battery Packs

By now you’ve surely read about MotoCzysz’s new eDD and it’s “suitcase” chassis design. Recently Asphalt & Rubber got a chance to take a peak into the Portland, Oregon based company’s service bay and take a closer look at the 2009 E1pc D1g1tal Superbike, with a specific interest in its quick-release swappable batteries and unique chassis design. We’ll be covering these innovations in a two-part series, starting today with a never before seen look at the MotoCzysz battery packs. More and photos from Peter Lombardi Kustom Photography after the jump.

Video: When Multistradas Meet Piano Bars

Ever wonder what great action footage of the 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 would be like if you set it to the music commonly found in a piano bar? Well never fear, Ducati has the answer for you. Watch the Multistrada 1200 take on four different riding situations without missing a beat. Beat! Get it! Uggh…we don’t get paid enough for this. Video after the jump.

MotoCzysz Electric D1g1tal Dr1ve: More Than Just a Glimpse into the 2010 E1pc Superbike

Today MotoCzysz is announcing its Electric D1g1tal Dr1ve (eDD), better known to us as “the suitcase”, which is essentially the housing for the E1pc’s proprietary controller, motor, and batteries. MotoCzysz will be using the eDD on their 2010 E1pc D1g1tal Superbike, and intends on letting other teams use the suitcase as well, helping fill the grid at electric motorcycle races.

This announcement is important on a variety of levels, and most electric motorcycling enthusiasts will be interested to get their first glimpse at technology beind Michael Czysz’s 2010 E1pc D1g1tal Superbike, which will for sure be at the TT Zero race at the Isle of Man this year. The suitcase contains MotoCzysz proprietary battery, motor, and controller designs, which are setting the bar higher in electric motorcycle racing.

Erik Buell Racing 1190RR: 185hp AMA/WSBK Spec’d

Erik Buell Racing has just updated its website, and releasd the first real clear shot of what the EBR 1190RR will look like it in its racing form. With 185hp being made at the rear-wheel (according to the optimistic DynoJet dynamometer), the EBR 1190RR sits at the top of the Buell totem poll.

Based off the 1125R chassis, the 1190RR is virtually anorexic, dropping 30lbs off the AMA Daytona Superbike racing machine, while still bumping up displacement by 65cc’s. With 93lb•ft of torque on hand at 9,500 RPM, the EBR 1190RR is sure to sling your eye balls into the back of your head…if you can find a racing series to race it in.

MotoCzysz C1 Makes More Than A Cameo in “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”

“Greed, for lack of a better word…is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms: greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge, has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save motorcycling, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA.”

Nelis 1000R: A Re-imagining of the TL1000R

The Suzuki TL1000R is a special bike. It garnered little love from the media during its release; but despite being discontinued seven years ago, the TLR continues to foster a cult following, especially in Europe. So it doesn’t surprise us a great deal that when 25 year old fabrication apprentice, Mathijn Nelis, set out to create is first custom work under the careful gaze of master builder Nico Bakker, that the young Dutchman chose to work with the stout TL v-twin powerplant that dwarfed its Italain competitors during its initial release.

2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré [Updated]

With its latest bike the Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré, Yamaha is stepping up its game and getting serious about the adventure-tourer motorcycling segment. The Dakar inspired Super Ténéré is a ground-up production for Yamaha, making it the first Japanese manufacturer to get serious about this emerging (and very profitable) market segment.

With 1,199cc under the hoood, the XT1200Z Super Ténéré is aiming its sights on the class-leading BMW R1200GS and new-comer Ducati Multistrada 1200. The powerplant features a parallel twin motor with four valves per cylinder, and makes 108hp @ 7,250 RPM and 84lbs•ft @ 6,000 RPM.

Moment of Zen: Up Close with the Moto2 Race Bikes

Moto2 testing was underway in Catalunya this week, but rain sidelined a substantial portion of that testing event. For the Moto2 teams, this meant a rare opporunity to get familiar with thier machinery was lost, but for the roving eye of Italian site GPone.com, it was an opportunity to take a gander at some very beautiful race motorcycles.

Despite all the teams having the same Honda-sourced, 600cc, four-cylinder, four-stroke motor, there is a large variety in body styling and chassis approach. Check the RSV, Moriwaki, BQR, Kalex, Tech3 Mistal, and Suter MMX bikes out after the jump.

MotoCzysz Confirmed with TT Zero – Will Return to the Isle of Man with 90% New Bike

MotoCzysz has confirmed today that they will be racing at the Isle of Man’s TT Zero event. The Portland based team has been hard at work on a new bike design that they feel not only has a chance of breaking the 100mph barrier, but possibly winning the event as well. MotoCzysz was a favorite in last year’s event, but failed to finish after suffering a failure to its Agni electric motor drive system. Learning from that hard taught lesson, Czysz & Co. are expected to return to the Isle of Man with their new 2010 E1pc, and tackle the Mountain Course once again.

BMW S1000RR Titanium Valves at 14,200 RPM

BMW Motorrad USA has posted a video to YouTube that shows an engine cutaway view of the 2010 BMW S1000RR’s cylinder head. Looking into the chamber one can see the titanium valves work their magic as the bike is rev’d all the way to its redline of 14,200 RPM. Spinning valve springs, squirting oil, titillating sounds…they’re all there. Check it out after the jump.

MotoGP: A Bumpy Independence Day Weekend

Sun 07/05/2009 @ 6:31 pm, by Jenny Gun

Home » Racing » MotoGP: A Bumpy Independence Day Weekend

MotoGP: A Bumpy Independence Day Weekend Dani Pedrosa motogp Laguna Seca 560x401

This weekend was a double-wammy for American motorcycle enthusiasts as we celebrated our Independence Day on Saturday, and the coming of MotoGP to Laguna Seca on Sunday. Despite the weather being cooler than in previous years, Seca proved once again to be a hot track that would be no open book to race teams.

Teams and riders had problems keeping both sides of the tires in the sticky, and suspension proved to be an issue on the bumpy and rough Seca tarmac. That didn’t stop a few riders from breaking away from the group though, and giving the American fans some fine laps of racing. Continue through to read more.

Dani Pedrosa showed the American crowd what a rabbit start looks like in MotoGP. Pedrosa charged from the second row, to take the lead into turn 1, followed by Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi.

The trio would remain in control of the race for its first half. After a few laps though Stoner and Rossi would see Pedrosa pull away, the young Spaniard seemingly in his own place of motorcycle riding.

Following the lead three riders, Andrea Dovizioso looked like he might join the group, until crashing out. He wouldn’t be alone though, Dovi would later be joined in the gravel by Loris Capirossi, Sete Gibernau, and Galbor Talmacsi.

As Pedorsa broke away from the pack, the real race was in the battle for second. With Championship points on the line, Rossi and Stoner battled back and forth, each trying to get the edge over the other.

Rossi finally got free from Stoner, and began breaking away from him, trying to catch a now distant Pedrosa. After that, the injured Stoner seemed to move backwards, and was passed a lap later by Jorge Lorenzo in the Wayne Rainey corner, the very same spot the pair crashed in during qualifying yesterday.

In the last half of the race, Rossi found himself challenged by teammate Lorenzo. Lorezno looked like he was going to get around Rossi, but had a massive unsettling of his M1 that almost threw the Spaniard off his bike. With Lorenzo no longer knocking on his door, Rossi found his way to Dani Pedrosa.

On the last lap of the race, it looked as if Rossi would have at least one opportunity to pass the Repsol Honda rider. With two laps to go, Rossi made his move, but he was too far removed and Pedrosa closed the door, taking the drive to the finish line, and the US GP win.

Nicky Hayden was feeling the help from the home crowd, finding his way into 5th place during the race, his best result thus far this season. He finished just behind teammate Casey stoner.

Colin Edwards arguably wasn’t up to his usual self, despite being back in the United States. The American finished 6th for the day, which has been about par for the course for Edwards. Edwards would be the only Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider to finish the race, as James Toseland was flagged for a jumped start, and later pulled out of the contest for failing to comply with a stop-and-go penalty.

MotoGP now heads to Germany and the Sachsenring for racing two weeks from now, on July 19th.

Race Results from MotoGP at Laguna Seca, USA:

Pos. No. Rider Manufacturer Time Diff
1 3 Dani PEDROSA HONDA 44′01.580 -
2 46 Valentino ROSSI YAMAHA 44′01.924 0.344
3 99 Jorge LORENZO YAMAHA 44′03.506 1.926
4 27 Casey STONER DUCATI 44′14.012 12.432
5 69 Nicky HAYDEN DUCATI 44′23.243 21.663
6 24 Toni ELIAS HODNA 44′23.621 22.041
7 5 Colin EDWARDS YAMAHA 44′31.781 30.201
8 7 Chris VERMEULEN SUZUKI 44′34.437 32.857
9 14 Randy DE PUNIET HONDA 44′41.905 40.325
10 33 Marco MELANDRI KAWASAKI 44′49.608 48.028
11 15 Alex DE ANGELIS HONDA 44′50.390 48.810
12 88 Niccolo CANEPA DUCATI 45′20.111 1′18.531
Not classified
4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO HONDA 8′23.703 26 Lap
59 Sete GIBERNAU DUCATI 8′23.190 26 Lap
65 Loris CAPIROSSI SUZUKI 4′19.395 29 Lap
41 Gabor TALMACSI HONDA 4′22.278 29 Lap
Excluded
52 James TOSELAND YAMAHA - -

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