Asphalt & Rubber

The BMW S1000RR Does the Tablecloth Trick

Remember when Mr. Wizard explained Newton’s First Law of Motion by setting a table and whipping the tablecloth out from underneath all the cups, plates, and utensils? We won’t spoil the outcome for you, but here’s a hint: that Newton fellow was onto something. Applying some physics of the their own, BMW has a video which takes the tablecloth trick to its next logical motorcycling related progression. Check it out after the jump.

AMA Pro Racing Adds AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Spec Racing Series

You may remember that six month’s ago we published a rumor that AMA Pro Racing was considering the idea of adding a Harley-Davidson XR1200 spec racing class. Today, that rumor became reality as AMA Pro Racing announced at the Daytona Bike Week that it would be adding the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series to its calendar. The painful press release and our colorful commentary after the jump.

Video: Women Riders of the FIM

Usually when you see a video of lovely lady standing next to a motorcycle at an FIM sanctioned event, she’s holding an umbrella. Well the FIM is hoping to change that perception a bit, and is serving up this video with its resident ladies of motorcycling talking about what they do best. Featuring Leslie Porterfield (FIM World LSR Holder), Livia Lancelot (FIM Women’s Motocross World Champion) and Laia Sanz (FIM Women’s Trial World Champion), the video is a part of the new FIM campaign called “Women Ride” that hopes to encourage more femme fatal in our two-wheeled sport.

Brit Brothers Chicane Saddle: A Roller Seat Design That Dampens a High-Side

When was the last time you saw someone seriously rethink how a motorcycle seat functions and operates? To our knowledge this design from Brit Brothers is the first real attempt to rethink what our butts have known all along. With its eye catching design, and roller-style seat, Brit Bros says their seat has numerous benefits over your standard foam wrapped in vinyl garden variety seat, including the ability to help tame a high-side crash.

Ducati Desmosedici RR Trike Concept

Nicolas Petit, a 25 year old Frenchman who lives just outside of Paris, is a motorcycle mechanic by day, and motorcycle sketcher by night. With already an impressive resume of motorcycle design sketches and renders to his name, we think Nicolas can add one more stunning example to the list: the Ducati Desmosedici RR Trike concept. We’re not huge fans of trikes here at A&R, but when you base your concept off one of the most powerful streetbikes ever created, it certainly catches our attention.

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.”

Lorenzo to Telefonica Honda for 2010?

Fri 07/10/2009 @ 1:48 am, by Jenny Gun

Home » Rumors » Lorenzo to Telefonica Honda for 2010?

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With Jorge Lorenzo’s contract up at the end of this season, rumors are beginning to make their way through the MotoGP paddock about where the Spaniard will be racing next season. While Lorenzo has stated he would prefer to stay at Yamaha, he has also stated that he “knows what he’s worth.” For anyone playing MotoGP silly season, that’s an open invitation to assume that offers from Honda could have potential of becoming true.

Yamaha boss Masao Furusawa has made the factory’s position clear stating that Yamaha is keen to hold on to Lorenzo, but not at any price. Commenting about a bid from Honda, Furusawa said, “We know about Honda’s offer. If he [Lorenzo] wants to go with them, we won’t be raising our stakes in order to retain him.”

It’s smart negotiating tactics, but also risky. Yamaha is unlikely able to compete with Honda with their checkbook, but is still the bike riders prefer to be on come race day. In weighing his options, Jorge Lorenzo will have to decide if he wants to be on the best machinery, or nearly double his paycheck.

With Repsol Honda currently still committing themselves to Dani Pedrosa, it seems hard for Honda to be recruiting another Spaniard to appease Spanish Oil Company Repsol, especially when they’ve publicly stated that their poor results lately have been due to the bike, not the rider. The solution would then seem to be in Spanish telecom giant, Telefonica, which is looking to get back into MotoGP.

Telefonica allegedly would build a one man team around Lorenzo, with full HRC backing. Telefonica’s interest in Lorenzo would seem to be genuine on its face, as the team would like nothing better than to beat Pedrosa and Repsol on the same machine. Telefonica left MotoGP after being left-out in the cold by Dani Pedrosa, the rider they groomed and supported alongside of Sete Gibernau, but who also later jumped ship to Repsol, causing Telefonica to retire from the series.

We don’t foresee Lorenzo moving himself over to the Honda camp, but you have to admit, this rumor brings its all: new sponsors, rider rivalries, team rivalries, and lot’s of dollars.

Source: MotoGP Matters

Comment:

  1. Lorenzo to Telefonica Honda for 2010? – Asphalt & Rubber http://bit.ly/10tCK9

  2. Lorenzo to Telefonica Honda for 2010? – Asphalt & Rubber: Motorcycle news, Industry Rumors, MotoGP, World Su.. http://bit.ly/T8UNW

  3. Ducati Desmo says:

    Lorenzo to Telefonica Honda for 2010? – Asphalt & Rubber http://bit.ly/brW2a

  4. hjworton says:

    It would occur to me that it would be a fantastic move for Jorge. To have a one man team, backing from a Spanish sponsor and a factory Honda would be great move for the lad. As long as he is on exactly the same kit as VR, he will have no advantage. Sometimes the Honda will be a bit slower than the M1 but sometimes it will be in his favour. Does this make sense ? I know what I mean but its been a long night and I am struggling to make myself understood.

  5. Jenny Gun says:

    I hear what you’re saying. I don’t think Jorge wants/needs and advantage to beat Rossi. He looks capable of matching him with the exact same resources available to him.

  6. Billy B says:

    agree, it would be a great opportunity for the talented youngster and would wish him all the best!! …although personally, i hope he stays on the M1, because having 2 great riders on the one team is great for yamaha!

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