After crashing four S1000RR’s during WSBK’s stop at Phillip Island, and then missing the race entirely, Ruben Xaus hasn’t exactly put his best foot forward in the 2010 World Superbike Championship season. For some the continuation of the Spanish rider’s career on a factory supported Superbike seems to have a death clock already running, and the rumor is that Xaus has to prove his worth or risk being shown the door from the BMW WSBK team.

Reportedly BMW Spain has nixed any immediate firings of the Spanish rider, presumably because of the large Spanish riding population, and the buzz from having a Spanish rider on the S1000RR as the series makes stops in Portugal and Spain. After WSBK finishes its stops in Portimao and Valencia however, it would seem the corporate intervention disappears, which could mean that Xaus could be replaced mid-season, and making things a “Race on Sunday, Fire on Monday” sort of affair.

For now it’s hard to tell how much of this rumor is idle speculatio/frustation with a bad weekend, or true sentiment. As always time will tell, and more as we get it.

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? Well BMW has a video which takes the tablecloth trick to its next logical motorcycling related progression. Check it out after the jump.

Source: BMW

BMW announced today that it will send a factory backed team to compete in the Isle of Man’s Superbike and Senior TT’s. This announcement ends over 30 years of the Bavarian brand’s absence at the Isle of Man. For Austrian-based KTM, this will be their first time running at the Isle of Man TT. The KTM RC8 R will be entered in the Superstock, Superbike, and Senior TT’s. More after the jump.

For BMW, the TT will strictly be a German affair as BMW test rider Rico Penzkofer, a German himself, will take the helm of the S1000RR Superbike. This will be Penzkofer’s second trip to the Isle of Man. In 2009 he finished 33rd and 30th in both Supersport category races. Talking about the opportunity to race again around the Isle of Man, this time with factory support, Penzkofer said the following:

“To be representing BMW on their return to the TT is a tremendous honour for me and after my debut last year I can’t wait to return to the Mountain Course. Riding the Superbike will obviously present a new challenge but the bike is superb and that, combined with my own improved knowledge of the course, should see us able to make a good impression. Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus have proved in World Superbikes that the bike is competitive and we hope to do the same at the TT.”

For the Austrian contingency, this will be their first time on the Manx Island, as they hope to further promote their KTM R8R Superbike. James Edmeades will take the helm of the RC8 R, and has assailed the Mountain Course in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Talking about his involvement with KTM and the 2010 Isle of Man TT, Edmeades said the following:

“The opportunity to become the first KTM rider at the Isle of Man TT Races is a tremendous honour for me and after the three great years I enjoyed between 2006 and 2008, I can’t wait to get back on the Island. The KTM RC8R is a superb bike and I’m sure it will perform well around the course with its excellent handling qualities.”

Source: Isle of Man TT (here & here)

According to Ash on Bikes, BMW has added a firmware patch to the S1000RR that will set the bike’s rev limit to 9,000 RPM during the first 600 miles of use. This limit is reportedly being put into place because of excessive wear on components being used by race teams. As such, BMW thinks it fit to guard against similar wear on its street-bound machines, although there has been no indication that this has been the case.

According to BMW, the firmware patch has already been installed on new bikes, and will be turned off by dealers at the S1000RR’s first servicing (600 miles). BMW’s Scott Grimsdall said, “We don’t expect any problems with road bikes, this is merely being done as a precaution. BMW is being very cautious with this bike because it is so new and high profile, and it has some new materials in the engine that need a bedding in period.”

Source: Ash on Bikes

The title says it all, the video is what you get. Motorcycles are cool…

Source: BMW Motorrad USA via Ultimate Motorcycling

Asphalt & Rubber has been out of the office for most of this President’s Day weekend, but we’re back now and eager to make it up to you. We’ve got some great stories that we’ll roll out this week, but while we put them together we thought we’d tide you over with this video that showcases the development process of the 2010 BMW S1000RR superbike. The video highlights the planning, designing, and testing of BMW’s first true sportbike, which gives an interesting perspective into the bike’s creation. Click past the break to watch the video, and go ahead and queue up your own music because this soundtrack is el horriblé.

Source: SoloMoto30

Oberdan Bezzi continues today with his sketches of the S1000RR in naked form. This time the Italian designer takes a half-fairing approach to the German Superbike, and has also picked up on the chatter about the BMW naming conventions. Dubbed the S1000RS, the latest sketch from Obiboi is a blend from his naked version and the full-faired production bike from BMW. The headlights appear to be symettrical, which should please many riders who are still on the fence with the S1000RR.

From Bezzi:

An essential half fairing with only the “substance” of the model Superbike!
Stripped of all that is needed to tackle the most interesting road with the only concern of pure driving pleasure.
A sort of two-wheeled equivalent of a stay at home for M3 CSL BMW.
For connoisseurs …… rich!

Source: Oberdan Bezzi Design

Famed motorcycle designer and two-wheeled sketch artist Oberdan Bezzi has put his pen to paper again, and this time he has dreamt up a streetfighter edition of the S1000RR. Dubbed the R1000RS, the 1000cc superbike motor gets to breath a little bit more without the controversial asymmetrical BMW fairings in place. Also gone is the winking headlight system, replaced with something that smells a bit more Italian. The effect is quite stunning, Bavaria are you taking note?

Talking about his creation, Obiboi said:

Here’s how it should be the next Naked / Streetfighter BMW.
Obviously derived from S1000 RR Superbike, aspires to become the new benchmark in the Supernaked of high society.
A decidedly aggressive in both the technique in the aspect that shows off the old “war paint” Motosport more characteristic than the new and sad blue and red.
The price of this racing car is embarrassing …. .. but then it is a BMW!

Source: Oberdan Bezzi

When BMW set out to make the S1000RR superbike, they put the Japanese 4 squarely in their sights. There can be little doubt that zie Germans succeed in making a bike that can compete with the liter bike incumbents. While we’re not sure if the S1000RR is completely up to the hype with its alleged 183hp dyno figures, one thing is for certain: The BMW S1000RR has plenty of power on tap.

While we hear at A&R prefer to think of that power going towards canyon carving adventures or helping us become Sunday morning track day heroes, for some that power is better suited for lofting a front (or rear) wheel, and practicing cursive calligraphy on a tarmac surface. What we believe to be the first BMW S1000RR stunting video can be found after the jump.

Source: StuntRide via MotoBlog.it

With the recent news of the 2010 BMW S1000RR making 183hp at the rear-wheel, the Bavarian Superbike is looking like quite the potent potable. With its liter-bike class leading performance, the bike doesn’t break the wallet much either with its $13,800  price tag. With such a great bike hitting US soil soon, it’s hard to imagine how to make it better…but that’s what the Dutch did with their BMW S1000RR Carbon Edition. More after the jump.

Taking the base S1000RR, the Carbon Edition tacks on just about every BMW option available under the sun (traction control, anti-lock brakes system (ABS), alarms, etc), adds carbon bodywork (obviously), and then fits an Akrapovic full-system to the superbike. With all the added goodies, comes of course an added price-tag for the Ducth: €24,990 (a €7,000 increase).

All that money isn’t spent in vein though. The Akrapovic system adds nearly 10hp up-top, and of course smoothes-out the mid-RPM dips that are becoming all-to-common on sportbikes, as they try and squeak past emission standards. Alstublieft.

 

Source: HFL