Episode 99 of the Paddock Pass Podcast is out, and in it we see Jensen Beeler joining Neil Morrison and David Emmett on the microphones, as we discuss the happenings at the Americas GP.
In what perhaps the most entertaining MotoGP race ever at the Texan track, we discuss the surprise results, along with the implications that the round has on the championship standings.
While motorcycle sales in the United States continue to slip, this is not the case across the pond (and in the world at large), with the European Union quoting a nearly 10% increase during 2018 in the number of motorcycles registered.
In total, 1,004,063 motorcycles were registered last year in the EU, according to the figures published by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM). This represents an increase of 9.9% compared to the figures from 2017.
The Honda CR Electric prototype is perhaps one of the biggest stories we have seen so far this year, as it shows a very serious effort by the Japanese brand to bring an electric model to one of its most important motorcycle segments.
Very few photos and details made it out of Tokyo when the Honda CR Electric prototype, except for our rather in-depth analysis of the bike for our A&R Pro readers. If you will allow the modest plug, that story itself is worth the modest price of admission that helps support the site.
Back to the machine, we have a little more news to report, as we have proof that the electric dirt bike is indeed a runner, as the motorcycle took some exhibition laps at the first round of the All Japan Motocross Championship.
Mini-bikes racing is heating up in the United States, thanks in part to the hilariously fun (and cheap) Honda Grom offerings, as well as the sophisticate and potent machines like what’s coming from Ohvale.
If the sport is to continue, then there needs to be pathway for young racers, and mini-motos is one of the keys to solidying our two-wheeled future. For bonus points, they provide a super-fun and relatively pain-free way for adults to race and crash on the weekend.
The interesting part though is that even if you are a nine-time world champion like Valentino Rossi, the value of a day on a mini-moto is certainly there, as we can see above The Doctor spinning some laps on the machine with his VR|46 cohorts.
It was a somber occasion in Austin on Friday, as members of the grand prix paddock gathered in the press conference room to witness the announcement that the number 69 was going to be retired from use in the MotoGP Championship.
The event at the Hayden Hill later that day, just overlooking Turn 18 was a little bit more cheerful though, as friends, family, and well-wishers gathered for a photo around the emblazoned logo of the Kentucky Kid.
There was also the Repsol Honda RC211V race bike on display in the paddock – the machine that Hayden used to win the 2006 MotoGP Championship – along with no shortage of fans sporting Nicky’s apparel, number, and infectious smile.
However you spent the day at the Circuit of the Americas on Friday, thoughts of Nicky Hayden were surely nearby.
For the past couple years at the Americas GP, Alpinestars has brought out a limited edition boot to celebrate the riders that are in the Italian brand’s family.
The first year was with Marc Marquez, and for the 2019 edition, we see Alpinestars paying tribute to Kenny Roberts Sr.
The Godfather of American road racing, Roberts sees his famous yellow, black, and white livery recreated for the racing boot, complete with the silhouette of an eagle. A replica signature is also featured on the boot.
Get the gears turning, because the rumor mill is starting to churn away on speculation for the next generation Yamaha YZF-R1.
This particular rumor looks towards the 2021 model year, when the Euro5 regulations for motorcycles take effect. Of course to that, we say “well of course there is.”
We will get to all that in a minute, but first, the buzz from Europe on what we can expect to see from Yamaha in two years’ time.
Episode 98 of the Paddock Pass Podcast is out, and in it we see Jensen Beeler joining Neil Morrison and David Emmett on the microphones, as we wrap up coverage on the Argentina GP.
Of course, there is plenty to talk about from this South American track, most notable the dominance of a certain Mr. Marc Marquez.
It was the battle for second that defined the grand prix in Argentina, and it brings up some interesting points on the pecking order in the MotoGP Championship.
Episode 12 of the Brap Talk podcast is now out for your two-wheeled audio pleasure, and it continues where we left off in Episode 11, which came out last week.
As such, this show picks up where we stopped on Jensen’s travels in Europe, this time focusing on the Vespa and Moto Guzzi brands.
As such, we talk about riding the new electric scooter from the Italian brand, the Vespa Elettrica. From there, we turn our attention to the Moto Guzzi V85 TT adventure bike, which we rode in Sardinia.
Episode 97 of the Paddock Pass Podcast is out, and this one is another WorldSBK show. As such, this means that we see Steve English joined by Gordon Ritchie on the mics, as they are now our WorldSBK reporting duo for the 2019 season.
Recording straight from Motorland Aragon, the guys talk about the on-track action in Spain, where once again (have we said that before?) it was a sweep by Alvaro Bautista and the factory-spec Ducati Panigale V4 R race bike.
It looks like we are close to seeing the rumored BMW F850RS debut (likely later this year, at the EICMA show in November), as design patent drawings have surfaced showing a parallel-twin version of the RS series.
The bike looks visually quite close to the BMW 9cento concept that debut roughly a year ago in Italy, though with much more subdued lines than that adventure-sport offered.
While we expected the 9cento to usher in a new bigger motor, the final design seems to rest on the updated 850cc parallel-twin engine that has been injecting some character and life into BMW Motorrad’s middleweight lineup.