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Indian Challenger Recalled for Insufficient Lube

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2020 Indian Challenger

The Indian Motorcycle brand is recalling its newest creation, the Indian Challenger because the engine output shaft bearing may not have been sufficiently lubricated during the motorcycle’s assembly, which could possibly result in the bearing failing at a very low mileage.

This gets us to a recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration because operating a motorcycle that was assembled with an improperly lubricated output shaft bearing may result in unintended or sudden deceleration, which may increase the risk of a crash.

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Racing

This Is the Best “Leg Dangle” Explanation We’ve Ever Seen

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Ever since Valentino Rossi let his leg fly free in the wind, people have been trying to explain the advantages of the “leg dangle” in motorcycle racing.

While many reasons have been offered (some more accurate than others), and while some pundits have certainly painted a good portion of the picture behind this growing technique on the race track, we have never seen someone explain the subject quite as well as Sylvain Guintoli.

The Frenchman posted his explanation in a video to YouTube, and he is not only clear in his explanation, but also exhaustively comprehensive in his analysis on the subject.

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Bikes

The Vyrus Alyen Is an Outbreak from Another World

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Vyrus Alyen

With all the headlines about the coronavirus that inundate our social stream, I don’t think it’s a big stretch to assume that you would like to talk about anything but a virus on the pages of Asphalt & Rubber.

Let us talk then about a different kind of viral outbreak, the Vyrus Alyen. The latest creation from the boutique Italian house of two-wheels, Vyrus has taken the 1,285cc Ducati Superquadro v-twin engine, wedged it into their hub-center steering chassis, and well…the bodywork is unlike anything on the market.

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Bikes

The BMW R18 Cruiser Is Finally, Finally Here

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Alas, the long wait is over, as BMW Motorrad has finally shown us the production version of its much-hyped cruiser model, the BMW R18.

Featuring the largest boxer engine ever produced by the German brand, the BMW R18 boasts an 1,802cc displacement for its two horizontally opposed cylinders.

As was teased, peak power is a paltry 90hp (67 kW), but the real attention-getter is the torque curve: 116 lbs•ft (158 Nm).

That peak torque figure hits at just a mere 3,000 rpm, but the BMW R18 churns out at least 110 lbs•ft (150 Nm) all the way from 2,000 rpm to 4,000 rpm, making for a nice broad power band to play with on the open road.

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News

The Italian Connection: Brembo Buys a Portion of Pirelli

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Call it the Italian connection, as brake-maker Brembo has just bought a chunk of shares in Pirelli. As such, the move sees Brembo taking a 2.43% in the Italian tire brand.

Despite the surprise of the headline, the transaction has not a complete surprise to those following the actions of Brembo, as the braking brand announced last year its plans to go shopping in the corporate M&A realm.

Matteo Tiraboschi, Brembo’s Executive Deputy Chairman, even signaled last year that the the company’s appetite for acquisition could be as large Brembo itself.

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News

US Gas Price Drops Below $2/Gallon – Will Drop More in April

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While the bulk of the United States is self-distancing by staying home as much as possible because of the coronavirus, right now is one of the most affordable times to ride a motorcycle or drive a car, as the average price for a gallon of gasoline continues to drop at a noticeable rate.

This is because on average, a gallon of gasoline costs the least amount of money it ever has in the past four years, and the expectation for April is that gas prices could drop to $1.75/gallon on average across the country.

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News

Motorcycling’s April Fools Round-Up for 2020

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Another year, and another April Fools Day is done and dusted. Normally, I would say that April 1st is better than Christmas for motorcycle journalists, but literally as billions of people sheltered in their houses because of the coronavirus outbreak, this year’s affair had a much more somber tone, with some outlets choosing to refrain from the chicanery.

My colleague David Emmett was one of those who thought the day warranted a different approach, and he offered his readers the entertainment of Simon Crafar’s MotoVudu channel, which is superb. You should definitely take his advice, and give it a watch.

Our Brap Talk podcast tried something a little different as well, where we did an episode that was appropriately titled “Not About Motorcycles” as we tried to offer a more general interest show. Maybe we will spin this idea into its own podcast, but don’t worry, there will be more moto-content from now on. Look for another episode on Monday.

For my own part, well…I’m simpler creature than David, and have more base instincts when it comes to April 1st.  As such, I took the lazy approach and picked on the folks in Milwaukee for my April Fools kicks.

While I would say that Harley-Davidson is usually a pretty sport about things, I did wake up to a phone call from the Bar & Shield brand today, and I am pretty sure that Asphalt & Rubber is now on double-secret probation with the American motorcycle manufacturer. Trade that against being able to use half-naked Miley Cyrus photo in an article, and I would say it is an even exchange. Mea culpa, and sorry for partying.

How about from the rest of the industry though? In case you missed them, the highlights of April Fools Day are after the jump.

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Bikes

360° Video: Marc Marquez Riding the Honda CBR1000RR-R

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We take a break from today’s chicanery to bring you a quick distraction: Marc Marquez riding the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP around the Catalunya track, in a 360° video format.

The video comes from Honda’s initial photo and video shoot for the unveiling of the new CBR1000RR-R, but that doesn’t make it any less cool.

For the maximum experience, watch the video on your phone. The IMU on your smartphone should pick up your movements, and change your field of view as you “look” around the bike as its on track. 

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News

Harley-Davidson Board Votes to Restructure Business Operations

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Fresh off of the news from two days ago, where the Harley-Davidson Board of Directors settled the power-grab by investment group Impala Asset Management, we now see the first fruits of that agreement taking shape.

Taking decisive measures, fueled by the fallout from the coronavirus epidemic, the Harley-Davidson Board of Directors held an emergency voting session on Tuesday night, which saw the group lay out a massive restructuring plan the Bar & Shield brand.

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Podcast

Brap Talk Podcast #33 – Not About Motorcycles

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Episode 33 of the Brap Talk podcast is now out for your two-wheeled audio pleasure, well…sort of for your two-wheeled audio pleasure.

This is because this show is our long talked about “Not About Motorcycles” show, which as the title implies, is a little light on the moto-content.

Consider this a pilot for a possible spin-off podcast, where Shahin and Jensen talk about life, the universe, and everything else…with the occasional motorcycle in there.

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