Latest Posts:
Asphalt & Rubber
Author

Jensen Beeler

Browsing
News

Brembo Opens New Plant in India

By No Comments

After aquiring Indian firm JV KBX from Bosch last October, Brembo has opened the doors of its brand new plant in India this week. The plant will be dedicated to the production of disc brake systems for scooters and motorcycles between the displacement of 125cc and 250cc’s in the Indian market.

The move positions Brembo to challenge the Lombard Group, which currently holds over 50% of the market share for disk brakes of motor vehicles in India. In case you didn’t know, the Indian market is mainly composed motorcycles between 50cc’s and 350cc’s. This makes the acquisition and new factory a huge strategic move for Brembo in a rapidly developing nation.

Brembo is selling the brake products under the name Breco, which is their mark specifically dedicated for motorcycles and scooters with small and medium displacements in developing countries like Brazil, Russia, India, China and in the other nations of Southeast Asia.

Brembo’s activities in India began in 1998 through a license of its technology for the production of brake discs for motorcycles to the Indian Kalayani Brakes, later acquired by Bosch Chassis Systems India Ltd., the Indian subsidiary of the German multinational of a similar name. In 2006 it was turned into KBX, the Joint Venture Joint between Brembo and Bosch.

Keep Reading
By
Racing

The Kawasaki French Connection

By No Comments

fcuk-kawasaki

We sat around all of Thursday waiting for news from Japan about a possible French supplier for a privateer Kawasaki team, and we got zip, zero, nada, nothing in our inbox confirm all the speculation. However, we have seen further evidence that news should come today about such a partnership. Early indications point to a team that is Kawasaki only in name, with parts and support coming from France, and with riders from the US and Italy.

That’s right Marco and Hopper seem to be the riders, but of course at this point we’re not counting our chickens until they’ve hatched…for all we know a pair of Muppets like Burt and Earnie could be riding Kawasakis as a cost cutting measure. We’ll bring you more news when we get it.

Keep Reading
By
Racing

Kawasaki Privateer Decision to Come Today

By No Comments

172506

Today is a day of waiting if your a MotoGP fan, particularly a Kawasaki MotoGP fan. With all the drama that has been surrounding the Team in Green, a meeting in Japan may define how the rest of the season shapes up. Michael Bartholemy is in Japan today for talks with Kawasaki about the level of support they can/will provide to a potential privateer team.

Support has become a major issue since Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta revealed that Kawasaki only had enough parts to see out 25% of the 2009 season, and would not be able to handle engine development or maintenance.

This issue was alleviated partially by Bartholemy announcing that he has found a French company, which could handle at least some of that support work for the racing spares. It is speculated that if he can persuade Kawasaki to hand over the entire MotoGP operation to this French company, then there is a possibility that the team could be saved.

Lastly, there is still the issue of Jorge “Aspar” Martinez, and whether he would direct and fund the operation. A have wheeled out the jump to conclusions mat on this topic, saying that he will not be involved in a Kawasaki privateer team, but the only basis for this assertion seems to be Aspar’s statement that he’d want at least one Spanish rider. To us, this issue has not come out as a deal breaker.

Keep Reading
By
News

Yamaha to Shutdown Factories for Two Weeks

By No Comments

yamaha-logo

Yamaha Motors is announcing that it will be closing down 11 facilities, thus halting production, for two-weeks in order to cut on costs. The shutdown is expected to occur sometime in February or March, and will include lines for Yamaha’s motorcycles, recreational vehicles, atvs, watercraft, and spare parts.

In similar news, Honda has announced that it will be cutting production worldwide and across the board: cars, bikes, generators, you name it.

Source:

Keep Reading
By
News

Trillium Muir: The Fastest Woman on Two Wheels

By No Comments

trillium-muir

You might remember thatafter she broke multiple landspeed at the International Speed Trials. That fact is no more as Canadian Trillium Muir and team Nickel City Racing have regained the title of the World’s Fastest Woman. Here’s the kicker, Trillium has only be riding motorcycles for 4 years.

Muir, a 28 year-old corrections officer, broke the land speed record by running a ECTA certified top speed of 239.36 mph on her purpose-built Hayabusa. The record breaking run was at Maxton Mile race track in North Carolina, USA. She rode a tuned 2003 Hayabusa featuring a GT35R turbo from RCC turbos, Aims data logger, JE Pistons, Crower rods, MTC lock-up clutch, Elka shock, custom-built swingarm, RCC back cut transmission.

What’s next for the Canadian? The 400kph barrier, which for us Americans works out to be around 248.54 mph.

Keep Reading
By
Racing

Monster Energy Drink to Sponsor Valentino Rossi, Instead of John Hopkins

By 1 Comment

rossi-mugello-motogp

With all the back-and-forth going on whether Kawasaki would be in MotoGP or not this season, Monster Energy Drink wasn’t willing to take the season to chance. They have decided to drop John Hopkins from their payroll, and have added Valentino Rossi instead. In a few days we are expecting to hear a formal announcement of the agreement, but the terms have already been leaked. Monster will sponsor Rossi for 2 years, to the tune of 2.5 million euros, plus a bonus of another half a million euros if he wins the Championship.

This news is a devastating blow to John Hopkins who’s ride for 2009 is still up in the air. Monster’s sponsorship of the American rider helped defray the cost a team had to incurr to have Hopper riding with them. Now without the help from Monster, Hopkins is going to have  to take a massive pay-cut, or find a team willing to pay him more than he’s probably worth at this point.

Source:

Keep Reading
By
News

KTM Ads You Won’t See in the United States

By 2 Comments

04_wallpaper_1280x1024

In our opinion, KTM leads the pack when it comes to TV spot ads. With superb photograph and quick edits, KTM creates ads that are just as edgy as the lines on the RC8, and promotes the hooligan within all of us. Unfortunately the way product liability works in the United States prevents many of these ads from actually airing in the US market. So, we thought we’d bring them to you so you can see how KTM envisions you using their bikes on the street and track. Continue reading for the videos.

 

Keep Reading
By
Racing

Ezpeleta Holds Kawasaki to 2009, But Not 2010 and 2011

By No Comments

days_of_our_lives

Really, we’re trying to think of a way that the 2009 MotoGP season could become less of a soap opera, but it continues to act like one. Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, has shed some more light on the back-and-forth between his organization and Kawasaki.

“I’ve already said that I would not accept the breakdown of Kawasaki’s contract signed with us until 2011. I have proposed that they run in 2009, and in exchange, to allow them to withdraw in 2010 and 2011. They told me that they had an engine for only four or five races of the season. So I looked for a company in France able to help develop the bike. The last obstacle for the Japanese is to meet these people and accept their program.” 

This meeting is scheduled for early next week, and Ezpeleta is pushing for Kawasaki to honor its contract with its riders as well as Dorna, “The team will be led by Michael Bartholemy, and I think it is important to keep the two pilots under contract, John Hopkins and Marco Melandri.” Ezpeleta finished by reiterating that he would take Kawasaki to court if it defaulted on their commitment with Dorna Sports.

Keep Reading
By