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Asphalt & Rubber
KTM’s Stefan Pierer Gobbles Up 25% of MV Agusta
News

KTM’s Stefan Pierer Gobbles Up 25% of MV Agusta

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The BMW M1000RR Superbike Takes Another Step Forward for 2023
Bikes

The BMW M1000RR Superbike Takes Another Step Forward for 2023

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The BMW S1000RR Gets Wings and Updates for the 2023 Model Year
Bikes

The BMW S1000RR Gets Wings and Updates for the 2023 Model Year

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Racing

PSA: How To Avoid MotoGP Spoilers on A&R

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While we all wait to hear from Losail, as to whether the Qatar GP will go ahead as scheduled, or if MotoGP’s season-opener will get moved/cancelled on account of rain, it seems timely to remind Asphalt & Rubber readers how they can avoid race spoilers, now that the MotoGP and World Superbike seasons are upon us.

Of course, I am talking about becoming an A&R Pro member, which not only removes spoilers from the front pages of the site, but also does away with pesky banner ads, and includes exclusive content (not to mention it supports the what we do here, and decreases our dependence on advertiser dollars).

We are proud here at Asphalt & Rubber of our excellent racing coverage, and we are also proud to be the only motorcycle website that can offer its readers the ability to hide race content that might have result spoilers.

If you re a die-hard racing fan, what are you waiting for? Sign-up for A&R Pro before the MotoGP racing season officially gets underway.

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Bikes

Mugen Shinden Roku Electric Superbike Breaks Cover

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In Japanese, “roku” is how you say the sixth ordinal, which means the electric superbike you see above, the Mugen Shinden Roku, is the Japanese firm’s sixth entry into the Isle of Man TT. Piloted this year by John McGuinness and Guy Martin, the expectation is that the Mugen Shinden Roku will be the first electic motorcycle to do a 120 mph lap (from a standing start, no less) at the TT – a barrier that was nearly broken last year. Team Mugen has progressed rapidly each year it enters the TT Zero class at the Isle of Man, and for 2017 they once again are bringing a new machine to the starting line at Glencrutchery Road. The Shinden Roku’s sweeping white fairings hides many of its changes, but the bits we can see do look mechanically similar (if not the same) as the 2016 bike.

News

Italian Court Approves MV Agusta Debt Restructuring Plan

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The future of MV Agusta has hinged on a crucial court decision for the past five months now – one that would allow the Italian motorcycle brand to restructure its debt, thus reducing its financial liabilities and freeing up a greater portion of its cash flow for continued production. News comes today from Varese, Italy that a local court has approved MV Agusta’s new business plan, and allowed the motorcycle manufacturer to restructure its debts with creditors and suppliers. This is positive news for MV Agusta, and it sets in motion a number of possibilities for the Italian brand, namely closing its investment deal with Black Ocean, an Anglo-Russian private equity firm.

Bikes

Mugen Debuts an Electric Motocross Race Bike

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At the Isle of Man TT, Mugen is the team to beat, with the company’s Shinden electric superbike showing the state of the art, when it comes to electric motorcycles. The asphalt is apparently not enough for Mugen though, as the Japanese tuning house has “partnered” with Honda to build an electric motocross dirt bike. What you are look at here is the Mugen E.Rex, and don’t let the horrid dinosaur theme put you off, there is some seriously bad to the bone (sorry, couldn’t resist) pieces on this roost-maker. Keeping things in the family, it is not surprising to see the Showa and Nissin suspension and braking components being used here (Honda owns both brands), and like on the Mugen Shiden, no expense has been spared when it comes to top-shelf components.