MotoGP Suzuki team race driver Chris Vermeulen has broken his own fastest record whilst practicing at the Jerez circuit during his 40 minute slotted track time.

The Australian racer set the fastest time of 1.40.043 whilst testing the new Bridgestone tyres on his Suzuki GSV-R800 in preparation for the 2007 MotoGP season which starts on the 10th March at Losail in Quatar. The race will be the first of the 18 that make up the MotoGP World Championship which ends in Valencia in Spain in November.

Just over 29,000 spectators came to watch the final day of testing at Jaraz.

Former MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has signed a deal to remain with Yamaha until the end of 2008.

The Italian has won 25 GPs and two world titles since joining Yamaha two years ago but lost his title to Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden last season. Hayden ended Rossi’s five-year reign as world champion.

“I’m very happy I renewed the contract with Yamaha until the end of 2008, so now I can just concentrate on racing this season,” said the 27-year-old.

“I think that last year, when we fought back from what seemed an impossible situation to come so close to taking the title, showed what a fantastic team we are - and this is why I want to stay with Yamaha.

“The past three years with Yamaha have been very positive, and this is why I am pleased to stay.

“The atmosphere in our garage is always relaxed and happy, and I think this is something very special and difficult to find.
“I have great faith in Yamaha and I am very excited about my future and the future of the 800cc bike with them.”

(This article was taken from www.bbc.co.uk)

1. The first areas to clean are the greasy areas, for example the wheels and the engine. It is a good idea to use a brush for this to ensure that you are able to clean all the spokes.

2. Secondly, wash the motorbike all over with a cleaner. Do not use washing up liquid for this as it removes the wax from the motorbike. Another good idea is to have two separate sponges, one for washing dirty areas and one for areas that aren’t quite so dirty - this should prevent the paintwork from being scratched.

3. Rinse off the cleaner with some clean warm water and then chamois the motorbike to prevent water marks remaining.

4. Then carefully apply wax onto the motorbike details, leave on for a minute, then wipe off with a clean and soft cloth. Make sure that you don’t apply wax in direct sunlight as this will make cleaning the wax quite difficult.

5. Finally wash the windscreen with warm soapy water to remove any dirt and rinse with clean water. Then dry fully and clean with a glass cleaner - this will prevent any smears on the glass.

This year’s BMF Show marks its 30th year at Peterborough’s East of England Showground and to help celebrate the event, the BMF is looking for people who were there in 1977 to join in the celebrations.

Despite increased competition from a crowded calendar of motorcycle events, the BMF Show is still the largest outdoor bike show of its type in Europe and with attendances regularly topping 80,000 and over 600 exhibitors covering everything in biking from major manufacturers to local clubs, it’s a massive celebration of motorcycling - and a key fund-raiser for the British Motorcyclists Federation.

Moving from the old Donington Park to Peterborough in 1977, attendance has more than quadrupled in that time, but the BMF Show has still retained that unique atmosphere that has made it so special and a regular feature of the biking calendar.

To celebrate its time at Peterborough, the BMF is collating a special anniversary Show Guide and wants to record memories and photos from the ‘Glam Rock’ era of the seventies. The BMF wants to hear from people who attended the 1977 event and in a competition for the best entry, the BMF is giving away 10 pairs of VIP tickets. Entries should be sent to jane.longthorn@bmf.co.uk.

Many things have changed over the years, but arena activities have always drawn large crowds and after a highly successful first season, the UK Short Track Championship (http://www.shorttrackuk.com), will be again holding their second round of the championship at the show. Also confirmed are the hardy-annuals of Vintage Speedway and the infamous Moped Enduro, while Jason Smyth will be performing his spectacular stunt show and after a period of several years’ absence, The Imps junior motorcycle stunt team will be displaying their own special skills.

Offering a total prize fund worth an estimated £3,000, the Best In Show competition, sponsored by Carole Nash Insurance, is bound to attract bikes from all eras. With individual class prizes of £300 and a ‘Best In Show’ additional prize of £400 plus a year’s free insurance courtesy of Carole Nash insurance, this competition has become increasingly popular with competitors and the public alike.

For BMF members, they also have the exclusive Memba Rally camping weekend running in conjunction with the show and offering live bands and other entertainment, plus the luxury option of a rent-a-tent service from event camping specialists Tangerine Fields. Through their website (www.tangerinefields.co.uk) rally goers can book ahead and have their weekend tent and camping equipment ready & waiting for them.

This year is a special one for us, said BMF spokesman Jeff Stone. I was there for the 1977 event and although it’s bigger and busier than it was then, somehow it’s managed to maintain that friendly, laid-back atmosphere that has made it such a favourite with so many. After all, it’s still the largest event of its type in Europe and we intend to retain that title!”

(this article was taken from politics.co.uk)

The latest from the MCI;

Figures released today by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) show a 6% increase in the total number of bike, scooter and moped registrations.

Moped registrations increased by 4%, scooters increased 11% and motorcycles rose by 6%. January car registrations were also up 5% suggesting a buoyant start to the year for the automotive industry.

The big winners, who experienced the most growth are the three sectors; Adventure Sport (46%), Scooter (22%) and Supersport (18%) - the latter two sectors maintaining the largest shares of the market.

The Japanese brands continue to dominate the ‘Top Ten Powered-Two Wheelers’ list although the number three slot has been taken by the Chinese brand, Baotian.

Craig Carey-Clinch, MCI’s Director of Public Affairs said, Now is a time of change for the motorcycle industry and the MCI will be focussing on reducing the negative effects of legislation and at the same time working in partnership to attract new blood into the world of motorcycling.

The registration figures indicate a positive start to the year, but there is no room for complacency and all of the industry will have to look closely at how they can fight of pending external threats.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)

Courtesy of BMW

With much of the Northern Hemisphere locked in the grips of winter, reading about motorcycles is about as close to riding as many of us will get. Here is a selection of books we’d recommend to keep the enthusiasm up in winter and give you some inspiration to just get out and ride.

10 Years on 2 wheels

Helge Pedersen is one of the world’s greatest adventure travellers. At the age of 28 he left his native Norway aboard a BMW R 80 G/S to see a little bit of the world. Ten years later after covering over 250,000 miles (400,000 km) and visiting 77 countries he eventually finished his adventure. 10 years on 2 wheels is the photographic story of this adventure. Helge and his BMW travelled through some of the most inhospitable places on earth including the Sahara Desert and the Darien Gap. It’s currently out of print (there are a few copies of this amazing coffee table book still around) but the good news is that it will be reprinted soon. For more information,visit www.globeriders.com.

Race to Dakar

Riding around the world apparently wasn’t a big enough challenge for Charley Boorman, so he decided to take on the ultimate motorcycle challenge of competing in the Dakar Rally.

Race to Dakar is the amazing story of the excitement and danger that goes into being part of the infamous Dakar rally. This book gives a fantastic (and rare) account of what it is really like to race in this gruelling event. For more information or to find your nearest stockist please visit www.racetodakar.com.

Into Africa

When Sam Manicom decided to learn to ride a motorcycle so he could travel the length of Africa he couldn’t have imagined that a one-year trip would turn into an eight-year adventure. Into Africa documents this trip, where Sam’s plans don’t always work out as they should, but every twist in the road leads him to new challenges and surprises. The journey throws disaster in his way, seeing him jailed in Tanzania and hit by a serious wipe-out in Namibia. He lives in a remote village, canoes a dugout in Malawi, escapes a bush fire, and even climbs a mountain. Now living in Britain he still uses his BMW R 80 G/S as his only form of transport. Please visit www.sam-manicom.com to order Into Africa.

Motorcycle Diaries

Perhaps one of the most famous motorcycle books of all time, The Motorcycle Diaries charts Che Guevara’s journey across America aboard a 500cc Norton motorcycle. Of course Guevara went on to become one of history’s most famous faces but this book tells of a young doctor’s adventure across the Americas and was written eight years before the Cuban revolution. Within a decade though, the whole world would know his name and his trip might have been the adventure of a lifetime, had his lifetime not turned into a much greater adventure. The Motorcycle Diaries is published by HarperPerennial.

Long Way Round

This book needs no introduction to BMW fans. When A-list movie star Ewan McGregor suggested riding round the world on a BMW motorcycle he could never have anticipated the reaction. From London to New York, Ewan and friend Charley Boorman chased their shadows through Europe, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia, across the Pacific to Alaska, then down through Canada and America. They rode for over 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) and changed their lives forever in the process.

As they travelled, they documented their trip, taking photographs, and writing diaries by the campfire. Long Way Round is the result of their journey and has certainly helped bring adventure travelling to the masses. It is published by Time Warner and available at www.longwayround.com.

Jupiter’s travels

This is another classic book for all motorcyclists. In 1973, aged 42, Ted Simon spent four years travelling around the world. From this amazing adventure came the acclaimed book Jupiter’s Travels. For anyone considering a similar journey it is still regarded as one of the greatest travel books ever written and was in fact the inspiration for Ewan McGregor’s Long Way Round odyssey. Selling over half a million copies it has made Ted Simon a hero within the motorcycling community. Jupiter’s Travels can be bought direct from the author at www.jupitalia.com and there is also a German translation available.

Adventure Motorcycling Handbook

Written by highly experienced traveller Chris Scott the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook has become the book that everyone must read before going on a biking adventure. Every page is full of information and experiences that will be invaluable for those setting off on an adventure, including shipping advice, safety guidelines and advice on documents and visas. The Adventure Motorcycling Handbook can be bought direct from the author’s website at www.adventure-motorcycling.com.

Motorcycling Abroad

If you’re planning on taking your BMW overseas or even overland, this book will take away a lot of the uncertainty. It lists all the useful information you’ll need to know for riding in just about any country. You’ll never need to worry about what the speed limits are or what a certain road sign means. It also has a section on general touring tips, suggesting the best things to take with you and how to pack them on your motorcycle. Motorcycling Abroad by Peter Henshaw can be bought direct from the Haynes website at www.haynes.co.uk.

The Deserts of the Earth

Author and photographer Michael Martin has travelled extensively all over the world on his BMW motorcycle. However most of his destinations have one thing in common. Martin is fascinated by deserts and has put together this book full of amazing images from his journeys across the world’s more remote areas. Along with a DVD of his journeys The Deserts of the Earth can be purchased from www.michael-martin.de.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Written in 1974 and since then translated into 23 languages and selling millions of copies, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is arguably the the most widely read philosophy book ever. Although it’s not strictly about motorcycles, it describes a journey across the United States, and is littered with numerous philosophical discussions. Interestingly, there is no mention in the book of the motorcycle ridden by author Robert Pirsig and his son, although he often refers to his friend John, who rode a BMW R 60.

(this article was taken from motorcycle-usa.com)

Eleven times Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness has signed a deal with Honda UK that will see him line up in the colours of both HM Plant and Padgett’s Motorcycles for the 2007 season.

The Morecambe rider, who scored a sensational hat trick at last year’s TT Races, will ride in the Superbike class for the official HM Plant Honda team at all three of the International road races - the North West 200, Isle of Man TT Races and Ulster Grand Prix - where he is sure to be in contention for more honours. He will also ride a HM Plant Honda FireBlade in the Isle of Man TT Superstock race.

A significant part of the deal is that McGuinness will contest a full season of short circuit racing in the British Supersport Championship, this time under the Padgett’s Motorcycles banner, where he will line up alongside Dennis Hobbs. This marks a return to the class for McGuinness for the first time since 2002, when he contested the World Championship, a year after he claimed third spot in the British title.

The new deal sees the 34-year-old link up with the Batley based Padgett’s family for the first time in his career, following in the footsteps of some illustrious names who have ridden for the family concern, one of the staunchest supporters of British motorcycle racing.

McGuinness will also ride the Padgett’s CBR600 Honda in the Supersport races on the roads, and a clearly delighted John commented:

It’s taken a while but I’ve finally been able to put together a deal for 2007, and I’m over the moon with the way it’s all turned out. There were a number of other interesting offers on the table but, after the success I had this year, I never wanted to leave Honda - and it’s just been a matter of getting all the smaller details confirmed.

Riding in the British Championships is still very important to me, and getting a good ride there was crucial, so it was just a question of sorting out which team I’d be riding for. It will be another very tough year, as the competition is going to be intense, but I’m confident of going out there and delivering the goods with the Centenary TT being very high on the agenda.

McGuinness will have some pre-season testing in February and March, before the British Championship season kicks off at Brands Hatch on the 9th of April.

(this article was taken from sportnetwork.net)