Suzuki team set fastest lap at Jaraz
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.
Rossi decides to stay with Yamaha
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.
Tips for motorbike cleaning
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.
BMF Show – 30th Anniversary
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.
UK Bikes Sales in January
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.
Winter Reading List From BMW
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
McGuinness signs with Honda UK and Padgett’s 2007
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.
