|  |  |  | | | | | Motorcycle News - Reviews | Photos | MotoGP | Superbike | Motocross | Supercross | Motorcycles | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: 2004-2012 BMW R 1200 GS Saddlemen Seats Saddlemen has released new applications of its Performance Adventure Track Seats for 2004-12 BMW R1200GS models. Saddlemen's Adventure Track Seats combine comfort, durability and practicality, making it the perfect seat for any adventure. The Saddlemen Adventure Track seat for 04-12 BMW R1200GS models is the ideal seat for motorcyclists that want to do it all. Adventure Track Seats are designed to provide unparalleled comfort and control on and off the road. Featuring SaddleGel progressive density foam and a Gel Channel, this seat will keep adventurers and dual-sport riders in the saddle for hours on end. The durable vinyl and micro-fiber suede cover stands up to the elements, while the built-in pillion mounting points allow you to integrate bags or cargo in just minutes. Saddlemen Adventure Track Seats are available in standard and low profile designs and are offered with an optional front heating system. Saddlement Adventure Track Seat Features include: - SaddleGel progressive density foam and Gel Channel technology for extended comfort
- Durable and weather-resistant vinyl and micro-fiber suede cover
- Integrated bag/cargo mounting points on pillion
- Available in standard or low profile
- Available with built-in front heating system
- Made in the U.S.A.
Saddlemen Adventure Track Seats for 04-12 BMW R1200GS (Part # / Description / MSRP): - 0810-1153 / Standard / $599.95
- 0810-1154 / Low Profile / $599.95
- 0810-1155 / Standard w/ Front Heat / $749.95
- 0810-1156 / Low Profile w/ Front Heat / $749.95
For additional information click here. Saddlemen Performance seats are available through Parts Unlimited.  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: 2012 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix Following a hectic three-week schedule in Europe, the 2012 MotoGP Championship took a short one-week break before convening on US shores. Round 10 of 18 got underway Thursday for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca with the typical press conference. At the event, Yamaha Factory Racing Ben Spies was joined by fellow American Colin Edwards (NGM Forward Racing CRT), along with Yamaha Factory Racing's Jorge Lorenzo, Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner and Ducati Team's Valentino Rossi. The big news arrived when Spies confirmed he'll be leaving the factory team at the conclusion of the 2012 MotoGP season, though he did not report his plans for 2013. Spies, speaking ahead of the first race in the stateside double header, had leaked snippets of information earlier in the week about his plans to leave the Japanese racing outfit. Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing YZR-M1 MotoGP) says: "I've known for quite a bit what my personal decision was and I thought this was the right time to do it with all the contracts happening with other riders. There's a litany of reasons behind it - just getting back to stress-free and doing what I want to do and finish out the season strong. "That's all that's going to be said about it at this point until I'm ready to talk about the future. It's not going to change anything. For sure, especially at Laguna we're going to give 100 per cent and we want to do what we're capable of doing and what the bike's capable of doing for the team. Nothing changes from that standpoint. I just made a decision, and wanted to get it off my chest and out of the way. Now that we've done that now I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders and I can do what I set out to do." Since the American's earlier announcements, Rossi, a previous Yamaha rider, has had the rumor mill turning at ever-greater speed, as speculation over his future in 2013 mounts. Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team GP12 MotoGP) says: "The situation is quite clear. I still haven't decided, as it is a bit to early. I have spoken a lot with Ducati about next year, but still waiting for some important ties and some important things on the contract. And I also have some other options for next year. But I think the situation will be clearer in the next weeks, and I think in the summer break I will decide about next year." Following a test after the last race that was stopped short with technical issues, he is not racing with as many upgrades this weekend as previously hoped. Valentino Rossi says: "More or less we have the same bike from Mugello, and we have to wait a bit more for something different. This track is very tough; it's something different compared to most of the other tracks. It's more old style up-and-down, very tricky, but I like it. For this year we need to improve at the beginning [of the race] where I'm not able to go fast enough with the top guys. So we have some ideas for the settings this weekend to try and improve that." Spies' teammate Jorge Lorenzo, who comes to the U.S. in strong form after a dominant win in Mugello two weeks ago, is confident ahead of the race. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing YZR-M1 MotoGP) says: "Fortunately for us in the last race in Mugello we got the victory and now we have quite a big advantage. It's only 19 points, but it's better to have it than not to have it. And now we come to a track that I have been quite fast at in the past, and it's always special to race here in America. It's a track where I have crashed many times in qualifying, and also in the race in 2008. But I feel really good at this flowing track. It's also really short, so the race will be really tough physically, probably as tough as Sachsenring. But we are ready, we're in good shape and the bike is working really well this year." Repsol Honda Team's Casey Stoner, who won at the track last year with a spectacular ride, struggled with his bike in the last race, yet will be using a new engine to help improve this weekend. Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda RC213V MotoGP) says: "The last two races haven't been good for us with a couple of big mistakes from me. Things haven't gone so well. We tested a new engine [after Mugello], which was very positive. It gave us a lot more smooth power and some small advantages in some areas so we're quite happy with that. Chassis wise I didn't feel anything better than what we've got now, so we're not going to be using that here. It's [Laguna] a very particular track and I think if there were a couple of spots with a bit more speed then there wouldn't be many tracks better than this. It's so technical and there are some areas that really catch you out - blind corners, blind braking points - it's a really enjoyable track." NGM Mobile Forward Racing's Colin Edwards, who has been struggling this season on his team's Suter-BMW CRT project, and recently tested and FTR-Honda and a BQR-FTR machine, stated there might be some changes happening after this race. Colin Edwards (NGM Mobile Forward Racing CRT) says: "It's [the season] been tough you know. I've heard rumours we're going to get on Aprilia [ART] at Indianapolis. It's not going to compete with these guys [factory riders], but it's at least the best CRT bike out there at the moment. But if that happens it's a step forward." Many riders had kept themselves busy in the U.S. earlier in the week, with some taking part in some rather unusual activities. LCR Honda MotoGP's Stefan Bradl wheelied his RC213V across San Francisco's Treasure Island, before winding his way down the iconic Lombard Street and taking part in a lecture at Stanford University labelled "Embracing Risk in the Pursuit of Victory". Ducati Team's Nicky Hayden took the opportunity to step into Sony Pictures film studio in Los Angles and check out how non-racing entertainment is produced, and get a first hand glance at some rather special props. Last but not least the Yamaha Factory Racing duo of Lorenzo and Spies were joined by Monster Yamaha Tech 3 riders Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso as Yamaha USA filmed their yearly spoof promo video at the company's headquarters in LA. Lorenzo, who two years ago was a janitor, was promoted to "Honorary CEO." Photos by Ara Ashjian | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: 2012 AMA Daytona SportBike With just seven races spread across four events left in the AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Series, Martin Cardenas knows every good finish will take him one step closer to clinching the 2012 championship for the GEICO Suzuki team. Martin Cardenas (GEICO Suzuki GSX-R 600 SportBike) says: "It's difficult to win in the class because the competition is so tough. But I think we'll be able to get a good result this weekend and earn more points toward that championship." On Sunday, Cardenas is looking to register win No. 7 on the season during the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway. Martin Cardenas says: "I hope we'll be fighting for the top spot again this weekend. The team has been giving me good bikes to ride and Sunday should be no different." Cardenas, who has six wins on the season, leads second-place rider Dane Westby by 40 points going into this weekend's race. With Tommy Hayden in third, 34 points behind Westby, the championship fight is shaping up to be a two-man duel. Laguna Seca is one of the tracks Cardenas looks most forward to racing. He holds the SportBike class track record for the event when he conquered the 11-turn, 2.238-mile course in 2010. This year's main event will be 20 laps, Cardenas' record came during a 23-lap main that finished in record 34 minutes, 4.080 seconds. Martin Cardenas says: "It would say it is one of my favorite places to race. So I'm very excited to race here. The layout has a lot of fast corners and is very flowing. I've had many good results here in the past." Practice for the AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBikes gets under way at 12:20 p.m. PDT Friday from Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway. The first qualifying session gets under way at 8 a.m. Saturday with the second session at around noon. The race will be at 11:15 a.m. Sunday. SPEED will broadcast the race at 11 p.m. EDT Sunday. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Inductee The American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the next member of the induction class of 2012. Jimmy Ellis, the 1975 AMA Supercross 250cc National Champion, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2012 AMA Legends Weekend at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 16-17. Tom White (Board of Directors, AMA Motorcycle Heritage Foundation) says: "It would be hard to argue that any motorcycle racing activity has reached as many fans as AMA Supercross. "Today, stadiums sell out for AMA Supercross events across America, but it is important to remember that in 1975 the AMA Supercross Series Championship featured just four rounds. The featured event of that series was the Los Angeles Coliseum finale, which was televised nationally. Jimmy Ellis won the event. Ellis won all four rounds of the series in 1975. Jimmy, congratulations for being a pioneer in one of the greatest motorsports in the world and welcome to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame." Born Oct. 19, 1955, in Middletown, Conn., Ellis started racing in New England in the 1960s and quickly established himself as a regional powerhouse. His performance attracted the attention of Montreal-based Can-Am, and the growing factory team hired Ellis to race the national circuit. In 1974, riding the works 250 Can-Am, Ellis finished third for the 250cc national title, with two overall wins. Ellis was going strong, and his most lasting contribution to the sport came the following year. In 1975, Ellis won the AMA Supercross 250cc championship by sweeping the four-round series, punctuated by a dominant victory in the high-profile finale at the L.A. Coliseum. Jimmy Ellis says: "The L.A. race was certainly one of the biggest races of my life. I think winning that race had a lot to do with how I felt at the time, and what I was feeling was that it didn't matter who I was riding against. I knew I could win and was quite confident. And my bike was very quick. That track was a very fast layout, and it suited the bike well." Ellis said that those early years of AMA Supercross did not resemble the extravagant show that it has become today. Jimmy Ellis says: "I never realized Supercross was going to be as big as it is. All those years ago, I took it as just simply another race that I wanted to win. It's certainly become a much bigger business today, and more professional than what it was then. Today, it has grown six-fold into a multi-million dollar business. When we did it, we were there for the companies, sure, but mostly it was just for ourselves and racing motorcycles." Ellis continued to give Can-Am top finishes through the 1977 season, after which Honda hired him for its U.S. factory effort. Ellis was a contender on the national circuit for a few more years, finishing second in 1978 to future Hall of Famer Bob Hannah for the 250cc national championship. Following a knee injury, Ellis transitioned into retirement during the 1981-82 seasons and moved back to New England to work for his father's company. Soon, though, he got a call from a promoter in Australia offering him a ride. Jimmy Ellis says: "I thought it was a prank call. I got the call in the middle of the night. I told him, 'sure, send me a plane ticket.' Well, a few weeks later, a ticket showed up in the mail. I went, raced, won, got married, got a job and stayed." Ellis, who today supervises a large machine shop for an Australian manufacturing company, said that it is an honor to be recognized by the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Jimmy Ellis says: "Motorcycle racing was something that was extremely exciting for me. It gave me a good career, a good lifestyle, and it let me see the world. It's just fantastic to be honored with this, and I'm very, very excited and looking forward to coming and seeing some old faces. It does seem like yesterday that I was riding with some of the fastest riders in the world. The induction ceremony is going to be overwhelming, and I'm looking forward to it. I can't thank everyone involved enough." Ellis is the third member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame class of 2012. He joins the late Rod Bush, KTM North America president and industry visionary, and Sue Fish, pioneering female motocrosser. The remaining 2012 inductees will be announced in random order in the coming weeks. The class of 2012 will officially be inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on Nov. 16 as part of the AMA Legends Weekend. The weekend also includes the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Dave Mungenast Memorial Concours d'Elegance on Saturday, Nov. 17, featuring many of the country's most impressive original and restored classic motorcycles. In addition to the current class, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction ceremony shines the spotlight on two previously inducted members of the Hall of Fame, reminding the motorcycling community of the amazing careers of these Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legends. For 2012, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legends will be 1998 inductees Malcolm Smith, a pioneer in off-road motorcycling and a star in the motorcycle documentary "On Any Sunday," and Mert Lawwill, the 1969 AMA Grand National Champion whose title defense was the central theme of the timeless film. Tickets for the AMA Legends Weekend are now available through this online registration form: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5r7zy8ea4... or by calling (800) 342-5464. The AMA Legends Weekend will be held at the Las Vegas Red Rock Resort, a world-class spa, hotel and casino, featuring a range of entertainment, dining and family-friendly attractions. The facility's expansive ballrooms provide a stunning backdrop for the AMA Legends Weekend. Room reservations are available now at a special group rate by calling (866) 767-7773 and referencing group code RCIAME or AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST. Online room reservations are available at redrocklasvegas.com. More information about the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame can be found at motorcyclemuseum.org. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: 2012 Ryan Dungey Motocross Wallpaper There's one word that describes Ryan Dungey so far in the 2012 AMA Motocross Championship - unstoppable. Following last weekend's round at Washougal MX Park, Washington, the Red Bull KTM SX-F 450 rider has now won six consecutive rounds, including 11 moto wins. Heading into round eight of 12 in Washington, Dungey had a perfect 10-moto record, but was stopped by the MotoConcepts Suzuki's Mike Alessi in the first moto at Washougal. Dungey would finish second, with Monster Energy Kawasaki's Jake Weimer in third. But in the Moto 2, Dungey made short work of the field, securing the holeshot and quickly asserting himself as the rider to beat by establishing a multi-second lead on the opening lap. The KTM rider led all 15 laps to tie Alessi in points for the day, but secured the tiebreaker over his rival by virtue of the better second-moto result. Joining Dungey on the moto2 podium was Alessi and Team Chaparral Honda's Andrew Short, respectively. Ryan Dungey (Red Bull KTM 450 SX-F Motocross) says: "It was fun (out there). I was riding in second (behind Alessi) and I was up on him, but I had a hard time making the pass. I had a (moto-winning) streak going and I was happy with it, but at the end of the day, winning every moto doesn't get (the championship) done. If anything, it was a kick in motivation to go a little harder, which I did in the second moto." Dungey's now leads Alessi by 80 points. Attached above is wallpaper highlighting Dungey's performance at Washougal Motocross; for a review, click here. Click motorcycle thumbnail to expand. Right click motorcycle wallpaper to download. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: TTXGP News Eric Bostrom's motorcycle-racing career is quite impressive. The 35-year-old Californian has amassed four AMA Championship titles (Harley 883 Dirt Track, Super Twins, Formula Xtreme and Supersport), and has 15 AMA Superbike wins under his leathers. And throughout his professional-racing career that began in 1996, he has raced with many different manufacturers, including Harley-Davidson, Honda, Suzuki, Ducati, and Kawasaki. But following a not-so-lucky season aboard the Cycle World Kawasaki team in 2011, "E-Boz" departed from AMA Superbike competition. But now he's ready for another challenge - electric motorcycle racing. Bostrom, older brother of AMA Superbike's Ben Bostrom (Jordan Suzuki), has joined Steve Atlas on Team Icon Brammo, the electric manufacturer reported on Thursday. Bostrom's first race aboard the Brammo Empulse RR will be at the TTXGP north American Championship held at Laguna Seca this weekend, the event running in conjunction with MotoGP and AMA Pro Racing. Eric Bostrom (Team Icon Brammo) says: "As I've always said, I have a love for all things on two wheels. Since my departure from Superbike competition, I've been competing in bicycle racing which has sparked my growing compassion for green power. "Having ridden both Brammo's street and race models, the progress electric bikes have made in their short existence is nothing short of phenomenal. Our quest to develop the best bikes of tomorrow is off and to the races, and leaving a smaller footprint along the way." Brammo says Bostrom, who currently contributes articles to Cycle World, and Atlas will provide "instrumental feedback" on the Empulse RR, while promoting Brammo as the leading electric two-wheel vehicle brand. Brian Wismann (Director of Product Development for Brammo & Manager of Team Icon Brammo) says: "Team Icon Brammo is excited to add a rider of Eric's caliber to our team headed into the most important race weekend of the season, the TTXGP North America Championship 2012 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. "Eric's insight and experience will be an instrumental resource in continuing to develop the promising potential of electric motorcycle technology." About Brammo in TTXGP: In 2009, Brammo competed in the first ever TTXGP race and finished as the top American team. Since then, racing has been core to the development of Brammo's consumer and racing motorcycles, including the Empulse R, which is the world's fastest production electric motorcycle for consumers. Further elevating their rich racing history, Brammo won the 2011 TTXGP North American Championship, with the Empulse RR and rider Steve Atlas. For additional information on the electric-motorcycle producer, visit Brammo.com. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: Benelli Motorcycle News Following over 100 years in existence, Benelli began expanding into Asia, first opening its concept showroom in Vietnam earlier this year. And this week, the motorcycle company based in Pesaro, Italy, reports it has taken yet another Asian step, landing in Malaysia. Following a venture with trading partner Qianjiang Group, the Malaysia-based "Benelli Keeway Motorcycles Sdn BHD" (BKM) has received the exclusive rights to manufacture, assemble and distribute the models of Benelli and Keeway motorcycles and scooters suitable for the Malaysian market and Asia. The new Benelli Keeway company will cover around 110,000 square meters, with headquarters based in Bukit Beruntung. To kick off the new shop, an opening ceremony was held that attracted many local businesses and political authorities, including the Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Dato 'Sri Mustapa Mohamad and the Italian Ambassador to Malaysia, Folco de Luca Gabrielli. At the ceremony, many bikes were on display that will be manufacturered there, including the Benelli TNT 899 and TRE-K 1130, the Keeway Dorado 250, and Keeway TX200G RKV200G. All the BKM products will be available at the motorcycle dealers' shops throughout Malaysia. On Hai Swee (Benelli Keeway Executive Officer) says: "Benelli Keeway Motorcycles Sdn Bhd" has many projects on the go. This year we are planning to launch 9 models of motorcycles - he explained - and in September we should open our flagship concept store in Kuala Lumpur. This showroom will make our brand even stronger." For additional information on Benelli, click here. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: Ultimate MotorCycling QuickShift Review Rivaling the importance of proper tire selection for your motorcycle is ardent attention to the air pressure in its tires, as well as scrutiny of wear the tires have endured. BikeMaster's 2-In-1 Tire Gauge combines both of these duties into a single convenient package. With a scale of 0-70 psi (and 0-500 kPa), and a sweep of only 180-degrees, the 2-In-1 gauge is not for racing duty, despite the high end braided steel hose and anodized fittings. However, it is more than adequately accurate for daily road use for street bikes, as well as automobiles. Setting the BikeMaster 2-In-1 gauge apart is the integrated tread depth-measuring tool. Simply press the base of the gauge against the tread, and then push down on the measuring button. The resultant readout shows you the depth in both millimeters and thirty-seconds of an inch. Ingenious. The BikeMaster 2-in-1 Tire Gauge has an MSRP of $39.95; for additional information, click here. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: 2012 World Superbike The ninth round of the 2012 World Superbike Championship wrapped up at Brno last weekend with BMW Motorrad Marco Melandri doing the double. Melandri and his team worked hard to get the Pirelli tires sticking, considering the race one was held under semi-wet conditions, and race 2 completely dry. Once again, Pirelli gave out its best-lap awards, race one going to Althea Ducati's Carlos Checa (2:00.741) and race two to Kawasaki Racing Team's Tom Sykes (1:59.728). Following is some analysis from Pirelli Moto Racing Director Giorgio Barbier: "The two World Superbike Championship races on the Brno circuit confirmed that the selection of solutions we decided to bring to this round was definitely the right one, especially considering the fact that the weather conditions turned out to be quite unpredictable throughout the entire weekend. Specifically, Sunday was marked by brief showers and rather low temperatures for this time of year. "In fact, Race 1 was held with an asphalt temperature of 22°C and a few sections of the track which were completely wet, while for Race 2 there was a temperature of 19° but completely dry asphalt. Both of the SC0 compound solutions for the rear were popular with the riders, particularly the brand new R874 in an oversize 200 inches profile which was chosen by about 70% of the riders. "My compliments to Marco Melandri and the entire BMW Motorrad Motorsport team for the fine work they have done these past few days, moving into the manufacturer leadership. I would also like to compliment Kawasaki for their excellent placements both in Superbike and in the Supersport and Superstock 1000 classes. This year the Championship has once again proven to be very exciting: at five rounds from the end there are four riders and four teams who are very much in the running for the world title." Pirelli BEST LAP Awards: SBK Race 1 - Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) 2'00.741 (Lap 20)
SBK Race 2 - Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) 1'59.728 (Lap 2)
Total BEST LAP : Checa C. (Althea Racing) 6, Biaggi M. (Aprilia Racing Team) 4, Melandri M. (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) 3, Sykes T. (Kawasaki Racing Team) 3, Guintoli S. (Team Effenbert Liberty Racing) 1 WSS - Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Racing Products) 2'04.011 (Lap 7)
Total BEST LAP : Lowes S. (Bogdanka PTR Honda) 2, Foret F. (Kawasaki Intermoto Step) 2, Parkes B. (Ten Kate Racing Products) 2, Lanzi L. (Prorace) 1, Sheridan Morais (Kawasaki Lorenzini) 1 STK1000 - Robbie Brown (DMC Racing) 2'14.253 (Lap 10)
STK600 - Gauthier Duwelz (Team MTM Racing) 2'06.855 (Lap 8) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: 2012 Suzuka 8 Hours The 2012 FIM Endurance World Championship heads to Japan this weekend for the Suzuki 8 Hours, round three of five. And one team which just head successful road-racing victories at the Isle of Man TT and North West 200 is gearing up to collect some additional points in the EWC - the Honda TT Legends. The team will consist of 19-time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness, Cameron Donald and Samsung Honda British Superstock star Jason O'Halloran, who substitutes for the injured Simon Andrews. The Honda TT Legends hope to continue what has so-far been a successful season. The team completed the Bol d'Or 24-hour in April and secured its first-ever EWC podium at the 8-hours of Doha in June to lie second overall in the championship standings. This year, 60 teams will participate in the Suzuka 8 Hour race, making things quite competitve for the Honda TT Legends Teams. But the crew has been preparing the 2012 ABS-equipped CBR1000RR Fireblad, and will be looking to finish in the top three in the EWC standings. John McGuinness (Honda TT Legends CBR1000RR) says: "I'm excited about going back to Suzuka for a second time. It's going to be much better now that we have experience of the track and I've been looking forward to this one since we left last year! It's such an iconic event and it would be amazing to do well there. The team has been doing a great job recently - the bike is going well and the stand-in squad got a brilliant result in Qatar. Hopefully we can finish the race and score some valuable points." Cameron Donald (Honda TT Legends CBR1000RR) says: "Suzuka would have to rate as one of my favourite circuits. It's technically challenging and usually raced in very hot conditions so it's never easy! Having had the opportunity to learn the circuit last year, I'm looking forward to building on that knowledge. Racing for Honda in Japan is always an honor and I will be giving it my all. We're aiming for a strong result to add as many points as possible to our championship effort. I look forward to joining the team again and also my fellow country man Jason, who I'm sure will be a great asset at a circuit he knows well." Jason O'Halloran (Honda TT Legends) says: "It was a such an honour to race for the Honda TT Legends at Qatar so I'm excited and flattered to be asked to join the team in Japan. It's a really slick crew and the Qatar race went so smoothly with no real drama - I hope we can do the same again. I did the Suzuka 8-hour in 2008 and really enjoyed the experience so I'm definitely looking forward to doing it for a second time. It's such an iconic event and to compete there with Honda will be fantastic." The 8-hour race will take place on Sunday, July 29, starting at 11:30 a.m. Japan Standard Time. For live timing, visit fim-live.com. Attached above is a video previewing the Suzuka 8 Hours. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: Third Annual Corbin Rider Appreciation Day "If You Put it On...They Will Come!" No, it's not a scene out of the famous Kevin Costner movie "Field of Dreams"...it was the Third Annual Rider Appreciation Day held on June 30, 2012 at Corbin's workshop in Hollister, Calif. Everything was perfect...the weather, the crowds, the food, the entertainment and most importantly. Corbin's incredible staff that donated thousands of hours into making this the "Perfect Event." Thousands showed up to attend this one day event from all over California as well as Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and I "personally know" at least one person that flew in from Australia just to attend this event...my girlfriend Lyn. Mike Corbin, the "Idea Guy" that keeps things flowing smoothly at Corbin sends his personal thanks to the thousands of riders for supporting Corbin in their efforts to keep Independence Day alive in Hollister. Mike Corbin says: "The Rider's support is very much appreciated and is the most important element in the pursuit of the American Biker's right to celebrate 4th of July in the 'Birthplace of the American Biker...Hollister, Calif/'" "I promise you next year will be even bigger and better so plan ahead and you may be surprised to hear that we're considering making this a 2 day event so keep in touch throughout the year." Anyone that didn't have a motel reservation this year got stuck staying outside of Hollister. You couldn't find a vacant motel room for 20 miles from Corbin's rally headquarters so planning ahead is a good idea for next year! Corbin had a trade show right on their property and many of the more recognized names in the industry were there including: Samson Exhaust, Barnett Clutches, Ride Wright Wheels, Mid-USA, Arlen Ness, Renegade Classics, Custom Chrome Inc., Cycle Gear and at least 40 other industry related companies. The Backyard Blues Band as well as Jay Gordon (formerly Jay Gordon and the Penetrators) Blues / Blues Rock Band provided non-stop live rock and roll music throughout the day which provided a nice touch while strolling around and checking out the latest and greatest from the different venders. World land speed record holder Rocky Robinson and his twenty-one foot record holding streamliner Ack Attack, owned by Mike Akatiff, was on display front and center. Rocky is the current holder of the Unlimited Motorcycle World Land Speed Record... a distinction he's earned more than once and spent the day answering rally attendee questions. Biker Bob emceed the bike show again this year and did an incredible job entertaining the crowd. There were hundreds of jaw dropping customs to drool over and there were six different class winners as well as the Grand Prize winner which won a feature photoshoot and article with IronWorks Magazine. Marilyn Stemp, publisher and managing editor was on hand to award Juan A. Gutierrez of Watsonville, Calif., the IronWorks Magazine "IW Editor's Award" for his outstanding 1997 FLHR Road King which took 3 years to build. Corbin was running free factory tours throughout the day and offered a 10-percent event discount and free installation to everyone that attended the rally which caused a traffic jam of bikes getting custom seats tailor made to fit their bikes and bodies. There must have been 75+ bikes that received the royal treatment on their new Corbin seats. All in all, everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and I for one am looking forward to attending Corbin's 4th Annual Rider Appreciation Day. For those interested in obtaining more information on Corbin, you can reach them at 800-538-7035, or at corbin.com. | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |  |
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