Motorcycle News - Dunlop K180 Flat Track Tire Added To U.S. Product Line
https://ift.tt/2INJJt8 The Dunlop K180 flat track tire was once reserved for the few who rode around dirt ovals. Now, thanks to the popularity of street trackers and scramblers in the States, Dunlop is offering the tires to everybody in America. Begin press release: With the introduction of various street trackers, scramblers and the growing culture of custom and vintage bikes inspired by American Flat Track racing, the timing is ideal for the introduction of the K180 to the U.S. market. The K180 was inspired by American Flat Track and offers a classic and aggressive look. The K180 is P speed rated for speeds up to 93 mph and is a great choice for vintage flat track racing, or flat-track riders on off-road 450s who can fit the K180 3.00-21 size to their stock wheel. These will also be popular for riders building custom bikes with a street-legal flat track look. Available at Dunlop retailers in select sizes, the K180 is also the original equipment tire on the newly popular Suzuki VanVan 200. Sizes:
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires Dunlop is the largest supplier and manufacturer of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit DunlopMotorcycleTires.com Dunlop K180 Flat Track Tire Added To U.S. Product Line appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 24, 2018 at 05:00PM
Motorcycle News - MO Tested: SBS SP EVO Sinter Brake Pad Long-Term Review
https://ift.tt/2xa6573 Sometimes we take for granted the importance of brake pads. As long as we can stop within a respectable time or distance, we’re good, right? Well, yes, but what if there was something better? Something providing more bite and better feel compared to stock pads throughout its lifetime? Enter the SBS SP Evo Sinter brake pads. While it’s easy to assume upgraded pads are only necessary on high-performance motorcycles, better braking performance is a benefit no matter what you ride. With applications for adventure bikes, sportbikes, and touring bikes, there’s a good chance a set of SP EVO pads will fit your modern day machine. As the name implies, the the EVO Sinter line is a sintered brake pad SBS says is built for the demands of modern braking systems. It’s also built for the rider looking for an alternative to the OEM replacement pad. Before going further, though, now’s a good time for a quick refresher on brake pads and what they’re made of. Brake Pads 101A discussion about brake pads is worthy of a story all its own, but here’s a broad overview. Simply put, sintered brake pads means fusing metallic particles under high heat to create the pad. Benefits include high initial bite, with more consistent and long-lasting performance when hot or cold. Sounds great, right? Well, the biggest drawback of sintered pads is the wear they put on the discs, as the metal-on-metal contact, under extreme conditions, can wear out the disc, too. Granted, this was typically an issue with older versions of sintered pads, but SBS says newer technology has virtually negated this drawback. Other negatives include increased brake dust, more noise, and typically a higher price tag. The other common brake pad materials are organic pads. Here, different organic fibers and fillers – like kevlar and/or carbon fiber – are mixed with a resin to produce a brake pad. While not as powerful initially compared to a sintered pad, organic pads can deliver a more progressive feel at the lever. Crucial also is the fact they are much less abrasive to brake rotors. Lastly, they tend to be quieter and less expensive than their sintered counterparts. Obviously, the downside with organic pads is they don’t deliver the same braking power as sintered, and they don’t last as long, either. A nice middle ground, then, is the semi-sintered pad. A combination of organic and metallic components make up the semi-sintered pad, and while they make a good compromise between sintered and organic pads, brake companies are constantly improving their technology to reduce the effects of sintered pads. Exhibit AWhich brings us back to the SBS SP EVO. The sintered material itself is directly pressed and then heated with an electrical current, resulting in a homogeneous pad material. From there, the pad material is bonded to the backing plate mechanically, via a matrix of steel hooks that are then molded into the pad material. This creates an extremely strong bond without the use of adhesives, which could degrade over time due to constant exposure to high heat situations. As for the material itself, SBS says the things we should expect from sintered pads – strong initial bite, easy modulation, fade-free performance even under extreme conditions, consistent performance throughout the life of the pad, and, importantly, little wear on the disc. For this long-term test the motorcycle in question is a 2009 Kawasaki Versys 650 – my personal commuter. Installation-wise, things couldn’t be simpler. Each motorcycle will have minor differences, but in the case of the low-tech, pin-slide calipers on my Versys, installation was a matter of removing two caliper bolts and a retaining pin. From there the old pads rotate up and out, and the new pads pop right in (this is an oversimplification, but not by much). After some light sanding of the disc to clear off the old pad material, I rode around locally for a few miles (SBS recommends 20, but I didn’t do that), intermittently dragging the brake lever with one finger lightly until there was clear pad engagement to bed the new pads. To SBS’ credit, the new pads came in very fast. However, having used race-spec sintered pads in the past, I was expecting (and hoping) for ferocious bite from the SP EVO once I really stomped on the binders. I was in for a big surprise when I first attempted a panic stop in anger and my expectation was met with a completely different reality. Initial bite was clearly stronger than the stock pads that came on the Kawasaki, but nowhere near the race level I was expecting. This is what they mean by “OEM replacement.” With my expectations now in line with reality, I’ve been continually impressed with the SP EVO pads. Sure the initial bite isn’t as strong as I’d like, but it’s a clear improvement from stock. I appreciate the better braking feel and stronger power I have versus the stock pads, too, especially during spirited canyon rides – or, more importantly, during the panic stops I’ve had to make from inattentive car drivers cutting me off! More impressive is the fact this performance hasn’t diminished even after the 10,000 miles I’ve put on the Versys since the install. And I’d say I’ve still got another 5,000 miles left on the remaining pad material. I haven’t put the Versys on a racetrack to test its abilities there, but the SP EVO pads are designed for the street anyway, so a track test wouldn’t be fair. As a street pad, I’m pretty impressed by the SBS SP EVO. If you’re not looking for race-worthy performance (though, for some, these pads could probably pull light track duty), but rather a solid improvement over the pads that came on your bike from the factory, these are worth a look. Nice bite, strong braking power, good feel, with excellent consistency and longevity – these are all things you can expect from the SP EVO. Pricing will vary depending on your model, but should range between $40 – $80 for a set. Contact your local Parts Unlimited dealer for specifics pertaining to your vehicle. The post MO Tested: SBS SP EVO Sinter Brake Pad Long-Term Review appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 24, 2018 at 04:28PM
Motorcycle News - BMW M Celebrates 20 Years as Official Car of MotoGP
https://ift.tt/2xj9eS7 From pace cars to safety cars, the BMW M series has been the official track car of MotoGP for nearly 20 years now. Dorna: New BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car heads the 2018 fleet, with a total of six BMW M high-performance cars taking care of safetyA special MotoGP season is underway for BMW M; the 20th season as “Official Car of MotoGP”. BMW and BMW M GmbH have been involved as partners of MotoGP organizer Dorna Sports since 1999, with activities focused on providing the safety car fleet. In the 2018 anniversary season, the fleet will be headed by the new BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car. BMW M GmbH will provide a total of six BMW M high-performance cars this year to ensure the safety of the race events, with the BMW M3 Safety Car also in action, as well as a BMW M4 Coupé Safety Car with water injection and a BMW M2 Safety Car, provided for the Safety Officer and the Race Director respectively. In addition, the BMW X5 M Medical Car will take to the track this season and a BMW M6 Gran Coupé Safety Car also stands by ready for action. Two BMW S 1000 RRs, which BMW Motorrad provides as safety bikes, complete the 2018 fleet. In addition, among the many other activities that make up BMW M GmbH’s commitment to MotoGP, the BMW M Award will be presented for the 16th time in 2018. This award is presented at the end of each MotoGP season to the rider with the best overall result in qualifying. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dorna Sports for the faith they have shown in us for what is now two decades. Rarely do you come across such a long and successful partnership in sport, and we are proud of this special anniversary,” said Frank van Meel, President of BMW M GmbH. “When we partnered with MotoGP organiser Dorna Sports in 1999, our aspiration was to use all our expertise, innovative technology from motorsport and new ideas to serve safety in MotoGP. That remains the case today. 20 years down the road, Dorna Sports still has a strong partner on board in BMW M GmbH, for whom the safety of the riders takes top priority.” “It’s an honour for us to have had such a longstanding relationship with a partner such as BMW,” adds Pau Serracanta, Managing Director – Dorna Sports. “They make an incredible contribution to the Championship and the safety of the riders and everyone involved, and the anniversary season is testament to the importance of this relationship. We’re excited to continue together into this season and for many more to come.” The incredible 2018 season continues next time out at Mugello as MotoGP races under Tuscan skies. BMW M Celebrates 20 Years as Official Car of MotoGP appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 24, 2018 at 01:48PM
Motorcycle News - New Spectro Ethanol Fuel Conditioner for the Off-Season
https://ift.tt/2IGWsBS Not everyone has the luxury of being able to ride year round, and keeping your motorcycle properly stored in the off-season so that firing it up is easy and painless come time to ride is important. Spectro Performance Oils has just released their newest product that will keep your fuel system’s components it tip-top shape. Spectro: BROOKFIELD, CT – May 23, 2018 – Spectro Performance Oils would like to announce the newest addition to their already top quality product line-up… Spectro Ethanol Fuel Conditioner! This product is a must in any gear-head or powersport enthusiast’s garage. The Ethanol Fuel Conditioner will protect any fuel system components from damage by ethanol, which is present in most fuels, it will also inhibit the build up of gums and prevent corrosion in your fuel delivery system. It will extend fuel life and allow for extended and no-maintenance off-season storage. The Ethanol Fuel Conditioner will work with fuel systems in all 2 and 4 stroke vehicles, from yard equipment to classic cars. Spectro Ethanol Fuel Conditioner is so new and improved, the only thing that wasn’t changed was the bottle! This Ethanol Fuel Conditioner should be used with every fill up of your fuel tank to ensure maximum protection! The bottle will treat up to 17 gallons, just squeeze the bottle and fill to the top measuring line on the reservoir (0.5oz or 10ml) for every gallon of fuel in your tank. For fuel storage, add Spectro Ethanol Fuel Conditioner to the fuel and run engine for 10 minutes to ensure product is circulated throughout the fuel system and engine. Head on over to our social media pages (and don’t forget to “Like Us” or “Follow Us”) to get schooled on Ethanol fuels and their negative effects on your fuel delivery system and motor. More the reason to add Spectro Ethanol Fuel Conditioner to your vehicles “insurance policy” and to avoid costly repairs down the road. To learn more and find your local retailer, please go to the dealer locator. “Spectro Ethanol Fuel Conditioner” (product code: K.EFC) is a new product and has replaced the now discontinued “Spectro FC Premium Fuel Conditioner & Stabilizer” (product code: K.SFC). If you have any questions, please call 800-243-8645. New Spectro Ethanol Fuel Conditioner for the Off-Season appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 24, 2018 at 01:32PM
Motorcycle News - Quality Time: Customizing a scrambler for father and son
https://ift.tt/2IIJT9t
Thierry and his son Nelson like to ride together around their home country of Switzerland. And then Thierry decided it was time to surprise his son with a new ride, so he rang up BAAK Motocyclettes of Lyon, just over the border in France.
The brief called for something both classic and contemporary, so choosing a 2016 Triumph Scrambler as a donor was a no-brainer. And settling on the style turned out to be painless, too.
But this Scrambler is more than just a slick paint job—BAAK also set out to amplify its dynamic qualities as much as possible, turning it into a real ‘sleeper’ custom. It started with a full suspension package from Öhlins, with new shocks out back and a set of upside-down forks in front.
Next they laced up a set of aluminum Excel rims—to improve durability and shed a little weight. They’re wrapped in Continental TKC80s, striking a compromise between asphalt and dirt riding.
All the quintessential scrambler touches are present—like the high-riding twin exhaust system. Stainless steel headers run into a pair of machined aluminum mufflers, and the system’s topped off with a custom heat shield to keep the rider’s leg cool.
The crew also fabbed up a pair of aluminun side covers to replace the dinky plastic ones, and added their own short and high front fender.
They’ve installed their sump guard, ignition relocation kit, and a neat headlight plate that attaches via leather straps (it sits behind a 5¾” Bates-style headlight). The rectifier has been relocated, and there’s a single mirror hanging from the bars.
There’s a Motogadget speedo, and Motogadget turn signals at both ends, mounted discreetly on custom brackets. A set of one-off aluminum fork guards, and a full set of off-road pegs for rider and passenger, round out the package.
Looks like Thierry and Nelson have some serious qualité time lying ahead of them, doesn’t it? BAAK Motocyclettes | Facebook | Instagram Motorcycles via Bike EXIF http://www.bikeexif.com May 24, 2018 at 12:04PM
Motorcycle News - RodeMaster P-Tour Seat To Debut At Americade
https://ift.tt/2s6vg5a Get your ass down to Americade and perch it atop the new RodeMaster P-Tour Seat. Begin Press Release: ROYAL RIDING ROAD TRIP! RodeMaster P-Tour Seat To Debut At Americade Phoenix, AZ -- Royal Riding, a pioneer in the gel seat pads sector, is unveiling a new concept at Americade this year. The RodeMaster “Push” P-Tour is a game-changing development, literally pushing the rider 1-1/2” closer to the tank for better ergonomics and greater access to the handlebars. What better way to make its debut than the ultimate touring rally in Lake George, New York June 5-10. “Americade has long been known as one of the best weeks of riding in the U.S. and with the most demo rides of any rally, it was the perfect place to “push” our P-Tour concept since you really have to ride it to feel the difference,” says Royal Riding President Rod Derifield. “The P-Tour is for the rider who finds the standard seating position to be a little too roomy… not only does it push the rider closer to the bars for greater control when riding, we have streamlined the inner thigh area for confidence inspiring sure footing when stopped.” However, comfort has not been compromised. “The P-Tour is ergonomically designed to give the rider maximum comfort by minimizing pressure with our hallmark tailbone and prostate relief channels,” explains Derifield. “Now shorter riders don’t have to make a choice between comfort and control so everyone can Ride Farther!” In addition to pushing the rider closer to the tank, the P-Tour is able to retain a lower profile courtesy of its proprietary viscoelastic molded gel inserts. “A ½” thick medical grade gel pad is integrated in the critical sits bone area,” adds Royal Riding’s Eastern Region Manager Kim Kulman. “It dampens vibration and helps absorb shock from the road surface itself.” Working in conjunction with the gel inserts is Royal Riding’s foam. “Our specially formulated medium density contour-cushioning foam works in harmony with the gel for added comfort and longevity,” says Kulman. “As is the case with all RodeMaster seats, the primary focus is to eliminate the pain.” Top grain leather seating surfaces, durable fiberglass baseplates and powdercoated hardware are among the premium components. “It mounts as easily as a stock seat, with no modifications necessary to push the rider forward a full 1-1/2 inches… and it offers more miles of pain free riding,” concludes Derifield. “Try it out for yourself at Americade and Ride Farther.” Bike fitment: FLHT& FLTR 2008-18, FLHX Street Glide 2008-18, Road King 2008-18 FEATURES & BENEFITS
MSRP: P-Tour $595 P-Tour With Backrest $775 Stop by Booth #210 at Americade and test out the new “Push” P-Tour seat for yourself. RodeMaster P-Tour Seat To Debut At Americade appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 24, 2018 at 11:40AM 5/24/2018 American Flat Tracks Most Anticipated Race of the Season: Springfield Mile I- Motorcycle News
Motorcycle News - American Flat Tracks Most Anticipated Race of the Season: Springfield Mile I
https://ift.tt/2IHuqq2 This coming weekend officially kicks summer off, and in what better way than with some high-octane, throttle cable-stretching motorcycle racing? The Harley-Davidson Springfield Mile I is this Sunday and historically, H-D has been dominant there with 51 wins in just 37 years. However, the Motor Co. hasn’t been able to touch Indian and its FTR750 so far this year. Can history perhaps bring Harley a little luck this weekend? We’ll find out! And as always, you can live stream the entire race on FansChoice.TV. AFT: DAYTONA BEACH, FL – May 24, 2018 – It’s here, folks, the legendary Springfield Mile, the fastest Mile of the year and the racetrack with perhaps more professional flat track history than any other venue in America – and always the most anticipated race of the season. But this weekend’s Harley-Davidson Springfield Mile I on Sunday, May 27th at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (along with the AFT Singles TT on Saturday the 26th) is shaping up to be an extra-sized whopper of an event – for a handful of reasons. One is the American Flat Track racing action itself, which over the last few weeks has ratcheted to near-frenetic levels. In AFT Singles, for instance, there have been six different winners in six races. In last weekend’s thrilling Main a group of six drafted each other all race long, and on most laps blasted into Turn One three abreast. Things have heated up in the AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines class, too. Harley-Davidson, with 51 Grand National wins to its credit at Springfield since the race was resurrected there as a National in 1982 (that’s 51 wins in just 37 years!), hasn’t been able to snap Indian’s stranglehold on Mile wins since 2016, but the orange-and-black is making headway, right along with 2016 championship marque Kawasaki. The drama just last week at Sacramento was palpable. Kenny Coolbeth (No. 2 Nila Racing, Columbia Avionics Indian Scout FTR750) and, late in the race, Bryan Smith (No. 4 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate Scout FTR750) hounded eventual winner and reigning series champ Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle Rogers Racing SDI Scout FTR750) right to the finish. It was definitely the AFT Twins race of the season thus far. After the DAYTONA TT, two Miles, two Half-Miles and a Short Track, it’s TT Time again for the AFT Singles at Springfield. On Saturday they’ll race just adjacent to the Mile oval, and the intensity is sure to be visceral, with the win and valuable points totally up for grabs. Will DAYTONA TT winner Dan Bromley (No. 62 KTM North America/Bromley Motorsports 450 SX-F), currently second in points, grab top honors again? Can Sacramento winner and reigning AFT Singles champ Kolby ‘The Flying Tomato’ Carlile (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) make it two in a row? The redhead loves TTs, so this one could be an especially big toss-up. There’s more to Memorial Day weekend at the Illinois State Fairgrounds than on-track action, too, and it all starts Friday afternoon from 2-8 pm with the Rookie Class of ’79 AFT Springfield Mile Weekend Kickoff Party at the Rookie Class of ’79’s new Springfield home at 1701 N. Dirksen Pkwy. This is sure to be a Who’s Who of flat track royalty, with current AFT stars and their machines in attendance, flat track racing legends, memorabilia, a silent auction, autograph sessions, food and drink, storytelling and all things flat track now and from back in the day. And remember… all proceeds help injured flat track racers, as the Class of ’79 is the AFT’s Official Charity. You don’t want to miss this one. The Springfield Mile is also proud and honored to have legendary motorsports journalist, commentator and Motorcycle Hall of Fame member Dave Despain as Grand Marshal for the 99th running of the iconic race on May 27. Despain, who is widely regarded as the best-known on-air personality in all of motorcycling and arguably ‘the voice’ of American motorcycle racing, has deep roots at Springfield and in dirt track racing in general. “I fell in love with the Springfield Mile back in 1981,” said Despain. “Motorcycle racing returned to the legendary fairgrounds track after a 15-year hiatus and I was the P.A. announcer. The place has so much history, written by all the legendary names who starred here.” Other weekend attractions include:
Tickets for Sunday’s Springfield Mile I and Saturday’s Springfield TT can be purchased here: Springfield Mile Tix. Fans that can’t make the races can watch complete live-stream coverage – beginning with practice and running until the final race – at FansChoice.tv starting at 3:00 pm ET Saturday and 11:00 pm ET on Sunday. Finally, be sure to tune into the feature broadcast of the Sacramento Mile and TT when it debuts on NBCSN on Saturday, June 9 at 5:00 pm ET. American Flat Track’s Most Anticipated Race of the Season: Springfield Mile I appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 24, 2018 at 11:24AM
Motorcycle News - Head Shake – The Mechanics of the Dance
https://ift.tt/2J5i9Lp Establish, project, extrapolate. Visual clues, internal clock, any sensory input repeated over and over again; aka, seat time. There is a sense of timing, a rhythm, that works, and many others that do not. Once you throw traffic in there, you must adapt. So, you change the model to your liking and do the same thing; establish, project, extrapolate. And it all happens in real time, at speed, every lap. That is road racing from a neuroscientist’s point of view, and it is also your daily commute. I watched a young Scott Russell slice his way through an endurance field like they weren’t there, this through the demanding carousel section at Summit Point. Blow one corner in the carousel and you likely blow your approach to half the track. He was working Summit like a local, passing traffic like they were orange pylons in a parking lot, at a speed at which committed him to that line one corner, maybe even two corners before, if traffic went his way, with room to reassess as necessary. What do I mean by that? Running the double apex between Turns 6 and 7 wide, providing the time, and carrying the speed, to observe and reassess, and dive in if opportunity presents itself. Some of the passes themselves were close but clean, and he adapted on the fly if the pass wasn’t there. Inside, outside, he took what the traffic gave him. I was watching a young phenom at work. How do the greats and soon-to-be great do that so effortlessly? What makes them different? What is going on there? Just recently Sally Jenkins, a sports columnist for the Washington Post, was asking the same question regarding basketball superstar LeBron James. She looked towards neuroscience for her answers, and the answers she found set off alarm bells in my one-highside-too-many cranium. To me the answers were a sequel to Keith Code’s classic, A Twist of the Wrist, a tome dedicated to teaching us how to look at a track. After reading Jenkins’ column I had to reassess Code’s work. Code was not teaching us how to look at a track, he was revealing to us how we do look at the track, and by doing so ramping up our learning curve precipitously. But I’m getting ahead of myself. So, let’s talk basketball for a second. LeBron James, when he needs to, can step up his game, and playing on the same court as everyone else on the floor, scan the court, move, pass, and cover ground as well as anyone in the world, better than most on any given day. Why? “This is one of the bedrock findings in research on human expertise: that experts have superior memory for information within their domain,” Hambrick said. Hambrick is Zach Hambrick, a cognition-performance expert from Michigan State University, and he is one of the team of brain-science guys Jenkins consulted. The secrets to superior performance lie in that noggin of yours, when you are watching an expert at work on a track you are seeing a form of higher intelligence at work. Yes, that’s right, higher intelligence. K. Anders Ericsson, another of Jenkins assembled experts, a Florida State performance researcher, adds; “They were able to assess where players are going as opposed to where they are right now,” Ericsson said. “A momentary picture wouldn’t do that job.” Ericsson is talking about world class soccer players, I am thinking specifically of a young Scott Russell moving through the enormous endurance grids of last century when he was still racing for the Solmax Racing endurance team. Think about when you are in the zone, when you can do no wrong, when you are just cutting hot lap after hot lap, and it feels effortless. Traffic is no more than a minor nuisance you dispense with velocity; while they are trying to figure out where to go, you are already gone. Everything – your visual clues, your internal clock, what you hear, what you sense, your lean angle, your knee puck, what you feel through the pegs and the bars, all of it – are all telling you where you are, where you will be, where they are going, and you are constantly one step ahead of the game. You intuit what is going on around you, you draw on a vast amount of recalled experience to do so. I always thought visualization was a large part of this, but it is only a part. You are getting out of your own way, you aren’t overthinking it, you aren’t dwelling on the bike, or yourself, or the competition, or those hot wings you ate last night and wishing you hadn’t – you have no time for that; you are simply flying seemingly effortlessly. It is Zen and the Art of Hauling Ass. That is because you have gotten out of your own way and simply allowed yourself to do what comes to all of us quite naturally to varying degrees; establish, project, and extrapolate. And with adequate experience to draw upon to project and extrapolate well, that equates to podiums and wins. In the perfect world, every time that visor goes down you find that zone. You put yourself in that zone. “To manage all those systems, that is a form of intelligence,” Faubert said, “and we shouldn’t be afraid to say that.” Jocelyn Faubert is the research chair in visual perception at the University of Montreal, yet another of Jenkins’ assembled experts. I’ve struggled for decades to understand what goes on with us at speed. I’ve made no secret about the value to me of Keith Code’s early work with his books, particularly, A Twist of the Wrist, in my early days of road racing. It laid a good foundation for me to build on. But whereas back then I thought Code was teaching me something, I’ve come to believe that he was doing something more fundamental, he was revealing something to me. He was showing me what we do – what we all do – when we get around a track, or a road, or around the house in the dark or through an airport crowd, for that matter. Code was showing me how we move efficiently. “These people are masters of assessing the likelihoods of things,” Fenton said. “If I have an amazingly good set of models and expectations — of my opponents, of my teammates and how the ball will move — it can look like I am totally omniscient.” Just like we say we teach counter-steering to new riders, what we are really doing is revealing counter steering. A brand new novice rider has been counter steering since she climbed on her first bicycle, depending upon rake and trail, it is only more pronounced on a motorcycle. But once counter steering is revealed to a new rider and they become proficient at it, they can use it as a tool, effectively making a bike go from bolt upright to on its side in a heartbeat. Once a new rider grasps that, they are weaving the thing through traffic cones in a parking lot to any MSF instructor’s satisfaction. Likewise, Code was revealing how we think and move most efficiently, which is to say fast – the cognitive side of road racing – we all do it, the question is how well. What Jenkins revealed next was a revelation to me, in her own words: Most magical of all is what’s required to build those spatial maps in James’s head. In 2014, researchers John O’Keefe, May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser won the Nobel Prize for explaining how the brain navigates. They answered a simple but profound set of questions: How do we perceive position, know where we are, find the way home? They discovered the brain’s “inner GPS” that makes it possible to orient and plan movement. O’Keefe found that a specific cell in the hippocampus throws off a signal to mark a specific place. The Mosers added to this by showing that neurons in the entorhinal cortex fire in fields with regularity. When they drew lines corresponding to the neuronal activity, here is what they saw: a grid. LeBron James has a geometric projection in his brain that acts as a computational coordinate system. And so do you. The degree to which you can establish your current position in regards to your immediate surroundings, project your immediate future, and extrapolate from past experience to apply to your present situation all the options and probabilities is one factor. The speed in which you can do so is the other. The former divided by the latter is your rider IQ. Establish, project, and extrapolate comprehensively and do it in a fraction of a fraction of a second non-stop, that was Scott Russell that day on the Solmax Yamaha. To do all that comprehensively and quickly you have to have a mental database to draw upon. That mental database is called seat time, and back in the ’80s, there was no better, more intensive environment to gain that experience than endurance racing. It is no wonder so many American riders filled the fastest grids of the world in the closing years of the 20th Century. Maybe you can think a little bit more about these ideas. Take a look at Sally Jenkins’ column here and see how the notions expressed there may apply to you at the controls. Then think about how valuable that seat time is to draw upon when choosing between a new shock for that track day bike or more track time. Think about how important cognitive function and mental acuity is to riding and whether you really want that free beer at that Saturday night party in the pits. Ride hard, be sharp, and look where you want to go. The post Head Shake – The Mechanics of the Dance appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 23, 2018 at 04:37PM
F1 News - Monaco Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton backs 'grid girls' return
https://ift.tt/2ILSxQ8 World champion Lewis Hamilton says the return of female models to the F1 grid at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix is "a beautiful thing". The sport's owner Liberty Media stopped the use of 'grid girls' in January, saying their use was "at odds with modern day societal norms". Models for Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer will feature on the grid at Monaco - though not in 'grid girl' roles. "Women are the most beautiful thing in the world," Hamilton, 33, said. "Monaco is a very elegant grand prix and when we pull up to the grid and there's beautiful women on the grid, that's the Monaco Grand Prix and that's a lovely thing." Traditionally, grid girls would hold driver placards on the grid but the Monaco models - who will include men - will only be there as representatives of Tag Heuer, taking pictures of the drivers to be posted on social media. Last month, Monaco organisers spoke of their opposition to Liberty's ban. Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel said he "agreed with Lewis". "I like women. I think they look beautiful. The bottom line is that there is too much of a fuss nowadays," the German said. "All the women that took part as a grid girl in the past did it because they want to. I'm sure if you ask any grid girl on Sunday if they're happy to stand there, their answer will be yes. "I don't think there's anybody that forces them to do it." The decision to drop grid girls proved controversial. Supporters of Liberty's stance agreed that the practice objectified women. "I definitely don't think we should ever be supporting or pushing these women in general to feel uncomfortable. And if they are, then we shouldn't do it," Hamilton added on Wednesday. Darts similarly phased out its use of walk-on girls to lead players out earlier this year and there followed calls for other sports to do the same. But critics claimed the models were part of sport's glamour, while others blamed political correctness and some of those carrying out the roles were equally vocal about the ban. #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 May 23, 2018 at 03:12PM
Motorcycle News - Speed Metal: Revival’s alloy-clad BMW S1000RR
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And now this: A BMW S1000RR sportbike with bodywork created using the metalworking techniques of a century ago.
Alan jumped at the chance, albeit with some misgivings. “My sportbike experience was short blasts on a friend’s modded Suzuki GSX-R750R, scaring the crap out of myself at 160 mph. I quickly decided that sportbikes simply were not for me!”
But when BMW put Alan’s leather-clad butt on a 200 horsepower rocket ship, everything changed. “I saw the light,” he admits. “The light of technology, power, and grace. This mammoth machine was a docile kitten under extreme conditions, even with an amateur like myself hastily thrown on top of it.”
The S1000RR has a 600-mile break-in period: the ECU limits the engine to 9,000 rpm and about 150 hp. Shop manager Chris took it to the track and the local hills, and with the help of a certain ex MotoGP champion, got the bike over 600 miles. The dealer re-flashed the ECU and all 200 horses were unleashed.
“Outside of a few mods to the exhaust, and ECU tuning, we simply could not improve it. So we chose to focus our energy on the aesthetics.” This is the opposite of Revival’s usual attempts to rethink everything on a bike—but the S1000RR is well outside the norm.
A new stainless rear subframe now houses all the electronics, plus a lithium-iron battery, the ECU and a smattering of sensors. From there an overall bodyline developed, blending a modern kick-up tail with the vintage throwback of a number plate.
“We also cut the top off the alloy factory tank, and built a higher-capacity tank that would hold a full six gallons to give us the capacity to go endurance racing,” says Alan. “That is, after all, our entire intention with this bike—to race it!”
“The biggest problem aesthetically was the anodized black aluminum frame,” says Alan. “It was rough and cast, and simply did not fit the look we were going for.” Many hours of bead blasting and hand sanding the entire frame followed, to smooth out the finish and help it to blend in with the hand-finished bodywork.
“We raced it bare at COTA with nothing more than a few vinyl stickers proclaiming it as a Revival bike. But although it performed flawlessly, it didn’t seem ‘finished’.”
“We talked, he sketched, and three days later—after many cigarettes and a few beers—Nico declared it finished. He hit the road leaving us with what feels finally like a complete machine.”
Keep an ear out for it, and if you’re lucky, you’ll hear it screaming through the gears. Revival Cycles | Facebook | Instagram Motorcycles via Bike EXIF http://www.bikeexif.com May 23, 2018 at 01:55PM |
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