BMW GS Trophy 2014

Day 1 :

Day one of this once-in-a-lifetime week-long adventure saw the 48 competitors and 16 journalists taking part in the 2014 Trophy get their first real taste of Canada, as the route took them right into the picturesque Rocky Mountains.

DAY 2 :

Team CEEU (Central Eastern European Union) continue to lead the 2014 BMW Motorrad GS Trophy after a tough second day of competition in Canada, which saw France and newcomers Korea emerge as joint day winners. Solid performances in the day's two special tests (second and fourth) helped CEEU maintain a slim five-point advantage.

Day 3

A worldwide mix of talented GS riders got the best possible taste of the rugged beauty of Canada today as day three of the GS Trophy consisted of nearly 200 kilometres of off-road adventure, 150 kilometres of scenic paved mountain passes and three special stages thrown in for good measure – two of which involved getting extremely wet.

motoGP; Rossi : « Je ne suis pas satisfait à 100%. Je veux gagner. » / Rossi on staying competitive and relationship with Lorenzo

Valentino Rossi s’est confié à motogp.com pour discuter de la façon dont il a renoué avec la compétitivité en 2014 mais aussi de sa place chez Yamaha et de sa relation avec son coéquipier Jorge Lorenzo.

Le nonuple Champion du Monde Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) est monté sur le podium huit fois en douze courses depuis le début de la saison alors qu’il n’avait eu que six podiums en 2013 et pense que le travail effectué sur son style de pilotage a été un facteur clé dans son gain de compétitivité.

« Le changement le plus important depuis l’année dernière a été d’améliorer le freinage, » a expliqué Rossi. « J’ai aussi beaucoup travaillé sur mon style de pilotage. Après une année sur la Yamaha, j’ai essayé de changer mon style pour le rendre plus moderne et l’adapter aux nouveaux pneus, qui fournissent moins de grip sur l’angle. Il faut davantage utiliser son corps maintenant, et bouger davantage lorsqu’on prend de l’angle. »

Quant à ses objectifs pour le reste de la saison, Rossi veut rester devant son coéquipier Jorge Lorenzo dans le classement général et a ajouté : « Nous sommes face à un très gros challenge pour la fin de la saison parce que je suis actuellement devant Jorge dans le classement du Championnat mais il veut revenir et il devient plus fort. Puis nous devons aussi essayer de battre les Honda. (Dani) Pedrosa n’est pas très loin au Championnat. Ce sont les principaux objectifs que nous nous sommes fixés. »

Rossi a aussi discuté de son départ de chez Yamaha fin 2010 et a admis : « Aller chez Ducati était une erreur et je l’ai faite parce que j’étais en colère avec Yamaha. Après avoir remporté le titre avec Yamaha en 2004 et 2005, alors que Yamaha avait eu beaucoup de mal pendant des années, ils avaient décidé de placer un coéquipier très fort à mes côtés et ça ne m’avait pas plu. Mais je sais maintenant que je me trompais. Notamment parce que le traitement reçu dans le box Yamaha a toujours été très égalitaire. »

« Quand Jorge est arrivé en 2008, nous étions toujours sur le même niveau et c’est encore comme ça. Cette année, Yamaha a fait un gros effort pour moi, afin de créer des conditions qui me permettent de me donner à fond, mais ils font aussi de leur mieux avec Lorenzo et je pense que nous sommes à 50/50 en termes d’importance au sein du team. »

Rossi avance d’autre part que sa relation avec Lorenzo, le Champion du Monde MotoGP™ 2010 et 2012, demeure parfaitement saine : « Je ne me suis jamais fâché avec Lorenzo, nous sommes de grands rivaux mais nous nous entendons bien. Nous sommes adversaires mais il y a une bonne ambiance au sein du team. Je crois que l’épisode du pot d’échappement à Assen était une erreur de la part de Yamaha parce qu’ils devaient m’en donner un à moi et un à lui mais ils ont fini par lui donner les deux. Ce n’était de toute façon pas un gros problème. »

Et s’il faller évaluer son travail, The Doctor a reconnu qu’il ne pouvait pas en être pleinement satisfait : « Je suis satisfait mais pas à 100% parce que je veux gagner. Ne pas l’admettre serait mentir. »

Ahead of this weekend’s Gran Premio TIM di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, one of his two home rounds, Valentino Rossi has spoken to motogp.com at length about his improved competitiveness in 2014 and the dynamics of his relationship with his teammate Jorge Lorenzo.

Nine-time World Champion Rossi has been on the podium on eight occasions already this season, compared to six rostrum results in 2013 and believes the evolution of his riding style in recent months has been a key factor.

“First of all, the most significant thing I have changed compared to last year was improving the braking,” Rossi explained. “I’ve also worked a lot on my riding style; after a year with the Yamaha I’ve tried to change my riding style to make it more modern and adapt to the new tyres which have less edge grip. Now you need to use your body more, and move yourself more when leaning.”

Regarding his objectives for the remainder of this season and his aim to stay in front of his Movistar Yamaha MotoGP colleague Lorenzo in terms of points, Rossi added, “We have a very big challenge ahead of us from now to the end of the season, because I am in front of Jorge in the Championship standings, but he will want to catch up, and he is getting stronger. And then we also need to try and beat the Hondas. (Dani) Pedrosa is not very far away in the Championship. These are the main targets we have set now.”

Looking back on his departure from Yamaha at the end of 2010 and the recent seasons of his long career, Rossi added, “It was a mistake to go to Ducati, because I was annoyed with Yamaha. Because after having won (the title) with Yamaha in 2004 and 2005, after so many years in which Yamaha had been struggling, Yamaha decided to bring a very strong teammate, and then I got really annoyed at it. But now I understand I was wrong. Also because the treatment in the Yamaha box has always been very equal.”

“Even in 2008 when Jorge arrived we were always at the same level, and it is still like that. This year Yamaha has made a big effort for me, to create the conditions for me in which I can give my maximum, but they also do their best for Lorenzo, and I can say we are 50 / 50 in terms of importance in the team.”

On the specifics of sharing a box with another hugely talented rider, in the form of 2010 and 2012 World Champion Lorenzo, Rossi said, “I have never had an argument with Lorenzo, we are great rivals but we get on well. There is a good atmosphere in the team even if we are rivals. I think the thing with the exhaust pipe in Assen was a mistake from Yamaha because they had to give one to me and one to him but in the end they gave him two, but it wasn’t not a big problem.”

Finally, Rossi acknowledged that only by tasting victory again will he be totally satisfied with his current work. He admitted, “I am happy but not one hundred per cent because I need to win. I would be lying if I tried to deny it.”

2014 24 Heures Moto - Michelin

Glemseck 101 Round 9 - Cafe Racer Festival

MAARTEN’S WINGNUT

“The wood I got from my grandfather, I have been making stuff with it for the last couple of years, it is oak and almost a hundred years old.” When glancing through the parts and modifications list of customised motorcycles it is not often you come across the use of inherited ancient oak, but when you do it is most certainly something to be celebrated. It is the unique features and eccentric choices made by men in their sheds that keep stalwart platforms such as the Honda Nx650 intriguing, despite their prevalence.

Meet Maarten from Amsterdam, a doctor by trade and a self confessed motorhead at heart, throughout his journey building his own Dominator Maarten has seen many different versions, but of course like a proud parent, he loves his the most.

“I have been riding motorcycles since a young age and driving road bikes for 12 years now. I have always been interested in building my own bike and I guess last winter it finally just had to happen.” He chose the Honda because it was a bike that spoke to his imagination. He set about disassembling everything and seeing how it all fit back together, learning as he went. His previous mechanical experience had began when he took apart a Thompson 40 outboard motor as a nine year old boy, he was hooked and tinkering became a lifelong habit.

Maarten had the bike down to the bare frame and then took his time in selecting the perfect petrol tank, eventually settling on a 1975 Honda CB350 unit, “After I found that I build everything around it. I had a general idea of what the bike had to look like because of the research I did on the internet but I noticed it was kind of building itself. Every time I hit a snag I found on old part from a different bike or a part from the NX650 that I could change or fabricate so that it would fit perfectly on the new bike and solve the problem.”.

Maarten spent a long time refining the wiring and electrics to keep the finished bike as clean as possible, he hid many bits and bobs under the tank but made sure to mount them using the original rubber mounts on his freshly fabricated brackets to maintain their anti-vibrational qualities, “I ended up with loads of excess wiring that I could take off and ended up with a sleek new artery.”.

A sleek new subframe with a kicked loop was then constructed and welded into place, once Maarten was happy with the frame he set to work on the seat. He made the seat pan and battery box so that everything was easily accessible beneath the seat. The next step was shaping the comfy stuff before taking it to the upholsterers, “I was really proud because I had never done this before and the guys at the upholstery asked if I came from a professional shop.” They clearly echoed Maarten’s high standards themselves when finishing the seat in a rich brown/burgundy leather.
“The rebuild was fairly straight forward when I got everything back from paint. But I took forever redoing little things, like gas lines because I wanted them just the right length or shape or whatever. And when I finished I took it all off because I would see something even cooler online.”

With the build coming along nicely Maarten got stuck into the Bikes most unique feature, those side panels. He modelled the shape he wanted in cardboard before cutting and shaving his prize wood to shape. They are mounted utilising some parts from an old door locking mechanism he had lying around the workshop that fit as if they had always been intended for the purpose. The lustrous shine is achieved with 8 coats of varnish. The deep green tank, the leaves to the side panels trunk, was prepped and painted to Maartens design by a pro shop.

 Maarten found the most challenging element of the build was sourcing the correct parts and materials, he claims that with the knowledge he gained in the process he could make the same bike again in half the time, “At one point I drove for 4 hours just to get materials for the frame. I now have a small garage with friends in my hometown of Amsterdam and my neighbor has the same materials lying in the corner… somewhat frustrating as you can imagine.”.

“I had a great time building the bike and even more fun driving it and working out the kinks but I really want to do another build. So she has to go.” It looks like the garage and that new found knowledge are going to be seeing some serious use. Expect to see Maarten’s Wingnut on the Bike Shed Classifieds shortly and we will be sure to share whatever he creates next, fingers crossed it will feature some more of grandad’s oak.

 via The bike shed

NICK’S CB750K

Too often in the UK when we think of New York we picture New York City. Whereas NY State’s hugely diverse landscape carries a fascinating history but more importantly some great roads and scenery, particularly along the Hudson valley. Kingston lies on the Hudson about 90 miles north of downtown Manhattan and it couldn’t be more different from the concrete and glass jungle. Oddly it’s a place that’s stuck in my mind as it’s where I got my first US speeding ticket, after a fun day out on the roads around the Catskills.

Nick Cologero is a professional firefighter for Kingston FD, and in his spare time builds bikes. With a half dozen builds under his belt so far, it’s safe to say he’s well on his way to his desire to open his own shop full time. At least he’ll be well prepared for those little ‘grinding/oily rag accidents’ we have from time to time. For the moment being, this CB750 is his, and it’s clear he’s put everything he’s learnt so far into this classy build. In Nick’s own words “I built this bike to handle a bit of everything. I wanted to build a bike that I would still want to ride home after a long day at work, or take to lunch with my fiancee. I focused on quality throughout the build. I didn’t just want it to look nice; I wanted it to be ridden hard, and to last.”

A bone stock CB750k was the ideal starting point, and it was soon torn down to it’s component parts. With 47k miles on the clocks the engine was treated to a well deserved reconditioning; rehoned bores, new rings, lapped valves, and CB900 cams for added thrust. Once mechanically sorted the cases were blasted, brushed and painted before being reassembled with stainless hardware all round. It was then mated to a set of fully reworked carbs, the power unit now good and reliable for another 50k.

While a brace of pod filters can look trick they are often detrimental to the performance of an engine if the original CV carbs remain. The clue’s in the name, constant velocity, and the turbulent air created by the pods can make a multi cylinder bike hard to tune. Nick’s solution was to ditch the plastic OEM airbox and make his own, more aesthetically pleasing aluminium one. It took a fair bit of trial and error and a lot of Tig welding, but the result is commendable, a great balance of form and function. The engine breathes out through a clever reworking of the original silencers, pie cut for a GP aesthetic and with custom baffles, the engine can sing as it’s meant to.

The standard frame was tidied up, detabbed and the rear subframe reworked, using slugged joints and Tig welding to maximise strength for two-up riding. New chrome wheels, with stainless spokes and gold nipples, continue the small touches of gold throughout the bike and are carried in the reworked suspension. Progressive springs up front meant dropping the forks 1.5″ through the yokes to avoid upsetting the spring rates, and 1″ longer shocks at the rear maintained the stance of the bike. The original loom was in great condition and was modified to allow the electronics to fit under the tank, including the new Shorai Lithium battery in a custom aluminium tray.

Nick fabricated a seat pan and sculpted the foam to follow the stepped rear section. The paint and upholstery had to be outsourced, but have come out beautifully. Getting a good finish in these two areas can make or break a bike and are typically the toughest parts for the shed builder to take on. The droolworthy combination of Porsche Forrest Green and tan brown leather, not typically Honda, give the bike a classic European feel. Nick, ever the perfectionist only notices the flaws of course, and ways he can improve the bike further. But he also concedes it’s built to be ridden, and so it shall!

Nick must be applauded for his taste, particularly as he lives but 40 minutes from a certain company whose chopper builds for Corporations have resulted in some questionable bikes over the last decade. There’s no evidence that the Newburgh bike builders were a source of inspiration here, this classy green and brown CB750 is a statement of restraint. His next project, a Sportster Bobber will definitely be one to keep an eye out for.

The great photos were shot by Nick’s friend Matt Petricone. See more of his work at MatthewPetricone.com

via The BikeShed

DAS TRAUMWERK’S “THE CRUNCH”

Most bike builders try to make their machines as squeaky clean as possible. If a build looks ‘factory fresh,’ it’s a job well done.

But Alex Ahrer and Herwig Prammer beg to differ. They buried the tank of this replica boardtracker on a sheep farm for three months, to get a thoroughly rusted effect. And then they painted the entire engine in retina-searing Sulfur Yellow—the color beloved of artists from Van Gogh to Mondrian. (And known to paint shops as RAL 1016.)

These are not the actions of logical people, so we had to investigate further. It turns out that Ahrer and Prammer are two friends from Upper Austria, and they run a garage called Das Traumwerk (‘The Dream Factory’). They’re helped by the town blacksmith, a multitude of local petrolheads, and a retired Austrian 600cc champion. And they like old bikes that wear their patina with pride.

This one’s called ‘The Crunch’ and it started life as a 1977 BMW R80/7. “It’s dedicated to the legendary board-track racers from the early twentieth century,” says Herwig. “Riders who risked their necks at speeds of up to 120 mph—without brakes.”

It’s an odd concept, turning a 1970s airhead into a boardtracker. But Austrians do have a somewhat subversive sense of humor—which they call Schmäh—and we’re prepared to give top marks for originality.

There are some neat period touches: the seat is an accurate replica of the Mesinger Racer, used on many American bikes between the wars. The curve of the bars is authentic, and so are the grips and the British-style levers.

Other parts were raided from the dusty cellar of an agricultural machinery warehouse, including Bakelite switchgear. The rear light is from a vintage Steyr Tractor and the front fender is from a wrecked Harley Sportster.

Most impressively, The Crunch is fully road-legal. And that’s no mean feat—Austria’s laws are similar to Germany’s famously strict TÜV inspections.

I’m sure eyebrows were raised when The Crunch rumbled into the garage to claim itsTypenschein. “The bike does attract attention,” says Herwig, “but that’s often because of the sound—which recalls bikes from Milwaukee, rather than an old BMW.”

Das Traumwerk’s other builds are a little more conventional. Find them here.

via BIKEexif

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Misano, prochaine étape de la saison MotoGP™ 2014 / Passionate crowds await MotoGP™ at Misano

Le Championnat du Monde MotoGP™ se rend au Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli cette semaine pour la treizième manche de la saison, le Grand Prix TIM de Saint-Marin et de la Riviera di Rimini.

Avant de se rendre sur la côte de Rimini, Marc Márquez, le leader du classement général et Champion du Monde en titre, avait renoué avec la victoire à Silverstone, signant son onzième succès en douze courses cette année et se relançant immédiatement au sommet après sa quatrième place de Brno.

Le pilote du team Repsol Honda égalait en Grande-Bretagne le record du plus grand nombre de victoires obtenues en une saison en MotoGP™ 4-temps, établi puis réédité par Valentino Rossi en 2002 et 2005. Une autre victoire de Márquez ce week-end à Misano, où il avait fini deuxième l’an dernier, lui permettrait d’égaler le record absolu en catégorie reine, que détient actuellement Mick Doohan (1997).

Une victoire à Misano permettrait aussi à Márquez de se rapprocher encore un peu plus de son second titre MotoGP™ et de la possibilité de le remporter dès la manche suivante, devant le public espagnol, au MotorLand Aragón.

Seul autre pilote à s’être imposé cette année, son coéquipier Dani Pedrosa n’a fini qu’en quatrième position à Silverstone après sa victoire de Brno et voudra revenir sur le podium ce week-end, en battant si possible Márquez mais aussi Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), sur qui il ne compte que dix points d’avance. 

Troisième à Silverstone, Rossi totalise maintenant 4987 points sur l’ensemble de sa carrière en Grand Prix et pourrait devenir le premier pilote de l’histoire à atteindre les 5000 points en finissant dans les quatre premiers chez lui à Misano, où il est assuré de compter sur le soutien massif du public local.

Son coéquipier Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) est, avec quatre victoires (250cc en 2007 et MotoGP™ en 2011, 2012 et 2013), le pilote qui dispose du meilleur palmarès à Misano depuis le retour du circuit sur le calendrier des Grands Prix en 2007 et tentera une fois de plus ce week-end de s’imposer pour la première fois de l’année.

A domicile, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) comptera de nombreux fans dans les tribunes, à l'instar d'Andrea Iannone (Pramac Racing), et essayera de se battre aux avant-postes après avoir démontré une certaine progression à Silverstone et fini à moins de dix secondes du vainqueur tandis que son coéquipier Cal Crutchlow cherchera de nouveau à renouer avec la compétitivité.

Leon Camier aura quant à lui l’opportunité de participer à un quatrième Grand Prix avec Drive M7 Aspar en raison de la convalescence prolongée de Nicky Hayden. 

The MotoGP™ World Championship heads to the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for round 13 of the championship this weekend - the Gran Premio TIM di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini.

As one of the most colourful events on the calendar, the visit to Misano always produces a fantastic atmosphere with the passionate and vociferous crowd supporting the World Championship’s numerous Italian competitors as they battle for victory.

Ahead of the visit to the Rimini coast, the win by World Champion and runaway standings leader Marc Marquez at Silverstone was the 11th time this year he has stood on the top step of the podium.

That triumph matched the record of MotoGP victories in a single season that was achieved by Valentino Rossi in both the 2002 and 2005 seasons. Another win for Marquez this year and he will equal the all-time record for most wins in the premier-class in a single season, currently held by Mick Doohan from 1997.

Furthermore, victory for Marquez at Misano would edge him closer to retaining his title, with a distinct possibility that the remarkable young Spanish rider could secure the 2014 championship crown in front of his home fans at the following round at MotorLand Aragon.

Looking to stop Marquez again, as the only other rider to have a won a premier class race this season, his Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa was off the podium in fourth place last time out at Silverstone – unable to repeat his Brno heroics.

Meanwhile, following his third place finish at Silverstone, Valentino Rossi has now scored a total of 4987 points across all classes during his Grand Prix career.  If he finishes in fourth place or higher at Misano - his home track - Rossi will become the first rider ever to reach the milestone of 5000 career points in GP racing.

The most successful rider at Misano since racing returned to the circuit in 2007 is Rossi’s Movistar Yamaha MotoGP teammate Jorge Lorenzo, with four victories: the 250cc GP in 2007 and in MotoGP for the last three years. Lorenzo had a great battle with Marquez at the British Grand Prix and will be determined to register his first victory of the year at the Italian circuit this weekend.

As an Italian rider on an Italian machine Andrea Dovizioso is sure to be given great support at Misano as he continues his hard work with the Ducati Team, whilst his teammate Cal Crutchlow will also be aiming for a good result. Between the Brno and Silverstone rounds Ducati tested at Misano, with Andrea Iannone of the Pramac Racing Team also present, meaning they will have plenty of relevant data available.

Elsewhere, Leon Camier is set to make a fourth consecutive substitute appearance for the Drive M7 Aspar team in place of the recuperating Nicky Hayden. Camier just missed out on the points in 16^th place at his home round at Silverstone and will relish another chance to race at the top level.

Range Rover Evoque gains Prestige Lux kit from Kahn Design

Costs 39,875 GBP

British specialists from Kahn Design have released a customization package for the five-door Range Rover Evoque.

The Evoque is perhaps one of the most stylish crossovers available right now but that didn't stop Kahn Design from developing a personalization program for a five-door version built in 2012 and equipped with the 190 bhp 2.2-liter SD4 engine. It's actually an evolution of their RS250 kit and has received 20-inch matt gun metal alloys and a different rear bumper incorporating a glossy black diffuser.

There's also a centrally-positioned dual crosshair exhaust setup, piano black vented rear fenders, vertical strips of LED daytime running lights and a revised front grille with a 3D mesh look. The changes continue on the inside where there are stainless steel door sill plates, diamond gear selector and a carbon center console fascia. Kahn also installed machined aluminum foot pedals, surround camera system and a panoramic glass sunroof.

This particular Range Rover Evoque with all the modifications can be had for 39,875 GBP.

Visit the source link below to find out all upgrades.

Source: Kahn Design via kahndesign.com

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