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This Month in the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar ....
Fast Dates SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Kaustin Rose on Pit Lane with
Jordi Toeres' Althea factory BMW S1000RR World Superbike.
Order the Fast Dates Calendars HERE.
See More of the Bikes and Beautiful Calendar Kittens in -
Calendar Bike Garage and Members Corner and Meet the Models
The beautiful Fast Dates Calendar Kittens featured with the factory race bikes are the official umbrella girls of SBK World Superbike: Kaustin Rose, Alissa Bourne and Sara Horvath, together with Jillian Janson all in skimpy swimwear!
The 2018 Fast Dates Calendar features the top factory race bikes and beautiful podium girls of the SBK World Superbike Championship photographed on location at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca USA World Superbike round by Jim Gianatsis. Featured on the cover and inside is World Superbike Champion Jonthan Rea’s Kawasaki ZX10R, Chaz Davies’s Ducati 1199RS, Jordi Tores' Althea BMW S1000RR, Leon Camier's MV Agusta F4, Niccolo Canepa’s Cresent Yamaha R1, Nicky Hayden’s Ten Kate Pata Honda CBR1000, Karel Abraham's Milwaukee BMW S1000RR and AMA Champion Cameron Beaubier’s Yamaha R1. Special customs including collector Thomas Stephen’s exotic Ducati NCR Hailwood Replica, Mick Wollet’s MV Agusta F3 Hailwood Replica, and LA Calendar Motorcycle Show winners Nick O’Kanes’s Honda CBX1100, Michael LaFountains’s Kawsaki W1, and photographer Jim Gianatsis’ personal Ducati 1199R15. CLICK TO ORDER!
By Jim Gianatsis Photos by Jim Gianatsis • Clink on any Photo to Enlarge It
California, USA, July 17-20th 2016 - For the 22nd year since SBK World Superbike first came to America at Laguna Seca Raceway in 1995, the FastDates.com Calendars and myself, producer / photographer Jim Gianatsis were excited to continue
our ongoing association with SBK World Superbike and the UmbrellaGirlsUSA.com to bring 2 more beautiful FastDates.com Calendar Kittens; Kaustin Lanae and Alissa Bourne to shoot with me at the 2016 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca United States SBK World Superbike and AMA National race weekend July 8-10th. There they served as the official SBK Podium Girls and helped me shoot the next Fast Dates World & AMA Superbike Calendar. Then, two weekends later the Kittens would work the
26th annual LA Calendar Motorcycle Show and Calendar shoot in Los Angeles on July 23-24th. CONTINUED HERE
FAST 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 Digital Calendar Magazines
Go Behind the Scenes for the Making of the FastDates.com Calendars!
Go behind the scenes for the shooting of the 2018 FastDates.comMotorcycle PinUp Calendars with photographer Jim Gianatsis and the Calendar Kittens. Travel to Laguna Seca World Superbike with the official SBK Umbrella Girls, the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show with the Top Custom Bike Builders, and take an Edelweiss Bike Tour across France from the Palace of Versailles to the World War II beaches at Normandy. Plus Editorial features on the Calendar Bikes and Kittens , and see every page in the new 2018 Fast Dates Superbikes, Iron & Lace Custom Bikes and Garage Girls Calendar.
Now in FastDates.com Members Corner
Each year's FastDates.com Calendar Digital Yearbook features 120- 138 pages of exciting hi-resolution digital photography that takes you with us behind the scenes to our photo shoots at SBK World and AMA Superbike, the LA Calendar Motorcyle Show, and in our photo studio. You'll meet the beautiful Calendar Kitttens in sexy biography pictorials, the top Factory Racers and Custom Bike Builders,and see detailed photo features on the top calendar and race bikes. Take a track day with World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss at Misano, take an Edelsweiss Ducati World Superbike tour of the Ducati Factory & Museum and across Italy, ride a Vespa scooter around Paris and party at the Crazy Horse and the Moulon Rouge. Hang with beautiful teen rock star Taylor Momsen of the Pretty Reckless. Did we forget anything?
Oh yes, and you'll see every page in the new Fast Dates, Garage Girls, Iron & Lace Calendars!
 The new Ducati Panigale V4 Stradale Superbike was voted at EICMA "The most Beautful Bike of the Show".
November 2017, Milan, Italy - The world's premier motorcycle Show at EICMA in Italy premiered many new motorcyckes models from all the major manufacturers in both the Sportbike, Touring nd Entry level markets to show the economy has now recovered enought that the manufactuers are inveting in development and new models. The most notable being Ducai's new Stradle V4 power Panigale Superbike, the new replacment for the much loved Ducati V-twin which has garnerd countless World Superbike Championships with 5 generations over the last 28 years.
The Panigale V4.Ducati's new 6th Generation bike that begins an exciting new chapter in the Ducati story, a new “symphony” of all-Italian performance and emotion. The Panigale V4 Superbike is the first mass-produced Ducati bike to mount a four-cylinder engine, derived directly from the MotoGP Desmosedici. It's a concentrate of Ducati technology, style and performance. With an engine displacement of 1,103 cm3, 214 hp and a power/weight ratio of 1.1 hp/kg, this bike sets a new standard in the supersport production bike segment.
The Panigale V4 replaces the iconic 1299 at the top of the Ducati supersport range, doing so by enhancing performance and ridability so that riders of all skill levels can enjoy boundless fun and excitement. The Panigale V4 has been developed in close collaboration with Ducati Corse, drawing directly on know-how and technology from the racing world to provide a road bike that is the closest thing possible to its MotoGP counterpart.
Ducati will be intriducing a 1000R version of the V4 Stradale
in 2019 to comply with FIM World Superbike regulations limiting 4-cylinder bikes to a 1000cc maximum cabacity. We suspect this larger 1100cc displacemt for the street bike is to try and make up for some of the lost mid-range power of the popular V2 Superbike which was allowed 1200cc displacementt for 2-cylinder bikes in roacing. The new V4 even at 1100cc is down 20 ftlbs of torue over the V2 Ducati 999R Superbike of 10 years ago, and the new V4's peak torque isn';t available until 3,000 rpm higher, at 9,000 rpm - much higher than most street riders want to rev. We certianly hope Ducat will keep and develop the Testastreta V2 as it will always stay competitiive under the FIM's Balance of Performance adjustment in SBK World Superbike.
Out of the experience gained in MotoGP, where the 4-cylinder Desmosedici unleashes incomparable performance, comes a new 90° V4 engine designed to power the Ducati supersport models of tomorrow. In transferring the technology of its most cutting-edge power unit from racetrack to road, Ducati offers customers performance levels honed by years of MotoGP experience.
Called the Desmosedici Stradale, this engine is set to become yet another Ducati milestone: it will be the first time ever that the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer has equipped a standard production bike with a 4-cylinder engine.
As on the Ducati bikes used in racing, the crankshaft is of the counter-rotating type. This reduces the overall gyroscopic effect and makes the bike faster and more agile when changing direction.
The crank pins, offset at 70° as on the Desmosedici GP, involve a Twin Pulse firing sequence that generates easy-to-handle power delivery and optimises out-of-the-corner traction (“Big Bang” effect). This firing sequence also gives the Desmosedici Stradale a unique signature sound. A 90° V4 configuration makes the engine extremely compact, allowing centralisation of mass and smoothing incorporation on the vehicle.
As in MotoGP, the engine was designed with an 81 mm cylinder bore. This measurement reflects the maximum limit allowed by MotoGP rules; it’s also the highest in the 4-cylinder supersport segment. Using the same bore as the Desmosedici GP engine means both power units share nearly identical in-engine fluid dynamics (i.e. on valves, intake ducts and throttle bodies, right where the power is produced).
Needless to say, the new engine is designed around the Desmodromic system, a key characteristic that helps make Ducati prototypes the fastest in MotoGP. On this high-revving engine the “Desmo” system achieves a degree of sophistication, lightness and compactness never before seen on a Ducati.
Variable-height air intake horns constitute another first for a Ducati factory bike, optimising cylinder intake across the rev range and giving significant advantages in terms of power delivery and handling. Completing the fuelling system are the oval throttle bodies, each equipped with two injectors: one above the butterfly and one below it.
More 2018 Ducati Superbikes and Stradale V4 Details & Phtos Continued Here
The 959 Panigale Corse is the superlative sports version of the legendary Italian twin cylinder. Thanks to suspensions by Öhlins, type-approved Ducati Performance silencers in titanium by Akrapovič, a lithium-ion battery and a dedicated colour scheme inspired by the colours of the MotoGP, the 959 Panigale Corse is ready to race.
The 955 cm3 Superquadro engine is Euro 4 type-approved and has a maximum power of 150 hp at 10,500 rpm. The maximum torque is 102 Nm at 9,000 rpm. Such characteristics enable high performance on the track and enjoyable on-road riding, without having to compromise on long maintenance intervals. The valve clearance control is in fact every 24,000 km.
More 2018 Ducati Superbikes Continued Here
This naked streetfighter Honda CB1000R uses the current Honda Superbike engine and chassis. We love it!
Fantic Caballero Scrambler 500 single. Switch out those knobby tires for some sportbike treads and we're ready to ride!
All the MotoGP and World Superb bike manufacturers were excited to show off their race bikes at EICMA , with their riders in attendace, but we'd rather show you this lovely spokesmodel.
MV Agusta keeps coming up with sexy special editions from their F3 and F4 platforms.
Hero's HX250R sportibke looksexciting just sitting still....
October 15th 2107 - 2017 Rider RoundUp Calendar Bike Building Championship Best of Show Winner / Max Hazan's Supercharged KTM Single Cafe Racer. Photo ©Jim Gianatsis / FastDates.com Calendars. Order the new 2018 Calendars now - http://www.FastDates.com/IRONLACE.HTM
in Agoura, CA.
Our Calendar Bike Building Championship joined Russell Mitchell / Exile Cycles for the Rider RoundUp at the Ranch at the Paramount Western Movie Ranch in Agoura, CA, down the road from the Rock Store, for an exciting day of Custom Motorcyles, Activities, Venders, Manufacturers and Live Music. It's a benefit to fight Leukemia.
Saturday July 15th, Woodland Hills, CA - Top Calendar Bike Buider's joined Calenda photographer Jim Gianatsis at Jim's home / studio for a private Calendar BikeBuilder Party Shoot on July 15th 2017 with Invited Calendar Bike Builders and Calendar Kittens, followed by a Dinner Party with Live Music.It all took place at the FastDates.com Calendar Photo Studio in Woodland Hills, CA.
Some of the top custom bike builders and beautiful models joining us for the 2017 Calendar Bike Builder Party included former Calendar Bike Building Championship winners Samuel Kao / JSK Design, Adam Bean / Custom Airbrushing, Ron Simms / Simms Customs, Jim Giuffra / AFT Customs and Richard Jones. Shooting with us this week were former FastDates.com Calendar Kitten Sara Balint featured in our advertising campaign, and adult starlet Brittni Palmer. The live music was provided by Alex Nester, vocalist and keyboards for the legendary Carlos Santa Band, and singer songwriter Lenachka.
Complete 2017 Calendar Bike Builder Party & Rider RoundUp Show Coverage Here
DORNA MotoGP World Championship, Dec 12th 2017 - The FIM Moto-e World Cup is becoming a reality in 2019, ushering in the beginning of a new era for two-wheeled motorsport: competition on electric motorcycles. Dorna is delighted to announce that the supplier for this new and exciting prospect will be Italian innovator Energica. The model that will be used by teams in the new competition will be a tuned version of Energica Ego.
Energica Motor Company, based in the motorsport-rich area of Modena, created the world’s first Italian racing-bred electric motorcycle and has since redefined the possible on the street and within the sector. Working in perfect harmony with the experience, passion and expertise of parent company the CRP Group, Energica and the Ego will provide the FIM Moto-e World Cup with world-beating performance but zero emissions – taking high-octane yet electric-powered competition from concept to thrilling, high-speed reality.
Vito Ippolito, FIM President, comments: "The FIM is very happy to support the development of new technologies, of which the new FIM Moto-e World Cup is an example. Energica is proving itself to be a reliable and expert leader in this sector and with the highly qualified support of Dorna we are sure that we are taking the road to success."
Livia Cevolini, CEO Energica Motor Company S.p.A, says: “We are proud to have been chosen by Dorna and we are already committed to this project. The passion for engines is what brought us here, to build new dream vehicles right in the beating heart of the Italian Motor Valley, Modena, Italy. We took the electric field to another level: each Energica undergoes quality control and performance tests, and our R&D department is always focused on new technologies and their practical application. Our history comes from racing, our passion for this sector has never faded. Moto-e is an excellent project. After all, it is what we hoped since our racing years, now it can be managed professionally thanks to Dorna and its unique and long-lasting experience.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, adds: “The FIM Moto-e World Cup is a new and exciting project for Dorna, and it makes us very proud to announce Energica will be the supplier in this new venture. We believe in excellence, quality and performance and we cannot think of a better collaborator with whom to launch the FIM Moto-e World Cup. Energica are an industry-leading and innovative company and we look forward to the incredible spectacle of electric-powered racing together.”
No announncement was made whether the new Dorna FIM Moto-e World Cup will run as a new stand alone race series, or will it run in conjunctioin with MotoGP or World Superbike rounds. We'd venture to guess the new start up series, depending on the number of initial entires, will first run with in conjunction with European venue MotoGP or WSBK rounds. Since the Energica is a production electric bike one might expect it to be paired with the production based World Superbike Championship. We should certainly find our more in the someing 2018 year as plans solidify for the series kick-off in 2019. - Editor
Varese, 9th October 2017 - The allure and excitement of the World Superbike Championship are incorporated into the elegant yet extreme lines of the MV Agusta F4 RC. Assembled piece by piece, with the same meticulous attention to detail that is seen in Leon Camier’s F4 Reparto Corse race bike. Produced in a limited series, as is becoming of such a truly exclusive bike. The F4 RC symbolises the razor-sharp racing spirit the Italian manufacturer brings to the world’s racetracks with Leon Camier. For the legendary MV Agusta F4 model, the RC represents the peak of technical evolution and dynamic performance. Colours and graphics match those of the factory team, ensuring at-a-glance racing excitement. The number 37 on the fairing recalls the number of manufacturers’ titles won by MV Agusta over the course of its long history.
Engine
The technical base of the F4 RC comes from that of the F4 Reparto Corse, starting with the Corsa Corta four-cylinder in-line engine (bore 79 mm, stroke 50.9 mm) with central distribution chain and radial valves. This version puts out a maximum power of 205 hp (151 kW); a dedicated kit adds a further 7 HP, giving a total of 212 hp (158 kW).
Electronics
As with the F4 Reparto Corse, the electronic platform is optimised to obtain the best possible performance on both track and road. Parameters such as throttle sensitivity, maximum torque, engine braking, engine response and rev limiter can all be customised, ensuring riders get the most out of the bike whatever the riding conditions. The F4 RC inertial platform has a lean angle sensor and three gyroscopes, as well as three accelerometers: a package designed to ensure absolute dynamic efficiency, thanks also to EAS 2.0 electronically assisted shift (as standard).
Frame and Suspension
Progressive tradition applied to racing: this concept has provided the developmental foundation for the CrMo steel tube trellis frame with TIG welding. The central part of the frame is closed with lightweight aluminium alloy plates which provide an adjustable swingarm pivot point of height. The suspension offers unparalleled quality and efficiency: the NIX 30 type USD Öhlins fork with TiN coating allows separate hydraulic compression adjustment (left leg) and rebound damping (right leg), as well as spring pre-load adjustment. The Öhlins TTX 36 shock with piggyback tank is also fully adjustable thanks to mechanical regulators. The steering damper is adjustable.
Brakes
The system that Brembo has designed for the F4 RC ensures cutting-edge braking power and excellent user-friendliness. The front end features two 320 mm discs with steel braking rotor and aluminium flange; the handlebar control activates a radial pump; callipers are Brembo 30 mm 4-piston GP monobloc. The rear brake features a 4-piston calliper and a 210 mm steel disc. The latest version of the Bosch 9 Plus Race Mode ABS features the RLM (Rear Wheel Lift-Up Mitigation) system.
The exclusive F4 RC formula makes ample use of high quality materials, characterised by excellent performance and low weight. Carbon fibre, for example, has been selected for the main parts of the fairing. As a tie-in with the 250 F4 RC, MV Agusta has prepared a sophisticated kit, housed in an elegant wooden box. Designed to increase on-track efficiency, it includes dozens of components, starting with the SC-Project full titanium single exit exhaust, designed to maximise performance when used with the specific ECU (also included in the kit).
Among the many exclusive components are a rapid release fuel cap, carbon fibre heat shields, F4 RC single seat tail cover and lightweight screws and small parts. A customised bike cover and certificate of origin, which confirms the authenticity and number of the product, complete the kit.
Winston Yeh's exciting new MV Agusta "Ballastic" Custom with Calendar Kitten Jillian Janson with complete Build Details and a Large Screen Size Photo Gallery. - http://www.FastDates.com/IronLaceGarage.HTM
2018 SBK Motul World Superbike Championship Preview
October 25th, 2017 - The Superbike Commission composed of Messrs Rezsö Bulcsu (FIM CCR Director), Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA Representative), Gregorio Lavilla (WorldSBK Sporting Director), in the presence of Messrs Paul Duparc (FIM CCR Coordinator), Charles Hennekam (International Technical Commission Coordinator), Daniel Carrera (WorldSBK Executive Director) and Scott Smart (FIM Technical Director) have announced the changes for the 2018 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship from an electronic meeting held on Tuesday 24 October 2017.
The 2018 regulations have been agreed following the consideration of multiple aspects of the Series. A detailed analysis was carried out in collaboration with teams, riders, and manufacturers, with particular focus to parity, affordability and competition. As a result, the main changes of this analysis are detailed in the points below.
2018 FIM Technical Regulations
REV LIMIT
The balancing system using air restrictors has been replaced with a rev limiting system. The rev limit can be altered at various points throughout the season and applies to each individual manufacturer.
CONCESSIONS
A concession points system will be introduced to restrict engine development of the fastest machines. At certain stages in the season teams that have achieved fewer concession points will be allowed to introduce updated concession parts.
As a secondary benefit, the private teams will get access to cost capped engine parts to help them reach performance levels similar to the factory supported teams.
FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSIONS AND APPROVED ENGINE PARTS
Price caps and approval process have been applied to several key frame, suspension and engine parts. These are called approved parts. This process ensures access and availability to all parts for all teams along with controlled pricing.
The version of the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship regulations, which contain the detailed text changes are available on the FIM website - http://www.fim-live.com/en/library/
Editors Note: There's so much going on behind the scenes in WSBK tech regulations that most people just don't know about. The first year 2014 the Ducati 1199R was raced in World Superbike by the independent Althea team, the bike wasn't competitive and they were secretly told by WSBK they could do whatever they wanted outside the regulations to make the bike competitive. Unfortunately the Ducati factory race department had yet to do any race development on the new 1199R bike and had no special parts (pistons, rods, cams, exhaust, electronics etc) to give to Althea. It was Aprilia's more powerful new RSV4 won the title that year. The public thought the new Panigale V2 Superbike was a failure (though it did win the European Superstock 1000 class). However the 1199RS did become competitive the next year 2015 once the Ducati factory took back over the team from Althea and developed the bike for the Superbike class.
This is why the Ducati factory team is still racing the Panigale V2 for 2018 despite the introduction to the market of the new V4. Ducati Corse needs a full year back at the factory to develop and test new race parts for the V4 which they will finally race in 2019.
But keep in mind, because the new Panigale V4 is based on Ducati's 260hp MotoGP bike and could potentially make that much power, when the V4 does come to WSBK next year, it will be restricted back to around 220 hp which is where Dorna wants to keep the Superbike power limit at, so they don't compete with their premier MotoGP Championship. From now on out, Dorna will try to keep all the bikes in the Superbike class restict to 220hp based on a Superstock engine, and if one brand wins too much, they will receive a further horsepower restriction by way of a lowered RPM limit.
Reigning Kawasaki World Superbike Champions Jonthna Ray and Tom Sykes return to the battle again in 2018. Will the newly imposed RPM restrictions for the ZX-10R level the playing field for the other manufacturers, are has the Kawasaki team done enough development in the off-season to make up the loss? Stay tuned...
Feb 7th 2018,The 2018 Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team presented at Global Cloud Data Center in Ponte San Pietro -
• Continuity: fourth year of partnership between Aruba.it and Ducati; 24 wins, always in the top 3 in the championship
• 2018-spec Panigale R features upgrades in terms of engine, electronics and chassis
• End of an era: last year of competition with the Panigale R ahead of the Panigale V4 debut
After another successful season, which finished with 8 wins overall and the runner-up spot in the championship for Chaz Davies, the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team is ready to take on a new challenge in the 2018 WorldSBK Championship. In Aruba's high-tech Global Cloud Data Center in Ponte San Pietro (Italy), the team presented the riders and bike for the upcoming season, which will begin as usual at the end of February in Phillip Island (Australia).
Now in their fourth year together on track, Aruba.it and Ducati so far have been strong contenders on the world stage – with 24 wins and 74 podiums overall – and the goal for 2018 is the title. Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri will once again ride the Panigale R on track for its final challenge ahead of next year’s debut of the Panigale V4. The duo has shown its prowess with 31 podiums overall and 8 wins in 2017. Davies, twice runner-up in the past three years and a true icon for all Ducati fans, will go for the only missing trophy in his collection, that is, the Championship. Melandri, who showed steady improvements during his first season on the twin-cylinder, which saw him claim a memorable win in front of his home crowd at Misano, wants to take advantage of last year’s experience to achieve even bigger goals.
During the event, the Aruba.it Racing - Junior Team was also presented. After claiming the European Superstock 1000 title, the squad is ready to move up to WorldSBK with Michael Ruben Rinaldi, who will participate in all European rounds.
The presentation was streamed live on www.arubaracing.com, allowing all the fans to follow the event. The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team will now head to Australia, where on February 19-20 the riders will take part in the pre-season tests ahead of the first round of 2018, scheduled for the following weekend, on February 23-25, on the same track.
Stefano Cecconi, Aruba S.p.A. CEO and Team Principal
"We're ready to take on a new challenge with great enthusiasm. The first goal is always to do better than the previous season, and this means we have to aim for the number one spot, also to finish in the best possible way the era of the Panigale R before the V4 debuts on track. Chaz and Marco have all the necessary qualities to race constantly at the top, so it's up to us to give them a chance to fully express their potential. Also, we decided to move to SBK with the Aruba.it Racing - Junior Team and Michael Ruben Rinaldi, a young rider with plenty of potential. We'll try our best to be protagonists, both in the present and the future."
Luigi Dall'Igna, Ducati Corse General Director
"The level of performance reached with the Panigale R, also thanks to the synergy between the MotoGP and SBK projects at Ducati, made us a stable title contender over the past three years. This is what we aim to be in what will be the last year on track with the V-twin, which we want to honour with the highest achievement. Development never stops, and the new rules, in particular the engine-rev limit, represent an exciting new challenge. Our factory riders, Chaz and Marco, have proved their worth time and time again, so we'll do our best to put both in a condition to fight for the title."
Tuesday Feb 20th, 2018 - Keen to get out on track for the final day of the 2018 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship pre-season, the weather was kinder to riders Down Under on Tuesday and they took advantage of two full sessions on track. With less than three days to go until the first official WorldSBK session of the season begins, it was Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) who secured the first honours in Australia.
Blue skies welcomed the riders out on track this morning and Rea ended on top, despite a crash through turn 10. Finishing ahead of Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) by 0.206s, Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was in third but nearly half a second behind the Kawasaki rider. Beginning to improve the rear feeling they have been consistently searching for, Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) was fourth and close to Melandri, whilst Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) bounced back from a crash early this morning to take a top five finish.
The afternoon’s final session continued to have the sunny weather and some stunning action, with times tumbling compared to the morning.
After losing some time in this morning’s session once they changed the front callipers on the Panigale R machines, Melandri and Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) once again had a mixed day over all. With the Italian completing a stronger test, he was surprised and happy with his pace so far. Ending his day in third overall, he was half a second ahead of team-mate Davies in 11th.
Laverty ended the day in a strong position of fourth, despite a crash towards the end of the day at turn four. After working with both his RSV4 RF machines set-up almost identically. Again focusing on rear grip, his team are now looking at the pace throughout the full race distance, hoping to be able to challenge at the front of the pack until the end. On the other side of the garage, Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) suffered from problems with his number one machine. Despite this the Italian improved on his opening day time, and with a final position of, tenth he was happy with the overall test.
Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team continued to work on the pace for the race, changing very little to Monday’s set-up and are hoping to be as fully prepared for the weekend as possible. Improving on their times from the opening day, they are able finish in the top seven. Michael van der Mark was sixth and Alex Lowes in seventh.
Wednesday February 21st 2018 - Short, fast, sweeping, unpredictable, undulating, breath-taking, 4.4km of pure adrenaline. Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is the perfect backdrop for the opening round of the 2018 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, and it’s set to be a season to remember. Everything restarts here, and if previous experience is anything to go by, we will be treated to a weekend of remarkable racing action to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
The man with the target on his back is reigning world champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team), who has won five out of the last six races around Phillip Island. Already impressing with his pace throughout the two day Official test in Australia, it is difficult to look past Rea as a podium finisher this weekend. Despite suffering from three crashes over the two days, he heads into the first round of the season after working through all of his testing regime and is ready for the battle. British team-mate Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) could be the dark horse this year, as he prepares for his ninth season with the Provec squad. Heading into 2018 with a clear mind and determined attitude, he explains he feels stronger than last season, especially following the pre-season tests on the green machine. Never winning around the Australian circuit, Sykes was on pole in 2016 and has only taken three podiums here – but with a strong two days at the Official test it would be hard to rule him out.
Over in the red corner, Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) has been spending his winter nursing an injury sustained in the Jerez test back in November. Struggling slightly with the set up of his Panigale R throughout the winter, the newly-wed is hoping to find some magic ahead of the weekend. Finishing on the podium on half of his appearances around the 4.4km circuit, Davies is yet to win despite being involved in some sensational battles – most notably the one to the line last season. Whilst Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) had a stronger official test to start the week, and with victorious memories of the circuit from his time in the 125cc and 250cc World Championships, he will no doubt go into the race with a positive outlook. Making his return to the series here last season in which he took a podium finish, he clearly has the pace and a strong mindset should help ahead of the weekend.
With podium finishes to his name in Australia in both WorldSSP and WorldSBK, Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) has been building a solid pace with his YZF-R1 throughout the two day test, with a good pace the first and final sectors of the track. One of seven circuits he has taken a WorldSBK podium around, he will be hoping to make a big impact for the start of 2018. Whilst Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) is working to continue with the podium pace he acquired last season, and despite being locked in a stunning top three battle in 2017, he is yet to take home a trophy from Australia.
An all new line up welcomes all new challenges for the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team, as Leon Camier and Jake Gagne prepare to battle on the Fireblade CBR1000RR SP2 machines. Impressing with a strong pre-season pace so far since first swinging his leg over the bike, Camier may not be confident of having the race pace yet, but he is showing positive signs on the machine. Taking a best result of fifth position around the circuit, the British rider will have a challenging weekend ahead, whilst team-mate Gagne will be hoping to make a solid and steady start to his first appearance as a permenant WorldSBK rider.
Returning to the WorldSBK paddock for the first time since 2014, Loris Baz (GULF Althea BMW Racing Team) is ready for a challenging but enjoyable season. Starting to understand the German machine, he had a strong two day test in Australia and will be eager to quickly adjust to the Pirelli tyres and be fighting for some strong positions. Positive memories from 2014 will surely follow the 25 year old, after he secured a podium with Kawasaki, Down Under.
After a difficult two day test, Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) will be wanting to put the opening day behind him. The Spanish rider crashed at 190kph but bounced back up and will continue to work with his new team as they try to develop the Italian machine. Taking a fourth position here back in 2015, Torres has plenty of experience Down Under to help his adjust to his new bike.
 The Man, The Bike, The Team.... 3-times consecutive SBK Wrold Champions.
2017 SBK Motul World Superbike Championship, Losail, Qatar, Round 13 of 13
Losail, Qatar, November 2nd-4th 2017 - Three time FIM Superbike World Champion Jonathan Rea (KRT) secured his 16th race win of the season this evening in Losail to set a record total of 556 points in one year. Tom Sykes (KRT) crashed out from a podium position early in the last race of the 2017 season and no scored.
An almost perfect season for Jonathan Rea culminated with a double win at the final round in Qatar on the Ninja ZX-10RR. In winning race two by 1.961 seconds he won two more races in a single season than he had managed in his previous best winning year of 2015.
For the final race of 2017 Rea started from ninth place, under the reverse grid Superpole regulations, but got up to the lead on lap four. From that point he started easing his way forward and maintaining a gap to the riders behind. His strong finish saw him 153 ahead of overall second place finisher in the points, Chaz Davies / Ducati , after 13 rounds. Rea was never off the podium in any race he finished this year.
Sykes lost his chance of finishing the season in second place after he fell on lap three, at turn 14. His machine was too badly damaged to continue. Tom finished his season a clear third overall in the rankings, with 373 points.
After the finale under the floodlights KRT will now head back to Europe to make preparations for the first of the winter tests, to be fully ready for the new technical challenges that the 2018 season will bring.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “The points tally is nice but the championship is the main thing. To win 16 races in a season, more than 50% of the races, is not normal. That’s the biggest thing I take away. This year, like I keep saying, I have no words. It has been feeling normal to be here on the podium and that is kind of scary. Right now is my time, so I really am enjoying the moment. Next year it could easily be somebody else so we really need to enjoy this and celebrate an incredible year. I know how difficult it is when things are not coming naturally, and it is an uphill struggle, so that is why I am so grateful to Kawasaki for this opportunity. It is a huge team effort. In a few weeks’ time we can start turning our attention to 2018.”
Tom Sykes, stated: “We started this final weekend so well but things just turned against us. In race two the bike felt much better. Initially I missed a bit of lap time but the bike was coming to me. I was just in a fast turn, clipped the white line and fell. People are running up and over kerbs here but I go and touch a white line and lose the front. It has been one of those things. The lap times were right there for the race today because we had made slight modifications from yesterday, so I cannot believe the way it finished. Jonathan has had an incredible season this year, he has done a fantastic job.”
Shigemi Tanaka of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Motorcycle and Engine Company, Marketing Department, stated: “We send our congratulations to Jonathan on behalf of KHI. It is a great achievement to score so many points, in a season which has been remarkable.”
Jonathan Rea: World Champion 2015, 2016 & 2017
2017: Races 26, Wins 16, Podiums 24, Superpoles 6
Career Race Wins: 54 (39 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 112 (70 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 14 (10 for Kawasaki)
We're Back! Riding Edelweiss Motorcycle Tour - From Paris to Omaha, France
Versailles, France, August 2016 - How we spent our summer vacation! On the exciting Edelweiss Bike Travel 2016 Paris to Omaha Beach 10-day motorcycle tour across western France visiting the histroric battle sites of World War II where editor Jim Ginatsis father, B26 bomber pilot Capt. James Gianatsi played a pivital role in te D-say invasion and liberating France. We rode 2-up two-up with awesome FastDates.com SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Kaustin "Kaussie" Rose in a story for the FastDates.com Website. Our bike of choice would be the newly introduced BMW R 1000 XR Sport Tourer, based on the potent BMW R 1000 RR Superbike. For the Complete Story Click on the Photos or Check Out the Complete Story Here
For complete Pricing, Bikes, and Booking Information visit the Edelweiss Website Here
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Confederate Motorcycles changes its Name and Markting plans to Curtis Motorcycle Company and will build Electric Motorcycles Only
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Dec 1st 2017 -In 1903, Glenn H. Curtiss invented the venerable American v-twin motorcycle engine. More recently, Confederate Motors, Inc. invested 20-plus years perfecting his invention. Four generations of patented architecture were created.
Seven years ago, in Confederate's twentieth year, they began research and development of their fifth generation architecture. They knew we were at a turning point; they had maxed out Glenn's invention. It was time to apply our years of design experience and earned wisdom with the best innovation and technology, just like Mr. Curtiss would do, were he leading us today. We branded the project Curtiss. Over these past seven years, the view from standing on the shoulders of this giant shifted our business model and strategy on its axis. Curtiss illuminated, informed, and clarified a new mission; sustainable, scalable, ageless, timeless, fun motorcycle relevance.
Curtiss will deploy a modular architectural system, the design upon which numerous patents have been filed, as the optimal foundation for an all-new Twin-Engine powertrain supplied by the new world-leader in motorcycle torque production, Zero. The all-new powertrain packages in a classical proportion, lower, narrower, and with superior weight management than any other. The geometry and ergonomics are classic as well, empowering the rider with effortless control, speed, handling, and comfort. Curtiss suspension is all-new and state-of-the-art. A breakthrough in transparency, accuracy, and quality of information between the tarmac and the Curtiss rider is promised. Whole new levels of safety have been designed into Curtiss, which has the goal of being the world leader in this key aspect.
A full range of machines to fit every pocketbook is in development, with the unveiling of the first model, the all-new Hercules, scheduled for May 5, 2018.
Curtiss will be cool and sophisticated urban mobility.
It is with the utmost confidence that we announce our name change, effective January 8, 2018, from Confederate Motors, Inc., unto Curtiss Motorcycle Co., Inc.
The first all-new Curtiss motorcycles in over 106 years are coming soon.
Jake Gagne completes Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team for 2018
Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team, Dec 7th 2017 - American rider Jake Gagne will race alongside Leon Camier in the 2018 FIM Superbike World Championship for the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team. The 24-year-old from San Diego, California, will reunite with the squad to take on his maiden full season in the series on board the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.
Gagne joined the team for the first time last July, when he made his World Superbike debut at Laguna Seca. After a strong showing in front of his home crowd, he was recruited by Honda and the team for two more rounds, firstly at Magny-Cours and then at the Losail International Circuit for the season finale. Jake constantly improved his performance and feeling with the WorldSBK-spec Fireblade machine as he claimed best results of twelfth on three separate occasions.
Gagne also contested a complete season in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship on Honda machinery with the Genuine Broaster Chicken Honda Racing team.
Camier joins Honda for the 2018 FIM Superbike World Championship
October 15th 2017 - Honda Motor Europe and the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team are pleased to announce the signing of Leon Camier, who will join the squad for the 2018 FIM Superbike World Championship. The 31-year-old from Ashford, Kent, United Kingdom, will be riding the WorldSBK-spec version of the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 throughout the upcoming season.
British Superbike champion in 2009, Camier joined WorldSBK on a full-time basis the following year and since then he established himself as one of the most talented and quickest riders in the field. Over the years, Camier has also gathered a wealth of experience by racing on several different machines, and his combination of speed, experience and determination will be a huge asset to the team.
Camier will join the team at the end of the current season to start the winter testing programme on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.
Stefan Bradl to miss the final two rounds of the 2017 WorldSBK season
Sept 30th - Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team’s Stefan Bradl will miss the remaining two rounds of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship. The 27-year-old German highsided in the early stages of race one at Portimão on September 16th and was forced to miss the second encounter due to strong pain in his right wrist. Following extensive medical checks back home in Augsburg, Germany, and being diagnosed with a torn scaphulonate ligament, Bradl underwent arthroscopy surgery on Thursday, September 28th, in which doctors inserted pins and wire to put back the two sides of the torn ligament in position – so that the healing process can begin. A seven-week full rest of the right forearm has been ordered by the group of doctors who performed the surgery, with a total of eight weeks required before Stefan will be able to begin with physiotherapy.
New Classes Introduced For MotoAmerica 2018
$1 Million In
Prize Money On Offer
COSTA MESA, CA (September 13, 2017) – MotoAmerica has announced it is making changes to its class structure for the 2018 MotoAmerica Series with the addition of three new classes and the realignment of two others.
MotoAmerica has announced changes in the class structure for 2018.|Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
The three new classes are Stock 1000, Twins and the previously announced Junior Cup, which takes the place of the KTM RC Cup. The 2018 season will also see the demise of Superstock 1000 and Superstock 600 with those two classes no longer incorporated into the Motul Superbike and Supersport classes, respectively.
The Motul Superbike class will be just that beginning in 2018 – Superbikes only. The same goes for Supersport. Supersport will see an adjustment in technical rules, blending parts of both the current Supersport and Superstock 600 technical rules.
“Our focus has always been to build the Superbike class,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “The Superstock 1000 bikes have proven to be competitive in the Superbike class and the teams and riders who run those bikes are now racing near the front at every round. We also found that having the Superstock 1000 class inside the Superbike class was confusing for our fans and we feel the class will gain strength by being Superbike-only going forward. We look forward to having a Superbike class with top-notch motorcycles, riders and teams from the top of the field to the bottom – just as the premier class should be.”
The reasoning behind doing away with the Superstock 600 class mirrors the reasons behind going to Superbike-only – to do away with the confusion of having two classes racing on track at the same time.
The Stock 1000 class is designed to be a feeder class to Superbike, giving riders the chance to gain experience on 1000cc motorcycles before making the move to Superbike. The class licensing restrictions will ensure this category will be for participants with little or no current 1000cc experience at the National level.
The new Twins class is an addition that will address one of the most popular categories of motorcycles sales, as well as giving tuners some freedom to modify suspension and engine components. The class has also shown strong participation throughout the club racing scene.
The Junior Cup will be open to manufacturers who homologate machines for the category. The class will continue to have an age limit, though that has changed from 14-22 years old to 14-25 years old.
The series will further be bolstered by an impressive offering of over $1 million in prize money for the 2018 season with over $775,000 earmarked towards the Motul Superbike class.
“We’re proud to be able to announce a big increase in purse money,” said Rainey. “Most notably that comes in the Superbike class as we continue to look for ways that the MotoAmerica Series can benefit teams. We are also hopeful of continuing to provide additional funds in the years to come.”
The provisional technical rules for all 2018 MotoAmerica classes can be found here:
Superbike
Supersport
Stock 1000
Twins
Junior Cup
Licensing information for each of the classes can be found here: Licensing Information Valentiion Rossie Breaks His Let in Dirt Bike Accident
August 31st, 2017 - Movistar Yamaha MotoGP‘s Valentino Rossi sustained displaced fractures of the tibia and fibula of his right leg, following an enduro incident on Thursday evening, August 31st.
ollowing an enduro training accident on Thursday, August 31st. Movistar Yamaha MotoGP star Valentino Rossi was diagnosed with displaced fractures of the tibia and fibula of his right leg. 38-year-old Rosiwill undergo surgery as soon as possible.
Sept 1st, 2017 - Last night Movistar Yamaha MotoGP's Valentino Rossi had a successful operation on the displaced fractures of the tibia and fibula of his right leg.
The MotoGP-star was hospitalised after an enduro accident yesterday evening.
Following a medical examination at the 'Ospedale Civile di Urbino', where he was initially diagnosed, the Italian was transported to the 'Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti' in Ancona. Upon arrival, he received surgery between 2am - 3am by Dr. Raffaele Pascarella, Director of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Division. During the surgery the fractures were fixated using a metal pin - a locked intramedullary nail - without any complications.
Rossi to Miss the Misano Grand Prix
Italy, 4th September 2017 - Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team‘s Valentino Rossi will be unable to take part in the Gran Premio Tribul Mastercard di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, this weekend.Gerno di Lesmo The Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team regrets to report that Valentino Rossi will not be able to compete in the upcoming Gran Premio Tribul Mastercard di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, to be held this weekend. The Factory Yamaha team will compete in round 13 of the 2017 MotoGP World Championship with Maverick Viñales as its sole rider. Rosi Completes
Test Rides at Misano
Sept 19th 2017- Movistar Yamaha MotoGP's Valentino Rossi improved his feeling on the YZF-R1M during the second day of testing. He will make a final decision on his attempt to compete in the Gran Premio Movistar de Aragón after a further medical examination. Having ridden his first laps around the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli yesterday, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP's Valentino Rossi was back aboard his YZF-R1M today at 3:30pm (GMT+2) to resume his physical test. During the two-hour private riding session the nine-time World Champion was able to complete 20 laps in total. He wrapped up this second day of testing with an improved feeling and a more positive impression compared to yesterday. Tomorrow Rossi will undergo a medical examination - to verify the positive rehabilitation progress experienced in today's session - after which he will make a final decision on his attempt to take part in the Gran Premio Movistar de Aragón. A further update will be given after the Italian's check-up.
The Devil Made Us Do It!
Testing the Ducati Diavel in Italy
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High Speed - the Movie
The best motorcycle racing movie ever made! Filmed on location at the World Superbike races , this an exciting romantic drama staring beautiful British actress Sienna Miller.
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