Motorcycle News - Cafe Lyfe – Papnman CB400 Super Four
https://ift.tt/2H5dM1p The Honda CB400 Super Four is a run of the mill naked UJM which first hit the streets back in ’92. It was the baby brother to the CB1000SF and was initially created for Asian markets where smaller capacity machines were in higher demand. Despite pushing out a respectable 53bhp and offering well-rounded performance, the Super Four styling is somewhat staid. Fortunately, the little four hundred four lends itself well to customisation. Take for example this cafe’d ’98 version CB400 Super Four built by Indonesia’s Papnman Modified garage. Motorcycles via Return of the Cafe Racers https://ift.tt/2M9riRb February 27, 2019 at 05:27AM
F1 News - Alonso becomes McLaren ambassador and will test F1 car
https://ift.tt/2EBqV0F Two-time champion Fernando Alonso has become an ambassador for McLaren, a role that will include him testing their Formula 1 car this year. The team said Alonso would "help advise the team's drivers and engineers and drive at selected tests to support the development" of the 2019 and 2020 cars. The Spaniard, 37, left F1 last year and is competing at the Indianapolis 500 this season for a McLaren team. Alonso said the role was "a true honour" and "just the beginning". He added: "McLaren is a special team, and despite the challenges we have endured recently, it remains so. "I said before I stopped racing in Formula 1 last year that I see myself with McLaren for a long time to come, so I am delighted at this new role and the ability to stay closely involved with the team I feel is my spiritual home. "We have the Indianapolis 500 in May of course, which I am looking forward to immensely, but this is just the beginning of many things we can do together. "I am particularly passionate about nurturing young talent, whether that's with my own team or helping the new generation of Formula 1 drivers at McLaren unlock their true potential. "This is important to both the team and myself, so will be an especially rewarding part of my role." Alonso, who has set up his own karting circuit and school in his home town of Oviedo in Spain, hopes to win the Indy 500 this year and become only the second driver in history to win motorsport's unofficial 'triple crown' of Monaco Grand Prix, Le Mans 24 Hours and Indy. Some regard the F1 part of the achievement as the world title. McLaren chief executive Zak Brown said: "Fernando is part of the McLaren family. He has set his place in the team's history and continues to write his chapter of the McLaren story, so it is entirely appropriate that we formalise his status as a McLaren ambassador, joining another double champion, Mika Hakkinen. "For any race team, having someone of Fernando's class on hand to provide support through his experience is of huge value. "His insights and perspective will be welcomed by both our drivers and engineers alike, while his stature and character remain highly appealing to our partners and fans." #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 February 27, 2019 at 04:42AM
F1 News - Renault name Sergei Sirotkin as reserve driver
https://ift.tt/2NwCsBh Russian Sergey Sirotkin has been given a Formula 1 lifeline after losing his seat at Williams. The 23-year-old was dropped after his debut season last year in favour of Robert Kubica, but has been named as Renault's third and reserve driver. The French team also announced that British Formula 2 driver Jack Aitken will be their test driver. Aitken, 23, has been on Renault's young driver programme since 2016 and will do two tests for the team this year. Aitken will also do a second season in F2, where he won one race last year, for the Spanish Campos team. #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 February 27, 2019 at 03:42AM
Motorcycle News - Best Motorcycle Touring Boots
https://ift.tt/2H4XSUS All boots are not created equal. Like motorcycles, we can always find a reason to have one more in the garage. Of course, if we had to have one, the touring genre usually fits the bill for being pretty good at a lot of things. Touring boots are generally weatherproof, comfortable, and somewhat understated to work well in a variety of situations. We looked at the brands and offerings currently on the market and put together a list of some of the best motorcycle touring boots we could find to bring you a one-stop peek into what makes these boots stand out. Alpinestars Radon Drystar $199.95The Radon Drystar boot from Alpinestars is a subtle technical touring boot complete with the Drystar waterproof liner to keep you warm and dry. The outer of the boot is made up of microfiber rather than leather to hold up better in adverse weather conditions and provide better abrasion resistance than leather in a lighter package. In terms of protection, the Radon features a TPU shin plate, a TPR panel on the lateral toe, internally reinforced toe box and heel counter, dual-density foam protectors on both sides of the ankle, and a reinforced shank through the footbed. To allow for a custom fit the Radon features two Velcro straps around the lower and upper ankle with the top closure using a Velcro fold-over type design. For just under $200, the Radon Drystar is a lightweight, waterproof offering that will keep you going mile after mile. Shop for the Alpinestars Radon Drystar boots here Cortech Turret WP Boots $139.99The Cortech Turret WP uses a three-layer HiPora waterproof, breathable membrane in addition to water-repellent leather, wear-resistant nubuck leather, and a PU upper to provide an all-season boot for your touring needs. Alloy buckles and a hook-and-loop Velcro calf closure provide a secure fit while the gusseted liner provides waterproofing all the way to the top of the boot. The TecnoGI thermoplastic heel cup and toe cap provide welcome protection while high-density foam and molded nylon protects both sides of the ankle. The Turret also uses an “unbreakable, anti-twist” molded nylon midsole to reinforce the bottom of the boot. Reflective 3M accents can be found on the heel for extra visibility, and the sole is made of oil- and gas-resistant vulcanized rubber. The Cortech Turret WP is a great option at a great price. Shop for the Cortech Turret WP boots here Dainese Dinamica D-WP $229.95The Dainese Dinamica D-WP is the shortest sporty offering on our list simply included for variety. Not everyone wants a knee-high. The Dinamica uses Dainese’s D-WP waterproof breathable membrane to keep your feet warm and dry in less than desirable riding conditions. The Dinamica uses a very sturdy heel cup and toe box for crush protection as well as a reinforced shank through the bottom of the shoe and ankle cups to protect your malleoli. A single zip closure in the rear makes this riding shoe easy to slip into. Unlike many of the blacked-out offerings on this list, the Dinamica comes in three colors: black with red accents, black with yellow accents, and of course, murdered-out black to the floor. If you’re looking for waterproof short and sport, look no further than the Dainese Dinamica D-WP. Shop for the Dainese Dinamica D-WP boots here Daytona Road Star GTX $429.00Daytona boots may not be as well known here in the states as Dainese or Alpinestars, but the German company has been producing quality boots by hand since 1968. The Daytona Road Star GTX is made of hydrophobic cowhide with a Gore-Tex membrane baked into the construction. Velcro closures and adjustment panels offer a wide range of fitment and the two zip fasteners on either side make donning these boots easy after you’ve set the Velcro where you want. Ankle protection is provided by plastic and open-cell foam as is the shin, while a plastic reinforced inner sole with a steel inlay makes for a sturdy sole. 3M Scotchlite heel reflectors are incorporated and non-slip outsole gives good grip. A billion euro motorcyclists can’t be wrong (this number has not been substantiated). Shop for the Daytona Road Star GTX here Forma Cape Horn $279.00The Forma Cape Horn are excellent all-rounders from the Italian brand. Drytex waterproofing provides a wind and waterproof liner while the outer is made from full-grain oiled leather. The touring anti-slip sole is reinforced with a steel shank and the ankles and shins are padded for extra protection as well. Fit is easily tailored with the GH buckles and Velcro collar closure, and the antibacterial insole keeps these boots from getting funky. Should you find yourself kicking rocks, the Forma Cape Horn also comes with a steel toe cap in the box that you can easily install. To top things off, they come with a 12-month warranty. Shop for the Forma Cape Horn boots here Icon 1000 Joker $225.00With the Icon designers hailing from the northeast, they know a thing or two about rain. The Joker WP is constructed from full-grain leather backed with a breathable waterproof liner. A waterproof YKK zipper on the back of the boot allows easy on/off. The shin and sole are reinforced and the ankles are backed by D3O to offer plenty of protection. These boots are not only available in all black, but can also be had in a wonderful light brown. Shop for the Icon 1000 Joker WP boots here REV’IT! Discovery OutDry $499.99The REV’IT! Discovery OutDry boot is a juggernaut of all-weather touring technology packed into a substantial touring boot. REV’IT! says the Discovery OutDry is made for motorcyclists who need the stability and safety of off-road boots, the features and user-friendliness of a touring boot, and the comfort of a trekking boot. The Vibram outsole provides excellent grip while the multi-density EVA midsole absorbs shock. The ratcheting BOA closure system allows users to fine tune the fit while saving weight. Thermoplastic reinforcement can be found in the heel cup, toe cap, and shin guard while SEESOFT protectors are are also used throughout the shin and tongue area. The sole also features an integrated shank for torsion resistance and extra support while standing on the footpegs. REV’IT!’s OutDry waterproof breathable membrane is bonded to the outer material to achieve waterproofing without adding an extra bulky layer. The outside of the boot is made up of 500D Cordura, full grain cowhide, and suede leather. Inside of the boot, a silver-ion antibacterial 3D mesh liner is used to enhance breathability and keep your boots smelling fresh. The anatomically shaped ankle cup and footbed provide all day comfort as does the comfort collar on the top edge. They’re not cheap, but if you plan on spending a lot of time in the saddle, these boots will pay for themselves. Shop for the REV’IT! Discovery OutDry boots here Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex $350.00Sidi makes a wide range of great boots, whether you’re looking for race boots, off-road boots, or in this case, touring boots. The Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex combines microfiber and split grain leather with a Gore-Tex membrane to offer a protective weatherproof touring boot. The Canyon contains internal heel, ankle, and toe protection. The Velcro and ratcheting strap closures provide a positive comfortable fit while the lugged outsole dampens any vibration while providing excellent grip. Check out our full long-term review of the Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex here. Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex Boots Review Shop for the SIDI Canyon Gore-Tex boots here TCX Clima Surround $299.99The TCX Clima Surround brings new technology to the table to provide motorcyclists with a whole new perspective of what a waterproof boot can be. The Surround technology was developed in coordination with Gore-Tex to add a level of breathability not yet seen on any other Gore-Tex motorcycle boot. The unique sole construction features openings at the side of the sole which channel airflow underneath the Gore-Tex lined footbed to allow the bottom of the foot to better breathe and shed heat through the ventilation grid in the midsole where it can then be expelled through the side ports. Reinforced protective panels can be found at the ankles, shin plate, and heel cup while the outer material is made of abrasion resistant Cordura and microfiber panels. If you constantly find yourself with sweaty feet even in Gore-Tex lined boots, the Clima Surround may offer the extra breathability you need. Shop for the TCX Clima Surround boots here Tourmaster Solution 2.0 WP $129.99The Tourmaster Solution 2.0 is just that, a budget-friendly solution to your touring footwear needs. The Solution 2.0 keeps you protected with a molded nylon shin and ankle guards as well as thermoplastic heel cup and toe cap. The HiPora liner, also found on the Cortech boots, is going to keep your dry and comfortable no matter what is happening outside. An auto-lock zipper and adjustable Velcro flap keeps the Solution 2.0 closed up tight and the orthopedically designed sole will keep your dogs from barking day in and day out. Shop for the Tourmaster Solution 2.0 boots here We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works. The post Best Motorcycle Touring Boots appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com https://ift.tt/2Std7JO February 26, 2019 at 05:22PM
F1 News - F1 testing: Lando Norris of McLaren fastest on day one of final test
https://ift.tt/2GMDvN2 British rookie Lando Norris set the fastest time in his McLaren on the first day of the final pre-season test. The 19-year-old used the second softest tyres to pip Red Bull's Pierre Gasly by just 0.006secs before breaking down on track in Barcelona. Gasly, using the middle of five compounds, was 0.109secs ahead of Lance Stroll's Racing Point. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was a further 0.101secs back while Lewis Hamilton was 12th fastest for Mercedes. Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas stopped on track with a loss of oil pressure and Mercedes decided to change the engine. Bottas only made it out again for the final eight minutes of the session to set the 11th fastest time. Mercedes' upgrade was not a response to Ferrari's pace - F1 car parts take months to go from design to production to being fitted to the car. But it did reflect the difficulty in drawing conclusions about competitiveness from pre-season testing times when development is constant and it is impossible to know in what specification the cars are running. Mercedes said: "Part of the usual development race ahead of lights out in Oz. Going to need everything we've got. Those red cars look quick!" At the first test, it was widely understood that the Ferrari was the fastest car, with little to choose between Mercedes and Red Bull a few tenths of a second behind. There are three remaining days of testing this week, before the opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 14-16 March. Fastest times, day one, final pre-season testing, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya1 Lando Norris (GB) McLaren 1:17.709 **** 2 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Red Bull 1:17.715 *** 3 Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:17.824 **** 4 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:17.925 *** 5 Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo 1:18.589 seconds **** 6 Alexander Albon (Tha) Toro Rosso 1:18.649 **** 7 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:18.651 *** 8 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas 1:18.769 **** 9 George Russell (GB) Williams 1:19.662 ***** 10 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:20.107 ** 11 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes 1:20.167 ** 12 Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes 1:20.332 ** 13 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:20.348 *** Key: * = C1 tyre (hardest); ** = C2 (second hardest); *** = C3 (middle); C4 **** = (second softest); ***** = C5 (softest) #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 February 26, 2019 at 11:51AM
Motorcycle News - Snag A Bluetooth Helmet Communication Unit For 41% Off
https://ift.tt/2VoNKKB In-helmet bluetooth headsets are a great resource for group rides, allowing you to communicate clearly with your fellow riders clearly rather than relying on hand signals. These units can often be pricey, but we just spotted a great deal on one of these units from a company called Ecocom that is definitely worth consideration. Usually priced at $60.99, a 41% markdown brings these units down to only $36. The units can maintain a connection at up to roughly 1,000 yards, can link to 2 other units simultaneously, and can also be paired to media players and GPS units to provide some great additional functionality if you’re out and riding solo. The unit doesn’t have much in the way of reviews just yet, but so far it seems it’s being well received and is easy and straightforward to install. Shop The Ecocom Bluetooth Communication System Here The post Snag A Bluetooth Helmet Communication Unit For 41% Off appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com https://ift.tt/2Std7JO February 26, 2019 at 11:45AM
Motorcycle News - RC Dept’s Honda Dominator: Big style from a tiny country
https://ift.tt/2GLFS2w
Despite its compact dimensions, Andorra is now home its first fully-equipped custom workshop: RC Dept, run by Roberto Conde. And he’s not alone in his passion for bikes.
Roberto’s Dominator could hold its own against many of those bikes. And as you’d expect from a former Dakar factory team mechanic, the build quality is tremendous.
Since the engine was almost thirty years old, RC Dept stripped it down and gave it a thorough overhaul, including a new camshaft. It’s also been treated to a coat of black paint on the cases, to balance the black bodywork.
With the engine shoehorned back into the frame, it was time to craft an exhaust system. Roberto and his crew built a completely custom system from scratch using stainless steel, with multiple bends snaking around the cylinder head and the frame tubes. It’s terminated with a stubby SuperTrapp muffler.
As a true dual sport, the NX650 originally had a 21-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear, hooked up to the famous Pro-Link suspension.
Sharp eyes will recognize the Honda CG125 fuel tank, an inspired choice that’s matched to a flat track tail unit. Side plates and a curved front plate with a built-in LED light complete the look—all subtly shaped for maximum impact.
Like everything else on this Dominator, the effect is ultra-minimalist. That’s unusual for a tracker-style bike, but it works perfectly here—right down to the satin black paint with white and gold striping.
But this one ticks all the boxes, and suggests that the tracker style is a great match for the Dommie frame. And despite Andorra’s tiny population, we don’t think RC Dept are going to be short of work. RC Dept | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Sam Decout Motorcycles via Bike EXIF http://www.bikeexif.com February 26, 2019 at 11:15AM
MotoGP News - 'Impossible' to judge Qatar MotoGP test form - Ducati's Dovizioso
https://ift.tt/2EgyXui Andrea Dovizioso says it's "impossible" to draw any meaningful conclusions from the Qatar MotoGP test, as every bike appeared strong in the "strange" conditions Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport https://ift.tt/2uOa9Ei February 26, 2019 at 10:49AM
Motorcycle News - POWER COUPLE. Zanutto Engineering’s ’71 Yamaha R5 Restomod Racer
https://ift.tt/2U3CGSO Written by Andrew Jones My partner loves talking about motorcycles. Sometimes, she just bangs on and on for hours and hours about two-stroke service intervals, the history of 500cc two-stroke Grand Prix racing and her favourite subject – expansion chamber designs. I’m joking, of course. She hates bikes. But just imagine if there was such a thing. Imagine a partner that was as keen to mix two-stroke as you were. Well, for San Diego’s Eric Zanutto and his wife Melanie, nature has conspired to do the unimaginable. They both like bikes. Hell, they both build bikes. Here’s their latest creation – a ’71 Yamaha R5 Racer restomod. “I grew up near Fresno in California,” reminisces Eric. “It was an old farming town. My dad got me into airplanes and motorcycles from a young age. He was a bike builder as well,” says Eric. Sadly, he passed away a little less than a year ago. “So with him being in the Air Force and into planes, I got pretty hands-on at a young age. I’m an aerospace engineer now – I build and ride bikes as a stress reliever and because it’s just a big bunch of fun. But I’m always learning as I go, and I know I have plenty more to understand.” Eric and his wife picked up this 1971 Yamaha R5, complete with a ’75 RD350 engine transplant, from Rancho Palos Verdes about a year ago. The bike was in extremely rough shape, with rust on pretty much every part imaginable and a whole bunch of mismatched bits. “In the end, we were able to salvage most of the parts and refurbish them. We completely tore the bike down to the frame and detabbed it, then we had it powder coated. Next we disassembled the RD350 engine – which was caked in a quarter-inch of sludge and black widow eggs – and rebuilt it ourselves. We hand polished the drum brake hubs and installed new shouldered aluminum hoops with Buchanan’s spokes.” All-new EBC pads went in the hubs and fresh Bridgestone Battlax rubber was fitted. “Up front we hand-polished the forks. Progressive shocks went into the rear and an RK gold chain, a Speedy Siegl Racing aluminum brake arm and an Airtech Streamlining TZ250 fiberglass seat were also bolted on. The gas tank had a lot of rust, so we cleaned it out with muriatic acid and sealed it with an epoxy tank sealant.” Despite every seal and gasket being replaced, the engine’s mechanicals are mostly stock. The happy couple did however install a Power Dynamo CDI ignition, a Motion Pro throttle, Jim Lomas expansion chambers, and it’s running the old Mikuni carbs from Eric’s ’84 Japanese spec RZ350. “Since the CDI ignition had a fairly complete wiring system, we finished off the rest of the connections with a custom wire harness we made ourselves. Lastly, we did our own Kenny Roberts-themed paint job.” “This is my wife’s first vintage bike and first two-stroke,” notes Eric. “It’s also the first bike she’s helped me build. She has owned and ridden plenty of other modern bikes, though. Neither of us do this for a living. We both have day jobs, so it’s just a hobby and passion of ours. My first bike in high school was my aunt‘s old French Blue ’77 Yamaha RD400 that I cafe’d. That bike taught me a lot at a young age and it’s why I’m now pretty particular about Yamahas, two strokes, and old bikes in general.” That initial tango with the 400 made Eric aspire to build a slimmer R5 or RD350, with spoked wheels and a more open frame. While in Japan for work, he promptly fell in love with the old Yamaha TD2-style race bikes at the Iwata Yamaha museum. “That was the inspiration for the seat chosen, the overall flow of the bike, and the polished bits here and there.” Aside from the new parts and the powdercoat, the two did all the work on the bike, by hand, by themselves. “Since I was a kid, building bikes was something I shared with my dad. Now I can share it with my wife as well.” “I would say the hardest part of the build was all the corrosion and rust removal. This bike sat since the ’70s and was in horrible shape. All the shiny bits were polished by hand. And by hand, I mean by hand. There was lots of sandpaper of various grades, working our way down to 7000 grit and then finally using an orbital polisher to finish off the shine.” “What I like most about the finished bike is seeing something that has been reborn; all those long hours in the garage and memories made while bringing something back to life are really special. Aside from that, I really enjoy the overall sleekness and flow of this bike. From head to tail, it’s everything I envisioned my old RD400 could have and should have been.” A childhood dream come true. It doesn’t get any better than that. [ Eric Zanutto – Melanie Zanutto | Photos by Sly Imagery & That Yamaha Rider ] Motorcycles via Pipeburn.com https://ift.tt/2LY9tnG February 26, 2019 at 05:02AM
MotoGP News - Marc Marquez: Honda has recovered from poor start to MotoGP test
https://ift.tt/2Nt8lux Marc Marquez claims he is now in a position to fight for the podium in 2019's MotoGP season-opening Qatar Grand Prix after a slow start to the final pre-season test at Losail Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport https://ift.tt/2uOa9Ei February 25, 2019 at 04:45PM |
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