F1 News - Belgian GP: Lewis Hamilton rules out race boycott
https://ift.tt/3gzXjAr Lewis Hamilton says he "stands with" US sports stars boycotting events to fight racism but does not believe his missing a race would have an effect. Basketball, baseball and football games have been postponed in the US after police shot James Blake, a black man, seven times in the back on Sunday. Hamilton said he was "really proud" of those involved and that he was "trying to do what I can over here". Sebastian Vettel said drivers' pre-race anti-racism protests would continue. Hamilton, F1's only black driver, said in the build-up to this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix: "It's incredible what many out there in the States are doing within their sports, all the way down to the people who are hosting. "So many people are standing with the players and really pushing for change. It is a shame that is what's needed over there in order to get a reaction. "But that is in America and I don't know really if me doing anything here will particularly have any effect. We are in Belgium, not in the States. "I haven't spoken to anyone about it but I am really proud of so many out there and I do stand unified with them. "I don't really know how us not doing the race is a thing. But I will try and speak to F1 to see what else we can do to continue to raise awareness and help push. "And as a sport we all need to be aligned and supporting one another, even though it is a different sport." Hamilton has been at the forefront of F1's support for anti-racism and diversity this year, which has led to demonstrations by the drivers and the sport before every race. Vettel, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, said all 20 F1 drivers were united in their desire to keep pressing the message home. "We sent a strong message after the first event and our feeling was very clear that we wanted to continue sending that message," he said. "It is one of those things that does not go away overnight. "How long will we continue? There is no answer to that. It is important to keep sending the message and that's what we will continue to do." The Ferrari driver added: "We know it is does not change things overnight and it is only a very small contribution, but hopefully everyone who tunes in and sees it gets the point and takes a little bit of that for the next steps he is facing in life. "Because one thing is to take action in public but more importantly is how everyone is acting and confronting it once the cameras are off. That is true for us and it is true for everyone else." Hamilton sees Verstappen as a threatHamilton has won four of the first six races this season and has opened a 37-point championship lead over Red Bull's Max Verstappen, with the Briton's Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas a further six points adrift. Hamilton said he saw Verstappen as a genuine threat in the championship. "If you take away Max's DNF (retirement) in race one away, we would be very close in points," he said. "They have had very strong results. Maybe in qualifying we do have the edge. But in races we are a lot closer. "We are not even halfway through the season. I absolutely keep my eye on them. They are absolutely still a title runner and we need to stay on our toes." Memories of HubertThis weekend's race is a year on from the death of Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert at last year's event. On Thursday, Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly, a childhood friend and rival of Hubert, lay flowers beside the track at the spot where Hubert was killed, the high-speed Raidillon left-hander, which is the final part of the infamous Eau Rouge swerves. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, winner in Belgium last year and another close friend of Hubert, said many drivers would be thinking of him this weekend. "Last year was very difficult on the Saturday night," Leclerc said. "We all learned about Anthoine passing away and on the Sunday I spoke with Pierre. We were all good friends and Pierre said 'You have to win for Anthoine on Sunday'. "I wanted to do that, too. It was very special but also very difficult. It was the first time I had experienced driving around the same track when you have lost someone close. "Coming back doesn't change that but it doesn't change my targets for the weekend, which is to do the best I can in the car." Ferrari, however, are expecting a difficult weekend, as a result of the lack of speed they have shown on the straights this year following a series of rule clarifications over the winter. #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 August 27, 2020 at 12:00PM
MotoGP News - Riders call for more consistent stewarding in MotoGP
https://ift.tt/2YG7n4N Leading riders have called for greater consistency from MotoGP stewards following numerous incidents across the Austrian and Styrian Grand Prix weekends. Opinion was split on the pitlane start penalty awarded to Johann Zarco for the Styrian GP after his horror collision with Franco Morbidelli in the Austrian GP the week before. In the Styrian GP, penalties awarded in the Moto2 race for track limits abuse were called into question, as several riders felt Jorge Martin - who was stripped of his win - gained nothing over Marco Bezzecchi when he ran onto the green painted run-off on the exit of Turn 8. As it was on the last lap, any abuse of track limits is automatically punished by a drop of one place - though some felt promoted winner Bezzecchi should also have been penalised as he too ran off track at the same place. The debate on track limits raged on after the MotoGP race, as Suzuki's Joan Mir felt - after he was forced to drop a place on the opening lap for running off at Turn 1- KTM's Pol Espargaro should also have been demoted from third for running off at the final corner on the last lap. The current Stewards' panel was set-up in 2016 following the controversial Sepang clash between Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez in 2015, with double 500cc world champion Freddie Spencer heading up the panel of three from last year. "I would say it's not an easy job they are doing, but I'm not confident in the Stewards," Zarco said last Friday after his penalty was handed to him. "I don't think it's the right people in the right place. You should have other people." Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro conceded the Stewards' job is not easy, but feels "many things" need to be improved. "I have many doubts about the Stewards panel, I think we can improve many things," he said. "I don't agree with many things. But it's not depending on me. "For sure I can understand that it's not easy for them, but for me it's also not easy to try to put Aprilia in top 10, it's not easy for my engineers, it's not easy for my wife to be a mum. "So, for everybody it's difficult. So, I think we have room to improve." PLUS: Why the FIM needs to review MotoGP's stewards panel Ducati's Danilo Petrucci added: "Most of us are unhappy with the stewards because they are not enforcing the same measures on everybody. "There is a big difference depending on whether it is a Moto3 rider or MotoGP. There is a lot of work to do." His Ducati team-mate Andrea Dovizioso has been repeatedly critical of track limits rules and feels the way the Stewards apply those regulations is "strange". "I spoke a lot in the Safety Commission to try to change the rules on [running onto] the green [run-off]. "The last corner [in the Styrian GP] was a bit of a different situation because Miller pushed Pol out. "But in the way we they manage the rules, it's strange because in my opinion you have to imagine if there is gravel where there is green, and everything changes. "Every manoeuvre changes, everything changes from the riders. "So, I don't agree about that, but now we have to race with those rules." Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport https://ift.tt/2uOa9Ei August 27, 2020 at 07:02AM
Motorcycle News - Multinational: A British Racing Green BMW from California
https://ift.tt/2QtNUju
The builder, Josh Withers, agrees. He’s a photographer based in Culver City, California, who tinkers on old airheads when he’s not shooting. And now that he’s finally wrapped up work on the BMW, he’s pleased to report it’s “completely sorted, and a blast to ride.”
“Then, after six months of him unsure of what kind of bike he wanted, he disappeared for two years. Just as I was about to sell his pile of parts, he resurfaced. I had a back surgery, a sidecar restoration project to finish, a new baby girl, and other projects before I could get to this, but the last year I felt like I worked on it relentlessly.”
Josh used the opportunity to upgrade the old boxer motor, so it now runs a mighty 1,000 cc Siebenrock upgrade, and a five-speed kickstart transmission from a R90/6.
Most of the engine is original (Josh kept the air box too), but there’s a new blacked-out electronics box lurking under the seat. The exhaust cans are stainless steel units from Spark in Italy.
Lower down, the swing arm was braced, and the wheels re-laced to gorgeous Excel rims with stainless steel spokes. A set of black anodized swingarm mount plugs from Oshmo adds a nice subtle touch.
This classy R75/5 resto-mod does have one blatantly modern touch: a pair of Denali high-output accessory lights, mounted to the crash bars. The owner asked Josh to add them at the last minute, because he actually intends to ride this one in the woods.
That said, we’re betting Josh is happy to finally have it off his workbench! Josh Withers | Instagram | Images by Josh Withers, Mitch Lappo and Toma Kostygina Motorcycles via Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/2Mf9b0c August 26, 2020 at 12:06PM
MotoGP News - Rossi 'hopes to see Bagnaia in red' for 2021 MotoGP season
https://ift.tt/3huVmXv Valentino Rossi says he hopes to see his protege Francesco Bagnaia "dressed in red" for the 2021 MotoGP season as Ducati nears a decision on its future works team line-up. During the Styrian Grand Prix weekend, Ducati confirmed it had offered Pramac rider Bagnaia a new two-year deal to remain within the Italian marque's ranks for 2021, with Avintia's Johann Zarco also set to stay. With Andrea Dovizioso quitting the works Ducati team for 2021, the seat alongside Jack Miller now looks set to go to either Zarco or Bagnaia - though Ducati has not ruled out three-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo making a return. PLUS: Why Dovizioso's MotoGP replacement shouldn't be Lorenzo Ducati says it is looking to finalise its 2021 plans ahead of the San Marino Grand Prix in September, with Yamaha rider Rossi hoping Bagnaia gets the nod to step up to the works squad. "I think they [Pramac] are really close to Ducati, but I really hope for Pecco that his future is in the works team," Rossi said. "I would recommend him to go to the works team. "In Team Pramac they are certainly all very good, but the factory one has something on paper more. "I hope to see him dressed in red next year, because it would be a really great opportunity for him." Bagnaia has been sidelined since fracturing his knee in a crash during FP2 at the Czech Grand Prix, but is expected to return at Misano. Rumours suggest Zarco will remain at Avintia with additional Ducati support, with either Luca Marini or Enea Bastianini stepping up from Moto2 to join Jorge Martin - whose deal is yet to be formally confirmed - at Pramac in the seat vacated by Miller. Marini is Rossi's half-brother and another member of the VR46 Academy. He currently leads the Moto2 championship by eight points, and Rossi thinks he should concentrate more on the intermediate class crown than any negotiations with Ducati for a MotoGP step in 2021. "We are naturally honoured to know that Ducati is interested in Luca," Rossi said. "But I think it is more important this year he focus on this season, because he has the chance to win the world championship and this doesn't happen many times. "Some riders never have this opportunity in an entire career. "I would focus more on this year, then if Luca manages to get to MotoGP with Ducati, of course we would all be delighted." Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport https://ift.tt/2uOa9Ei August 26, 2020 at 09:01AM
MotoGP News - Tech3 glad to give Oliveira chance "to show he's a MotoGP rider"
https://ift.tt/31zqHmp Tech3 boss Herve Poncharal is "very happy" to have been able to give "underrated" Miguel Oliveira a chance to "show he's a MotoGP rider" with his Styrian Grand Prix win. Oliveira snatched a maiden win for himself and the popular Tech3 outfit at the last corner of a thrilling Styrian Grand Prix last Sunday, capitalising when Jack Miller pushed Pol Espargaro wide. The Tech3 sophomore lost possible podium shots in the Andalusian and Austrian Grands Prix due to racing incidents with fellow KTM riders Brad Binder and Espargaro. Poncharal says he felt Oliveira was "underrated" by those outside of Tech3 and the "perception" of the Portuguese rider has been one of doubt over his credentials as a frontrunning talent in MotoGP. PLUS: The keys to KTM's meteoric rise in MotoGP "I don't want to blame anyone," Poncharal told Autosport in an exclusive interview. "He was a little bit underrated, because the results were not as good as the ones from Brad, for example. "But we knew why, because race two in Jerez we were fifth [on the grid] and he was out of the race after a Turn 1 incident, he couldn't show anything and I believe we would have been very close to a podium finish. "Then we arrived in Czech Republic, he did a mistake in FP3 and then a very poor grid position [in qualifying] and then he did a fantastic race, but only ended up sixth. "Austria race one, another racing incident, [this time] with Pol. "So, this is why I was really happy because this guy I'm telling you has the speed. "But also, he's a cool guy, he's a polite guy, he's a clever guy, he has a good education. "Some people think to be a top rider you need to be wild, you need to be sometimes not really polite, not really well educated. "And then the perception of Miguel as a person, maybe some people thought 'OK, this guy's never going to be a MotoGP winner'. "And we knew deep inside by sharing the data with all the other three KTM guys and by seeing how he was riding that it was a possibility, and therefore I'm very glad to have given Miguel the possibility to show he is a MotoGP rider and to do it with him before he's moving next year to the factory team makes me really, really happy." Oliveira's maiden win came in the 900th premier class race and made him the first rider from Portugal to win in MotoGP. The Tech3 rider was the first to ascend KTM's ladder through to MotoGP, starting in the Red Bull Rookies Cup before mounting title challenges in Moto3 (2015) and in Moto2 (2018) with the Austrian marque ahead of his premier class debut in 2019 with Tech3. Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport https://ift.tt/2uOa9Ei August 26, 2020 at 07:43AM
Motorcycle News - Splendid Six – Jesse Scott Baumann BMW R90/6
https://ift.tt/32v1WXF The year is 1973 and Bavarian Motor Works has just celebrated their 50th anniversary. In addition, they’ve also just completed their 500,000th motorcycle marking a momentous milestone in the companies history. What BMW didn’t know at the time was that a bike they planned to release that same year would earn the reputation of being the world’s first superbike. That bike was, of course, Hans Muth’s BMW R90S. BMW had recognised an increasing demand for motorcycles that would make suitable production road racers and cafe racers. The R90S was the result of their research and it most certainly achieved its goal. Along with the release of the R90S came a new /6 series of motorcycles. These came in 600, 700 and 900cc variants. The largest model beneath the R90S was the BMW R90/6. Although it lacked the pizzazz of the R90S the BMW R90/6 still had a lot going for it and can be acquired these days for much less money. Motorcycles via Return of the Cafe Racers https://ift.tt/2M9riRb August 26, 2020 at 07:35AM
F1 News - Renault withdraw Racing Point appeal over 'copying'
https://ift.tt/3guAU7M Renault have decided to withdraw their appeal against the verdict in Formula 1's "copying" controversy. Racing Point were docked 15 points and fined 400,000 euros (£360,000) for illegally copying Mercedes brake ducts. Renault appealed because they felt the verdict did not make it clear the rules required originality in car design. But on Tuesday, the team said work between the teams and governing body the FIA had "led to concrete progress in safeguarding originality". Ferrari, who have also appealed against the verdict, have given no indication that they intend to follow Renault. Renault were concerned that the stewards' verdict against Racing Point did not explicitly clarify that producing a "copycat car" was forbidden in the rules. Racing Point's 2020 car has been dubbed the "pink Mercedes" and "Tracing Point" for its likeness to last year's world championship-winning car, and the team have admitted that they sought to copy the 2019 Mercedes as closely as possible. Rivals felt this was contrary to the intention of a rule that dictates teams must "design themselves" specific parts of the car which differentiate performance. Following the verdict, the FIA said it would seek to change the rules to ensure what Racing Point did for this season could not happen again. But Renault and Ferrari pressed on with their appeals because they wanted to be sure that this would be followed through. There have been extensive talks in the past two weeks between the teams, the FIA and F1, which have led to progress on the topic of enshrining into the rules the concept that copycat cars are not allowed. But BBC Sport understands Ferrari do not yet feel there are sufficient guarantees for them to back down. Renault's decision comes in the context of all 10 teams last week signing up to new contracts to stay in F1 for the five-year period of 2021-25. These deals are known as the Concorde Agreement. Renault said: "Beyond the decisions, the matters at issue were vital to the integrity of Formula 1, both during the current season and in the future." The team added that "intensive and constructive work between the FIA, Renault and all F1 stakeholders has led to concrete progress in safeguarding the originality in the sport by way of amendments to the sporting and technical regulations planned for the 2021 racing season, confirming the requirements to qualify as a constructor". "Reaching this strategic objective, in the context of the new Concorde Agreement, was our priority," Renault continued. "The controversy of the start of this season should be put behind us, as we need to focus on the remainder of an intense and unique championship." #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 August 26, 2020 at 06:54AM 8/26/2020 Charles Leclerc says Spa return will be 'difficult' a year on from Hubert's death - F1 News
F1 News - Charles Leclerc says Spa return will be 'difficult' a year on from Hubert's death
https://ift.tt/32pP1WJ Ferrari's Charles Leclerc says it will be "difficult" to return to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, a year after his friend Anthoine Hubert died. Frenchman Hubert, 22, was killed in a high-speed crash during a Formula 2 race at last year's Belgian Grand Prix. Leclerc said: "Spa-Francorchamps has a special place in my heart. "While it is here that I took my first win, it is also where we lost our friend Anthoine last year. He will be in our thoughts." Leclerc took his maiden F1 win at last year's Belgian Grand Prix, 24 hours after the death of childhood friend and rival Hubert. The loss deeply affected many of the Formula 1 drivers, who had to confront their own mortality in a way many had not experienced before. Alpha Tauri's Pierre Gasly, another long-time friend of Hubert, said: "Spa is my favourite track and racing through all those high-speed corners is a great thrill. I really enjoy driving it and have had great races there in the past. "However, this year, returning to Belgium will also be a sad moment, because it is just one year ago that Anthoine lost his life after that terrible accident in the F2 race in Spa. "I had known him since I was seven years old in karting, we were in the same school together organised by the French motorsport federation, from when I was 13 to 19, and we shared an apartment for six years. "I think everyone in the paddock will take time to think of him." #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 August 26, 2020 at 06:54AM
F1 News - F1 teams banned from changing engine modes over a Grand Prix weekend
https://ift.tt/32lHLLC Formula 1 is to ban teams from changing engine performance levels over a Grand Prix weekend. The move, which is coming into force for the Italian Grand Prix on 4-6 September, would prevent the use of high-power modes used in qualifying. Governing body the FIA is making the change so the complex modern turbo-hybrid engines are easier to police. Rivals believe world champions Mercedes have an advantage in this area and that the move could close up the field. The rule will force teams to use a single engine mode throughout a race weekend. This would effectively ban power boosts used in qualifying, and for brief periods in races, because teams could not afford to run their engines at that level of performance all the time without causing reliability problems. Why is this happening?The FIA felt that the use of multiple engine modes throughout a weekend was opening a grey area where it could not be sure that all power-units were in compliance with the regulations at all times. The multiplicity of modes means that, in effect, the FIA is having to rely on an average of data points in monitoring how each engine is working. This means that there are potentially times when an engine could be operating outside the rules and the FIA would not be able to tell. By restricting teams to one mode, the FIA will be able to monitor the engines at all times, removing this grey area. A secondary concern, was that the FIA felt the number of engine modes was in danger of transgressing a rule that requires drivers to perform "alone and unaided". The FIA felt that modes were being changed so often, at the instruction of engineers, that drivers did not know a lot of the time how each mode was affecting the performance and reliability of the car. How will it work in practice?Teams have changed engine modes throughout weekends since the 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid power-units were introduced in 2014. Typically, teams would run the engine at lower power in practice, then turn it up progressively through qualifying until it is in its maximum power mode as the session that defines the grid reaches its climax. In the race, the power would be lowered again to a mode that gives the best compromise of performance and reliability, but drivers would have access to the highest power modes for limited periods if necessary. Now, engines will have to be running at the same performance level at all times a driver is on a flying lap throughout a race weekend. The only exceptions will be laps immediately after leaving the pits or returning to the pits, during a safety car period, or any lap that is at least 20% slower than the fastest lap of that on-track session. These exceptions mean that teams will still be able to use slow-down laps to recharge the batteries in the hybrid system. Will it change the competition order?Mercedes have been dominant in qualifying this year, with a car that over a single lap is nearly a second faster on average than its closest rival. This performance advantage has not been as marked in races, and rivals from teams using other engines say that Mercedes has made a noticeable step forward with the maximum-power mode used in qualifying compared with any other manufacturer this year. As a result, they believe that this new rule could allow other teams to close on Mercedes in qualifying. However, restricting engine modes is highly unlikely to remove all - or even the majority of - Mercedes' qualifying advantage, as there is no way such a large margin can be explained solely by an engine mode. And although some believe the move could close up the field in qualifying, Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff says the team can use the change to their advantage because it will allow them to run their engine at higher power in races than previously. Wolff said: "I think it will actually help us in the race because if you can avoid to damage your power-unit in those few qualifying laps you have available in Q3 (the final part of qualifying) and the odd lap in the race, the damage metrics go down dramatically. "So five laps of qually mode not being done gives us 25 laps of more performance in the race. "This is something that we believe will give us more performance. If it hurts us in qualifying, and we are not sure, it will hurt all the others in the same way." If it favours any team, it will likely to be Ferrari, which is believed to have the smallest power step in qualifying, as a result of the way a number of rule changes since last season have affected the performance of their engine. And the teams it is likely to harm the most are Mercedes customer outfits Racing Point and Williams, who are in tight battles with rivals and could find their qualifying competitiveness affected. #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 August 26, 2020 at 06:54AM
Motorcycle News - Why $100k Motorcycles Are A Lot More Relevant Than You Think
https://ift.tt/2QoaNof A strange thing happened after publishing both the written and video reviews of the Ducati Superleggera V4. A surprising number of people responded – why? Why does a motorcycle like the $100,000 Superleggera V4, or the Desmosedici before it (which was “only” $75,000, if I remember right), exist? What’s the point? If it’s just another toy for the rich and/or famous to flaunt in their living rooms with zero miles on the odometer, then how is that advancing motorcycling in any way? Ducati isn’t alone in the criticism, either. Aprilia recently went wild with the $50,000 RSV4 X – a premium, mostly carbon, version of the RSV4 1100 with 225 hp, 365-lb dry weight, neutral below first gear, and only 10, yes 10, being made. BMW’s $78,000 HP4 Race is another all-carbon wonder. With a claimed wet weight of 377 pounds, it beat the Superleggera V4 to the punch with a carbon frame and wheels, though its 215 hp suddenly sounds laughable in this company. All are meant to showcase what a manufacturer can do, but inevitably get pushback and criticism. I get that no motorcycle is immune from criticism – hell, I’ve made a career out of it – and reading the comments for the Superleggera V4 reminded me of another halo bike that seemed mesmerizing on paper but received mixed reactions: Honda’s MotoGP bike for the street, the $184,000 2016 RC213V-S. Going back to the laughable power thing, Honda really took it to another level. In this particular case, the criticism surrounding it was entirely justified, as models coming to the US were neutered beyond imagine – to the tune of 101 horses. You can thank corporate lawyers for that. Even when fully uncorked Honda says it makes 212 hp. Don’t get me wrong; that’s a lot of power. But when we’re playing the game of one-upmanship, suddenly, at least in the company of these other ultra exotics, that doesn’t seem like much. Still, the idea and the execution of manufacturers producing and selling such high-performance, thinly-veiled race bikes to the general public is encouraging and exciting to me, even if they are expensive and limited. So, I was intrigued to read such mixed reactions about the Superleggera’s existence. In a way, I understand. Sorta. Motorcycles costing upwards of six figures and produced in such limited quantities inevitably mean the vast majority of us will probably never even see one. Let alone own one. So, why bother? It’s true. You and I may never own one of these super exotics (I know I won’t), but let me tell you why these ultra-expensive motorcycles are a lot more relevant than you think. But First…Let me tell you what this story is not. This isn’t about boutique outfits, individuals, or shops building one-off customs and charging six figures (or more) for them. While I’ve got nothing against custom builds, we’re keeping this confined to the likes of major manufacturers building super expensive and/or rare machines. We’re already delving into a tangled web of opinions here. There’s no need to make it any more complicated. Besides, being able to theoretically go to your dealership, order a super exotic like a Superleggera V4, and still walk out with a one-year, unlimited mileage warranty is probably not something boutique shops can offer. Now then, here we go. Trickle-Down TechBelieve it or not, there is a lesson to be learned here. Manufacturers often incorporate the features and/or manufacturing techniques used in halo bikes (which themselves come from the racing world) into everyday bikes we can find (and afford) at dealerships. It’s a lesson dating back decades. The modern electronic age is the most recent feature with direct roots in racing. I was fortunate enough to ride the $40,000 Ducati 1098R – the first production bike with traction control circa 2008. By today’s standards, there are beginner bikes with more sophisticated traction control, but by the standards of the time the 1098R was cutting edge. If we go further back in time, we can find other direct ties to trickle-down tech. Advancements like radial-mount calipers, variable valve timing, overhead camshafts, cartridge forks, a single rear shock(!), and even multiple cylinders, in the first place, are just some of the advancements that were deemed pretty radical at one point in time. And let’s not get into the two-stroke versus four-stroke debate… Looking at the Superleggera V4 specifically, it’s initially difficult to see what will trickle down. Unless there’s an advancement in carbon fiber production, it will always be expensive. However, it seems aerodynamics is the next frontier the OEMs will tackle on production sportbikes, and it is reasonable to think some of the SL V4’s aero tech will trickle down beyond the V4S and R, and in more affordable materials. They Push BoundariesJust as halo bikes can set the stage for trickle-down technology we’ll see on mass-produced models, they also give us a glimpse into what an OEM might be working on. Take the carbon fiber frame on the Superleggera V4, for example. With standard steel or aluminum frames, tuning for chassis flex is such an important aspect of design. Trying to mimic, or even improve, upon that with carbon fiber is a monumental task. You’re playing with different weave techniques, thicknesses, and even lamination procedures, just to name a few. The lessons learned will surely manifest themselves in future models, somehow. Aspirational Machines Keep Hope AliveWhen I was a kid, I was one of those boys who had posters of exotic cars on the walls (and even the ceiling) in my room. I know I wasn’t alone. Even though my motorcycle addiction didn’t start until I was a teenager, the fire and the passion for cool cars (and later cool bikes) had a small part in me being where I am today. Somewhere out there, a kid probably has a picture of a Superleggera, or RC213V-S, or some other motorcycle on their wall (or, more likely, the wallpaper of their phone). While most of those kids will probably discover other hobbies, interests, and passions on their way to adulthood, the next great motorcycle designer, engineer, visionary, or even enthusiast is out there somewhere. Hopefully, today’s exotic motorcycles are his/her inspiration. With motorcycle sales declining, we could use all the inspiration we can get for the next generation to follow our lead. They Make You Appreciate The Bikes We Actually Can AffordIt’s easy to take the mass-produced motorcycles we can find at our local dealer for granted. But think about the tech today’s new bikes have packed into them. Powerful, smooth, and clean(ish)-burning engines we totally take for granted now. So, too, strong brakes, sophisticated electronics, and even sticky and/or long-lasting tires. And we’re not even talking about sportbikes, necessarily. If you look at today’s sportbikes, the tech we see gets even more amazing. Especially for the price. To achieve similar performance levels in the car world, you’ll easily surpass the six-figure mark. Meanwhile, a modern 1000cc sportbike will take you to warp speed for the same price as an economy car. If you’re (un)lucky enough to have access to a vintage motorcycle, you’ll appreciate the advancements in modern engineering within minutes. The “Because We Can” FactorThis one doesn’t get enough credit. Often manufacturers are criticized for cheaping out with components or areas of a motorcycle, all because the engineers and design team are forced to meet a price point. So when those once-in-a-blue-moon occasions arise where engineers are allowed to run wild and let their talent reign supreme, the motorcycling world is better off for it. We often wonder exactly that – what could Brand X do if allowed to run free and create the ultimate motorcycle? What would it look like? What would it be able to do? Every now and then bikes like the Superleggera or RC213V-S remind us what’s possible. Though thanks to the litigious world we live in now, we may not get to see the answer in totality (other than prototypes). Conversely, knowing the handicaps manufacturers face, let’s take a moment to reflect on just how awesome modern motorcycles are. The post Why $100k Motorcycles Are A Lot More Relevant Than You Think appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com https://ift.tt/2Std7JO August 25, 2020 at 04:01PM |
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