American Macau Grand Prix Contingent Announced

Five Americans will fly the US flag at the 45th Macau Grand Prix scheduled for Saturday, 19 November, 2011. Jeremy Toye on a Paul Bird ZX-10R, race regular Mark Miller on an Splitlath Aprilia RSV4, other regular Michael Barnes on an Attack Performance ZX-10R, Sean Dwyer riding a Locust/Lee's Cycles S1000RR, and Chris Clark racing on a Pat Clark YZF-R1. The Chinese island won't know what hit it! Go USA!

http://tinyurl.com/3vybwfa

Even More Morning News - Brett Smith, Robbie Bugden & Phillip Island

Brett Smith, former president of S&S Cycle, who make those better V-Twin engines that end up in many worldwide customs, has moved on to Baja Motorsports. In fact, he is in China now touring their production facilities to get up to speed on the company itself. With Smith in charge, big things could happen for the Chinese motorcycle industry in the United States. Of course, he does have some work to do!

http://tinyurl.com/yeodb5d

Well, Robbie Bugden is not giving up on the NZ Superbike title - but, we knew he wouldn't. He is going for two outright wins at the event this weekend at Levels Raceway. After he is through with NZ, he will be moving over into the Australian Superbike Championship. This man keeps himself busy!

http://tinyurl.com/ydscxj8

Two stories on Phillip Island today. The first is about the Australian Superbike Championship practice at the circuit, which started yesterday and will continue through today. The first day saw Suzuki-mounted Josh Waters take the fastest lap.

http://tinyurl.com/y9svsks

The next Phillip Island story is about just how busy it will be next month. During 26 - 28 February 2010, both World Superbike and Australian Superbike will take to the track over the course of three days. That will mean several races and many more practices. It is an incredible deal, so get your tickets very soon if you haven't already.

http://tinyurl.com/yevqp3t

And, of course, let's not forget Alex Gobert's piece on the Australian racing contingent in World Superbike this season. It is rather informative: http://tinyurl.com/yhafxl9

Additionally, meet your favorite racers at the Phillip Island World Superbike Championship races. Just check the schedule on the other side of this link: http://tinyurl.com/ygg3lh7

More Afternoon Moto News - Benelli, Billy Joel and Kawasaki WSS

Benelli, now owned by Chinese company Qian Jiang, has opened their first store in Beijing, China. This puts them in a prime space to improve their sales. Beijing is full of newly affluent people who look at such exotic vehicles as a way to show off their new wealth. So, Benelli might find itself selling motorcycles better on the other side of the world than they do in Europe. A great move for them!

http://tinyurl.com/y8o5wuq

Deus Ex Machina has released information on the custom motorcycle they built for Billy Joel. It is based on the now discontinued Kawasaki W650. It looks awesome and is a take on an old-school bobber; he did not want to have a repli-chopper, he wanted something with style, and he got it!

http://tinyurl.com/y8shype

Joan Lascorz and Katsuaki Fujiwara, of the Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com team, were in Almeria testing their World Supersport machinery in preparation for the Portugal test happening this weekend. It does seem that they had a good test and it all went well, so they expect an even better test at Portimao.

http://tinyurl.com/yb4kun5

A Warning to Motorcycle Builders Who Want to Build in China

This story reads like a bad Chinese soap opera. The protagonist is Chris (not his real name) and the Chinese factory which he chose to build his model of electric scooter is Bright Mountain Motorcycle in Wuxi. Just take a read of this article and you will see the major differences between Western production and the Chinese way. If such stories continue to become common, China may not ever change its standing in the world. Or, worse, the Chinese way could become the way all manufacturing is done - God forbid! Of course, this is just one story - Johnny Pag manages to get his work done rather well in the world's factory.

http://tinyurl.com/ydues2e

The Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix - Extremophiles

In case you do not know what an extremophiles are - they are organisms which can live at the extreme edges of our world (extreme heat, extreme cold, etc.). The racers who ride in such events as the Macau Grand Prix certainly fit the description - they ride incredibly fast in an extreme racing environment which allows no mistakes. The event is an annual race which takes place on the southern Chinese island of Macau, and only the toughest riders ever participate...read on and learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/yc4jot9

China Is Part of 2010 Honda VFR1200F Sales Plan

It's true, Honda will be selling the 2010 Honda VFR1200F in China as soon as possible. The first target is, of course, Europe (the price will be an issue) and the US, but China is firmly on that list. Until recently, only motorcycles with smaller displacements were allowed in Chinese cities, so this is a big deal for them and the motorcycle riders of China.

http://tinyurl.com/y9ttcxz

Mark Buckley Battles Nasty Virus to Compete in Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix

Yep, it's true, Buckley was invited to ride in the race by British Superbikes regular Jentin Lloyds British. A few days before the race, though, he caught sick and was bedridden. In total, he was only on the track three times during practice to get to know the track - not much time for a new track. On race day, he fought his way out of bed and completed the race in a top ranked position. He had to visit the hospital wight after the event...Expect to see him there in 2010, and we all hope he will stay healthy!

http://tinyurl.com/yb3tpj4

Results from Macau 43rd Motorcycle Grand Prix

There is not story here - I will add that when I find something worth posting. The results are here, though, and Honda-mounted Stuart Easton took the event in a close race with Conor Cummins, whose Kawasaki came in second. Behind them was Ian Hutchinson in third on another Kawasaki; and, Gary Johnson and Rico Penzkofer made up the top five.

http://tinyurl.com/yd2dav6

Finally, here we go: http://tinyurl.com/yas92z8

And, here: http://tinyurl.com/y8p6hjx

Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix Update from Friday

Stuart Easton held on to his pole position through qualifying, so he will start from the first spot on the grid in tomorrow's Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix. Following him into second is Conor Cummins; third is Michael Rutter; and in the last spot on the front row will be Ian Hutchinson. Another good day for Kawasaki, and a solid performance from the Hydrex Honda team as well!

http://tinyurl.com/ykn25be

http://tinyurl.com/yb7xvag

More News from Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix - Happening Now

It is true - the Macau Motorcycle GP is going on this weekend - it actually started back on Thursday, officially. Stuart Easton is at the top of the time sheets, but fellow countryman Simon Andrews is having some trouble adjusting to real roads racing; it is highly dangerous and different from being on a track. He ended the day in 28th position...but, it's not over yet...

http://tinyurl.com/yhzhtag

Hydrex Honda is looking for a repeat win at the Macau GP. With Easton running so very well at the event so far, I would give them a more than equal chance at taking another victory. Time will tell, though, and we will know much more after we get news of Friday's qualifying times...

http://tinyurl.com/yzdw4ua

At Macau Grand Prix - Stuart Easton Takes Provisional Pole

On his Hydrex IGT Honda CBR1000RR, Easton ran the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix circuit faster than anyone has before on his way to capturing the provisional pole position for the main event this Saturday. The final qualifying practice will be held tomorrow. In provisional second and third place are Michael Rutter's Kawasaki and Ian Hutchinson's Kawasaki - Kawasaki had a good day at the event! I wish I were there!

http://tinyurl.com/ycenmnd

Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix Preview

We already know of a number of American and British riders heading towards the South China Sea in order to get ready for the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix. What we may not know is that this will be the 43rd running of the event there is southern China. So many of the world's best racers will be present that I really do not have the space to list them all. So, please take the link and get ready for the Macau GP on 21 November 2009.

http://tinyurl.com/yktf6u7

Michael Rutter Takes His Kawasaki to Macau GP for Seventh Win

Rutter will be racing for Team of Paris AXA Racing on a Kawasaki ZX-10R prepared by MSS Colchester Kawasaki. The race is a 'real roads' competition held on the Chinese island of Macau. Racers from around the world converge on the track next month. Rutter already has six victories at the event - which ties him with GP ace Ron Haslam - and he is hoping for his record-setting seventh! If only I still lived in Hong Kong...

http://tinyurl.com/ycgy9dx

Simon Andrews will be joining Rutter in Macau: http://tinyurl.com/yetksm2

Electric Wheels Incorporated and Larry Dye - Oregon's Only All-Electric Motorcycle Dealer

Dye built his shop with an idea of selling electric motorcycles to the masses - he was a pioneer! He started the first - and only surviving - all-electric motorcycle dealership. He got the idea after visiting a theme-city in Orlando, Florida where 90% of the vehicles are electric. This gave him the idea to start his business in Salem, Oregon. It has now been over four years and he loves what he is doing! If you see him, please ask him if I can work for him!

http://tinyurl.com/yc7hq7u

Ducati Opens First Official Store in China

Well, they do have one in Hong Kong - I know that because I used to hang out there with the GM of the place; he was a very nice guy. So, this must be the first Ducati Store in 'mainland' China as it is in Shanghai. It does mark an important milestone, though, as it was not too long ago that only motorcycles smaller than 160c.c. were allowed on the roads of China's larger cities. At least I know that if I have to move there to get a job I will still be able to ride a Ducati!

http://tinyurl.com/yl2moxz

Conor Cummins of Paul Bird Kawasaki to Ride in Macau Grand Prix

Cummins will be riding a factory Kawasaki in the real roads Grand Prix race at Macau off China's coast. He is considered an Isle of Man sensation, which does mean something. He did take the unofficial lap record at this year's Isle of Man TT, and he finished on the podium twice at the event. Not satisfied with that performance, he went on to claim a new track record lap time at the Dundrod Circuit at the Ulster Grand Prix!

http://tinyurl.com/yhhg3rn

The Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix Will See Four Americans Compete for the Podium

Over in Macau (island off the coast of southern China; an hour from Hong Kong by ferry), they know how to put on a 'real roads' race and they do many times throughout the year. But, the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix only comes around once a year. Four Americans will take part this November...They are: Michael Barnes with Paul Bird Kawasaki, Scott Jensen of Moto Garage Suzuki, Mark Miller on a Celtic Racing Suzuki, and Jeremy Toye on a Lee's Cycles-sponsored Honda. If you can get there, the race will be held 21 November 2009.

http://tinyurl.com/yj5gq6v

Kawasaki Has Entered a Joint Venture with KYMCO

Taiwan's largest two-wheeled vehicle manufacturer has signed up with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan to make small, general-purpose gasoline engines in China. Yes, that sounds rather protracted, but it is a good plan and is a well-capitalized venture to produce engines for lawnmowers, generators, and similar purposes. They expect to be turning out 1 million a year within the next five years.

http://tinyurl.com/yfphcgq

A Blogger Goes to China's CIMAMotor 2009

I am slightly disturbed when he compares Guangzhou to LA or New York - if you've been there, you would understand. But, his insights on the show itself and his experience in Chongqing are worth the read. The show is relatively new, but it gets bigger every year!

http://tinyurl.com/l4buuv

CIMAMotor - China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition - September 17 - 20, 2009

Though you may not have heard of this show previously, you are sure to hear more from it over the next several years! As China's motorcycle industry grows - and it will grow - it will begin to have an influence on the entire industry, and that will make this show that much more important. So, don't dismiss this as something inconsequential, for it is not...

http://tinyurl.com/qy27xj