Metzeler Racetec Interact Tires Prove Themselves & Suzuki Canada's New Deal

The new for 2010 Metzeler Racetec Interact tires already have a claim to fame - and the BSB Superstock season has yet to even begin! Steve Plater was riding his HM Plant Honda Fireblade (CBR1000RR) at Brands Hatch recently testing the tires in race conditions. During that test, he managed to break the short-circuit record at the track by more than a full half-second - 47.2 seconds versus the old record of 47.83. Very impressive indeed!

http://tinyurl.com/yzlwf5f

Well, it is not as useful as the New Deal once pushed ahead in this nation, but it is important to Canadian racers. Suzuki Canada has announced that they will have a reduced role in the Canadian Superbike Championship series in 2010. They will be paying a small homologation fee to keep their two popular GSX-R models in the series, but they will be providing no factory support to the teams who use them. For all the gory details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ygrvdtm

More Afternoon Moto News - Super-Superbikes & Daytona Review

MotorcycleUSA has done a special motorcycle comparo between a non-modified Aprilia RSV-4, a well-modified Suzuki GSX-R1000 and a US$70K Ducati 1098R. The results were predictable with the Ducati being fastest, the Suzuki in second and the Aprilia at the back. However, you could buy three-and-a-half Aprilia RSV-4 bikes for the one of the Ducati machines, so imagine if you bought the RSV-4 and used the US$50K to turn it into a true SUPERbike. Read the article and have a look for yourself...

http://tinyurl.com/ycdpkry

Did you miss the Daytona Bike Week event this past week? If so, you might want to catch up on the events, happenings, racing and other parts of the experience when traveling to this annual rally. Simply take the link below and you can read about what went on and see some of the notable events of the Daytona Bike Week experience!

http://tinyurl.com/yd9cbvm

Some photos from the AMA: http://tinyurl.com/ybpe42a

Monday Morning Moto News - Suzuki Alstare, Kenny Noyes & Broc Parkes

Alstare Suzuki has also unveiled their 2010 World Superbike livery. Riders Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli have a pair of very sweet looking Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbikes with which to tackle the World Championship. At least they will look good doing so...

http://tinyurl.com/yf7yvc2

American Kenny Noyes is the only American in the Moto2 series in 2010, but that is not a problem for the Spanish-born rider. He is riding on the Antonio Banderas Jack and Jones team, a new partnership for the Championship. His partner in crime is Joan Olive - and they are both ready to start racing!

http://tinyurl.com/yh6s9w8

After hearing that Jorge Lorenzo will be missing the next MotoGP test, and that Hayden is having surgery on his arm - but will still make the test - now we get news that in World Superbike, Australian Broc Parkes has broken his leg in a training accident. He will miss the opener in his home nation and could be out for as long as six weeks. That's not a good way to start a season...

http://tinyurl.com/yjougpz

Friday Night Moto News - Monash University and HART & Jake Zemke

From the southern side of the globe - the relaxed and cool part - we hear that Australia's Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) and Honda Australia Rider Training (HART) are looking for riders (in Oz, obviously) who have been away from riding for five or more years and are just now returning to the sport. They are conducting motorcycle safety research and they will pay you AUS$70 for one hour of your time. Not only do you help your fellow riders, you get money to take another safety course...since you have been away for a while. There are qualifications, so please click the link to learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/yj478q8

As most of you probably know, Jake Zemke just recently wrapped up testing at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Well, there is much to tell about his time on the National Guard Suzuki GSX-R1000 race weapon. All went rather well, but there is more to do; just take it from the man himself and take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yc9gsta

Wednesday Evening Moto News - Dainese Thorax & Suzuki Sportbikes

Dainese has just released another interesting piece of equipment in their 2010 line. Actually, it may have been looked over in their big press event at their San Francisco D-Store - there were so many other colorful bits and bobs, honestly. The Dainese Thorax Pro Ladies Chest Protector is designed to protect a woman's important chest parts (parts everyone wants to protect) in case of crash. This particular model is made mainly for track use - as it may not be comfortable for long street rides - but it is an example of how Dainese is becoming more and more of a safety as well as design oriented motorcycle (and other sports) apparel producer.

http://tinyurl.com/yfbf4rw

It turns out that the rumors are true - Suzuki will not be importing any 2010 sportbikes to the US. Some other models are included in this, but most are street-oriented. Of course we have all heard of the limited editions in other parts of the world - but Suzuki bikes are selling there, so it makes some sense. It is an unfortunate situation brought about by the poor economy. Let's all hope that some deals come around and they sell the remaining the 2009 models. It is sad that we will not get any special editions on our shores...

http://tinyurl.com/y8v7tk9

Even More Morning News - Suzuki All-Star, British Supercross & Gresini Honda

The Suzuki All-Star events have now been scheduled all over the U.K. Anyone with any model of Suzuki GSX-R is invited to come out and tackle the track with their machine. The track day events will be held after the British Superbike rounds at Brands Hatch, Snetterton and Cadwell Park. For more information, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/yh989od

Paul Bird Kawasaki man Gordon Crockard has won the British Supercross Championship on a Kawasaki KX250. He actually had a hard fought race which he finished in fourth position to achieve his overall victory. In the International Supercross event, he carried home a second place finish. As usual, take the link for more details.

http://tinyurl.com/yh6w9rl

Gresini Honda has picked up another sponsor for their MotoGP team - Airdale Group. Airdale is a business which provides all sorts of services for buildings of all sorts throughout the United Kingdom. For more on the arrangement, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ykbquxp

Monday Evening Moto News - Jordan to Stay With Suzuki

Michael Jordan Motorsports will continue to ride on Suzuki in the DMG / AMA Pro Racing American Superbike series. They will field both Aaron Yates and Jake Zemke, who will ride the Jordan brand and National Guard sponsored Suzuki GSX-R1000's, respectively. At least there will be some good riders and teams in the series in 2010. I will now certainly watch it with this team and these riders on those machines...

http://tinyurl.com/yb4raws

Saturday Evening Moto News - James Stewart & Hopper

It turns out that the injury which James Stewart took at the Phoenix AMA Supercross round. The x-rays missed a broken bone in his hand, but an MRI picked it up. So, he must undergo surgery soon and Dr. Arthur Ting, well-known sports surgeon, completed the surgery on Friday. Stewart could be out for six weeks!

http://tinyurl.com/yf6qvao

It is FINALLY official; John Hopkins has signed with Team Hammer to campaign their M4 Monster Suzuki GSX-R1000. He has done it a few times before, and the field is much more limited than usual. It looks like Hopper will pick up another Championship in Daytona SportBike - could happen, right?

http://tinyurl.com/y8tcetk

Friday and Looking for Suzuki GSX-Rs & Vesrah Suzuki Leaving!

MotorcycleUSA is looking for several Suzuki models for a 25 year celebration of the GSX-R motorcycle model line. They are, specifically searching for pre-2008 model years and you should be in SoCal or Medford, Oregon (I am not making that up). Just check the link...I wish I could go and watch...and ride!

http://tinyurl.com/ygll5mx

Eight championships in 9 years with three perfect seasons and 76 race wins. Vesrah Suzuki is withdrawing from WERA National Endurance Series. They only say that they are "...looking forward to a new challenge..." They are an modern institution in the series and have had a huge number of great racers on their team - take the link to catch the list as I simply do not have enough room. I truly hope that they are moving into some other motorcycle racing discipline - they will be missed.

http://tinyurl.com/yj72qeh

Friday Has Arrived - Moto News for Your Morning

At an upcoming AMA Pro Racing test at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, John Hopkins will be testing a Roadracingworld.com Suzuki GSX-R1000; he's been with them before, when he won his two AMA Championships in 2000 and 2001. He may very well end up in the American Superbike (update) class - and we should welcome him back to action. I missed him! The team will like the sponsorship he brings as well. We will see if he is there 2 -3 February 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/ycf6l6p

http://tinyurl.com/ylxllbb (update)

More: http://tinyurl.com/yh5afoe

Looking to see some video footage from the last round of the Indoor Enduro World Cup? Even if you are not, you have found it here. Husaberg has posted a video of their riders at the Italian event for all of us to enjoy. Go ahead and waste a little time this morning enjoying some awesome entertainment.

http://tinyurl.com/ycg72sk

And, just to finish this up with some industry news, we hear that KTM North America has restructured their sales department and dealer relations. These are mostly re-shuffles and people taking on some new responsibilities based on the changing climate with the industry and KTM itself. If you are interested, take the link and get up to date!

http://tinyurl.com/yc8omyz

Friday Afternoon Bike Reviews - R1200GS and GSX-R1000

There are two reviews here today, one on the 2010 BMW R1200GS and the 2010 Suzuki GSX-R1000.

First, we have one of the kings of the racetrack in any nation, the Suzuki GSX-R1000. For 2010, there are only additional paint schemes, no big updates anywhere else. Of course, the 2009 model was a fantastic machine, so we should expect nothing less in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yg7a5cj

And, the 2010 BMW R1200GS is in a class almost by itself. Many competitors have come around in recent years, but the GS is still standing tall. There are some big changes in the engine department - four-valve heads from the HP2. The riding impression demonstrates just how much of a difference this is. So, take the link and have a read, you will enjoy it and maybe learn something...

http://tinyurl.com/yha4q39


Another review: http://tinyurl.com/yk25nc7

And, a video: http://tinyurl.com/yej6x2n

New Zealand Tri-Series Manfield Results

Not much news floating around the Internet recently - must be the holidays. We do, however, have some results from the first event in the New Zealand Tri-Series, which took place this past Saturday at Manfield. Seems that Craig Shirriffs and his teammate, Hayden Fitzgerald, dominated the event on their Castrol Honda CBR1000RRs - both placed first and second in the F1 Superbike class. Suzuki GSX-R1000 mounted Ray Clee rounded out the podium. For the rest of the days results, take the link. The next round will be on 26 December 2009 at Wanganui Cemetery Circuit.

http://tinyurl.com/ykrevto

And, even more on the event and series; Italian riders are making things much more interesting in the New Zealand Tri-Series.

http://tinyurl.com/yk9kcqq

Leon Haslam Fastest at Valencia Testing - Wrap-Up of Event

Haslam managed to pull his Alstare Suzuki around the Valencia track faster than anyone else testing there. Of course, this is only testing and not everyone there was working for outright lap times - there is plenty to do on the new machines that does not include watching the clock...First debrief linked below:

http://tinyurl.com/yhjlntk

Looks Like Sylvain Guintoli Will Be Testing in Portugal

In short, Sylvain Guintoli will be on his first outing aboard the Alstare Suzuki World Superbike machine. It will be interesting to see how they work together. He is the only rider covered by the linked article, though. And, it is worthwhile to read what is being said as Guintoli is a real threat in World Superbike - his bike there will have access to better parts and he is fast...

http://tinyurl.com/yfm3ca3

Racers Edge Performance to Race in 2010 ASBK Championship

Racers Edge is a high-end racing fairing producer in Australia, and now they have an Australian Superbike team with rider Scott Charlton. He will be riding a Phil Tainton prepared Suzuki GSX-R1000 motorcycle. The team has committed to racing every single round of the 2010 championship - all as privateers. Every day, 2010 looks like a better year for race fans...

http://tinyurl.com/ya5wpwp

2006 Interview With Mat Mladin - Lost and Found

The interview linked here was supposed to end up on an online radio interview, but all they ended up with is a text document of the interview itself. It took place at Laguna Seca back in July of 2006 in Mladin's motorhome. Read some words from a man with few of them for the press...

http://tinyurl.com/yl9bnje

American Suzuki Announces 2010 AMA Pro Racing Plans

Suzuki is going to consolidate their USA racing operations to save some money, so all Suzuki racing in the US will fall under the Yoshimura banner for 2010. Yoshimura Suzuki will support Team M4 Suzuki who will support Danny Eslick, who will be riding a GEICO Insurance-backed Suzuki GSX-R600 in 2010 with M4 co-branding. It's a bit complicated, so take the link and read it for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/yfb7xwx

There is also a quick note on Ben Spies and what to expect in his MotoGP season in 2010.

Sylvain Guintoli Wants World Superbike Championship in 2010

Guintoli raced in British Superbike last season, but in 2010 he will be riding the Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000. You can say that he moves around a bit, but he is always ready to race. Now, given his new team and his new ride, he wants to win it all next year!

http://tinyurl.com/ykg3g37

Triple R Suzuki Eager to Get to Work in New Zealand Superbike Championships

I do not get to cover the New Zealand Superbike Championships very often, so I thought I would at least post this item on Triple R Suzuki and riders Robbie Bugden and James Smith. They have a strong team and seem to have dominated the young series. 2010 looks to be another year of strength for the team, and it will be interesting to watch...

http://tinyurl.com/y8rnza5

http://tinyurl.com/yz3ptac

Capirossi to Help Develop World Superbike GSX-R1000 Development

It's an odd thing to hear, but Loris Capirossi will be helping the Suzuki WSBK effort test the 2010 Suzuki GSX-R1000 race machine. Riders Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli will be assisted by the Suzuki MotoGP rider. As the article says, looks like Suzuki is serious about World Superbike now!

http://tinyurl.com/yjxvpwg