Mladin Gear to Be Acutioned & Some WSBK Portimao Previews

Mat Mladin, long-time AMA Pro Racing Superbike competitor and multi-time champion, will be auctioning off some of his Rockstar Makita Suzuki gear, most items autographed, for the De Coster's Kids Motivational Program charity. The De Coster charity was set up by Bob Sparenberg with the purpose of keeping kids off drugs and other intoxicants and focuses them on getting their lives ready for the future. Take the link to learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/ylcdm8u

The second round of the 2010 World Superbike Championship is soon to be upon us. It will take place at the now very popular Portimao circuit in Portugal. We now have some race previews popping up ahead of the event. First up is Paul Bird Motorsports Kawasaki; Chris Vermeulen is still injured and is hoping to get fit ahead of the event. Tom Sykes is only hoping to improve on his 13th place at the Phillip Island round.

http://tinyurl.com/yz76osn

We also just received news that Makoto Tamada will have a one-off ride on the Reitwagen BMW at the Portimao WSBK round: http://tinyurl.com/yhw6gdm

More Morning Moto News - Julian Simon, WSBK & Burgess

After a great deal of negotiating and work, it seems that the Aspar Moto2 team will be using a RSV chassis after all. Julian Simon has tested many Moto2 machines and he, and his team, like the RSV frame with the 600c.c. Honda engine. They were going to use an Aprilia frame, but Aprilia cancelled their Moto2 project and left the team hanging. Now they are back at it and happy with what they have.

http://tinyurl.com/yhhsmcx

And, there are more post-practice reports from the World Superbike test at Portimao in Portugal over the weekend. If you want to know more about the behind-the-scenes and get some info which may not have popped up in the simple timesheets posted, this is the time to do so. Their next test will be at Phillip Island where the 2010 season starts.

http://tinyurl.com/ygs4pqt

http://tinyurl.com/yzqrvj7

http://tinyurl.com/ye6qsou

Jeremy Burgess has nothing but good things to say about the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP bike. He really believes that when all of the statistics are written and people look back on the M1, it will go down as one of the best race bikes on the planet. Well, with as many championships as Rossi has brought for the factory, I doubt anyone will disagree.

http://tinyurl.com/yg85bh7

More Monday Morning News - More WSBK & ASBK

Althea Ducati is working very hard to help Shane Byrne get up to speed on his World Superbike machine. The team has a new bike, but Byrne says they are working incredibly well together. It should be noted that he did get the third fastest time at the Portimao test - even though this is his team's first time to work with Ducati.

http://tinyurl.com/ye3sa9w

Dunlop has secured itself as the control tire supplier to the Australian Superbike Championship again, this time for three more years. Also, they have announced the contingency plans. So, if you are curious or are in the series and want to know what to expect, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yb8bmxc

Monday Morning Moto News - WSBK, Toseland, Crutchlow, Vermeulen & Guintoli

Finally, we have some more results from the World Superbike Championship practice at Portimao. There are plenty of reports, so I will post any interesting stories that come my way. Just keep your eyes on the list below.

http://tinyurl.com/yb3lu5q

http://tinyurl.com/ye447kf

http://tinyurl.com/y8z68z6

http://tinyurl.com/yetxpn5

http://tinyurl.com/yd3f26p

Apparently, when Jorge Lorenzo is on his bike and in his leathers, James Toseland is infinitely annoyed by him but, when Lorenzo is off the track and has his helmet off, he is a very nice guy. At least that is how Toseland sees things. He also turned down a reality TV show - good for him! Some candid conversation after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y88duod

Toseland's teammate, Cal Crutchlow, had a great WSBK practice over the weekend. The World Supersport Champion made his way around the track and beat out Toseland on time - even while trying to find a decent setup for his R1.

http://tinyurl.com/ye4cam2

Chris Vermeulen did not have a great testing session, but he and his team learned a great deal. They are getting themselves ready for the next test at Phillip Island - right before the season opens there - to find further improvements.

http://tinyurl.com/yd4oueb

Sylvain Guintoli is counting the days until the start of the 2010 World Superbike Championship. He is ready to tackle this series and see what he can do to achieve the championship for his team - to put it simply, he is confident and wants to get racing!

http://tinyurl.com/ycpcll5

More Morning Moto News - NZ Superbikes & WSS

At the second round of the New Zealand Superbike Championship, held this weekend in Teretonga, has spurred some contraversy. Apparently, both Andrew Stroud and Robbie Bugden are claiming victory after the race officials made a huge mistake with the last lap flag, You just have to read the article, it is worth your time. And, apparently, Race 2 was much less confusing.

http://tinyurl.com/yessaoo

At the World Supersport tests in Portimao, Portugal, Eugene Laverty managed to take the fast lap at the end of the session. Second fastest on the day was the Kawasaki of Joan Lascorz, with Honda-mounted Michele Piro coming in third. Sounds like they accomplished a great deal over the weekend...

http://tinyurl.com/ycl9k4u

Saturday Afternoon Moto News - Brittown DVD & WSBK Practice Day 2

A DVD chronicling part of the life of vintage Norton racer and mechanic Jeff "Meatball" Tulinius from his homebase, his Hell On Wheels shop in Anaheim, California. The film is called "Brittown" and it covers his time racing a BSA and just being himself. There is a video preview after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yfny4e4

We now have some more reports from the World Superbike Championship testing taking place at Portimao in Portugal. Jonathan Rea was the fastest on this day, but it was a wet session - good for testing, though. Leon Haslam, yesterday's leader, was close to Rea in second. There is plenty more for the teams to do, so expect yet another leader tomorrow.

http://tinyurl.com/ylzy6xf

http://tinyurl.com/yghj74u

http://tinyurl.com/yzt5e6l - From Haga and Fabrizio

Saturday Morning Moto News - WSBK, WSS, Silverstone and More

Well, there is a great deal of activity in the World Superbike world about now. Most of it is due to the testing being held in Portimao, Portugal, this weekend, but there is other news as well.

First, the provisional 2010 World Superbike Championship entry list is now available. You will know most of what is here, but it is all in one place, which makes it easier. Have a close look, though, as some details we thought were settled have changed again...

http://tinyurl.com/y8fu3v6

From the first official day of testing at Portimao for the WSBK teams we have some reports. Leon Haslam is on top of things so far...

http://tinyurl.com/yc9xw62

http://tinyurl.com/yawd26u

http://tinyurl.com/ycgf99x +WSS

James Toseland has something to prove in WSBK: http://tinyurl.com/ydqu3ps

Early Day 2 results have Jonathan Rea at the top of the time sheets. The Brits are taking this practice by storm: http://tinyurl.com/yk6cafu

Apparently, Silverstone has just announced that they will be hosting a round of the World Superbike Championship this year. It will be over the 30 July - 1 August 2010 weekend. New news?

http://tinyurl.com/yas8xjs

Tuesday General Moto News - BMW, Triumph and Fun

BMW is offering adventure loving riders a chance to get away from everything and ride in Portugal. It is a week-long trip in the Algarve region in the south of the country. It will be hosted by former Rally Dakar competitor Simon Pavey and will be done twice in February. The idea is to get away from the cold and enjoy some warm and fun off-road riding...but, that cold snap in Europe is taking over the entire continent!

http://tinyurl.com/yz2yvhw

The world's largest Triumph dealer, Pure Triumph in the U.K., has built a custom Triumph cafe racer based on the 2009 Thruxton. The number of changes is a very long list, the only parts not changed were the frame and the engine internals. They even replaced the tank with a tank from a T140 and adapted to use on the Thruxton. To learn more, you really need to take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9vtv5s

And, lastly in this post, we have a rather funny fake story about a group of animal rights activists show up at a biker rally to protest the biker's use of leather. It looks like something went terribly wrong at the fictional event and you need to see the results!

http://tinyurl.com/yb3hu35

Some Monday Afternoon Racebike Testing - Yamaha and Honda

First up MotorcycleUSA has had the chance to throw a leg over two World Supersport machines. The first is the championship winning Yamaha YZF-R6 of Cal Crutchlow. This is about a perfect factory-spec WSS motorcycle with electronics on the thing just shy of what you would find on a MotoGP machine. It is one hell of a wild ride! Just let me get my hands on one, please...

http://tinyurl.com/yzxdxw6

Next, they had the chance to ride on the WSS race-prepped Honda CBR600RR of Eugene Laverty. His team, Parkalgar Honda, may be a satellite team, but this bike performs like a factory-supported machine should. It has the above R6 in the mid-range, but is just a hair shy of it on the top end. Go and lust on your own time!

http://tinyurl.com/yhorc2j

Thursday Evening Moto News - Ducati Xerox and More

Ducati Xerox is getting ready for the first World Superbike test of 2010 at Portimao, Portugal on 22 January 2010. Well, now that their team manager is working for BMW, they have had to make some organizational changes. Of course, Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio are still the team's riders, so that part is still in its place. For the rest, go ahead and take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yz5wogq

Two otherwise wealthy and successful guys decide to ride in an extreme enduro event in South Africa for five charities. They even managed to raise some £17,000 on their own for the causes. Dale Norton and Peter Coles, of a real estate company (property agents) known as Romans, took on this challenge together and had the time of their lives. The link takes you to a short article.

http://tinyurl.com/yfqxneb

Monday Evening Moto News - Moto Guzzi and Some Entertainment

From Italy comes the Sport Monza 1000 kit for Moto Guzzi V11 Sport. It is designed by Ghezzi-Brian, who is also responsible for the enigmatic Moto Guzzi MGS-01 race machine. This is a kit to change your V11 into something much more sport-oriented and much sleeker in appearance. The entire kit will set you back quite a bit - even the aesthetic kit (just for the outside of the bike, but it includes some serious parts) sells for €5240 (US$7,600) - but what price perfection? Have a look...

http://tinyurl.com/yatjfgw

The 2009 Portugal ISDE DVD has also just released - a little late for Christmas, but not too bad considering the event was only held a few months ago. It is a two-disc set and is comprised of the Team USA assault on the trophy. It also includes the Junior and Women's teams as well. It's worth watching every minute!

http://tinyurl.com/ycwkpjd

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

California Superbike School Switches to BMW S1000RR

This came out of the blue - at least we have not seen any rumors about it floating around. Keith Code has changed his sponsorship from Kawasaki to BMW. He is quite happy to have made the change and, of course, BMW is happy about that. It seems to have come from the amazing deal that the new 2010 BMW S1000RR actually is - so many people expected a BMW-sized price, but it actually retails for only US$13,800. Have a read:

http://tinyurl.com/ykat5wr

http://tinyurl.com/ygnrur6

Since you may have forgotten just how well this machine is made, here is yet another riding impression: http://tinyurl.com/yh2jjzg

Rizla Suzuki Has Finished Three Days of Testing at Estoril

Alvaro Bautista and test rider Nobuatsu Aoki were in Estoril testing the new GSV-R over the last three days. The testing went rather well with Bautista doing over 200 laps on the MotoGP machine. Aoki was merely there to finish development testing which began with Loris Capirossi at Valencia. Overall, things are looking up for the Suzuki MotoGP team in 2010...

http://tinyurl.com/yzdo7yc

http://tinyurl.com/ykjhhld

First Ride: 2010 BMW S1000RR

So, we have seen the World Superbike racing BMW S1000RR of Troy Corser taken around a track, but now we get to hear about the one you can purchase at your dealer and how well it rides. MCN (UK) has put their hands on a 2010 BMW S1000RR at the Portimao circuit. And, so far, "it's very, very quick!"

http://tinyurl.com/ybe8t58

MotorcycleUSA's review: http://tinyurl.com/ydduht5

Helmet Review: Nexx XR1R Full-Face

Nexx has been around for a short time in the motorcycle world. They have impressed with their X30 Maxi-Jet and the X60 Jet. The Portuguese factory has taken a new step with the XR1R, while still adhering to their design, style and safety ideals. The construction is top-notch, the comfort is easy to attain with their customizable interior, and the fit and finish of its production are also outstanding. They do take a different path to achieving their goals, but they do succeed very well. It is a bit expensive, though...

http://tinyurl.com/ye6jmwe

MotoGP Rookies Get Extra Testing Time - Some of Them

Alvaro Bautista will be testing with the Suzuki MotoGP team in Estoril next week. It is not known how this came about except that Suzuki rented the track for three days next week and has invited other rookies to take part as well. However, an new official rookie test will be held in Malaysia at Sepang during 21 - 23 December 2009. Interesting...

http://tinyurl.com/yhgqac2

First Ride: Rubén Xaus' BMW S1000RR Factory Superbike!

Yeah, so, the title is the same again - it fits! The team over at Cycle World managed to get their hands on Xaus' S1000RR World Superbike machine and took it out at Portimao, Portugal. Saying that Cernicky was impressed is a true understatement; when you have over 200 HP on tap and an open track with a motorcycle that handles as well as the S1000RR, you certainly cannot be unemotional. There is also video after the link, so check it out!

http://tinyurl.com/yjr9gln

James Toseland Gains Important Experience at Portimao World Superbike Test

Toseland had to work hard to come to grips with the World Superbike Yamaha YZF-R1. He also managed to lap the Portimao track faster than World Superbike Champion Ben Spies, but so did many others as Spies was not at the test (since he is moving to MotoGP in 2010). Toseland had some trouble with the machine he was on mostly due to him being away from superbikes for so long, but he made great progress over the two-day test. Plus, he had to keep from crashing since there is one more MotoGP race in which he must ride.

http://tinyurl.com/yzc556l

Some Indication fo Future Performance - Cal Crutchlow On the Pace at Portimao Practice

Though it is just the first practice for 2010, and there will not be another one for a little while, Cal Crutchlow was racing around the Portimao track faster than World Champion Ben Spies. This will be a return to World Superbike for the current World Supersport Champion, so I would expect him to be fast - just not this fast...

http://tinyurl.com/yked3gy