You Already Know - BMW HP4 Now Confirmed

Maybe you remember back to the BMW HP2 and how it was very focused and in limited production? It had a high price, but it sold out even with its limited usefulness. Now comes something in the same vein, but with a much different purpose - the S1000RR-based HP4. BMW claims it as the lightest 4-cylinder bike in the liter class; I'm not so sure about that as it depends on what you put in that category (Ducati's latest?). However, with 193 HP on tap, 199 kilograms wet feels far lighter than it ever has previously...so, make up your own mind - include the Panigale or not?

http://tinyurl.com/bocmmsq

BMW S1000RR Ready to Go in Oz & MotoGP Testing in Qatar

The BMW S1000RR will also be campaigned in Australia - as readers of this blog will no doubt already know - in both the Asutralian Superbike Championship and in Australian Formula Xtreme. Craig Coxhell, a privateer champion, will be taking the new machine to the tracks in the ASBK series. And, the Motohansa Laser Exhaust Race Team will be fielding Jeremy Crowe in the Formula Xtreme Championship. For all the information, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yky94eq

We have several reports coming in from the MotoGP preseason test at Qatar. I have already linked you to the team press releases in a previous post and, since there are so many of the other reports, I will simply place links here for you to peruse to find any story you may be looking for...

A little on Lorenzo: http://tinyurl.com/yzpd5w

More on Rossi: http://tinyurl.com/yzwm2o8

Bit about Repsol Honda: http://tinyurl.com/ygez35z

Second day early results: http://tinyurl.com/yj9eb6f

MotoGP Qatar Test Team Press Releases & Maria Costello Returns

From each team after every MotoGP event of just about any kind, you will get a press release from each team letting the world know how well the team did and details on the happenings during the event. For the MotoGP test yesterday at Qatar we now have these from each team. If you take the link below today, you will get to see a list of every team's reports. If you click on it tomorrow, you will likely see the PR from today, so go there now if you want to look up Thursday's team press releases.

http://tinyurl.com/yznyogq

Maria Costello has not really been gone, but the fact remains that she is returning to the Isle of Man TT in 2010. She will be riding a BMW S1000RR, supplied by the factory and thus becoming part of their effort to capture some wins at the TT. Given the performance of the new BMW, Costello may have a chance to become an even faster 'fastest woman on the TT'!

http://tinyurl.com/ygk7u7q

S1000RR Boosts BMW Sales & BMW Looks for GS Owners

Almost the entire motorcycle industry in the US is now in a very deep depression, but BMW is not mired in that mess. The BMW S1000RR has since arrived in the States and is selling incredibly well. This has really improved sales for BMW here and it continues to go well for the German marque. The S1000RR is a revolutionary machine, so it is not that surprising as there are still people with money out there...they are just very careful about what they spend their money on. The S1000RR is worth it!

http://tinyurl.com/y8gmkx8

The BMW GS motorcycles are made to go anywhere you want to take them - and they often do. In the UK, a new race series has come about called the BMW Motorrad GS Trophy UK Qualifier. This will put riders through a severely tough course with the three top riders progressing to the International GS Trophy Finals in November of this year. BMW Motorrad UK, Simon Pavey and the BMW Off-Road Skills School have worked together for this purpose. For all the details - and a better description - please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9lt2lo

Thursday Afternoon Moto News - R&G Racing and BMW & Triumph 20th Anniversary

Crash protection specialists R&G Racing will be providing the crash protection for Keith Code's California Superbike School's BMW S1000RR machines. Each of the bikes will be outfitted with just about every piece of protection you can get from R&G for the S1000RR. It's a press release, so feel free to take the link and have a read.

http://tinyurl.com/yahzje4

Well, it's the 20th anniversary of the re-born Triumph on 18 September 2010 and it will be celebrated in proper style at Mallory Park. The call it Triumph Live and tickets are already on sale. They will also open the doors of the Triumph factory, which is only eight miles (~13 Km) away from the circuit. Also, bring some money as they will have a huge 'megastore' of Triumph gear and accessories at discount prices. Take the link to learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/yaxvpfy

Tuesday Morning Moto News - SA Superbike, Masterbike & Thundersport GB

They actually refer to it as the 2010 South African Motorcycle championship, but it is the premier motorcycle road-race series in South Africa. This coming weekend will mark races three and four at the Western Cape Killarney circuit. Currently, Sheridan Morais and Lance Isaacs are tied in the points for first in the Superbike class. In Supersport 600 racing, Ronan Quarmby has the overall lead. For all the details, you know what to do!

http://tinyurl.com/ye6cncv

The BMW S1000RR has wiped the rest of the competition off of the circuit at the annual Masterbike shootout which takes place in Spain every year. The BMW went up against all of the top liter-class sportbikes from Europe and Japan as well as the 1200cc V-Twins - and it smashed them all. For more details, check your usual motorcycle rag as they are bound to cover it.

http://tinyurl.com/yeazcwc

The Thundersport GB season kicks off this coming weekend (12 - 14 March 2010) at Mallory Park in the UK. Many of the teams were out practicing this pas weekend at the same venue - as well as racing on Sunday in a local series. The F1 Sidecar series will start at the second round at Pembrey along with the first races of the British Supermono Championship and the Aprilia GP450 series. For all the news, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y8djcfv

More Morning Moto News - Ducati Concept Trike, BMW in AMA & CPSIA, again

This design - the one you will see when you take the link - is from a French designer who decided he wanted something a bit more stable from the Ducati Desmosedici. He grafted a two-wheel front end onto the machine, believe it or not, and has turned it into a sort of street-quad, except that it is more like the Spyder RS. It may never be built, but at least the kid is thinking...

http://tinyurl.com/yfsjfxf

Liberty Waves Racing will be the first team to take the new BMW S1000RR racing in the AMA Pro paddock. The team is sponsored by Dairyland Cycle Insurance and they have some solid resources behind them. Eric Pinson, team boss, simply cannot wait to get the BMW on the track in the American Superbike series.

http://tinyurl.com/yew927s

Two rather well-known motorcycle personalities - Ben Spies and Kevin Schwantz, along with Robbie Maddison - have come together to help the fight against the CPSIA and what it has done to youth motorcycles and ATVs. If you are not familiar with this, you really need to take this link and brush up. If you are, then you know that having more celebrity behind the move to allow our children to ride bikes and ATVs their size is something we can make good use of!

http://tinyurl.com/yknn53z

MORE Afternoon Moto News - BMW S1000RR Impresses & Vesrah Suzuki

A BMW dealer in Arizona asked a local race shop to take out their demo model 2010 BMW S1000RR to a local track to see how it might fair in an AMA race. Well, the stock, just off the showroom floor S1000RR managed to set the lap record at a local track - beating a Suzuki GSX-R1000 in Superstock trim. The record was set by former AMA racer Chris Peris. Given the results, the dealer - Iron Horse BMW - and the shop - Evan Steele Performance (ESP) - have decided to contend the AMA Pro Racing Superbike race at Fontana...and see where this leads them from there...

http://tinyurl.com/ybx69rn

Vesrah Suzuki - of WERA Endurance racing - will enter the 2010 AMA Pro Racing Daytona SportBike series with two riders. Cory West and Jeff Wood will ride GSX-R600 bikes prepared by their team. They do have much of the same crew from previous seasons and will have the same sponsors. Looking good for the newcomer to the AMA series!

http://tinyurl.com/ylgeg36

More Evening Moto News - Troy Corser & Swedish Electric Motorcycle

Troy Corser will be riding a BMW S1000RR in this coming weekend's World Superbike race at Phillip Island. You might think that he will have a sizable advantage given this is his home track, but you might be wrong. It seems that the Ducati team had a much better practice at the track and Corser had some issues...Take the link and learn why we might as well consider him at a slight disadvantage.

http://tinyurl.com/yzocjr8

A new team has committed to racing in the Isle of Man TT Zero race on 9 June 2010. The team is known as the Swedish Electric Racing Team (SERT) and they have purchased a former Stiggy Racing Honda CBR600RR to use as the chassis for their entry. Chris Palmer will be riding their bike and he has plenty of experience; he has three wins and four podiums since his debut on the Isle in 1990.

http://tinyurl.com/yhesaat

Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - BMW and BSB & Tom Sykes

BMW has announced that they have teamed up with Jentin Racing to compete in the National 1000 Superstock with Richard Cooper and in the BSB Evo series with rider Steve Brogan. All parties are quite happy with the arrangement and it looks like BMW will be racing their S1000RR against the best in the world on at least four continents.

http://tinyurl.com/yj4q7d7

Tom Sykes is very happy with his new Kawasaki World Superbike Team, and Paul Bird Motorsport, so far. He will be competing on the World stage very soon and feels that the Kawasaki team has what it will take to get him to the top. Sykes has some strong competition, though, so even doing very well may not be enough...

http://tinyurl.com/yecesv9

Saturday Morning Moto News - BMW S1000RR, Jonathan Rea & More MotoGP and Moto2 Rules

Would you like to see the 2010 BMW S1000RR valvetrain going at full tilt? The engine will rev up to 14,200RPM - a huge number when you really think about it. Well, if you would like to see this amazing bit of technology in action, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yb8vllo

Jonathan Rea has his sights firmly set for MotoGP. Even though the young Northern Irishman will fight it out this season on the World Superbike stage, his ultimate goal is to race in the Grand Prix series. His Ten Kate Honda team will certainly do whatever it takes to keep him on top this season, so he might get that chance after all.

http://tinyurl.com/yhjxvkt

The FIM has released an even more detailed explanation about the new rules for the 2010 MotoGP and Moto2 series. They have had to make updates due to some technology issues as well as problems with understanding the spec-engine rule in Moto2. There are many changes, so do yourself a favor and take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yzagam8

Monday Morning Moto News - The CAT & BMW WSBK

If you do not know who the 'Cat' is, I can only give you this hint - Red Dwarf. Now, if you do not know that this will probably not interest you. Apparently, Danny John-Jules really liked the BMW S1000RR. It's a good choice given the bikes capabilities, and a seemingly well-thought opinion. For more on the Cat and the MCN London Motorcycle Show, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ydkaejs

BMW has officially presented their 2010 World Superbike Championship team as of now. This comes to us via a press release, so expect the usual hype. However, at least we know exactly who we will see riding their new machines in the world-class racing series this year. For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ybclhml

Even More Moto News - David Paton & Racing Insider

David Paton has signed on to race in the Scottish Championship along with the BSB Superstock 1000 class in 2010. He was lucky as he now has BMW support for his efforts in each series. They will be using the all-new S1000RR to compete in all races - and they are extremely excited about their chances. Again, another rider to watch in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yzec2dl

That is right - it is another edition of Alex Gobert's Racing Insider. As per usual, ASBK, WSBK, MotoGP, AMA Supercross and Australian Motocross are covered. There are some very interesting happenings in the ASBK series for 2010. And, you probably want to catch up on some of the inside word in MotoGP. If so, take the link and get ready for a glorious year of racing!

http://tinyurl.com/ylyrtao

And, More Morning News - Fiat Yamaha, Moto2 & Motohansa

Fiat Yamaha will be unveiling their livery at the first day of the Malaysian test on 4 February 2010. Basically, it's a big media day and photos of the bikes and riders - Rossi and Lorenzo - will be encouraged. If you are in the press, this is for you.

http://tinyurl.com/y8krw42

The most popular chassis in Moto2 may be the Sutter MMX - up to a third of competitors in the class may be using their product. Sutter MMX is based in Switzerland and made the frames for the Kawasaki MotoGP teams, plus they will be making all of the slipper clutches used in the series. They were lucky in being the first to get prices out and have product ready for testing, and that is why they seem to be in the front of everyone else at this point.

http://tinyurl.com/y9ec2wo

Turns out that the BMW S1000RR will be seen in the Australian Superstock 1000 series this season. The Motohansa team has joined up with Laser Exhaust to field Jeremy Crowe on the machine at select ASBK rounds throughout the year. Perhaps they will make it a full-time effort before season's end.

http://tinyurl.com/yztx4nj

Final Monday Morning Post - Spyder Club

And, last but not least, is Spyder Club of Great Britain. They will let you rent a motorcycle from them - either a BMW S1000RR, Aprilia RSV-4 Factory, or Ducati 1198S - and take it for a ride in the south of Spain for four days. The prices are very reasonable, but you must depart from the U.K. Get on over and check it out, I hope I will get to review Spyder's tours someday!

http://tinyurl.com/yfdcnpl

New Year's Eve Moto Racing News from Around the World

We have some rather interesting race news coming to us here, so let's start.

First, over in Australia, we hear that FIM Speedway GP Champion Jason Crump and well-known homeboy Tai Woffinden will be participating in the Ben Fund Bonanza at the Rye House track. The event will take place on 14 March 2010 and should not be missed.

http://tinyurl.com/yehbdzx

Troy Corser - currently riding the BMW S1000RR in the World Superbike Championship - wants one more crown before he retires from the series. It's not as if this is impossible for the former champion; he has the speed and he may just have the bike for 2010. Stay tuned and pay attention...

http://tinyurl.com/ydy7e24

And, finally, we have a nice video and some photos of the Mavizen TTX02 electric motorcycle ahead of the new TTXGP race series for 2010. The team has been testing the new machine and has made some changes to make it run better in the new multi-lap format. Take a look at the machine before you see it on your TV next year.

http://tinyurl.com/ycpdzbq

2010 BMW S1000RR Carbon Edition - Taking It to the Extreme

BMW has announced that they will be producing a carbon fiber edition of the 2010 BMW S1000RR supersport. The entire fairing is made of carbon fiber and every possible option is included on this machine. You also get the competition-only Akrapovic exhaust, which you can install for track day or racing duties. No word on how much weight savings we will see, but the Akrapovic exhaust adds 10 HP and smooths the torque curve. The price is as extraordinary as the bike itself, MSRP of €24,990 ($35,685), but you save money if you planned to do this conversion part-by-part yourself. Enjoy!

http://tinyurl.com/y9wcu7n

BMW Motorcycle Owners of America Announces Superbike Superstakes

The sweepstakes will begin on 1 February 2010, and it is only open to BMW MOA members. However, once you hear about the prizes, though, you will want to join! They will be giving away, as grand prize, a 2010 BMW S1000RR and a lot more - VIP ticket package to four World Superbike events, autograph sessions, pit access to the BMW WSBK pit area, and even more. Second prize is like most grand prizes - an all-expenses paid motorcycle tour through Europe! Really, you do not want to miss this...

http://tinyurl.com/ydj6en6

Andrew Pitt Takes Final BMW WSBK Seat

It seems that this was the BMW seat which Mat Mladin was vying for, but negotiations did not go as planned. So, Reitwagen has chosen to go with former World Supersport Champion Andrew Pitt for their second rider. Of course, this all comes through German publications and no official press release has been seen yet. However, this seems to be authentic and it is likely that Pitt will ride alongside the first rider they hired, Roland Resch.

http://tinyurl.com/y9ab7yb

Pitt is very happy about getting this ride, so expect some passionate racing in the 2010 season!

http://tinyurl.com/ydzzlnk

Mat Mladin Joining World Superbike Paddock?

Mladin mentioned something on his Twitter account about receiving several offers from World Superbike teams - and making some tough decision. Considering he insisted that he left the DMG/AMA paddock to spend time with his family, I wouldn't think he would be interested. Being in a worldwide series would keep you away from your family for most of the year...

http://tinyurl.com/yg3uho7

This looks more and more likely now. He has been linked to a BMW satellite effort. He didn't retire for his family, he retired because he detests racing under the DMG leadership - and who can blame him?

http://tinyurl.com/ygjdele

http://tinyurl.com/yaak6wj

Another update; this one says that Mladin may test the S1000RR in Australia. It also makes some arguments against his joining of the WSBK paddock.

http://tinyurl.com/ye37dm6