Your eyes do not deceive you - that is Andrew Stroud on the grid on an F4 or "bucket" race bike, taking part in the inaugural Mel Jackson Memorial Bucket Extravaganza. Mel's not actually dead, merely resting, so some cunning individuals from the VMCC organised a tribute "race" and asked the Bucketeers to provide bikes. Despite pining for the fjords, Mel was entered along with some of New Zealand's top racers, including Hayden Fitzgerald, Glen Skachill, and of course the ever green Andrew Stroud.
And now a word or two from the VMCC Vice-President, Clive Banks, VMCC Secretary Andrew Presant, and Bucket Race Meeting Organiser Chris Cattermole.
Over to you chaps:
Clive:
"Some bright spark on the VMCC exec had decided that it would be a bit of a laugh to entertain the punters with an invitational bucket race as part of our farewell to Mel Jackson. Departing Club President and stalwart Clerk of Course for many years. Knowing of my pathological fear of buckets it made sense that I would be invited. Sadists the whole bloody lot of them.
Now, I've never ridden one of these things but am convinced that people make a fundamental error when they assume that they are safe because they are small and slow. Trudi (one of a growing number of female bucketeers) talked me out of my hiding place by offering me a ride on the mighty Rangi. The term life-changing doesn't really do the experience justice. I swear that the last time my perineum had such an expert workout was in Thailand. I can now honestly say that I have raced Andrew Stroud and come in a credible fifth."
Andrew:
"Dee (VMCC Vice President - Social and Clerk of the Course) decided we should give Mel Jackson a send off he won't forget. We arranged a few Bucket's from the Wellington Bucket Group (thanks to Nigel, Trudi, George, Chris, Andy, myself and Glen Skachill). How we kept it quiet from Mel I'll never know but we did. Lunch was called; then a call for a few riders... Andrew Stroud, Hayden Fitzgerald, Aria Lawrence, Glen Skachill, Mel Jackson... etc. We had a true 'bucket' entry from Steve Bagshaw of Moto Academy. Unfortunately he forgot to fill it.
Everyone enjoyed themselves - especially Mel who 'beat' Andrew Stroud to second place. I think the crowd enjoyed it too."
Chris:
"An email went out to us "bucketeers" asking if we would be so kind as to lend our buckets out for some top riders to have a go on at Manfield for Round 5. I heard Andrew Stroud would be one of the riders but never figured he’d end up on my bucket. After all, he’s an NZ Championship-winning racer who’s more used to a GSXR1000 (or even a Britten) than a 92kg 14hp bucket racer made from 24 different bikes.
How did he cope with the finicky handling or the method of starting it that can be tricky at times?
Plus the fact that it vibrates your hands to sleep when you’re pulling top revs all day.
Still, I guess the Britten issues were never solved in one day,…oh hang on, am I comparing my bucket to the Britten….???
I am honoured that Andrew Stroud rode my bucket racer to a third place at Manfield, even though I think Mel was supposed to come first."
Results:
1st Glen Skachill
2nd Mel Jackson
3rd Andrew Stroud
Photos used with the kind permission of Nigel Manning and Avalon Pictures.
Words & Pics: H-D Bringing customised affordability to the New Zealand market
Harley-Davidson roars into 2010 with six new motorcycle models, one of the most expansive new-product introductions in the history of the Motor Company. Across four model platforms, Harley-Davidson achieves a fusion of tradition and technology in a motorcycle product line that offers more power, luxury, and style, and more value.
“This ambitious new-product roll-out is simply an expression of our enthusiasm for motorcycling,” said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson vice president of core customer marketing. “Like everyone, we are working and living in a challenging environment these days, but our passion for creating and riding great bikes is still at full throttle.”
Highlights of the 2010 Harley-Davidson line include:
• The most anticipated Sportster, the Iron 883, is finally hitting New Zealand shores. As the latest of the Harley-Davidson Dark Customs, the Iron 883 is stripped down and ripe for custom creativity. Soul mates of the Iron include the Nightster, Night Train, Cross Bones, Fat Bob, and Street Bob. Providing a pure riding experience that gives its owner a platform for personalisation, the Iron 883 is a ‘steel’ at NZ$12,750 RRP (NZ$13,250 ride away).
• The American motorcycle legend that is Harley-Davidson Sportster offers even greater value in 2010 with the XL883 Custom, XL1200 Custom, XL1200 Nightster, and XR1200 all under NZ$17,250 RRP (NZ$17,750 ride away).
• Based on a new chassis designed specifically for this three-wheel application, the Tri Glide offers the classic styling and popular touring features of the Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide. The Tri Glide’s frame and associated chassis structure is engineered specifically to handle the loads generated by the steering forces and weight of a three-wheel vehicle. The Trike is priced NZ$49,750 RRP (NZ$50,500 ride away)
• With its blacked-out finish, refined styling, and sport-tuned suspension, the new XR1200X™ is the ultimate in racing-inspired elegance and performance. Priced at NZ$17,250 RRP (NZ$17,750 ride away) the XR1200X combines American racing heritage with European style.
• Dressed in satin chrome and denim black, the new Fat Boy Lo presents a darker and lower interpretation of the motorcycle that still defines the fat-custom segment. Delivering affordability, the Fat Boy Lo is priced from NZ$28,995 RRP (NZ$29,745 ride away).
• As the new king of the Harley-Davidson Touring line, the Electra Glide Ultra Limited delivers the performance upgrade of a Twin Cam 103 engine, unique paint scheme and colours, contrast chrome wheels and so many other standard features that the only decision required at the time of order is choosing the colour. The Electra Glide Ultra Limited is priced at NZ$37,750 RRP (NZ$38,500 ride away).
• The Wide Glide returns as an all-new Dyna model done in old-school chopper style, with black laced wheels, a chopped rear fender, black “wire” sissy bar, 2-1-2 Tommy Gun exhaust, and an optional flame paint scheme. Prices starting at NZ$27,250 RRP (NZ$28,000 ride away), the Wide Glide also offers great value.
• The new 2010 Street Glide gets even more hot-rod soul, with a larger front wheel, slimmed-down exhaust, and a new tail light assembly. Coming in at NZ$30,250 RRP (NZ$31,000 ride away), the Street Glide takes a classic Harley-Davidson Touring profile to a low, light and lean extreme.
Queenstown's Scotty Columb, spearheading the Suzuki assault in the MX2 class at the nationals this season. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Team Suzuki is fizzing to go racing at this year's New Zealand Motocross Championships.
With Kiwi internationals Daryl Hurley and Scotty Columb to head the yellow brand's assault on the Demon Energy-sponsored four-round series, there's no reason to doubt it will again be a glorious campaign for Suzuki.
Hawera's Hurley showed his versatility by winning the MX2 crown last season, after dominating the MX1 class the previous year, and Columb is also a rider very capable of switching from bike to bike with ease.
Queenstown rider Columb raced a Suzuki RMZ-450 with outstanding success in the United Kingdom this season, constantly featuring as one of the leading riders in the British Motocross Championships.
While Hurley returns to the big-bike MX1 class this season, Columb was happy to accept the role as the team's MX2 rider.
"We are very pleased to have both these riders in the team," said Suzuki New Zealand sales manager Simon Meade.
"It's a high quality team and both riders have a proven history. With his experience racing in Europe this year, Scotty will have no problem at all with the new three 30-minute race format in New Zealand this season."
Hurely and Columb are no strangers to the winners' circle -- they teamed up to race away with both the MX1 and MX2 supercross championship titles in New Zealand last summer.
With additional backing from Sports Pro, Fox, Scott goggles, Elf Oils, FMF pipes, Asplundh and Demon Energy, the two men present themselves as very strong contenders in challenging for the MX1 and MX2 motocross titles this year.
The two-pronged Suzuki assault kicks off with round one near Timaru on October 11, while the second round is just a week later, at Rotorua on October 18. Round three is set for Patetonga, near Morrinsville, on November 8, with the fourth and final round in Taranaki on November 15.
However, Columb will be cutting it fine. He is in New Zealand's three-man team to contest the annual Motocross of Nations in Italy on October 4 and only arrives back in the country from Europe on the Friday night before racing begins in Timaru.
"I'm excited about the season ahead," said Hurley. "With Scotty's results, and mine too, over the past few seasons, we've got a very good chance of taking titles.
"I feel very motivated right now. I feel rejuvenated and fresh."
In his first ride on the new 2010-model RMZ-450, Hurley reaped instant results, running away with all three races at the inaugural Sand Prix in the Manawatu recently.
"The new bike is awesome. I can't say enough about it. Bring on the nationals … let's go racing."
For the good part of a year rumours surrounding Yamaha’s plans to introduce an all new 4-stroke revolution were rife within the industry and all the industry reliant businesses accumulated in the urban stratosphere. Instant dismal contracts were issued by Yamaha Global worldwide and tongues were effectively clipped insuring that absolutely nothing leaked. What followed from such a mammoth global control effort from Yamaha was an expectation factor that grew widely out of proportion. Within the last few months leading up the release of the highly anticipated twenty-ten YZ250F there were leaked photos on the internet of some Greek technicians CRT monitor showing the possible blue prints of what we now refer to as gospel. That poor character was made redundant (or so the rumour is told) and then Yamaha released information on the brand new YZ250F which stunned the world followed by dropping the next bombshell “where the bloody hell is the 450”.
Fast forward a month and news of the YZ450F has spread like a global disease or moreover a perfectly simulated and implemented PR campaign that surely must reap the dividends. Yamahas YZ450F for 2010 is so radically enhanced its a staggering thought that Yamaha had the ability to revolutionise the 4-stroke off-road world when it was an odds on bet that another manufacturer would beat them to the fold.
Like the new 2010 YZ250F the 2010 YZ450F has left no stone unturned in its quest to become the most technically advanced model overhaul to create a truly ground breaking machine. Of course the technology within its engine is nothing new to engine developers the globe over but it is however new thinking and intuitive development in the search for ultimate off-road performance. Yamaha took their time in implementing a fuel injected (FI) motocross bike into their quiver of machines sticking to their laurels that it had to be done right the first time or not at all. In the scheme of things the introduction of FI into the 2010 YZ450F is merely a sweetener to the total package; what lies hidden amongst the inventory of forward thinking changes is the generation leaping enhancements to the frame, engine, chassis, ergonomics and suspension.
YZ450F MAIN FEATURES
The new bilateral frame sits at the heart of the YZ450F development project and is similar the bilateral frame used in the YZ250F but having a very different execution. The new bilateral frame was developed using a new structural analysis method and the frame itself consists of 16 components made from four different aluminium processes using revolutionary semi solid die-casting which allows complex shapes to be constructed stronger with just the right amount of controlled flex. Thanks to the new technology the frame is more symmetrical allowing for a better overall feel and the frames ability to absorb and withstand forces and impacts with better balance and more consistent feel.
To accommodate the new frame the rear suspension has been positioned in line with the machines central axis. Its position has been made possible by the adoption of the frontal intake FI system. The position of the rear shock has also been moved around 30mm lower. Changes to the rear KYB shock absorber include an increased cylinder diameter from 46mm to 50mm for greater capacity whilst the stroke remains the same. The whole shock revision has created a damping force with new levels of rider control and feel.
In tune with the new frame and shock mount is a brand new swingarm that provides even greater linear cornering performance than 2009. The thickness of the rear axle clamp has been increased for greater rigidity whilst realising the total chassis design concept of good longitudinal flexibility and high lateral and torsional rigidity.
Whilst the rear shock is modified and aligned with the new frame Yamaha has also introduced brand new KYB speed sensitive front forks in order to improve shock absorption and smooth operation when entering turns at high speed. The damping valve specs have been recalibrated and the forks gain an extra 10mm of travel.
In conjunction with the upgrade to the frame and the speed sensitive forks the front fork triple clamps have had their offset reduced from 25mm to 22mm. The caster, trail and other dimensions have also been optimised in relation to each other to help achieve a high-level of handling performance. The triple clamps themselves feature the same four-way adjustability of new YZ250F handlebar mount clamp.
An all new seat has been introduced to take advantage of the new design aspects incorporated with the front intake and FI system. Additionally it takes advantage of the under seat fuel tank designed to centralise machine mass and lower the centre of gravity (COG).
In a back to the future attitude the YZ450F’s exterior bodywork adopts newly designed lightweight front and rear fenders, front number plate, front fork protectors, side covers and air scoop. The new body styling is sculptured with elements from the new fast and edgy looking arrow design aspect of the new YZ250F. Other lightweight advantages are the inclusions of the new-design sprocket and plastic resin engine guard and lightweight electrical parts as well as the magnesium cylinder, clutch, ACG and oil filter covers.
ENGINE
The all-new liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke single-cylinder 4-valve engine is designed and engineered to provide power development that makes for better driveability whilst contributing to a better centralisation of mass. Bore and stroke is now 97.0 x 60.8mm whilst the bore has been widened by 2mm and the stroke shortened by 2.6mm compared to the 2009 model. Compression ratio has been increased from 12.5:1 compared to 12.3:1 on the 2009 YZ450F.
The shortened stroke reduces the height of the engine for better mass centralisation with the new four valve head configuration making best performance from a centrally positioned spark plug. A unique new fuel injected engine with straight intake and a rearward-slanting cylinder has been realised by employing a combination of the latest FI technologies. The new layout totally challenges the accepted concepts of chassis design and introduced a new dimension not possible in a chassis developed for carburettor fed engines.
The advantages made possible with the new FI system are near limitless in the new YZ450F. To monitor changes in running conditions the FI system is updated constantly with information gathering equipped intake pressure, intake air temperature, current air pressure, crankshaft rpm, throttle position, and coolant temperature sensors. Based on data fed from those sensors the compact ECU calculates the optimum induction fuel volume. The fuel is feed through the 44mm Keihin throttle body from the front of the engine through a specific motocross developed 12-hole injector to spray atomised fuel at the opposite wall of the intake port. With the inclusion of FI, Yamaha incorporated a large capacity alternating current magneto to eliminate the need for a battery and further reducing overall weight. Unlike other cumbersome systems Yamaha’s FI system is completely tuneable by the user from an optional YZ Power Tuner setting tool accessory.
The YZ Power Tuner is a compact handheld unit that quickly plugs into the FI system port. It’s a robust tool that makes trackside tweaks a breeze with absolutely no need for a laptop as it features its own liquid crystal display and hard drive function.
Accompanying the rearward-slanting engine with frontal intake is a rear-positioned exhaust. It’s been dubbed the ‘tornado’ because of its curved shape and by the addition of the curves between the exhaust port and the muffler it maintains a similar length to the previous 09’ version whilst achieving a better centralisation of machine mass without sacrificing power output. A resonator chamber is also standard fitment inside the exhaust to ensure sufficient silencing whilst enhancing torque characteristics from the bottom to mid rev range.
With the arrival of the technologically advanced rearward-slanting engine Yamaha engineers took the concept to a new level by offsetting the cylinder 12mm from the crankshaft. The result is a massive reduction in friction due to the more efficient use of the force created by having the connecting rod vertical at the moment of greatest combustion force.
REBIRTH OF A LEGEND Like the YZ250F the new YZ450F will be available in New Zealand in both Yamaha Blue and Special Edition White. Reading between the lines availability of the YZ450F probably won’t hit our shores till the thick end of December which leaves its availability for nationals 2009 lingering till the New Year.
Both the blue and white versions of the NZ YZ450F will come spec’d with the same black rimmed wheels as the YZ250F and have the same Pro Taper handlebars although the bodywork differs ever so slightly due to the under seat mounted fuel tank and front mounted intake. The optional YZ Power Tuner, as mentioned earlier, will not only contain the ability to personally fine tune the FI settings but has the ability to save new maps which can be stored on the tool and even shared to a friend’s YZ450F. In a similar fashion the YZ Power Tuner serves as complete diagnostic aid recording accumulated engine hours and logging any malfunctions as well serving as a real-time information monitor during any time of your ride. Currently there is no price on the YZ Power Tool and we don’t expect it to be cheap. However despite its features surely indicating a specialised cost the YZ Power Tool will serve as an integral part of owning a YZ450F for the future.
Yamaha have certainly covered the entire spectrum in creating a truly spectacular machine. If the machine is going to be anything as good as it is on paper in the dirt then Yamaha certainly have engineered a master piece; which was unquestionably the case with their recently released YZ250F. With a launch on the horizon for the all new YZ450F look out for a feature in the November issue of Kiwi Rider Magazine.
Click to open full specs below: Click to view introductory video from Yamaha America:
With recent economic gloom, Cyclespot Honda's big opening last weekend was all the more an uplifting experience.
Yes Auckland's Northshore can now boast it's first motorcycle Superstore and the buzz on Friday night wasn't just because of the 'drinks and nibbles'. The spacious surroundings and quality of the new premises make you feel even more enthusiastic about motorcycling. (I guess that is the idea)
Wayne Painter and his wife thought it was pretty good. They won the draw for a trip to this year's MotoGP at Phillip Island! Using my highly developed social skills I managed to make eye contact with some of the big names seen checking the store out. Aaron Slight was polite as ever, standing next to bikes and fans for photos. Shayne King pressing the flesh.
A couple of keen Kiwi Riders popped in. (L to R) Aaron Slight, Shayne King and proprietor Grant Woolford
Yeah it's great to see motorcycles and motorcycling taken seriously. Barrys Point Road is on the up check them out at number 63 (right next door to Holeshot).
Honda Announces the New Dual Clutch Transmission for Use in Large-displacement Sport Bikes--a World's First
TOKYO, Japan, September 8, 2009 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it has developed the Dual Clutch Transmission*1, the world's first*2 fully automatic motorcycle dual clutch transmission for large-displacement sport bikes. The new transmission provides riders sporty riding enjoyment with easy operation, while its superior transmission efficiency delivers fuel economy equal to or better than a conventional manual transmission. A new VFR large-displacement sport bike equipped with the new transmission will be released in Europe and North America in 2010, with sales to commence in Japan at a later date.
This world's first motorcycle dual clutch transmission features a light, compact design that allows it to be combined with existing engines without substantial layout modification. Further, the new transmission delivers the precise acceleration control riders require thanks to electronic control technology that helps ensure smooth, seamless gear changes. In order to respond to rider demands in a broad range of situations, the transmission is equipped with three operating modes, two full-auto modes (D-mode for regular operation and S-mode for sporty riding); and a 6-speed manual mode, which delivers the same shift feel as a manual transmission. Honda intends to gradually expand the deployment of the new transmission to more and more of its large-displacement motorcycles, particularly sports models destined for use in developed countries.
Honda will continue to deliver motorcycles that match the needs of society and users' lifestyles, spreading the joy of riding and mobility. *1 Patents pending: 100 *2 According to Honda survey
Click in image to enlarge
Key Features The new transmission features a dual clutch transmission configuration in which independent clutches are employed for the odd gears (1st, 3rd, 5th) and the even gears (2nd, 4th, 6th), respectively.
The two clutches operate alternately to effect gear changes.
For example, when changing from 1st to 2nd gear, the computer detects the up-shift and engages 2nd gear, then releases the 1st-gear clutch while engaging the 2nd-gear clutch to achieve a seamless gear change.
While some dual-clutch transmissions tend to be bulky, the new system employs original technologies such as dual input shafts, exclusive in-line clutch design, and concentration of hydraulic circuitry beneath the engine cover to achieve a compact design.
Compactness and lightness is further enhanced through the use of a simple shift mechanism design based on that of a conventional motorcycle shift drum. Optimized shift scheduling achieves fuel economy equal to or better than that of a fully manual transmission, enabling Dual Clutch Transmission to deliver both sporty riding and environmental performance combined.
Results:
