FROST WINS BADD 3 HOUR

A casual approach became a winning one for Waikato’s Sloan “Choppa” Frost in Taupo on Sunday.The Waikato man took his Ambient Air Suzuki GSX-R1000 superbike out for “a little extra practice” at the Taupo’s Centennial Park race track and ended up surprising everyone, including himself,...

STROUD BACK ON TRACK - RETAINS SERIES TITLE

Andrew Stroud is back on track.Following a day beset by problems at the opening round of the Suzuki International Tri Series at Manfeild a week ago, Hamilton’s Stroud struck gold at the second round of the series on the streets of Wanganui on Boxing Day.The Tri Series defending champion...

ITALIAN GOZZINI WINS KIWI RIDER CUP AND TRI SERIES

Words: supermotard.co.nzThere was no mistaking the Italian visitors class. With Italy's Davide Gozzini winning both the Tri Series Supermotard class and the Kiwi Rider cup at the Cemetery circuit races the local field were treated to some world class lessons.After round one at Manfeild Gozzini(TM), along with fellow Italian Ivan Lazzerini (Honda) trailed Aprilia mounted Kiwi's Scott Moir and Toby Summers by a single point. The Italian pair had found...

SKACHILL UNBEATABLE AT MANFEILD

Wellington's Glen Skachill (Suzuki), in scintillating form at Manfeild on Saturday. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.comHe may be only 19 years old, but Wellington fitter and turner Glen Skachill races motorcycles like a man with many years of experience.In only his first season...

KING KENNY RETURNS

Cypress, California, December 17th 2009 - In a year that saw Yamaha riders James Stewart, Valentino Rossi, and Ben Spies capture the perfect “trifecta” of World Championships, perhaps one of the most memorable moments for race fans around the world, was “King” Kenny Roberts’ return ride at the infamous Indy Mile in late August. As a year end surprise, Yamaha is pleased to offer race fans around the world a video of this monumental occasion. The video...

BIG BADD 3 HOUR FIELD

Motorcycle Racing stars to shine in support of Charities at XmasRiders support safe and sober decisions and Food-bankBikers Against Drunk Driving (BADD) are hosting its third Annual Rally on the 27th December this year. Departing from Tauranga, New Plymouth and Napier to this year’s...

MOTOGP ENGINES BIGGER FOR 2012

Words: Todd SAfter managing 53 years without any changes, MotoGP (the preimer road race class) gets its third proposed engine capcity change in a decade.In 2012 it has been decided that the main class will now be opened up to 1000cc machines. The bore will be restricted to 81mm, the number of cylinders to four.Other details will be ironed out in the meantime, with some suggestions that a production based engine and free rein on chassis design, as...

MOTOGP RETURNS TO LITRE FORMAT FOR 2012

In new regulations published today for MOTOGP, maximum engine capacity has been increased to 1000cc, with a maximum of 4 cylinders and a bore of 81mm. Other moves to reduce complexity include limiting hydraulic or pneumatic equipment actuation to the valve train, specifically excluding engine oil from being used for anything other than lubrication or cooling.The following statement was released by DORNA and the FIM:“It was a very important meeting...

SUZUKI'S STROUD IS NO GENTLEMAN RACER

DECEMBER 9, 2009: He's an absolute gentleman to all who know him but, if Hamilton motorcycle ace Andrew Stroud has learned anything in the past few seasons, it's that he can't afford to be a gentleman on the racetrack."I simply can't afford to give an inch if I want to win the New...

BIRCH LEADS KIWI ONE-TWO IN LESOTHO

BABOONS LESOTHO SUN ROOF OF AFRICA - 26 to 28 November 2009BIRCH SAVES THE BEST FOR LAST AND SMASHES THE FIELD ON FINAL DAYAfter the previous day's soul destroying 10-hour session of extreme enduro riding, front running competitors had another almost ten-hour day on a shortened route starting at 06:00 on the final day, with the first man home at 15:40.“This is by far the toughest race I have ever done,”commented New Zealand’s Rory Mead, who finished...

ALL ROADS LEAD TO INVERCARGILL

All roads lead to Southland for the nation's motorcyclists this weekend as the annual Burt Munro Challenge gets underway for another year.The four-day weekend of activity includes the Bluff Hill Climb today, the New Zealand Beach Racing Championships on Friday, the Teretonga Sprint Races on Saturday and the Wyndham Street Race on Sunday.A record number of competitors and rally-goers are expected in Invercargill for the Burt Munro Challenge and organisers...

BIKERS RAISE THOUSANDS FOR CHARITY

Bikers from all over the country attending last Tuesday's "BIKEOI" raised $3,264.70 toward a new Emergency Response ambulance for the Wellington Free Ambulance. Westpac Trust Stadium staff stood on the Fran Wilde Walk wearing Hi-Vis vests and carrying ever heavier buckets as motorcyclists parked and walked past the collectors on their way to Parliament.Organisers say that it is an approach they would like to continue at future protests with proceeds...

BOARD BOOTS CEO AT MOTORCYCLING NEW ZEALAND

Press Release From Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ)After a detailed operational review of it’s current staffing structure and requirements, the Board of Motorcycling New Zealand Inc., acting on the recommendations of HR company Directioneering Ltd, have moved to restructure their organisation....

SUPER X HAMILTON

Words: Todd S. Pic and related coverage: bikesportnz.comFantastic, brilliant and all those other superlatives. That was the sixth round of the Australian Super X championship run in Hamilton's 'Rugby Park' last night.The spectacle that is Supercross (but for this series called Super...

SHAFTY'S EICMA MILAN SHOW REPORT

Here's the slide show for a great set of Pictures from Milan by Shafty. The text and report below include the captions for each image. Here's the link to the Flickr Set and the individual pics.EICMA – the Euro Bike show held in Milan, Italy took place early to mid November attracting Vendors and Visitors from far and wide, but noticeably not Honda or Yamaha.As you’d expect there was a  strong showing  from Euro manufacturers.MV Augusta’s...

SUZUKI SCORES ANOTHER HAT-TRICK

NOVEMBER 16, 2009: Everyone was again chasing Mount Maunganui's Cody Cooper at the weekend, this time at the fourth and final round of this year's New Zealand Motocross Championships in a rain-soaked Taranaki.In all, Cooper won more races than any other rider in the glamour MX1 class...

WIN, WIN DAY FOR TEAM HONDA

Win, Win Day for Team Honda NZ at Nationals MotocrossArriving as leaders to both MX1 and MX2 Championships, Team Honda was focused on making it a consistent weekend to follow a consistent season of podiums and no mechanical DNFs.As it was not the foregone conclusion the stats might have lead some to believe, the teamwork and preparation really needed to count today - and it did. A short season at four venues this year meant a DNF in any Moto can...

KTM PRESENTS BRAND NEW INNOVATIONS AT THE EICMA 2009

11/11/2009 Milan, Italy.KTM is presenting a range of innovative new motorcycles at EICMA 2009, recognized as the world's biggest annual motorcycle trade fair. On show will be a radical new 350cc Motocross prototype, the new Duke 690R and future models in the 125cc segment.KTM 350...

YAMAHA RACING TAKE VICTORY AT EMOTION FILLED CANBERRA EVENT

9/11/2009After one of the most difficult weeks of his life, Yamaha rider Jay Marmont has claimed victory at the fourth round of the Monster Energy Super X Series in Canberra tonight. With his daughter, Lila passing away just days ago, Marmont was inspirational, showing true professionalism...

WR450F ENGINE WEDGED INTO TRACK CAR

University of Auckland Formula SAE The University of Auckland race car team, FSAE:47, are currently in the final stages of preparing their 2009 car -the M09 - for competition in Australia in December. The team consists of approximately 30 students, who each year partake in the Formula...

FIRST DUCATI STORY IN CHINA

SHANGHAI’S “MADE IN ITALY” SHOWCASE FOR DUCATI Gabriele Del Torchio (Ducati Motor Holding President), together with Cristiano Silei (Ducati Vice President Sales) and Mirko Bordiga (Ducati Asia Pacific CEO), officially cut the ribbon at the inauguration of Ducati Shanghai, the first official store in China for the famous Italian motorcycle manufacturer late last month.With this significant opening, Ducati is officially present in the Chinese motorcycle...

GROOMBRIDGE STEPS UP

Words & Pic: SuzukiOCTOBER 26, 2009: With his team boss sidelined through injury, it was expected that Taupo’s Brad Groombridge would step up and fill the void.And that’s exactly what the 19-year-old did on his home track in Taupo on Sunday.Groombridge took his Suzuki RM-Z450...

TRIUMPH'S SECOND PODIUM

WSS'09 Round 14 | Portimao, race dayParkinGO Triumph BE1 Racing ended the World Supersport Championship on the podium.Garry McCoy confirmed, after Valentino Rossi, that "Old hens make the best soup".The Australian took third place, as he did at Donington, after a brilliant race during...

KTM TO UNVEIL NEW MOTOCROSS GENERATION IN MILAN!

The worlds largest Motorcycle Fair EICMA in Milan (10-15 November 2009) is the perfect stage to unveil to the public, what the future of Motocross looks like at KTM!The worlds 1st unveiling of a completely new MX motorcycle form at the KTM booth on November 10 (Hall 18, stand M68),...

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ANNOUNCES STRATEGY

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ANNOUNCES 3RD QUARTER RESULTS, UNVEILS LONG-TERM BUSINESS STRATEGYRetail Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Sales Decline Moderates from 2nd QuarterOperating Loss at Finance Unit Impacts ProfitStrategy Focuses on Extending Harley-Davidson Brand, Emphasizes Productivity and...