CYCLESPOT'S NEW SUPERSTORE OPENS

Words: T Sutherland Pics: Todd & Big Dave

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).

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Here's Big Dave's photo set from Saturday:

HONDA ANNOUNCES NEW DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION

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.

View images of the Dual Clutch Transmission

Bikedeadline

HURLEY LEADS SUZUKI 1-2-3 AT SAND PRIX

SEPTEMBER 7, 2009: It was a twist to the classic Eastwood cowboy movie "The Man With No Name", only this time it was "the bike with no number".

But if spectators at Sunday's inaugural Taikorea Sand Prix motocross event in the Manawatu were asking "who is that man?", they were not in the dark for long as Daryl Hurley soon showed that he was the man to beat.

The Suzuki star from Hawera arrived at the sandy motocross circuit with a plain-wrap version of the new 2010-model Suzuki RM-Z450LO.

Hurley said he brought the as-yet un-adorned bike to the Manawatu at the weekend to kick start his training for the upcoming motocross nationals and, true to his status as current national champion, did not disappoint.

The 33-year-old easily won both MX1 races and then also led from start to finish to win the feature race at the end of the day.

"I've only had this bike a week and I'm still getting it set up but I really wanted to race here today," said Hurley afterwards.

"It's always a good workout at this track. Sand is very demanding but the new bike was brilliant.

"It's the new model and has so much more horsepower than the 2009 model.

"There are a heap of changes to the new bike. It has new fuel injection, new head, new cams, new crankshaft … it just produces a lot more useable power and it revs a lot longer."

Hurley led a Suzuki 1-2-3 in the MX1 class on Sunday with Taupo's Brad Groombridge taking the runner-up spot and Marton's Cam Smith finishing third overall.

Success for the brand didn't end there either, with Wanganui's Tom Managh taking his Suzuki RM125 to back-to-back wins in the Junior 125cc class.

"It was a good day for me. I was not troubled at all," said the 16-year-old Wanganui High School fifth-former.

MERRIMAN WINS NSW ENDURO SERIES

WR450F mounted Stefan Merriman certainly didn’t have it all his own way though after his team-mate, Jarrod Bewley took over the lead of Saturdays round in the final moto special tests at Dungog showgrounds, late that afternoon. Merriman led early on after taking the outright wins in the first 5 special tests, but 2 bad starts in the stadium cross type races, was all it took for the hard charging WR450F mounted Jarrod Bewley to jump into the lead for day.

Although Stefan praised the whole event that was run by the Dungog club, it was the “fun, but hard to pass all in Pro motos, that had me a bit behind the leaders. I was hoping for a better 2nd race start, I tried to anticipate the gate and it all went wrong, and again I found myself at the back trying to push forward. Anyway it was a great event and I know there’s a bit of history in this area, and this club with them running one of the biggest enduro’s in the early days from around the mid 70’s; the ‘Forrest 300’. It was a good enduro out there in the bush and the tests where excellent. The final round and Sunday went better for me, and I was pleased to take that win.” ‘That win’ ended up giving Merriman his 3rd overall for each of the 2 Day series, and the overall NSW title.

Josh Ballard also rode this weekend finishing well, but just off the podium. He had 2 strong moto’s in the showgrounds running up front and even challenging Bewley for the lead on one occasion, plus also had fast times in all the grass track tests, which is definitely his strong point.

From here the whole Ballards Wellard Yamaha team will be on board for the final 2 rounds of the AORC series in Young NSW, 2 weekends from now. With the team leading outright in the Pro class (Merriman),the Juniors (Burrell) and the seniors ‘Masters’ (Ballard), plus other ‘in class’ hi-placings for all other team riders, it should be a very exciting final two rounds.

BRIDGESTONE AND KAWASAKI UNITE

31 August 2009

Bridgestone and Kawasaki Unite

Bridgestone is proud to announce the addition of Kawasaki’s FLY Team Green to the Bridgestone Off-road Motor sport Family. Both the Junior and Senior teams will be running Bridgestone tyres for the upcoming New Zealand Moto-cross and Super-cross Championships, as well as all the major 2 day events in New Zealand. A leading tyre producer Bridgestone is excited about the partnership, FLY Team Green promotes the sort of image Bridgestone wants to be associated with. They area tight knit team with a good work ethic and strong team values, similar to the team here at Eurotred. They have the same core values as we do, and we see this being a long lasting and successful partnership.

As an official tyre sponsor of FLY Team Green, Bridgestone will be supporting senior riders Nick Saunders, Mason Phillips, and Mike Cotter. At the recent FIM Junior World MX Championships held in Taupo, Kawasaki Junior riders Haki Waller, John Phillips and now World Junior No.3 Hamish Dobbyn were all using Bridgestone tyres.

John Phillips had this to say “This is my first proper tyre deal and I couldn’t think of anyone better than to get it from. They come standard on my Kawasaki, and
Bridgestone’s definitely hook up sweet”.

Senior rider, Nick Saunders reaction to the new deal was “Dude, that’s awesome, Bridgestone tyres are sooooo good. They last ages and work awesome in the mud”.

The team will not only be using Bridgestone tyres but also Bridgestone’s quality 4mm Heavy Duty tubes to ensure that no punctures happen while racing on the track.

Look for the senior FLY Team Green and their Bridgestone tyres at the front of the pack come the NZ MX Nationals starting 11th October.


About Bridgestone

Bridgestone is a world wide leader in the manufacturing of motorcycles tyres and motorcycle tubes. With the best materials and latest technologies used in their production, only the best tyres come with the Bridgestone logo on them. With a full compliment of tyres for both road and off road motorcycles, Bridgestone is the only motorcycle tyre you will ever need.

About Eurotred

Eurotred is the Bridgestone Motorcycle Tyre Importer for New Zealand. With a full range of tyres and containers arriving monthly, good stocks are at hand all the time. Eurotred also imports Putoline Oils, Gold Fren Brake Pads, Power Volt batteries, Viper tires and quality quad tires. For more information on these products, contact the sales department on 09 4433111 or sales@eurotred.co.nz

2 x STUNT RIDERS NEEDED

WILDCARD ENTERTAINMENT - HIRING NOW



Newly formed with two Holden utes fully worked to perform drift stunts Wildcard Entertainment are looking for Motorcycle stunt riders to join the stunt team riding supplied stunt machines alongside their drift utes. The job will vary across New Zealand with an aim to attend all major motorsport events and logged promotional gigs. It will not disappoint.

If you think you have or know of someone that has what it takes to confidently pull a range of stunts on a motorcycle in front of large crowds you should get in contact with James Urquhart at Wildcard Entertainment on 021 795 691. James is keen to hear from anyone that has the experience and skills necessary.








Note: The ute driver positions have been filled.