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Bench Racing & The Morning Reads

Friday, 1 April

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Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

worldsbk.com: Leon H rides hard at home

worldsbk.com: Infront launches tyre supply tender

ducati.com: Smrz and Liberty Racing Team on the podium at doningotn

MotoGP

fo,-live.com: Dani Pedrosa will undergo surgery after Jerez

ducactinewstoday.com: No Ducati MotoGP progress till May

Formula 1

formaula1.com: ormula One fantasy – Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel

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jamesallenonf1.com: What is hispania’s place in Formula 1?
At last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, Hispania Racing’s Narain Kartikeyan and Tonio Liuzzi became the first drivers to not qualify for a Formula 1 Grand Prix for almost a decade. There’s no shame in that; Niki Lauda and Nelson...

madeinmotorsport.com: Fallout continues after costly Sauber blunder


Other Racing

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On the Street

indiacarbikes.in: BMW S 1000 RR obscenely priced In India; Team ICB asks why!

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motorsportretro.com: $275,000 Book – The Official Ferrari Opus

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webbikeworld.com: Hlemet review – Caberg Ego

khaleejtimes.com: BMW forcasts strong [Dubai] sales growth in 2011

The Mothership

BMW Motorrad Brasiln is the most awarded brand at Moto gold 2011
31.03.2011
press information
Translation by Bing.com

Sao Paulo, March 31, 2011-During the ceremony of the 2011 Award Gold Bike, held annually by the Green Bike and motorcycle magazines-both publications Publisher Motorpress Brazil-BMW Motorrad was the brand that stood, garnering several awards of products and brand image in the following categories:

-Maxitrail with the BMW F 800 GS;
-Naked with BMW K 1300 R;
Sport with the BMW S 1000 RR;
-Better image quality;
-Customer satisfaction;

Moto Gold Award is part of the MOTORCYCLE OF THE YEAR, the highest award of motorcycles in the world, performed by group Motorpress magazines in 13 countries: Germany (Motorrad), Brazil (Motorcycling), Italy (Sprint and In Bike Bike), Spain (Motorcycling), Holland (Motorcycle Plus), Switzerland (T?Âff), Portugal (Motorcycling), Croatia (Motorevija), Czech Republic (Motocyckl), Hungary (Motorevue), Poland (Motocyckl) and Romania (Univers Bike). Motorcycles direct participants received votes from readers of the magazine ?¼ — through coupons bound in October and November 2010. In total, there are eight trophies for bikes and 5 for the brand image.

With this award, BMW Motorrad Brazil is renowned for its excellent products and work in the country.


FWIW

asia.eurosport.com: BMW bosses planning for MotoGP

The rumor mill continues to crank. gpone.com: Dorna courting BMW for MotoGP

caradisiac.fom: BMW does not hide [its] interest in MotoGP post 2012
French to English translation by Google



Reference: :

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MSF Question of the Day: What should you do in order to swerve correctly and safely?

MSF Tip of the Day: If you ride at night, you might add an auxiliary driving light wired into the high-beam circuit. Check local equipment laws.


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Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

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Last edited:
Saturdau, 2 April

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Members with Birthdays Today

MotoGP

motogp.com: Repsol Honda duo top Jerez timesheet

ducati.com: Rossi third in Jerez free practice, Hayden ninth

autosport.com spies short of confidence in practice

teamtech3.fr: Edwards and Crutchlow make promising start in Jerez

Suzuki-racing.com: Hopkins enjoys Jerez opening day

fim-live.com: Riders excited by first European round at Jerez

fim-live.com: Stoner, L??thi and Terol fastest


The Ducati MotoGP Team is made up of people. Come and meet them during a working day!
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Other Racing

BMW Motorsport: Dirk M??ller and his BMW Team RLL team-mates got their American Le Mans Series campaign off to a start with a win. In an interview, the German talks about his 2011 program.

Bikes in the Fast Lane: Valentino Rossi announces participation in the 2012 Dakar


On the Street

asphaltandrubber.com: Harley-Davidson considering an electric model

indiancarsbikes.in: BMW is serious about the M3 pickup truck (ute) afterall or are they?

The Mothership

As Great Britain becomes gripped by royal wedding fever BMW has created a limited edition of the BMW M3 Coup?® to celebrate this special occasion…more

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FWIW

Ahhh, April 2. The April fools jokes continue to pop but I am ready to ignore them now. By Monday they will be all but gone for another year.

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MSF Question of the Day: What is the best way to stop your motorcycle quickly?

MSF Tip of the Day: Be aware of hypothermia symptoms: sleepiness and an extreme chill that turns into general numbness of the body.

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Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

Everywhere I looked today there seemed to be Triumph motorcycles. Beautifully restored Bonnevilles, new Speed Triples and many more, but the one that really stuck with me was this 1961 TR5C I found on silodrome.com

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Sunday, 3 April

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Members with Birthdays Today

MotoGP

MotoGP Qualifying
1 27 Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team HONDA 1’38.757 19 23 280.1

2 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team HONDA 1’38.915 22 22 0.158 0.158 281.5

3 1 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing YAMAHA 1’38.918 25 29 0.161 0.003 275.0

4 11 Ben SPIES USA Yamaha Factory Racing YAMAHA 1’39.390 23 23 0.633 0.472 277.6

5 58 Marco SIMONCELLI ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini HONDA 1’39.486 24 27 0.729 0.096 279.2

6 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team HONDA 1’39.709 28 29 0.952 0.223 278.6

7 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Pramac Racing Team DUCATI 1’39.892 20 20 1.135 0.183 275.8

8 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YAMAHA 1’39.895 24 25 1.138 0.003 274.7

9 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YAMAHA 1’40.019 22 24
1.262 0.124 271.2

10 7 Hiroshi AOYAMA JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini HONDA 1’40.168 11 22 1.411
0.149 274.8

11 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team DUCATI 1’40.175 21 26 1.418 0.007 279.0

12 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Ducati Team DUCATI 1’40.185 15 24 1.428 0.010 276.7

13 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP DUCATI 1’40.217 24 28 1.460 0.032 269.5

14 21 John HOPKINS USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP SUZUKI 1’40.310 25 26 1.553 0.093 277.6

15 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Pramac Racing Team DUCATI 1’40.523 19 25 1.766 0.213 276.3

16 17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing DUCATI 1’40.601 26 26 1.844 0.078 274.3

17 24 Toni ELIAS SPA LCR Honda MotoGP HONDA 1’41.114 16 24 2.357 0.513 280.4

fim-live.com: Stoner scores second straight pole

fime-live.com: “Never underestimate the Spanish riders’ Stoner

Hondaproracing.com: Honda onca again take top two slots on MotoGP grid

fim-live.com: Lorenzo delivers front row at Jerez

ducati.com: Good pace for Rossi despite qualifying slip, Hayden eleventh

teamtech3.fr: Edwards and Crutchlow happy after dramatic qualifying

rizla-suzuki-motogp.co.uk: Hopkins close to a third row start in Jerez

Formula 1

formula1.com: Malaysia preview quotes

attwilliams: Cosworth Engineering Debrief – Australian GP

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Other Racing

reuters.com: Raikonen to drive NASCAR truck for Kyle Busch

The first race appearance at the N??rburgring-Nordschleife (DE) in 2011 turned out to be a great success for Team BMW Motorsport: The no. 42 BMW M3 GT with J?Ârg M??ller (DE), Augusto Farfus (BR) and Uwe Alzen (DE) at the wheel crossed the line as the winner in the first round of the VLN Endurance Championship. The second BMW M3 GT (no. 43), driven by Andy Priaulx (GB), Dirk M??ller (DE) and Dirk Werner (DE), took the chequered flag in second, 51 seconds behind the sister car after four hours of running…more

On the Street

webbikeworld.com: Stainless Steel Brake Line upgrade

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FWIW

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MSF Question of the Day: If the drive train chain or belt breaks while you are riding, what should you do?

MSF Tip of the Day: When turning, use these four steps for better control: SLOW, LOOK, PRESS, ROLL. Learn more here, P.14

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Bike Candy

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Monday, 4 April

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Members with Birthdays Today

MotoGP

MotoGP
Results

Standings:
1 Jorge LORENZO Yamaha SPA 45

2 Dani PEDROSA Honda SPA 36

3 Casey STONER Honda AUS 25

4 Nicky HAYDEN Ducati USA 23

5 Valentino ROSSI Ducati ITA 20

6 Hiroshi AOYAMA Honda JPN 19

7 Andrea DOVIZIOSO Honda ITA 17

8 Hector BARBERA Ducati SPA 14

9 Cal CRUTCHLOW Yamaha GBR 13

10 Karel ABRAHAM Ducati CZE 12

11 Marco SIMONCELLI Honda ITA 11

12 Ben SPIES Yamaha USA 10

13 Colin EDWARDS Yamaha USA 8

14 Toni ELIAS Honda SPA 7

15 John HOPKINS Suzuki USA 6

16 Loris CAPIROSSI Ducati ITA 5


bbc.co.uk: World champion Jorge Lorenzo seals Spanish MotoGP win

fim-live.com: Lorenzo takes the honors in eventful Jerez race

Spanish GP – Team Releases:

Hondaproracing.com: Pedrosa takes second in rain –hit Spanish GP

Ducati.com: Hayden on the podium at Jerez, Rossi falls but remounts to take fifth

teamtech3.fr: Edwards and Crutchlow fight for Podium in Jerez thriller

rizla-suzuki-motogp.co.uk: Hoopkins scores amazing top 10 in MotoGP return

gresiniracing.com: Unlucky Simoncelli misses victory chance as Aoyama fights for podium

karelabraham.com: Karel Abraham finished 7th in spite of crash

crash.net: Stoner blasts marshals after Rossi collision

Video: MotoGP’s race recap video for the 2011 Spanish GP

Spanish GP photo compilations by team

Yamaha
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Repsol Honda Team Spanish GP Stoner/Pedrosa/Dovizioso
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Ducati Valentino Rossi & Nick Hayden
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Formula 1

autospot.com: RBR ‘gaining confidence’ in KERS


Other Racing

The 1963 LA Times GP: The debut of the King Cobra
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On the Street

bmwcafe.blogspot.com: Peel on a plujer
A beautiful BMW


FWIW

“Fixing the Race”

On many Monday mornings fans of ball and ball and stick games gather around the proverbial water cooler to talk about Sunday’s big game. All too often that discussion revolves around or devolves to a debate of a call by an official as fans for opposing teams run out of highlights to use to support their view of the outcome. Jokingly someone will often say the fix was in with the referees. The sad thing is on extremely rare occasions they are right.

Monday morning fans of motorcycle and cage racing rarely have this sort of discussion. It will be interesting to see what fans make of this past Sunday’s Spanish MotoGP and Casey Stoner’s rant about the corner workers which was echoed by Marco Semocelli.

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Early in a wet race Valentino Rossi astride his Ducati lost grip, low sided and took Casey Stoner down with him. The two skittered across the track and their bikes piled up. Corner workers helped separate the bikes and get them vertical. This is totally appropriate under the MotoGP rules. 2011 MotoGP Regulation 1.21.4 reads:

1.21 Behavior During Practice and Race

4) Any repairs or adjustments along the race track must be made by the
rider working alone with absolutely no outside assistance. The marshals
may assist the rider to the extent of helping him to lift the machine and
holding it whilst any repairs or adjustments are made.
The marshal may
then assist him to re-start the machine.

Both riders were helped getting their bikes vertical and ready to return to the race; so far, so good.

Image

Corner workers pushed Rossi and he quickly bump started his Ducati retuning to the race and eventually finishing 5th. Stoner was not able to start his bike and posted a DNF.

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Stoner claims the corner workers gave up too soon costing him a chance to finish the race and score critical championship points. Posting the DNF dropped him from P1 to P3 in the standings. Jorge Lorenzo is in P1 and his teammate Dani Pedrosa is ahead of him. He is not a happy racer. Is he right?

Rossi will undoubtedly get the better table at the restaurant, the better parking spot and five more feet of pushing from the corner workers than almost any other rider. He did not need the extra five feet when his Ducati popped off and he quickly returned to racing.

Stoner suffered from more than not being Valentino Rossi for two reasons.

The first is the Repsol Honda he is riding. The clutch design settled on by Honda increases durability while making the bike harder to bump start. After helping him push his bike for some distance the workers stopped and returned to their corner to resume their normal duties. Stoner wanted the five more feet and did not get it.

The Rossi factor aside at some point in time and distance the corner workers must return to their post and their normal duties. The rules allow them to help push start a rider but they do not make them team crew members. Other riders are on the track and corner workers have a duty to them to do their assign jobs in their assigned location. Good decision corner workers. Honda engineers, we hope you did not loose anyone in the earthquake and tsunami, now go and rethink the clutch. Case closed; or is it?

Marco Simocelli was well in the lead just before the half way point and on his way to being the first satellite team rider to score a win since Toni Elias claimed the 2006 Estoril race for Gresini when he suffered a nasty high side in turn one and did not return to the race. Simocelli claims he could have returned if he had help from the corner workers but they were no where to be found.

It may be my conspiracy buff nature coming out but in all the articles recounting various accidents and in these two in particular there appears to be an unmentioned ‘gorilla’ in the article plot arc. Stoner and Siomocelli both crashed in turn one. Both may be guilty of a variety of mechanical and judgment errors but both were definitely guilty of racing while Australian and Italian, respectively, on a Spanish track. To compound this problem they were racing against a defending Spanish World Champion.

I would love to write a riveting piece of racing fiction that included corrupt racing officials fixing the results. It would be a piece of fiction because I do not believe that corner workers ‘had the fix in’ for their hero Lorenzo or even Pedrosa. The Spanish are great race fans and love to support Spanish riders. Last year Ruben Xaus may have lasted with the BMW SBK team because of the race calendar and he is Spanish. This made him important for gate recites and Madrid showroom sales. However; with the growing importance and presence of Spanish tracks on the calendars of all forms of racing the FMA must investigate the incidents in this race to remove any possible taint Monday morning conspirators may raise. This is kind of race fixing may be needed if this story grows wheels.

Fortunately the Sunday rain was in Spain and not on my part of the plains. Most of us were out riding yesterday. I am off to the get a cup of Reindeer Antler Coffee and see where everyone rode. The crowd is a cross between feet forward and dirt riders so I don’t expect much debate over the MotoGP results.

Reference: :

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MSF Question of the Day: What should you do when approaching a stop sign?

MSF Tip of the Day:

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Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

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Tuesday, 5 April

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Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

crash.net: James Toseland casts doubt on Monza return

MotoGP

Post race interviews:
Joge Lorenzo
Dani pedrosa
Nicky Hayden

asphaltandrubber.com: Here come the 1,000’s

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Formula 1

formula1.com: Drivers to evaluate experimental hard tire at Sepang

reuters.com: Red Bull make changes to Webber’s car


Other Racing

ducatinewstoday.com: The first time BMW and Ducati raced Superbikes

motoblog.it: Husqvarna dominate the second round of World Enduro 2011

telegraph.co.uk: FIA president Jean Todt and EU commissioner keen to set up new electric Formula One championship

independent.co.uk: You may think F1 has got deadly dull. Once it was just deadly

On the Street

motorcycledaily.com: MD first ride – 2012 Honda crossrunner

motociclismo.com: March registrations down 25.1%

roadracingworld.com: Ducati North America motorcycle sales up 68% in first quarter

cyrilhuzeblog.com: Big Dog Motorcycles closing

sportrider.com: Michelin introduces new Pilot Road 3 Sport-touring tire

autoevolution.com: Metzler launches Interact radial motorcycle tires

pr-usa.net: Increasing motorcycle safety to have a better ride

The Mothership

Richmond Hill, ON. Following a record-breaking January and February, BMW Group Canada’s March 2011 results helped the company secure a significant Q1 increase over the first quarter of 2010. With a year-to-date total of 6,087 units sold, the Group (BMW and MINI combined) surpassed first-quarter 2010 sales by 8.9 per cent…more

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Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles

Total views: 11,167,542 First hatch 4/2/11.
24-hour collage of first egg pip and hatch
Second hatch 4/3/11.
First glimpse of second hatchling
Third hatch expected in a couple of days.

The Raptor Resource Project brings you the Decorah Eagles from atop their tree at the fish hatchery in Decorah, Iowa.

CHAT ROOM IS OPEN 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT DAILY.
To view and participate in chat you must be logged in. Chat room is typically full; refreshing your browser page will eventually give you access.

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MSF Question of the Day: As indicated in the situation pictured in the illustration above, what lane should a rider be in?

MSF Tip of the Day: Select gear that makes you more conspicuous - day AND night. Replace your helmet periodically

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Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

The bright lights of Paris were the latest destination for the Concept C design study, as the scooter-loving French public were given an impressive taste of what to expect when BMW Motorrad enters the all-important urban mobility market in the near future.

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When you click on the MSF safety question of the day, it asks about a picture but does not show the picture.
 
When you click on the MSF safety question of the day, it asks about a picture but does not show the picture.

I noticed that when I put the post together. I wrote an email and had hoped they would have it fixed by now.
 
Wednesday, 6 April

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Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

motomatters.com: Miller Motorsports Park talks to Marco Melandri

MotoGP

motogp.com: Statement of the MotoGP Race Direction
The Stoner Rossi crash handling will be reviewed in a hearing to be held April 28.

Formula 1

reuters.com: Sochi says Russian GP on track, IOC to review plans

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Other Racing

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yBOZPdTl8Vc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mTv4XNkKEQA?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mTv4XNkKEQA?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object>

On the Street

HFL: Lies, damned lies and Ducati sales statistics

worldhonda.com: Idling stop system explained

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/m25WcgotEAQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kTv9_Q98nR8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

webbikeworld.com: GoPro BacPac review

The Mothership

BMW Motorrad expands customer sports programme.

All-round package of support for BMW S 1000 RR customers with racing ambitions.

Munich, 5th April 2011. BMW Motorrad is responding to the worldwide success of the BMW S 1000 RR by expanding its customer sports programme. Headed by Berthold Hauser, the newly created BMW Motorrad HP Race Support team of specialists provides expert assistance for BMW customers with sporting aspirations…more

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/douEPOZx4gM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Reference: :

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles

Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS

MSF Question of the Day:

1224188747_KnFmX-Ti.jpg
Gasbuddy.com: Search for local gas prices along your trip route.

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

I found the pictures of today’s treat on the OttoNero blog and then did a Google search to find this site with a bit more information on the Moto Guzzi Ercole from an Italian enthusiast.

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<object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/u6Oa1ECyxYs&hl=it_IT&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/u6Oa1ECyxYs&hl=it_IT&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object>
 
Thursday, 7 April

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Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

Toseland will not compete in the next round of WorldSBK

Barry Veneman to substitute for James Toseland on the BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team at the Assen race, the third event in the Superbike World Championship
ÔÇó 06.04.2011
ÔÇó Press Release

San Donato Milanese, 6 April 2011 - Barry Veneman (34), a native of the Netherlands, has been selected by the BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team to substitute for James Toseland, who is still recuperating, for the next events in the SBK World Championship.

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The Dutch rider has a fairly good amount of experience in international championships and, since he is quite familiar with the local circuit, which is also one of his favorites, he will be able to provide valid support to the Team in setting up the bike for the 15-17 April event.

Barry VenemanÔÇÖs esperience includes a season in the MotoGP World Championship, riding a two-stroke 500, as well as various races in the Supersport World Championship. In addition, with Suzuki in 2010 he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as part of the Endurance Championship, after also taking third place in 2008.
Veneman has acquired a good knowledge of the BMW S 1000 RR, with which he raced ÔÇô and will race again in 2011 ÔÇô in the German IDM Championship; he has also participated in several developmental tests with the Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport.

Barry Veneman was born in Zwolle (Netherlands) on 22 March 1977; he is married and has two children.

His favorite tracks are Phillip Island (AUS) and TT Assen (NL).
His favorite motorcycle is the BMW S 1000 RR.

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Major results:
ÔÇó 1998 Dutch Supersport 400 Champion
ÔÇó 2001 500cc MotoGP Championship 24th
ÔÇó 2002 Dutch Supersport 600 Champion
ÔÇó 2003 Dutch Supersport 600 Champion
ÔÇó 2005 World Supersport 12th after injury
ÔÇó 2007 World Supersport 8th
ÔÇó 2008 World Supersport 8th
ÔÇó Podium finish ÔÇô 2008 World Supersport Magny Cours (FR)
ÔÇó Winner ÔÇô Le Mans 24 Hour World Endurance

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MotoGP

fim-lice.xom]: Dani Pedrosa undergoes successful surgery

[url= http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/hondas-motogp-gearbox-explained/17679.html]visordown.com
: HondaÔÇÖs MotoGP gearbox explained

motorcycledaily.com: EDITORIAL ÔÇô ÔÇ£Just RacingÔÇØ

Los MiniBikers
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kHUBOpr8VSo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Formula 1

fia.com: Malaysian GP Preview

reuters.com: Malaysian Formula One statistics

jamesallenonf1.com: F1 turnover tops $1 billion again as teamÔÇÖ share rises


Other Racing

londonbikers.com: Sidecars enjoy resurgence at the Isle of Man TT

HFL: 230 mph jet powered moped

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/F-35w8dUZho" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

On the Street

aspaltandrubber.com: Infographic ÔÇô Electric vs. Gasoline Motorcycles

dealernews.com: ÔÇÿSTURGISÔÇÖ is now a federal trademark

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21847668" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/21847668">Cafe cowboy</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2888790">benedict campbell</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

motorcycledaily.com: 2011 Honda CBR250R ÔÇô MD Ride Review

Bikes in the Fast Lane: France ÔÇô Older motorcycles to be forbidden in big cities

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dealernews.com: Spyders on Mars? BRP involved in Canadian space effort

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W215TBHVUMU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Triumph is putting their money on new riders.

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Purchase a new high performance Triumph and successfully complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) new rider training program, and we'll give you a gift card worth up to $225.

Or are they just trying to buy customers?

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-riVpq1Y8Xc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Via indiancarsbikes.in
<object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1DSJQPmOpuw&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1DSJQPmOpuw&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object>

pr-usa.net: George Thorogood and The Destroyers to release new studio ablbum

The Mothership

BMW Demo Trucks at Dealers - 2011 Schedule
by BMW Motorcycles on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 11:39am
2011 Schedule
-------
April 6-9, 2011
Demo Truck
>> Montgomeryville Cycle Center
2901 Bethlehem Pike
Hatfield, PA 19440
(215) 712-7433
*******
May 12-14, 2011
Demo Truck
>> Foothills BMW Motorcycles
1435 Wadsworth Blvd
Lakewood, CO 80214
(303) 202-1400
*******
May 14, 2011
Demo Truck
>> GinaÔÇÖs BMW Motorcycles
3 Escort Lane
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 338-1404
*******
May 14, 2011
Demo Truck
>> BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan
39933 Ford Road
Canton, MI 48187
(734) 981-1479
*******
May 20-21, 2011
Demo Truck
>> BMW Motorcycles of Utah
339 W. 9000 S.
Sandy, UT 84070
(801) 618-2700
*******
June 17-18, 2011
Demo Truck
>> BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids
5995 South Division
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
(616) 530-6900
*******
June 25, 2011
Demo Truck
>> BMW Motorcycles of Countryside
6150 S La Grange Rd
Countryside, IL 60525
(847) 951-3360
*******
July 15-16, 2011
Demo Truck
>> BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids
3747 Park Mill Run Drive
Hilliard, OH 49548
(614) 771-0771
*******
August 13, 2011
Demo Truck
>> Bergen County BMW Motorcycles
124 Essex St.
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
(201) 843-6930
*******
September 10-11, 2011
Demo Truck
>> Long Beach BMW Motorcycles
2125 E. Spring St.
Long Beach, CA 90806
(562) 426-1200
*******
September 17, 2011
Demo Truck
>> A&S BMW Motorcycles
1125 Orlando Ave
Roseville, CA 95661
(800) 689-9893
*******
September 21-25, 2011
Demo Truck
>> Street Vibrations Fall Rally
Reno, NV
(775) 329-SHOW

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rzal_b3jX4w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

FWIW

motogp.com: MotoGP 2012 application process revealed

Teams [insert BMW] interested in participating in the 2012 season must provide notice by Friday 29 April to FIM, Dorna and IRTA. Once this notice of interest has been filed they will receive an information packet. The prospective participants [insert BMW] have until 13 May to review the information and file a formal application to participate. A provisional list of entrants will be announced on 15 May.

My head says BMW will sit out 2012 choosing to support the Suter MotoGP effort and will enter a true factory team in 2013. My heart says weÔÇÖre going racing liter MotoGP racing in 2012. We will know in a few weeks which is the better prognosticator.


File this under things I wish I would have thought of. From Bikes in the Fast Lane: Display warning signs with your motorcycle helmet.

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Or
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<!--copy and paste--><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talk/stream/2011/Blank/MorganSpurlock_2011-320k.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/MorganSpurlock-2011.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=1114&lang=eng&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=morgan_spurlock_the_greatest_ted_talk_ever_sold;year=2011;theme=a_taste_of_ted2011;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=not_business_as_usual;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=New+on+TED.com;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talk/stream/2011/Blank/MorganSpurlock_2011-320k.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/MorganSpurlock-2011.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=1114&lang=eng&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=morgan_spurlock_the_greatest_ted_talk_ever_sold;year=2011;theme=a_taste_of_ted2011;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=not_business_as_usual;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=New+on+TED.com;"></embed></object>

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Reference: :

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles

Total views: 11,167,542 First hatch 4/2/11.
24-hour collage of first egg pip and hatch
Second hatch 4/3/11.
First glimpse of second hatchling
Third hatch expected in a couple of days.

The Raptor Resource Project brings you the Decorah Eagles from atop their tree at the fish hatchery in Decorah, Iowa.

CHAT ROOM IS OPEN 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT DAILY.
To view and participate in chat you must be logged in. Chat room is typically full; refreshing your browser page will eventually give you access.

Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS

MSF Question of the Day: When riding at night, which of the following is a good idea?

MSF Tip of the Day:

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Gasbuddy.com: Search for local gas prices along your trip route.

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

FromMotorcycle Picture of the Day

Some people like their Bike Candy wrapped

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Unwrapped for others.

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Interesting speech from a guy who disgraced not only his uniform but his country.

From what I have read, he disgraced himself through loose talk and by disrespect for his commanders. What else has he done?
 
In my quixotic adventures I try to embrace the description I was given of SocratesÔÇÖ purpose in his questions as he walked the street of Athens; his questioning was based on the assumption that he could learn something form everyone.

Ted Talks are time bound. They are given by a variety of people from a variety of perspectives. Ted Talks asks the question and the talks are the response. They are offered not to make value judgments but under the assumption that we can learn form everyone. They just are able to question and feature responses from a different set of people than most of us have access to.

Bench Racing & The Morning Reads are the notes from parts of those quixotic adventures which I think will interest and inform this forum. We are examining leadership and organizational change within the BMW MOA in other threads. This speech, to my ear, allowed me to step outside the Association and listen to someone else frame and discuss many of the issues we are facing in our Association currently.

In the end Socrates was given a glass of hemlock for his efforts. Not for asking the questions. Not for believing he could learn something from anyone. The hemlock was for what he was perceived to have been doing by asking them.

This thread is runs best on ideas not hemlock. Discuss the ideas not the messenger and this thread will not be asked to drink a digital glass of hemlock.
 
Friday, 8 April

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Members with Birthdays Today


MotoGP

motogp.com: Cecchinelli explains new Moto3 class regulations

bbc.co.uk: Cal Crutchlow to undergo arm surgery

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gpone.com: FIM – no more silly mistakes

fim-live.com: Pedrosa – 10 years in the Motorcycling World Championship

ducatio.com: Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden test the Ducati GP12 at Jerez

rizla-suzuki-motogp.com: Bautista back on the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R!!!

Formula 1

fia.com: Malaysian GP Thursday Press Conference
DRIVERS - Sebastien BUEMI (Toro Rosso), Jenson BUTTON (McLaren), Felipe MASSA (Ferrari), Nico ROSBERG (Mercedes), Jarno TRULLI (Lotus)

formula1.com: Sergio Perez Q&A – Sauber could be even stronger in Malaysia

On the Street

motorcyclenews.com: BMW confirms Concept C scooter on sale in [UK] 2012

cyrilhuzeblog.com: Choppers built with conviction…in prison

Are 1000cc sports bikes irrelevant?
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DsiljraYZx8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here is print 750 story from motorcyclenews.com: The ultimate touring bike…a Ural Cross 750?

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ULIMFi93lbU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RrYnz3hqBOo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

sportrider.com: Goodbye HPPC | Wheelspin

visordown.com: The future of motorcycle ABS

motorcycledaily.com: Motorcycle Safety Foundation calls for an end to distracted driving

indiancarsbikes.in: BMW pips Mercedes to emerge on top in March sales charts while Audi is still a distant third

I pirated this from a post by Paul Glaves in another thread and offer it here.
gazette.jhu.edu: Motorcycle helmet myth debunked – use decreases cervical spine injury
Thank you Paul.

The Mothership

GS Days 2011: A weekend of fun with your GS
07.04.2011 Press release

The new edition of the Days GS will be held from 10 to 12 June 2011, in the town of Segurilla, where you will enjoy a weekend of fun, learning and competition with your g. If you're one of those enrolled, you can participate in the Goldman school, in the GS challenge, or both activities…for more bring your translator and head on out to BWM PressClub Spain.


Past with future: Everything about BMW Group Classic.
• 07.04.2011
• Press Kit
“Quality in automobile construction can only be created where tradition and progress are combined.” The idea of BMW Group Classic can hardly be expressed any better. And even this idea has already developed into a tradition. The concept originates from a BMW advertisement to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the automobile – 50 years ago...
more

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Auto Shanghai 2011: BMW Brilliance Automotive presents prototype of a plug-in hybrid sedan.
• 07.04.2011
• Press Release

Munich/Shanghai. In the run-up to the international automobile trade show Auto Shanghai 2011, BMW Brilliance Automotive presents the concept of a premium-segment plug-in hybrid sedan. In collaboration with its joint venture partner Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. BMW Group has thus taken the next step of the way towards creating the new energy vehicle for China. The prototype is based on the long wheelbase version of the BMW 5 Series Sedan, developed exclusively for the Chinese automobile market and produced at the Shenyang site. It is the first vehicle in its segment in China to provide a fully fledged combination of exclusive style and environmental awareness. In this way, it closes the gap in the high-end area while at the same time laying the foundation for the future development of a Chinese new energy vehicle in the premium segment. Its drive parallel hybrid drive set-up combines a combustion engine featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with an electrical motor. The innovative concept also includes special battery technology which includes the possibility of charging from a mains power supply…more


FWIW

A link to motojournalism.blogspot.com with an interview with filmmaker Gaurav Jani from reader showed up in my in box.

Back in a Morning Reads in 2006 I did a review of Riding Solo to the Top of the World. I found the movie incredible on many levels. The journey itself, the bike and ‘touring’ gear he used and most of all the filmmaking. In the video he explains how he would ride ahead set up the camera gear then ride back to turn around and ride through the camera shot. The time and effort for some of the shots is incredible as are the results.

The trailer for Riding Solo to the Top of the World
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SldSSPxWMfk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I traded emails with Jani for a time, wrote another review he used for a time in his promotions and followed the 60 kph[/ul] club website for a while; then lost contact with him and the club. I was very pleased to see the interview and to find out they had indeed done the next video.

Here is the trailer for his newest production, One Crazy Ride will give you a sample of that. Keep in mind there is no film crew as in The Long Way Round just the five riders. For ezample, you see the river fording by the five Jani forded the river ahead of them set up the camera shot forded the river back and then all rode though to make the shot of them fording the river once again as a group.

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mkb4558ym5w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

A huge thank you to the reader sending the link. It brought back wonderful memories of the time watching in November 2006 described in the review along with the joy of seeing and reading some of Jani’s work once again.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

Reference: :

[url=http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles]Decorah Egles WebCam

Decorah Eagles

Total views: 11,167,542 First hatch 4/2/11.
24-hour collage of first egg pip and hatch
Second hatch 4/3/11.
First glimpse of second hatchling
Third hatch expected in a couple of days.

The Raptor Resource Project brings you the Decorah Eagles from atop their tree at the fish hatchery in Decorah, Iowa.

CHAT ROOM IS OPEN 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT DAILY.
To view and participate in chat you must be logged in. Chat room is typically full; refreshing your browser page will eventually give you access.

Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS

MSF Question of the Day: What should you do to prevent lane sharing by other automobile drivers in traffic?

MSF Tip of the Day: Gear up. Consider clothing with body armor. It's cool! And makes you look cool!

1224188747_KnFmX-Ti.jpg
Gasbuddy.com: Search for local gas prices along your trip route.

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

Somehow I managed to be grounded most Halloween evenings. I do remember the few times I was able to go out trick or treating with fondness. At the end of the evening and for several more I would sit in my bedroom, close my eyes, reach into the candy bag and pull out the evening’s treat. Sometimes I really liked it, some times I not at all and at other times I just wasn’t certain what I thought about the candy in hand.

BMW has another ad campaign going that reminds me very much of that dilemma.

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Of course on those evenings it was not uncommon to reach in the bag and find something a bit more to my liking.
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F1 Malaysian GP Friday Practice

Formula 1

Friday Practice Session Classifications:
Session 1
Session 2

Lap Times
Session 1
Session 2

FIA Communications for Friday
Doc. 8: Note to teams about wing use
Doc. 10: Note to teams about tyre issues
Doc. 34: Technical note - current engine use by teams
Doc.35: Technical note - Transmissions


Friday Press Conference
TEAM PRINCIPALS - Eric BOULLIER (Renault), Ross BRAWN (Mercedes), Paul
HEMBERY (Pirelli), Christian HORNER (Red Bull), Colin KOLLES (HRT), Monisha
KALTENBORN (Sauber)

formaula1.com: Friday analysis ÔÇô more to come from quietly confident Red Bull?

formula1.com: Pre-Sepang analysis ÔÇô storms to render the race a lottery?

reuters.com: Tyre trashing talk fills the Sepang Paddock

autosport.com: Malaysia Friday quotes ÔÇô Perelli

bbc.co.uk: Friday practice as it happened
 
Saturday, 9 April

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Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

worldsbk.com: 2011 WorldSBK live online on Eurosport Player

MotoGP

ducati.com: Valentino rossi rides the Ducati GP12 for the first time, at Jerez

roadracingworld.com: Rossi says Ducati DesmosediciGP12 is more enjoyable, more fun to ride

Ducati DesmosediciGP12 first time on track with Rossi
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2K2VU89JcFg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

asphaltandrubber.com: Paul Denning explains the 2011 Suzuki GSV-R

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BY5XVTuHhDQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

video: MotoGP Rewind from Jerez

Formula 1

formula1.com: Friday Gallery for the Malaysian GP

f1technical.net: Burning fuel to gain downforce

autosport.com: Brawn – Teams may have to copy RBR

autosport.com: Degradation set to create Sepang thriller

Reuters thinks Mercedes improvements augur well for the weekend while a downbeat Alonso is writing off Ferrari’s hopes for the weekend.

SATURDAY – Malaysian GP

Practice
Classification
Lap Times

formual1.com: Final practice – Hamilton moves ahead in Malaysia

f1technical.net: HRT run new nose and front wing

auto-motor-und-sport.de: Red Bull with KERS and McLaren with Melbourne aero

Qualifying
All cars made it within the 107% mark and we will have a full grid on Sunday.

As three sessions wound their way down to the final two minutes of Q3 Hamilton was in control. On the last flying laps he would go through the sector timing and go purple only to have Vettel go purple when he went through. On the last lap of the Qualifying session Vettel pips Hamilton for the pole.

1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Webber
4. Button
5. Alonso
6. Heidfeld
7. Massa
8. Petrov
9. Rosberg
10. Kobayashi
11. Schumacher
12. Buemi
13. Alguersuari
14. Di Resta
15. Barrichello
16. Perez
17. Sutil
18. Maldonado
19. Kovalainen
20. Trulli
21. Glock
22. D’Ambrosio
23. Luzzi
24. Karthikeyan

bbc.co.uk: Malaysian Grand Prix qualifying as it happened

I will post a wrap up latter today with FIA timing and news from today’s qualifying.

Other Racing

fim-live.com: Riders with the greatest number of FIM World Championship titles

fim-live.com: This week in Monster Energy Supercross – St. Louis

Highlights of the 1st round of the 2011 MAXXIS FIM Enduro World Championship in Ponts (Spain)
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-dYcla70MoE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Modified BMW Z4 GT3 completes successful test programme.
08.04.2011
Press Release
Munich, 8th April 2011. The modified BMW Z4 GT3 has survived its baptism of fire: the GT customer sports car proved itself in a series of intensive tests in recent weeks. The goal of the latest modifications was primarily to improve aerodynamic efficiency in order to ensure the car's competitiveness in the many, hard-fought GT3 classes…more


On the Street

Bikes in the Fast Lane: U.S. Ambassador rides Harley Motorcycle in Chaina

cyrilhuzeblog.com: Big Dog Motorcycles admits it was seized and forced to close

motorcyclenews.com: Extreme motorcycle theft deterrent.

utlitimatemotorcycling.com: 2011 Moto Guzzi Norge 1200

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pAnGmo_nlYA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

webbikeworld.com: Tourmaster Flex LE Jacket review
webbikeworld.com: Tourmaster Flex Pants review

The Mothership

BMW Group and MINI reported the best first quarter ever.

Motorcycles
BMW Motorcycles significantly exceeded the previous year’s figures in the first three months of the year. Sales rose 10.9% to 23,109 units. BMW Motorcycles thus achieved the best quarterly result in its history. A total of 11,675 BMW motorcycles were delivered in March 2011 – an increase of 1.2%. Husqvarna Motorcycles delivered 1,940 motorcycles (+18.3%) to customers in the first quarter and 676 motorcycles (-17%) in the month of March…more
[Note: BWM uses a standard method for reporting sales for all brands. The percentages are technically accurate within this system but do not reflect the way the lead times for sales and production cycle which is very different.]


I have limited confidence in the accuracy of this translation from Japanese to English. That said the S 1000 RR has taken another award. Via BMW PressClub Japan:

Supertest World Association (SWA) by (s, Sen Earl Earl) BMW S 1000 RR was announced in December 2009, bee-m-w co., Ltd. (President and Representative Director: Roland Kruger) than is configured on the international journalist awarded "bike of the-year" for "2010 bike of the year" was crowned # 1. Celebration to honor Memorial Trophy was awarded than a young one motorcycle magazine "machine" SWA member.
(Motorrad) BMW Motorrad models to the bike of the year's top battle has become unprecedented feat.

BMW S 1000 RR made their debut in the Japan market in April 2010, is passionate and innovative high-performance technology and unparalleled without driving characteristics were developed in the model. Delivers the high level of engine and driving performance in driving outstanding accuracy, agility, good overall performance with European techniques of shows in the four-cylinder Super sport motorcycle segment.


BMW Mexico reported a strong first quarter including the Motorrad Segment

BMW Motorrad had its best quarter and still at the tip of spear with the marketing of 384 motorcycles, representing a 23.1% increase (1Q 2010: 312). These results have allowed him to be the first place in the segment of 500 cc up and cover more than 35% of the market. To continue to innovate, in January presented the renovated BMW G 650 GS; which reaffirms the leadership in the SUV field and account with a new reconfiguration in various parts of the body…bring your translator for more

FWIW

Caroline Casey: Looking beyond limits
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Back to auto shop: Differentials 1937 style via thechicaneblog.com
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Now the important Saturday stuff

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H-3rzM8a0f0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dmBKkuZvlhw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Reference: :

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles

Total views: 11,167,542 First hatch 4/2/11.
24-hour collage of first egg pip and hatch
Second hatch 4/3/11.
First glimpse of second hatchling
Third hatch expected in a couple of days.

The Raptor Resource Project brings you the Decorah Eagles from atop their tree at the fish hatchery in Decorah, Iowa.

CHAT ROOM IS OPEN 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT DAILY.
To view and participate in chat you must be logged in. Chat room is typically full; refreshing your browser page will eventually give you access.

Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS

MSF Question of the Day: A majority of fatal injuries in motorcycle crashes are to what part(s) of the body?

MSF Tip of the Day: Make your first ride your best ride. Take the MSF Basic RiderCourse.

1224188747_KnFmX-Ti.jpg
Gasbuddy.com: Search for local gas prices along your trip route.

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

Via BMW Motorrad Twitter and [ulr=http://www.khulsey.com/motorcycles/vintage_motorcycle_bmw.html]khulsey.com[/url]

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F1- Malaysian GP Qualifying update

FIA

Saturday Practice

Classifications
Lap Times

Qualifying

Classifications
Lap Times
Maximum Speeds
Sector Times
Speed Trap



POST QUALIFYING PRESS CONFERENCES TRANSCRIPT

DRIVERS
1 - Sebastian VETTEL (Red Bull)
2 - Lewis HAMILTON (McLaren)
3 - Mark WEBBER (Red Bull)

formula1.com: Qualifying analysis – are McLaren ready to challenge Red Bull?

formula1.com: selected team and driver quotes

redbull.com: Sebastian secures Sepang Pole

Ferrari.com: No surprise in Sepang qualifying

Ferrari.com: Costa “We must change our approach to development”

LotusRenaultGP: You better you bet

suaberf1team.com: Qualifying

Virgin Racing: Smooth and solid

HRT: Mission accomplished we will be on the grid

Reuters report round up
McLaren in contention after hard work pays off

Red Bull wary of improving McLaren in Sepang

Schumacher bemoans wing issue after qualifying

Renault snapping at the heels fo the big boys


Scuderia Ferrari Racing News
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1MQ2O4mvnNk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

FWIW

Get set for a big battle between Red Bull and McLaren with their pilots paired for battle on the front tow rows. This should be an exciting race. With the Malaysian heat and Perelli tyre degradation problems there are four other cars I will be paying attention to if the front four run their tires off or just run each other off the track.

Before I get to those four lets quickly talk about Ferrari. While I am a Tifosi at heart I am afraid they are caught defense in the netherworld between the front lead teams of Red Bull/McLaren and the rest behind them. They are not in contact with the leaders and under serious challenge by several others.

Lotus Renault GP could very well put one of its drivers on the podium again this weekend. My head say Heidfeld my heart says Petrov. The car is coming together very nicely. It is not yet in the same league as the front runners but while Ferrari seems descending LRGP is definitely and ascending team. The ace in the whole for them this weekend is the nice bit of tyre management they did in Q2 which may payoff as race tyre and pit stop strategy plays out. The car is strong, the drivers are on their game and the team strategists have their head in the race big time.

Ignore Kamui Kobayashi in the Sauber C30 at your peril on race day. The Sauber team should feel the thrill of a top ten finish once again after having doubled that thrill taken away when both cars were disqualified after Melbourne. Kobayashi is a potential star. The C30 is a further refinement of the ideas the BMW Sauber team began working on in 2009 to prepare for this formula. The Ferrari supplier engine seems to be a very nice fit as power plant for this chassis where the A team Ferrari engine and chassis don’t seem to work together. It would not take much for the race to come to Kobayashi and his Sauber putting them on one of the podium rungs.

On race day the Mercedes GP in the hands of Michael Schumacher is another car I will watch. Nico Rosberg is the qualifying driver. For some reason Schumacher has never figured this form of qualifying out. The Mercedes GP that Brawn has offered this season still isn’t the fighter chassis that it needs to be but it is not the wide bodied jet of last year. Unlike Sauber I am not a fan of Ross Brawn, Norbert Hauge and think Schumacher should have stopped in Switzerland instead of going on to Stuttgart. Yet I can see the combination of racing conditions and Schumacher’s on track race day abilities working to fill a whole if one is made in the Malaysian GP grid as the race unfolds.

Finally the ATT Williams of Ruben Barrichello (I am counting the LRGP cars as one; it’s my thread and I get to count how I want) is my last car. Barrichello has an incredible fire in his racing heart. The Williams is a sound chassis. The team has been able two wring more out of the Cosworth engine than any of the other teams running this engine. It is a nicely balance package. It is a second tier package but a nice one. I don’t see a podium on a dry track for this team but expect they will score points and present some serious competition for others to deal with.

1. Hamilton
2. Webber
3. Petrov
4. Heidfeld
5. Alonso
6. Schumacher
7. Kobayashi
8. Massa
9. Buemi
10. Barrichello

Vettel and Button along with some others DNF


It is a really nice day here in Fly-Over-Land. Time to go for another ride and then maybe some ice cream or onion rings…heck why not a ride and both I have been good this week.
:eat
 
Sunday, 10 April

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Members with Birthdays Today

MotoGP

ducati.com: Nicky Hayden completes Ducati test at Jerez with the GP12

teamtech3.fr: Crutchlow begins recovery after successful arm surgery

Formula 1

So much for my prognostication ability :ha

PROVISIONAL RESULTS

Penalties were handed out after these results were compiled

Race:
Stating Grid
Classsifications
Lap Chart
Lap Analysis
Sector Times
Speed Trap

Championship Standings
Driver
Constructior


formula1.com: Selected team and drive quotes

Team Releases:
ATT Williams
Ferrari
Red Bull
Lotus Renault GP

bbc.co.uk: Hamilton and Alonso hit with penalties

jamesallenonf1.com: Vettel keeps cool in all action Malaysian GP

On the Street

thevitagent: Trends, continued….

world.honda.com: Recovery situation of affected Honda facilities as of April 8

motorcycle.com: 2011 Triumph Speed triple 1050 review

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wWD22dOWPTE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

indiancarsbikes.in: How to improve mileage on a motorcycle /scooter?

The Mothership

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5g-hbqAhaL8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<object width="224" height="126">
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</object>

Reference: :

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles

Total views: 11,167,542 First hatch 4/2/11.
24-hour collage of first egg pip and hatch
Second hatch 4/3/11.
First glimpse of second hatchling
Third hatch expected in a couple of days.

The Raptor Resource Project brings you the Decorah Eagles from atop their tree at the fish hatchery in Decorah, Iowa.

CHAT ROOM IS OPEN 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT DAILY.
To view and participate in chat you must be logged in. Chat room is typically full; refreshing your browser page will eventually give you access.

Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS

MSF Question of the Day: What should you do if a tire goes flat while you are riding?

MSF Tip of the Day: Motorcycling excellence. You know the best defense to avoid trouble in traffic is to be skilled in the use of your eyes


1224188747_KnFmX-Ti.jpg
Gasbuddy.com: Search for local gas prices along your trip route.

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

From the Husqvarna newsletter

1244773737_YXLKi-L.jpg


1244773716_YCEDG-L.jpg


1244773644_PQNqo-L.jpg
 
Last edited:
Either the Birthday link is no good again, or no one today has a birthday, lol!
 
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