Bench Racing & The Morning Reads

Thursday, 19 May


Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

worldsbk.com: Rea and Toseland inaugurate new Silverstone wing


MotoGP

hondaproracing.com: Pedrosa undergoes surgery on his collar bone

fim-live.com: sStoner tests the new Honda 2012

Casey Stoner On The 2012 MotoGP Repsol Honda Prototype In Jerez
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DhhCzRKrAgE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Formula 1

fia.com: Spanish GP Preview

formula1.com: Overtaking – Making the impossible possible at Barcelona

formula1.com: McLaren – Diffuser clampdown would be a setback

Other Racing

2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship - Gefrees (GER)
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EDk0xHMyEcg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

sportrider.com: Flying Fred Merkel then and now

On the Street

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eCv8_yiN3a8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

bsmotoring.com: Hero Group set to be renamed Hero Moto

dealernews.com: Yamaha announces ATV manufacturing move from Japan to United States

londonbikers.com: Stay cool dry and comfortable all day with the function shirts from BMW Motorrad

realclassic.co.uk: Clubman’s corner

webbikeworld.com: Shift Enforcer knee guards - review

The Mothership

Honolulu Police Department Purchases Additional BMW Authority Motorcycles
• 18.05.2011
• Press Release
Has Maintained Fleet of BMW Motorcycles for 12 Years

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – May 18, 2011…For 12 years running, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) has opted to purchase BMW police motorcycles for its 36-member Solo Motorcycle Detail. By the end of June, 34 BMW R 1200 RT-P police motorcycles will replace 34 older models in the HPD’s existing fleet of 50 BMW police motorcycles that have been in service for the past 12 years. The 2011 model BMW motorcycles, purchased from the island’s only BMW motorcycle dealer, South Seas Cycle Exchange, will be ridden year-round by the Department’s specially trained motorcycle squad. Officers will use the motorcycles to patrol the city and county of Honolulu; to perform escort duty for parades and visiting dignitaries; and to participate in community events, such as the “Say Hi” school program…more

2011 “Engine of the Year Award”: Four titles for the BMW Group. Engines featuring four, six and eight cylinders prevail in their respective displacement classes – BMW Group most successful manufacturer in the most significant international competition.
• 18.05.2011
• Press Release
Munich/ Stuttgart. With four class victories in the competition “International Engine of the Year Award” 2011, the BMW Group repeated last year’s success, whilst at the same time strengthening its position as the most successful manufacturer to take part in the competition. Four, six and eight-cylinder petrol and diesel engines prevailed in their respective displacement classes. The award-winning engines are featured in a number of current models of the BMW and MINI brands. In addition to the V8 power unit of the BMW M3 and the straight six-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, the four-cylinder diesel with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and the new four-cylinder power unit under the bonnet of the MINI Cooper S also received an Engine of the Year award. The commendation of the award-winners took place during the trade fair “Engine Expo” in Stuttgart…more



FWIW

I have a friend that does really nice restorations and builds. My problem with them is he will never sell me one of them when he puts them on the market.

“Why not”

“You’ll use it.”

The Kneeslider is having sort of the same problem with the Black Falcon that was a recent Bike Candy feature: Black Falcon – Is this a motorcycle?

Reference: :

BMW-Motorrad.com:
Download Manuals
Breakdown Dictionary
Tyre Options
Tips
Before every journey…
Before a log trip…
Before winter…
How to clean your motorcycle

ascycles.com: BMW Motorcycle Service and Maintenance Schedules

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles
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Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS

MSF Motorcycle Operators Manual

MSF Question of the Day: Which of the following is correct when being passed by another vehicle?

MSF Tip of the Day: Never assume that making eye contact with a driver means they see YOU or will yield. P.22

SportRider.com: Motorcycle Riding Skills Seiries – Street bike and motorcycle riding skills techniques articles at Sport Rider

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

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

thechicaneblog.com: The art of Peter Hutton

Friday, 20 May


Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

uk.eurosport.yahoo.com: James Toseland – I’ll be ready for Salt Lake, and according to moto.it he will be riding a Peugeot in the pits.

motomatters.com: Miller Motorsports Park talks with Eugene Laverty

Formula 1

FIA.com: Spanish GP – Thursday press conference
DRIVERS - Jaime ALGUERSUARI (Toro Rosso), Fernando ALONSO (Ferrari), Pastor MALDONADO (Williams), Sergio PEREZ (Sauber) Mark WEBBER (Red Bull).

formula1.com: Pre-Barcelona analysis – Webber out for Spanish double.

formula1.com: Tim Goss Q&A – Ten more upgrades for McLaren at Barcelona
Trouble is everyone is making upgrades

reuters.com: -Schumacher and Hamilton at odds with their rivals
-Monaco safety issues-

espnf1.com: Ross Brawn – ‘Ambitious plans for car’

formula1.com: Fernando Alonso to stay with Ferrari until 2016.
A long term contract for the Ferrari team and driver may be a case of securing things before the turmoil of the next Concorde Agreement for F1 or perhaps a breakaway series begins. Paddock reaction to the deal has been all over the place.

autosport.com says Red Bull is not in a hurry to extend Vettel’s contract, but keep in mind he is committed until 2014 already.

Other Racing

2011 MAXXIS FIM Enduro World Championship - Francavilla di Sicilia (ITA)
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On the Street


cyrilhuzeblog.com: Bonhams Carmel auctions smashes expectations

odi.nhtsa.dot.gov: Zero Motorcycle issues recall on 2009 2010 models

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Amy8yS9OTQE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Hand painting of the Royal Enfield Tank
<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UsTIMxeO_ng" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

bellinghamherals.com: Camp, cook, eat, repeat

Reference: :

BMW-Motorrad.com:
Download Manuals
Breakdown Dictionary
Tyre Options
Tips
Before every journey…
Before a log trip…
Before winter…
How to clean your motorcycle

ascycles.com: BMW Motorcycle Service and Maintenance Schedules

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles
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Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS

MSF Motorcycle Operators Manual

MSF Question of the Day: What is the best way to handle tailgaters?

MSF Tip of the Day: Always use both brakes every time you slow or stop. The front brake is safe to use if you use it properly.

SportRider.com: Motorcycle Riding Skills Seiries – Street bike and motorcycle riding skills techniques articles at Sport Rider

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

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

Saturday, 21 May


Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

worldsbk.com: Guintoli makes recovery from early season pain

MotoGP

Video – MotoGP: Rewind: Le Mans

Video – MotoGP: After the flag from Le Mans

Put June 3rd on your calendar.
bbc.co.uk: MotoGP set fro influx of new teams in 2012
Will BMW field a team?

motomatters.com: The money situation - Dorna owners hoping to cash in on cheaper loans

Formula 1

Friday Press Conference
SENIOR TEAM PERSONNEL - Jose CARABANTE (HRT), Jean-Francois CAUBET
(Renault Sport F1), Stefano DOMENICALI (Ferrari), Mark GALLAGHER (Cosworth), Adam
PARR (Williams)

FIA: Timing Information
Session 1
Classification
Lap Times

Session 2
Classification
Lap Times

formula1.com: Friday practice analysis – selected team and driver quotes

formula1.com: McLaren struggling with new hard tyres

timesofindia: F1 governing body investigating Ferrari rear wing

Silly Season
bbc.co.uk: Ferrari open to running second top driver with Alonso
-related-
independent.co.uk: Ferrari consider Lewis Hamilton as a ‘potential driver’

F1 2011 - How the Pirelli Formula One tyre is made
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Update: Saturday, 21 May

Formula 1

Ferrari’s wing was outlawed – formula1.com: Ferrari 150?? Italia – banned rear wing

Final Practice – formula1.com: Vettel pips Webber at the post.
Is Vettel on his way to yet another pole? Also, Michael Schumacher is strong again in the final practice, but will he be able to turn that into a three session qualifying run?



Other Racing

fim-live.com: 8 Horas Nocturnas of Albacete


On the Street

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It was big news when legendary Ducati designer Pierre Terblanche went to Norton. Now his Norton Sketches have been revealed. Story form Motorcyclenews.com




Ross Noble's Sit Down Tour: one man; one Triumph and Twitter.
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autobloggreen: Aptera seeking manufacturing facility outside of California

webbikeworld.com: New DOT FMVSS 218 Helmet Safety Standard

visordown.com: Video – Brown Noise, Modern G50 matchless sensory assult

motoaus.com: Video of the week – Falling down a mountain

The Mothership

BMW S 1000 RR voted “Best sports motorcycle at all”. BMW Motorrad chosen “Best motorcycle brand“.
• 20.05.2011
• Informa?º?úo ?á Imprensa

Munich. Winning the overall ranking in style with the BMW S 1000 RR and being chosen the best motorcycle brand positions in the reader’s vote „The best sports motorcycles 2010“ of PS - Das Sport-Motorrad Magazin BMW Motorrad set one more exclamation mark in its success story…more




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ROLLS-ROYCE OPENS NEW SHOWROOM IN MALAYSIA
• 20.05.2011
• Press Release

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is pleased to announce the official opening of its latest showroom in Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The new facility was unveiled by Paul Harris, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Asia Pacific Regional Director, Brenda Pek, General Manager South & East Asia Pacific and Dato’ Michael Ong, Managing Director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur. The dealership is owned by Quill Motorcars…]more





FWIW

With apologies to Shakespeare: A rose by any other name would be Swedish?
Asphalt and Rubber articles appear in this thread on a fairly regular basis. They are normally a good source of stories. I have had trouble with some of their writing in the past. My current problem is why they continue to refer to Husqvarna as a ‘Swedish brand’. Yes there is a license fee paid for the use of the Husqvarna name but motorcycles have not been Swedish since 1987 when Cagiva purchased the company and it became part of MV Agusta S.p.A. until they sold it to BMW in 2007.

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Thank goodness my riding boots have Velcro straps. They eliminate the worry of a lace failure at speed due to a weak knot causing a crash.


Reference: :

BMW-Motorrad.com:
Download Manuals
Breakdown Dictionary
Tyre Options
Tips
Before every journey…
Before a log trip…
Before winter…
How to clean your motorcycle

ascycles.com: BMW Motorcycle Service and Maintenance Schedules

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles
<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="480" height="296" id="utv752351"><param name="flashvars" value="autoplay=false&brand=embed&cid=3064708&v3=1"/><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf"/><embed flashvars="autoplay=false&brand=embed&cid=3064708&v3=1" width="480" height="296" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" id="utv752351" name="utv_n_836281" src="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" /></object><br /><a href="http://www.ustream.tv/" style="padding: 2px 0px 4px; width: 400px; background: #ffffff; display: block; color: #000000; font-weight: normal; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Video streaming by Ustream</a>


Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS

MSF Motorcycle Operators Manual

MSF Question of the Day: Which of the following is true when riding in a group?

MSF Tip of the Day: Remain in first gear while you are stopped so that you can move out quickly if you need to.

SportRider.com: Motorcycle Riding Skills Seiries – Street bike and motorcycle riding skills techniques articles at Sport Rider

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

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

raresportbikesforsale.com: 1989 Buell RR 1200 Battletwin 1/34 NOS never titled

Update: Saturday, 21 May


Formula 1 : Spanish GP Qualifying

Conditions are dry for qualifying allowing teams to run a combination of hard and soft compounds over qualifying. Heidfeld suffered a fire in practice and Lotus Renault mechanics will have to work hard to allow him run in qualifying. Ferrari will need to recover from their wing problems. I will be watching to see if Schumacher master qualifying. Poor qualifying has put him back in the pack in too many races. HRT is a question mark again. Practice times leave in doubt their ability to beat the 107% requirement to be in the race at all.

Q 1 20 Minutes

Petrov was the early leader in Q1 until the Red Bull cars took to the track. At the midpoint of this session Webber and Vettel were 1,2. Schumi was in P6 early and fell to P12 then back to P6 at mid point.

At 6 minutes remaining Toro Rosso’s Buemi and Alguersari had split Webber and Vettel. Then just before the 5 minute mark Sauber’s Kobayashi pulled within 0.040 of Webber and took P2 while teammate Perez settled in right behind Vettel in P5.

At the one minute mark Schumacher took a set of hot laps on soft tyres and took P1. The board is jumbled.

When the fag doped and final hot laps were taken the drivers failing to advance to Q2 were :
Trulli
Barrichello
Glock
Liuzzi
Karthikeyan
D’Ambrosio
Heidfeld – never turned a wheel in the session.

Schumacher P1
Petrov P2
Maldonado P3

Webber P7 and Vettel in P11 for Q1 is no doubt more a result of doing just what was needed to get to Q2 than a demonstration of what they can do. The sessions top cars may be playing with strategy that combines race and Q3 goals.

Q 2 15 Minutes
When the session starts everyone remains in the pits.

Live timing reports Barrichello suffered gearbox issues as the likely cause of his failure to advance.

Red Bull is the first team to send its cars out at the 12 minute mark. Vettel first then Webber. The field begins to follow them out to the track. The normal process has them running three laps, a warmup then two hot laps, before they dive back in the pits before making their final attempts.

Vettel set the first real benchmark for the session and did it without using his KERS. After finishing their first set of laps Vettel and Webber pull into the pits in P1 and P2. Button and Hamilton paired behind them then the duo of Alonso and Massa. Others are on the track turning in times.

Notably absent are the Mercedes cars. Both are in the pit then come out at last at the 5 minute mark. Obviously there is a tyre/track management strategy going on here. Rosberg’s first hot lap moves him up to P5 while Schumacher drops to P13 then his second hot lap bumps him to P6 slotting him behind his teammate. The duo then heads to the pits.

Advancing to Q3 n order
Vettel
Webber
Button
Hamilton
Rosberg
Schumacher
Alonso
Maldonado
Petrov
Massa

Kobayashi looked to be advancing on his final hot lap when the flag fell then for some reason aborted the attempt. No news as to why.

Force India chose to run the session on hard tyres. Apparently they have decided they had no chance to advance to the next session and have chosen to save their soft tyres for the race and possibly gain an advantage there.

Q 2 10 Minutes

Tyre management may affect times. Teams in Q3 must start the race on the tyres they qualify on. Will teams sacrifice grid spots for the potential of tyre advantage during ther race? The general consensus is the only way to beat Red Bull is to beat them to turn one.

Button and Hamilton are first out for the session with Hamilton setting the best time then quickly being supplanted by Vettel and Webber as the Red Bull drivers hit the track. Button to P1 then Hamilton then Vettel to the top and Webber to P2 the process begins again; Button to the top supplanted in order by Hamilton then Vettel with Webber beating him this time being the first to go into the 1’20.981.

While this is going on the other drivers and teams are sitting in the pits. Everyone seems willing to let these four duke it out waiting for the final fying laps.

3 minutes remaining and everyone is in the pits then Maldonado is the first out. Let the insanity begin!

Red Bull and McLaren have pulled their cars into the garages leaving the rest to do what they may during the final times.

Looks like a split strategy for Mercedes. Rosberg is out on softs and Shumacher on hards. Their times will reflect this. Rosberg is in P5 as the flag drops and Schumacher drops to P10.

Alonso turns a great lap after the flag and takes P4 from Button.

The session ends with Webber taking the Spanish GP Pole.

The field in order
Webber
Vettel
Hamilton
Alonso
Button
Petrov
Rosberg
Massa
Maldonado
Schumacher

Did not advance after Q2
Buemi
Perez
Alguersuari
Kobayashi
Kovalainen
Di Resta
Sutil

Did not advance after Q1
Trulli
Barrichello
Glock
Liuzzi
Karthikeyan
D’Ambrosio

All times cleared the 1:28.556 107% requirement.

Heidfeld did not run.

Update: Saturday, 21 May


Formula 1

fia.com: Media Q&A -
Excerpts from Charlie Whiting media Q&A session
Circuit de Catalunya, Friday May 20th, 2011

Spanish GP ÔÇô Qualifying

Press Conference

Saturday practice
classifications[/url]
Lap Times[/url]

Qualifying
Classifications
Lap Times
Maximum Speeds
Sector Times
Speed Trap

Stewards Documents
26: Documentation of HeidfeldÔÇÖs engine and transmission changes
30: Stewards grant permission to Heidfeld to race on Sunday
32 ÔÇô Technical report of car inspections

reuters.com: Heidfeld suffers in the Renault hot seat

bbc.co.uk: Spanish Qualifying as it happened

formula1.com: Qualifying analysis ÔÇô Webber on fighting form for Red Bull

autosport.com: Mercedes duo aim to fight Ferrari

f1technical.net: New front wing on Sauber C30

Other Racing

Team BMW Motorrad France 99 confident for 8 H of Albacete!

20.05.2011 Press release

The second test of the Endurance World Championship will take place this weekend in Spain on the circuit of Albacete with not less than 32 teams engaged for this event which will be without doubt highly contested by the major teams for victory. Team BMW Motorrad France 99 is a little better prepared for this Spanish round unlike Magny Cours where a new team was to be mounted almost on the eve of the bowl. S?®bastien Gimbert and Erwan Nigon share their handlebars for this event night with Hugo Marchand replaces Damian Cudlin, selected by Germany for the IDM Championship.

Steven Casaer, Manager of Team BMW Motorrad France 99: "our goal this weekend is of course the victory but the main is to score big points for the Championship." We look at Albacete in a different way than the Golden Bowl, the team is built over the weeks and even if the motorcycle is not yet exactly as I would like to I am pretty confident and I think can get a first place.

suzuki-racing.com: SERT on pole a at the Albacete Endurance

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fim-live.com: An intense battle in Albacete
It is 10 pm in Albacete and the five official favourites are still engaged in an intense battle for victory. From the start of the race, the BMW Motorrad France 99, the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, the Yamaha Racing France GMT 94 Ipone, the Honda TT Legends and the Monster Yamaha YART are fighting to get access onto the podium.

Sunday, 22 May


Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

worldsbk.com: World Superbike arrives in Russia

Monza – Race 1 – 8 parts:

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Monza Race 2 - 6 parts

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MotoGP

gpone.com: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Reflections on the French MotoGP of Le Mans

Other Racing

fim-live.com: First Victory for BMW Motorrad France 99

The BMW Motorrad France 99 won the 8 Hours of Albacete and took their first victory in the Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship. S?®bastien Gimbert and Erwan Nigon won on the S1000RR with a 30 seconds gap from the Yamaha Racing France GMT 94 Ipone of David Checa, Kenny Foray and Matthieu Lagrive, and one lap from the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team of Vincent Philippe, Freddy Foray and Daisaku Sakai.This unprecedented podium is also Michelin's revenge over the SERT partner Dunlop, as the French tyres were fitted on the first two machines for the 8 Hours of Albacete. If the BMW Motorrad France 99 and the Yamaha Racing France GMT 94 Ipone enjoyed some trouble-free races, the SERT lost a bit of ground as they had to obey a stop & go penalty for not having switched off the bike's lights during a pit stop. The Suzuki Endurance Racing Team remains the championship leader, with a two points advantage over the BMW Motorrad France 99.The fourth place was promised to the team Honda TT Legends, who were racing with the leaders from the beginning of the race. But John McGuinness crash around 1 am was fatal for the British Honda. Honda TT Legends gave up their fourth place to another great contender of the race, Monster Yamaha YART, who also could have been on the podium spot if they had not been delayed by a fuel issue in the middle of the race.The Yamaha of Maco Racing Team managed to kill the black cat at last! Jason Pridmore, Gregg Black and Gr?®gory Junod took the fifth place ahead of the Yamaha YMES Folch Endurance of Dani Ribalta, Pedro Vallcaneras and Jose Manuel Luis Rita. The Honda National Motos was in the surroundings 25 minutes away from the chequered flag, but a technical problem made them lose any benefit from a great race.BMW took victory in the Superstock class as well. The BMW Van Zon Boenig Motorsportschool Penz13 RT of Werner Daemen, Gr?®gory Fastr?® and Michael Filla finished seventh overall and first in their class, ahead of a close group of Superstock machines. These included the Suzuki of Team Motor Events Bodyguard AMT, No Limits Motor Team, MCS Racing Ipone, team Atomic MotorSport and AM Moto Racing Comp?®tition, who was leading the class for a while before being delayed with a faulty gearshift. In both classes, two challengers were quick to retire from the race. In Formula EWC, the Kawasaki of Bolliger Team Switzerland had to give up with a broken gearbox, after their chassis setup problems had been solved. In the Superstock class, the Suzuki of Qatar Endurance Racing Team suffered a broken engine. The team DG Sport, another contender to a Superstock podium, and in fourth place until 11 pm, had to retire after Olivier Depoorter crashed.Next round of the Qtel FIM World Endurance Championship is scheduled on 31st July for the 8 Hours of Suzuka reserved to the EWC Formula machines. Then there will be on Saturday 20th August, in Great Britain, the 6 Hours of Silverstone.

caradisiac.com: Endurance – 8hr Albacete: wire victory for BMW

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bmw-motorsport.com 24 hours packed with emotion.
Preparations for the 24-hour race in Le Mans are in full swing at BMW Motorsport. J?Ârg M??ller is particularly looking forward to the challenge facing him in June.


autobloggreen: EV Cup electric racing series delayed until 2012 (well, sort of)


On the Street

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gizmag.com: Noise snare detects loud vehicles

sportrider.com: Basic training – Kevin Schwantz School style

google.com/patents: BMW patent application for a ‘Motor Vehicle Operating Device’

The Mothership

BMW 328 Hommage
The BMW 328 is considered the most successful and best-looking sports car of the 1930s. The BMW 328’s success was the result of its design parameters – through the use of systematic lightweight construction, aerodynamic lines, optimum engine types and outstanding suspension technology, it laid the foundation stone for a new vehicle concept, by which performance only leads to success if combined with perfect harmonisation of all parameters and maximum efficiency. With these characteristics, the BMW 328 was even then the embodiment of what the BMW brand still stands for today – dynamics, aesthetics and a high level of innovation. This year, the dream sports car is celebrating its 75th birthday. The festivities will begin near Lake Como at the Mille Miglia. There, the main focus will be on the fascination of the BMW 328 racing car. To this day, the award-winning vehicle BMW 328 Touring Coup?® still holds the record for the highest average speed on the Mille Miglia circuit and, in 2010, was again able to win the historic revival of the race. A week later at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the two-seater’s functional aesthetics will be the focus of attention. In this area of conflict between tradition and modernity, the BMW Group is paying tribute to the BMW 328 on the occasion of its anniversary with a special model – the BMW 328 Hommage….Downloads

Photo Gallery




Reference: :

BMW-Motorrad.com:
Download Manuals
Breakdown Dictionary
Tyre Options
Tips
Before every journey…
Before a log trip…
Before winter…
How to clean your motorcycle

ascycles.com: BMW Motorcycle Service and Maintenance Schedules

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles
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Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS

MSF Motorcycle Operators Manual

MSF Question of the Day[/url]: The greatest potential for conflict between motorcyclists and other traffic is in what situation?

MSF Tip of the Day: If you’re being passed, avoid moving to the farthest portion of the lane from the passing vehicle.

[url=http://www.sportrider.com/motorcycle_riding/techniques/index.html]SportRider.com: Motorcycle Riding Skills Seiries – Street bike and motorcycle riding skills techniques articles at Sport Rider

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

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

Update: Sunday 22 June

Formula 1 : Spanish GP ÔÇô Race Notes

The weather is perfect for the race. Sun

Once again the Red Bulls occupy the front row with Webber on the pole. HamiltonÔÇÖs McLaren is behind him on row two with Alonso and his Ferrari behind Vettel. These four along with ButtonÔÇÖs McLaren were the break away cars in qualifying. The Red Bull and McLaren drivers had the opening of Q3 to themselves dueling for the pole in a series of hot laps then heading to the garages to make way for the rest of qualifiers.

Alonso toped that group taking P4 from Button, but there are some interesting stories in the group of which Mercedes may be the interesting to watch. The Silver Arrows are purportedly setting their sights on Ferrari not the win. It is the logical target for their season climb back into contention.

Heidfeld is at the back of the grid. He was unabl

The live timing screed is clearing, the cars are away on the formation lap.

Red lights on ÔÇô off weÔÇÖre racing

Turn 1 ÔÇô Alonso Vettel Webber Hamilton Petrov Schumacher Rosberg

After one lap the top ten are
Alonso
Vettel
Webber
Hamilton
Petrov
Schumacher
Rosberg
Massa
Buemi
Buton

Kobayashi is in the pit to change tyres. Left rear puncture spoils his race start.
He opts for hards.

Lap 2/66
Vettel sets fast lap. The field is stringing out a bit. 11 seconds separate P1 and P10 already.

Lap 3/66
Alonso remains in the lead with 0.5 seconds on Vettel. Webber goes purple setting a new fast lap.

Schumacher and Rosberg are pressing Petrov for P5.

Lap 4/66
HamiltonÔÇÖs turn to go purple. This is a repeat of the Q3 action where the Red Bulls and McLarens traded fast laps.

Alonso holds the lead.

Lap 5/66

Schumacher is loosing Petrov. The gap is 2.5 seconds now with Rosberg 0.7 seconds behind him..

Heidfeld has moved from P24 to P17.

Lap 6/66
Button has moved past Buemi and now will hunt down Massa as his next target 0.2 seconds ahead.

Lap 7
Alonso goes purple.

Perez pits his Sauber. Is this the start of the first round of pit stops?

Lap 8/66
21.9 seconds now separate P1 and P10. Alonso is charging opening up small gains on Vettel. The gap between them is 0.8 seconds now.

Lap 9/66
Vettel pits and is out quickly. He rejoins in P9 behind Button.
Buemi pits from P10

Lap10
Vettel passes Button quickly
The pits are in full action as the board lights up with driver after driver pitting.
Vettel is now shown in P6

Lap11/66
Hamilton is shown in the lead as the lap starts but heads to the pits.
Alonso is behind him and will assume the lead with Vettel on his heals.

Lap 12/66
Button is the only contender not to have made his first pit stop.
Alonso is in the lead Vettel Hamilton Webber follow him. Button and DiÔÇÖResta are show behind them but have not made pitstops. Then comes Schumacher He will pass DiResta in the pits but the gap to button may be to great.

Heidfeld is up to P14

Lap 13/66
Hamilton has his tyres warm and goes purple

Lap 14
Button pits. He rejoins in P7 behind Petrov
DiÔÇÖResta is the only car currently listed in the top 10 not to have pitted.

Lap 15
Button gets past Petrov and is now shown 0.2 seconds adrift of Schumacher. The German in turn is 24.2 seconds adrift of Webber in P4.

Lap 16
Button goes purple and blows past the Silver Arrow.
Currently the top ten in order are
Alonso
Vettel
Hamilton
Webber
Button
Schumacher
Rosberg
Petrov
Massa
Buemi
The gap from P1 ÔÇô P10 is up to 41.1 seconds.

Lap 17
Kobayashi is slowly moving up after his lap one problem. He is now shown in P18. His teammate Perez is in P15 just behind Heidfeld in P14.

Lap 18
VETTEL PITS???

Lap 19
The leaders are all pitting. Is the pace chewing up tyres that much?!

Lap 20
Hamilton, now in the lead, goes purple. He did not pit.
Vettel
Alonso
Weber
These follow in that order and have made their second pit stop.
Button
Schumacher
Rosberg
Petrov
Massa
Buemi
Round out the points positions currently.

Lap 21/66
Vettel goes purple but is 15.4 seconds behind Hamilton when he does it.

Lap 22/66
Heidfeld makes his first pit stop.
Vettel has taken a second off HamiltonÔÇÖs lead. When will McLaren bring him in?

Lap 23/66
Now! Hamilton is in the pit and out on a new set of soft tyres. He rejoins in P2 behind Vettel but ahead of Alonso and Webber.

Lap 24/66
Button should pit soon.
Schumacher and Rosberg are locked in a duel for P6. This seems a bit pointless from a team perspective. The gap to Button is up to 16.5 seconds. All three need to make pit stops.

Lap 25
The Saber cars are in P12/Perez and P19/Kobayashi. Kobayashi is now a lap down on the leader.

Lap 26/66
Schumacher is in the pits followed by Petrov.
Rosberg will bolt ahead into P6 for the time being until he needs to pit. How much of the gap to Hamilton he can close is the open question.

Lap 27
Not much. Rosberg is in and out of the pits. He rejoins in P9 behind Di Resta.
Button still has not pitted.

Lap 29/66
Alonso and Webber pit!

Lap 30
Button finally pits.
Alonso and Webber appear to have gone to hard tyres. Will Button do the same? He opts for soft tyres and rejoins in P5.

Lap 32
Lets set the field
Vettel
Hamilton
Alonso
Webber
Button
Massa
Schumacher
Rosberg
Di Resta
Petrov
The top 10 followed by
Maldonado
Buemi
At least one lap down are
Alguersuari
Heidfeld
Perez
Barrichello
Trulli
Kobayashi
Sutil
Kovalainen
Clock
DÔÇÖAmbrosio
Karthikeyan

Luzi is shown as stopped.

Perez was poking around in P11 challenging for P10. With his pit stop can he make up his losses and move up into a points position for Sauber?

Lap 34
Vettel pits once again.
Webber passes Alonso but can not make it stick and the Ferrari moves ahead.

Lap 35
Hamilton pits from the lead. His gap over Vettel was 14.9seconds and 34.3 seconds over Alonso. He takes on a set of hard tyres this time and rejoins in P2.

Lap 36/66
Button is charging. He passes Webber in a nifty piece of work then passes Alonso. He is now in P3 but a pit stop down on the top 5 cars.

Lap 37/66
24.9 seconds separate P1 and P5. Two Red Bulls, two McLarens and one Ferrari are in the break away group. . Then a there is a 25.3 second gap to Schumacher who leads the rest of the field.

Lap 38/66
Massa pits after a bit of a spin in turn 10

Lap 39/66
Alonso pits. And rejoins in P5.

Lap 40/66
Vettel holds a 1.5 second lead over Hamilton. Button is a full 20.2 seconds adrift of his teammate.

Lap 41
Alonso is in P5 7.5 seconds behind is Schumacher. No charge on the Ferrari, rather he pits. Rosberg moves up and Schumacher rejoins in P7.

Lap 42/66
Rosberg pits.

I hope this looks better on the tube than it does on live timing. While there seem to be many close quarter duels going on there is no sense of real fights. Just when one might press for advantage the pits call and the drivers continue their shadow boxing rather than really duking it out.

Lap 44/66

Vettel is in the lead and has lapped through Massa in P8. Rosberg in P7 is less than 5 seconds ahead. He is dragging Hamilton 1.1 seconds behind him. The gap to Button in P3 is roughly 25 seconds.

All the talk of wings, KERS and other improvements have not done much for this race.

Lap 47/66
Webber pits. He and Alonso have made four stops.

Lap 48
Now Vetel pits from the lead followed by Button. Hamilton will no doubt follow in a lap. He must press now to balance out any gain Vettel makes by taking the stop for a new set of hard tyres.

Lap 49/66
Hamilton is in and out on a new set of hard tyres.

The ÔÇÿfab fiveÔÇÖ may duck into the pits for one last time close to the end for a set of softs to finish on. What happens now with these hard tyres will determine that.

Lap 50/66
Webber lights them up and sets a new fast lap. Hamilton sets a best sector time and is pressing.

Lap 51/66
The gap between P1 and P@ is up to 2.4 seconds.

Heidfeld is shown in P10 but is making a pit stop.
Perez is in P12, now P11.
Heidfeld rejoins in P14.

Lap 52/66
Hamilton has cut the lead to an even second.
Vettel
Hamilton
Button
Webber
Alonso
Schumacher
Rosberg (The last driver on the lead lap)
Massa
Petrov
Perez
Make the top 10
Kobayashi is in P11.
Another good show for Sauber even though they seem a bit jinxed.

Lap 55/66
The blue flag ushers the leaders past the two Mercedes. Now just the ÔÇÿfab fiveÔÇÖ are on the lead lap. Alonso is 64.9 seconds behind the leader so even that could be in doubt.

Even with the help of the blue flag the traffic slowed Vettel a bit and Hamilton is now just 0.6 seconds behind. Button and Webber are dueling for third 33.7 seconds behind the leader.

Lap 58
Button now has 3.1 seconds on Webber.

Vettel is now 14 seconds behind Alonso and closing rapidly on lapping the Ferrari.

I am a Vettel fan but man when the excitement of the race is will he lap through P5 something is wrong.

Perez is now shown in P8 and Heidfeld in P9. Great showing for one a disappointment for the other. Kobayashi is in P10. Both Saubers are currently in points paying positions.

Lap 61
Alonso is only 8 seconds ahead of Vettel. You donÔÇÖt want the chequered flag photo finish being you getting lapped by the leader.

Massa has troubles and is off into the gravel. He is done.

Lap 62
Heidfeld has taken P8 from Perez.

Lap 64/66
Alonso goes a lap down. Now P1-4 are the only cars on the lead lap and it takes 42.8 seconds to cover them.

Lap 65
Hamilton has been in lock step with Vettel just 0.7 seconds behind. A bit of a bobble and now it is 0.8 seconds. Vettel looks set to take another win.

Vettel Wins!!!
1 Vettel
2 Hamilton
3 Button
4 Webber
5 Alonso ÔÇô 1 lap down
6 Schumacher
7 Rosberg
8 Heidfeld
9 Perez
10 Kobayashi
11 Petrov
12 DiResta
13 Sutil
14 Buemi
15 Maldonado
16 Alguesuari ÔÇô 2 laps down
17 Barrichello
18 Trulli
19 Glock ÔÇô 3 laps down
20 DÔÇÖAmrosio ÔÇô 4 laps down
21 Kathikeyan ÔÇô 5 laps down
DNF
Massa
Kovalainen
Luzzi

Vettel and Hamilton are the cream of the crop.
A strong, if disappointing showing, for Heidfeld; starting last he finished in the points in P8.
Once again both Saubers are in the points.

That ends Parade ... cough..cough...err...race coverage. I will include all post race updates in tomorrows post.

Monday, 23 May


Members with Birthdays Today

Formula 1

Starting grid

Race:
Classifications
Lap Chart
Lap Analysis
Fastest Lap
History Chart
Maximum speeds
Pit Stop Summary
Sector Times
Speed Trap

Stewards Documents
Document 41
Document 42
Document 43
Document 44

post Race Press Conference

formula1.com: Christian horner Q&A – it was an unbelievable drive from Vettel

formula1.com: In conversation - Mercedes’ Michael Schumacher and Norbert Haug

reuters.com: Team by team analysis of Spanish Grand Prix

jamesallenonf1.com: Vettel holds off Hamilton to win tense Spanish GP

bbc.co.uk: hispanis threatening exhaust management system protest

Other Racing

Facebook:Team BMW France Race gallery

Suzuki-racing.com: SERT podiums despite stop and go penalty

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French SBK
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/23491613?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/23491613">Erwan Nigon. FSBK 2011. Nogaro.</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2043096">PATAQUES</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

On the Street

sportrider.com: Video – 2011 BMW S 1000 RR on track

Giovanni Castiglioni, MV Agusta CEO, Exclusive interview part 1
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thekneeslider.com: Do it yourself PulsJets from Robert Maddox
I love this kind of stuff

webbikeworld.com: 2011 BMW Motorrad Days with Husqvarna


The Mothership

google.com/patents: Vehicle Steering System of the By-Wire Design Type
ANDREAS BOOTZ et al
A vehicle by-wire steering system includes a hydraulic default level. A hydraulic feed unit and a hydraulic actuating unit can be connected together by two hydraulic lines such that when an actuator is non-functional, a steering wheel rotational angle is transformed into a corresponding wheel...
Inventors: ANDREAS BOOTZ, NORBERT NITZSCHE
Assignee: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT


google.com/patents: Nonwoven composites and related products and processes
Gordon S. Alward et al
The present invention in certain embodiments is directed to a catalytic substrate suitable for use in a number of applications, including as a substrate in a catalytic converter or a particulate filter. Another aspect of the present invention is a filtering substrate suitable for use in a number...
Inventors: Gordon S. Alward, Robert A. DiChiara, Jr.
Assignees: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
Primary Examiner: Tom Duong

Reference: :

BMW-Motorrad.com:
Download Manuals
Breakdown Dictionary
Tyre Options
Tips
Before every journey…
Before a log trip…
Before winter…
How to clean your motorcycle

ascycles.com: BMW Motorcycle Service and Maintenance Schedules

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles
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Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS

MSF Motorcycle Operators Manual

MSF Question of the Day: What should you do when riding over rain grooves

MSF Tip of the Day: Know what’s behind you. Checking your mirrors frequently should be part of your normal “search” routine. P.25

SportRider.com: Motorcycle Riding Skills Seiries – Street bike and motorcycle riding skills techniques articles at Sport Rider

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

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

The Hurricane was one of many

World Gulf Village and the BMW of North East Florida get some of the nicest and unusual bikes in a great setting. If you start to see ordinary or common bikes you take a few more steps and you can look at stuff like the Hurricane. Last year they had three of them and the Grand Marshal was the guy who designed it for Triumph, in between designing and making Vetter Fairings though. Its a great show. I caught site of an original and un-restored 1930's Indian race bike.

Thanks for you post and information. If you have photos from the event feel free to share them. To all readers, I am always looking for new shots to share in Bike Candy. PM me with links to the shots and some information or share them yourself in this or other threads.


I was in a fog when I put this post together, but that is a coming story for FWIW. The Hurricane pictures come from the blog spot http://motorcyclephotooftheday.com and were taken by the poster at the Riding Into History Event held in St. Augustine Florida.

The Hurricane X75 has always been one of those that ÔÇÿgot away ÔÇÿfrom me when it came out. I saw a couple at the Marnie IA Triumph dealerÔÇÖs summer event last year. They were on their vintage showroom floor and carried price tags that were stunning.

The bike was designed by Craig Vetter. VetterÔÇÖs designs and business can bring various reactions from rides and customers. The design is simple but caught the essence of the underlying bike and the time it was built and has joined the many lists of legendary motorcycles ever designed and built.

The site promises more pictures from the show and I have little doubt that many will make it into the Bike Candy section.

Tuesday, 23 May


Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

BMW Motorrad Motorsport - WSBK - Salt Lake City - Preview
• 23.05.2011
• Press Release
United States of America – Salt Lake City.
Preview.


28 – 30 May 2011
05 of 13 race weekends


Munich/Stephanskirchen, 23rd May 2011. The Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport is travelling overseas: round five of the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship takes place at “Miller Motorsports Park” near Salt Lake City (USA). The schedule there always runs one day later than other events: the first Free Practice will begin on Saturday (28th May), with the races themselves being held on Monday (30th May). The reason for this is “Memorial Day” in the United States: the last Monday in May is always a day on which the US remembers soldiers who have fallen in battle.

The Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport has already picked up 130 World Championship points on the first four race weekends of the season. In the Constructors’ Championship, for which only the best result in each race counts, BMW is currently in fourth place on 101 points. In the Riders’ Championship, works rider, Leon Haslam (GBR), is in sixth place with 84 points, while team mate Troy Corser (AUS) is in eleventh place on 46 points.

Following the last race weekend in Monza (ITA), BMW Motorrad Motorsport spent two days testing in Misano (ITA). The two works riders, Troy and Leon, as well as test rider, Steve Martin (AUS), enjoyed perfect weather conditions there. The team worked on some updates for the coming races. It also used the two days to prepare for the race weekend in Misano, which is next up on the calendar after Salt Lake City.


Leon Haslam:
“Salt Lake City is always a great race. It is fantastic to ride in the USA, particularly on ‘Memorial Weekend’ when there is a magnificent atmosphere there. The circuit itself is quite different and the layout offers a good mixture of everything. It is a circuit on which you have to fight and it is really difficult to ride. I enjoy going there and am pretty excited to ride the BMW S 1000 RR there.

The test in Misano was good and we were able to work through an extensive programme. We also found a good set-up for the track there. That is important, as the next race weekend after the USA takes place in Misano. We were right up there at the front in terms of lap times, particularly on the race tyres. In general, we got an awful lot done there. My broken toe is fine again. We had a few days off that I spent with training and it all will be fine in the US.”


Troy Corser:
“I hope that on the back of two solid results in Monza we can really push and go for the podium in Salt Lake City. Last year we had a few minor issues there, which held us back slightly. But now the bike feels a lot more balanced and I am hopeful we can do better this time around.

I enjoy riding at this circuit. It is quite technical and fast and similar to Assen and Monza in some respects. So for sure I am looking forward to getting out there and seeing what we can do.”


Bernhard Gobmeier, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director:
“Salt Lake City is an interesting circuit. We ride at a high altitude there. That is a good thing for us, as our BMW S 1000 RR has more performance than other bikes. The altitude should not have a particularly negative effect on our bikes.

Also, we have carried out a lot of work on the chassis in the meantime. We had a very promising test in Misano, at which we worked our way through an extensive programme. As a result, we are travelling to the USA full of confidence.”


Background:
The “Miller Motorsports Park” is one of the most modern motorsport facilities in North America. It is located a 30 minute drive from Salt Lake City, the capital of the US state of Utah. The city on the east coast of the “Great Salt Lake” has around 180,000 residents and is, like the entire state of Utah, regarded as the centre of the Mormon church.

The “Miller Motorsports Park” was opened in 2006. Since then, it has regularly hosted American motorcycle series and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). A large motorsport centre has established itself around the 4.907-kilometre circuit. In the “Performance Training Center”, motorsport enthusiasts can improve their skills before marvelling at some of most spectacular racing cars in the world in the “Larry H. Miller Museum”.

The FIM Superbike World Championship has visited the “Miller Motorsports Park” since 2008. The races there traditionally take place on “Memorial Day”, the last Monday in May. This day of remembrance dates back to the American civil war. On this day, people visit cemeteries and memorials, and the US flag is flown at half mast until midday. Another major motorsport event traditionally takes place on "Memorial Weekend" in the USA: the infamous Indianapolis 500 car race, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

A special factor in Salt Lake City is the high altitude of about 1,350 metres above sea level. At this altitude, engine performance is particularly important. Grip is also in short supply on this racetrack. The bike must be set up specifically to generate as much mechanical grip as possible. Another challenge is the number of changes of direction in the infield, in which the motorcycle must react perfectly.

fim-live.com: BMW is travelling overseas

crash.net: BMW duo target Miller Podium

automobilsport.com: Translation by Google: BMW Motorrad Motorsport - WSBK - Salt Lake City – Preview

Max Biaggi tests the Aprilia RSV4 at Portimao

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First podium ever for BMW Motorrad Motorsport @ Monza 2010

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MotoGP

motorcyclenews.com: Suzuki nearing MotoGP decision for 2012

motomatters.com: Aprilia admit interest from CRT Teams in RSV4 engine

crash.net: Crutchlow – You can’t explain the jump to MotoGP

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/D6cniXTjhHQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Formula 1

formula1.com: Sebastian Vettel Q&A – Early stop was critical

: Spain Analysis

[url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/5/12075.html]formula1.com: Monaco preview quotes

Unfortunate for many reasons yet no surprise:
reuters.com: Kubica out for season, Renault team owner

Formula 1 aerodynamics importance
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4bPQLnSQ9zs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

F1 Circuit Preview 06 Monaco 2011
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HXZPihciJ8I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Other Racing

BMW Motorrad - First World Championship win for BMW S 1000 RR
• 23.05.2011
• Press Release
First World Championship win for the BMW S 1000 RR.

A dominant victory for the BMW Motorrad France 99 team gives BMW Motorrad its next milestone.

Munich/Stephanskirchen, 23rd May 2011. BMW Motorrad can celebrate the first victory for the BMW S 1000 RR at a World Championship race. At the eight-hour race in Albacete (ESP), the second round of the 2011 FIM Endurance World Championship, the BMW Motorrad France 99 team earned its success with a dominant performance. Rider Erwan Nigon (FRA) set the tempo from the very beginning and, eight hours later, team-mate S?®bastien Gimbert (FRA) brought the BMW S 1000 RR over the finish line with a lead of over half a minute. The BMW S 1000 RR can now add its first triumph in a World Championship to the countless wins and titles already achieved by customer teams in international and national championships…more

Yamaha-racing.com: Impressive second place for the GMT 94 Yamaha Racing Ipone Team in Albacetea
HUSABERG EWC 2011 HIGHLIGHTS, ROUND 3, ITALY
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2011 FIM Motocross World Championship - Indaiatuba (BRA)
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On the Street

Women are a key target market plan for MC manufacturers; they are a growing part of the business management plan too. powersports.com: Lehman Trikes hires VP from within.

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qrvVbgsaFlk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

clutchandchrome.com: BMW Motorrad communications system

2011 MV Agusta Brutale 920 onboard and walk around in Varese
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jM02hyemh48" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Mothership

Bowing before beauty: The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2011 names its winners. Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale wins Trofeo BMW Group +++ BMW 328 Hommage celebrates its world premiere +++ First motorcycle concours and auction
• 23.05.2011
• Informa?º?úo ?á Imprensa

Informa?º?úo do editor: Photos will follow within the next 2 hours.
Munich/Cernobbio. This weekend just gone the town of Cernobbio on the banks of Lake Como reprised its status as the centre of attention for all car enthusiasts – and this year motorcycle fans also had much to admire. The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este brought together a selection of classic models and new concept cars to the acclaim of the assembled audience. And for the first time the cars were joined by motorcycles competing for class and overall victory in a competition of their own, as fans of two-wheeled classics headed to the Villa Erba for Saturday’s motorcycle concours. Another new feature of the Concorso was the sale held by RM Auctions on Saturday evening, which tempted collectors with a line-up of 32 extraordinary cars. “Our aim was to take this long-established event into new territory while preserving its character,” said Karl Baumer, President of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and Director of BMW Group Classic, outlining the reasons behind the changes. “The main initiative we introduced to give people extra opportunity to visit the Concorso was the addition of a second Public Day,” continued Baumer. Dr Jean-Marc Droulers, President of Villa d’Este S.p.A., also declared himself pleased with the weekend: “We’ve seen cars and motorcycles which made our hearts beat a little faster – both within the small, exclusive environs of the Villa d’Este and together with the wider public at the Villa Erba.”

The jury awarded the Trofeo BMW Group, and with it “best of show” honours, to a 1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, while the time-honoured Coppa d’Oro prize decided by public referendum went to an Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS from 1942. The “Concept Cars and Prototypes” category, meanwhile, was topped by the Aston Martin Zagato celebrating its world premiere at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Another model making its debut at the event was the BMW 328 Hommage, unveiled by the Bavarian company to mark the 75th birthday of its iconic BMW 328 sports car from the 1930s.

The Trofeo BMW Group in the first Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este for motorcycles was won by an American Pierce Four from 1910. After presenting the award, General Director of BMW Motorrad Hendrik von Kuenheim shifted the spotlight to plans for the years ahead: “We are looking to develop this concours into a meeting point for all enthusiasts of motorcycle design. That fits in with both the tradition of the BMW motorcycle brand and the passion for bikes here in Italy.”

The extent to which tradition can inspire and the potential – and desired – impact of the past on the future of car design were both on the agenda at the high-powered annual Design Talk round table, which this year addressed the issue of heritage in design under the heading “Tradition & Future in Automotive Design”. Adrian van Hooydonk, Director BMW Group Design, joined Lotus Cars chief designer Donato Coco and Laurens van den Acker, Vice President of Renault Corporate Design, to mull over future-oriented design at car brands with a strong heritage.

See The Mothership section in Sunday’s regular post for BMW’s press release on the 328 Hommage and photo gallery.

BMW and the event organizers used a new server for pictures and information. Time limited what pictures I have downloaded. I will post a Event Gallery link in the near future.


Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

Best in Show – 1910 American Pierce Four





The Trofeo BMW Group in the first Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este for motorcycles was won by an American Pierce Four from 1910. After presenting the award, General Director of BMW Motorrad Hendrik von Kuenheim shifted the spotlight to plans for the years ahead: “We are looking to develop this concours into a meeting point for all enthusiasts of motorcycle design. That fits in with both the tradition of the BMW motorcycle brand and the passion for bikes here in Italy.”

Wednesday, 25 May


Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

worldsbk.com: Haslam looking for upturn in high Miller desert

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MotoGP

visordown.com: BMW says no to MotoGP for now.

speedtv.com: Anatomy of an overtaking Pt 2

motogp.com: Pedrosa fighting to be fit for Catalunya

Formula 1

granprix.com: Analysis ÔÇô Can McLaren take a 16th win at tyre-dominated Monaco?

washingtonpost.com: Following a disappointing start to F1 season Ferrari announces shake up in technical team

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Other Racing

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On the Street

sciencedaily.com: High performance electric motorcycle developed

autorevolution.com: Alfa Romeo Stadale takes Villa dÔÇÖEste trofeo

utlimatemotorcycling.com: Husqvarna ÔÇÿRide MoreÔÇÖ USGP demo

Massimo Bordi - A Motorcycle legend - Mr. Desmodromic Exclusive interview
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The Mothership

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google.com/patents: A motorcycle having a forked front wheel support with two rigid fork arms on which a front wheel of the motorcycle is mounted, an upper trailing link provided for supporting wheel support forces connected via an upper joint to an upper area of the wheel support, and lower trailing link provided...
Inventors: Gerrit HEYL, Josef Seidl
Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

google.com/patents: A motorcycle is provided with a fork-like wheel carrier, on the lower end of which a front wheel is supported, a handlebar by which the wheel carrier can be steered in a steering direction to the left or the right during travel, and a transmission unit by which the handlebar is coupled to the...
Inventor: Josef Seidl
Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Primary Examiner: Richard M. Camby
Attorney: Crowell & Moring LLP

google.com/patents: Music information is output to an operator, such as a vehicle operator, through the use of a portable electronic device. The operator's behavior may be determined on the basis of data received from one or more systems of a moving object which is being controlled or otherwise operated by the...
Inventors: Marc Lengning, Bernhard Schambeck
Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Primary Examiner: Tai Nguyen
Attorney: Crowell & Moring LLP

google.com/patents: A slip control system is provided for a single-track motor vehicle, including devices for detecting the wheel revolution of the front and rear wheel of the motor vehicle, devices for detecting a tilting position angle of the motor vehicle, as well as devices for influencing the driving and/or...
Inventor: Hans-Albert Wagner
Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Primary Examiner: Pam Rodriguez
Attorney: Crowell & Moring LLP



google.com/patents: Motorcycle, toy, or motorcycle replica
Volker Hohdorf et al

google.com/patents: Motorcycle, toy, or motorcycle replica
Volker Hohdorf et al

FWIW

June 3rd the new MotoGP teams will be announced. According to the Visordown article this list will not include a factory BMW team. This is disappointing but not unexpected for 2012, if indeed true.

BMW and Aprilia, both with heavy commitments to WorldSBK, initially rejected any move to MotoGP saying they would remain committed to their current series. BMW will have a presence in the form of the Claiming Race Team (CRT) Suter project. Similarly CRT groups have approached Aprilia to use their RSV4 engine as the basis of an entry. This solution may prove more than acceptable for MotoGP, BMW, Aprilia and fans in 2012 as MotoGP sorts their new formula out; however 2013 may be a completely different story.

Reference: :

BMW-Motorrad.com:
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Breakdown Dictionary
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Tips
Before every journey
Before a log trip
Before winter
How to clean your motorcycle

ascycles.com: BMW Motorcycle Service and Maintenance Schedules

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles
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Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS

MSF Motorcycle Operators Manual

MSF Question of the Day: What should you do when making slow, tight turns?

MSF Tip of the Day: Flashing your taillight can help others behind see you if you have to slow down quickly or unexpectedly.

SportRider.com: Motorcycle Riding Skills Seiries ÔÇô Street bike and motorcycle riding skills techniques articles at Sport Rider

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

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

MV Agusta 750S photos from BIKEEXIF

Thursday, 26 May


Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike team - Miller ÔÇô Preview
ÔÇó 25.05.2011
ÔÇó Press Release

The BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike Team is set to take to the American circuit at Miller Motorsports Park (Utah) with James Toseland riding. The Englishman, having tried to return to racing at the Monza circuit, should be able to compete in both races on the schedule at the American circuit. It will be JamesÔÇÖ second event at the Miller circuit, as he previously riden at the track last year finishing ninth in race one and failing to finish race two after a fall. It is also JamesÔÇÖ second race event of the season, having only raced in Australia before his testing accident at Aragon.

Ayrton Badovini has continued to improve and has scored points in every race, with the exception of race two at Phillip Island when he retired with a technical problem. He now lies twelfth in the World Championship standings. Ayrton is certainly strong psychologically after the excellent performance in testing at Monza and then in race two when he took an encouraging sixth place. The Biella rider raced at the Miller circuit in 2008, scoring points in race two.

Serafino Foti, sporting director of BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike Team, said: "We head to America to continue our work plan. We will try some new bike parts. We haven't much data for this track but we will try to maintain the level we have achieved, confirming the progress made so far. We are pleased that James is now in good physical condition and this will help us speed up the development work so far carried out by Ayrton alone. After a good performance at Monza, Badovini is approaching the American trip with great enthusiasm. Our realistic goal is to stay in the top ten".

Standings: 1?? C. Checa (Ducati) p. 145 - 2?? M. Melandri (Yamaha) p. 118 - 3?? M. Biaggi (Aprilia) p. 117 ...12?? A. Badovini (BMW) p. 35...20?? B. Veneman (BMW) p. 3...22?? J. Toseland (BMW) p. 2

BMW Motorrad Italia will have to tap their German Team counterparts for help in prepping for the Miller Motor Park event. The team nor either rider have any experience with this track. The team and Badovini were last years SuperStock 1000 Champions but that series did not race outside of Europe.

ultimatemotorcycling.com: Vermeulen to miss Miller World Superbike

roadracingworld.com: Biaggi says he has good memories of Miller Motorsports Park

Suzuki-racing.com: Alstare Suzuki ready for Miller

worldsbk.com: Checa keen to return to favorite track ÔÇô Miller

worldsbk.com: Yamaha riders eager to get back to real race action

MotoGP

motogp.com: Kenny Roberts and Eddie Lawson to lead fan laps at Laguna Seca

Promotional rides arenÔÇÖt always what they are cracked up to be.
motorcyclenews.com: Rossi rescued after Ducati 1198 breaks down.
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Formula 1

fia.com: Monaco Preview

fia.com: Press conference
DRIVERS ÔÇô
Rubens BARRICHELLO (Williams),
Jenson BUTTON (McLaren),
Nick HEIDFELD (Renault),
Nico ROSBERG (Mercedes),
Michael SCHUMACHER (Mercedes),
Jarno TRULLI (Team Lotus)


reuters.com: F1 drivers shrug off Monaco truk fire damage

eurosport.yahoo.com: Tech Talk: Will new rules affect Monaco?

zimbio.com/formula1: The legality of exhaust blown diffusers

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/31FX4gRKaDc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

ibnlive.in: F1 too expensive ÔÇô VW motorsport boss

f1technical.net: Sauber split turning vanes under nosecone

f1technical.net: Trying to keep the rear tyres cool

Los MiniDrivers - Cap?¡tulo 3x05 - Spanish Grand Prix
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Other Racing

1911 Historic Indy 500 Newsreel
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On the Street

utlimatemotorcycling.com: 2011 Quail Lodge Motorcycle Honorees

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jjA819GIRAw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

webbikeworld.com: Tourmaster Intake Air Series 2 Jacket ÔÇô Review

The competition
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sportrider.com: Blackstone Tek/BST Factory

sprotrider.com: 2011 literbikes on the dyno ÔÇô BMW S 1000 RR, Ducati 1198, Kawasaki ZX-10R

The Mothership

2011 BMW the 2.000.000 BMW Motorrad is a R 1200 GS official video
<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Oj7ACu-EgEc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

2011 The 2.000.000 BMW Motorrad. Ceremonial act & Chris Pfeiffer stunt party plant Berlin
Speeches in German
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Italian Carabinieri support Rolls-Royce procession on Lake Como
ÔÇó 25.05.2011
ÔÇó Press Release

A dozen Rolls-Royce motor cars wafted through roads on Lake Como this week - thanks to some assistance from Italian motorcycle police. The Carabinieri were on hand to smooth a path for the procession, skillfully escorting the ?ú4m line-up through winding streets and small villagesÔǪmore



BMW Guggenheim Lab: background story.
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Reference: :

BMW-Motorrad.com:
Download Manuals
Breakdown Dictionary
Tyre Options
Tips
Before every journey
Before a log trip
Before winter
How to clean your motorcycle

ascycles.com: BMW Motorcycle Service and Maintenance Schedules

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles
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MSF Question of the Day: Motorcycles sold in the US have the headlights automatically turn on when running since what year?

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SportRider.com: Motorcycle Riding Skills Seiries ÔÇô Street bike and motorcycle riding skills techniques articles at Sport Rider

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

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

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Bike Candy

BMW R-50 RACING MOTORCYCLE ÔÇô vintage model kit box cover

Friday, 27 May


Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

gpone.com: In America with 30hp less

dinningtontoday.co.uk: ToselandÔÇÖs back again.
Does your local paper cover any racing, let alone the fortunes of a World SBK rider for a German Italian team? The Dinnington Guardian does in their Local Sport section. Area boy makes good kind of story?

superbikeplanet.com: Althea Ducati previews Miller WSBK

worldsbk.com: Rea looking for a gold rush in USA

worldsbk.com: Vermeulen to miss US round

worldsbk.com: Biaggi seeking first win of the season at Miller

gpone.com: Biaggi speakes ÔÇô Ciabatti absolved


MotoGP

ducati.com: Valentino Rossi tests Ducati GP12 at Mugello


Formula 1

Monaco Practice Press Conference
TEAM REPRESENTATIVES - Graeme LOWDON (Marussia Virgin), Vijay
MALLYA (Force India), Adrian NEWEY (Red Bull), Peter SAUBER (Sauber F1
Team), Martin WHITMARSH (McLaren)

Session 1 Classifications
Session 2 Classifications

There is no racing action Fridays at Monaco. F1 will have the normal Saturday round of events.

formaula1.com: Pre-Monaco analysis ÔÇô Alonso calls Ferrari to order

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Other Racing

8H Albacete - 2011 QTEL FIM Endurance World Championship
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-hvGZ97TeeU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


On the Street

motorcyclenews.com: Husqvarna reveals new 900cc parallel twin road bike sketches

bernama.com: BMW expects to sell 300 motorcycles this year [in Malaysia]

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Kq8yE4H52Fo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

webbikeworld.com: Sidi ST boots ÔÇô review

visordown.com: Folding helmet nominated for Dyson Award

sportrider.com: BMW K1600GT/GTL

motorcycledaily.com: Aerostich Roadcrafter Light on the way


The Mothership

bmw-yachtsport.com: Traunsee Woche with Platu 25 World Championship

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BMW Group at Concorso d`Eleganza Villa d`Este 2011.
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<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rmaTOzloxt8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

google.com/patents: Connecting device
Axelle Hauck et al
In order to produce a connecting device for the electrically conductive connection of a plurality of cell terminals of electro-chemical cells of an electro-chemical device which enables the cell connector to be mounted on the electro-chemical cells in a simple and rapid manner wherein the device...
Inventors: Axelle Hauck, Philipp Petz, Hubertus Goesmann, Jan Groshert, Armin Diez, Wolfgang Fritz, Michael Kohnle


Reference: :

BMW-Motorrad.com:
Download Manuals
Breakdown Dictionary
Tyre Options
Tips
Before every journey
Before a log trip
Before winter
How to clean your motorcycle

ascycles.com: BMW Motorcycle Service and Maintenance Schedules

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles
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NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS

MSF Motorcycle Operators Manual

MSF Question of the Day: Which of the following is true of the motorcycleÔÇÖs front brake?

MSF Tip of the Day: For precision steering, adjust the handlebars so your hands are even with or just below elbows.

SportRider.com: Motorcycle Riding Skills Seiries ÔÇô Street bike and motorcycle riding skills techniques articles at Sport Rider

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

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

Saturday, 28 May


Members with Birthdays Today

SBK

Worldsbk.com: MMP round kicks off with Celebrity Kart Race

The Karting Centre in the paddock of the Miller Motorsports Park circuit today was the scene for an entertaining pre-race Media Event called the MMP Celebrity Kart Race.

15 teams took part, each one made up of a World Superbike or AMA rider, a member of the media, a representative of the Armed Forces and a fan who won a competition organized locally for the event.

The race consisted of each rider completing five laps, with the aggregate best times of each team member making up the standings, and the win going to the team that lapped the quickest.

In the end the win went to Team Troy Corser, followed by Team Melissa Paris and Team Carlos Checa.


When they aren’t racing their racing
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/o6_fMNpJjvk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Portent of things to come this race weekend?

what fun!

worldsbk.com: MMP – Statistics

worldsbk.com: MMP – A look back at 2010

Yamaha-racing.com: Interview with Eugene Laerty

raodracingworld.com: Pata Racing Team Manager Borciani – I’m sure that we are close to the podium

MotoGP

motogp.com: Rossi’s right-hand man: Uccio

speedtv.com: Architecture of Aggression

crash.net: When should Ducati focus on 2012?

Formula 1

formula1.com: Practice analysis – Monaco predictably unpredictable.

F1 Tyre's overtake & life cycle

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PMAv1CXw8RI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VUqzqnbShko" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

bbc.co.uk: High Court rules Team Lotus can keep its name
This headline so deserves a wise crack but then it is a head-line

Other Racing

2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship - Br?®al sous Montfort (FRA)

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BAqmvN7nZFM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


2011 FIM e-Power International Championship - Schleiz (GER)
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/R0NKZE96-Zs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

TT On-Bike 2010 - John McGuinness - Superbike Practice

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c-t3edy4Hv8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

On the Street

2011 Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 NTX walk around and onboard

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YArb2DcLW-g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Concorso d`Eleganza Villa d`Este 2011 BMW Impressions
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2CXTCU_1Tvs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Concorso d`Eleganza Villa d`Este 2011 Impressions DAF 55 Siluro, 1968 Michelotti,BMW 2000 CS, 1966
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/y_U_NZAj_-E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

As the riding season heats up so does the helmet debate.
courant.com: Editorial – Connecticut needs a motorcycle helmet law.

BMW Motorsport Media Guide 2011.

• 27.05.2011
• Press Release

In the 2011 season, BMW Motorsport is looking to continue its long history of success in GT racing and push its commitment to this discipline into even more territories. The BMW M3 GT will be competing in endurance classics and hard-fought championship races in North America, Europe and Asia.
In the BMW Motorsport Media Guide 2011 you will find all information about the diverse racing programme, the cars, the teams and the drivers.
This Media Guide is available for download in Word format as plain text or as interactive PDF, including many fascinating images.


The Mille Miglia pays homage to Maserati

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cYVagjZ1kyM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


The Mothership

bmw-yachtsport.com: Cascasis looking forward to international final

FWIW

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eOVyjf_Ilkk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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Aaron Koblin: Artfully visualizing our humanity

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Reference: :

BMW-Motorrad.com:
Download Manuals
Breakdown Dictionary
Tyre Options
Tips
Before every journey…
Before a log trip…
Before winter…
How to clean your motorcycle

ascycles.com: BMW Motorcycle Service and Maintenance Schedules

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles
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Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS

MSF Motorcycle Operators Manual

MSF Question of the Day: Riding next to cars or trucks in other lanes can do what?

MSF Tip of the Day: Don’t ride next to cars or trucks in other lanes if you don’t have to. You might be in their blind spot.

SportRider.com: Motorcycle Riding Skills Seiries – Street bike and motorcycle riding skills techniques articles at Sport Rider

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

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

New Husqvarna 900 – first sketches

• 27.05.2011
• Comunicado de prensa

With this new model, Husqvarna is consolidating its philosophy of style: a balanced combination of visual emotion and riding experience. The strong shapes of the body are a consistent evolution of the new style and design direction introduced by the Varese-based company, and are testimony of the manufacturer’s ability to innovate.

The architecture of the vehicle is brand new, above and beyond any layout available on the market. The characteristic shape of the side panels, the tension in the vibrant surfaces, the sculpted volumes define an athletic body. Dynamism, agility and lightness are balanced harmoniously. The functional air intakes integrated into the front of the body and the thin tail highlight the unique design of this new model.

The technical components – which are completely in view – are the premise of sportiness, performance and, above all, fun. Balance, consistency, exclusivity, innovation, dynamics, lightness and functionality. These are the distinguishing features of the design of this new bike.







<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/g7u7qE_X1kI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I don't care how BMW's press release trys to wrap this piece of Bike Candy in fancy wording, this is going to be Bike Candy for the wild child in you. I may get grounded when this comes out.

Update: Miller Motorsports Park - 1st Practice

It may be Saturday where you are but WSBK has jet lag and are taking care of what they normally do on Friday. The entire race weekend is one day behind with the races on Monday.

SBK

As practice began Honda riders Rea and Xaus avenged their loss to Corser in the Celebrity Kart Race yesterday. As laps began to pile up Checa moved his Ducati to the top then the Aprilias showed up. It was not Biaggia on top but Camier.

Our heroes were down the chart as everyone hit the pits; P6 Corser, P14 Badovini, P17 Haslam, P20 Toselan. Checa Camier Rea and Biaggi would have occupied the front row at this point.

Checa suffered a crash on his 12th lap in practice.

In the second round of laps Corser lit up live timing red and green turning best times in Section 1 and personal bests in the rest. Checa’s time was still on top of the list but Coser had moved to P3 on the timing chart but 01.161 behind Checa’s time. He was able to shave time off but Fabrizio bumped him to P4.

Haslam is often slow in this first practice and today. He slowly moved up. He pitted after his 13th practice lap in P11.

The Italian cavalry had mixed practice. Badovini worked his way up to P10 on the timing chart with 5 minutes remaining in the session. Toseland bounced around P21 and P19. He may want to come back but is this ongoing physical limits or just racing rust slowing him down?

At the 2’41 remaining mark Corser took to the track for one last set of laps. He was down to P6 at this point.

As the session closed Checa’s time of 1’48.914 remained on top though he had not turned a wheel since his crash. At this time I have no information on the severity of it.


1 7 CHECA C ESP Ducati 1098R PIT IN 1'48.914 297,6 12

2 2 CAMIER L GBR Aprilia RSV4 Factory PIT IN 1'49.567 0.653 22

3 1 BIAGGI M ITA Aprilia RSV4 Factory PIT IN 1'49.672 0.758 23

4 96 SMRZ J CZE Ducati 1098R PIT IN 1'49.823 0.909 21

5 84 FABRIZIO M ITA Suzuki GSX-R1000 PIT IN 1'49.890 0.976 23

6 4 REA J GBR Honda CBR1000RR PIT IN 1'49.937 1.023 19

7 11 CORSER T AUS BMW S1000 RR PIT IN 1'50.051 1.137 17

8 66 SYKES T GBR Kawasaki ZX-10R PIT IN 1'50.118 1.204 21

9 58 LAVERTY E IRL Yamaha YZF R1 PIT IN 1'50.364 1.450 21

10 33 MELANDRI M ITA Yamaha YZF R1 PIT IN 1'50.510 1.596 21

11 111 XAUS R ESP Honda CBR1000RR PIT IN 1'50.589 1.675 19

12 86 BADOVINI A ITA BMW S1000 RR PIT IN 1'50.604 1.690 21

13 50 GUINTOLI S FRA Ducati 1098R PIT IN 1'50.831 1.917 22

14 91 HASLAM L GBR BMW S1000 RR PIT IN 1'50.862 1.948 17

15 12 WATERS J AUS Suzuki GSX-R1000 PIT IN 1'50.969 2.055 23

16 17 LASCORZ J ESP Kawasaki ZX-10R PIT IN 1'51.196 2.282 19

17 41 HAGA N JPN Aprilia RSV4 Factory PIT IN 1'51.446 2.532 20

18 121 BERGER M FRA Ducati 1098R PIT IN 1'51.475 2.561 20

19 52 TOSELAND J GBR BMW S1000 RR PIT IN 1'51.600 2.686 16

20 44 ROLFO R ITA Kawasaki ZX-10R PIT IN 1'52.492 3.578 21

21 8 AITCHISON M AUS Kawasaki ZX-10R PIT IN 1'52.522 3.608 20



Corser finished the session in P7. I put a lot of stock in where he finishes on Friday [oops Saturday at MMP] being a refection of how he will do in race 1. Things look good for him.

Haslam is rarely a star in this practice session. He continued to show green as the session went on improving his various sector times but not enough to move him beyond P14. The next three hours are where he and his mechanics so often work their magic making adjustments that move him up in the first qualifying session.

Badovini finished the session in P12. This is a very good start when you keep in mind this is his first trip to this track. His teammate Toseland hands back in the pack in P19 at this point.

The S 1000 RR has chewed up tyres on this track in the past. My guess is we will hear the normal discussion of tyre management in the BMW press releases. Cross wind issues are a second issue to possibly pay attention to. The S 1000 RR is a wind tunnel baby. In certain corners riders have complained that it acts more like a sail catching wind preventing them from healing the bike over as they wish.

First Qualifying is at 5:30 Eastern, I will be back after that with another update.

Update: Miller Motorsports Park - 1st

Checa was back for qualifying and once again his time was on top as the session started.

Session benchmarks for the Enigma Cavalry
Corser P6
Haslam P10
Badvonini P3
Toseland P 19
for their first timed laps.

Early in the session Camier is listed as PIT OUT but has yet to be timed. Crach?


Corser pits in P10 after 3 hot laps.
Haslam is listed PIT IN and in P18.
CorserÔÇÖs time is not hold up.
Badovini is now listed in P10 and Toseland has moved up to P16

45ÔÇÖ Remaining
1-4 are Checa, Camier, Smrz, Biaggi
Badovinin P10
Corser P14
Toseland P17
Haslam P19

41ÔÇÖ07
Coser is on track once again.

39ÔÇÖ06
Guintoli has crashed his Ducati. He was listed in P5 at the time.

Checa returns to the track but wonÔÇÖt improve his time on the first lap. Corser has and is shown in P8. Badovini is bumped down to P11 in the process.

35ÔÇÖ10
Haslam is back out on the track and going green turning personal bests in all sectors. He moves up to P14, long way to go but heading in the right direction. Coser is shown in P7 now. Checa remains on top.

Going into the weekend people wondered if Biaggi would pull a double again but at this point he is in P5.

31ÔÇÖ49
Checa goes red in all sectors and sets a new best lap.

Coser pits in P7 and Haslam has moved up to P12

Sykes on his Kawasaki ZX-10R is firmly in P3.

29ÔÇÖ12
Haslam pits and is listed in P13 just behind Badovini who has now fallen to P12. Toseland is in the pits and listed in P18.

27ÔÇÖ57
Checa pits in P1 but Camier goes red in Sector 1 but canÔÇÖt repeat in the other sectors. They are fast in the straight as always but you have turn.

25ÔÇÖ00
Riders are heading into the pits. At this point Toseland in P19 would be the only Enigma Rider not to advance. Haslam is inside the window in P16 but the riders outside are in striking distance of bumping him.

20ÔÇÖ00
Corser pits but has dropped to P9. Haslam takes his place on the track.

19ÔÇÖ05
Badovini P12 and Toseland P19 are back on the track.

15ÔÇÖ19
Toseland is up to P15 bumping Haslam to P16.

15ÔÇÖ04
Corser now P11 is pit out. Badovinni has worked his way up to P7.
Checa and Camier are back on track. Checa goes red in all three sectors sets another best lap.
CorserÔÇÖs times are not holding up and he now is in P14, Toseland P16 and Haslam in P17!

9ÔÇÖ33
Biaggi is on the move and takes P3 from Sykes.
Rea has moved his Honda up to P5.

9ÔÇÖ08
Corser moved up to P7 again on his last ot lap and goes red then green on the following and moves to P5 to pip Rea once again. Badovinin is up to P9. Their team mates are back in P17 and 18.

5ÔÇÖ00
The field is
Checa
Camier
Biaggi
Sykes
Corser
Rea
Smrz
Laverty
Fzbrizio
Badovini
Haga
Melandri
Guitoli
Xaus
Waters
Haslam ÔÇô on the bubble
Lascorz
Toseland
Aitchison
Berger
Rolfo

2ÔÇÖ00
Nothing has changed.

Chequered flag
Waiting for the last hot laps are finishing.

Corser holds P5, Badovini takes P10.
Haslam is P16 and on the bubble. He will have to work to advance to Superpole. Toseland in P18 did not seem strong at all but could be one of the riders to press him.

1 7 CHECA C ESP Ducati 1098R PIT IN 1'48.260 21

2 2 CAMIER L GBR Aprilia RSV4 Factory PIT IN 1'49.055 0.795 20

3 1 BIAGGI M ITA Aprilia RSV4 Factory PIT IN 1'49.306 1.046 23

4 66 SYKES T GBR Kawasaki ZX-10R PIT IN 1'49.432 1.172 296,8 22

5 11 CORSER T AUS BMW S1000 RR PIT IN 1'49.552 1.292 23

6 4 REA J GBR Honda CBR1000RR PIT IN 1'49.621
1.361 20

7 96 SMRZ J CZE Ducati 1098R PIT IN 1'49.683 1.423 21

8 58 LAVERTY E IRL Yamaha YZF R1 PIT IN 1'49.708 1.448 21

9 84 FABRIZIO M ITA Suzuki GSX-R1000 PIT IN 1'49.855 1.595 18

10 86 BADOVINI A ITA BMW S1000 RR PIT IN 1'49.881 1.621 18

11 41 HAGA N JPN Aprilia RSV4 Factory PIT IN 1'49.938 1.678 21

12 33 MELANDRI M ITA Yamaha YZF R1 PIT IN 1'50.136 1.876 18

13 50 GUINTOLI S FRA Ducati 1098R PIT IN 1'50.140 1.880 19

14 111 XAUS R ESP Honda CBR1000RR PIT IN 1'50.149 1.889 21

15 12 WATERS J AUS Suzuki GSX-R1000 PIT IN 1'50.153 1.893 20

16 91 HASLAM L GBR BMW S1000 RR PIT IN 1'50.159 1.899 19



17 17 LASCORZ J ESP Kawasaki ZX-10R PIT IN 1'50.195 1.935 21

18 52 TOSELAND J GBR BMW S1000 RR PIT IN 1'50.306 2.046 17

19 8 AITCHISON M AUS Kawasaki ZX-10R PIT IN 1'50.646 2.386 21

20 121 BERGER M FRA Ducati 1098R PIT IN 1'50.717 2.457 18

21 44 ROLFO R ITA Kawasaki ZX-10R PIT IN 1'51.586 3.326 21



How this all gets explained should be interesting.

Who has SBK on TV? I checked the SBK web page but couldn't find any inkling of what channel carried coverage! UGH... I just got DISH back because coverage with COMCAST of racing I liked stunk.

Sunday, 29 May


Members with Birthdays Today

SBK


Alpharacing.com” USA - Salt Lake City - Miller Motorsports Park
Category: World Superbike (WSBK)

Free Practice and Qualifying 1
Saturday, 28 May 2011.


Weather conditions: Light clouds in the morning, overcast with some rain drops in the afternoon.
Temperature: Air: 18 – 21 ??C, Track: 32 – 34 ??C
Number of riders participating: 21 from 13 teams
Fastest lap Free Practice: Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) 1:48.914 min
Fastest lap Qualifying Practice 1: Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) 1:48.260 min


There is still room for improvement for Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport for Sunday’s sessions for the 2011 Superbike World Championship in Salt Lake City (USA): At the end of an exciting day of track activity, works riders Troy Corser (AUS) and Leon Haslam (GBR) provisionally qualified in fifth and 16th respectively.


Troy Corser:
Fastest lap FP1: 1:50.051 min (P7) / Fastest lap QP1: 1:49.552 min (P5)
“I am quite happy with today. P5 is not too bad. We did long-runs on both tyres, and actually both compounds seem to work. Nevertheless, the engine feels a bit slow due to the altitude, and we are still struggling with stopping the bike. The engine still pushes too much when braking, and I have to hold the brakes all the way into the corner. As a result, my corner exit speed is not good enough. We have improved a bit since the morning, and I am optimistic for tomorrow. It was important today to put us in a good, as the forecast predicts rain. As I said, P5 is not bad.”


Leon Haslam:
Fastest lap FP1: 1:50.862 min (P14) / Fastest lap QP1: 1:50.159 min (P16)
“I was really struggling today. The bike felt like it did a couple of months ago. It is strange, as we made some good progress over the last two race weekends. Today we faced some issues we thought we had overcome long ago. We really need to assess the situation and consider a different engine brake control for tomorrow. The weather forecast is not too good, and rain usually highlights our issues. Nevertheless, we cannot control the weather, and we will take it as it comes.”


Rainer B?ñumel (Head of Race Operations):
“The second session was quite difficult. It was not easy to get lap times in the 1’49s. Troy really did a good job finishing the qualifying in fifth today. Leon struggled massively with the bike, which is a bit puzzling. However, it was important for tomorrow to secure a provisional Superpole position. We now have to analyse the data and see what we have to change for tomorrow.”

troycorser.com: Troy content on day one

Troy finished fifth fastest in the first qualifying at Miller Motorsport Park today and pronounced himself satisfied with the day’s work. But he knows that further improvement will have to come in tomorrow’s qualifying and Superpole in order to have a good grid position on raceday. Carlos Checa (Ducati) ruled the roost at Miller today, ending with a time of 1:48.260, nearly eight tenths of a second ahead of his nearest rival. Second quickest today was Leon Camier (Aprilia), with Max Biaggi (Aprilia) third and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) fourth. Troy - 5th, 1:49.552 Well, I am pretty content, but not altogether so, because there are some issues we have to deal with so that we can make more progress. I am having a few problems getting the bike to stop and that’s something we will have to sort out with regards to the engine braking. Sometimes it’s pushing going into the turns and sometimes it is a bit too free running. What I would like is a constant feeling, so that’s one of the areas we will attack tomorrow. The engine feels flatter here and it seems to take a long time to shift. I guess that’s because of the altitude but it’s the same for everybody. The track is a bit dirty off-line, but the groove is getting wider the more laps we all do. The rain started just before this afternoon’s qualifying finished and continued quite a bit throughout the rest of the afternoon. The forecast is for rain tomorrow, but I really hope we have dry races on Monday because that’ll be better for us and also the fans. See ya Troy

worldsbk.com: Checa powers to provisional pole in Q1

TV Coverage: I don't know the answer to your question. I thought Speed has it on a delayed broadcast. Check the worldsbk.com site, I believe there is a media guide that includes a channel guide.

MotoGP


Formula 1

Qualifying press conference

Qualifying
Classifications
Lap times
Maximum speeds
Sector times
Speed trap

formula1.com: Qualifying analysis – Dice fall perfectly for Vettel

formula1.com: Lewis Hamilton – we will have to limit the damage

formula1.com: Perez to miss Monaco race after qualifying accident


Reference: :

BMW-Motorrad.com:
Download Manuals
Breakdown Dictionary
Tyre Options
Tips
Before every journey…
Before a log trip…
Before winter…
How to clean your motorcycle

ascycles.com: BMW Motorcycle Service and Maintenance Schedules

Decorah Egles WebCam
Decorah Eagles
<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="480" height="296" id="utv752351"><param name="flashvars" value="autoplay=false&brand=embed&cid=3064708&v3=1"/><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf"/><embed flashvars="autoplay=false&brand=embed&cid=3064708&v3=1" width="480" height="296" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" id="utv752351" name="utv_n_836281" src="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" /></object><br /><a href="http://www.ustream.tv/" style="padding: 2px 0px 4px; width: 400px; background: #ffffff; display: block; color: #000000; font-weight: normal; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Video streaming by Ustream</a>


Shameless Trolling For Touring Tips

NHTSA.dot.gov Vehicle Recalls RSS


SportRider.com: Motorcycle Riding Skills Seiries – Street bike and motorcycle riding skills techniques articles at Sport Rider

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

Cycle-ergo.com motorcycle ergonomic simulator.

Woot of the Day

Bike Candy

Mika come back, I'm going nuts here without my morning reads!