The action on the track yielded a stout 810 entries for an exciting weekend of competition. The record spectator turnout enjoyed the variety of activities going down in the pits and the non-stop on-track action. With something for everyone, it’s no surprise this event grows every year.

Orient Express Racing Pro Street
Winner – Rodney Williford / Runner-up – Gaige Herrera

XDA’s WPGC Bike Fest is typically the warmest race of the season. But the warmer temperatures did not slow down the Orient Express Racing Pro Street riders. There were ten new personal best records sets over the weekend that show the strength and advancement of this class.

Justin Shakir is the ninth racer to break into the forties with a 6.482 pass that put him in the number one qualifying spot for the event. Shakir was making great consecutive passes at this event that would end in round two when his engine case broke during his burnout.

James Waugh made another big jump at this event, moving from a personal best of 6.930 to a 6.622, making him the twenty-second racer in the world to enter the sixties. Waugh would not get around Rodney Williford in round two of eliminations to end his weekend. Despite the loss, Waugh would still leave happy but with a little less hair, because apparently on team Shakir, the faster you go, the more hair your friends shave off your head.
Other racers that made minor ET improvements were Gaige Herrera 6.609, Ryan Hable 6.616, Kenny Brewer 6.647, and Curtis Brown 7.054.

Gaige’s 6.609 is also a new combo record for the Quickest Nitrous Hayabusa in Pro Street.

In the MPH department, Rickey Grayson with a 223.28 and Ricky Wood with a 221.34 will make their debut on the GOAT List. Ryan Hable and Kenny Brewer also made slight improvements with a 223.84 and 222.40, respectively.

And for the fourth race this season, Rodney Williford would pick off the competition round after round for another final round finish. Qualifying number two with a 6.505, Williford consistently took wins until he met a new competitor this season in the finals, Gaige Herrera. Herrera qualified with 6.609, and he too was making consistent strong passes all weekend that manifested him his first XDA Final.

The final was looking like it would be a good competition, especially considering Williford had some problems in the semi-final on his broke bye-run pass. The class was looking for Herrera to be the one to knock Williford off his throne, and his performance numbers showed he could do it.

In the final Herrera would cut his best light of the weekend with a starting line advantage of .030 to Williford’s .065. And as the two put on a good show in the final, Herrara couldn’t outperform Williford with a 6.619 to his winning 6.546. Williford remains undefeated this season, and #HeDidItOnPurpose.
DME Racing Real Street
Winner – Mark Hylton
Runner-up – David Stewart

In DME Racing Real Street, Mark Hylton ran his personal best and took the number one qualifying spot with a 7.498 on his all motor Hayabusa.

Hylton would prove unstoppable as he won every round of competition on his way to the final round where he met points leader David Stewart. Going into this race Hylton was only forty-four points behind Stewart, so the final would be crucial for Stewart.

In the final, Hylton would leave the starting line strong, but problems for Stewart wouldn’t get him past the first sixty feet giving Hylton his second XDA Real Street win! Hylton has closed the gap and is now only twenty-three points behind for a potential champion this year.

MaxxECU Pro Xtreme
Winner – Chris Garner Jones / Runner-up – John Collins

Shane Eperjesi took the number one qualifying position in MaxxECU Pro Xtreme with a 3.975. However, in round two of competition Eperjesi would be outrun by John Collins who ran a 4.006 to his 4.022. 

John Collins would go on to the final to race Chris Garner-Jones. Jones qualified with a 3.992. And with Collins running a 3.992 in eliminations, these two competitors were well matched for an exciting round of action.

Jones got the starting line advantage with a .024 reaction to Collins .056. It was a close race at the finish line, and Jones would win his third event this season, running a 3.991 to Collins slightly slower 4.043.

 
HTP Performance Super Stock
Winner – Jeremy Teasley / Runner-up – David Fondon

David Fondon took the number one qualifying position in HTP Performance Super Stock with an 8.762 on his 2020 Kawasaki ZX-14.

Jeremy Teasley took over the riding duties on Tauncy Soprano’s 2020 BMW S1000RR; the same bike Fondon won with at the last two events. These two teammates would find themselves face to face in the final round for a true hand clutch battle.

Fondon left the starting line first with a .096 reaction time to Teasley’s .106. But Fondon’s advantage would not be able to out power the BMW as Teasley took his first Super Stock win with XDA to end Fondon’s winning streak.

HTP Performance Grudge
The HTP Performance Grudge class saw a record turnout of 142 grudge bikes that included forty-two bull racers. The spike in grudge was surged by the Mad Dog 20/20 vs Melania race that was finally going to go down. After Chris Moore backed out of the race at the MTC Summer Nationals in May, he had another two months to prepare for this race. But despite the extra time, Melania still wasn’t ready to face off with Mad Dog 20/20. Moore Mafia fell to pieces on his first shakedown pass on Friday night. Moore spent Friday night repairing his bike into Saturday morning.

On Saturday he made three more shakedown passes while Mad Dog 20/20 sat quietly in the pits waiting to be unleashed. But Moore would back out of the race, after not being able to get Melania ready and had to pay up the Punk Out money. Luckily for the Mad Dog 20/20 fans that bought raffle tickets, $24,400 was raised and one lucky Gadson fan (Shanta Jones) went home with $12,200 in cash. With Gadson’s half of the raffle winnings, the Moore ‘Punk Out’ money, and the Lock-In money from the last race at VMP, Gadson’s team took home $17,950 just for having the biggest bark.
APE Nitrous Bulls
Winner – Richard Gadson / Hail Mary
Runner-up – Malcolm Phillips / Black Jesus

Richard Gadson on ‘Hail Mary’ took out his frustration of not getting a bite out of ‘Melania’ by dominating the APE Nitrous Bulls class. On his way to the final, he took out Lavar Delee on ‘Jizzle’ and Chris Moore on ‘Fort Nite’.

Malcolm Phillips on ‘Black Jesus’ made easy work of Gaige Herrera on ‘Pee Wee,’ Russell Dennison on ‘Jimmy Hendricks, and Desmond Spalding on ‘Authority’ as he made his way to the final to meet Gadson.

The final was exciting as both bikes left hard and stayed side-by-side until the win light came on in Gadson’s lane. This win put him in the points lead by only two points over Russell Dennison.
 
3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls
Winner – Jason Herron / Tik Tok 
Runner-up – David Martin / Unknown

3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls saw a new face in the winner’s circle. Jason Herron on Spencer Calycomb’s ‘Tick Tok’ came out of the gate swinging. He took out heavy hitter Dave Page on ‘Pickin Pockets’ in round one, and then Junior Johnson on ‘Reparation’ as he made his way to the final round.

In the final, points leader David Martin on ‘Unknown’ was waiting for him. On his side of the ladder, Martin took wins against Joshua Jordan on ‘Italian Ice’ and Daniel Parker on ‘Boston George.’

Both riders gave the crowd an exciting final as they both left side-by-side and stayed in the throttle while they both fought to keep the power under control until the win light came on in Herron’s lane.

Tommies Motorsports DMV Bulls
Winner – Matt Dozier / Rick James
Runner-up – Desmond Spalding / Sho Nuff

In Tommies Motorsports DMV Bulls, two class newcomers dominated three rounds to face off in the final. Matt Dozier on ‘Rick James’ took down Derek Cash on ‘Hustler’, Jermaine Proctor on ‘Puffy,’ and Edward Thomas on ‘Da Setup’ to make it to his first DMV Final.

On the other side, Desmond Spalding on ‘Sho Nuff’ took down Kenyan Crawley on the ‘the Professor’, Cody Lowe on ‘Codeine’, and Sherell Blake on ‘Will Turner’.

In the final face-off, Spalding on ‘Sho Nuff’ was not the master of this final. Dozier left the starting line stronger, and Spalding could never catch up to him as the win light lit up for ‘Rick James.’

Vance & Hines 4.60
Winner – Shayne Proctor / Runner-up – Kenny Cornell
 
The Vance & Hines 4.60 class rarely sees the same winner twice in a season. But Shayne Proctor is changing the game with back-to-back wins.

1 Stop Speed 5.60
Winner – Dustin Lee / Runner-up – Carson Fields

1 Stop Speed 5.60 points leader Dustin Lee may not have made it to the final at the last event, but he made up for it at the WPGC Bike Fest.

After winning five rounds, Lee would face Carson Fields in the final. Fields had just won a race the previous weekend, and like Lee, he was in WIN mode. Unfortunately for Fields, he would react moments after staging leaving before his staging bulbs came down and handing the win to Dustin Lee.

Mickey Thompson Tires Top Sportsman
Winner – Robin Procopio / Runner-up – Pablo Gonzalez

Mickey Thompson Tires Top Sportsman is class full of the quickest heavy hitters in the bracket ranks. This was the first event this year that points leader Jeffrey Santin did not make a final-round appearance. Instead, Pablo Gonzalez, who attended his first XDA race this season, found himself in the final against Robin Procopio.

Procopio was running closer to her dial all day, and Gonzalez would have his work cut out for him. In the final, Procopio dialed an 8.28 and Gonzalez a 7.80. Procopio left the tree first, cutting a .074 reaction time. Gonzalez left with a .033 reaction time; however, he would never catch up to Procopio, allowing her to get to the stripe first with an 8.298 time to his slower 7.864. That’s only a margin of victory of .005 seconds or thirteen inches.
MPS Racing Pro ET
Winner – Jeffrey Santin / Runner-up – Dale Hamilton

It was Deja Vu in MPS Racing Pro ET at the WPGC Bike Fest. Despite the class having 156 racers in competition, Jeffrey Santin and Dale Hamilton would face off for the second final in a row. At the last event, Santin took the win over Hamilton, so naturally, it was Hamilton’s turn, right? After earning seven-win lights in the class, Hamilton would need to turn one more on if he wanted the win at this event.

In the final, Santin dialed an 8.40 to Hamilton’s 9.68. Hamilton left first with a .037 reaction, followed closely by Santin’s .031 light. Santin chased Hamilton down quickly and took another win running an 8.405 over to his 9.684. Santin pocketed $5,000 and is still at the top of the points lead.

Brock’s Performance Street ET
Winner – Russell Dennison Jr / Runner-up – Juan George

Over a hundred racers showed up to compete in Sunday’s Brock’s Performance Street ET race. For the second race in a row, a Floridian was in the final. After seven rounds of competition, Juan George from Kissimmee, FL faced Russell Dennison Jr. However, the race was anti-climatic as George turned on a -.022 red light in his lane, giving Dennison another win to add to his roster.
VooDoo Components Bracket Bash
Winner – Turon Davis / Runner-up – Dale Hamilton

The VooDoo Components Bracket Bash hit a record with a colossal 159 entries on Saturday. After seven rounds of competition, Turon Davis and Dale Hamilton sat at the ready across from each other in the final round, eager for the $3,000 win. Hamilton took himself out of the running and sent Davis straight to the winner’s circle when he cut a devastating -.007 red light.

Hard Times Parts & Service
Winner – Ben Knight / Runner-up – Jeffrey Santin


For full qualifying and round-by-round results of the event, visit www.xdaracing.com.

The XDA will head back to Virginia Motorsports Park for the 3rd Annual Bike Bash on August 20-22, 2021. There will be over 700 Professional, Sportsman, and Grudge motorcycle drag racers will be battling it out for cash and bragging rights in another round of “Running of the Bulls.”

About XDA Racing
The Xtreme Dragbike Association (XDA) is an east coast motorcycle drag racing series with 700+ motorcycle racers competing at each event. Every XDA event hosts professional classes, sportsman classes, grudge racing and a vendor midway. Lifestyle activities such as bike shows, bikini contests, DJ and live bands are also held at select events. For more information on the XDA, please visit www.xdaracing.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @xdaracing

by Bronx Times from https://www.bxtimes.com

New York State Assemblyman Michael Benedetto will be sponsoring a state-approved Insurance Reduction Program on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

As a service to his constituents, New York State Assemblyman Michael Benedetto will be sponsoring a state DMV-approved Insurance Reduction Program on Saturday, Aug. 28, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The course is held at Fort Schuyler House, 3077 Cross Bronx Expressway.

Registration for this class begins on Monday, Aug. 16. To reserve a seat, please call Benedetto’s office at (718) 892-2235. The cost for this class is $30.

This 6-hour course will refresh your driving knowledge with a review of time-tested safe driving tips.

Those who complete the course will receive a reduction of approximately 10% from the base rate of automobile and motorcycle liability premiums each year for three years.

The 40th Annual Amateur National Championship Will Run August 2-7

ROME, Ga. (July 28, 2021) – Pirelli Tire North America has its sights set on the 40th annual AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, which is set for August 2-7. Pirelli will be on-site to assist its #PirelliNation rider support program and offer technical advice to all racers competing on SCORPION MX tires.

Amateur racers are presented the opportunity and access to the very same tires use by Pirelli’s professional racers and factory race teams, including world champions such as Tim Gajser, Antonio Cairoli, and Jeffrey Herlings. Pirelli’s approach of “we sell what we race, we race what we sell” ensures the development of the brand’s products for motocross-specific tracks and that the consumer is receiving the latest technology available.

“The AMA Amateur National Championship is always special,” said Nick Walton, off-road race manager, Pirelli. “There’s a lot of great history within the sport at Loretta Lynn’s, including with some of the sports brightest stars. Pirelli is proud to support all of its racers and families who have sacrificed and dedicated so much throughout the year for the opportunity to compete. Pirelli continues to offer amateur racers access to the very same tires used by our professional racers, which we believe will help them reach the top step of the podium.”

Pirelli will support a wide variety of talented amateurs including the BarX/Chaparral/Ecstar Suzuki Racing team, ranging from up-and-coming minibike stars to veterans and amateur pros who are set to make their professional debut later in the year. The SCORPION MX lineup ranges from 10-inch to 21-inch sizing and offers race-winning performance for 50cc – 450 cc riders.

The SCORPION MX range consists of three primary tread patterns with the SCORPION MX Soft, SCORPION MX32 Mid Soft, and SCORPION MX32 Mid Hard. Pirelli racers will use the SCORPION MX32 Mid Soft front and rear tires as a starting point on the tacky and rutty east coast soil when the gates drop in Tennessee. The SCORPION MX Soft may be considered an option for riders who are looking to get that extra traction during an early morning moto or if rain is in the forecast due to the softer and deeper soil. Recommended tire pressure is 14 psi for both front and rear tires.

For more information about the complete line of Pirelli motorcycle tires, please CLICK HERE to visit Pirelli.com

from https://www.lawtigers.com

We’ve created a database of motorcycle rallies, group rides, multi-day biker events, and more for you to choose from. These are for riders of all experience, though we encourage you to read up and choose events that are suitable for you and whoever you’re traveling with. Most of all, we hope you find an awesome adventure (or 5) to go on!

CLICK HERE TO SEE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE EVENTS AND THE EVENTS NEAR YOU.

Register for Free Rider Benefit Card, Immediately includes:

• $10,000 Hit-and-Run Reward
• $10,000 Bike Theft Reward
• Free Legal Advice for all Motorcycle Matters
• Free Motorcycle Repair or Replacement Assistance
• Free Document Holder

Toll-Free 24-Hour Accident Hotline to answer your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by simply calling 1-800-LAW TIGERS (529-8443).

Have a look at https://www.lawtigers.com/resources/rider-benefit-card-sm-2/

from https://www.lawtigers.com

Motorcycle riders love the speed, excitement, and endorphins of riding- it’s why we get on the bike in the first place. However, most riders realize we aren’t immune to some risk every time we go on an adventure- or a quick trip to the store, for that matter. One of the dreaded scenarios is the possibility of getting into a motorcycle accident, but we have to acknowledge that possibility and plan for how to deal with it in advance. We’re going to go over some motorcycle injury and accident statistics, what to do should you or a loved one find yourself in an accident, and how to treat the physical, emotional, and legal follow-up.

Injury Concerns and Prevention
While collisions and other road incidences can cause financial damage, the true concern is protecting you, your passengers, and any other people involved. As a rider, you should always follow ATGATT (All the Gear, All the Time). This means you should be wearing a full face helmet, proper riding gloves, a protective vest, riding pants, and motorcycle boots. Do not substitute non-riding specific versions of these, as they are not made to stand up to road rash and other trauma stress.

While this may seem like an excessive amount of caution (trust us, we understand the notion of the wind whipping in your face on the open road), proper protection can reduce risk of injury or fatality by 37 percent and 68 percent, respectively. When the most prevalent injuries in major motorcycle crashes include nerve damage, spinal cord injury, foot injuries, broken bones, and head trauma, this level of increased protection is well worth paying attention to.

If you or another person involved in an accident are in need of medical attention, do not waste time calling the paramedics and the proper authorities. Often, there is an element of shock even if you aren’t seemingly injured, and short-term decision making is difficult. It is important to breathe, relax, and let medical professionals assess everyone before you depart from any moderate-to-serious incident. Even if it is a single-vehicle incident, you need to be sure that you are fully healthy and there is no damage to report to you or your bike, as an insurance claim will often be rejected without proper proof.

What to Do in the Event of an Accident
The likelihood of being involved in a motorcycle accident over the course of one’s riding career statistically outweighs that of being involved in a car accident. However, : studies have also shown that this is due to a skew in personality type and safety precautions among a select group of riders. The statistics won’t matter if you are involved in an accident- what you do next will, though.

In the event you are conscious and able to move, the first thing you need to do is make sure you are safe, no matter what type of accident you are in. This means getting yourself out of harm’s way and making sure that you are stable and able to appraise the situation. Next, call 911 and report the accident.

From there, if there is another party involved, go check on them.. If they are ok, size up the damage to your respective vehicles. Make sure you haven’t damaged their property before attending to yours- this is an annoying detail in the moment, but one that will help you avoid further incidents.

Finally, you will want to be documenting everything for legal purposes, insurance claims, and any other follow-up necessary. Take photos, write down key information, and get statements from witnesses if possible. We know it will be a stressful time, and you may be dealing with injury and mental distress, but if you take the time for these steps, your insurance and lawyers will have the best information possible to support your case.

Who to Call After a Motorcycle Accident
After an accident, it can be scary, shocking, and humbling. It is perfectly normal to take your time trying to sort out what happened, and hopefully count your blessings that you were wearing gear and are not severely injured. Once the moment has slowed down, you will need to contact your insurance agency and in some cases, a motorcycle accident lawyer.

For your insurance, you will need to get them the details of the motorcycle crash: who was involved, the claim of fault, and any damage to the bike and other vehicle(s) that is necessary to report. Preserve evidence by taking pictures and making a list of things you described on the phone. If there is an insurance or legal dispute, it is important to maintain consistent information, which can be difficult during the aftermath of a crash if you try to do it by memory.

If there is another party involved, you should have documentation of what they claimed for personal injury and damage to their property. The same consistency in that reporting will be key for settling disputes between two insurance agents or if they try to take you to court for being at fault.

In the event you are an accident victim and the other party has fled, you should look to get any eyewitness accounts or information that may help your case. Law Tigers offers a $10,000 hit-and-run reward to help find and prosecute these reckless people.

Recovery After a Motorcycle Accident
One of the most difficult parts of any magnitude of motorcycle accident is the recovery and subsequent trust to get back on the bike. There can be chronic physical injuries that prohibit or change your riding style, and PTSD from crashes. To help you physical and emotional recovery:

• Consult professionals for any injuries or emotional trauma you have.
• Don’t dwell on things that weren’t your fault, and learn from actions that were.
• Take rehab assignments seriously- riding is tough enough on your body already.
• Take your time in recovery if necessary. Often we can exacerbate the injuries or lingering PTSD from a crash by trying to push through them.

If you follow safety procedures before rides, know what to do in a high-stress collision situation, and are willing to follow proper recovery protocols, it will make a lifetime of motorcycle riding much easier to navigate.

How to Find a Motorcycle Injury Lawyer
Dealing with legal cases is not exciting for anyone who has just been in a motorcycle accident. However, it is often necessary, and you need to have the best representation. If you are looking for motorcycle injury lawyers, you have to know who to trust and should elect for a specialty firm.

The Law Tigers are a national team of personal injury law firms, industry professionals, and riders that support the motorcycle riding community, and advocate for all riders and their families when impacted by an injury. We’ve spent decades working with the community we love, and nothing is more important than keeping you safe in every respect. If you need representation following a collision, please reach out today (CLICK HERE) – we’re ready to get through this together.

True Story by Rogue

There have been many stories about stolen motorcycles over the years and one that has to be included is about a Connecticut State Trooper R.J Kenny. We originally did some articles on him and his tactics back in the ’70s in Easyriders and were retaliated against for doing so. More on that as the article continues.

Click Here to Read this Article on Bikernet.com

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by Cristian Curmei from https://www.autoevolution.com

Ducati is the sort of name that tells you right away just about everything you need to know about a vehicle. It’s even grown to be the sort of brand that inspires designers of all kinds to take a whack at building the perfect Ducati.

While building the perfect Ducati may just be a dream, here’s a fine example of one designer’s inspiration derived from the famed brand. The vehicle rendering before you is known as the Ducati è rossa monoposto, and it’s from the mind of one Romain Gauvin.

No, Mr. Gauvin is not some artist that just graduated college and decided to test his drawing hand, but rather a very prolific designer. His resume currently shows that he is Senior Designer at Automobile Citroen. That should be more than enough to have you looking at this render a second time.

If it isn’t, here’s a fun little fact. Rumor has it that this design is the newest electric motorcycle from Ducati, according to an article by gomotoriders. However, upon a search that led me to Ducati themselves, there has been nothing to back up those claims. But I can see why some people want to believe so much that this is a real motorcycle; it’s definitely a one-of-a-kind piece of work, even as a render.

The idea behind the concept is a simple one, and Gauvin states on his Behance page that, “My goal was to blend cutting edge technology with pure emotional motoring fascination. I wanted to see an electric motorbike that was actually desirable.” Did he succeed? Well, you tell me. I’m just the messenger.

With the idea of creating a “desirable” EV branded Ducati, the monoposto was underway. Gauvin states that he started with the frame of the bike. Here, carbon fiber was the chosen material. From there, he just kept adding more and more elements until the bike was complete.

After the frame, an electric motor, rear suspension system, and rear hub are designed and set in their according position. One thing you can see is that this bike is a chain driven EV. I recently rode a chain driven EV, and I got to say, those things can be beasts.

Even though Gauvin doesn’t state what cues from the motorsport’s world are being used in the overall design, one feature is very clear; the panel work that wraps the motor housing looks a lot like the air intake to an F1 vehicle. That segment then blends beautifully into a leather seat that’ll have the rider leaning forward quite a bit. Those pits on the sides of the would-be “intake” also look like a perfect place for the rider’s arms to become one with the frame, resulting in some nice aerodynamics.

Speaking of aerodynamics, the carbon fiber fork flares out and looks like it, too, is made to manipulate oncoming air around the bike and rider. Even though the fork looks solid, it also seems like there may be some suspension properties hidden beneath the flares.

One thing is for sure, this motorcycle does not look like it’s one meant for just plain cruising on Sundays. Instead, the rims, massive front brakes, and slick tires tell you that the only place you will ever feel this EV’s true potential is on a track. Even the riders position tells you all you need to know about where this EV belongs.

Even though the designer makes no mention of this motorcycle’s range, he does include a visual as to where the recharge port would be, right underneath the seat and fed directly to the battery system.

Now, take a minute and have a nice long look at this design. If you do so, you too, may begin to believe the rumors about this possibly being the next Ducati motorcycle. Even though those rumors aren’t true, not currently anyway. If Ducati was to ever make an EV that looks like this, I would be out there in line waiting for the test ride.

by Sean O’grady For Mailonline from https://www.dailymail.co.uk

Batman body double drives motorcycle through streets of Glasgow during filming with both Ben Affleck AND Michael Keaton taking on the role of Caped Crusader.

A Batman body double drove the Batcycle through the street’s of Glasgow as filming of The Flash got underway on Monday.

The film, which also shot in London last month, stars Ezra Miller in the lead role while both Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton are reprising their roles as the Caped Crusader.

The double sported the eye-catching Batman costume as he filmed the Hollywood blockbuster on the streets of Glasgow which has been transformed into a US city.

Members of the production crew were seen trying to push the giant bike along the street with the double at the wheel.

The Flash, due for release in November 2022, is reportedly filming in George Square while Cochrane Street and George Street are also being used, according to Glasgow Times.

Large sections of the street were blocked off to pedestrians with several cars and trucks parked nearby.

The Flash is the latest film to be shot in Glasgow after the city was recently transformed into 1960s New York for filming of Indiana Jones 5 where Harrison Ford’s body double was seen earlier this month.

Michael Keaton has already been spotted filming in London but has yet to be seen sporting his Batman costume, implying he may only be returning as alter ego Bruce Wayne.

Ben, who played Batman more recently, has yet to be seen on set.

The film sees The Flash travel back in time to prevent the murder of his mother, triggering a string of unexpected consequences in the process, including meeting Batman in a parallel dimension.

The Flash was originally scheduled for release in 2018, although it was later pushed back due to its troubled development process.

Director Andy Muschietti was brought on to helm the feature. It was rescheduled for a June 2022 debut and was eventually pushed back to November 4th of that year as a response to the onset of the global pandemic.

Earlier in June, Muschietti, shared a photo of Michael’s bloody Batman costume to his Instagram account.

The actor was announced to be taking up the helm of the Caped Crusader in the much-awaited film this past April, although he was first speculated to have been involved with the project in June of last year.

Muschietti’s photo showed Batman’s iconic insignia that is typically placed on the center of the character’s costume.

A few drops of what appeared to be blood were notably spattered across its front.

The image seemed to signal that Keaton would be returning to his former role in the forthcoming superhero film.

The Birdman star’s first time portraying the character was in 1989’s Batman, which was directed by Tim Burton.

The feature was well-received by critics upon its release, with many reviewers pointing to the actor’s performance as especially strong.

Michael went on to portray the character in the film’s sequel, Batman Returns, which was also helmed by Burton and released in 1992.

After the Ed Wood director stepped down from a planned third sequel, the Beetlejuice actor also left the series, and the two were replaced by Joel Schumacher and Val Kilmer, respectively.

Other actors who have taken up the helm of the Dark Knight since then include George Clooney and Christian Bale, among others.

Ben went on to portray Batman in the 2016 feature Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice and played the character in several other features.

The 48-year-old actor was initially supposed to direct, write and star in the upcoming feature The Batman, although he later left the production and was replaced by Robert Pattinson.

Both Ben and Michael are set to portray younger and older versions of Bruce Wayne in The Flash.

A film based on the DC Comics character had been in development for several decades, with several aborted attempts to create a movie about the superhero occurring over a period of roughly thirty years.

The feature went through several prospective directors, including Rick Famuyiwa and Seth Grahame-Smith, before Muschietti stepped in to helm the flick.

The Barry Allen version of The Flash will be portrayed by Ezra Miller, who first played the speedster in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice.

Other performers who will appear in the long-awaited movie include Kiersey Clemons, Sasha Calle and Ron Livingston.

The feature will follow the titular character as he travels back in time in order to prevent the untimely death of his mother, which causes consequences to occur in his own timeline.

Meanwhile, filming of the untitled fifth film in the Indiana Jones franchise has been going on for several weeks with parts of the Scottish city transformed into 1960s Manhattan.

Harrison himself has been forced to take a break from filming for three months as he recovers from a shoulder injury sustained on set.

During filming this month, Harrison’s stunt double charged through a crowded parade celebrating Apollo 11’s landing in 1969 on horseback.

Bolting down a city centre street in a grey suit, the action-packed scene saw a lookalike for 79-year-old Harrison rip through a banner as cheerleaders performed in the street and crowds waving American flags looked on in surprise.

by Dustin Wheelen from https://www.rideapart.com

Teaching an old dog new tricks.

Harley-Davidson has produced the Sportster for over six continuous decades. Despite the nameplate dating back to the Eisenhower administration, the Sportster canon only contains two periods: the Ironhead years and the Evo era. Since 1957, a pushrod-actuated, 45-degree V-Twin always thrummed at the model’s core. Along with the vibey powerplant, a cradle frame, conservative styling, and spartan accommodations defined the platform. That all changes with the 2021 Sportster S, however.

For the first time in the model’s history, the brakes read Brembo, the gearbox touts six speeds, and the lighting is LED. Boasting a feature-rich electronic suite, the historically entry-level Hog gains premium status overnight. A daring new design encompasses the brand’s acclaimed Revolution Max engine and aligns with the model’s performance ambitions. Of course, the 1,252cc, 60-degree V-twin doesn’t deliver the cruiser’s customary vibes. Instead, it delivers 121 horsepower. The Sportster may be a sexagenarian, but it’s spryer than ever in 2021.

To prove the new model’s mettle, the Motor Company invited us to a day-long ride through the picturesque canyons of the Angeles National Forest and the man-made canyons of Downtown L.A. With such a dramatic makeover, questions naturally arose. Will the 2021 interpretation appeal to the customer base? Will it retain its David vs. Goliath attitude? Is it still a Sportster? Like all Harleys, the answers center around the V-twin mill.

Engine
Since 1986, the Sportster harnessed the MoCo’s Evolution engine. Long after the Big Twin class moved on to the brand’s Twin Cam V-twin, and subsequently, the Milwaukee-Eight, the Sportster continued championing the bulletproof Evo. Undersquare, air-cooled, and rumbly, the engine’s charisma overshadowed its crudeness. Instead of refining the platform over the years, H-D didn’t fix what wasn’t broke.

Instead, it reinvented the model 35 long years later with the aptly named Revolution Max engine. Fresh off its debut in the Pan America, the liquid-cooled, DOHC, 1,252 V-twin earns a cruiser-appropriate retune in the Sportster S. The Revolution Max 1250T may concede 29 ponies to its adventurous cousin, but it’s hard to notice the difference in the saddle.

Unlike the Pan America, which spools up to its powerband, the Sportster S is all teeth all the time. Well, in Sport mode, at least. Predictably, Road is more mannerly and Rain is downright pleasant. Two additional custom ride modes allow users to adjust power delivery, traction control/ABS parameters, and engine braking settings to their liking. Whether you prefer a chill ride or a thrill ride, the Sportster switches identity with the tap of a button.

In Sport mode, performance reigns supreme. From the initial throttle crack, the torque piles on, peaking at 94 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. The 1250T really shines in the mid-range, but power is accessible throughout the 9,500-rpm rev range. On the other hand, the throttle-by-wire system exhibited an abrupt, on/off quality in Sport mode.

Snappy roll-ons frequently pushed me to the edge of the plank-like seat and the front end dove under quick throttle cuts. What Sport mode lacks in finesse, it makes up with enthusiasm, so I reserved it for highway and canyon duty. In the city, Road mode smoothed out the V-twin’s power pulses without sacrificing too much raw acceleration. However, the Revolution Max and high-mount exhaust system threw off significant heat when confined to surface streets.

While the Sportster S does feature rear cylinder deactivation at a stop, the tracker-style pipes not only contribute to the engine heat, it traps it under the seat. Unsurprisingly, the rider’s right leg receives the first heatwave, but the engine’s port side follows suit in short order. In motion, the warmth goes unnoticed, but from light to light, the heat forced me to rest my right foot on the peg at a stop. Otherwise, the exhaust was liable to broil my inner thigh to a medium-well shank.

Despite those drawbacks, the Revolution Max remains the star of the show. Of course, to optimize that star performance, Harley had to surround it with a complimentary cast of components.

Chassis
Composed of three separate frame sections, the Sportster S chassis is like nothing in the company’s current cruiser lineup. The front, middle, and tail trellis frame units bolt directly to the 1250T engine, reducing weight while increasing rigidity. In turn, the handling improves markedly over the Evo era models, jumping from a 28-degree maximum lean angle to 34-degrees of lean. Tip-in and steering rate are predictable and stable.

Despite the 160/70 Dunlop GT503 tire wrapped around the 17-inch front wheel and the 180/70 rubber shod onto the 16-inch rear, the Sportster is surprisingly agile. Similarly, the 320mm single-disc front braking system seems lacking for a 121-horsepower machine, but the Brembo master cylinder delivers excellent bite along with nuanced feedback and feel. Needless to say, we would love to see how the Sportster S performs with slimmer tires and a dual-disc setup, but the stock equipment exceeds expectations.

The rear suspension suffers the same fate. With just 1.5-inches of travel, I anticipated the Showa monoshock to be one step removed from a hardtail. Thankfully, the linkage system helps the unit outperform the spec sheet, but the setup still has its limitation. The shock happily soaked up slow-speed bump, but fast-bump compliance was another story. Several large hits bucked me out of the seat or sent a shock directly through my back.

Of course, the model’s aggressive, low stance may look sporty, but it also restricts the suspension travel. Again, we would love to see a taller monoshock on the sportiest of Sportsters, but the piggyback unit performed admirably considering its handicaps. Luckily, the fully adjustable USD fork isn’t hindered by the same issues.

The front end only boasts 3.6 inches of travel, but the appropriately damped fork never bottoms under hard braking or big bumps. In a corner, the Sportster S holds its line in a smooth and predictable manner. The Dunlop GT503 tires suit the model well, with enough feedback and grip to inspire confidence. Of course, dragging the single-piston rear caliper on the 260mm disc helps stabilize the 500-pound rig upon corner entry.

The Sportster S was in its natural element in the canyons. The model holds its own in the city, but it reveals its naughty side on a curvy road. The high-spec componentry and adjustability certainly contributed to that nature, but the rider posture also factors into the Sportster’s performance.

Cockpit
At 29.6 inches, the S model’s seat height should fit a broad range of inseams. Despite the large exhaust heat shields pressing into the rider’s right leg, flat-footing the Sportster is effortless. Reach to the bars is a slight stretch, with the rider’s upper half leaned forward and a small bend at the elbows. The forward controls position the legs at a 90-degree angle, but feet point slightly upward on the pegs.

While the forwards increase long-distance comfort, they also place more weight on the rider’s hindquarters and off the pegs. As a result, I preferred the mid control-equipped Sportster S despite the acute leg bend. The sense of control provided by the mids would make it an instant upgrade for me. Unfortunately, the Motor Company doesn’t offer an option for mid control, but customers can purchase a conversion kit for $660.

The Sportster doesn’t perform poorly with the forwards, as both setups yield a 34-degree lean angle, but the mids allow the model to reach its full performance potential. Not to mention, after several hours with forward controls, my rear end started to ache due to so much of my weight bearing down on the thinly padded seat.

Harley also outfits the forwards with an extended shift lever (compared to the mid controls). The lever’s long throw also resulted in numerous unintentional shifts into neutral when kicking from first to second gear. I didn’t encounter the same problem once on the mid controls. I should note that the mids may prove too cramped for taller riders. At five-foot, 10-inches, I fit comfortably into the new rider triangle but the user’s purposes and preference will determine what’s best for them.

Last but certainly not least, the all-new round, four-inch TFT display is a first for the Sportster family. While the switchgear gains a host of new buttons and switches, the interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. From ambient temperature to engine temperature, from tire pressure to battery voltage, the rider can check every metric impacting the bike’s performance.

Bluetooth connectivity unlocks navigation, incoming call identification, and music-playing features. However, the Sportster S doesn’t include a GPS receiver, so the system relies on the rider’s smartphone network for those services. Also, without speakers included, the user will need to link their helmet communication system to the motorcycle.

The breadth and technology of the new infotainment system may be a giant leap forward, but the limited screen real estate can be restricting in navigation and diagnostic modes. With so much information crammed in such a small area, fonts quickly become illegible, especially at speed. For that reason, I stuck with the standard setup, pairing a large mph readout, needle-style tachometer, gear position indicator, and trip meters.

Conclusion
The 2021 Sportster S marks a watershed moment for the longest production motorcycle in history. From side valves to overhead valves to four valves per cylinder, the Sportster has come a long way, but its latest form is a major departure from the previous iterations. The Sportster S should appeal to existing, performance-oriented Harley customers but also draw new blood into the brand.

At 500 pounds and 121 horsepower, the historically entry-level model is lighter and more powerful than any other cruiser in the Motor Company’s portfolio, making it more of a giant killer than ever. By Sportster standards, the 2021 S model is a marvel, warts and all. While the Sportster S is a seminal entry in the Harley history books, the potential it presents is even more intriguing.

We can’t wait to see what the Bar and Shield does with the platform as it fills the slots under the flagship trim. No, this isn’t your grandad’s Sportster, it’s something entirely new, and Harley-Davidson plans to build on the model’s possibilities for the next 64 years.

JOHNNY LEWIS TAKES HARD-FOUGHT FOURTH AT PORT ROYAL HALF-MILE

Women of Royal Enfield BUILD TRAIN RACE battle on at second BTR exhibition race

Milwaukee, WI (Monday, July 26, 2021) – On the heels of their historic win at Lima Half-Mile, Johnny Lewis and the Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield Team were looking to start a hot streak aboard the Royal Enfield Twins FT at the inaugural Port Royal Half-Mile, round eight of the Progressive American Flat Track Championship at Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pennsylvania. While the all-new venue held its share of challenges for Lewis, he and the Moto Anatomy X crew fought for every inch throughout the day, ultimately coming in fourth overall in the AFT Production Twins main event.

“Days like today remind me what a great crew we have,” said Johnny Lewis, “Today had its ups and downs but our Moto Anatomy crew never stopped working hard. It was a bit of a battle for us, but we had competitive lap times in the end; it just showed that our work throughout the day paid off. It was great to end tonight on a positive note.”

After a hard-fought battle with Dan Bromely for fourth in the main event, Lewis was able to edge him out by 0.007 seconds at the checkered flag—an incredible sight for the Port Royal fans. “Within the team, it was a success!” Lewis added.

“Johnny puts every ounce of himself into each race weekend and you could see it at Port Royal,” commented Breeann Poland, Marketing and Communications Lead – Royal Enfield Americas. “After battling some issues throughout the test and earlier in the day he was able to push through to a fourth-place finish today. We were proud to see this level of passion and dedication from the whole team.”

Port Royal Speedway was host to the second round of the Royal Enfield BUILD TRAIN RACE (BTR) Flat Track program, and the ladies of AFT thrilled the Pennsylvania crowd with some great battles. In the end, Jaycee Jones beat Jillian Deschenes to the checkers for the overall win. Lanakila MacNaughton was holding third, but made a mistake on the final lap, opening the door for Sarah Dixon to nab the final podium spot.

The Port Royal weekend got out to a great start for the ladies of AFT on Friday when they were invited to participate in the test on Friday, allowing for extra track time and eight rounds of practice. “Extremely happy we got practice Friday,” said Jaycee Jones. “If we didn’t have that day to figure out the track and make changes to the bike it could have been completely different.”

Jones was able to dial in her new Ohlins rear shocks, that she credits with making “all the difference in the world.” Jones not only captured her first win of the season, but set a scorching lap of 27.939—a time that could have potentially qualified her for the Production Twins class.

Jones and Deschenes are now battling for the BTR championship with one win apiece. Sarah Dixon, with a pair of thirds, is looking to break through for a win, while the talented field of builders and racers is also hungry for podium finishes in the 2021 championship.

“It’s been over a month since the ladies first raced in Chicago and we were eager to see them back at it again,” said Breeann Poland. “The racing between the women is definitely heating up. I am proud of each and everyone of them for pushing themselves both on and off the track. Lana missed the test on Friday and was at a disadvantage all day but when the green flagged dropped she put everything she had into it and battled for a podium spot.”

Johnny Lewis and the Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield team will be back in action at Weedsport, New York for the Short Track doubleheader on August 13-14. They will be once again joined by the women of Royal Enfield BTR as the American Flat Track Championship makes its return to New York.

Tune in for broadcast coverage of the Port Royal Half-Mile on NBCSN on Sunday, August 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

About Royal Enfield

The oldest motorcycle company in continuous production in the world, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the midsize motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic motorcycles. With its manufacturing base in Chennai, India, Royal Enfield has been able to grow its production rapidly against a surge in demand for its motorcycles. Royal Enfield is a leading player in the global middleweight motorcycle market.

The Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield team is supported by Harris Performance, SENA, Motul, Beringer Brakes, Solid Performance, EVS, ODI, Just 1, Tucker, Saddlemen, S&S Cycle, Team Lawant, Quayle Construction and Goon Glass and Rubber.

Royal Enfield North America (RENA) is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is developing a growing network of more than 125 dealers in North America, including the contiguous U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. RENA currently offers the all-new Meteor 350, Himalayan and the 650 Twins (INT 650 and Continental GT 650) motorcycles, along with a range of Genuine Motorcycle Accessories and apparel.

For more information on Royal Enfield North America, visit www.RoyalEnfield.com/us/en/, www.Instagram.com/RoyalEnfield_NA, www.Facebook.com/RoyalEnfieldNorthAmerica.