With Wild News from all over the planet…
I just turned 75, and look at all the cool stuff I can do this year. Think about kids today, all the stuff they can do on their phones daily. They don’t need to chop wood to cook breakfast or hunt for something to eat. Life is incredible, all you need to do is to get out of bed and get moving. It’s all at your fingertips.
Let’s hit the news.
–Bandit
with inputs by Pratik Bhanushali from https://www.msn.com
Speculated to be
Royal Enfield may offer yet another new model called Sherpa 650. It is getting crowded at Enfield product listing with motorcycles aimed at different types of riders. This is such a big leap from just 10 to 15 years ago. The brand and the company keeps on growing and improving and challenging itself as well as its target audience.
A test mule seen in the spy shots here gives a better look at the probable production model.
The specifications may be very similar to 650cc trio from Royal Enfield — namely Interceptor 650, Continental GT 650, and Super Meteor 650)
Sherpa 650 looks similar to the Interceptor’s unit but has suspended on USD front forks and dual rear shocks. It seems it would get off-road ready tires.
Rumors suggest that Royal Enfield would likely launch the new Sherpa 650 in 2024. It’ll be positioned above the Interceptor and below the new Super Meteor in RE’s lineup.
from inputs by Enrico Punsalang from https://www.rideapart.com
Harley-Davidson has confirmed rumors and revealed 2023 X 350 in China. It goes without saying that the X 350 is a bike that marks a new milestone for Harley’s history. It’s their first foray into the sub-500cc segment in the modern era and the first two-wheeler to be crafted by their Chinese partner, QJ Motor.
Retro flair is prominent by the round instrument console, mirrors, and headlight shape, while the aerodynamic and brawny radiator shrouds, as well as the flat-track-inspired tail section, exude a distinctive charm. Interestingly, unlike Harley’s traditional cruisers, the X 350 is entirely devoid of chrome, further adding to its unconventional, surprisingly sporty appeal.
It has mid-controls, a low handlebar, and a tall 32-inch seat height that puts the rider in a more neutral position instead of the usual foot-forward, laid-back posture. A basic digital-analog instrument cluster reflects the fact that this bike was designed with a budget in mind.
H-D X350 is powered by a 353cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine borrowed from previous models in QJ Motor’s lineup. Producing 36 horsepower and 22.8 pound-feet of torque, the chain drive is matched with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Its recognizable fuel tank stores 13.5 liters.
Keep in mind that this motorcycle is exclusive to China and costs approximately $4,793. This is less than comparable motorcycles in the 300 to 400 cc category.
However, the X500 may be aimed at beginner market in USA and would be based on Benelli Leoncino. (Benelli being owned by QJ). It is expected that the Harley-Davidson will launch the X500 first in China and other Asian markets before bringing it home to USA and probably to Europe as well.
It’s Not All Bad
Hey,
Check this from Ray in Australia.
“Difficult times in life are like washing machines; they twist us, spin us and knock us around, but in the end, we come out cleaner, brighter, and better than before.” –Ray Russell
At Black Hills it snows for a couple of days, then bada-bing the sun breaks and it blows my mind every time. I believe I’ve made some serious progress, while stumbling from time to time. I should have a report completed next week.
Hit the gun show in Deadwood. Packed with vendors, it was a kick looking for a hunting rifle.
A big 45 flathead fan asked about the Bonne Bell and I found the feature from Cycle Source. I’m waiting for a report on the new engine from Departure Bike Works
Okay, so let’s relax and watch carefully as the world changes.
Fight for freedom and join your local or national motorcycle rights group.
–Bandit
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RACING LEADS MISSION® SUPER HOOLIGAN® NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOLLOWING SEASON OPENER AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
2022 Super Hooligan® Champion Tyler O’Hara Takes Early Points Lead Following Back-to-Back Wins At Daytona Doubleheader
Indian Motorcycle Racing Comes Away with Podium Finish in Mission® King of the Baggers,
O’Hara Ranks Fifth In Season Standings with 21 Points, McWilliams Eighth with 19
MINNEAPOLIS (MARCH 14, 2023) – Following an offseason that expanded the competitive landscape with new manufacturers lining up for the MotoAmerica® Mission® Super Hooligan® National Championship (SHNC), it was Indian Motorcycle Racing and its factory team claiming the top two spots on the leaderboard, following the season-opening doubleheader at Daytona International Speedway. Piloting a pair of S&S®-built Progressive® Mission® Foods Indian FTRs, reigning SHNC champion Tyler O’Hara and teammate Jeremy McWilliams each left Daytona with a pair of podiums, including back-to-back victories for O’Hara and third and second-place finishes for McWilliams.
On Friday, March 10, O’Hara strategically tailed RSD Indian FTR privateer Bobby Fong for nearly the entire six-lap race. Waiting for the final lap to strike, O’Hara was able to carry more speed through the chicane and go up and around the outside of Fong to capture the season’s first win by .0064 seconds. McWilliams rounded out the podium to complete the Indian FTR podium sweep.
“Bobby was running fast all weekend and gapped me for a period until I was able to make up some ground. The lapper through the chicane definitely played a big role as I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to draft pass him on the finish,” said O’Hara. “But what a fun race, and for Indian Motorcycle to sweep the podium just shows how impressive this Indian FTR really is.”
Race 2 on Saturday, March 11, was filled with plenty of action. After an early crash caused a red-flag restart, it was a five-rider group at the front of the pack. Pushing hard in the group, KTM rider Andy DeBrino lost his front end and laid his bike down, while Fong encountered a technical issue – making it a three-rider run for first between Harley-Davidson rider Corey West, O’Hara and McWilliams. While West ultimately crossed the finish line first, a post-race bike inspection found an illegal air intake that resulted in a disqualification – awarding O’Hara his second win of the weekend and earning McWilliams a second-place finish.
In the MotoAmerica® Mission® King of the Baggers (KOTB) class, O’Hara reached the podium with a third-place finish in Race 1. While the Indian Challenger had been running fast all weekend, even clocking the weekend’s fastest speed on a bagger at 182 mph, both O’Hara and McWilliams suffered technical issues in Race 2. Indian Motorcycle Racing concluded the opening rounds at Daytona with O’Hara in fifth (21 points) and McWilliams in eighth (19 points) on the season’s leaderboard.
“Our issues this weekend were specifically with our tires, MotoAmerica is a spec tire series, we are only given one choice for tires for Daytona and they failed with our higher speeds after four laps, but our new bikes are performing incredibly well, with a significantly higher level of both handling and power, as evidenced by both our riders registering speeds of more than 180 mph throughout the weekend,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Racing, Technology and Service for Indian Motorcycle. “At the end of the day, the performance of our Indian Challengers, coupled with our success in the Super Hooligan class has us feeling extremely optimistic and incredibly motivated heading into the second round in Atlanta.”
The 2023 KOTB and SHNC seasons continue with Road Atlanta April 21-23. For more information visit MotoAmerica.com.
Indian Motorcycle Racing is presented by Progressive Insurance®, Mission® Foods and Medallia®, with additional support from Indian Motorcycle Motor Oil, S&S®, Parts Unlimited, Drag Specialties®, Performance Finance, and J&P Cycles®.
For information about Indian Motorcycle, visit IndianMotorcycle.com, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by K. Randall “Bandit” Ball
The city from Laguna to Irvine and El Toro closed in on Trabuco Canyon like a concrete plaque. But Cook’s still resided in the last remaining unencumbered scrub hills. Bruno tied off his helmet to his TT bars and kicked up dust in the ground-shale parking lot to the door. It was wide, thick planks and swung open with a rusting creak. Dark inside the Four Tops played Only the Lonely from the neon jute box.
But something foreboding filled the air. Straight ahead was the bar and a number of club members scrambling around something or someone on the floor.
Click here to read the latest biker fiction from the master of the genre only at Bikernet.com
Visit Bandit’s Cantina for entire novels, click here.
Santa Fe Springs CA – March 10, 2023 – Vance & Hines today announced its 2023 season contingency support programs for motorcycle racers. The contingency sponsorships, offered in partnership with five, race-sanctioning bodies, has the potential to put over $170,000 in the hands of motorcycle racers in 2023.
The program offers contingency payout funds to riders in NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle, MotoAmerica King of the Baggers and Twins Cup, American Flat Track, XDA drag racing as well as the Bagger Racing League. Contingency funds are offered to riders who are top finishers in races or series championships, and who qualify by using Vance & Hines products and services. The total value of the contingency sponsorship program for 2023 is $173,250.
“Racing is the ethos of the Vance & Hines brand,” said Vance & Hines President Mike Kennedy. “These contingency programs are just one of the ways we support racers who compete using our performance products.”
In NHRA Drag Racing, racers who finish first or runner-up using a Vance & Hines four-valve Suzuki motor in each Pro Stock Motorcycle (PSM) race earn payouts, and a shot at a $10,000 bonus for winning the championship. Riders using a Vance & Hines exhaust for their Suzuki motorcycle in PSM also earn a payout for a first or runner-up finish at each event. Total potential payout for NHRA is $34,000. Vance & Hines factory race team riders are not eligible for these contingency payments.
MotoAmerica, the country’s premier motorcycle road racing series, has expanded its slate of King of the Baggers (KOTB) races to seven, double-header events and also includes Twins Cup double-header rounds at seven of their events. Vance & Hines will offer payouts to the top five finishers in each KOTB and Twins Cup race and offers a $5,000 series Championship Bonus in each class as well. Total available payout in MotoAmerica racing is $60,400.
In American Flat Track, Vance & Hines offers funds to the top ten finishers in every SuperTwins and Singles class race. In addition, a $5,000 Championship Bonus is offered in each of these classes. With 18 races on the 2023 schedule, the total potential payout in AFT is $63,100.
The Xtreme Drag Racing Association (XDA) series offers ten classes of racing at five events which run from April through September 2023. Contingency payouts are offered to the top two finishers in each class of each race for using a Vance & Hines exhaust or for head work done by the Vance & Hines Racing Development Center. Potential payout at XDA races is $7,500.
The Bagger Racing League (BRL) has six classes for a variety of production v-twin motorcycles and will host five races at three venues in 2023. Contingency payouts are offered to the top three finishers in each of the six classes for using a Vance & Hines exhaust, air intake or FP4 tuner. Potential payout at BRL races is $8,250.
Specific requirements for earning contingency payouts are managed by each sanctioning body.
Learn more about the company’s history and products at www.vanceandhines.com.
March 4, 2023 | Daytona International Speedway | Daytona, Florida
Foothill Ranch, Calif. (March 5, 2023) – The iconic Daytona International Speedway played host to the world’s premier supercross racers for Round 8 of the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross Championship where Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Jason Anderson secured his third consecutive top-five finish. In the 250SX Class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Chris Blose displayed an impressive come-from-behind performance to secure a season-best seventh place.
When qualifying sessions began, a motivated Anderson was one of the first riders to hit the Daytona race course. The No.21 KX™450SR rider showed impressive pace while focusing his time on track to explore various lines and generate a sense of how track conditions will deteriorate throughout the day. In the final session, Anderson applied the knowledge gained from earlier in the day to secure the third fastest lap time (1:12.889) in 450SX qualifying.
In 450SX Heat 2, Anderson launched out the gate running in fifth and masterfully moved up to fourth through the first rhythm section. The New Mexico-born rider continued to race forward after taking control of fourth and within two laps was challenging at the front of the field. Anderson then displayed the superior cornering ability of his KX450SR by skillfully executing an inside line pass in Turn 1 to advance into third. The No.21 rode consistent laps until a last-lap pass moved him back to fourth. Despite his best efforts to regain the position, Anderson crossed the line fourth.
As light showers began to fall at the start of the 450SX Main Event, Anderson emerged from the first turn in seventh before quickly advancing to fifth as he reached the infamous Daytona sand. Once in fifth position, Anderson settled into a comfortable pace and steadily extended his advantage over sixth place. As racing progressed, the No.21 momentarily mounted a challenge for fourth but was unable to close in on the competition to attempt a pass and ultimately finished the race in fifth. Anderson’s top-five finish solidifies his hold over fourth place in the championship points standings.
“The track layout this year was nearly identical to the Daytona track we raced on last year, so our bike set up was very similar to last year’s settings. However, this track broke down differently and became a lot deeper, which made it difficult to get comfortable. The rain we had leading up to the Main Event also made the dirt very slick in some spots. I tried my best to adjust to the changing track conditions throughout the race but, to be honest, I just couldn’t get myself in a rhythm. Overall, we still had a solid weekend and earned valuable championship points.”
– Jason Anderson
As 250SX qualifying began, Blose deployed a calculated plan of attack as he elected to give space between himself and the rest of the field. The open track allowed Blose to locate his preferred lines before attempting a fast lap. Blose’s strategy proved to be beneficial as he improved his lap times with each time on track to log the 10th fastest lap in 250SX qualifying despite the rapidly deteriorating track conditions.
When the gate dropped on 250SX Heat 1, Blose executed a well-timed jump to emerge from the first turn in seventh. Amidst all the chaos of the opening lap, the No.57 KX™250 rider managed to latch onto the rear wheel of the rider ahead and challenge for sixth. Blose’s relentless pressure intimidated the rider ahead, allowing him to gain control of sixth by the midway point. Looking for more, the Arizona native closed in on another competitor as he continued to link together consistent laps. With only a minute of racing left, Blose made the pass for fifth stick and maintained track position to the finish.
In the 250SX Main Event, Blose again launched out to a seventh-place start and with a combination of clever line selection and veteran experience, the No.57 swiftly moved into fifth by the third corner of the opening lap. Running in fifth, Blose looked ready to secure his first top-five finish of the season until a mistake near the mechanic’s area resulted in a tip-over. Despite a quick remount, Blose was shuffled back outside the top 10. As racing continued, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider proved his racecraft by climbing up the running order with each lap. Blose achieved his impressive come-from-behind performance through consistent riding and his ability to capitalize on the mistakes of others to finish seventh when the checkered flag flew.
“Even though I’ve only been with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team for a short amount of time, I feel like I’m starting to find my stride and confidence. From the start of the first practice to the Main Event, I felt extremely comfortable on the KX250 and that showed in my riding tonight. Even with a tip-over in the sand section during the main I was still able to move up the field and finish in seventh, my best result of the season so far. I’m looking forward to another week of practice with the team and feel like we can be in the hunt for a top-five finish soon.”
– Chris Blose
Roland Sands Design and Indian Motorcycles rev up for dominance and good times in 2023 Mission Foods King of the Baggers and Super Hooligan Road Racing Championships
Long Beach, CA – The Roland Sands Design Indian Motorcycles King of the Baggers (KOTB) and Mission Super Hooligan (Mission SHNC) race team is excited to announce their participation in the upcoming Moto America season, kicking off at Daytona Motor Speedway on March 9-11, 2023.
The team is comprised of two talented riders, Bobby Fong and Kyle Ohnsorg, who will both be taking on double duty racing Indian Challenger Baggers in King of the Baggers and racing Indian FTR 1200’s in the Mission Foods Super Hooligan AMA National Championship.
Bobby Fong, 32 years old from Stockton, CA will be piloting the Sacramento Mile/SDI Racing, LLC/Roland Sands Design/Indian Motorcycle Challenger and was the only non-factory KOTB rider to win a Mission Foods Challenge, as well as a main event in 2022. Fong will also be racing the Roland Sands Design Indian FTR 1200 in the Mission Foods Super Hooligan, marking his first time racing the Indian FTR. With great pre-season testing times, Fong is confident he can compete for race wins at Daytona and a series championship.
Kyle Ohnsorg, 28 years old from Oak Grove, MN, will be piloting both the Roland Sands Design Indian Challenger in KOTB as well as the Roland Sands Design Indian FTR 1200 in the Mission Foods Super Hooligan races. Ohnsorg is an Electro-mechanical Engineer at Indian Motorcycle and has been the Chief test rider for the Indian factory team, helping develop the current FTR 1200 platform. He is ready to show the paddock he is capable of winning a championship.
“We are thrilled to be back racing with Moto America this season and have Bobby and Kyle representing our team on the track,” said Roland Sands, owner of Roland Sands Design. “Both riders have a proven track record of success and we believe they have what it takes to compete at the highest level in both the King of the Baggers and Super Hooligan classes.”
Fans can catch all the action from the Roland Sands Design Indian Motorcycles King of the Baggers and Mission Super Hooligans Race Team on Moto America’s live streaming platform, Moto America Live + www.motoamericaliveplus.com.
For more information on the Roland Sands Design Indian Motorcycles King of the Baggers and Mission Super Hooligans Race Team, visit https://rolandsands.com/2023-roland-sands-racing
If you keep an eye on yourself you can see your moods change and why.
I’m going to cruise over to Cabana Dans next week. I need to cover his final pieces for his restored 1914 H-D Twin before they head to Tim the Flat Earth pinstripper in Spearfish, SD. I’ll sneak into Tim’s shop and shoot the action.
I’ve made serious progress on the VL, XA, FL-5. We made a set of pipes. Next week I will make controls and bring you a complete report.
I received a bicycle GPS speedo for the Salt Torpedo. Snowed the other day and might snow tomorrow. The Redhead is out finding a chunk of metal I can machine for the Knucklehead, so if I’m stuck inside I can still make progress.
I’m working with the Deadwood Historic Society on fixing up the basement under the Bullock Hotel. They want to go with a Vice theme, so I suggested this print of Kat Von D with my touring chopper built with Jesse James.
Join the MRF and stay up on the action, or keep coming back to Bikernet for weekly reports. We will fight for the truth forever.
— Bandit
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
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