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May 12

Pirelli as Spec Tire for NA World MiniGP Qualifiers

By General Posts

Pirelli to Continue as Spec Tire for North American World MiniGP Qualifiers

Pirelli Trackside Racing Vendors Will Provide Support at All Five Rounds

ATLANTA (May 11, 2023) – Pirelli Tire North America kicked off a successful 2023 FIM World MiniGP qualifier for North American racers this past weekend at Carolina Motorsports Park on May 5. The opening round saw the top up-and-coming talent from across the nation demonstrate their skills. Four more rounds will take place at three different racetracks and feature the 160cc and 190cc Ohvale-spec classes. A Pirelli trackside racing vendor will be on-site at each Friday qualifier. Pirelli’s 10- and 12-inch DIABLO™ Superbike slicks will serve as the spec tire, including at the upcoming round set for Barber Motorsports Park on May 19.

“Pirelli is excited to keep things rolling for the upcoming FIM World MiniGP,” said Oscar Solis, senior racing manager, Pirelli. “This allows racers in North America to showcase their skills against the best in the world. Pirelli’s racing DNA runs deep, and our goal is to ensure that the future stars of road racing have the tires and knowledge they need to succeed.”

Pirelli continues to set the industry standard for performance in the minibike segment and has been chosen as original equipment on Ohvale’s GP-0 160 and GP-2 190 motorcycles. As the official tire supplier for the MOTUL FIM World Superbike Championship since 2004, Pirelli’s intense research and development has played a crucial role in the latest tire technology finding its way to the 10 and 12-inch DIABLO Superbike slicks that are designed to help the next generation reach the pinnacle of road racing.

The North American riders who qualify will have the opportunity to join the world stage at the 2023 FIM World MiniGP in Valencia, Spain, against the top up-and-comers across the globe. Riders from all countries will compete aboard Pirelli-equipped motorcycles in Valencia.

2023 Mini GP Qualifiers (North America)

  • May 19: Barber Motorsports Park | Trackside Tires (301) 232-5542
  • June 2: Road America | Farrell Performance (920) 236-0000
  • July 15: New Jersey Motorsports Park | Trackside Tires (301) 232-5542
  • July 22: New Jersey Motorsports Park | Trackside Tires (301) 232-5542

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

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Dec 05

Motorcycle Live: Inside the UK’s biggest motorcycle show

By General Posts

from https://www.standard.co.uk/ by David Williams

It’s that time of year bikers dread – the days are shorter and the weather is colder and wetter, forcing fair-weather riders to leave their bikes parked at the roadside. Which means it’s time to head to Birmingham by train for Motorcycle Live, to see what they’ll be riding (and wearing) next year, when it all improves again.

The UK’s biggest bike show rolls Birmingham’s NEC from Saturday December 4 to Sunday December 12, revealing dozens of new motorcycles, even presenting show-goers with the chance to try some of them out.

More than 55 leading motorcycle manufacturers are showing off their latest machinery, and attendants are being encouraged to try them for size. New metal being revealed includes the Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660, the Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak and the Husqvarna Norden 901.

Kawasaki will be showing off its new Z650RS, while other new bikes include the CFMoto 700CL-X and the Honda NT1100. Show-goers also get to see the British-built Langen Two Stroke, as well as the Norton V4SV, while BMW will have its futuristic-looking CE04 electric scooter on show.

Celebrating the future of motorcycling with electric technology is also high on the show’s agenda, with the brand-new Electric Test Ride Zone giving consumers an opportunity to try out a range of battery-powered models on a special indoor track.

This feature will give riders a feel for the instant power and responsiveness typical of an electric motorcycle – all without any emissions. Electrically-assisted bicycles – e-bikes – will also be available for show-goes to try out.

Elsewhere at Birmingham’s sprawling NEC there will be custom and classic bike zones, while race fans will be able to meet their track heroes, as stars from WorldSBK, British Superbike and road racing make guest appearances across the nine days.

Visitors can also watch Moto Trails, featuring the jaw-dropping skills of pro trail riders Jack Price, former World Trails 2 Champion and seven-time British Champion, and Michael Brown, European and multiple British Trials Champion, with show times throughout the day.

Honda will be paying homage to the original 1992 Fireblade by displaying a range of heritage models from across the years, while rival firm Suzuki is displaying all seven of its world championship-winning Grand Prix machines, including the GSX-RR of 2020 title-winner Joan Mir and Barry Sheene’s 1976 and 1977 500s.

Harley-Davidson will be showcasing its ‘Sportster Evolution Galley’, tracing the development of its 64-year-old Sportster range, while ‘bikers’ aged 1.5 to five years can try their skills at the Kiddimoto Balance Bike Experience, on an inflatable course.

Riders aged between four and twelve will be able to get kitted out in motocross clothing, gloves and a helmet – and be unleashed on a circuit designed to give a taste of the motocross experience, for novices and more experienced riders alike.

‘Experience Adventure’, supported by Honda, Royal Enfield and Triumph, will allow participants to enjoy a taste of off-road adventure riding, which will include tuition on bike set-up, body positioning and balance across an assortment of terrains.

For those wanting to break into motorcycling, meanwhile, every day during the show the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) will be offering free 20-minute riding lessons with a professional instructor, all protective clothing provided. Participants will be introduced to the brakes, gears and slow speed handling, giving visitors the chance to see if a life on two wheels is for them.

Who knows; maybe next year they’ll be riding to the show at the NEC too.

More information at: www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/features/category/ride-bikes/

Jul 22

Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary Honors a Legend

By General Posts

by Sebastian Toma from https://www.autoevolution.com

Ducati is celebrating 20 years since Troy Bayliss won his first World Superbike championship. A special edition of the Panigale V2 has been made, and it comes with several goodies on top of the regular model. It had to be painted red, and Bayliss’s race number is also on the special edition Panigale, which also features graphics inspired by the 2001 championship-winning bike.

The special edition of the Panigale V2 ditches the stock Showa and Sachs suspension system in favor of an Öhlins kit. The front is taken care of with the NX30 fork, while the rear is kept under control with the TTX36. Öhlins’ influence on this bike does not end here, as the Swedes also make the steering damper. Right next to that part, on the triple clamps, one can observe the production number of each bike.

For maximum weight reduction, the special-edition Ducati Panigale V2 1st Championship 20th Anniversary comes with a lithium-ion battery, as well as a single-seater configuration. The saddle is sewn with contrasting red stitching, and the craftspeople at Ducati also embroidered Bayliss’ race number, 21, along with the Italian flag.

Thanks to the lightweight components, the bike lost about three kilos (6,6 lbs.), adding up to 174.5 kilograms (385 lbs.) Seat height is 835 mm (32,9 inches), which may be tall for some, but being tall enough is just one of the things one must consider before buying a motorcycle in this segment.

Ducati fans will also remark a set of sport grips, a titanium and carbon fiber exhaust system, and Troy Bayliss’ autograph on the fuel tank. The latter also reminds us of each of the three years when Bayliss won the championship title.

The extras with the special edition of the Panigale V2 end here, but future owners will still have a great bike to ride. Ducati’s Panigale V2 comes with slide control, wheelie control, ABS, traction control, and various other systems to help keep the rider with both wheels on the road.

The red Italian super sport bike comes with a 995 cubic-centimeter V-twin engine called the Superquadro, with four valves per cylinder and the famous Desmodromic valves. The unit can provide 155 HP at 10.750 rpm and a maximum torque of 104 Nm (76.7 lb-ft) at 9.000 rpm. The famous Ducati V2 sound is standard.

For those of you who do not know who Troy Bayliss is, you should know that he is one of the most loved motorcycle racers of our time. He managed to get the World SuperBike Championship title three times in his career, in 2001, 2006, and 2008. To this day, Troy Bayliss is the first rider to have won a Moto GP and WSBK race in the same season.

Apr 13

Pirelli Riders Crush Carolina Motorsports Park Track Record

By General Posts

Stefano Mesa’s NINJA ZX-6R relies on the performance of Pirelli’s New 190/60-17 DIABLO™ Superbike Rear Tire

ROME, Ga. (April 13, 2021) – It was a weekend meant for crushing absolute motorcycle track records in Kershaw, South Carolina as Stefano Mesa and Jason Waters traded turns setting the pace at Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP). The duo relied on the performance of their Pirelli DIABLO™ Superbike slicks to set the pace in the Championship Cup Series. In the end, it was Mesa who ended the weekend at the time of the lap time sheet and gave Pirelli Tire North America the brand’s third absolute motorcycle track record of the 2021 season.

“Jason [Waters] and I were pushing the pace hard all weekend,” said Mesa. “It was pretty cool to see us on two different sized motorcycles and going back and forth with one another on lap times. This one is special for me in being able to set a new track record while riding my 600. The new 190/60 tires that Pirelli recently introduced worked phenomenal all weekend long for me. I’d like to give a special shout out to Oscar [Solis] at Pirelli for the technical help and working with me to find the comfort needed to get the job done.”

The record, which was set three times throughout the weekend, was first set by road racing newcomer Waters who recorded a 1:30.776 on his BMW S1000RR on Saturday. Mesa, competing aboard a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, upped the pace in the Unlimited GP class on Sunday with a 1:30.585 and later that day he would return to go faster once again with a 1:30.564 in the Unlimited Superbike class. Mesa’s Kawasaki was equipped with a 120/70-17 DIABLO™ Superbike SC1 front tire and a DIABLO™ Superbike SC0 in the recently introduced 190/60-17 sizing on the rear.

“The riders managed to set an incredible pace this weekend,” said Mike Faillace, Metric Devil Moto, Pirelli Trackside Vendor. “The new 190/60 DIABLO™ Superbike was the star of the weekend. The new size was just released and it’s already helping riders go faster than they have before, which includes Stefano [Mesa]. Congratulations and a job well done to him!”

Mesa became the third different rider to earn an absolute motorcycle track record while competing on Pirelli tires in 2021. Pirelli remains dedicated to the grassroots part of the smart and continues to offer reward prizes to riders who set a new motorcycle track record while using Pirelli race compound tires.

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

Mar 26

Motul Set For 2021 MotoGP Campaign With Team Suzuki And Pramac Racing

By General Posts

from https://www.scoop.co.nz

Motul continues winning partnership with reigning MotoGP champions Team Suzuki- Motul and PRAMAC Racing sign exclusive deal for 2021

The 2020 MotoGP World Championship season was an incredible year, which saw Team Suzuki and Motul claim a clean sweep across the Drivers and Teams Titles. The famed Japanese manufacturer will continue with riders Alex Rins and Joan Mir, a line up that remains unchanged since 2019, with a clear aim of repeating the championship successes in 2021.

Motul will continue as the Official Lubricant Partner of the Suzuki factory team, extending the close working relationship between the two brands that have delivered success at the top flight of motorcycle racing for the past 32 years. This partnership has pinned its hopes on the championship-winning Suzuki GSX-RR, which has seen only minor upgrades due to a MotoGP engine freeze over the winter. The aim is clear for 2021 – to repeat the success of 2020 and achieve back-to-back titles.

Motul also confirms a key technical partnership with PRAMAC Racing for the MotoGP World Championship, inking a three-year deal which will see Motul and PRAMAC Racing competing at the top flight of motorbike racing until 2023. Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco will be leading the charge in 2021, both on the highly competitive Ducati Desmosedici GP bike which scored 5 podium finishes in the hands of PRAMAC Racing during the 2020 season.

This partnership extends away from the race track, where Motul Heavy Duty will be working closely with PRAMAC’s industrial applications in the energy and material handling sector. Motul will provide first fill lubricants at factory level for PowerGen equipment, providing high-performance diesel and gas lubricants to improve mechanical efficiency.

The 2021 MotoGP World Championship season begins this weekend, at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar on the 26-28 of March 2021. The action begins with the two Free Practice sessions on Friday, with Qualifying on Saturday and the Grand Prix on Sunday.

Mar 14

Pirelli and Brandon Paasch Emerge Triumphant in the Daytona 200

By General Posts

Tyler O’Hara Grabs Podium Position with DIABLO™ Superbike Slicks

DAYTONA, Fla. (March 14, 2021) – Pirelli Tire North America returned to the winner’s circle once again at the 79th running of the Daytona 200, claiming three out of the top four positions in the 57-lap shootout. TSE Racing’s Brandon Paasch has come close to victory at the speedway previously, but 2021 marked the year that the 19-year old would get the job done, piloting his Yamaha YZF-R6 to victory by 0.031 of a second. Tyler O’Hara used an impressive late race charge to take the final step of the podium in third aboard his Floyd’s of Leadville Kawasaki Ninja® ZX™-6R.

“It feels so good to get the job done here in Daytona,” said Paasch. “This has been a goal of mine for a long time, and to finally check this off the list, just feels amazing! My Pirelli DIABLO™ Superbike slicks worked incredible all day, especially towards the end of the race when it really counted, allowing me to chip away at the lead and make the pass for the win.”

Both Paasch’s YZF-R6 and O’Hara’s ZX-6R relied on the performance of Pirelli’s DIABLO™ Superbike SC1 120/70-17 front tire and DIABLO™ Superbike Daytona 190/60-17 rear tire to handle the challenges of the high-banked 3.51-mile course.

“I let the leaders get away from me a little bit there in the beginning laps,” said O’Hara. “I just never gave up though, and my Pirelli tires were working awesome. I’m so stoked to be up here on the podium, but to be honest, I really wanted to get that top step of the podium.”

Paasch’s relentless efforts saw him make up a six-second gap in the final stages of the race, including using the traction of his Pirelli slicks to get a drive and make the pass for the lead to take the victory on the final lap. O’Hara narrowly edged out fellow Pirelli rider Michael Barnes in a drag race to the checkered flag, finishing third and fourth, respectively. Geoff May would race to a hard-fought seventh and Ryan Jones carded a top-10 in ninth.

“What a way to make a return to the Daytona 200,” said Oscar Solis, road racing manager, Pirelli. “All weekend long our guys were competitive at the front of the field. Brandon [Paasch] been trying for this win the past few year’s, so to see him succeed and accomplish his goal is something that everyone at Pirelli is proud of. The pace that the guys were able to maintain with the DIABLO™ Superbike range showcases not only their performance, but durability, especially in a endurance-style format like we had today.”

RESULTS

Daytona 200 – Daytona, Florida

March 13, 2021

  1. Brandon Paasch
  2. Sean Kelly
  3. Tyler O’Hara
  4. Michael Barnes
  5. Danny Eslick
  6. Rocco Landers
  7. Geoff May
  8. Teagg Hobbs
  9. Ryan Jones
  10. Max Flinders

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

Feb 05

Suzuki Hayabusa The Third Is a New Breed of Hypersport

By General Posts

by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

Ever since 1999, the world’s roads have been a playing field for a Suzuki motorcycle that was very quick to become the fastest production two-wheeler in the world: the Hayabusa. As we are still getting our bearings in the new year, the Japanese upped the ante even more by launching the model’s third generation.

Playing in a category it pretty much defined, hypersport, the new Hayabusa brings to the table an incredible amount of changes, with over 550 new parts being fitted on it according to the Japanese compnay. You can get a sense of what that really means.

But let’s take it slow, starting with the looks of the thing. Historically, the Hayabusa distinguished itself by being low, long, and wide, in many instances much more so than anything before it. Those three attributes have been retained for the new generation but modernized with the help of nip and tucks performed here and there.

At the front, there are new vertically stacked LED headlights, new angular air intakes, and equally-as-new position lights, while at the rear, the bike ends in straight-edged exhaust and mufflers. In between the handlebars, there are redesigned gauges, which are now located left and right of a new TFT display.

Engine-wise, the bike retains the powerplant deployed on the second generation but improves it to such a degree that it makes the third Hayabusa the fastest-launching one yet. Sadly, Suzuki does not back that claim up with numbers, at least for now.

We have no reason to doubt it, though, given how it would appear a good chunk of the 550 new parts have gone into remaking the 1,340cc powerplant and the chassis that supports it. It’s got new pistons, camshaft, cam chain tensioner, crankshaft, crankcases, and even new gears and clutch assembly, just to name a few.

Although these changes have made the motorcycle quicker at launch, they will not help it go faster than a certain limit. Just like before, its top speed is electronically limited to 299 kph (186 mph).

The new interpretation of the hypersport bike will be available in British dealerships in March, with prices starting at £16,499 (the equivalent of about $22,600). Availability and pricing for the other markets have not yet been announced.

Jan 21

Army of Darkness Race Team Joins Forces with Pirelli for the 2021 Racing Season

By General Posts

AoD Yamaha R1-Equipped with DIABLO™ Superbike Slicks Seeks 16th National Title

ROME, Ga. (January 21, 2021) – Pirelli Tire North America has announced a new partnership that will see the Army of Darkness (AoD) racing team equipped with Pirelli DIABLO™ Superbike slicks for the 2021-racing season. Founded in 1993, AoD is the longest running endurance motorcycle road racing team in America and have captured an impressive 15 national championships. The AoD Yamaha YZF-R1® machine will be fitted with DIABLO Superbike slicks, specifically using the new, larger 125/70-17 and 200/65-17 sizing.

“The Army of Darkness racing team has an impressive record that speaks for itself,” said Oscar Solis, road racing manager, Pirelli. “I feel that this is the perfect time to spotlight our newer World Superbike and World Supersport tires in the endurance race series. The AoD team will be running the new, larger sized Pirelli DIABLO™ Superbike slicks that have proven to be more durable with the additional grip. I am very excited about the new partnership and to see what we can do together on the racetrack.”

For 2021, AoD will have its sights set on returning to the WERA/N2 National Endurance series and look to defend the championship that it captured this past year. Pirelli’s DIABLO Superbike range of tires, including the new, larger sizing, has been developed through the brand’s role as the official tire supplier for the World Superbike Championship the past 17 seasons. Pirelli continues to pride itself on the motto “we race what we sell, we sell what we race”, meaning that riders competing in both local and national championships can purchase the same tires used in the world championship through their local Pirelli trackside vendor.

“Army of Darkness has won 15 national endurance championships, and each year, it has required effort to figure out a way to improve our average lap time from the previous year,” said Sam Fleming, team captain, Army of Darkness. “Of course, constant improvement is what racing is all about! Pirelli has always embraced this racing ethos and have innovated with new tire sizes, compounds, and construction. Their efforts yielded a number of new lap records across the USA in 2020. We were both, humbled and honored, when Pirelli partnered with us for what is sure to be our most challenging season ever in the WERA/N2 National Endurance series. We hope to put Pirelli’s rubber to good use as we set out to defend our championship. As my friends know, the ‘Q’ in my name is for Quarelli and I have a large family in Northern Italy. They will be very pleased that we will be flying the Italian flag, il Tricolore, even if it’s in black.”

To learn more about the Army of Darkness race team, Click Here.

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

Sep 23

This Is the First Ever BMW M-Handled Superbike: BMW M 1000 RR

By General Posts

by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

“Pure racing technology for the highest performance requirements in motor sports and on the road.” This is how German bike maker BMW describes the latest bike in its portfolio, the M 1000 RR. It is the first incarnation of a Bavarian two-wheeler touched by the talented hands of the M division.

M has been making its way into the motorcycle world for a while now. About two years ago, the Germans started offering optional equipment and performance parts for a longer list of Motorrad two-wheelers, but this is the first time a bike gets the M treatment from the get-go.

We’ll start with the engine. We’re talking about a variation of the powerplant BMW is using for its racing bikes – and now the statement cited above starts to make sense. That’s a water-cooled four-cylinder in-line that was modified for this street machine to produce 212 hp (more than most cars for the masses make) and 113 Nm of torque that kick in at 11,000 rpm.

The new RR has all the traits of a pure M-machine, all with the goal of making it as aerodynamic as possible. There are special winglets up front, made of carbon fiber, to produce more downforce, and special brakes – this is the first Motorrad bike to use M brakes – under M carbon wheels.

As with any racing-oriented M machine, the M RR (this is how we’re told we should call it) comes with 5 riding modes (Rain, Road, Dynamic, Race, and Race Pro1-3), launch control, and hill start control.

The instrument cluster on the bike is made of a 6.5-inch TFT display which shows upon start the M logo. There is also an OBD interface that can be used with activation code for the M GPS data logger and M GPS laptrigger.

Additionally, Motorrad offers the M competition package, which comes with M GPS laptrigger and activation code, M milled parts package, M carbon package, silver swinging arm, DLC-coated M endurance chain, and passenger package including tail-hump cover.

For now, we are not being told anything about availability and price.

 

Sep 18

Stefano Mesa Races to his Second Track Record of 2020 on Pirelli’s Larger DIABLO Superbike Slicks

By General Posts

NINJA® ZX™ – 10R Equipped with 125/70-17 SC2 and 200/65-17 SCX Slicks Set the Pace for the North Carolinian Facilities First-Ever Race

ROME, Ga. (September 18, 2020) – For the second time this season, Stefano Mesa captured a new motorcycle track record using Pirelli’s new, larger World Superbike derived sizing in the DIABLO™ Superbike range. Mesa’s impressive riding set the track record at NCBike in Garysburg, North Carolina, during a round of the Championship Cup Series (CCS), which served as the racetrack’s first-ever race, and marked the sixth absolute motorcycle track record bounty of 2020 for Pirelli. Just two weeks ago Mesa raced to his first track record of the season aboard his Kawasaki NINJA® ZX™ – 10R at Nelson Ledges Road Course as he had nothing but praise for his Pirelli DIABLO™ Superbike tires.

The lap record of 1:21.899 was set by Mesa during the Unlimited Superbike race that saw his ZX™ – 10R motorcycle equipped with Pirelli’s DIABLO™ Superbike 125/70-17 SC2 front and 200/65-17 SCX rear slicks.

“I was excited to come race here (NCBike) because it’s not too far from my house, so technically my home track,” Mesa said. The team did good work and Metric Devil Moto (Pirelli Trackside vendor) came into the weekend looking to enjoy and go fast. We ended up having a bit of competition, so it made things more interesting. We ended up with all of the wins in my classes and we broke the track record two times. The first was in the GTO race at a 1:22.6. The second was in the final race where my Pirelli Moto crew said ‘you better go faster now’ so I got to work and it paid off! We got it down to a 1:21.899.”

“I had a feeling Stefano would end the weekend with the fastest time,” said Oscar Solis, road racing manager at Pirelli. “The SCX rear tire has only been used for two racing weekends here in the United States and it has managed to capture three overall track records. So far, the tire has been extremely well received, and yes, it’s available through any authorized Pirelli trackside vendor.”

Pirelli continues to offer a tire credit prize for setting a new motorcycle track record and four different riders have managed to capture a track record so far this season.

For complete results from the NCBike round of CCS, Click Here.

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