Suzuki - EXTRIGGER Concept

Is Suzuki on the right path with this electric concept? It looks to be about the same size as Honda's Grom, which is a hit here stateside. Honda can't keep their pocket bike on the showroom floors. After a ride on one you should be able to understand why, it's just plan fun!
Unlike the Grom, the Extrigger is an E-bike, which could help the masses make the adjustment from the use of fossil fuels alternative to electric at an affordable price. Although the specs do seem on the low side for a true fun-factor cycle, the idea is there and hopefully Suzuki will refine it into a desirable two-wheeler.  Suzuki needs a hit that will sell, and sell big.  It looks like fun, light, efficient and mobile transportation is the way of the future.




Can't wait to test ride one.

Breaking Down the Walls

What a season! There were to many records set during 2013 in F1 to go over all of them here. Below is a video tribute to the man that took most of them home, along with the 2013 Divers Championship Title. 

Suzuki MotoGP Testing

Randy de Puniet has decided not to race in MotoGP for the 2014 season and instead concentrate fully on testing/development for the Suzuki MotoGP project slated for a full time return in 2015. “I'm really happy with this choice for many reasons. The main one being: to be able to ride an official bike and work with a technical staff of a very high level. My sole objective is to do my best work possible to be able to return to MotoGP in 2015 with this team. I want to thank everyone who has supported me over the years.”, said de Puniet. Being a five-time 250GP race winner, de Puniet has also claimed a MotoGP podium finish with Kawasaki (2007) and LCR Honda (2009).

We'll Miss You - Dario Franchitti!!

The whole scene from the Dario Franchitti's Indy Car crash in Houston Race #2. After this accident Dario announced his retirement from car racing. Franchitti, upon his return to Indy Car in 2009, won three straight championships from 2009 through 2011. He also won the Indianapolis 500 three times. The scotsman ends his career tied for eighth place on the all-time winner list with 31 career wins and 33 pole positions.

"One month removed from the crash and based upon the expert advice of the doctors who have treated and assessed my head and spinal injuries post accident, it is their best medical opinion that I must stop racing. They have made it very clear that the risks involved in further racing are too great and could be detrimental to my long term well-being. Based on this medical advice, I have no choice but to stop."
- Dario Franchitti

Full Speed Ahead!

Looking toward the future.

Marc Marquez, the Moto GP rookie who has brought many to wonder about the type of riders that the new feeder series of Moto2 & 3, which have been implemented are producing. There is no longer the steep learning curve that many of the previous greats had to face. This new breed of rider is moving up from a 600cc inline four engine spec series; these bikes carry their weight very similarly to Moto GP machines. Though Moto2 bikes are smaller, down on power and top speed, it seems that the major adjustments for a rider have been the carbon-ceramic discs and electronics that are fitted onto a Moto GP bike. Carbon brakes push the braking marker much closer to the apex, require extreme temperature to operate at their peak performance, and the electronics are demanding 100% trustworthiness in their mechanical operation. In the past, riders from the feeder series of MotoGp had to adjust to a much larger engine displacement, advanced brakes, electronics and the increase of weight from the bikes they rode in the lower classifications. These reasons gave a slight advantage to riders that moved into MotoGp from the WSBK(Hayden, Edwards, Spies, and Crutchlow) series due to very similar displacements, electronics, and weights between the bikes in these two categories. Although these riders had to learn several of the tracks on the GP calendar, being that these two series run at many of the different tracks located throughout the world and thus giving the track knowledge advantage to riders moving up from the GP feeder series that run with Moto GP just about every race weekend.

This seems to be changing with the new breed of riders coming from Moto2, not only is there less adjustment to get to speed on a MotoGp bike, as Marquez demonstrated this year at Circuit of the Americas, winning in just his second outing. Their coming from a class that's running spec engines and tires which produces much tighter and closer racing. This leaves the rider and chassis to be the major difference between the field, but several teams run the same chassis package and electronics. This leaving just the rider to be the biggest difference on the track, where it's difficult to pull away from an equal field, producing a rider that's not afraid to rub elbows, squeeze through some very tight openings, or wait extremely late to apply the brakes to gain that slight advantage. It's the fourth year that Moto2 has been going head-to-head and the series has not disappointed, providing many of the rising stars of the series a future run at the MotoGp championship, with many more young future prospects still it the pipeline. Marquez, Bradl, Smith, Espargaro, Corti, and Iannone moved into MotoGp from the Moto2 feeder series and several more are making the step this coming year, making this fast scrappy type of rider a high demand to MotoGp teams and to the future of the World Championship. 

Way of Life

Suzuki Motor Corporation, was born in 1952 with a bicycle mounted engine called the 'Power Free', a 36 cc, one horsepower, two-stroke engine. The next year Suzuki won its first race with the Diamond Free 60cc, 2-cycle motorized bicycle in its class at the Mount Fuji Hill Climb. The company was founded by Michio Suzuki, and its current Chairman and CEO, Osamu Suzuki, is the fourth mukoyōshi(son-in-law) in a row to run the company.

Today Suzuki is ranked among the world's largest automakers, and a major brand in important markets, including Japan and India. However, the company no longer sells cars in North America. In 1954 the company re-branded itself as Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd., and in 1958 it adapted it recognizable "S" logo.

PS: Article is not proofed or finished

RC-V, A Dream Machine

MotoGP is a highly evolved and scientific competition, where traction control and electronics are playing an important role more and more.

Managing delivery of these bikes' incredible amounts of available power, from tire wear to fuel consumption, MotoGP teams achieve end results, balancing the motorcycle's ability at any given moment to make the best use of its engine's performance.

For all MotoGP bikes the number of cylinders is limited to 4, with the maximum cylinder bore (the diameter of the cylinder) being 81mm, the minimum weight of 153kg (337.307 lb), and the maximum displacement value limited to 1000cc. Cost reduction policies have been implemented since 2009 by DORNA, the number of engines restrictfor each team is limited to 6 engines for the entire 2013 season. However, engines come in many different forms. Manufacturers, such as Ducati, Aprilia and Honda currently opt for a V4 architecture, while Yamaha, BMW, Kawasaki and Suzuki (upon return) have developed ‘inline four’ engines.

The video shows Honda's Repsol HRC weapon for the 2013 season, named the RC213V, piloted by Dani Pedrosa (8th season) and Marc Marquez (rookie). As mentioned previously, HRC has opted to run a V4 configuration where the cylinders and pistons are aligned separately to each other, so that they take on a ‘V-shape’ when looking along the crankshaft axis. This configuration decreases the total height, length and weight of the engine in comparison to inline four engine equivalents. Honda's V4 engine is extremely compact and offers superb mass centralization, permitting use of a more compact and an aggressive-handling Aluminum Twin-tube chassis. It runs with pneumatic valves (GP debut 2002, Aprilia RS Cube) and Honda's unique seamless transmission, which virtually eliminates shift shock when changing gears at high RPM speeds.

The RC213V's stopping power comes via Bridgestone tires (series spec tire) and Brembo braking components: master cylinders, calibers, Carbon-ceramic discs, and Yutaka steel discs. These stopping forces are fed into the Ohlins front telescopic forks and Honda's rear Unit Pro-Link suspension, which is fitted with a Ohlins shock. The Pro-Link refers to the design of the rear upper shock mount, keeping it contained within the swingarm rather than being mounted to the frame/engine. With no frame/engine mount for the rear shock, the system reduces negative suspension forces from being transmitted through the bike, allowing for optimum frame rigidity and improved ride ability through corners. The system also permits the repositioning of the fuel tank to a lowered position, that places load weight closer to the machine’s center of mass. 

The RC-V runs a highly advanced electronic control systems which makes the machine respond to its rider inputs as if it's an extension of the rider's body. Without these electronic controls, there's no way a rider could get the most out of the RC-V and be able to finish a race without running out of fuel, set by DORNA at 21 L (4.6 imp gal; 5.5 US gal). When full-power is applied, the system supplies all the fuel that is required, but the rest of the time it minimizes the consumption of it. This control of fuel consumption relies on data acquired from several electronic sensors located throughout the bike.

The RC-V's electronics also run an advanced gyroscopic technology that was developed by Honda for the ASIMO robot. The control system allows ASIMO to walk, run, and even jump while retaining stability. It's based on maintaining the balance of the robot through postural awareness. This technology has played a significant role toward the development of the attitude control system that's implemented in the RC213V electronic package. The engineering developer of the RC-V's control system is Tetsuhiro Kuwata, previously employed with Honda F1 Team, where he developed similar electronic devices. The RC213V is the ultimate expression of Honda's V4 technology and their passion for racing in MotoGP.

Laying it all on the line.

With the MotoGP Riders Championship coming down to the final round at Valencia (Rd18) this weekend after 17 races. Fans are waiting on the edge of their seats to see the reigning World Champion take on the 20-year-old upstart sensation. With the two biggest Factory efforts going head-to-head, it's Yamaha Factory Racing against the Repsol HRC Team. Yamaha and their pilot, Jorge Lorenzo (#99), are going into the weekend with their back against the wall. The Repsol HRC Team and their Young-Gun, Marc Marquez (93), are going into the main event with a 13 point lead. But if history has a say in anything, it remembers the last time it came down to the last round at Valencia in 2006. Then, Hayden, 25, enjoyed a 51-point advantage over Rossi, 27, in the standings after his victory at the US Grand Prix in Laguna Seca (Rd11) in July, with the Italian clawing his way back to bring it down to the last round at Valencia, and leading the championship by 8 points. All be it, Rossi, had some help from Hayden's teammate at the previous round and with Hayden, receiving an helping hand from Toni Elias. The 2006 MotoGP season was one of the closest battles and most thrilling in recent memory in which Honda's, Nicky Hayden, didn't claim the championship from Yamaha's, Valentino Rossi, until that final race. If you don't know the whole story of 2006, it's one a race fan should defiantly dive into.

Enough on 2006, cause we have a title fight this weekend at Valencia and there's enough history from the last few rounds to fill pages. Many thought the 2013 title was decide two rounds ago at Phillip Island, but a black flag shot down Honda and the 'El Tro de Cervera', title hopes in Australia. Then they arrived at Motegi, only to have a determined 'X Fuera', on a Yamaha, steal their thunder from them at their home track in Japan. So, we're left to contemplate if history can be made this coming weekend with Marquez, possibly becoming the youngest rider ever to take home the World Championship since the American, Freddy Spencer, took it aboard a Honda NS500, by just 2 points in 1983, at the age of 23. One thing is for sure, if #93's going to take that title, he better be prepared for an old wild-west showdown. Cause, Lorenzo, he's got plenty of fight in him! Which he's proven battle after battle and as long as #99 thinks he's got a shot at that coveted title, he'll be ultra focused going into this weekends shootout at Valencia to try to take it down to the last lap of whats been a remarkable season.

Jorge Lorenzo on this coming weekends GP:
“So we come to the last race in Valencia. It’s going to be exciting, maybe the most exciting of all the season. We are still in the fight and that is the most important thing right now. I’m very stimulated because three races ago we thought the championship was over. Instead we have a chance to fight for the title. Valencia is my home race and it will be very emotional considering our position in the classification. We don’t have anything to lose but everything to win, and this card plays on our side. Maybe our main rival can feel much more pressure in Valencia than us because he is so close to victory. I look forward to riding there and pushing with all my force. If we can continue to ride at our level we can fight for the win and then wait for the circumstances. You never know what can happen, especially if the forecast is uncertain as it was last year. We trust in ourselves and we expect a good race in front of our fans. We will never give up until the end!”

2013 Moto2 Champion

Here is the Tuenti HP 40, Pons Kalex. The bike that was piloted by Pol Espargaro and took the Moto2 championship for 2013. Espargaro overcame a 38-point deficit to Scott Redding, following the 11th race of the year at Silverstone to clinch the title at Motegi(R16) on October 27th, winning the Japanese Grand Prix. The 22-year-old spaniard became the fourth Moto2 World Champion and the 107th different rider to win a title in the history of the World Championship.

Powered by Moto2 one-make (Honda) 600cc 4-stroke engine, running the spec tire supplier (Dunlop), and producing around 140hp. This Moto2 bike runs a prototype chassis built by Kalex-engineering and it's free from any limitations. There's no production bike parts permitted for the frame, swing arm, fuel tank, seat or cowling, meaning that these aspects of the machine are left to the manufacturer and designer’s discretion.

Although its electronic systems are limited, Moto2 rules allow for data loggers, an ECU and its timing transponder is supplied by Dorna. The maximum total cost of the ECU's components is set at 650 Euros ($894.33) and no other electronic control, nor data logging systems, are allowed on these bikes. There is nothing like being close to a completely hand-built motorcycle, designed by the world's talented engineers and full of secrets. Prototype racing is the ultimate racing experience. What you're watching here is the best they can do - truly the cutting edge.

Welcome

It's a hard decision to decide what should be the blog's first post. Especially, when there are thousands of videos and pictures to choose from throughout the many years of collecting. But, choices have to be made.
Let it be Rossi during qualifying for the 2013 American GP at CoTA. It's the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the U.S. and is located south of Austin, Texas.

He's picked up coming out of the final turn (#20) running the M1 wide open up the front straightaway through the main grandstands to turn #1. It's a uphill climb to turn #1 and it seems the M1 has to be rolled into the apex at the crest of the hill. Then its power is let loose again heading back downhill toward turn #2, where the TC (traction control) keeps the M1's front wheel down and planted. Enjoy!!