Two wheels discussion thread! (Motorcycles only!)

Originally posted by Shakazulu Thought I would post this video from the first round of racing at Ridge Motorsports park.

Very nice. The only thing missing was you!!

Nice leathers! I gave white a break after owning 3 consecutive white suits... they run a bit cooler but are pain to keep clean.

Finally managed to install the Kawasaki Race Kit on the bike. MASSIVE PITA but it has its advantages over the Bazzaz... also it probably saved a good 3Kg on parts + cables. Now I pull the seat and it looks like I've been robbed!
hahahaha

The Teknic also goes yellowish after a while. Dainese tends to hold its colour but it does require attention. Even leaning against a wall will leave marks...

I was just looking at a set today that are black/grey/white over at Helimot (they're having a pre-moving sale). Not too much white on them, so I'm thinking about picking them up. White does look good when it's new tho...

Couple of vids to illustrate the point:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1kzetTAbDc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC94KL1PeRU

Originally posted by educalifa Couple of vids to illustrate the point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1kzetTAbDc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC94KL1PeRU

I'm heading up to T-hill this weekend to get my fix. CAN'T WAIT!!

Having to wear a bikini over your leathers isn't too bad... I was thinking much worse. Sounds like fun. Get that foot healed up!!

I don't think I'd ride in rain like that. Heck, I barely have anything other than slicks right now.

Thankfully, it was nothing like that at Thunderhill this past weekend. It was sunny and barely got to 80 either day. It's was actually a bit cool. The winds were a bit gusty on Saturday, making it a little dicey, but I can hardly complain about that.

Pic from the sidecar action, I would post more of the dry pics but I don't want to violate any of the trackside photographers copyrights etc.  Though I suppose if they are uploading free ones onto FB it shouldn't matter.

The 05 R6 was/is a bad ass bike.  I still have very fond memories of the 99' model I had back in the day.  Definitely a huge step up from a 250, but you have been riding since last year right?  I wouldn't stress about the power jump, just don't go too crazy on the streets!

Never underestimate to what lengths Dorna will go to make sure he's winning.  Like dealing with the mob I swear.

as long as you aren't a dummy the 600 will be fine... i used to rip around on a friends CBR600 and that thing was tittays!

First bike I ever rode, CBR600F4i. It was on a carpark and it was just fine... a week later I bought a CBR600RR '03. Only crashed once due to a cyclist jumping from the curb in front of my bike... I would have crashed even if I was on a bicycle.
Did a track day 3 months later, was hooked.
After aprox 2000km (or 1250mi) I gave up on road riding and went to the track for good. Never looked back.

It wasn't just Rossi's bike, nearly everyone was having issues with them.  Did you notice how they ran out and put tire warmers on just the rear tires when the top finishers rolled into the box?  Looked like they were trying to keep anyone from snapping any pics.

Problem is that the Duc's power delivery is known to chew tires as it as... you get a track that is particularly hard on one side of the tire and they'll show the effects sooner.

I hope they fix this before Phillip Island or it will be havoc... very fast left handers. Don't even want to think what the result of that would be.

From what the commentator says, they are the team that have used less engines. Not sure how many they have though.

Spies has thrown the towel... kinda expected that but was hoping for a miraculous recovery at the same time.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Jul/120724spiesnoy.htm

I'm already betting its either Suzuki's Moto GP effort, or Suzuki WSBK.  Kevin Shwanz was instrumental in guiding him during his career.  Also, Spies even said he was going "back where I belong".  

Suzuki said they won't be back till 2014... and even then they'd have a heap of catching up to do. Not sure that'd be the best move seeing as he'd have to spend at least a year on WSBK.

My bet is that he's going back to Yamaha WSBK.

hahaha yeah... I know what you mean, but Yamaha won't be gone for long. Especially if they collect the MotoGP trophy this year and then get the Rossi/Marlboro combo going (not unlikely).

They claimed they left for financial reasons and that scenario should solve those woes!

And I agree. About time C.Edwards moved back to WSBK. If given a decent ride he'd rule that series...

I mean, you can't tell me he's not a better rider than the likes of Biaggi (washed up comes to mind despite his tittle), Laverty, Checa and even Haslam... Melandri is a good rider and that shows. Sykes is improving but still not there yet. Give Edwards the Aprilia or the BMW and there's a good chance he'll be wining races from the word go. Same goes for Hayden and (to a degree) to Spies.

Hayden has been consistently outriding Rossi this season. He may not have the point tally but anyone that watched the races can tell he's been there or there abouts more often than the Italian. I hope Ducati does right by him and give him a seat at the Factory WSBK team when they come back, hopefully on the Panigale.

Spies needs to get his confidence back. He just hasn't been the same since his off at Phillip Island... If you watch F1, he's in the same situation as Felipe Massa. Sad to watch.

Originally posted by Shakazulu My dream scenario would be Edwards, Spies and Hayden jumping to WSBK from GP, with Hayes getting the bump to WSBK from AMA on the (non-existant) Yamaha ride.

So why is that your dream? I agree it would be entertaining to watch those guys in WSBK and I thought the bump in engine size in MotoGP would have better suited them. But I still feel like MotoGP in the pinnacle of motorcycle racing and there are already two few good riders there, IMO... not to mention, too few americans

Then you have Pedrosa, Crutchlow and Dovi. All of those more than capable of winning a race despite lacking consistency.

I feel for CE... he's a good rider. Got dealt a shit hand when he had the factory seat and that ultimately ended any chances he had of ever getting a tittle.

He's old now but he's love for the sport is there. He knows he has a decent shot if he makes the move to WSBK and still he stays at MotoGP. Hopefully that will pay off and he'll get a decent ride next year, maybe Suzuki... who knows? He's definitely a rider I'd consider to help me develop a new bike. And with a decent manufacturer behind him he may even achieve something to be proud of.

Originally posted by Shakazulu Yeah,I can't wait to take his Boot Camp.  I saw on his twitter feed that a bunch of Moto GP guys are going to be hanging out at the next one.

You're going to Colin's boot camp? That's going to be sweet. I didn't even know he had one. What are the details on that?