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http://www.worldsbk.com/cmsallegati/news/2504/s__KK9L1158.jpgHigh-flying BSB team HM Plant Honda are set to
join the WSB weekend at Donington, fielding both their regular riders,
Cal Crutchlow and Leon Haslam.

Although the BSB technical rules
for engines are different from those used in World Superbike, the
official Honda UK team has great experience of WSB-spec motors, as
those are used for the team's real roads events.

Haslam in
particular will enter the race at his local circuit in confident mood,
having won the last three individual BSB races. He is third overall in
the British Championship standings, with his team-mate Crutchlow (a
two-time BSB race winner this year) fourth, only 16 points behind.

Temperatures are on the rise, and so are the number of motorcycle accidents.


Motorists aren't used to seeing motorcycles on the street and riders are out of practice after the winter months, which causes an increase in the number of motorcycle accidents, said Topeka Police Department Capt. Jerry Stanley.

Joshua Mulqueen, 22, was one of three motorcyclists who were involved in accidents within a 21/2-half hour span Tuesday. Mulqueen was injured at 5:35 p.m. at S.W. 17th and Stone Avenuein a two-vehicle accident, said police spokeswoman Kristi Pankratz.

Mulqueen, who wasn't wearing a helmet, was transported to Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center with life-threatening injuries. He remained in critical condition Thursday.

City police have worked four motorcycle accidents so far this month.

"It's a seasonal thing," said Phil Gordon, 31, of Carbondale, who has been around motorcycles for 25 years and has ridden street bikes for 17 years.



Gordon rides at least once a month year-round, which keeps his skills honed, and performs maintenance on his motorcycles as needed. He also is a member of the Topeka Sports Riders club.

New riders should take part in a training program and wear helmets, Gordon and Stanley said.

"I've never seen a motorcycle accident that hasn't involved an injury, even if it's just a scrape," Stanley said. "I'd much rather have the helmet hit the ground than a head."

Only three motorcyclists among the 12 involved in accidents so far this year in Topeka were wearing helmets, Pankratz said. All three involved in Tuesday's accidents were riding without helmets.

In the majority of fatal motorcycle wrecks, the motorcyclists aren't wearing helmets, Stanley said.

"A $50 helmet can save a life," Gordon said. "I used to make fun of people who wore helmets. Now, I don't feel comfortable without it."

Many people who spend money purchasing a motorcycle don't have enough money left over to purchase the proper gear, he said, which is why the Topeka Sports Riders club would like to work with area motorcycle shops to offer discounts on helmets and other safety gear.

Stanley, who worked with the police motorcycle unit for 11 years, said officers on the unit know firsthand that helmets can save lives and prevent injuries because they have themselves been involved in accidents on duty and off duty.


An officer was injured Feb. 27 in the 2800 block of S.W. Fairlawn Road when his motorcycle struck the right rear door of a sport utility vehicle. The officer, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown off the motorcycle. The SUV driver was cited for failure to yield the right of way before turning left.

In the 12 accidents recorded this year, five motorcyclists were cited. The citations included no driver's license, reckless driving, inattentive driving and failure to yield the right of way, according to information provided by Pankratz.

In the 2008 accidents, citations were issued to two vehicle drivers. These included not yielding the right of way and unsafe lane change.


The
Kawasaki Racing Team has taken delivery of a super-stylish John Hopkins
replica ZX-10R, kindly supplied by Motoradd Höly for display at each of
the remaining European Grand Prix races.


The road version of the extra special Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP
race machine features a custom paint job created by Lucas Designs and
has caused quite a stir around the paddock, where it is on display
outside of the team’s hospitality unit.

Motoradd Höly, one of Germany’s biggest Kawasaki dealerships, joined
forces with Lucas Designs to produce these special creations using many
of the road-going models in the Japanese manufacturer’s range. The
‘Hopper’ replica superbike features numerous upgraded parts along with
the Monster Energy race design in four different colours, including the
signature Kawasaki lime green.


Lucas Designs has supplied stickers and graphics for all of the
Kawasaki Racing Team’s vehicles for the past two years, which includes
the paddock scooters used by team members for getting around at each of
the European MotoGP rounds.


“The Ninja ZX-RR design looks really cool on a road bike,” said Hopkins. “There’s
been a lot of interest in it already and it looks exactly like my race
machine. The guys at Lucas Designs and Motoradd Höly have done a great
job in making these custom bikes,”
concluded the Kawasaki MotoGP star.
Ronny Schnepf from Motoradd Höly also recently presented both of the
Kawasaki race pilots with a KX250F motocross machine, each complete
with customised graphics. Anthony West received his ‘trick’ off-road
bike at Sachsenring, and he was delighted with the ultra-cool design
based on his Ninja ZX-RR race machine.

If you're based in German then you can find out more about Motorrad
Höly’s range of Kawasaki road bikes, including the John Hopkins Ninja
ZX-RR replica, by logging on to their website at www.hoely.de.



At first, most people wouldn’t, probably, think of pitting the American-made Buell 1125R against the all-German BMW HP2 Sport. And yet, come to think of it, the two bikes are somewhat similar – at least on paper. Motociclismo recently did a shoot-out between the two bikes, and here are some excerpts from what they had to say:

The BMW is very stable, the Buell is more agile. At 20,200 euros, the HP2 Sport is expensive and and exclusive, the 1125R is more accessible at 12,995 euros. When it comes to riding, the German and the American bikes come from different worlds, starting with the riding position. The 1125R has wider handlebars, lower seat height and better wind protection. The BMW HP2 Sport’s riding position is racier, more committed.

The Buell v-twin makes about 14bhp more than the BMW boxer-twin, but it also vibrates significantly more. The BMW engine also vibrates, but not so much that it begins to get annoying. And yes, the Buell’s clutch requires more effort to operate than the BMW unit.

According to Motociclismo, the BMW is more stable, the Buell is more agile




On the track, the Buell’s single front brake disc doesn’t feel as powerful and responsive as the BMW’s twin-disc setup. The BMW’s front suspension also shows better composure under hard braking.

In terms of handling, the two bikes represent two different schools of thought on high-speed cornering. The Buell is more agile, while the BMW is more stable. We prefer the German bike for the feeling of security it offers, and the ease with which it allows the rider to corner at over 200km/h.

So there you are – the guys at Motociclismo seem to prefer the HP2 Sport over the 1125R. Which one would we take? Er… well, a ZZR1400 for touring, this ZX-10R for trackdays and an MV F4 CC for the weekend… :-)

http://www.worldsbk.com/cmsallegati/news/2499/s__310_P10_Sykes_action.jpgHaving made an instant name for himself in WSB circles at the recent Brands Hatch WSB round, Tom Sykes and his Rizla Suzuki BSB Squad will be back for more global action at Donington on September 7th.Since the Brands WSB round Sykes has scored a third BSB win and then a fourth place at Knockhill, and most recently two second places at Cadwell Park; results which put him second in the championship with three rounds remaining.Said his Team Manager, Jack Valentine, "It's off to World Championship duty for Tom and Rizla Suzuki in a fortnight and we want to be challenging for the podium if possible. The GSX-R1000 is right on the money and so is Tom - the fans really helped us at Brands earlier in the month and I hope they'll come and show their support again at Donington".

Suzuki has unveiled a new GSX-R1000 Team Rizla Suzuki Moto GP replica limited edition, with just 135 examples coming to UK dealers next week.

Available in the famous 'Rizla dutch blue' colour scheme direct from the factory, the new model features the full 2008 Grand Prix livery (with a paint protection kit), as well as the sought-after Yoshimura Evo exhaust cans, with a limited edition certificate and both Chris Vermulen and Loris Capirossi rider graphics too.

Talking about the special model, Suzuki GB's George Cheeseman commented;


"We are delighted to secure this limited quantity replica. Although the Rizla colour scheme is no stranger to UK riders, this is the very first time an official model has been available in this paint scheme,available with full-factory aftersales support and through authorised UK dealers."

Coming with individually numbered top yoke plaques, the new model is available to order through all authorised dealers with immediate effect. More information on the Team Rizla Suzuki Moto GP GSX-R1000 Limited Edition can be found by visiting www.suzuki.co.uk

R&G Racing has released a full range of crash protection and styling parts for Honda’s new super naked CB1000R.

The recently launched street fighter’s combination of aggressive styling and strong performance abilities has quickly caught the attention of a varied discipline of riders. Despite its sporting credentials, the absence of a full fairing, and the protection that gives, exposes the CB1000R’s frame and Fireblade-derived engine, leaving it more vulnerable to damage in the event of an accident.

R&G Racing’s answer to this, without upsetting the styling, is with a six-strong offering of bolt-on protectors. Leading the way are heavy-duty Engine Case Sliders that bolt over the existing engine covers each side of the four-cylinder motor and sleek Aero Crash Protectors extending from the frame’s forward engine mounts.

The Aero Crash Protectors are made from high-density Polyethylene (HDPE) and are designed to wear and not shatter. R&G also utilise a particular grade of steel bolts that helps absorb an impact by bending, rather than snap or twist its mounting point on the bike.

Using this construction method, and furthering the defence theme, are the options of Bar End Sliders to help guard the fuel tank; Fork Protectors for the adjustable, upside down suspension and rear Spindle Sliders for the extravagant single-sided swingarm.

All of R&G’s crash protectors for the CB1000R are relatively simple to fit and do not require any specialist tools to do so, leaving very little excuse for not taking precaution.

Protection aside, R&G also offers liposuction for the CB1000R’s rear with a replacement Tail Tidy. Constructed from black anodised aluminium with an integral LED number plate light and retaining the original indicators (mini indicators can also be fitted), the lightweight unit substitutes the chunky standard hanger and allows the seat unit to appear pert as Honda’s designers intended.

R&G Racing Honda CB1000R Range

  • Aero Crash protectors £59.00
  • Bar End Sliders £24.99
  • Engine Case Slider left £34.99
  • Engine Case Slider right £34.99
  • Fork Protectors £29.99
  • Rear Spindle Sliders £29.99
  • Tail Tidy £79.00
For your nearest R&G Racing dealer please contact 01420 521100 or visit their site at www.rg-racing.com



SBK Profiles : Craig Jones
Craig Jones, aged twenty three from Northwich, Cheshire has died in
hospital as a result of a serious head injury sustained in an accident
during yesterday's FIM Supersport World Championship race at Brands
Hatch. It appeared that he lost control and fell from his Team
Parkalgar CBR600 Honda at Clark Curve and was immediately and
unavoidably struck by a following rider.



Immediate expert medical attention was provided and Craig was then
flown by the Kent Air Ambulance to the Royal London Hospital where
further assessment and treatment continued. Sadly, he succumbed to his
injuries in the early hours of this morning (Monday).



Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of MotorSport Vision said; "I am so
desperately sad that Craig died from the injuries he sustained at
Brands Hatch yesterday. He was a really super young guy and only on the
Saturday evening was I chatting to him in the paddock with him telling
me about his WSB ambitions for 2009. Craig was so determined and
professional, would always say hello and enthusiastically keep me in
touch with his progress."



"Britain has lost a wonderful rider whom I admired enormously and had
every chance of being a future World champion. It is fitting that the
abiding memory so many of us will have of Craig was him riding
brilliantly, battling for the lead of an incredible race, in front of
his home crowd. It seems barely believable that such a freak accident
claimed his life and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and
friends."

Ryuichi Kiyonari fended off strong competition from fellow Japanese rider Noriyuki Haga to take his second win of the day in the HANNspree SBK Superbike World Championship at Brands Hatch today (Sunday).

Once again championship frontrunner Troy Bayliss led the pack off the line into Paddock Hill Bend, but the Ducati Xerox rider rapidly came under pressure from Yamaha Motor Italia's Noriyuki Haga. The two bikes went side by side across the finishing line on lap seven, at which point Haga had the run into Paddock Hill Bend and took the lead.

Shortly afterwards Bayliss lost another place to Ryuichi Kiyonari, who
started third on the grid. From that point Kiyo demonstrated blistering
pace, quickly catching Haga. A tense battle ensued and the Japansese
riders changed places several times over the next few laps.

However, Kiyo managed to pull out a small lead over Haga in the final
laps of the race to double up by taking his second victory of the day.
Yamaha Motor Italia's Troy Corser claimed the final place on the podium
after a solid and consistent race.
A charging Max Neukirchner secured fourth position ahead of Ducati
Xerox's Michel Fabrizio. British wild-card Tom Sykes had been running
in fifth place for much of the race, but the Rizla Suzuki rider lost
two places in the final laps to cross the line in a respectable seventh
position.
After being passed by Haga and Kiyonari in the early part of the race,
Troy Bayliss continued to struggle and the championship leader dropped
back to tenth place in the final Brands Hatch race of his WSB career.

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