SportBiKeZ

Frenchman Randy de Puniet was still suffering the after-effects of his Misano crash in the wet opening Indianapolis free practices, his wrist injury restricting him to twelfth.

Randy de Puniet was the twelfth quickest participant in Friday´s two wet free practice outings as the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix got underway, the LCR Honda man riding in some discomfort due to the wrist injury he picked up at the last round at Misano.

De Puniet notched his best lap in the 90 minute morning session, as the rain intensified later in the day, going round the new Indianapolis Motor Speedway track just over two seconds slower than pace-setting Anthony West.

Randy de Puniet - twelfth

    `Obviously it is really hard in these conditions. We hoped to get some dry track time to learn the circuit and to test our bike but it´s the same for everybody. We had a good selection of tyres and we just need to find the best choice for us. Our position is not related to our potential but I decided to use this first outing to learn the track. This afternoon, at the end of the session, the track was extremely slippery and I preferred to take it easy. The first part was a real disaster but after that I was able to ride as I would like. The right arm still aches a lot but I did not take any painkillers. If the things get worse I will take some tomorrow for the qualifying session.´

BMW's All-New Entry Level Model Makes its Debut with a Twin-Cylinder Engine


BMW today announced the 2009 F 650 GS, a revised version of the venerable but relatively slow-selling F 650 GS. This is an important release in BMW's recent fast-track strategy, and for their goal of attracting more new and younger riders to the BMW fold. BMW has been selling tons of Adventure Touring motorcycles; indeed, the R 1200 GS has been a worldwide hit, and is credited with both starting and continuing the Adventure Touring craze.

Dual purpose motorcycles in general have been one of the bright points in an otherwise somnambulant motorcycle market over the past year or so, and if BMW gets this right -- and if the F 800 GS also meets expectations, BMW may be able to pull into double-digit percentages of market share. We hope to have more details and specifications soon, and we're working on editing many more photos of the 2009 F 650 GS, so stay tuned.

Meanwhile, here's the enthusiastic 2009 F650 GS press release, edited by webBikeWorld staff: Tame the urban jungle or take the road less traveled! After much anticipation, BMW's sophisticated new addition to its entry level model lineup -- the 2009 BMW F 650 GS -- has arrived at U.S. BMW Motorcycle dealers. With its 71 hp, torquey twin-cylinder engine, the all-new 2009 F 650 GS offers more power and sophistication than its single-cylinder predecessor.

Ideal for on- or off-road riding, urban commuting and any rider looking for a fun, efficient and reliable motorcycle, the middleweight twin tackles anything the ambitious motorcyclist could throw at it. Its rigid steel tube trellis frame, double-sided swing arm and chain drive offer reliability. A low seat height and narrow design make navigation through the worst traffic a breeze. Cast aluminum wheels and telescopic forks keep the ride smooth and precise at all times.

The 2009 F 650 GS has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $8,255 (excluding freight). The Standard Package, offered at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $9,760, (excluding freight) includes heated hand grips, Anti-Lock Brakes, an on-board computer, and white turn signals. The 2009 F 650 GS is available in three colors -- Flame Red, Iceberg Silver Metallic, and Azure Blue Metallic. The F 650 GS is the newest addition to BMW's dual-sport line up.

It follows in the footsteps of the highly acclaimed R 1200 GS - which traces its roots back to the early 1980s when BMW won the grueling Paris-Dakar rally four times with its trailblazing dual-purpose R 80 GS. Since their debut in 2004, the versatile R 1200 GS and its rugged companion, the R 1200 GS Adventure, have earned praise from motorcycle enthusiasts and the press for their exceptional performance both on and off the road. The R 1200 GS has earned award after award, including Cycle World's Best Open Class Street Bike and the International Journalist's Panel "Best Bike in the World." The R 1200 GS Adventure was named "Best Adventure Bike" three years in a row by editors of Motorcyclist Magazine.

Australian rider Russell Holland has proved to be fast and competitive since the start of his new experience in World Supersport, despite having to learn a new track every weekend in his rookie season. After three races and one test session in Vallelunga with the experienced HANNspree Honda Althea team, Russell Holland illustrates his season so far and what the future holds for this promising young Australian rider.

"This year is certainly an initiation for me... new tracks and a new lifestyle in living in Europe by myself on top of World Championship competition has been a real challenge but I'm trying to appreciate this experience as I know everyone here has had to go through it and in the future I'll be laughing about the challenges along the way".

Tell us about the latest round at Brands Hatch, England..

"Well, this was a weekend to forget in many ways. For our team it is incredible the bad luck we had. But the circuit was amazing and I can say I really enjoyed riding it although it's a track that takes some time to link the turns together and get a flow going. On Saturday afternoon we caught the worst of a small rain shower that interrupted qualifying. I was on my best lap when the rain came and then in the final 5 minutes when the track had dried we just couldn't find a gap in the traffic and couldn't improve. So on Sunday we were set to start from 15th but on the warm-up lap I had a clutch failure, just pure bad luck. This forced us to start from the spare bike and from the back of the grid in 37th place. We got a great start in the race but from the third lap it began to rain and got heavier in the next 5 laps. On the 8th lap the race leader Robbin Harms crashed then I crashed on the same turn whilst in 15th place... The race was red-flagged immediately after this, my bike was too badly damaged to return to the pits as the rule says you must. Because of this I could not restart even on my spare bike. A frustrating end really".

About the loss of Craig Jones

"After retiring from the race in Brands I witnessed Craig's crash and you cannot imagine a crash like that happening, it was very strange. I knew him reasonably well and he was one of the boys and a nice guy. It is sobering when something like this hits someone you know. My heart goes out for the family and close friends of Craig".

Back to business, how did the partnership with HANNspree Honda Althea come about?

"I started the year in the Superbike class and we achieved some promising results early on when we had a chance to test on the circuits. I'm proud that we finished in the top ten (9th) at the 2nd round, my home race in Australia. It was not so easy as the championship moved back to Europe but we did manage three more point scoring finishes before the mid-season (13th Valencia, 13th Monza, 15th Utah). I'm now really happy to be competing in the Supersport class with HANNspree Honda Althea. It was strange to change classes mid season but my superbike team's future was not clear and the Althea team needed a rider after Tommy Hill was injured. This change was a positive one for sure because I can continue with Honda and the Althea team has experience running at the front in Supersport".

What was your debut like? How did you feel about the new experience?

"I think the debut at Misano was a good lesson in Supersport. Launching straight into a race meet and learning a new bike is pretty exciting. I was riding with too much of a superbike style initially. We just kept chipping away and by the finish of qualifying we were 7th... ok for the first go. Unfortunately in the race I crashed out being too eager to catch the leaders after a bad start. I lost the front end on a turn we'd had trouble with all weekend. Had I been more patient we probably could have made a great result there as the race pace was not so fast".

What about the Vallelunga Test, how much did it help?

"Obviously every track this year is new to me and Vallelunga was a very challenging circuit so I'm glad we could test there. The first part of the track reminds me of Assen a little with fast change of directions. We achieved a lot there with me adjusting to the bike better and just general set-up too".

Let's talk about Brno, your best finish so far this season...

"This year has been full of 'frustrating Fridays' for me as I learn a new track every weekend whilst trying to give constructive feedback to the team. Brno was just like this so it was really good to finish the race and get a good result for the team and myself (7th place). I didn't really get a good feeling with the front there but we made a fairly smooth race and moved forward in the final laps, to finish 7th in the second race with HANNspree Honda Althea was fairly satisfying and I feel it has set us up to finish the year well".

What are your expectations for next year and the rest of this season?

"This year was always going to be a learning curve. The rest of the year will be no different but I believe I can continue to improve my performances and I will be working hard to get on the podium this year! I know I can make a strong championship next year whether in Supersport or Superbike. I have not made plans for next season yet. I have a great team right now and I'll do my best to use that to my advantage".

Yes, it's true. Dani Pedrosa has made it be known that he doesn't want Michelins on his bike and the young Spaniard has got his way. In an astonishing 'mutual' decision which bodes ill for the rest of the season. And who would bet against a single-make tyre championship in 2009?

And it looks like his decision was the right one (at Misano anyway) when on his first day of testing, he went almost a second a lap quicker on the Japanese brand than. Pedrosa did a total of 81 laps, working mainly on setting his Repsol Honda up for the Bridgestone's characteristics and went eight-tenths faster than his best race lap on Sunday.

Here's the wee man's quote from the press release:
Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 1m 34.652s – on lap 76 of 81.
“I'm happy starting this new challenge and I would like to thank Bridgestone. Today we also made an important step forward in developing the 2009 bike, but now my first priority is to be fully competitive again. Of course, there is a lot of work to do but I am determined to win again this year. Today we worked hard on bike set-up. The feeling with the new tyres on my RC212V is different, both for settings and for riding style, but I just tried to follow my feelings and adjust the set-up accordingly.
“Today was only my first day riding on Bridgestone tyres but I am happy. I also tested the pneumatic-valve engine. The engine character is different, the power delivery is a bit more aggressive, but the engine has some good points. I have no experience on this latest bike, so I had to test many new things today. This has been an important test. Now we will analyse all the data and we look forward to the next race at Indianapolis.”


Here's the earlier press release:

'For 24 years Michelin and Honda have worked together at the highest level of motorcycle racing. Together the two companies have won 14 premier-class World Championships.

The two companies fully understand the importance of the “feeling” between the rider and the equipment he has at his disposal, especially tyres.

Despite making an excellent start to the season and leading the World Championship going into the German GP, during the last few races Dani Pedrosa has made it know to both Michelin and Honda that he doesn't feel at ease with the tyres that Michelin have offered him.

Honda and Michelin believe that rider confidence needs to be at its maximum if the rider is to fully exploit the tactical potential of the tyres.

In these circumstances Michelin and Honda have therefore decided not to equip Pedrosa with Michelin tyres for the remainder of the 2008 season.

Pedrosa comments: “I thank Michelin and Honda for their mutual understanding and for agreeing to my personal demands. I am very conscious of the fact that I have made some excessively negative comments about Michelin tyres, even though Michelin helped me make an exceptional start to the season.”

Both Honda and Michelin hope that MotoGP World Championship will continue with a multi-tyre brand regulation in 2009, Michelin will equip one of the Repsol Honda's two riders for the remainder of the 2008 season.'

And what the hell is Nicky Hayden going to be doing, riding around on Michelins while his team mate creams him for the rest of the season? What a disaster for the French firm.

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.

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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.