Tag Archives: expo

AIMExpo 2014 Race Bikes: Sykes, Hayes, and Rossi

P1020540

One of the greatest sights at any expo, convention, or race event is the opportunity to see the pure racing machines up close.  The ability to take in every nuance of the machines from any angle you want.  Not just restricted to the views given by TV and print coverage.  Especially the GP prototype bikes that you can’t simply go to a dealership or a track day to see a similar setup.

Though they may not be the machines that are currently being ridden by the associated riders, they are probably a previous year’s model or a very close replica.  Either way, you can still see the same exact parts that are on the track with the current running setups.

Valentino Rossi – Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP

P1020457

MotoGP bikes are impressive.  Basically the Formula1 equivalent for motorcycles, they are fast and ultra light.  Also, with prototype parts and electronics, they are also quite expensive (Honda’s RC213V gearbox is a million dollar unit alone!).  I’m always impressed seeing the massive amount of custom carbon fiber bits.  The rear sprockets are so thin that it’s incredible how they can withstand the 250+ horsepower over a race length.  Massive and thick carbon front brakes to bring them down from 210+mph to corner entry speeds.  Exposed dry clutches.  And of course, the best available suspension components from companies like Ohlins, and the Brembo brake calipers that can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars.  Valentino Rossi

P1020543

The GP bikes are certainly a sight to behold for any race fan.

Josh Hayes – AMA Pro Superbike Champion – Monster Graves Yamaha YZF-R1

P1020458

Being an R1 owner myself, I personally love to see what modifications the teams make and what might be available to install on my own bike.  Unlike MotoGP, Superbike and Supersport series rules generally keep the motorcycles moderately close to the bike you can purchase from the showroom floor.  Of course they have a ton of development and fine tuning, but most components can be bought by anybody for the right price. Josh Hayes is a dominant force in American roadracing, so it’s always great to see what he is riding.

P1020459

Tom Sykes – FIM World Superbike Champion – Kawasaki ZX-10R

P1020480

Last but certainly not least, the Kawasaki ZX-10R of Tom Sykes, the reigning 2014 World Superbike champion.  World Superbike is the top series that still races homologated motorcycles that are based in the showroom customer models.

P1020482

As my favorite race series to watch due to the close and competitive nature of the teams, I was happily surprised to see the ZX-10R race bike on display.  Valentino Rossi is arguably the most popular motorcycle racer in history, so of course his bike is always a crowd pleaser.  And Josh Hayes is the current American series champion, so it is locally relevant.  But World Superbike is not as popular in the United States unfortunately.  Hopefully that will change soon because the races are certainly exciting, plus we have an American race at Laguna Seca in California to see them up close in person.

P1020481

Unfortunately that was the extent of the official race machinery at the AIMExpo this year, but it was a great improvement and increase in manufacturers over its inaugural year in 2013.

Whose bike would you like to see up close?  Let us know in the Comments below!

 

Kawasaki H2R: What Is It and Who Is It For?

P1020497

You’ve undoubtedly read and seen plenty about the supercharged dream machine from Kawasaki by now.  I won’t go into numbers (OMG 300 horsepower) in this article, but will instead focus on what this bike actually is and who it is meant for.  The numbers and specs are available pretty much everywhere at this point.

P1020499

So to recap, the H2R is supercharged and not street legal AND it costs a speculated $50,000+.  Of course it is a technical showcase.  We will be seeing the street-going H2 in the coming weeks which will be a bit more accessible.  Kawasaki launched this bike with multiple teasers on a timed rollout.  It was a marketing gimmick to drum up hype and it sure worked.  And not only is it super-hyped, it’s not even something that most people can or would even want to buy, but it is a harbinger of greater things to come. With an emphasis on emissions and gas mileage today, forced induction is making its way deeper into all motor vehicle markets.  Kawasaki blazed the trail for the 300cc starter sportbike market, followed by Honda and now Yamaha and KTM.  Perhaps they will also create a sweeping change in the superbike market as well with the supercharged literbikes.

P1020504

This is about as close to “exotic” or “supercar” as a bike can come at this point.  Sorry to disappoint all those Ducati owners, but Italian doesn’t always mean exotic.  The 1199 Panigale is a great bike, but it’s not a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. It’s a direct competitor of every other bike in the Superbike racing class (ZX-10R, YZF-R1, GSXR1000, CBR1000RR, S1000RR, etc).  The H2R is an exotic.  The market is almost non-existent and it doesn’t care.  Kawasaki didn’t continue the straight-line horsepower train to further duke it out with the Hayabusa.  The H2R has an appropriate wheelbase, a 1000cc engine, 17-inch wheels shod with slicks, and is made to work in the turns. It is built to compete on road courses but breaks all the class rules.  At this time, there simply is no competition.  We’ll have to hold for actual track times, but with all that carbon fiber and aerodynamics enhancements, I’m betting it will set some record laps.

P1020498

But who will actually buy the H2R?  The people with enough money to dump on something they can’t even use on the street are generally the people who also want to be seen.  You may see celebrities on the H2, but I’m doubting many will be grabbing the H2R.  It’s not legal in any standard racing class, so even racers with big budgets won’t be taking their chances at the race track.  With all those carbon fiber wings sticking out, you certainly don’t want to drop it (I’m picturing a similar sight to F1 cars exploding into CF shards once they go tumbling). So I can only imagine the answer will be a select few collectors and enthusiasts who have the disposable income to spend, but still have no intention of truly opening the beast up like it was truly meant to be ridden.

P1020496

Kudos to Kawasaki though for stepping out of the crowd and bringing innovation back into the sport market.  Most others are plenty happy to fall in line and pump out urban warrior bikes because they’re hot and selling.  The sport market is lagging since the economic downturn and the excitement from the H2R is just what this segment needed to get some interest back.  I can only hope this brings back the glory times of the early 2000s when new generation supersports were being released every two years just to keep up with the demand and competition.

P1020500

P1020505