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Category: Motorcycles
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Former works Yamaha mechanic Ferry Brouwer has confirmed his support for the inaugural Classic TT Races due to be held in August 2013 by entering his world renowned Yamaha Classic Racing Team.
The YCRT will contest the 250cc, Formula 1 and Formula 2 Classic classes. Classic racing veteran, Manxman Allan Brew will lead the team, contesting the 250cc and the Formula 2 Classic TT Races. Allan, one of the most respected riders on the Classic racing scene in the UK and Ireland, has already stood on the podium at the Manx Grand Prix, taking third place in the 2008 Senior Classic MGP Race.
Three modern day TT competitors join Allan in the YCRT line up, all contesting the new Formula 1 Classic TT Race. Steve Mercer, winner of the 2009 TT Newcomers award, will ride a YEC spec 750cc OW01 machine, whilst fastest ever American to lap the TT Course, Mark Miller, will ride a replica of fellow Californian Eddie Lawson’s 1986 Daytona 200 winning 0U45 works machine. Former British 125cc Champion and up and coming TT star Daniel Cooper completes the line up and will delight fans when he rides the superb 0W45 (TZ500) Yamaha two stroke machine.
The Yamaha Classic Racing Team is a permanent fixture on the international classic motorcycle scene, regularly taking part in prestigious parade events with Dutchman Brouwer’s unique collection of exotic Yamaha machinery. Regular riders on the YCRT bikes include World Champions such as Phil Read, Giacomo Agostini, Steve Baker, Dieter Braun, Kel Carruthers, and Carlos Lavado as well as GP racers Svend Andersson and Jos Schurgers. However the inaugural Classic TT in 2013 will be the team's first competitive racing outing.
As well as their racing efforts, the YCRT also plan on running a full line up of parade machines and riders at the Classic TT, details of which will be announced at the upcoming Motorcycle Live event at the Birmingham NEC.
Speaking about his teams racing debut, YCRT owner Ferry Brouwer said:
“It has been my dream for many years to see my bikes being raced and there is nowhere other than the Classic TT Races and the TT Mountain Course that I would do this. We believe the plans that are being developed for this event will capture the hearts and minds of classic racing fans all around the world, and become the world’s biggest event for classic racing motorcycles. We are therefore proud to be part of these exciting plans and can’t wait to get to the Island next August.”
“I am delighted with the line up of riders we have been able to secure and I am sure Allan, Steve, Mark and Dan will do an excellent job in representing our team in our competitive racing debut. 8 times World Champion Phil Read will be joining us as an advisor to the team and I am sure his unrivalled experience will be invaluable to all of our riders.”
Trevor Hussey, Head of Motorsport, Isle of Man Government, commented:
"It is a real coup for the Classic TT races to have the commitment from this world renown team. Their participation gives the event real credibility in its first year and promises to be a great experience for classic racing fans."
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Kids will love the latest addition to the line-up of live features at Motorcycle Live 2012 – the KTM Red Bull Pro Nationals Motocross Experience, which gives children aged five to 12 years old the chance to get dirty and try out off-road riding.
Using the latest 50cc KTM machines, youngsters can take their first steps in to the world of dirt riding in a fully supervised and safe, indoor environment with expert tuition. It’s a concept that’s a proven winner at every round of the Red Bull Pro Nationals and the team – led by experienced racer and qualified trainer Paul Cowshall – will be in action throughout Motorcycle Live.
These visitors checked out the kids’ off-road experience at the 2011 show:
“It was brilliant! It was the first time I had a go riding a motorbike off-road and it was actually really easy with the teachers to help. I had a great time.” – Charlie Clements, 9, Leighton Buzzard
“We’ve got to get the kids hooked at an early age and this is one of the best ways to do it.” – Chris Toole, 41, Stockport ~
“Always worth a stop to have a look at the next generation... possible stars of the future!” – Katharine Conroy, 46, Ashford
“Great for the kids. Catch them early in a safe environment.” – Steve Badder, 41, Bicester
“My son loved it.” – Tania Hammill, 29, Leeds
“We can take someone who is effectively a non-rider and with careful encouragement and a little bit of know-how get them up and running. You can see the moment the penny drops and their confidence and co-ordination kicks in.” – Paul Cowshall, KTM Red Bull Pro Nationals MX Experience instructor
Tuition is free with qualified MCF accredited Motocross Instructors and all safety kit is provided for the 20-minute sessions.
The KTM Red Bull Pro Nationals Motocross Experience is just one of the exciting live features at this year’s show. The all-inclusive Motorcycle Live ticket gives access to five exhibition halls crammed with all the latest bikes, clothing and accessories and six FREE opportunities to ride a bike**, plus non-stop entertainment from some of the biggest names in biking on the Blackhorse Stage in the British Eurosport Entertainment Zone. Also featuring the BSH/Streetfighters Custom Xtreme Zone, the Yamaha Escape Zone, the Classic Zone in association with Coventry Transport Museum and FREE entry into the Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross Arena**.
www.motorcyclelive.co.uk
**All activities are subject to availability
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Prices confirmed on new KTM 1190 Adventures and Motorcycle Live the first opportunity to see them in the UK
After being officially unveiled to the world at the start of October, KTM UK can now confirm the new KTM 1190 Adventure and Adventure R will cost £12,595 and £13,195 respectively.
The bikes will be shown in the UK for the first time at Motorcycle Live (NEC, Birmingham), November 24 to December 2, and will be available in dealers from March 2013.
The two eagerly anticipated machines are completely new and represent the most technologically advanced KTM street bikes to date.
Developed from its all-conquering 950 Rally Dakar racer, KTM entered the Adventure market in 2003 with its first twin-cylinder motorcycle, the 950 Adventure. This market segment has boomed since that time and KTM have sold over 50,000 of its Adventure models.
The 1190 Adventure is above all focused on tarmac; the use of wide 19in front and 17in rear tyres meets the demands of riders looking for a machine capable of mastering big distances while delivering big smiles. This is helped with multiple adjustments for rider position, unmatched power and weight figures in its class and the use of high specification equipment and technology.
The 1195cc V-twin features a multi-level combined Bosch ABS system and newly developed motorcycle traction control (MTC) as standard. In addition an optional factory-fit electronics package provides multi-programmable electronic WP suspension (EDS) and a tyre pressure measurement system (TPMS).
With 17 world titles in 2012 and 219 overall, no other manufacturer can boast such off-road success as KTM. The Adventure R continues the Austrian brand’s ability to offer a big Adventure bike with true off-road capability. With its 21in and 18in wheels and longer travel suspension it is perfect for riders who don’t like to take the beaten path.
On top of these developments, both models feature increased tank capacity by 3.5 litres to 23 litres and extended service intervals to 15,000km (9,320 miles).
With a huge range of bolt-on offerings, from luggage to Akrapovic exhausts, an online PowerParts calculator at www.ktm.com allows riders to ‘build’ an Adventure to their desired specification by choosing either individual parts, or pre-defined ‘Kits’ which typically save around 8% compared to purchasing the components separately.
Find out more about the new KTM Adventure models at Motorcycle Live (stand 3G20) or at www.ktm.com
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Motorcycle Live 2012 is so much more than a display of the hottest new bikes and the latest accessories, it’s a chance to get fully immersed in every aspect of the world of two wheels – and to discover and experience parts of that world you never thought you would!
Take the FREE Yamaha Off-Road Experience for example. A specially-designed indoor motocross circuit run under the watchful eye of trained instructors, it gives road riders the chance to try off-roading for the first time.
If you’re already a fledging dirt rider, you can pick up some new skills and improve your technique. It’s a must-try for any adventurous rider looking to broaden their two-wheeled horizon, but don’t take our word for it, here’s what our 2011 visitors had to say…
“Awesome and exhilarating!!!” – Nicola Ford, 55, Beccles
"I loved it! Although the experience was free on the day it proved very costly a few weeks later when I went out and bought myself an MX bike!" – Tim Teale, 33, Wilmslow
“With seeing so many new bikes on display, it was awesome to get a chance to ride one too. The Yamaha guys know exactly what they are talking about and it doesn’t matter how good or bad a rider you are, you leave the course feeling that you had learnt something from the experience.” – Mick Fenwick, 42 , Tiverton
“It was superb. They look after you, give you all the kit, make you feel welcome and you don’t get treated like an idiot. It’s a great experience, well worth doing and I’d do it again.” – Dave Vaughan, 35, Solihull
“It was a brilliant experience. I ride on the road all the time but this was my first time on dirt and I really enjoyed it.” – Peter Roberts, 23, Lincoln
The Yamaha Off-Road Experience is overseen by Chief instructor Barry Johnson (a former Motocross Grand Prix Rider and current Auto Cycle Union Instructor) and caters for all levels of experience - from those who have just the basics of clutch control, through to experienced road riders. All safety equipment is provided.
It is just one of the exciting live features at this year’s show. The all-inclusive Motorcycle Live ticket gives access to five exhibition halls crammed with all the latest bikes, clothing and accessories and six opportunities to ride a bike**, plus non-stop entertainment from some of the biggest names in biking and the BSH/Streetfighters Custom Xtreme Zone, the Yamaha Escape Zone and the Classic Zone in association with Coventry Transport Museum and entry into the Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross Arena**.
Advance tickets for Motorcycle Live 2012 cost just £16 per adult, £10 for seniors and £6 per child*. To book your tickets, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk and click ‘Tickets’
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Honda has announced its intention to participate as a works team in the motorcycle class of the Dakar Rally to be held in January 2013 in South America, travelling north to south through Peru, Chile and Argentina.
Honda competed nine times in the motorcycle class in the forerunner of the present Dakar Rally, the Paris-Dakar Rally, from 1981 through to 1989, and was a winner five times during that period. It has been 23 years since it last participated in the Rally.
The Honda team, to be called Team HRC, will include Portuguese rider Helder Rodrigues, who took third place in the 2012 Dakar Rally, Brazilian Felipe Zanol, who brings a wealth of experience in motocross and enduro race events, as well as Sam Sunderland (United Kingdom) and Javier Pizzolito (Argentina).
They will ride a prototype machine developed and produced by the Motorcycle R&D Center at Honda R&D. The prototype machine is based on the CRF450X, the popular worldwide enduro racing model that combines ease of handling with superior competitive strength. Kit parts designed for use on the standard CRF450X model have also been developed and will be supplied to a limited number of teams.
Tetsuo Suzuki, Senior Managing Officer and Director, Chief Operating Officer, Motorcycle R&D Centre, Honda R&D Co., Ltd. commented: “The Dakar requires competitors to cover several hundred kilometers per day for more than two weeks. It needs a totally different type of vehicle from events such as motocross, trials and road races. Honda has put a great deal of effort into designing and building a powerful and winning machine. We are aiming for the championship from this first year.”
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