Biker News - Regularly updated

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  1. For bikers the journey is in the destination. It’s about experiencing the here and now. But it’s more than that. It’s a way of life. It’s our attitude.

    World GP Bike Legends is pleased to announce BMW’s latest destination – Jerez Circuit. The 19-21 June 2015 will see the inaugural weekend festival aimed at reliving the Golden Era of grand prix motorcycle racing.

    BMW Motorrad España is partnering with the festival to offer visitors the opportunity to compare classic icons to the present day models. The full range of BMW motorcycles will be on display complemented by an extensive exhibition of motorsport machinery from decades passed. Successfully competing in World Championship series since 1924, BMW’s have won everything from Superbikes and Grands Prix to the Dakar Rally!

    Nick Wigley, CEO of Goose Live Events Worldwide, the event promoter, remarked “We are hugely excited to announce the involvement of BMW Motorrad España in the first ever World GP Bike Legends – it’s an iconic brand with over 90 years of motorcycle racing history. Visitors will no doubt enjoy the opportunity to get up close to both the classic and current BMW models on display.”

    BMW Motorrad has had an emphasis on sophisticated design and clever functionality throughout its history – be sure to read up on its development of pre-war supercharged boxer engines that went on to dominate sidecar grids. Today, reliable and powerful engines complemented by sublime suspension create a ride so enjoyable they inspire adventure and it’s now the focus message. MAKE LIFE A RIDE.

    World GP Bike Legends. 19-21 June 2015 Jerez Circuit, Spain.

    How will you get there?

    Visit www.worldgpbikelegends.com for all information on the Legendary riders, support grids, live music and festival entertainment.

  2. Pata Honda’s Kyle Smith set the sixth fastest overall time in today’s two free practice sessions for the third round of the 2015 World Supersport Championship at Aragon in Spain.

    The two sessions proved tricky for the team who struggled with finding the right set-up for the Honda CBR600RR, but after a modification made towards the end of the last session Smith improved his lap time by a second.

    The 23 year-old will return to the track tomorrow morning for Free Practice 3 before the afternoon qualifying session, where final grid positions for Sunday’s 16-lap race will be determined.

  3. ‘Live Fast Die Old’, a new film launched today, follows the escapades of three older bikers as they continue living life to the full despite being old enough to have free bus passes.

    Live Fast Die Old - Motorbike SafetyGetting tattoos, streaking and attending foam parties, all with their companion Daisy the alpaca – the trio of Badger, Turbo and Z-Boy live irreverently. But the one place they drop the pace is left-hand bends (or ‘left-handers’).

    Aimed at male bikers between 40 and 49 years old, the film is a key part of a social marketing campaign from Road Safety Scotland, which launched last week ahead of the touring season. The film was created with input and insights from bikers, with their experience and knowledge bringing the three characters to life.

    Bikers in their 40's make up 20% of all bikers in Scotland, yet account for 30% of those who are killed or seriously injured. The campaign focuses on left-handers, where a third of motorbike deaths in Scotland happen.

    The campaign has a facebook page, specifically created for Scotland’s bikers. The page will offer content ranging from technique and gear tips to route planning and information on upcoming events. It will be continually updated over the next six months.

    Michael McDonnell, Director of Road Safety Scotland, said: “During the biking season, it would not be unusual to see a biker die every weekend on Scotland’s roads. The Live Fast Die Old film serves as a perfect reminder to all bikers that they can still fully enjoy getting back on the road this season and, with some minor adjustments to the way they ride, will get back home safely to their families at the end of the day.”

    Chief Superintendent Iain Murray from Police Scotland said: “By creating the Live Fast Die Old film, we have a fantastic opportunity to speak directly to bikers about their passion for biking and the safety aspects that go hand-in-hand with it.”

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    Live Fast Die Old. A film about three men, three bikes and free bus passes - Watch it now

  4. Belgium outfit Sarolea has launched its new 2015 Saroléa Electric Superbike at Autoworld, the vintage car museum in the centre of Brussels.

    The new Saroléa is an evolution of the 2014 model and has been modified and enhanced on a number of levels. The Belgian team is now targeting a podium place at this year's SES TT Zero Race on the Isle of Man. The talented Scottish rider Robert Wilson, who flew over for the presentation, will once again ride the Saroléa SP7.

    Team Saroléa are using the data obtained during last year's race and testing to optimize and improve its motorcycle. The new design has improved aerodynamics, which will provide higher top speeds. The motorcycle is considerably slimmer which also enhances the position for the rider.

    Modifications to shift the centre of gravity will also increase the bikes handling. Saroléa has also managed to reduce the bike's weight. The modifications are mainly related to the use of more Carbon Fibre and more Titanium parts as well as the use of 3D printed parts.

    A proprietary Vehicle Control Unit and Battery Management System have been implemented. All communication is now flowing through fibre optics.

    The biggest improvement however is the new motor. It has been entirely developed in house and it has a major increase in torque. Early tests by Saroléa are demonstrating a 50% increase.

    With the launch of the new SP7, it is clear Saroléa wants to become one of the major brands on the electric motorcycle racing scene. Saroléa is using the extreme racing conditions presented by the TT Mountain Course as a research and development platform for its propriety Saroléa Electric Drivetrain.

    SAROLEA ANNOUNCES NEW SP7 ELECTRIC SUPERBIKE

     

    Bike specifications


    SAROLEA SP7 ELECTRIC SUPERBIKE

    Total Weight (kg) - 190
    Acceleration 0-100 kph (0-60 mph) - 2.8 sec
    Maximum Speed (kph [mph]) - 270 [168]


    TYRES:
    Front - Bridgestone Racing Battlax V02 120/600R17
    Rear - Bridgestone Racing Battlax V02 200/655R17


    BRAKES:
    Front - Beringer 320mm Aeronal discs with Aerotec Radial Calipers
    Rear - Beringer Aerotec 2D1 caliper


    Maximum Output (KW [hp]) - 110 [150]
    (Isle of Man configuration)
    Maximum Torque (Nm) - 900
    Battery Output Voltage (V) - 370 or more


    PARTNERS

    Bridgestone Europe
    Beta Tools
    DQ Advocates
    Punch
    Motokouture
    Seco Tools
    Beringer
    Autoworld Brussels
    Benton Apps
    Atelier Noterman
    Stoddart Racing

  5. Pata Honda World Supersport rider Kyle Smith returns to Europe this weekend for round three of the 2015 World Supersport championship at Motorland Aragon in Spain.

    Although born in Huddersfield in the UK, Smith, 23, has lived in Spain since the age of six and knows the 5.077km Aragon circuit well having scored a podium finish in last season's Superstock 1000 series on a Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.

    For this season he has switched to the World Supersport Pata Honda CBR600RR and just missed out on a debut podium during the opening race at Phillip Island in Australia. Smith crashed out of the last round at Buriram in Thailand so will be looking to make amends during Sunday’s 16-lap third-round encounter.