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BMW

Conclusion of an unbelievable weekend: Another victory and podium for Toprak Razgatlioglu and the BMW M 1000 RR on WorldSBK Sunday at Barcelona.

Barcelona. The second race weekend of the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at Barcelona (ESP) became a hit story for BMW Motorrad Motorsport. Following the pole place and the celebrated first joint victory on Saturday, Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR) and the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK had loads to cheer about on Sunday as effectively. Razgatlioglu claimed his subsequent victory within the extraordinarily thrilling Superpole Race within the morning and adopted it up with a third-place end on the rostrum within the second essential race. Teammate Michael van der Mark (NED) returned to the entrance group with a fourth-place end. The Bonovo motion BMW Racing Team secured one other prime ten end with Garrett Gerloff (USA).

The Superpole Race on Sunday morning stored everybody on the sting of their seats. Starting from pole place, Razgatlioglu initially dropped to fifth place. In the fourth of ten laps, he moved as much as fourth place, and within the following lap, he made a sensational manoeuvre to regain the lead. He then battled with Andrea Iannone (ITA / Ducati) and Alvaro Bautista (ESP / Ducati) with a number of lead modifications for the victory. In the final nook, Razgatlioglu as soon as once more executed a powerful manoeuvre and clinched his second victory of the weekend.

Razgatlioglu additionally began the second essential race on Sunday afternoon from pole place. After the beginning, he was briefly in fourth place, however it didn’t take lengthy for him to work his method into the rostrum positions. He stayed shut behind the main Ducati riders Bautista and Nicolò Bulega (ITA) for a very long time, however this time it wasn’t sufficient for a remaining dash again to the very prime. Thus, Razgatlioglu concluded his extraordinarily profitable Barcelona weekend with a third-place end on the rostrum. After the end, he embraced teammate van der Mark, who accomplished the robust crew end in fourth place. In the Superpole Race, van der Mark completed sixth.

The Bonovo motion BMW Racing Team returned to the highest ten on Sunday. Both riders, Gerloff and Scott Redding (GBR), engaged in an extended duel with a number of place modifications. In the top, Gerloff prevailed in tenth place, with Redding following simply 0.4 seconds behind in eleventh place.

The third spherical of the 2024 WorldSBK season can be held from nineteenth to twenty first April at Assen (NED).

Reactions after race two at Barcelona.

 

Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “Before we came here, we hoped to claim another podium. That was the target after a good test last week but we also saw that the Ducatis were extremely strong. To come away four trophies, pole position, two wins and one podium, is absolutely magnificent. I am speechless, honestly. It is extremely good for the project and I am even looking further forward to the rest of the season which gives me more confidence. Not just Toprak, also Mickey did a fantastic job, with fourth in qualifying yesterday, sixth in this morning’s Superpole Race and a very strong fourth position in main race two. It’s well deserved. I just enjoy the moment right now. It is highly emotional, this weekend had only ups. We’ve had enough downs in the past years so it’s good to get through the valley of tears. On the Bonovo side, the weekend was more difficult but in the final race, Garrett and Scott were in the ball park so we can build from there and like I said, there are better races to come. Overall, this weekend leaves me overwhelmed and very pleased.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team (SP Race: 1 / R02: 3): “I am really happy for this moment because this is a dream. Not only for me, for BMW and the team. We claimed two victories at Barcelona, and for me it has been an amazing weekend. Especially today’s last race was a very hard, the pace was really strong. Alvaro started normal and then pushed very hard. I just tried to follow him but I felt a lot of spinning and closed the gas because in a 20-lap race you need a good tyre with good grid for the last five laps. But in general, I am very happy because we were on the podium in all three races, including two wins. Especially the Superpole Race was incredible, when I passed Alvaro in the last corner. I think this is in my top three overtakes of my career. I am also very happy for BMW. We are coming step by step and I think we will be stronger on the other race tracks. Everyone is very happy and will now work even harder. We have a very good package. We are coming, we are not so far and this year I think we can get many wins and I hope that we will be World Champions. I hope!”

Michael van der Mark, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team (SP Race: 6 / R02: 4): “Honestly I think for the whole team it has been a fantastic weekend. This was one of our worst tracks and to see Toprak getting two wins, another podium and the pole position, was great, and I had some really strong results this weekend, too. So I am really happy, really satisfied with the improvement on the bikes. Honestly, to finish P6 this morning was quite good, but to finish fourth in race two was a big relief for me. It’s nice to see that I get back on a really good level and I’m just really happy with the whole weekend. I think it gives the whole team a big boost, and also for me, for the next race at Assen which I am really looking forward to. At least now we arrive there knowing how good the package can be.”

Garrett Gerloff, Bonovo motion BMW Racing Team (SP Race: 17 / R02: 10): “So we are at the end of the weekend. I am not going to lie, I was hoping and expecting a better weekend than it was. We just struggled a bit with some things. I feel like I struggle with some riding stuff on my side and also I had some issues with some setting stuff on the bike side. It wasn’t easy, there weren’t clear answers and I am kind of leaving the weekend thinking that we don’t have a clear answer of what we were missing. We were just missing something that’s not small. We just try to regroup over the next weeks and come back to Assen and have a strong race there.”

Scott Redding, Bonovo motion BMW Racing Team (SP Race: 12 / R02: 11): “The weather today was unexpected. We had some rain this morning so we did not ride in the warm up. The Superpole Race was quite good for me. I felt pretty good so I managed to gain some confidence for race two. There, I was really motivated to finish in the top ten. That was my goal. I came off the start, I came together with Dominique Aegerter so I lost some positions. Then in turn three, Iker Lecouna just ran me off the track, so I lost again some positions and then we kind of settled; the group was trying to save the tyres. Then there was a big crash in turn one. I am happy that they both walked away okay from it. There was a gap I had to try to close and I used my tyre more. I felt good on the bike, that was the main thing. I felt that I could actually push the bike and start to race and have confidence. On the last few laps, the tyre dropped more. I finished 11th in the end; the top ten was there. So I was happy, because Barcelona is one of the worst tracks in the calendar for me and I came away with confidence which is the first time in three years that this has happened, so I look forward to the next round.”

BMW

Perfect Saturday at Barcelona: Pole place and first win for Toprak Razgatlioglu and the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.

Barcelona. Winning at Barcelona (ESP) was Toprak Razgatlioglu’s (TUR) declared purpose for this second race weekend of the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK). He achieved it within the first important race. With his first pole place and his first win aboard the BMW M 1000 RR, Razgatlioglu secured an ideal Saturday for himself, BMW Motorrad Motorsport and the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. On solely his second race weekend as a BMW Motorrad manufacturing facility rider, he stood on the highest step of the rostrum for the primary time. It was additionally the primary win in a important race for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. Previously, Michael van der Mark (NED) secured a win in a Superpole Race.

In the Superpole qualifying on Saturday morning, Razgatlioglu had already made the crew jubilant. Setting a brand new all-time observe file, he positioned his BMW M 1000 RR on pole place. In the race, he initially held onto the lead, however then slipped again to 3rd place briefly within the tight battle for the entrance positions. However, the Turkish rider saved his cool. First, he reclaimed second place after which got down to catch as much as Nicolò Bulega (ITA / Ducati), who led with a several-second hole. In a particularly thrilling end, Razgatlioglu ultimately took the lead once more on the ultimate lap and defended the win to the end line. Among the primary to congratulate him was Markus Flasch, Head of BMW Motorrad, who witnessed this profitable race Saturday at Barcelona on-site.

Team-mate Michael van der Mark (NED) additionally secured an excellent beginning place with fourth place within the Superpole. He was additionally within the combine for podium finishes for a very long time however then misplaced positions and completed ninth.

It was a difficult Saturday for the Bonovo motion BMW Racing Team. Garrett Gerloff (USA) completed the primary race in twelfth place. Team-mate Scott Redding (GBR) crossed the end line in seventeenth place.

Reactions after race one at Barcelona.

Markus Flasch, Head of BMW Motorrad: “Congratulations to everybody on this implausible win! It was nice to cheer with the crew within the pit field. Toprak has proven that he’s a really particular rider and individual. We knew he had a motorbike able to successful with the BMW M 1000 RR, and it’s implausible that we may show it already on the second race weekend. Thanks to everybody for the onerous work, to Toprak, to our BMW Motorrad Motorsport crew, and to the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. Let‘s stick with it!”

 

Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “An unbelievable day! We knew we were strong but we also knew that it would be extremely difficult against the Ducatis. I said this morning that we are going to have two people on the first two rows of the starting grid. That came true. Then I was confident that we could fight for the podium. I also would have been very pleased with second position, but the way Toprak pushed on the last laps was just unbelievable. Thanks to this guy, thanks to the team for a magnificent package. We deserved it but I did not think that it would come so early. So I am extremely pleased. Now we focus on tomorrow, there are two more races to go – and then we party!”

Toprak Razgatlioglu, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team (SP: 1 / R01: 1 ): “I am really happy. Thanks to my team, they did an unbelievable job with really hard work and finally we are winning. This victory has special importance for me as I never won here on this circuit before. It has been my dream and finally I have a victory in Catalunya. This is an unbelievable moment because this race was really hard. If we win here, I think fighting will be easier on other race tracks. After Bulega passed me, I just followed him but after two laps I said, okay, I am pushing a little bit too hard for the rear tyre. The podium is enough for me because I know that on this track, the rear tyres have a big drop on the last five laps. Then on the last five, six laps I saw that Bulega started to drop and I pushed hard, especially on the brakes. At the first round of the season I felt a lot of pressure as I was my first weekend with BMW but here that was not the case anymore but as Markus Flasch is here, we wanted to achieve something for him. To get pole position and win the race made it an unbelievable day. We have two more races tomorrow and now we will focus on those.”

Michael van der Mark, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team (SP: 4 / R01: 9): “My day was honestly not too bad. I had a really good feeling this morning in Superpole and I worked really well together with Toprak. So we had P1 and P4 on the grid which was really good. I also felt really strong with the bike. In the race, I had an okay start. On the first few laps, I did not get the right feeling but then I found a good rhythm and a good pace. I was in P4 for a long time but unfortunately at the end I struggled too much with the tyre wear. I might have pushed a bit too hard in the beginning. We have to analyse it. But I think that the results shows that we are coming and Toprak winning on the BMW M 1000 RR is just amazing so I am really happy with the overall day for the whole team.”

Garrett Gerloff, Bonovo motion BMW Racing Team (SP: 14 / R01: 12): “It has not been my most memorable day here in Catalunya. Qualifying could have been better and the race could have been better. I don’t feel too bad but everybody is going really fast and it is just hard to stand out and move forward for me at the moment, I guess. But congratulations to Toprak on the win. It’s crazy impressive and we will try some stuff for tomorrow and see if we can improve.”

Scott Redding, Bonovo motion BMW Racing Team (SP: 12 / R01: 17): “Qualifying was not too bad. We managed to salvage some of the struggles of this weekend to qualify 12th and moved up to 11th due to someone having a penalty. That was okay but I knew that in the race I would still struggle a little bit because the pace for the weekend has not been where we want. Then in the race we made a change on the bike which didn’t work in a positive way, making the braking area more difficult for me to brake late so it was hard to overtake. Then with about seven laps to go, my rear tyre dropped massively. That was basically the race for me. I was trying to manage it as best as I could. We hope that we can find something for tomorrow because we had the pace to be in the small group in front of me. We just need to find a little bit for tomorrow.”

News

Ducati Bags Its First Motocross Win In The Italian Championship

Not way back, Ducati pulled the covers off its Ducati Desmo450 MX motocross race bike. This bike made waves not solely within the racing world, however your complete motorbike trade, because it wasn’t simply Ducati’s return to the single-cylinder house, it was additionally the model’s first enterprise into the world of motocross.

So large was this improvement that Ducati established Ducati Corse Off-Road, a division of its racing division devoted solely to its off-road exploits. With that, it was clear that Ducati was in full-force within the MX recreation, and on March 17, 2024, it made its debut on the Motocross Pro-Prestige MX1 Italian Championship.

Piloted by Alessandro Lupino, the brand new Ducati Desmo450 MX crushed expectations, taking pole place and successful its debut race. Lupino began at pole place, and did a wonderful job of setting the tempo. The observe circumstances have been favorable, and Lupino and the Desmo450 MX rocketed throughout the end line, retaining first place all all through.

Alessandro Lupino sends it aboard the Ducati Desmo450 MX

Alessandro Lupino sends it aboard the Ducati Desmo450 MX

During the second warmth, Ducati wasn’t so fortunate as Lupino made a mistake, inflicting him to fall to the again of the pack. After a valiant effort, he managed to climb to seventh place at race finish. Overall, Ducati took second place within the first spherical of the 2024 season—greater than a promising begin for a first-timer within the sport.

Behind the scenes at the Ducati paddock

Behind the scenes on the Ducati paddock

Commenting on the race outcomes, Alessandro Lupino expressed his pleasure in direction of racing MX for Ducati, “These were two very exciting days. My debut with the Ducati was truly a dream: they told me it would be, but today I experienced it! Feeling like a Ducatista is a truly special sensation. Congratulations to all the guys who worked on this project, because in a very short time they created a spectacular bike, with a lot of potential, doing an incredible job.”

Keeping an optimistic outlook, Lupino highlighted that regardless of messing up his second run, the engineers have been capable of collect important information to additional enhance the bike in upcoming races. “Unfortunately, the second heat didn’t go as I would have liked: I got the start wrong and wasn’t able to recover. But that’s okay, now the engineers have the data to analyze two completely different situations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ducati CEO himself, Claudio Domenicali, was all praises with the Ducati Corse Off-Road’s first foray into the MX world. “This weekend in Mantua we wrote one other chapter within the historical past of Ducati. Alessandro Lupino and our group gave us some nice enjoyable and, regardless of it being the primary motocross race in our latest historical past, we instantly demonstrated excellent efficiency,” he stated.

Ducati has at all times been about racing, and its stellar efficiency on the first spherical of the Motocross Pro-Prestige MX1 Italian Championship is proof that it’s greater than able to tackle the MX world head on. The subsequent spherical of the Italian MX Championship is ready to happen from April 27 to twenty-eight, 2024, and you’ll wager your backside greenback that Ducati will probably be prepping its bike to unleash nothing wanting a stellar efficiency.

News

KTM’s 2024 RC 8C Is More Expensive and Exclusive Than Ever

KTM simply unveiled its limited-edition track-only RC 8C race bike. And whereas the producer hasn’t made large modifications when in comparison with the 2023 model, it claims this unit has Moto2 ranges of efficiency. Hot rattling.

There’ll be simply 100 hand-built 2024 RC 8Cs on provide, which is half the quantity in comparison with final yr. And when you want to throw your leg over one, you may must half with $41,499 and get on-line when pre-orders open on March twentieth at 07:00 PDT.

Here’s all the things that you must know.

2024 KTM RC 8C STATIC 1

Track Only

The limited-edition track-only RC 8C was made along with Krämer Motorcycles, identical to the earlier mannequin. And, as you’d anticipate, meaning it comes with all of the observe trimmings like quick-release tank and physique panels, light-weight Dymag wheels, and Pirelli race slicks.

There’s an AIM MXS 1.2 RACE dashboard and knowledge logger with built-in GPS performance to maintain you on prime of your lap occasions, and you may view all related data on the 5-inch TFT display screen. The fortunate few who get to personal considered one of these observe weapons can use AIM RaceStudio to view efficiency metrics and work towards decreasing their lap occasions.

2024 KTM RC 8C DETAIL 1

Engine, Chassis, and Brakes

Propelling the RC 8C is similar 889 cc parallel-twin as KTM used within the 2023 mannequin, however the firm states that it has been “up-specced”. We can solely assume that it makes near 140 hp, because the earlier iteration pumped out 135 hp and 72.3 lb-ft of torque. And there is no doubt this might be one of many sweetest-sounding bikes on the observe, because of a racing Akrapovič exhaust.

Housing the engine is a 25CerMo4 metal tubular body, which is wrapped in Carbon Kevlar bodywork, impressed by the KTM RC16. KTM would not listing the curb weight, however the dry weight is simply 308 lbs.

2024 KTM RC 8C ACTION 1
2024 KTM RC 8C ACTION 2
2024 KTM RC 8C ACTION 3

Unsurprisingly, there are WP suspension elements all-round. A 43 mm closed cartridge fork retains issues beneath management on the entrance, whereas a WP APEX PRO 7746 shock with a distant preload adjuster ought to provide simply tunable excessive and low-speed compression and rebound settings on the rear.

Bringing all the things to a halt is a set of MotoGP-derived Brembo 19RCS CORSA CORTA radial grasp brake cylinders. At the entrance, Brembo Stylema calipers grip 290 mm fully-floating discs, whereas a Brembo two-piston caliper works with a 230 mm disc on the rear.

 

Handover Session At Portimão

Anyone who efficiently luggage a 2024 RC 8C might be invited to a handover session at Portimão, Portugal. The journey will embody a personalised observe setup session, non-public dinner, meet and greet, and an unique observe day expertise with “KTM racing royalty”. 

The query I pose is, who amongst us would half with simply north of $40k for this devoted observe machine?

Let us know within the feedback.

News

Yamaha Sweetens bLU cRU Support For SxS And ATV Racing

Motorsports is an especially costly and time-consuming ardour that extends approach past the race observe, and it’s thrilling to see that Yamaha’s commitment to racing—each the two- and four-wheeled selection—stays stronger than ever earlier than, as the corporate has introduced thrilling sponsorships and bonuses to its bLU cRU racing program for the 2024 side-by-side (SxS) and ATV racing seasons. 

It goes with out saying that producers extending help applications like this to racers retains the wheels of the racing world turning. Incentivizing racers to excel on the race observe definitely breeds stronger, higher racers, all whereas driving innovation in merchandise which might be loved by fanatics from all backgrounds. It’s a well-oiled cycle that’s constructed on ardour and dedication to all issues powersports.

And for 2024, Yamaha is doing rather a lot to maintain these passions alive.

Rodney Van Eperen and the Yamaha YXZ1000R

Rodney Van Eperen and the Yamaha YXZ1000R

For 2024, the corporate’s bonuses attain practically $150,000 USD, and are eligible to racers fielding 2022 or newer Wolverine RMAX 1000, YXZ1000R, YXZ1000R SS (Sport Shift), or YFZ450R machines.

On the SxS facet of the spectrum, Yamaha’s racing initiatives are led by Owen and Rodney Van Eperen of Powersports 1, in addition to Jeb Bootle of Bootle Motorsports. The Yamaha YXZ1000R takes middle stage right here, and can compete within the Championship Off-Road Tour and MidAmerica Outdoors racing collection.

$15,000 USD in bonuses for total Pro Stock and Pro Turbo SxS champions will probably be awarded, whereas prime finishers within the Pro-Am UTV and MORR UTV Sportsman courses, in addition to the MidAmerica Outdoors collection, may even be given bonuses. 

 
Joel Hetrick aboard his Yamaha YFZ450R

Joel Hetrick aboard his Yamaha YFZ450R

On the ATV facet of issues, the Yamaha YFZ450R has confirmed itself as one of many strongest contenders for the previous 20 years. To rejoice this, Yamaha has raised the stakes by growing payouts and prize alternatives throughout a number of ATV courses in AMA’s ATV MX, GNCC, and WORCS ATV courses.

Yamaha encourages of us trying to get into SxS and ATV racing to join the 2024 bLU cRU program. The firm additionally explains that racers who’ve signed up prior to now are additionally inspired to hitch once more to remain updated with the most recent perks and choices from Team Blue. 

BMW

12h Sebring: BMW M Team RLL returns to the positioning of the primary podium success for the BMW M Hybrid V8.

Munich. The story one 12 months in the past was the primary podium within the second race after the second place end for the #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 on the 12 Hours of Sebring (USA). This coming weekend, BMW M Team RLL returns to the Sebring International Raceway for the second race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. The purpose is to repeat final 12 months’s success and have fun the primary podium of the season in 2024 as nicely.

 

In the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, the 2 common drivers Philipp Eng (AUT) and Jesse Krohn (FIN) will take turns with Augusto Farfus (BRA). In the sister #25 automotive, final 12 months’s runners-up Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR) will be part of forces with Maxime Martin (BEL) for the endurance basic in Florida.

In the GTD-PRO class, BMW M works drivers Madison Snow and Neil Verhagen, along with Bryan Sellers (all USA), will combat for the second podium for Paul Miller Racing within the second race of the season. At Daytona, the #1 BMW M4 GT3 completed in third place. Good omen: Last 12 months, Paul Miller Racing received in Sebring within the GTD class. This time, BMW M works driver Robby Foley, Patrick Gallagher, and Jake Walker (all USA) will compete for Turner Motorsport within the #96 BMW M4 GT3 on this class.

The 12 Hours of Sebring will begin on Saturday at 9:40 native time (14:40 CET).

Comments earlier than the race:

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “It is something special to return to the place where we achieved an important milestone of our LMDh project one year ago with the first podium for the BMW M Hybrid V8. At this year’s 24 Hours of Daytona, we showed strong pace in the race but were not able to reward ourselves with good results. We want to do better at Sebring. We have analysed the data from Daytona and drawn our conclusions. The test we had at Sebring a few weeks ago gives us confidence that we can play a good role in the race on Saturday. The goal is to get on the podium again. In the GTD categories, I also expect our BMW M Motorsport teams to have good chances again.”

Philipp Eng (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8): “Sebring is one of my favorite tracks in North America – really old school! The bumps are especially challenging with the GTP cars. We showed good speed at Daytona and made important steps in the right direction during the Sebring test. Hopefully, we can achieve a good result for BMW M Motorsport and BMW M Team RLL.”

Nick Yelloly (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8): “After a relatively long break, I am really looking forward to the Sebring race. We had a good test there a few weeks ago and were able to make significant progress compared to last year. The memories of Sebring are very positive, as that’s where we achieved the first podium with the BMW M Hybrid V8 in 2023. We approached the race conservatively back then and ended up in second place. This time we hope to be able to fight for the win.”

News

History And Mystery Of The Harley-Davidson XR750

Summary

  • The XR750 was Harley-Davidson’s most profitable bike constructed for the race observe.
  • It has gained 28 of the 37 AMA Grand National Championships from 1972 to 2008.
  • This was the bike of alternative of legendary American stuntman Evel Knievel for his many death-defying jumps and stunts.

If you possibly can rely the variety of iconic bikes Harley-Davidson has produced within the final 120+ years, you would want extra fingers and toes. One specific mannequin that thrived on pure adrenaline on racetracks is the legendary XR750. With a wealthy historical past within the dust and dust, it was born in 1970 as an engineering marvel to exchange the outgoing KR750 because the new-and-improved race-ready observe bike.

For over 50 years, the naturally athletic XR750 would show itself time and time once more as a pressure to be reckoned with. Powered by a Sportster-based engine, this bike utilized cast-iron heads and cylinders, a magneto as a substitute of a generator, and improved oiling. By 1972, a extra highly effective all-aluminum alloy engine was launched to the XR750. With a extra highly effective drivetrain and nimble nature, this bike would dominate racetracks up till 2008, successful 28 out of 37 AMA Grand National Championships. This earned it the title of “the winningest motorcycle in AMA Pro Racing motorcycle history.” Today, we glance again at its glory days.

The following article was primarily based on the XR750’s historical past as a part of the Harley-Davidson lineup, and general driving expertise sourced from OldBikeBarn.com , ClassicMotorcycleBuild.com , National Mecum Museum , and Harley-Davidson .

1941 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead side right shot

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Brits Inspired AMA To Build Bikes Up To 750cc

Leading as much as the event of the XR750, British producers and racers influenced the AMA to function bikes with engines as much as 750cc during which each facet and overhead valves might participate within the races. In response, the racing and engineering minds at Harley-Davidson felt compelled to give you a brand new bike that may very well be a critical contender on the observe towards the English. Harley-Davidson Race Team Manager Dick O’Brian and his staff helped design the XR750 that may not solely go on to exchange the KR750, however would additionally proceed to be one of many highest-performing motorcycles in the world of competitive racing.

The 45 Degree V-Twin Aluminum OHV Engine Was The Beating Heart of the XR750

1970 Harley-Davidson XR750 right side detail
Harley-Davidson

At the time of its inception, Harley-Davidson’s line of XLRs came equipped with 900cc V-twin engines. In order to satisfy race spec calls for to have the XR750 qualify, Harley’s racing staff wanted to discover a approach to tone down the Sportster engine’s energy output, and nonetheless be the highest-performing bike on the observe. After some tinkering with the bore and stroke, engineers have been efficiently capable of dial it again to 750cc.

For a motorbike meant to be highly effective, gentle, and nimble on the observe, Harley-Davidson made the clever resolution of growing the XR750’s 45 Degree Aluminum V-Twin engine primarily based on its pre-existing Sportster engine. In 1972, Harley improved upon the XR750 by changing the forged iron heads with aluminum alloy to be lighter and extra heat-resistant, in addition to some tinkering with the bores and stroke to pack in a number of extra horses.

1972 Harley-Davidson XR750 Engine Specs

Engine

45 Degree Aluminum V-Twin OHV

Horsepower

80 HP

Torque

26.1 lb-ft

Bore and Stroke

3.1 in × 3.0 in

Displacement

750cc

Compression Ratio

10.5:1

Transmission

4-speed

Fuel Capacity

2.5 gal

The XR750 Needed Work Done Before It Could Race

Harley-Davidson XR750 engine close-up
Harley-Davidson

Most-Luxurious-Harleys-Ever-Made

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Make no mistake. Just as a result of the XR750 has gone down in historical past as a profitable bike in AMA Pro Racing does not imply it occurred in a single day. Like any professional athlete, the Harley-Davidson racing staff wanted to do quite a lot of analysis, trial, and error earlier than they have been capable of engineer the XR750 into racing perfection. The authentic mannequin utilized cast-iron heads, which proved to be problematic as a result of their tendency to overheat except ridden in cooler climate. In addition, ought to the metallic calm down too rapidly, the heads might probably crack. While the unique XR750 faired effectively briefly races and funky climates, something hotter or longer would danger malfunctioning.

By 1972, Harley-Davidson improved upon the XR750’s overheating drawback by changing the cast-iron heads with aluminum. This metallic proved itself to be each lighter and extra heat-resistant, permitting riders to push the bike more durable throughout longer races with out inflicting additional injury. The engine was additionally positioned as distant from the carburetor as attainable to assist with the bike’s cool-down. By stopping the bike from heating up as rapidly because it used to, the XR750 was capable of keep at a extra secure temperature for longer intervals.

XR7502

Engineers additionally wanted the bike to slim down, too. In addition to the aluminum heads, Harley engineers launched aluminum spoked wheel rims, a 2.5-gallon fiberglass gasoline tank, and a light-weight fiberglass seat. With these modifications, the XR750 utterly annihilated the competitors. Today, Harley-Davidson continues to be an energetic contender on the racetrack. But somewhat than the XR750, the race staff swimming pools their vitality, time, and sources into their model of a high-performance Road Glide for the popular King of the Baggers race series.

The XR750 Was Popularized by Evel Knievel

Having a popularity for being one of the unbeatable bikes on the racetrack was already an enormous enhance for the XR750. But when it grew to become the bike of alternative for legendary stuntman Evel Knievel, that’s when its recognition actually and figuratively took off. He properly went with the newer model of the XR750 as a result of it being lighter than the unique (a extra aerodynamic choice when performing his death-defying stunts).

Evel Kinevel on Harley-Davidson XR750 Mecum Flyer
Mecum

As quickly as avid followers noticed the bike that Knievel was utilizing to leap every little thing from a number of automobiles, Greyhound buses, and Mac vehicles, everybody needed to be like him. So what higher manner than to get their palms on the identical bike that he was driving? Whether they have been capable of stick the landings in addition to him relied on who was making an attempt the jumps, although.

1972 Harley-Davidson XR750 Specs

Frame

Steel twin loop full cradle

Suspension

Front: Ceriani telescopic fork, Rear: 2x Girling shocks

Brakes

Front: none, Rear: elective

Tires

Spoked wheels, aluminum spoked rims, 4 in x 19 in

Rake, path

26 levels, 3.44 in

Wheelbase

56.76 in

Seat Height

31 in

Weight

295 lbs

50 Years of Excellence

1975 Harley-Davidson XR750
Harley-Davidson

With over 5 a long time of victories below its belt, the Harley-Davidson XR750 secured itself a spot in bike historical past as one of the legendary bikes to ever hit the observe and the streets. After all, a light-weight weight, with a robust race engine constructed to spec, and a refined cooling system, the XR750 had perfected a recipe for fulfillment that proved itself time and again as a critical contender.

While it was an enormous cultural sensation within the U.S., its legend prolonged to different avid followers internationally as effectively. Though its manufacturing was finally discontinued in 2013, the XR750 achieved such an iconic standing within the motorcycling world that it stays a success within the used market.

Today’s Successors

Harley-Davidson’s XR750 by itself might be argued to be in a category completely of its personal. One half Sportster, one half race bike, and one half off-roader. It was the right end result of a number of parts that made it one of many producer’s most profitable fashions in its 120+ yr historical past. Even after 50 years of manufacturing, this bike nonetheless carries a wealthy historical past of excellence. Though now not in manufacturing, components of the XR750’s DNA might be seen in a few of immediately’s newer fashions.

2022 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Off-Road
Harley-Davidson

Following in its dirt-ridden tire tracks is Harley’s first ADV mannequin, the Pan America. Able to dominate the streets in addition to robust terrain, this bike dons the mighty Revolution Max 1250 engine that has sufficient horsepower and torque to achieve 60mph in 3.4 seconds. The identical might be mentioned for Harley’s revamped line of Sportsters. The Sportster S follows the XR750’s flat observe components, all whereas being as gentle as attainable. This makes them the lightest variations of the Sportster class in Harley-Davidson historical past.

Harley-Davidson XR750 Key Features

  • 750cc air-cooled V-Twin engine
  • 4-speed transmission
  • Won 28 of 37 AMA Grand National Championships
  • Lightweight, heat-resistant aluminum heads
  • Chain drive
News

25-Time Iom TT Champion Michael Dunlop Finally Gets Road License

I watched Michael Dunlop dominate my native highway race, the Walderstown Road Races, extra occasions than I can bear in mind. After the races, I’d comply with the followers as much as the paddock (learn “field”) to congratulate the riders, gawk at their fire-breathing liter-bikes, and take a look at the campervans. Bear in thoughts, that it is not required to have a bike license to compete in a highway race in Ireland. 

But Dunlop is not simply any racer. He’s arguably probably the most profitable residing highway racer. And since he is simply three years my senior, I’ve watched him race and win since I obtained into the game. So, after I discovered that he did not have a bike license, to say I used to be “shocked” can be an understatement.

Getting the license 

Though Dunlop has been racing bikes on public roads for greater than half his life, at 34 years previous, he lastly determined it was time to get a bike highway license. Assisting him on his path to turning into road-legal was Moto Training NI.

A social media submit from the college learn:

So I get this cellphone name from a man who stated he had a lot of expertise using on the roads, however appeared to be having issue retaining a motorbike lined up and each wheels on the bottom.

Thankfully we have been capable of get him sorted and he handed his closing highway check in the present day within the worst of circumstances!

Has been nice craic – have a secure and profitable season Michael and thanks for selecting Moto Training NI

 

It appears like Dunlop did his check on a Kawasaki Z650, which most likely made a pleasant change of tempo from his 200+ horsepower Hawk Racing’s Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade. 

Dunlop’s subsequent check

It’s out of the frying pan and into the hearth for the Dunlop, who may make historical past across the mountain course this 12 months. He unofficially held the quickest common pace file across the IOM TT final 12 months, clocking 135.351 mph, and took 4 victories. This gave him a total of 25 IOM TT wins, only one lower than the file of 26 held by his uncle Joey Dunlop since 2000.

If Michael Dunlop can win only one race on the TT this 12 months, he’ll equal the file as probably the most winningest rider of all time.

And if he wins any extra, properly, he’ll make historical past. He can then go for a celebratory tour trip across the island. But this time, totally road-legal. 

News

Sherco 300 SEF Hamish MacDonald Is A Race-Replica Enduro For Mere Mortals

Who doesn’t love race duplicate? Be it on or off-road, motorbike producers leverage the success of their racing initiatives by making homages of their racing machines accessible to us mere mortals. This is undoubtedly most evident within the off-road scene, the place dirtbikes are sometimes adorned in loud and rambunctious liveries that mirror their racy counterparts everywhere in the world.

The newest on this lengthy line of fashions is from French off-road and enduro model Sherco, and its 2024 300 SEF Hamish Macdonald Replica.

If you’ll be able to’t guess from the title, this race duplicate has been designed utilizing the livery of two-time Enduro World Champion Hamish MacDonald, and can be produced in restricted portions to set itself other than the usual 300 SEF Factory.

Sherco 300 SEF Hamish MacDonald Is A Race-Replica Enduro For Us Mere Mortals

The Sherco 300 SEF completed in Hamish MacDonald’s racing livery

But the race-inspired goodies go effectively past only a fancy livery, because the bike comes with Sherco Factory enduro bolstered wheels, measuring 21 inches up entrance and 18 inches on the again, and so as to add additional rigidity, the wheels are laced by way of blue CNC-machined mass-cut hubs.

The blue parts proceed with a bunch of CNC goodies corresponding to chain tensioners, an ignition cowl cap, grasp cylinder covers, entrance axle puller, and oil filler cap. Of course, the 300 SEF is already a succesful machine out of the field, and the Hamish MacDonald Replica will get all the usual parts of the race-ready machine.

It’s powered by a four-stroke DOHC, four-valve engine displacing 308.68 cubes respiration by way of a full Akrapovic exhaust system. Suspension {hardware} can also be top-tier, with a KYB closed-cartridge fork up entrance, and a KYB 50 shock on the rear.

 
It breathes through a full Akrapovic exhuast system

It breathes by way of a full Akrapovic exhuast system

Matchy blue CNC goodies adorn the bike

Matchy blue CNC goodies adorn the bike

The Sherco 300 SEF Factory is decked out in race-ready goodies

The 300 class of enduro bikes is taken into account by many as the right center floor on the subject of off-road using, as they’re a lot succesful, however not too overbearing to throw you off when issues get dicey. As somebody who rides off-road, I do know full effectively {that a} 300cc dirtbike is greater than sufficient to have tons of enjoyable with on the paths.

Meanwhile, on the racing facet of the equation, the success of racers like Hamish MacDonald aboard 300-class machines is a testomony to the flexibility of the category, and the truth that Sherco is providing a race-replica of his bike to the general public will certainly rile up enduro lovers.

News

Aprilia All Stars Returns To Misano At The Big Aprilia Festival

The roaring engines of race bikes, world-class racers on the high of their recreation, the scent of gasoline and sticky tires wafting by way of the air, and to high all of it off, the picturesque background of an iconic racing circuit – all staples relating to the world of racing.

And what higher technique to have a good time the joys of racing than on the Big Aprilia Festival?

Scheduled for June 8, 2024 on the Misano Racing Circuit, the Big Aprilia Festival is supposed to have a good time all issues Aprilia. From its success within the MotoGP Championship to its exploits within the Dakar Rally, Aprilia has established itself as a power to be reckoned with within the racing scene, and the Big Aprilia Festival provides us the possibility to rise up shut and private with the MotoGP Aprilia RS-GP machines, in addition to the world-class racers who pilot them.

Maverick Vinales and Aleix Espargaro ripping up the track

Maverick Vinales and Aleix Espargaro ripping up the monitor

While racing sits on the coronary heart of the competition, the corporate has ensured that we mere mortals get to expertise the magic of Aprilia firsthand. Test rides of Aprilia’s latest fashions, together with the potent RS 660 and Tuono 660, in addition to the extremely acclaimed Tuareg 660 adventure-enduro, will maintain spectators and lovers entertained.

On high of that, the occasion will probably be house to an electrifying environment, with Italian radio station Radio DeeJay spinning hits all through the occasion.

 

Manufacturers with a wealthy racing lineage like Aprilia are largely accountable for conserving the gears of the fanatic spectrum turning. They evoke pleasure and admiration amongst lovers who dream of being like their racing idols.

More than anything, bikes just like the Aprilia RSV4 1100—a motorbike I’ve ridden on a number of events and completely love—are all about stirring the soul reasonably than getting you from A to B. And it is a testomony shared by everybody who rides bikes; a connection that unites all of us bike nuts. 

Aleix Espargaro will grace the 2024 Aprilia All Stars

Aleix Espargaro will grace the 2024 Aprilia All Stars

Experience Aprilia's machines for yourself via test rides on track

Experience Aprilia’s machines for your self through take a look at rides on monitor

If we take a look at issues from the larger image, occasions just like the Big Aprilia Festival aren’t only for us lovers. They open doorways to a wider viewers, permitting individuals who maybe are excited about bikes however do not know easy methods to get began, to affix in on the enjoyable of all issues two wheels. At the tip of the day, this implies extra individuals hooked on bikes.

And everyone knows {that a} greater group is all the time a very good factor.