Jensen Beeler, Author at Asphalt & Rubber

Recall

Harley-Davidson Recalls 2009 Dyna’s for Fuel Venting Problem

By Jensen Beeler 12/05/2008 No Comments

Harley-Davidson is recalling 349 Dyan series motorcycles for problems in their fuel-venting system. The defect in the construction can cause fuel to leak when the bike is tipped-over, which could lead to horrible, horrible, horrible burning. The affected models are the:

2009 Harley-Davidson Dyna Street Bob (FXDB)
2009 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide Custom (FXDC)
2009 Harley-Davidson Dyna Fat Bob (FXDF)
2009 Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider (FXDL)

Owners of these year and model bikes should take their hog into the dealer for an inspection of the fuel vent tube assembly, where the dealer will replace it if necessary. Owner may also contact the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or visit safecar.gov for more information.

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News

Leslie Porterfield Named The 2008 AMA Racing Female Rider of the Year

By Jensen Beeler 12/04/2008 No Comments

At 32 years of age, Leslie Porterfield is officially the fastest female motorcyclist in America. During this summer at the International Speed Trials, Porterfield broke the top mark for women with a record pass of 234.197mph on a 2000cc Suzuki Hayabusa. Read more about Poterfield’s other two records after the jump.

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News

Massimo Tamburini, Chief Designer at MV Agusta Retires

By Jensen Beeler 12/03/2008 2 Comments

On December 31st, Massimo Tamburini will be retiring from his position of design chief at MV Agusta. With this news it will be interesting to see who at MV (or should we speculate Harley-Davidson?) will step in to fill possibly the most important role to MV’s future.

Massimo Tamburini has been the hand behind some of the most cosmetically important motorcycles in the industry’s history, those are some big shoes to fill, and it will be the first test of Harley-Davidson’s management of their new brand. Read more for MV Agusta’s official press release.

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Banter

Caught Looking

By Jensen Beeler 12/03/2008 No Comments

In the off-season, we have the luxury of looking back on the little things we over-looked during the past season, and in this case it is Alstare’s Suzuki rider Yukio Kagayama who is “over-looking” his leggy umbrella girl. Whoops.

Source:

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Racing

Portimao Added to WSBK Testing Schedule

By Jensen Beeler 12/02/2008 No Comments

Portimao (Portugal), has been added to the World Superbike Championship testing schedule. The testing sessions will be held from January 23rd until January 25th. All Superbike and Supersport teams, factory and privateers alike, will travel to the new circuit for their first time out on the newly added circuit to WSBK racing. With the first race at Phillip Island only a month after the testing, teams will have only a short amount of time to dissect their information and come up with a winning bike setup.

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Banter

When Will We Hear About the Aprilia Tuono V4?

By Jensen Beeler 12/02/2008 No Comments

With specs for the road-going 2009 Aprilia RSV4 already out, and details about the WSBK prepped bike still coming, all has been too quiet on the Western Front in regards to if when the Aprilia Tuono will get the same V4 treatment as its more clothed cousin.

If Aprilia follows the previous formula for the Tuono, we can expect a literally naked version of the RSV4, in which case the above “rendered” speculation is likely a pretty close estimate, with maybe only some changes to the headlight, and “chin” fairing.

With already a plethora of naked bikes in its stable (Mana, Shiver, Dorsoduro) the Tuono can only exist if it differentiates itself from these bikes in some way (which would mean it has to adopt the V4 platform to continue on). Still, it would be nice to see Aprilia think a little bit outside of the box with the styling options.

Instead of just dressing down an RSV4, maybe the Tuono would become more than just a small market bike if it had its own legs to stand on, without looking like the Emperor in new clothes.

Wow us Aprilia. Wow us.

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Racing

MotoGP Winter Testing Ban Comes Into Affect

By Jensen Beeler 12/01/2008 No Comments

The MotoGP World Championship begins its customary winter testing ban period today. From now until January 21, 2009 there will be a complete embargo of on-track testing. During this period time period, team riders are not permitted to ride their respective bikes in preparation for the upcoming season.

During the seven-week break constructors will continue developmental work, whilst riders will use the free time for training, recuperation, surgical procedures, and stealing each other’s crew chiefs. The first test for MotoGP after the ban is lifted is set for February 5th through 7th, at the MotoGP Official Test in Sepang.

Source: MotoGP

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Bikes

Aprilia Mana X

By Jensen Beeler 12/01/2008 3 Comments

Aprilia’s Mana X was released to the public during the EICMA bike show in Milan a little over a month ago. Since then, Aprilia has finally seen it fit to get the street-meets-flat-tracking motorcycle into a studio for a proper photo shoot.

The Mana X concept is based off of Aprilia’s Mana 850, and shares the basic parts like the motor, and trellis frame. However, the resemblance ends there with a new two lens projector headlight setup, a full MX seat, low slung muffles, and a swingarm with exposed bracing taking the bike into a completely new direction of styling.

From the looks of the photo’s it looks like Aprilia has done away with the foot shifter in lieu of a hands-only choice of automatic shifting, or sequential touch shifting (via finger controls). This has allowed Aprilia to move the rear-brake lever t to the handlebar where a traditional clutch lever would be, leaving the dirt bike inspired foot pegs to dangle all by themselves.

While the bike is still a concept, it would only take a few minor changes and a little raiding of the common parts bin to make this dream become a reality.

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Banter

The Following May Disturb Some Viewers

By Jensen Beeler 12/01/2008 1 Comment

These photos are not for the feint of heart. We can only hope this is the only Ducati 1098 Tri-Color that finds its final hours on a bed of tacky blue tarps. Rest In Peace dear Soldier of Machismo.

Source: MotoXMoto & MotoBlog.it

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Products

Dynojet Power Commander V Coming For 2009

By Jensen Beeler 11/29/2008 1 Comment

DynoJet has come out with a new version of their Power Commander fuel injection computer, the Power Commander V. The new unit is smaller than the prior models, and more importantly it boasts some impressive features. The Power Commander V will only be available for 2009 model year motorcycles, so you’re pretty much out of luck if you actually own a bike right now, but if you’re in the market click to read all of the juicy details. Oh, did I mention this will be an auto-tuning device that dynamically changes your fuel based on sensors throughout the bike? Yeah, now you want to click for more.

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News

Norton to Return to the Isle of Man TT for 2009

By Jensen Beeler 11/28/2008 No Comments

It was only a few months ago that Norton Motorcycles had the spark of life breathed back into it. A UK businesman named Stuart Garner bought the rights to the Norton brand, and set up a factory and officespace for the company near the famous Donington race track.

Rumors place Norton as currently developing a streetbike called the Commando for the 2009 model year. Likely as a part of that product launch, Norton has announced that they will be entering into the Isle of Man TT in 2009 as well with 20-year-old Michael Dunlop taking the helm. More on this and the NRV588 with pictures after the jump.

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