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Moto blog

Q3 2013 US Motorcycle Sales Results

Motorcycle and scooter sales in the U.S. in 2013 remain consistent with last year’s figures, according to data released by the Motorcycle Industry Council. Several manufacturers blamed poor weather for the poor start this year, and the rebounding sales in the third quarter helped to negate the slow sales from earlier in the year.

Polaris Reports Q3 2013 Sales Results

Polaris Industries topped the $1 billion mark in sales for the first time in company history during the third quarter. Total sales revenue totaled $1.1 billion in the quarter, up 25.3% from $879.9 million reported in the same quarter last year. “Our record third quarter results reflect both the ongoing demand for our existing products and the potential contained within the initial shipments of our model year 2014 vehicles, the largest new product introduction in the company’s history,” says Scott Wine, chief executive officer of Polaris Industries.

Ben Spies Retires from Motorcycle Racing

Ben Spies announced his retirement from motorcycle racing, as injuries cut short a once promising career for the American. Spies retires with a World Superbike title in his first and only season in the series, and three AMA Superbike Championships. “I want to thank everyone from racing organizations, factories, teams and all my fans for helping me and supporting me throughout my career,” says Spies.

2014 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Rulebook Now Available

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb organizers have finalized the 2014 rulebook and have made it available in .pdf form online. Click here to download the 93-page document. Don’t fret about the number of pages, moto-specific stuff starts on page 70.  Now that the course has been fully paved since 2011, this has opened the doors for sportbike riders who wish to tackle the mountain.

WSBK 2013: Magny-Cours Race Report

Tom Sykes snapped up a pair of wins at Magny-Cours, setting himself up in good position to capture his first World Superbike Championship at the season finale in Jerez in two weeks. The Kawasaki rider scored his series-leading eight and ninth victories of the season, giving him a commanding 37-point cushion over Eugene Laverty and 38 points ahead of Sylvain Guintoli. Sykes needs only score at least 13 points in total over the final two races at Jerez to secure the championship.

2013 Motocross of Nations Results

Ken de Dycker led Team Belgium to victory in the 2013 Motocross of Nations at Germany’s Teutschenthal track. De Dycker was joined by Clement de Salle and Jeremy von Horebeek in winning Belgium’s first MXoN title since 2004. Team U.S.A.

WSBK 2013: Laguna Seca Race Report

Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty each came away with a victory as the World Superbike Championship made its return to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The first race featured two red flags, ironically caused by AMA Superbike regulars Danny Eslick and Roger Hayden, the two men with the most recent experience at the famed track. The second race was a much cleaner affair, with a dramatic finish, setting up the final two rounds of the championship.

Victory Recalling Lock & Ride Passenger Backrests

Victory has announced a recall for certain Lock & Ride passenger backrests sold as accessories for the Cross Roads, Cross Country and Hard-Ball models because of a risk of them falling off. Officially, the recall affects 8,819 backrests including both the chrome (part #2877938) and black (part #2877938-266), but only a fraction may have a problem. On their own, there are no issues with the Lock & Ride passenger backrests.

Marc Marquez Crash Data Analysis From Silverstone

During warm-up for last weekend’s Silverstone MotoGP race, Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez crashed between turns seven and eight, losing the front while on the brakes. The fall caused the MotoGP rookie’s shoulder to pop out of its socket, and Alpinestars has released the data from Marquez’ Tech-Air-equipped suit for us to further examine. Looking at the graph below, you’ll see the impact was focused on Marquez’ left shoulder.

Sidecar Motocross Racer Tests Positive for Clenbuterol

The International Motorcycling Federation announced it has provisionally suspended sidecar motocross passenger Lauris Daiders after a urine sample tested positive for the prohibited substance clenbuterol. The positive test came from an in-competition urine test at the July 21 FIM Sidecar Motocoss Championship round in Strassbessenbach, Germany. Lauris rides passenger with his brother Janis Daiders in the Sidecar Motocross world championship.