Honda Magna Motorcycles in Colchester, page #30

Moto blog

Classic Japanese Bikes Highlight Bonhams’ Next Auction

Bonhams’ annual fall auction, the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, at Stafford County Showground is scheduled for October 20, 2013. Included in the auction is the above pictured 1974 Kawasaki H1-RW 500cc triple. Expected to sell for approximately $96,000 to $112,000, the Japanese works Grand Prix racer is one of only two machines built by the factory for the French Kawasaki importer SIDEMM for use in the 500cc World Championship. The bikes were ridden during the 1974 season by the French endurance racing specialist Christian Léon and French-Canadian Formula 750 star Yvon Duhamel.

Stoner Tests Honda RCV1000R MotoGP Production Racer

Retired two-time MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner returned to the track this week to test Honda‘s RC213V racer as well as the company’s new RCV1000R production racer at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan. This was Stoner’s first test on the production racer after rain cut short a previous test session in August. The weather again threatened to derail Honda’s testing plans, wiping out the first day of the two-day test but Stoner was able to finally able to put in some laps on the production racer and came away impressed.

Own A Scale Model Of The Elf5, One Of The Most Unique Racing Motorcycles Ever

If you’re a fan of scale model racing motorcycle kits, this 1/12 scale model of the Elf5 racer, as ridden by Ron Haslam in 1988, should make your mouth water. Designed by famous F1 designer André de Cortanze, the Elf5 was the culmination of a radical experiment by de Cortanze and Elf, the French petroleum giant. And even though it didn’t claim the racing success Cortanze and Elf had hoped, the experimental Elf motorcycles hold a distinctive place in motorcycle racing history, with some of its technology still in use today.  Powered by a Honda NSR500 V4 engine that served as a stressed member and main mounting structure for the single-sided swingarms both front and rear, this recently released scale model is based closely on the actual Elf5 racing machines. This full detailed kit maintains the single-sided suspension, with the front suspension consisting of aluminum alloy and springs that will be partly movable.

Rea and Haslam Re-Sign with Pata Honda for 2014 WSBK Championship

The Pata Honda racing team announced it has re-signed Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam to compete in the 2014 World Superbike Championship. It’s been a disappointing season for both rider, thanks in large part to injuries. Rea is currently on the shelf with a fractured femur sustained in a crash at Nurburgring while Haslam also missed several rounds earlier in the season because of a broken leg.

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.

Öhlins USA Suspension Cirkus of Speed Tomorrow, September 28

Rain or shine, the second annual Öhlins USA Cirkus of Speed will take place tomorrow, Saturday, September 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Did we mention it’s free?

WSBK Shuffle: Elias to Red Devils Roma As Fabrizio In talks to Replace Injured Rea at Honda

The World Superbike Championship was off this past weekend but it looks like there will be some significant changes to the grid when the series resumes next weekend at Istanbul Park in Turkey. Veteran racer Toni Elias has quit his Moto2 team, reportedly to sign with the Red Devils Roma squad to ride the Aprilia RSV4 Factory for the remaining four rounds of the season. Elias will replace Michel Fabrizio who is reportedly unhappy with late payments from the team’s sponsors.

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.

Honda Announces 2014 Cruisers, Customs and XR650L

American Honda announced several models returning for the 2014 model year with no changes save for a couple of new color options, but the same pricing as 2013. These 2014 model announcements include Honda’s 750cc Shadow cruisers, its 1300cc customs, the entry-level 250cc Rebel cruiser and the XR650L dual-sport. Those waiting for more substantial changes will have to wait a bit longer for more 2014 Honda announcements.