05 Kawasaki 636 Frame And Swingarm on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Geeky snippets ahead of the Phillip Island MotoGP

Valentino Rossi has finished on the podium eleven times in his twelve visits to Phillip Island across all three GP classes. The only race at Phillip Island that he did not finish in the top three was on his first visit riding a 125cc machine in 1997 when he finished sixth. In 1998 and 1999 he won the 250cc races and since then has had nine podiums in the premier-class including five victories, the last of which was in 2005.

Wrestling the Green Meanie

A three cylinder, 750cc two-stroke contained in a double cradle, tubular frame with telescopic suspension made up the intimidating Kawasaki KR750, seen here ridden around the legendary Spa circuit. Remembering the KR750, named the 'Green Meanie', TT winner Mick Grant said: "The KR750 was not as bad as what people thought it was. It had a nice spread, with enormous power and mid-range torque.

BSB 2012; Mystic Mac investigates

In my opinion, the smartest move in the BSB off season has to be Michael Laverty moving from Swan Yamaha to HM Plant Honda. With a ban on electronics for 2012, and in particular traction control, WFR's Graham Gowland has already proved to Laverty how competitive an EVO spec Fireblade can be - so I’m tipping both these riders to be bang on the money at the Brands Hatch season opener in April. Unlike BMW, Kawasaki and Yamaha, Honda have deliberately developed their road-going Superbike without electronics to give a user friendly feel with good mechanical traction, so it’ll be interesting to see how the opposition copes with their high-tech trickery stripped off.