Triumph Introduces 2025 Speed Triple 1200 RS

Michael Gougis

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January 27, 2025

Triumph Introduces 2025 Speed Triple 1200 RS

The 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS in action. Photo courtesy Triumph.

Triumph Motorcycles has unveiled the new Speed Triple 1200 RS for 2025, with unmatched triple power and torque, peerless handling and even more state-of-the-art rider-focused technology.

More powerful than ever before, Triumph’s 1160cc triple engine delivers relentless acceleration and performance with 180.5 HP (183PS) at 10,750 rpm and 94.4 lb-ft (128Nm) at 8,750 rpm.

Thrilling and utterly addictive, the three-cylinder engine delivers the ultimate blend of low-end drive and top-end punch, giving cutting-edge performance on the road and on the track, coupling instant throttle response with an effortlessly smooth power delivery. This is further enhanced by a revised dynamic crankshaft balancing strategy, for a significant improvement in engine refinement.

Featuring Öhlins latest-generation SmartEC3 semi-active suspension, precision-focused dynamics, and a signature roadster riding position, the new Speed Triple delivers razor-sharp handling, agility, and control in every turn. Brembo Stylema® calipers and a Brembo MCS span and ratio adjustable lever combine to offer serious stopping power and a customizable feel, even during the most demanding riding. Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tires deliver racetrack performance in a fully street legal tire.

Carefully engineered to be just 438.7 lbs. (199kg) ready to ride, the Speed Triple also sports slightly wider, higher bars and features a bold, aggressive design with purposeful details. Its sporty, upright stance conveys power and presence while ensuring the perfect balance of agility and control. Combined with a narrow seat profile, the rider can feel an intuitive and effortless connection with the bike, delivering precise handling and real-world comfort.

The rider-focused package of equipment and technology of the new Speed Triple’s puts the rider in control, offering exceptional levels of adjustment. This includes the cutting-edge Öhlins Objective Based Tuning Interface (OBTi), which allows riders to easily adjust the suspension’s dynamic damping characteristics in different riding scenarios. The seven parameters that can be independently adjusted are:

Front Firmness

Rear Firmness

Braking Support

Acceleration Support

Initial Acceleration Support

Cornering Support

Cruising Support

There is also new independently adjustable Front Wheel Lift Control, Engine Braking Control and Brake Slide Control, as well as fully adjustable cruise control.

Steve Sargent – Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles

“The new Speed Triple 1200 RS is now more refined, with a significantly improved electronics package, that makes it even easier for customers to exploit and enjoy the improved performance.”

MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER

With 180.5 HP (183PS) at 10,750rpm, the new engine delivers 3HP more than the previous generation of Speed Triple. Torque is improved too, with 94.4 lb-ft (128Nm) at 8,750rpm, which is not only 2.2 lb-ft more than the outgoing model but is delivered slightly lower in the rev range.

Incorporating learnings and expertise gathered during Triumph’s Moto2™ engine development, the Speed Triple 1200 RS engine has been engineered to be more powerful and durable, as well as being compact and lightweight.

A new, free-flowing exhaust system with a compact and lightweight silencer, streamlines gas flow and centralizes mass to improve performance, while maintaining the Speed Triple’s signature triple bark.

In addition, the must-have accessory for the new Speed Triple will be the new Akrapovič silencer, which features a titanium outer wrap and mounting bracket, finished with a carbon fiber endcap and laser etched Akrapovič logo.

RAZOR SHARP HANDLING

Featuring innovative ‘spool valve’ technology for even faster adjustment and improved comfort, state-of-the-art Öhlins® SmartEC3 semi-active technology delivers perfectly tailored precise and dynamic handling.

This includes the Öhlins Objective Based Tuning Interface (OBTi), which continuously monitors and adjusts the suspension damping characteristics. So, whether riding in a straight line, braking for a corner, balancing the bike mid corner, or accelerating out of a corner, it adjusts the damping characteristics to give the desired performance in each scenario. Riders can now customize this performance using an intuitive menu system on the TFT instruments, so the bike continuously monitors and adapts the damping in real time to deliver the optimum performance for the conditions.

For the next level of precision and control, the Speed Triple 1200 RS also features an adjustable steering damper, delivering smooth and predictable handling in every situation, as well as a pair of Brembo Stylema calipers with an MCS lever, delivering impeccable stopping performance and a customizable brake feel. Completing the set-up, the Speed Triple 1200 RS has Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tires fitted as standard, which have a bi-compound design for optimized grip, stability, and durability.

Giving the perfect balance of agility and control, the bike is compact, with bars that are slightly wider and higher than the outgoing model, creating a sporty, upright roadster stance that delivers effortlessly precise handling with real-world comfort. Where the yokes have been updated to accommodate the wider bars and the addition of the steering damper, the finish of these components has been updated to a sophisticated and understated black tone, creating a contrast with the gold Öhlins forks.

BOLD DESIGN AND AGGRESSIVE STYLING

With sharp lines and a purposeful stance, the Speed Triple 1200 RS has a strikingly handsome silhouette, with a sculpted tank and minimalist rear end that blends seamlessly with the taillight and license plate hanger.

Taking cues from the 30 years of Speed Triple design DNA, the new model retains the signature twin headlights and single sided swingarm, which reinforce the bike’s modern and aggressive styling, as well as its serious performance capability.

Evolving the design for an even sportier look in 2025, the aluminum twin-spar frame and lightweight new wheels reduce gyroscopic forces for faster turn-in and greater agility, making carving through corners effortless, while a new seat cowl sharpens the rear end of the bike.

Despite all the extra technology and the electronic suspension, the Speed Triple is still one of the lightest bikes in the class, at just 438.7 lbs. (199kg) wet weight with fuel. Contributing to this is the Speed Triple’s new lithium-ion battery, which is significantly lighter than a conventional battery.

From the bar end mirrors, to the meticulously sculpted swingarm, the attention to detail, build quality, and overall level of finish are second to none.

RIDER-FOCUSED TECHNOLOGY

The 2025 updates also bring new performance electronics that are configurable by the rider and adjustable independently of the riding modes. The new front wheel lift control system, which incorporates inputs from the six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) to determine the pitch of the bike, offers four levels of adjustment.

Engine Braking Control is customizable according to the rider’s preference, complementing the adjustable throttle maps and allowing riders to adjust the engine feel to suit their own riding style and the conditions.

Brake Slide Assist, which is available in Track mode only, optimizes the ABS calibration for track riding by allowing more front wheel slip and more rear wheel lift. This maximizes performance on track and minimizes feelings of being intrusive, all while providing a safety net in case of unexpected conditions.

With five distinct riding modes (Rain, Road, Sport, Track, Rider), Optimized Cornering ABS and switchable Optimized Cornering Traction Control, and the Triumph Shift Assist up and down quickshifter are all fitted as standard, equipping it with all the advanced features to maximize performance and safety in all conditions.

The design of the 5″ TFT instrument interface provides instant access to all key information, controlled by the intuitive 5-way joystick and backlit switches. The standard-fit My Triumph Connectivity System enables turn-by-turn navigation, as well as phone and music control.

There’s fully adjustable cruise control for longer rides, and a new Emergency Deceleration Warning feature activates a high-frequency flash of the brake light to alert other road users in case of hard braking and rapid deceleration.

The ignition, steering lock, and fuel cap feature keyless operation on the Speed Triple 1200 RS. For added security, the wireless function can be disabled with a single button press.

THE ORIGINAL HOOLIGAN

Paul Stroud – Chief Commercial Officer, Triumph Motorcycles

“In 2024 we celebrated the Speed Triple’s 30th Anniversary with owners, fans and collectors, clearly demonstrating how every iteration of this model has been as groundbreaking as that original hooligan we launched in 1994. Back then, it sparked the birth of a whole new category of naked sports bikes. Today, we are setting a new benchmark for triple powered performance with this new Speed Triple 1200 RS.
Our customers will love the heart-racing acceleration and soul-stirring sound from this incredible triple engine, as well as the remarkable level of adjustment and control the new technology provides, giving riders the opportunity to truly tailor their ride to suit their style. Unmistakably Triumph, the handling is exquisite, as is the level of quality and detail in every aspect of the design.”

ON THE ROAD

Available from $19,995 USD / $22,695 CAD, customers can choose from three eye-catching colors, including Jet Black, or the premium options, Granite and Diablo Red, or Granite and Performance Yellow, all with striking new graphics. With more than 25 Genuine Triumph Accessories available, owners can make the Speed Triple their own. Bikes will be arriving in dealerships beginning March 2025.

Find out more at triumphmotorcycles.com

Mission Foods CTR AMA Flat Track Series Opener

John Ulrich

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January 27, 2025

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Mission Foods CTR AMA Flat Track Series Opener

Mission Foods CTR Flat Track Series Opener

The growl of a Florida Panther can be intimidating, but every January in Callahan, Florida a louder roar echoes through the ether. Flat track motorcycles erupt to life for the annual Mission Foods Cory Texter Promotions Winter Throwdown. Hosting north of 800 entries across a weekend, the event took on an added level of prestige this year. Already an AMA major event, in 2025 the Winter Throwdown also kicked off a new AMA Championship: The Mission Foods CTR Flat Track Series.

Racing began Thursday Night with the King of the Throwdown 1v1 Bracket Race where Three-Time American Flat Track Singles Champion Kody Kopp took top honors over Chad Cose. The Mica, Washington rider is set for a change of scenery in 2025, competing in the MotoAmerica Talent Cup, but Kopp showed he has not lost a step on the dirt.

With inclement weather looming Saturday, race and track officials made the decision to move the entire rest of the weekend of racing to Friday. Thus, the 16 hours of Callahan commenced.

Nicknamed “Shark Bait” Cruise Texter morphed into the apex predator of the 50cc Classes, sweeping the weekend in the 50cc Air Cooled and 50cc Chain Classes. Not to be outdone, Bakersfield, California’s Jackson Joiner added a double sweep of his own in the 65cc and 85cc Classes.

250 Amateur and 450 Amateur Champion Ryder Bitz-Hay (14). Photo: Madcap Imaging.

Several other riders cleaned up at the Throwdown. Davey Durelle collected four total wins in 50+ and 60+ Classes. Shawn Raggio was dominant in the Hooligan class while William Cato (30+) and Greg Boyle (40+) also left Callahan Speedway with two race wins.

65cc and 85cc Champion, Jackson Joiner. Photo: Madcap Imaging.

Logan Higgins claimed a victory and the Overall Championship in the SuperMini Class but was bested by Cash Carter in the second main event of the weekend. Eli Block and Jackson Settle would split Open Novice wins with Block leaving as the Overall Winner.

After finding success in the first Vintage Main Event, Benjamin Miller went down in his heat race for the second program, opening the door for Alex Childs to take the race and weekend Overall.

Braxton Ragan’s attempt to defend his 250 Amateur Throwdown Title started strong, but a 5th-Place in main event two allowed Ryder Bitz-Hay to claim that win his first of two Overall Championships on the weekend. After cruising from California to race, Bitz-Hay cruised to victory in the first 450 Amateur Main Event and the Overall, even with Adam Costan’s triumph in Main Event Two.

50cc Air-Cooled and 50cc Chain Champion, Cruise Texter (26). Photo: Madcap Imaging.

Aaden Savage and Ethan Salmon took home wins in the Open Amateur Main Events but the consistency of Stockton, California Rider, Jaymes Arnaiz (2-4) secured him the Weekend Championship.

Chad Cose rebounded from his King of the Throwdown runner-up, to claim a Premier Expert and Open Expert Main Event win, as well as the Premier Expert Weekend Title. Other Expert winners included Justin Jones and Jared Lowe with Lowe the Weekend Champion for the Open Expert Class.

The Mission Foods CTR Series will resume May 16-17, 2025 in Salem, Ohio at Western Reserve Motorcycle Club.

MotoAmerica: Collins Returns and Dahmer Joins Altus Motorsports

Mathilde Gasnier

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January 27, 2025

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MotoAmerica: Collins Returns and Dahmer Joins Altus Motorsports

Altus Motorsports is proud to announce two more riders joining the team for the 2025 MotoAmerica season.

Torin Collins returns for another season with Altus, piloting the Suzuki GSX-R750 in the MotoAmerica Supersport class. A seasoned rider with international experience, Collins will be supported by Boyd Brunner, who serves as both Team Manager and Crew Chief.

Seth Dahmer is the newest addition to the team and will compete in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup class aboard a Suzuki GSX-8R. With his father, John Dahmer, serving as his mechanic, Seth is eager to leave his mark on the competitive MotoAmerica paddock.

Collins and Dahmer join Owen Williams who will compete in the MotoAmerica Supersport class on his Suzuki GSX-R750.

“We’re building an incredible lineup for 2025,” said Janette Nassaney, Altus Motorsports Co-Owner. “With a mix of returning talent and new faces, this team is poised for an incredible season. Our riders and crew share a commitment to excellence and embody the family-team atmosphere that Altus is known for. With everyone working together, we’re confident this season will bring consistent podium finishes and incredible moments on and off the track.”

Altus Motorsports team is supported by our great family of sponsors: Altus Motorsports, WPS, Firepower, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Buy A Jet From Steve Main, Barnett, Hot Bodies Racing, M4 Exhausts, Vortex EK, Motion Pro, SBS Brakes, BrakeTech USA, Inc., GP Racing, Maxima Racing Oils, K-Tech, Attack Racing, Team Hammer, RS Taichi, Arai, Core Moto, Pro Bolt, Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers, Law Tigers Oklahoma, and Altus Factory Racing.

Royal Enfield Announces Dates for 2025 BTR Races

Michael Gougis

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January 26, 2025

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Royal Enfield Announces Dates for 2025 BTR Races

Royal Enfield returns for 2025 with the Build. Train. Race. program, including four rounds of road racing and four rounds of flat track racing. The BTR program has helped female racers compete in front of a national audience since its inception in 2020, and in 2025, will include racers from Brazil, Royal Enfield’s largest and fastest-growing market outside of India.

ROAD RACING

April 4th – 6th, Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds (Birmingham), AL

May 30th – June 1st, Road America Raceway, Elkhart Lake, WI

June 27th – 29th, The Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

August 1st – 3rd, Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA

FLAT TRACK

March 6th – 7th, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

April 26th, Ventura Raceway, Ventura, CA

June 7th, I-70 Speedway, Odessa, MO

September 14th, Lake Ozark Speedway, Eldon, MO

Supercross Results From Anaheim 2

John Ulrich

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January 26, 2025

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Jett Lawrence Earns Win at Anaheim 2 Supercross

Haiden Deegan Tops 250SX Class at Round Three

Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence took an impressive win amid wet track conditions inside Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. It was the defending Monster Energy AMA Supercross and SMX World Championship™ champ’s first win of the season, and it was a thriller with four to five racers battling for the lead for much of the race.

Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen came out of the exciting main event battle with a second-place finish and becomes the third points leader after three rounds. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson took over the lead six minutes into the race and held the spot for approximately eight laps. Anderson battled hard and finished the night with a third-place finish. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac, the points leader going into the race, recovered from a near-last start to earn a seventh place finish. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan grabbed the holeshot and, after fending off a first-lap attack, rode to an unchallenged victory.

Jett Lawrence won the 450SX main event. Photo: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“You have to be very patient [racing in these conditions],” Jett Lawrence said. “Jason was riding really well, and I was struggling to find anywhere to gain on him or try to make a pass. He had to get a little risky in the whoops… I think we both got sketchy through them. I was being very patient and trying not to rush anything. Lap by lap I just hit my marks. There was the rain, my goggles were fogging up a little bit, but we’re happy to get that [win]. We’re better than we were at the last round at Anaheim, so that’s good. On to the next round in Arizona.”

Ken Roczen took second place in the 450SX Class. Photo: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“It’s an absolute dream,” Ken Roczen said, regarding a comment that he moved into the points lead for the first time since the opening round of 2022. “After I was in position last week for a possible third, I came back [to the truck and] was thinking it would be so rad to share a red plate with Eli. And just to have a red plate, it’s been a long time, especially on a Suzuki. I wasn’t able to make [a win] happen tonight. This was an absolutely insane race. We were in a battle the whole way, and it was awesome. With the rain and how hard-packed the dirt was, it was very slippery out there, but I just kept my focus the whole way… After making a [first] pass stick on Jason I hit neutral, and he got me back. I was bummed because it’s a lot of work to get by.”

Jason Anderson took third place in the 450SX Class. Photo: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“I think that rain gives you quite a bit of anxiety when sitting on the line,” said Jason Anderson. “I was able to get out front and the pace up there is really fast, and I had pressure the whole time. I was able to get around Justin [Cooper] and be up front, but then I had some of the fastest guys behind me. I’m excited to be up here [on the podium].”

In 250SX Class racing, Haiden Deegan grabbed the holeshot with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Julien Beaumer in second. Beaumer made an aggressive pass attempt in the second corner that brought the two racers together for the second time that night. Deegan held the lead and quickly pulled out a cushion to never be challenged again even as heavy rain came down late in the race. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies earned his first professional podium in just his third professional Supercross race; it came courtesy of a last-lap mistake from Triumph Racing’s Jordon Smith who was challenging for the second-place spot when he crashed in the whoops. The 250SX Class podium consisted of three teenagers; it was the first all-teen podium since 2011. Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda, winner of the season opener, put in a steady ride, despite having two broken fingers, to move from 10th place up to 6th place at the checkers.

Haiden Deegan won in the 250SX Class. Photo: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“You pissed off the bull last week,” said Haiden Deegan, reacting to a comment that he rode better this weekend than at the two previous races. “Juju (Julien Beaumer) ran his mouth so it’s time to lock in. You don’t want to piss me off because I come out swinging. A big thanks to my team, they put a lot of work in this week. We grinded from morning until the end of the day, multiple times. We got the bike dialed… keep talking and I’ll come out swinging.”

Julien Beaumer was second in the 250SX Class. Photo: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“[Haiden and I] got together in that heat race and I went down,” said Julien Beaumer, when Deegan’s words about him were pointed out to him. “Nothing too big, nothing to worry about… [In the main] I got off to a good start and he rode great, hats off to him, he was the better man tonight. Now we’re going to get back to work. I can’t thank everyone enough; Red Bull KTM, they’ve been working their butts off.”

Cole Davies was third in 250SX, and said, “It’s a good feeling, my first podium… I spun off the start because it was so slick, then the track was haggard. I was playing MX Bikes last night. I turned the hero [mode] completely off and it completely replicated the track that I just rode. That was a sick race, so I’m stoked.”

Outside of the racing, the motorcycle industry has rallied together to create an incredible fundraising effort to help those affected by the recent Southern California wildfires. Athletes competing in the Anaheim 2 Supercross will donate their race-worn helmets to be auctioned off to fans. All proceeds from the auction will go to the American Red Cross for its 2025 California Wildfire Relief Fund. The auction runs from January 31st until Friday, February 7th. More information for this opportunity to help those impacted by the disaster and own a special piece of Supercross history can be found at TroyLeeDesigns.Betterworld.org.

The Southern California Supercross brought out some of the top stars from other sports disciplines and professions including Red Bull F1 driver Liam Lawson; 2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr.; Riley Herbst NASCAR incoming rookie; former racer Carey Hart; LA Dodgers pitcher Landon Knack; Pittsburg Steeler’s wide receiver Mike Williams; actors and entertainers Jay Mohr, Nathan Kress, Ashley Jones, Jamie Camil, and Ed Quinn; skating legend Mike McGill; musicians Jason Bonham, Jagger Bonham, and Blake Redferrin who performed live.

450SX Class podium (riders left to right) Ken Roczen, Jett Lawrence, and Jason Anderson. Photo: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

450SX Results:

https://results.supercrosslive.com/results/?p=view_race_result&id=5635649

The all-teen 250SX Class podium, with riders left to right, Julien Beaumer, Haiden Deegan, and Cole Davies. Photo: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

250SX Results:

https://results.supercrosslive.com/results/?p=view_race_result&id=5635629

KTM Launches 2025 390 ENDURO R

John Ulrich

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January 26, 2025

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For 2025, the iconic KTM 690 ENDURO R is joined by a smaller machine proudly wearing the ENDURO R nameplate, the KTM 390 ENDURO R. Tough, reliable, and true to its ENDURO R moniker, the 2025 KTM 390 ENDURO R thrives in the dirt but is just at home in the urban jungle as it is on mountain trails.

The KTM 390 ENDURO R enters a new segment of the market. With long travel suspension, 21/18-inch spoke wheels, a new minimal TFT dashboard, and even the option of turning MTC and ABS completely off, it provides real-world, dual-sport ability while setting the benchmark in the segment.

Boasting a slim profile thanks to a new two-piece steel trellis frame design, compact 2.37 gallon (9 liter) metal fuel tank, and small, off-road-focused fairings, the KTM 390 ENDURO R delivers confidence with rider-optimized ergonomics and incredibly flickable weight.

To excel no matter the conditions, the KTM 390 ENDURO R features a 43 mm open cartridge fork with easy compression and rebound adjustability in 30-click steps. On the rear, an off-center WP APEX shock absorber boasts 20 clicks of rebound adjustability and 230 mm of travel. Preload is adjustable with the quick use of a tool to find the right setup for riding with luggage or a passenger, or to just dial in for different terrain.

Featuring selectable ride modes, with OFFROAD MODE being the main feature, the KTM 390 ENDURO R leads the way in the segment with advanced technology to deliver nothing short of an exhilarating riding experience, whether sliding through forest roads, lifting the front wheel over downed logs, or navigating city streets.

The new 2025 KTM 390 ENDURO R will be hitting showroom floors in early 2025. For more information, visit https://www.ktm.com/en-us.html

MotoGP: Pertamina Enduro VR46 Unveils 2025 Livery

Michael Gougis

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January 25, 2025

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MotoGP: Pertamina Enduro VR46 Unveils 2025 Livery

And it was all: fluo! Bright yellow continues to take centre stage for Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in 2025, with their new livery revealed on Saturday at the Nusah Inda Theater in Jakarta, Indonesia. There, Fabio Di Giannantonio and new teammate Franco Morbidelli took the covers off their new livery in front of more than 600 guests.

Fluo Stream – Act 2 sees the team’s machinery add some symbolic details this year. The fluo yellow and white combo, all designed by Aldo Drudi and Drudi Performance, has a sun and moon on each side – Team Owner Valentino Rossi’s symbols. In the middle, together with the 49 and 21 of the riders, is the iconic 46 of the ‘Doctor’.

Under the gaze of Rossi, the team, led by Team Director Alessio Salucci and Team Manager Pablo Nieto, is ready to gain an even more relevant role in the championship in its first year as a Ducati Factory Supported Team. The squad will have a Desmosedici GP25, the latest model of Borgo Panigale-based team, fielded by Diggia. That’s the only other GP25 on the grid outside of the factory team. On the other side of the VR46 garage, Morbidelli rides out on the title-winning GP24.

The 2025 season will be Diggia’s second with the team and he returns after working hard to recover from the left shoulder injury and surgery he had at the end of 2024. Morbidelli, meanwhile, is ready to “close the circle” with his debut with the Valentino Rossi squad.

Fabio Di Giannantonio – 49

“It’s good to be in Indonesia and to launch the team here. In this part of the world, people are so passionate about our sport. It’s amazing seeing so many people who cheer and it’s great to have many supporters from Indonesia. Our new livery is amazing, we made a huge step with these little details this year. About the shoulder, I’m recovering quite well from the operation, that was hard. I think I’m at my 85%, but during the winter we worked a lot, and I think I should arrive at the first race of the season at 100%. I have a new teammate, Franky! I can’t wait to work with him, I think I can learn a lot from him, he’s a rider who won many races, he was world champion and runner up in MotoGP.”

Franco Morbidelli – 21

“It’s great to start from here, launching the team and having the first trainings in Indonesia. This part of the world is becoming more and more important for motorsports, especially motorbikes. There’s a lot of passion, it’s amazing to keep in touch with the people from here and get to talk to them. It was great also seeing my 21 on the new bike, the colors are wonderful, and I love the shadow of the 46 behind the number. The livery is really beautiful! It’s a new team for me, but I already know everyone. Riding for Valentino Rossi’s team is amazing; he made motorcycling racing better. There is a fantastic atmosphere, and I think this is one of the strongest points of the team. For sure there are much more, and I will discover them during the season. In 2025 we aim to improve last year results, we have a very good package thanks to Ducati. I get along well with Fabio, we’ve known each other for a long time, he’s riding very fast, and it will be important to work together to get great results for the team.”

Alessio Salucci – Team Director

“It’s the first time we launch the team in Jakarta. In Indonesia there is a lot of support for MotoGP and for our team. We wanted to come here also to thank Pertamina for the great support during 2024 season. The hospitality they gave us was so special from the first minute. Last year we suffered a bit, but I have great expectation for this year, because we have a renewed package, with Fabio Di Giannantonio who proved to be very fast and Franco Morbidelli who has been a MotoGP runner up and a Moto2 World Champion. The goal of this year is to fight for the top six and we can’t wait to start. It’s our first year as Ducati Factory Supported Team, we will have more pressure, but we must be good at manage it. We are very happy for that. The new livery is similar to last year one, but with some special details. There is Valentino, with his iconic symbols.”

Pablo Nieto – Team Manager

“The launch in Jakarta is incredible! We’ve been welcomed in an amazing way, they make us feel at home every time we come here. This year, the relationship with Ducati is a step forward, for us being a Factory Supported Team is very important, it means we have more pressure, and we can do better because we have the best bike on the grid. The goal is to keep improving and we know we can reach the podium every weekend with both riders. Diggia has the opportunity to be in the top three in almost every race, and with Franky we will have many opportunities because he already knows the bike. Although, as a team, we will have to keep our feet on the ground.”

Video: First Ride On A 2007 Ducati 999s Team USA Limited Edition

John Ulrich

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January 25, 2025

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Video: First Ride On A 2007 Ducati 999s Team USA Limited Edition

Racer, coach, CVMA new racer school instructor, and Ducati collector Stuart ‘Stuman” Smith recently bought a 2007 Ducati 999s Team USA Edition. Ducati sold them with tailsections signed by AMA Pro Superbike racers Ben Bostrom on one side and Neil Hodgson on the other side. After buying the bike in Las Vegas, Stuman drove directly to Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, put it on the track, and recorded this video.

Stuman wrote to Roadracing World, “It is a ride and review of a 2007 Ducati 999s Team USA Edition. It is a pretty rare bike, 1 of 150 made and signed by the racers who were on the Parts Unlimited AMA Superbike team that year.”

https://youtu.be/LLTrzqzd15U

World Superbike: Executive Director Lavilla Previews Tech Future

Michael Gougis

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January 25, 2025

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World Superbike: Executive Director Lavilla Previews Tech Future

Interview: World Superbike Executive Director Gregorio Lavilla:

“It’s Always Going To Be Cat-And-Dog …”

By Michael Gougis

Gregorio Lavilla’s job is a bit like juggling chainsaws. Overseeing the rules and class structure for the Superbike World Championship requires him to chase market changes, balance performance between wide varieties of machines, and create and eliminate classes. He has to find new ways to reduce performance in the face of an army of engineers whose sole purpose in life is to find a way to make racebikes go faster. He has to keep an ever-shifting cast of manufacturers happy enough that they keep racing. And he has to do so without appearing tone-deaf to a world outside of motorcycle racing that demands increasingly cleaner and more efficient machinery.

At the end of 2024, Lavilla, a former racer in MotoGP, 500cc GP and 250cc Grand Prix as well as in World Superbike, and a British Superbike Champion, sat down with Roadracing World to discuss what the future held for the World Superbike World Championship. He talked about upcoming changes to the entry-level race class; new tools to balance machine performance in Superbike; and even the possibility that Supersport could become the premier category in the series, second only to MotoGP in terms of worldwide status and prestige.

The existing Supersport300 class is going away at the end of 2025, to be replaced with bikes with double their power output, Lavilla says. The goal is to react to changes in the market and to make it easier for riders to make the jump from the entry-level class to Supersport, the next-faster category. Right now, the Supersport300 machines make about 45 horsepower and Supersport bikes about 140. The goal for the new class will be a power output of about 80 to 90 horsepower, according to Lavilla.

“Right now, in terms of power, we have quite a big gap from the Supersport300 to the following class, which is Supersport. We felt like the Supersport300 class worked for the purpose for which it was created, but now the market has evolved, and there are new products available for which we can see a good fit for having an affordable entry class but are for more performance machines,” Lavilla says.

“(We want) to give a little bit more punch to the teams and riders, to be able to enjoy World Championship tracks with a little more power and make it easier to make the transition to Supersport, so it would not be such a big jump in terms of power. Some riders can adapt very quickly, obviously. But others take more time. And unfortunately, this is a sport where there is not much time that the teams and sponsors give you. So if you are able to be a bit more prepared–the skills will be more in line with the class that follows, and that should help with the transition.

“It will not be such a big jump in the lap times. It will be more powerful, but it will be more heavy, and honestly, the Supersport300s are fast, very fast!”

The Supersport300 class will be replaced by a new category with twice the horsepower and a much wider variety of machinery. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Having managed to do a decent job of balancing performance among a wide variety of machines in the current Next Generation Supersport category, the series is hoping to do the same for the new entry-level class. While the V-Twin Ducati Panigale V2 clearly was the machine to be on in World Supersport for 2024, the Inline-4 Yamaha YZF-R6 still took six race wins and MV Agusta’s three-cylinder F3 800 RR was on the podium.

Right now, Lavilla says, eight manufacturers from around the world have expressed interest in the new class, with machines including Twins, Triples, and Fours. And the interest of Chinese manufacturers in racing is not to be overlooked. QJMotors raced its SRK 800 RR, a 778cc Inline-4, in Supersport in 2024, and World Superbike wants to be sure that Chinese manufacturers have a place on the grid.

“So now we have to analyze all the different models of the manufacturers who have said they are interested. We think it will be good for the sport to have more manufacturers,” Lavilla says. “We need to start to deploy the technical regulations and the balance and collect the machines and do dyno tests. They have a lot of work to do. It’s not an easy task.”

Lavilla says the series has a new tool for balancing and reducing performance in the 2025 Superbike class–fuel flow restrictions. With the mechanical and technical aspects of the system tested and proven in 2024, fuel flow restrictions can be used to keep the speeds down and push the development of leaner, less-polluting engines.

“We want to go in line with society, so we want to be more efficient in emissions, everything. But we have different concepts in manufacturers. In an ideal scenario, you put a rule and that’s it. The rule is the same for everyone. That will end up that all of the machines will have the same number of cylinders, the same capacity, the same characteristics for all machines that are track-oriented,” Lavilla says.

“But manufacturers now–there is a big diversity in the types of machines in the market. Every manufacturer has a model that is completely different. And you have to be fair! You need to be able to react, but to react in a way that you don’t interfere. It’s not to level things to where everyone can achieve that level. It’s a World Championship. It’s hard to be a World Champion. It must be a World Championship effort for a team, for a manufacturer. So how do you make that work? It’s very difficult.

“In the past, we have used rpm to balance. Now the manufacturers say we can try the fuel flow to balance. If someone overshoots, we need to re-balance. (With fuel flow regulation) you do it in a way that helps emissions, society. Technically it’s very challenging for a manufacturer. But if they do, they can say, ‘We are still winning, and we are doing so in a way with less emissions.’”

According to Lavilla, engine rpm and weight differences between bikes and individual riders will remain, but the current thinking is that fuel flow restrictions will be a better way to balance machine performance. There are no proposals to modify the weight balancing rules, even though, as Lavilla says, “You try things. Sometimes things work, sometimes they work less.

“Different engine configurations may affect (fuel needs) more for some than others. If they decide they prefer not to touch the fuel flow, because someone may say, ‘I cannot reduce my fuel flow any more because it becomes a safety issue, my engine needs lubrication and refrigeration from the fuel flow and this and that,’ then let’s find another way of balance. We may not lower the fuel, so then let’s look at rpm. But the preferred option currently is working on the fuel (flow).

“Right now, you have fast bikes with quite the high fuel consumption and fast bikes with very low fuel consumption. So it will be quite interesting! And even if we go that route, the engineers will try to make the bike just as fast using less fuel. That’s technology. That’s fine. Good. It’s always going to be cat-and-dog. That’s the game. That’s their job!”

(Editors note: The final version of the 2025 Superbike regulations, published four days ago, does away with rev limits.)

In the past, Lavilla has said that MotoGP is where manufacturers market their brands and Superbike is where they market the machines that they sell. Right now, literbike sales have fallen worldwide, while there is renewed interest in the performance category directly below. Yamaha’s new YZF-R9, which will be racing in Supersport this season, is an indicator of a mainstream, high-volume manufacturer introducing a high-profile model into that category. And Superbike displacements have changed throughout the years.

Valentine Debise (53) on a Yamaha YZF-R6 leads Adrian Huertas (99) on a Ducati Panigale V2 and Federico Caricasulo (64) on an MV Agusta F3 800 RR in Supersport at Jerez. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Currently, there is enough interest in literbike-class machines to keep the Superbike class at that level. Kawasaki has just introduced a new Bimota-branded machine for the class. Ducati, BMW, and Kawasaki will be racing new and updated 1000cc racebikes in 2025.

But market and safety considerations mean that the series must be open to do what is necessary to maintain manufacturer interest and to keep speeds safe. The tracks are not changing, so the machines must stay within performance parameters that maximize safety.

Lavilla paused after he was asked if Supersport could replace Superbike. Then he took a very deep breath before responding. “Honestly speaking, I have an idea, but it needs to be up to manufacturers, the national championships. But what I can tell you is that the Supersport platform … could be something different, something bigger. The tools are there to progress. It’s just a matter of what the manufacturers want to follow because we have to promote what manufacturers sell.

“Manufacturers sell what is best for their marketing strategies. But then we need to place that into the environment of a nice show for them to promote their machines. If these tendencies change in terms of marketing issues or safety issues, we have to be open-minded and clear about what will be next. I feel we are ready for whatever will come.”

World Superbike: No Rev Limits For 2025 Season!

Michael Gougis

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January 24, 2025

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World Superbike: No Rev Limits For 2025 Season!

The Superbike World Championship series has dropped its controversial performance balancing rev limits for the 2025 season and will instead rely on fuel flow restrictions, minimum combined rider/machine weights, concessions, and super-concessions to try to level performance.

The 2025 rulebook, just published by the FIM, replaces the 2024 rulebook’s table of rev limits for each motorcycle homologated for competition with the following language:

2.4.2.3 Rev limit

The Maximum rev limit is not limited

Different maximum rev limits for different machines were introduced for the 2018 season as a way of balancing the performance across different engine configurations. Kawasaki, which had dominated the series for several years, was extremely unhappy with the new rules but went along with them. On its website, WorldSBK stated that for 2018, “Aprilia, BMW, MV Agusta and Yamaha will start the season with 14700 rpm, Honda with 14300, Kawasaki with 14100 and Ducati with 12400 (due to their two-cylinder engine).”

The subsequent years have seen significant debate over the rule, as some brands were more restricted than others and were clearly slower in a straight line. Among the models competing in the series in 2024, the Kawasaki ZX-10RR was restricted to 15,100 rpm, while the Ducati Panigale V4 R was allowed to rev to 16,100.

Roadracing World has reached out to World Superbike officials for comment and will update this story as more information becomes available.

Triumph Introduces 2025 Speed Triple 1200 RS

January 27, 2025

Speed-Triple-1200-RS_MY25_Diablo-Red_LHS — A 2025 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS. Photo courtesy Triumph.

Triumph Motorcycles has unveiled the new Speed Triple 1200 RS for 2025, with unmatched triple power and torque, peerless handling and even more state-of-the-art rider-focused technology.

More powerful than ever before, Triumph’s 1160cc triple engine delivers relentless acceleration and performance with 180.5 HP (183PS) at 10,750 rpm and 94.4 lb-ft (128Nm) at 8,750 rpm.

Thrilling and utterly addictive, the three-cylinder engine delivers the ultimate blend of low-end drive and top-end punch, giving cutting-edge performance on the road and on the track, coupling instant throttle response with an effortlessly smooth power delivery. This is further enhanced by a revised dynamic crankshaft balancing strategy, for a significant improvement in engine refinement.

Featuring Öhlins latest-generation SmartEC3 semi-active suspension, precision-focused dynamics, and a signature roadster riding position, the new Speed Triple delivers razor-sharp handling, agility, and control in every turn. Brembo Stylema® calipers and a Brembo MCS span and ratio adjustable lever combine to offer serious stopping power and a customizable feel, even during the most demanding riding. Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tires deliver racetrack performance in a fully street legal tire.

Carefully engineered to be just 438.7 lbs. (199kg) ready to ride, the Speed Triple also sports slightly wider, higher bars and features a bold, aggressive design with purposeful details. Its sporty, upright stance conveys power and presence while ensuring the perfect balance of agility and control. Combined with a narrow seat profile, the rider can feel an intuitive and effortless connection with the bike, delivering precise handling and real-world comfort.

The rider-focused package of equipment and technology of the new Speed Triple’s puts the rider in control, offering exceptional levels of adjustment. This includes the cutting-edge Öhlins Objective Based Tuning Interface (OBTi), which allows riders to easily adjust the suspension’s dynamic damping characteristics in different riding scenarios. The seven parameters that can be independently adjusted are:

Front Firmness

Rear Firmness

Braking Support

Acceleration Support

Initial Acceleration Support

Cornering Support

Cruising Support

There is also new independently adjustable Front Wheel Lift Control, Engine Braking Control and Brake Slide Control, as well as fully adjustable cruise control.

Steve Sargent – Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles

“The new Speed Triple 1200 RS is now more refined, with a significantly improved electronics package, that makes it even easier for customers to exploit and enjoy the improved performance.”

MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER

With 180.5 HP (183PS) at 10,750rpm, the new engine delivers 3HP more than the previous generation of Speed Triple. Torque is improved too, with 94.4 lb-ft (128Nm) at 8,750rpm, which is not only 2.2 lb-ft more than the outgoing model but is delivered slightly lower in the rev range.

Incorporating learnings and expertise gathered during Triumph’s Moto2™ engine development, the Speed Triple 1200 RS engine has been engineered to be more powerful and durable, as well as being compact and lightweight.

A new, free-flowing exhaust system with a compact and lightweight silencer, streamlines gas flow and centralizes mass to improve performance, while maintaining the Speed Triple’s signature triple bark.

In addition, the must-have accessory for the new Speed Triple will be the new Akrapovič silencer, which features a titanium outer wrap and mounting bracket, finished with a carbon fiber endcap and laser etched Akrapovič logo.

RAZOR SHARP HANDLING

Featuring innovative ‘spool valve’ technology for even faster adjustment and improved comfort, state-of-the-art Öhlins® SmartEC3 semi-active technology delivers perfectly tailored precise and dynamic handling.

This includes the Öhlins Objective Based Tuning Interface (OBTi), which continuously monitors and adjusts the suspension damping characteristics. So, whether riding in a straight line, braking for a corner, balancing the bike mid corner, or accelerating out of a corner, it adjusts the damping characteristics to give the desired performance in each scenario. Riders can now customize this performance using an intuitive menu system on the TFT instruments, so the bike continuously monitors and adapts the damping in real time to deliver the optimum performance for the conditions.

For the next level of precision and control, the Speed Triple 1200 RS also features an adjustable steering damper, delivering smooth and predictable handling in every situation, as well as a pair of Brembo Stylema calipers with an MCS lever, delivering impeccable stopping performance and a customizable brake feel. Completing the set-up, the Speed Triple 1200 RS has Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tires fitted as standard, which have a bi-compound design for optimized grip, stability, and durability.

Giving the perfect balance of agility and control, the bike is compact, with bars that are slightly wider and higher than the outgoing model, creating a sporty, upright roadster stance that delivers effortlessly precise handling with real-world comfort. Where the yokes have been updated to accommodate the wider bars and the addition of the steering damper, the finish of these components has been updated to a sophisticated and understated black tone, creating a contrast with the gold Öhlins forks.

BOLD DESIGN AND AGGRESSIVE STYLING

With sharp lines and a purposeful stance, the Speed Triple 1200 RS has a strikingly handsome silhouette, with a sculpted tank and minimalist rear end that blends seamlessly with the taillight and license plate hanger.

Taking cues from the 30 years of Speed Triple design DNA, the new model retains the signature twin headlights and single sided swingarm, which reinforce the bike’s modern and aggressive styling, as well as its serious performance capability.

Evolving the design for an even sportier look in 2025, the aluminum twin-spar frame and lightweight new wheels reduce gyroscopic forces for faster turn-in and greater agility, making carving through corners effortless, while a new seat cowl sharpens the rear end of the bike.

Despite all the extra technology and the electronic suspension, the Speed Triple is still one of the lightest bikes in the class, at just 438.7 lbs. (199kg) wet weight with fuel. Contributing to this is the Speed Triple’s new lithium-ion battery, which is significantly lighter than a conventional battery.

From the bar end mirrors, to the meticulously sculpted swingarm, the attention to detail, build quality, and overall level of finish are second to none.

RIDER-FOCUSED TECHNOLOGY

The 2025 updates also bring new performance electronics that are configurable by the rider and adjustable independently of the riding modes. The new front wheel lift control system, which incorporates inputs from the six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) to determine the pitch of the bike, offers four levels of adjustment.

Engine Braking Control is customizable according to the rider’s preference, complementing the adjustable throttle maps and allowing riders to adjust the engine feel to suit their own riding style and the conditions.

Brake Slide Assist, which is available in Track mode only, optimizes the ABS calibration for track riding by allowing more front wheel slip and more rear wheel lift. This maximizes performance on track and minimizes feelings of being intrusive, all while providing a safety net in case of unexpected conditions.

With five distinct riding modes (Rain, Road, Sport, Track, Rider), Optimized Cornering ABS and switchable Optimized Cornering Traction Control, and the Triumph Shift Assist up and down quickshifter are all fitted as standard, equipping it with all the advanced features to maximize performance and safety in all conditions.

The design of the 5″ TFT instrument interface provides instant access to all key information, controlled by the intuitive 5-way joystick and backlit switches. The standard-fit My Triumph Connectivity System enables turn-by-turn navigation, as well as phone and music control.

There’s fully adjustable cruise control for longer rides, and a new Emergency Deceleration Warning feature activates a high-frequency flash of the brake light to alert other road users in case of hard braking and rapid deceleration.

The ignition, steering lock, and fuel cap feature keyless operation on the Speed Triple 1200 RS. For added security, the wireless function can be disabled with a single button press.

THE ORIGINAL HOOLIGAN

Paul Stroud – Chief Commercial Officer, Triumph Motorcycles

“In 2024 we celebrated the Speed Triple’s 30th Anniversary with owners, fans and collectors, clearly demonstrating how every iteration of this model has been as groundbreaking as that original hooligan we launched in 1994. Back then, it sparked the birth of a whole new category of naked sports bikes. Today, we are setting a new benchmark for triple powered performance with this new Speed Triple 1200 RS.
Our customers will love the heart-racing acceleration and soul-stirring sound from this incredible triple engine, as well as the remarkable level of adjustment and control the new technology provides, giving riders the opportunity to truly tailor their ride to suit their style. Unmistakably Triumph, the handling is exquisite, as is the level of quality and detail in every aspect of the design.”

ON THE ROAD

Available from $19,995 USD / $22,695 CAD, customers can choose from three eye-catching colors, including Jet Black, or the premium options, Granite and Diablo Red, or Granite and Performance Yellow, all with striking new graphics. With more than 25 Genuine Triumph Accessories available, owners can make the Speed Triple their own. Bikes will be arriving in dealerships beginning March 2025.

Find out more at triumphmotorcycles.com

Mission Foods CTR AMA Flat Track Series Opener

January 27, 2025

0125 Texter flat track D image3 — Chad Cose (49) was the Premier Expert Champion and Open Expert Runner-Up. Photo: Madcap Imaging.