MX Sports Presents Inaugural 250cc MX Champ Jones With His Namesake Trophy

David Swarts

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February 2, 2024

MX Sports Presents Inaugural 250cc MX Champ Jones With His Namesake Trophy

MX Sports Pro Racing Awards Inaugural 250cc Champion Gary Jones with His Namesake Trophy

Development of New Gary Jones Cup and Edison Dye Cup in Process Ahead of 2024 Pro Motocross Championship This May

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (February 2, 2024) – Ahead of the Anaheim 2 round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, MX Sports Pro Racing and Feld Motor Sports, the entities that comprise the SMX League, collaborated for a unique and special presentation to honor inaugural 1972 Pro Motocross 250cc Champion Gary Jones. Included as part of the season-long 50th anniversary celebration of Supercross, for the first time, after more than five decades, the California native was surprised with a proper trophy presentation in recognition of his historic maiden championship and subsequent titles in 1973 and 1974. Fittingly, the very trophy named for Jones’ cornerstone achievement in American motocross, the Gary Jones Cup, was awarded to the AMA Hall of Famer as an enduring symbol of his role in what is now the most prestigious championship in off-road motorcycle racing.

“When MX Sports Pro Racing assumed management of the Pro Motocross Championship in 2009, we wanted to create highly coveted symbols that celebrated the legacy of American motocross to award to our respective champions each season. In partnership with AMA Pro Racing, this led to the establishment of the Gary Jones Cup for the 250 Class and the Edison Dye Cup for the 450 Class, in honor of the indelible contributions of these two men during the sport’s infancy,” explained Tim Cotter, Director, MX Sports Pro Racing, who awarded the trophy to Jones. “It was always our intention to ultimately get the cup into the hands of its namesake and we thought this served as a perfect moment to surprise him in front of the hometown crowd. Unbeknownst to us, Gary never received a championship trophy for that 1972 title, nor for his championships in 1973 and 1974, so our surprise gesture ultimately turned into a deserving, long overdue celebration of his landmark achievements. We’re proud to be able to immortalize Gary’s early dominance and are honored to give him the prize he waited nearly 52 years for.”

Since its inception, the Gary Jones Cup has become an artifact of Pro Motocross’ storied legacy, bearing the names of every single racer to capture a 125cc/250cc championship, which started in 1974. The trophy is a who’s who of American motocross history, featuring the likes of Broc Glover (1977-1979), Mark Barnett (1980-1982), Ricky Carmichael (1997-1999), and Ryan Villopoto (2006-2008), the only riders to capture three consecutive championships in the smaller displacement. The list of titleholders also includes modern era stars and newly inducted AMA Hall of Famers like Travis Pastrana (2000), James Stewart (2002 & 2004), Grant Langston (2003) and Ryan Dungey (2009), in addition to current elite racers like Eli Tomac (2013), Cooper Webb (2016), Aaron Plessinger (2018), Adam Cianciarulo (2019), Dylan Ferrandis (2020), and the Lawrence brothers, Jett (2021-2022) and Hunter (2023).

“When I raced the series in 1972 no one knew it would go on to become the Pro Motocross Championship since it was integrated into the Inter-Am series. So, when I won the title no one seemed to care. It was the same for 1973 and 1974,” explained Jones. “When I learned about the presentation (in Anaheim), I couldn’t believe it. My girlfriend secretly helped put it together with MX Sports Pro Racing as a surprise. I was flabbergasted. I had won trophies for winning Nationals, but I never received championships trophies. I was even nominated for the AMA Hall of Fame (in 2000) and never knew it. I was kind of the first for a lot of that stuff, but now with the media, social media, and the internet I feel more recognized and celebrated than ever before. I’ve received so many well wishes. It’s all been incredibly surreal and I’m just so grateful to continue to receive such strong support after all these years.”

With the original Gary Jones Cup now in possession of the man himself, MX Sports Pro Racing is in the process of developing a new version of the Gary Jones Cup ahead of the 2024 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The same process is also being undertaken for a new Edison Dye Cup. The original 450 Class trophy is currently in the possession of American Honda following Jett Lawrence’s historic perfect season as premier class rookie with Team Honda HRC.

The 2024 Pro Motocross Championship is the centerpiece of the SuperMotocross World Championship, with an 11-round summer schedule that will visit 10 different states from late May through the end of August. The season will kick off on Memorial Day Weekend in Southern California with the Fox Raceway National on Saturday, May 25, from Fox Raceway at Pala.

Tickets are now available for all 11 rounds and can be purchased by visiting www.ProMotocross.com.

MotoAmerica: Petersen Sitting Out Daytona 200

David Swarts

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February 2, 2024

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MotoAmerica: Petersen Sitting Out Daytona 200

Cameron Petersen has announced that he will miss the 2024 MotoAmerica Daytona 200 March 9 at Daytona International Speedway.

“Unfortunately I will be sitting out of this years Daytona200!!!” Petersen posted to his Instagram on Friday. “Still trying to get back to full fitness with the wrist, absolutely gutted I won’t be lining up with the boys but I will be back in 2025. For now we focus on the big bike!!!”

In 2023 Daytona 200, a non-points-paying MotoAmerica Supersport race, Petersen finished third, just 0.140 second behind race winner Josh Herrin, on his Attack Performance Yamaha YZF-R6.

Cameron Petersen in Victory Lane at the 2023 Daytona 200. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Later during the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike season, Petersen was forced to withdraw from action to have surgery on his right wrist.

“The wrist was so bad before I had less than 50% of strength than I did in my left hand. I’m right-hand dominant, so it was pretty bad,” Petersen told Roadracingworld.com in August 2023, after he had the surgery. “We were having to inject a local anesthetic before each session [on track], and I was struggling to pick up a glass of water.

“They took a whole row of bones out of my wrist. I think the procedure is called a Proximal Row Carpectomy. It’s three bones [the scaphoid bone and the bone on either side of it] that they take out. She [surgeon Dr. Rosemary Yi] said it was pretty rare for someone my age to get it done, but I know Nicky Hayden had it done and John Hopkins had it done to kind of restart their careers. I have full confidence in the procedure, and I think it’s going to be really good.”

At that time, Petersen said he expected to return to normal activity in December 2023, and he did resume riding motocross and flat track. Then in January, he tested his Yamaha Superbike at The Podium Club at Attesa, in Arizona, but apparently Petersen feels he needs more recovery time before the start of the 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike season at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in April.

Intro: 2024 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST Is A High-Performance Hog

Michael Gougis

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February 2, 2024

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Intro: 2024 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST Is A High-Performance Hog

I kicked the shift lever, slammed the transmission into fourth and cranked the throttle open wide, taking full advantage of the immense amount of torque on hand to let the massive engine pull from the bottom of the rev range and keep spinning. I had already put a couple more clicks of compression damping into the shocks, and when the beast drove through the dip at the apex of the big sweeper at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Classic Course, everything stayed calm and stable. I ground the floorboard all the way through the sweeper and just kissed the rev limiter, the speedometer display flashing triple digits for just a second, before it was time to grab the front brake lever and slow to a crawl for a switchback series of coned-off U-turns designed to slow us down and keep the riding relatively sane.

Harley-Davidson took journalists to the racetrack to sample The Motor Company’s 2024 CVO Road Glide ST, the day before we got the chance to briefly ride the Street Glide and Road Glide standard models on the street. Rain brought the street ride to a premature halt, but not before we had a solid first impression of all three models of the thoroughly revamped Grand American Touring motorcycle platform. “We started from the ground up, and we touched everything,” said Scott Nash, Chief Engineer.

The highlight of the new model range is the CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations) ST — the ST stands for Sport Touring. The $42,999 machine is “the quickest, fastest and most sophisticated performance bagger ever produced by Harley-Davidson,” the company says. And it owes its existence to the company’s involvement in King of the Baggers racing with MotoAmerica. Company officials say the idea for the model emerged during its first season of racing in the new class, and lessons learned on the track have been transferred to the new CVO ST. One example: The throttle mapping for the bike’s track modes (and yes, modes as in multiple track modes, Track and Track-Plus) are cut and pasted from the factory Screamin’ Eagle Road Glide King of the Baggers racebike.

New technology for the CVO ST centers around the Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output engine. The 1977cc (121 cubic-inch) V-Twin powerplant revs to 5,900 rpm and puts out a claimed 127 bhp at 4,900 rpm and 145 lbs.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. The new intake flows 26% more air than the standard 121 intake, and the HO version eliminates the variable valve timing mechanism to make the engine more efficient at higher rpm and to save two pounds. Titanium mufflers with forged carbon-fiber end caps improve exhaust flow.

The gas tank, wheels, and brakes have been re-designed to reduce weight. How far did Harley-Davidson engineers go to make this machine lighter? The CVO ST has what one company official described as “performance floorboards.” They are shorter and lighter with cutouts to further reduce weight. The bike still weighs 800 pounds dry, but in a performance machine, every pound counts. Fully adjustable 47mm inverted Showa forks work with a pair of remote reservoir/fully adjustable rear shocks.

I was always aware of the mass, but the bike pulls away from a standing start smartly. The engine really is impressive, as it accelerates with little vibration all the way to redline and feels like it could spin significantly higher–it feels enthusiastic. But I found that riding a gear higher allowed me to access that down-low torque and avoid shifting as often. Interestingly, the Sport riding mode is a bit more aggressive right off of idle than the track modes. Softening the throttle response in that part of the rev range in Track mode allows the rider to get into the throttle more aggressively at corner exits on the track, where the rider is feeling for traction and grip and modulating rear wheel spin while leaned over. The rider in Sport mode is likely to be completely straight up and down and trying to make an impression when leaving a stoplight …

The upgraded suspension works well at speeds that are outside the machine’s design envelope. With a little more fine-tuning, the hint of wobble that occasionally reared its head likely could have been dialed out. And whenever I felt the bike starting to get uncomfortable, I’d look down at the speedometer and realize I was going far quicker than I’d go on the street! Vibration was minimal, the sound out of the pipes was a celebration of internal combustion, and the only real thing I’d want in this machine was a change in the ergonomics–specifically, lower handlebars. The CVO ST has a six-inch handlebar riser. The lower Street Glide handlebars were more to my liking.

Harley-Davidson marketeers noted a few years back that its customers were spending less money on “profiling” (flashy paint, customized aesthetics) and more on performance. Inspired by the monsters the Motor Company was building for the race team, the marketeers found that the in-house focus on performance aligned precisely with what Hayley-Davidson customers wanted. The CVO ST is the confluence of those trends. A day at the track revealed a big, solid touring motorcycle with a definite performance edge that is still true to its Harley-Davidson roots, a bike worthy of the “Fast Johnnie” stickers that are part of its livery.

(Just for fun, look up the legend of Johnnie, the pig mascot of the legendary Harley-Davidson Wrecking Crew. Somebody really, really needs to do that again!)

A more complete riding impression and technical overview of the 2024 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST and the Road Glide and Street Glide models will be available in an upcoming issue of Roadracing World.

MotoAmerica: Tytlers Cycle BMW Superbike Team Testing At Homestead

David Swarts

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February 2, 2024

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MotoAmerica: Tytlers Cycle BMW Superbike Team Testing At Homestead

The Tytlers Cycle Racing Superbike team of JD Beach and Cameron Beaubier is testing their BMW M 1000 RR MotoAmerica Superbikes during a Florida Trackdays event today at Homestead-Miami Speedway, in Homestead, Florida.

Beach previously tested Tytlers Cycle Racing BMWs at another track day at Homestead in November. Rather than a tryout for Beach, Team Owner Michael Kiley told Roadracingworld.com at the time that the test was his team simply fulfilling an obligation to BMW Motorrad and with Beaubier unavailable due to recent knee surgery Beach was drafted in as a test rider.

JD Beach (left) and Cameron Beaubier (right), as seen Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Photo by Steve Guanche.

Today’s test, however, is the team’s first official test of the 2024 MotoAmerica pre-season.

The official Yamaha Superbike team of Jake Gagne and Cameron Petersen recently held its first test of the pre-season at The Podium Club at Attesa, in Arizona.

The first round of the 2024 MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Championship is April 19-21 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

MotoGP: Pol Espargaro Quickest On Day Two Of Sepang Shakedown Test

David Swarts

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February 2, 2024

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MotoGP: Pol Espargaro Quickest On Day Two Of Sepang Shakedown Test

Shakedown Lowdown: Day 2

Yamaha and Honda race riders join the fray on Friday in Sepang

Friday, 02 February 2024

The Shakedown is hotting up! A host more riders joined the fray on Friday but it was still Red Bull KTM Factory Racing on top, this time thanks to test rider Pol Espargaro. He ended Day 2 of the Shakedown fastest with a 1:58.241, a lap time just under three tenths clear of Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), taking part for the first time on Friday. Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) continued to impress, third quickest and just thousandths off 2021 Champion Quartararo.

Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Dorna.

After remaining on the sidelines for the opening day of Shakedown action, the Yamaha and Honda riders all allowed to take part thanks to the new concessions system – catch up on that HERE – headed out. Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) was the first rider on track, with teammate Joan Mir, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) also in action. Likewise, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) got stuck in, settling in to his new team.

Alex Rins (42) on his new Yamaha YZR-M1. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Acosta continues to impress

It was another eye-catching day for MotoGP™’s sole 2024 rookie Acosta. The #31’s best time on Day 2 was a 1:58.531. For context, Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) quickest time at the 2023 Malaysian GP was a 1:58.080 (Q2), Augusto Fernandez’ (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was a 1:58.107 (Q1) and Jack Miller’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was a 1:58.232 (PR)…

Rookie Pedro Acosta (31). Photo courtesy Dorna.

The aero game continues

A new piece of front aero – more specifically a front fender wing – was spotted on Dani Pedrosa’s Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine on Day 2, while Aprilia Racing – with Lorenzo Savadori – continued to lap on the Noale factory’s new ‘Batmobile’ rear wing (below). Honda and Stefan Bradl have been busy testing an upgraded stegosaurus-looking rear wing too, as you can see from the photos on motogp.com.

Lorenzo Savadori's (32) Aprilia RS-GP had a new aerodynamic tail section. Photo courtesy Dorna. — Lorenzo Savadori’s (32) Aprilia RS-GP had a new aerodynamic tail section. Photo courtesy Dorna.

In the hands of Michele Pirro, Ducati’s main aero update that we’ve seen so far – teased by Gigi Dall’Igna at the 2024 team launch – comes on the side fairing. The addition of a further “ground effect” panel can be seen next to Ducati’s usual downwash duct, so it will be interesting to hear the comments of the riders on what effect this has.

Michele Pirro (51) on his Ducati Desmosedici prototype. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Getting up to speed

For the full-time riders, most of the day was spent getting themselves back in the groove on a MotoGP™ bike after the winter break. Quartararo and Rins had three bikes – two ’23 spec and one ’24 spec – each, with Mir spending a lot of his time on the bike he used at the Valencia Test. The same can be said for Marini, with the Italian largely focusing on adapting to the RC213V.

Luca Marini (10) on his new Honda RC213V. Photo courtesy Dorna.

A heavy rain shower meant dry running was cut short on Friday ahead of the final day of Shakedown testing on Saturday. But there’s still plenty more to come! Keep up with all action across our social media channels and on motogp.com, before the full grid heads out for the official Sepang Test next week!

BEST LAPS BY RIDER: DAY 2

1 Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 1:58.241

2 Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) +0.283

3 Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) +0.290

4 Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) +0.409

5 Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +0.431

6 Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) +0.846

7 Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) +0.850

8 Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) +0.971

9 Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) +1.028

10 Stefan Bradl (Honda Test Team) +1.529

11 Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Factory Racing) +1.633

12 Michele Pirro (Ducati Lenovo Team) +1.915

13 Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) +2.579

Final Call! 2024 Trackday Directory: Submit Schedules And Photos By February 2

David Swarts

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February 2, 2024

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Final Call! 2024 Trackday Directory: Submit Schedules And Photos By February 2

Roadracing World Publishing is now requesting schedule and photo submissions from trackday organizers and riding school operators for the 2024 season to put in Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine and the 2024 Roadracing World Trackday Directory annual edition.

All schedule submissions should include: the name of your school or trackday organization, your schedule (including exact dates, correct track names and locations, and the track layout being used that day, if applicable), and full contact information for consumers.

Schedules submitted will be published in the Calendar section of Roadracing World magazine and the Events calendar section of Roadracingworld.com as soon as possible after they are received.

For trackday and school organizations and schedules to be listed in Roadracing World’s 2024 Trackday Directory annual edition, however, we need your schedule and the following information by February 2, 2024:

School or Trackday Organization Name:

Physical or Mailing Address (Street address, city, state abbreviation, zip code):

Phone Number:

Website Address:

Email Address:

Participant Information (Select one answer for each question):

Events Run Rain or Shine: Yes or No

Coolant: Antifreeze OK or No Antifreeze Allowed

Headlight & Taillight: OK or Tape or Disconnect or Tape and Disconnect

Mirrors & Signals: OK or Tape or Remove

License Plate: OK or Remove

Safety Wire: Some Required or None Required

Sidestand: OK or Remove

The minimum age to participate is: ?

Please e-mail schedule/calendar and Trackday Directory listing information and/or updates to [email protected].

Even if your 2024 schedule is not finalized, please respond to us and send whatever information you can so that you will not be left out of the Trackday Directory annual. Provisional schedules or dates listed as provisional are allowed.

There is no cost to be listed in Roadracing World’s Trackday Directory annual edition, but we can’t post your information if we don’t receive it in time. As a result, late submissions or incomplete submissions may not be published.

Again, the deadline to submit is February 2, 2024.

If you’ve already submitted your schedule for inclusion in the Calendar section of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology, great! But this is not enough information for an entry in the Trackday Directory. Please submit the participant information requested above to be included in the once-per-year Roadracing World Trackday Directory or call us to do minor updates to the information we published in our last Trackday Directory.

If you have any doubt about what you have or have not sent in or if it was received, please contact us.

Send Photos

As always, we are also requesting trackday organizers and school operators to submit digital photos of their events and groups in action – on and off the track — for possible publication in the 2024 Trackday Directory. This is a great way to publicize your events and spotlight some of your members at no cost to you, but we need you to help us help you.

Digital photos must be in-focus, free from any watermarks or graphics, and high-resolution, which means a minimum of 300 dpi/ppi or 3000 pixels wide at 3 inches. The best way to submit these photos is with a file transfer program like Google Drive, Hightail, or Dropbox, which are free to download and use on a limited basis. Emailing the photos in small batches also works.

Photos must be accompanied by information to be used to write a caption. This includes the name of the track and information in order to credit the photographer, etc. By submitting a photo or photos, you certify that you own the submitted material and that you give us (Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.) permission to publish it in Roadracing World magazine and/or post it on Roadracingworld.com, without paying you (or anybody else) any money.

And racing organizations, if your contact information has changed since last year or you just want to be sure we have your correct information please e-mail it in.

For additional information, e-mail [email protected] or call (909) 654-4779.

BMW And Barber Motorsports Park Donate To All Kids Bike

David Swarts

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February 2, 2024

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BMW And Barber Motorsports Park Donate To All Kids Bike

BMW Motorrad USA and the Barber Vintage Festival Partner to Donate All Kids Bike Bicycles to Leeds Primary School in Alabama.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – Feb. 2, 2024 . . .BMW Motorrad USA, in partnership with the Barber Vintage Festival, the premier vintage motorcycle fan gathering in the U.S., have joined together to deliver twenty-four brand new All Kids Bike balance bicycles, helmets, pedal conversion kits, one instructor’s bike and rolling storage racks to the very excited kindergarten class of Leeds Primary School in Leeds, Alabama.

In 2023, BMW Motorrad USA celebrated the 100 Year Centenary of the BMW Motorcycle brand by hosting the very first Motorrad Days Americas in partnership with the Barber Vintage Festival in Birmingham, Alabama. The event drew the largest crowd in Vintage Festival history and was a great celebration of the motorcycling community. The Kids Zone at BMW Motorrad Days Americas featured All Kids Bike bicycles for younger attendees to enjoy on an “off-road” obstacle course, because one is never too young to experience The Spirit of GS and to be part of the amazing rider community.

Supporting the rider community, both young and old, and both motor and pedal-powered, is why BMW Motorrad USA and the Barber Vintage Festival partnered with All Kids Bike to make this important donation to Leeds Primary School.

“We are excited and proud to be able to join hands with the Barber Vintage Festival and with All Kids Bike to help the next generation learn how to ride bicycles.” said Luciana Francisco, Head of Marketing and Product, BMW Motorrad USA. “Many of us began our lifelong passion for two wheels on a bicycle and there is no more fun way to learn good balance, important motor skills, and get exercise, than on a bicycle. We are honored to be part of the new bicycle riding course during physical education classes at Leeds Primary.”

Lisa Weyer, Executive Director of Strider Education Foundation, the nonprofit that operates All Kids Bike, expressed her gratitude for BMW Motorrad USA and Barber Vintage Festival’s partnership “I commend the support of generous donors like BMW Motorrad USA and the Barber Vintage Festival and their recognition of the profound importance of the All Kids Bike program, which empowers us to bring the joy of riding to countless children, fostering not only physical skills but also a sense of freedom, confidence, and happiness that will positively impact their lives for years to come. And potentially create future motorcycle enthusiasts.”

All Kids Bike

All Kids Bike launched in 2018 with a simple mission: to give every child in America the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike in school. Its Kindergarten Learn-to-Ride PE program, which is active in over 1,000 schools across all 50 states, includes everything needed to teach thousands of students at a school for 7-10 years: teacher training and certification; a fleet of 24 bikes, pedal conversion kits, and helmets; an instructional bike for the teacher; 2 rolling metal bike storage racks, and access to a resource portal and live support for the life of the program. With substantial underwriting from the Strider Education Foundation, the All Kids Bike Learn-to-Ride Kindergarten PE Program is on track to teach over one million kids to ride over the 10-year lifespan of the program. In 2023, All Kids Bike added an Inclusive Learn-to-Ride Program to empower middle and high school students and adults with developmental disabilities with the life skill of riding a bicycle. For more information, please visit www.allkidsbike.org.

Barber Vintage Festival

The Annual Barber Vintage Festival presented by BMW Motorrad takes place at Barber Motorsports Park. This is a celebration of vintage motorcycles and one of the largest motorcycle festivals in the world. With thousands of vintage motorcycles onsite during the weekend there is plenty for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast to love. Over 80,000 spectators will be onsite to enjoy three-days of Vintage motorcycle racing, fan zone, stunt shows, swap meet with over 600 vendors, and demo rides. The Park is also home to the Barber Vintage Motorcycle Museum featuring the world’s largest Vintage motorcycle collection. During the weekend the Museum is open extended hours and features seminars, speakers, and demonstrations. This is a must-see event.

BMW Group in America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and assembles the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles as well as the BMW XM. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 350 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers,145 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

www.bmwgroup.com and www.bmwmotorcycles.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BMWMotorradUSA

Twitter: www.facebook.com/BMWMotorradUSA

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bmwmotorrad

February 2024

Magazine Issue

Trudy Ulrich

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February 1, 2024

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On the Front Cover: Racing Editor Chris Ulrich showed up at Chuckwalla Valley
Raceway to ride the Suzuki GSX-8R, a streetbike destined for MotoAmerica Twins Cup Racing. Photo by Kevin Wing.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

—

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Log in HERE to read the February 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.

FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE

FEATURES

Inside Info: BMW Scores Record Sales; Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST Has Bagger Racing Tech; Kawasaki Launches 451cc ICE/Electric Hybrids That Accelerate Like A 1000; Triumph 660 Daytona Triple, and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: Kevin Schwantz’s 1993 Championship Suzuki RGV500/XR79

Intro: Suzuki’s GSX-8R On The Street and Track

Army Of Darkness: Shattered Cases And Plastic Trophies

Hanging With: Cameron Beaubier, The Prodigal Son Of MotoAmerica Superbike

RACING

MotoGP Analysis: Going Deeper Inside MotoGP’s AI Revolution

MotoGP Analysis: Jorge Martin Prefers Enemies To Friends

Historic Racing: 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz Goes Fishing

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: Epic Screw-Up; Meeting Gobert

10 Years Ago, February 2014: Jorge Lorenzo is almost dragging an elbow on his Yamaha
YZR-M1 on the cover of the February 2014 issue of Roadracing World. MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley analyzed Yamaha’s MotoGP bike and theorized why the Honda RC211V beat it in 2013. Racing Editor Chris Ulrich rode Yamaha’s new FZ-09 Triple and also tested the MV Agusta F3 800.

The Crash Page: Jorge Martin Upside Down

Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: The Path to Grand Prix Racing

*******************************************************************

Click here to receive a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine (print edition). One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.

KTM Is Celebrating “30 Years Of Duke”

David Swarts

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February 1, 2024

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KTM DUKE – 30 YEARS OF PURE, NAKED MOTORCYCLING

The last 30 years of the KTM DUKE model can be summed up in one word: Evolution.
From its humble beginnings in 1994 to its current status as a symbol of performance and innovation, the KTM DUKE nameplate has stood the test of time.

In 1994, KTM burst into the street scene with the first motorcycle to carry the DUKE nameplate. It featured a big-bore 609 cc single-cylinder engine, with ergonomics and styling that straddled the line between Supermoto and street fighter. It brought true hooligan personality to the street, unapologetically Naked and stripped back to the bare essence of what a motorcycle should be.

At the time, the 1994 KTM DUKE was a radical departure from traditional motorcycle designs. Featuring an exposed trellis frame, minimalist bodywork, and a single-cylinder engine, it was an anomaly in the market. However, it instantly captured the attention of riders seeking a raw and unbridled riding experience.

Such was its success that KTM introduced a more powerful DUKE II version in 1999, with sharper styling replacing the rounded body contours of its predecessor. Unknowingly, this would launch the Naked segment within the KTM street motorcycle line-up, with more engine capacities and cylinders being added to the DUKE range.

In 2005, the SUPER DUKE nameplate was introduced, boasting a powerful 990 cc LC8 V-Twin powerplant. The KTM 990 SUPER DUKE quickly reached cult status, leading the way for the KTM 990 SUPER DUKE R variant to tear into the market in 2008.

2008 also brought the KTM 690 DUKE to market, once again shaking up the design norms of the times. The 2008 KTM 690 DUKE was a hunkered down, powerful single-cylinder machine, with an underslung exhaust and aggressive, elbows-out riding position. This would later become the blueprint for the DUKE attitude.

2011 saw the rise of smaller capacity DUKE models, with the KTM 125 DUKE entering the European market. This compact and energetic machine delivered ample power and easy maneuverability, without sacrificing any of the DUKE personality. This made it the ideal launchpad for future DUKE pilots, and future middle-weight models.

In 2012, KTM introduced the game-changing KTM 200 DUKE, with THE CORNER ROCKET KTM 390 DUKE joining the line-up in 2013. The KTM 390 DUKE was the first small-displacement DUKE to hit North American streets, and it became a favorite among riders looking for nimble handling and a punchy, yet rideable, power delivery.

KTM then shook the Naked motorcycle segment in 2014, with the introduction of THE BEAST – the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R. With a 1,301 cc V-Twin engine at its core, the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R gained its reputation around the powerful LC8 engine, which paved the way for a new segment and the more travel-focused KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT arriving in 2016.

The following year in 2017, THE BEAST received its first real update. Dubbed THE BEAST 2.0, the 2017 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R boasted power, suspension, and styling updates. But its new electronics package took center stage, with more refined rider aids and a new TRACK Mode setting the tone.

A turning point in the DUKE evolution came about in 2018, when KTM unleashed the KTM 790 DUKE, dubbed THE SCALPEL. This was the introduction of a new era of performance and style for the DUKE name, featuring a powerful parallel-twin engine, cutting-edge electronics, and a bold design. More so, it showcased the determination to dominate the middleweight Naked bike segment.

Now, 30 years later, three-anniversary models enter the fray. At the entry-point, the KTM 390 DUKE boasts its boldest evolutionary step, with distinct styling, a class-leading electronics package, and unrivaled performance.

The KTM 990 DUKE – not to be confused with the KTM 990 SUPER DUKE of old – is powered by an all-new LC8c parallel-twin, bringing the fight directly to the 1,000 cc Naked segment. It boasts bigger dimensions, more tech, and more street presence.

Lastly, the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO has evolved to be the ultimate hyper-naked motorcycle available with immense power, unmatched electronics, and an all-new direction in design.

To celebrate this milestone, the three aforementioned models have dedicated 30 YEARS OF DUKE liveries, inspired by the DUKE models that came before them.

KTM also endeavored to reward DUKE fans by giving away a KTM 390 DUKE, a KTM 990 DUKE, and a KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO via its digital platforms, with over 700,000 entries received.

KTM will officially kick off its 30 YEARS OF DUKE campaign at the International Media Launch held in Almeria, Spain. This will allow the press and associated partners to experience the 2024 KTM 390 DUKE, KTM 990 DUKE, and KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO models in their ideal habitats.

This will also be the first time in KTM history that three new models are being launched at the same time, with the three DUKE winners joining the event. Together with KTM Ambassador Rok Bagaros and KTM royalty Jeremy McWilliams on hand to show them what the new DUKE models are capable of, the press will have two days of twisty coastlines and tracks and a gymkhana course to get to grips with the new DUKEs themselves.

Discover more about the 2024 KTM DUKE range and 30 YEARS OF DUKE at KTM.com.

MotoGP: Shakedown Test Begins At Sepang

David Swarts

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February 1, 2024

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Shakedown Lowdown: Day 1

Factory test riders and 2024 rookie Acosta head out on track at Sepang

Thursday, 01 February 2024

MotoGP™ is officially underway for 2024! Day 1 of the #SepangShakedown concluded with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing test rider Dani Pedrosa on top, with the three-time World Champion putting in a best lap of 1:59.233. Right on his tail comes Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), the only rookie in 2024, just 0.152s behind as his impressive performances only continue to fuel the hype around his arrival into MotoGP™.

Pedro Acosta (37). Photo courtesy Dorna. — MotoGP rookie Pedro Acosta (31). Photo courtesy Dorna.

The Shakedown allows factory test riders and rookies to take to the track, as well as those granted unlimited testing by the new concession system that came into force at the conclusion of 2023. As it stands that’s Yamaha and Honda. On Day 1 of the Shakedown, however, we didn’t yet see any of the “race” riders who are able to take part thanks to the concessions, so there was no 2021 Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) nor new teammate Alex Rins, and no Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team), his new teammate Luca Marini, nor fellow Honda riders Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU LCR). Yet.

Honda test rider Stephan Bradl (6). Photo courtesy Dorna.

That meant a total of seven riders in action on Thursday, although those who can take part are expected on track at some point before action concludes. Pedrosa and rookie Acosta were joined by fellow RC16 rider Pol Espargaro, who begins his new role as a Test Rider for KTM, and Michele Pirro (Ducati Lenovo Team), Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Factory Racing), and Stefan Bradl (HRC Test Team) were all on track for their respective factories.

Ducati test rider Michele Pirro (51). Photo courtesy Dorna.

In terms of innovations spotted so far, Aprilia, Ducati, KTM and Honda all had new aero to test, with the rear tail unit aero a particular talking point with all the aforementioned manufacturers. Pol Espargaro and Pedrosa were testing KTM’s newest aero package, with Bradl and Pirro doing the work for Honda and Ducati, respectively.

Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow (35). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Acosta, despite it being only his second day on a MotoGP™ machine, was testing a couple of things on his RC16 as the reigning Moto2™ World Champion did some work with an innovative front mudguard, as well as testing out both the steel and carbon chassis.

Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori (32). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Plenty more is to come over the next two days of Shakedown action before the Official Test kicks off on Tuesday the 6th of February, so stay tuned for more!

BEST LAPS: DAY 1

1 Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 1:59.233

2 Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) +0.152

3 Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +0.182

4 Stefan Bradl (HRC Test Team) +0.627

5 Michele Pirro (Ducati Lenovo Team) +1.633

6 Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Factory Racing) +1.780

7 Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) +2.576

MX Sports Presents Inaugural 250cc MX Champ Jones With His Namesake Trophy

February 2, 2024

Three-time Pro Motocross 250cc Champion and AMA Hall of Famer Gary Jones with the Gary Jones Trophy. Photo courtesy MX Sports Pro Racing.