BMW Motorrad Motorsport ready for the 2023 WorldSBK season finale at Jerez de la Frontera.
FIM Superbike World Championship 2023 draws to a close in southern Spain at the weekend.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport eager to build on strong performance at penultimate round of the season at Portimão.
Last event for Loris Baz as a BMW Motorrad WorldSBK factory rider.
Munich. This weekend (27th to 29th October) sees the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) draw to a close with the twelfth and final event of the season. BMW Motorrad Motorsport is eager to build on the good results of previous rounds at the finale at Jerez de la Frontera (ESP). Garrett Gerloff (USA / Bonovo action BMW Racing Team) finished in fourth place in both the main races at the penultimate round of the season at Portimão (POR), trailing first place by less than three seconds. Michael van der Mark (NED / ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) returned to the top ten there after an injury-enforced break.
Scott Redding (GBR / ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is also hoping to round off the season with strong results after recent difficult races, and the same is true of Loris Baz (FRA / Bonovo action BMW Racing Team), who will be contesting his final races as a BMW Motorrad WorldSBK factory rider at Jerez de la Frontera.
The season was originally due to end in San Juan, Argentina, but changes were made to the calendar and Jerez de la Frontera became the new venue for the finale. The Andalusia track has hosted the WorldSBK many times previously, the most recent time being in 2021.
Quotes ahead of the Jerez de la Frontera season finale.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “It feels like we only just kicked off the 2023 WorldSBK season in Australia and now we’re already at the final races of the year. The season hasn’t gone quite the way we would have hoped for various reasons, including our bad luck with injuries. However, even if we couldn’t always secure the results, from mid-season onwards, we repeatedly demonstrated strength and pace, as we could confirm most recently at Magny-Cours with Garrett and at Portimão with Garrett and Michael. This shows that we have taken the right path. We are confident that we will be able to build on this at Jerez. Scott will be focussing on regaining his feel for the BMW M 1000 RR and we want Loris to bring home strong results once again in his final WorldSBK races for us. We are all familiar with Jerez from previous years and from test rides, and we need to translate our knowledge into performance. We’re all looking forward to the finale in front of the enthusiastic Spanish motorcycle fans.”
Garrett Gerloff, #31 BMW M 1000 RR, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “I’m really looking forward to going into this last weekend of the year. I feel like the team and I are in a really good place. If we could have a solid weekend to finish off the year, this would be really good for us going into winter testing and into 2024. Our focus and our heads are set to try to finish the year off with a bang.”
Scott Redding (45). Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Scott Redding, #45 BMW M 1000 RR, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “We’re already heading into the final round of the season. It’s different to what was initially planned but Jerez is a circuit that a lot of riders know very well. I’m looking forward to the last round of the season. Hopefully we can have a good weekend.”
Michael van der Mark (60). Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Michael van der Mark, #60 BMW M 1000 RR, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “It’s nice to go to Jerez, especially after Portimão. We had such a good weekend there and I gained a lot of confidence. Jerez is a very nice track, I really enjoy riding there. So with the improvements on the bike I cannot wait to see how it turns out there. Keep building, keep making progress and have a good end to the season – that’s the plan. Obviously it has not been the season I had hoped for but let’s end it on a high and get ready for the winter.”
Loris Baz (76). Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Loris Baz, #76 BMW M 1000 RR, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “It’s going be a special weekend for me, the last race with the team. I still don’t know how to feel about it, it will be strange. It has been two years, which were difficult, but we had some highlights last year. This season, it was tricky with the injury, but I always had a great group of guys around me. I want to push hard until the last lap for them. I really hope we can have a good and clean last weekend together, especially for the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team. I hope we can have a strong last race and some good moments. I am looking forward to it. It’s hard at the moment, but I want to be the best I can be for them and have a great party with them on Sunday.”
Pirelli and Stefano Mesa Set New Motorcycle Track Record at Daytona International Speedway
With the New Lap Record of 1:44.046 Mesa Goes a Full Second and a Half Quicker Aboard his BMW M 1000 RR, Equipped with Pirelli DIABLO Superbike Slick Tires
ATLANTA (October 24, 2023) – Pirelli congratulates Stefano Mesa on setting the new absolute motorcycle track record at Daytona International Speedway during last weekend’s American Superbike Racing Association (ASRA) and Championship Cup Series (CCS) event. Mesa’s incredible performance saw him topple the previous track record by 1.5 seconds aboard his Tytlers Racing BMW M 1000 RR machine, equipped with Pirelli DIABLO Superbike slick tires.
“What a weekend at Daytona,” said Mesa. “I did not expect to do what we did this weekend by lowering the lap time a full second and a half. Pirelli has done its homework when it comes to racing at the legendary speedway, and that has shown with its success over the past several years here. The level of comfort that I had this weekend was something I had not felt in quite some time. Thank you, Pirelli!”
The new lap record of 1:44.046 easily surpassed the previous best time of 1:45.538 and relied on the performance of Pirelli’s DIABLO Superbike 120/70 R17 SC2 front and 200/65 R17 development “Daytona spec” rear tires.
“Time and time again, Stefano raises the bar,” said Oscar Solis, Senior Racing Manager, Pirelli. “Track records are typically broken by small margins, especially at a historic track like Daytona, so what Stefano did this weekend was special. Everyone at Pirelli has worked incredibly hard to find the perfect setup, and that really showed today. We can’t wait to carry this momentum into the Daytona 200.”
Shane Narbonne (64). Photo by Noiseless Productions, courtesy Pirelli.
The weekend served as an early test and preparation for the iconic 2024 Daytona 200, with Mesa and fellow Pirelli rider Shane Narbonne also setting the fastest 600cc times of the weekend with a 1:49.227 and 1:49.282, respectively.
DIABLO™ is a registered trademark of Pirelli Tyre S.p.A
More, from a press release issued by Bagger Racing League:
Bagger Racing League Continues 2023 Race Season as Arnie Wells Takes the Checkered Flag in Thrilling Finish at Daytona
Michael Wells (69) leads Bryan Shields (17) at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by Scott Odell, courtesy Bagger Racing League.
October 24, 2023 | Boardman, OH | BRL Newswire: Bagger Racing League’s Fall Brawl in Daytona was an absolute barn burner! The thrilling race saw Arnie Wells of Team SLYFOX Performance and Suburban Harley-Davidson take the #1 plate with Bryan Shields and Craig Braymiller rounding out the podium. The American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) hosted the special AMA Championship class at the iconic Daytona International Speedway on October 20th and 21st.
The Harley-Davidson-dominated class fielded 11 racers who were ready to bring an intense bagger brawl to the historic high banks of Daytona and it didn’t disappoint. Wells started out fast and secured the lead on Bryan Shields out of the gate. Yet Bryan put on a show and battled back to make a pass going into turn one on the final lap. Arnie, knowing it was now or never, put his head down and battled back to make the pass by Bryan on the last lap, the last bank to take the win!
“I’m so proud of Arnie and our entire team,” said Joe Houpt, team owner of Suburban Harley-Davidson. “We are grateful to both American Motorcycle Association and Bagger Racing League to offer an opportunity to race for a historic #1 plate at the iconic Daytona International Speedway. Special thanks to Alex at SLYFOX Performance as well as the rest of our sponsors NAMZ Custom Cycle, Alloy Art, Hayes, Performance Machine, Regina Chain, G2, BST, Shock’s Auto Body, Midwestern Anodizing.”
The next stop for the Bagger Racing League is the championship race at Willow Springs International Raceway, Nov 18th and 19th. Fans can purchase tickets, camping and VIP upgrades online at www.baggerracingleague.com. Fans can also be entered to win a one of a kind 2023 race series poster signed by all the racers by subscribing to BRL’s official newsletter.
“We are excited to see what our teams and racers bring to our championship race in Willow Springs,” said Rob Buydos, Bagger Racing League’s founder and president. “With the great success of the 2023 BRL Fall Brawl in Daytona, fans of the BRL are going to be treated to epic amounts of championship racing action.”
Kawasaki Racing Team riders Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes will take part in the final round of the 2023 WorldSBK season this coming weekend, at the Circuito de Jerez in southern Spain. This event, to be held between 27-29 October, will be Rea’s final one in KRT colours after securing six championships on Ninja ZX-10R or ZX-10RR machinery since he joined the team in 2015.
There has been a significant break in the calendar since the penultimate round was held in Portugal in late September, giving all inside the KRT squad time to work on their combined strategy to take on the originally unplanned – but now very welcome – inclusion of Jerez as the venue for the final round.
The team has already tested at Jerez in 2023, way back in January. Because of this on-track experience the team can start the final competitive weekend with data that is relevant to the latest iteration of the Ninja ZX-10RR. This specific knowledge of the circuit will be added to the wealth of experience gained across the previous 11 championship rounds and other numerous track-based test sessions.
This weekend is, of course, of great significance for six times world champion Rea, his crew and all inside KRT. Foremost in everyone’s mind, however, is working towards ending their peerlessly successful working relationship on as high a note as possible.
Rea has won a race already in 2023, despite a relatively tough start to the season, and has been building momentum – and his podium count – as the year has progressed. He has now taken seventeen podiums, including that race win at Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic, in late July.
Jonathan is third in the championship standings on the eve of the final round, some 50 points clear of the rider in fourth place.
Lowes is returning to action after hurting his previously injured left knee at the Portimao round, but he is feeling fit and ready to fight for the podium places again. He is currently ninth in the championship rankings.
Alex will, as has been previously confirmed, remain with KRT for the 2024 WorldSBK season, riding alongside new signing Axel Bassani.
The 4.423km long asphalt ribbon that forms Jerez’s layout has been the scene of several key moments in WorldSBK history. It is somehow fitting that Rea will end his KRT years here, as Jerez was the venue that confirmed Jonathan’s first WorldSBK title win with Kawasaki, in 2015.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “It is a strange feeling going to Jerez knowing that it is my last round with KRT and I am sure it is going to be an emotional weekend together with the staff. On track we will try to do the best job we can. It is a track that perhaps has been a difficult one for us but we have also shared some great times there, winning races. It was also the scene of winning my first World Championship for Kawasaki. We do a lot of laps there in the winter tests so we have a good idea of set-up. Of course, the Ninja ZX-10RR has evolved throughout the year and we have made steps in a positive direction. I really want to finish the year strongly for my team. We are still fighting for third place in the championship. The big target of the weekend is to enjoy riding the bike and do the best job we can but also to ensure we deliver that top three in the World Championship. I want to really try to enjoy the weekend with my team. All the build up to the weekend, all the weekend, and of course post-race, reflecting on what an amazing partnership it has been – I am sure it is going to be an emotional one. I hope I can give a good account of myself and do the team proud.”
Alex Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Alex Lowes, stated: “I feel like this may be more of a first ‘race’ of winter testing and then next season for me, rather than the last race of the year. Since the summer break I have basically been injured for a couple of months. I have had a nice few weekends off, working hard and training hard. I am looking forward to finishing the year strongly in Jerez. It is a track that everybody knows well, and that the Kawasaki has gone well at in the past. The sad part of the weekend is that it will be Jonathan’s last ride with Kawasaki. I has been a pleasure to share the garage with him for the four years I have been at Kawasaki. We all know how good a rider he is, and the stats speak for themselves. He has been the best of certainly my generation in WorldSBK, and one of the best ever. But what has been almost better than that is off the bike and how much of a good bloke he is. I knew him a little bit before he was a team-mate but since spending a lot of time with him, in the garage, at events, away from the track, I would say that we have become friends. He has certainly made the four years more enjoyable for me. A great rider, an even better bloke and honestly I will miss not being on the other side of the garage to him. All the best to him in his last round with Kawasaki and well done to them for all they achieved together. Hopefully we can share the podium this weekend and finish our KRT relationship as team-mates in style. I am feeling good, looking forward to the race and I cannot wait to get down there, to be honest.”
Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) will complete his somewhat unexpected WorldSBK season at Jerez, with regular WorldSBK rider Oliver König (Orelac Racing Movisio Kawasaki) also competing at the Andalusian finale.
Editorial Note: Scroll down to watch the short video.
A new, historic chapter opens for Ducati: the red from Borgo Panigale enters motocross
Nine-time MX World Champion Antonio Cairoli will join Ducati as high-performance test rider for the new racing program
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 24 October 2023 – The Bologna-based manufacturer has been working for two years on a prototype that will make its debut next season in the Italian Motocross Championship, with the aim of validating the technical solutions made on the bike on the track. This strategy confirms the approach that distinguishes Ducati in the development of its sportiest and most high-performance models, i.e. starting from racing competition and then creating series products capable of exceptional performance for the delight of its enthusiasts.
This is a multi-year project that will see the creation of a complete range of off-road engines and motorcycles. The models will gradually become part of a family of knobby motorcycles branded Ducati, starting with motocross.
The Bologna-based company has signed an agreement with nine-time Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli as a high-performance test rider for the new project and, thanks to his talent, speed and experience, he will give important input for the development of the new motorcycle.
Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, commented: ”I am proud to announce Ducati’s entry into Motocross. A totally new world for Ducati in which we want to bring our talent in designing lightweight motorcycles, with excellent components and high performance and – above all – which can excite more and more motorcyclists. Just as we believe that the track is the best laboratory to develop and test the bikes that will then be available to customers and enthusiasts. This is why we have decided to cooperate with an undisputed champion like Tony Cairoli who, together with the passion and dedication of many of us here in Borgo Panigale, will contribute to making Ducati in off-road as capable in offering very high-performance products to its passionate customers as we have proven on the asphalt. The project is possible thanks to the company’s excellent results in recent years and confirms our desire to extend our presence into new worlds, speak to new motorcyclists and therefore grow the Ducati Community.”
Antonio Cairoli added: “I am extremely happy to become part of the universe of Ducati, which has always been a symbol of Italian spirit throughout the world, and to begin this exciting new adventure, in an all-Italian project. Being able to make my contribution to the development of the Borgo Panigale motocross bike is a dream come true and a source of great pride for me.”
Ducati has also signed a multi-year agreement with Maddii Racing, one of the most experienced teams in the motocross paddock, which will be the reference structure for the MX racing activities and will take part in the 2024 Italian Motocross Championship with Alessandro Lupino, eight-time Italian Champion and 2021 MXoN winner, also contracted to Ducati as racing and test rider.
The focus of the Ducati off-road project is a combination of the search for lightness pushed to the extreme, top-of-the-line components and engines characterized by a very broad power delivery curve. The latter is obtained thanks to the use of the Desmodromic system, used on all the sports bikes of the Bologna based company starting from MotoGP. Ducati is in fact the only company in the world that uses the same valve return system on its highest performing production motorcycles as it does on racing prototypes.
Entering the specialist off-road sector represents a very important and challenging strategic choice for Ducati, made possible thanks to the excellent results achieved in recent years. A decision that confirms the desire to expand the brand’s presence into unexplored terrain today. New young motorcyclists will be able to get close to the Borgo Panigale brand and thus enter the large community of Ducatisti.
Performance is one of the three core values of the brand, together with Style and Sophistication. In Borgo Panigale there are many off-road lovers and we can’t wait to see the Desmo in all its potential at work off the asphalt!
WorldSBK Season Finale: a champion’s coronation & farewells aplenty at Jerez
The Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, a staple in the WorldSBK calendar since 1990, has consistently delivered thrilling Superbike action. This year marks the first time since 2013 that the venue is hosting the season’s title-deciding and closing round.
Spain’s rich motorcycling heritage includes luminaries like Carlos Checa, the 2011 WorldSBK Champion, and Alvaro Bautista, the 2022 WorldSBK Champion and the current Championship leader, making Jerez a place where tradition and excellence converge.
JEREZ HOT SPOTS WITH AXEL BASSANI
T1/ « T1 is a nice first corner because in part of the braking zone you go uphill. It is a strong point of the track and also a good place for an overtake. It is an important corner to do correctly because immediately afterwards you have a little straight of 100 metres before the second corner and then you are on the brakes again. But you have to do T1 properly to have good speed arriving at T2.”
T6/ « You have to come out of T5 with a lot of speed to arrive at T6. You go downhill a bit to you have to concentrate where you start to brake. But it is like coming out of a hill, so the bike likes to wheelie. So, you have to manage that with the rear brake and still take good speed down the straight. T6 is a little, little corner – flat – where you have to brake hard, It is another good opportunity to overtake.”
T13/ « The last corner – I think it is the Jorge Lorenzo corner now? Very difficult because it is not easy to pick your point in the corner to close the throttle and brake. Why? You arrive from the previous right hand corner fast and you have to change direction. When you do that you also have to brake, so it is very easy to make a mistake. In the last lap of the race it is really important to stay inside the corner because if you have a rider behind you it is a good point for overtaking. So you have to manage the distance if you are in front, or you have the chance to overtake if you are behind. A really important corner. Sometimes you see a lot of crashes there, because there is a bump in the entry. So, it is again easy to lose the front. I think Jerez is a really good track, a lot of racing history and when you ride neatly there it is always nice.”
WorldSBK | KEY STAT
18
This year, Razgatlioglu has finished in 2nd place 18 times, setting a new season record, surpassing Jonathan Rea’s 16 times in 2019. In 2019, Rea finished second to Bautista 12 times, while this year, the Turkish rider finished second 16 times.
What to look out for in Jerez
As the 2023 World Superbike Championship season reaches its grand finale at Jerez, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. The stage is set for a thrilling climax, featuring the crowning of a Champion and bittersweet farewells. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), renowned for his remarkable history at Jerez with Ducati, including two wins in 2019, is merely two points away from securing the title. The Prometeon Spanish Round offers him a golden opportunity to be crowned as the Champion, with Saturday’s Race 1 holding the promise of glory.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), currently second in the Championship, and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), in third place, are prepared to challenge the Championship leader’s dominance. With two victories for Razgatlioglu and three wins for Rea on this historic circuit, their past performances at Jerez suggest that this race could yield the unexpected.
However, this Round isn’t just about titles; it’s also a poignant moment for several riders who are bidding farewell to their current teams. Toprak Razgatlioglu is set to make a switch to BMW in 2024, leaving his mark at Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK. Jonathan Rea is also embarking on a new adventure with Yamaha, leaving behind a remarkable legacy with the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK, where the pair clinched six WorldSBK titles together. Additionally, Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing), and Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) are all in the midst of transitions on the eve of the 2024 season.
This season finale at Jerez promises a blend of high-stakes racing, farewells, and a shot at Championship glory, making it an unforgettable event for WorldSBK fans.
KYT Americas Announces Sponsorship Application Period Open for Active Professional & Amateur Racers in the United States
October 2023 – KYT Helmets, a leading name in motorsports, is excited to announce the opening of our sponsorship application period for active professional and amateur racers in the United States. We are dedicated to supporting talented and passionate racers in their pursuit of excellence, and this initiative aligns with our commitment to fostering talent in the motorsports community.
Sponsorship Application Period Details:
– Application Period: October 20th, 2023, to December 31st, 2023
– Eligibility: Active professional or amateur racers in the United States with current social media account(s)
– How to Apply: Racers interested in securing sponsorship from KYT Americas are encouraged to submit their applications through our website during the application period. The online application can be found at: https://kytamericas.com/pages/sponsorship
“At KYT Helmets, we believe in supporting dedicated racers who continually push their limits and strive for excellence,” said Brandon Cretu, CEO at KYT Americas. “Our sponsorship program is designed to assist talented racers in the United States in their journey towards success, offering them access to high-quality helmets that can make a real difference on the track.”
KYT Helmets has a strong history of providing world class helmets to motorsports’ top racers. This sponsorship program aims to extend our support to promising racers who demonstrate a commitment to their craft, sportsmanship, and a desire to excel in their chosen discipline.
Application Process:
Interested and eligible racers can visit our website at https://kytamericas.com/pages/sponsorship during the application period. The online application will guide racers through the process, allowing them to submit essential information, including their racing achievements, goals, and the reasons they seek sponsorship from KYT Americas.
The applications will be thoroughly reviewed, and recipients will be selected based on their demonstrated dedication, potential, and alignment with KYT Americas’ values.
KYT Americas looks forward to receiving applications from dedicated racers and, through this sponsorship initiative, continuing our support for the motorsports community.
About KYT Americas
At KYT, we incorporate over two decades of experience in world-class competition into sleek, race-engineered helmets designed to protect and perform. Our designs offer optimal ventilation and aerodynamics while maintaining the highest level of crash protection. Since 1998, KYT’s intense focus on the competitive environment allows us to produce a helmet with quality and function designed to perform at the highest level of motorsports and performance. KYT America now brings its industry leading safety, style, and service to one of the most innovative motorcycle markets in the world.
A 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP at rest. The exhaust system exits downward. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
Blending nostalgic design with the latest technology
The Sport Heritage range pays tribute to some of the most iconic motorcycles from Yamaha’s rich history by blending nostalgic design with the very latest in high performance engine and chassis technology.
Each XSR model takes inspiration and design cues from some of the most significant bikes built by Yamaha in its 68-year history but sees no compromise in modern day performance by bonding this timeless beauty with cutting edge riding technology.
Racing is in Yamaha’s DNA. Yamaha Motor Company has been competing in, and winning, motorcycle races since its inception – pushing the limits of both man and machine. Yamaha’s first ever motorcycle, the YA-1, won the Mount Fuji Ascent Race in 1955 shortly after the company was founded.
Since then, Yamaha has amassed countless victories at all levels from local grassroots amateur racing to the premier class of Grand Prix.
First released in 2016, the XSR900 has long featured subtle hints to Yamaha’s racing pedigree and in 2021, the latest generation XSR900 went one step further with clear design cues taken from race machines of the 1980s and 1990s while maintaining its position as a heritage roadster.
For 2024, the nod to Yamaha’s racing tradition takes another leap with the introduction of the new XSR900 GP, which pays homage to some of the most celebrated race machines from Yamaha’s illustrious past in a way never seen before in the Sports Heritage range.
Combining a sense of 1980s Grand Prix nostalgia with the very latest technology including the iconic, torque-rich 890cc CP3 engine, R1-derived six-axis IMU and lean sensitive rider aids, the XSR900 GP embodies Yamaha’s Racing history without sacrificing modern day performance.
The solo tail section of the 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
The ‘Golden Era’ of Grand Prix racing
Yamaha first entered a road racing world championship event at the Grand Prix of France.
The first premier class title came for Yamaha in the 1970s, with Giacomo Agostini, and further championship crowns followed later in the decade.
But it was in the 1980s that Yamaha secured its legacy in what would become known as the ‘Golden Era’ for Grand Prix racing. ‘King’ Kenny Roberts rode his YZR500 to a third consecutive title in 1980 but, following that success, Yamaha endured a tough few seasons battling for supremacy with its rivals.
This led to a re-think in approach, with a change in focus to developing race bikes with a priority on a rider’s feeling with the machine.
Not only would this new strategy lay the groundwork for further Grand Prix success (Yamaha won six 500cc Grand Prix titles between 1984 and 1992), but technology developed during this period went on to shape the future of the production sport motorcycle to this day.
Having moved to a slimmer V4 engine in 1982, Yamaha’s engineers turned to developing a frame in which to house this powerplant. The idea was to produce a frame the same width of the V4 motor that would envelop it, like a cage.
This marked the birth of what would become the iconic Deltabox frame, which first featured in the 1982 YZR500 OW61 Grand Prix machine. Offering outstanding rigidity and feedback, just where a rider needed it most, the Deltabox posed such a significant step forward that just three years later Yamaha introduced it to a production model for the first time, with the TZR250 bringing the characteristics of the YZR factory race machine to the road.
And now, 40 years on, the Deltabox style frame remains at the heart of many Yamaha motorcycles, including the new XSR900 GP.
Born out of respect
The English proverb ‘Manners Maketh Man’ derives from a shared understanding that courtesy, good manners and respect are essential to the preservation of good human interaction and relationships.
It is this concept which formed the starting point for the design of XSR900 GP, in harmony with the Faster Sons philosophy of respecting the origin, learning from the past and creating a better machine for the modern-day rider.
The aim was not to create a replica, but instead release a model that pays the utmost respect to the past, while holding its own with the latest in performance and technology. That is the XSR900 GP.
The nose of the 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
A sense of nostalgia in every detail
1980s inspired cowling
Aesthetically, Grand Prix bikes took a significant step in the 1980s, moving from the curvaceous bodywork of the 1970s towards the ‘boxier’ design seen from the mid-80s onwards. These squarer fairings would set the trend for the next decade not only at Grand Prix level but in production bikes too.
The XSR900 GP features an upper cowling reminiscent of this era, not only with a clear influence from the 1980s YZR Grand Prix bikes but also with notes of the FZR and TZR production sports machines of the late 1980s and early 1990s. To maintain the race-bike look, the XSR900’s round LED headlamp is replaced by a compact lens module, neatly hidden in the front cowling, creating a sense of unity with the front fairing while maintaining excellent illumination.
The bodywork is not only a symbol of the past in looks alone, but the method in which it is fixed in position is also inspired by the 1980s, with a tubed structure connecting the cowling to the frame and straight brackets supporting the dash creating a rider’s view with a genuine golden era feel.
To emphasise the classic cockpit feeling, the upper fairing stay is supported by a nut structure identical to that used for the original TZ250. In true racing style, this structure is fastened with a beta pin, marking the first time Yamaha has used such a fastening on a mass-produced production model for public road use.
The function behind the move from the curvaceous cowlings of the 1970s to the more squared off style of the 1980s was to both improve aerodynamic efficiency and protect the rider from the wind coming from higher performance; and this is no different with the XSR900 GP.
While the windscreen and individual knuckle guards incorporate a taste of the 1980s; it’s not solely about looks. The power output and gear ratio of the 890cc CP3 engine are identical to that of the XSR900, but the front cowling structure of the XSR900 GP increases both acceleration and top speed while the ducts on the side panels efficiently discharge heart from the radiator to maximise cooling performance.
The colour-matched seat cover fits over the passenger seat to complete the racer look with a boxy 1980s style rear end hiding the rear light, while a seat stopper on top of the seat cowling keeps the rider in position to enhance the feeling of acceleration.
Colours reminiscent of the Rainey years
Adorned in one of the most iconic Yamaha Grand Prix colours of all time, the XSR900 GP is available in a heritage livery inspired by the machines ridden by riders such as Wayne Rainey to multiple 500cc Grand Prix World Championships in the 1980s and early 1990s, complete with authentic yellow number boards on both front and rear cowlings.
The Deltabox-style chassis and swing arm are finished in silver to better evoke the era of the 1980s prototypes and emphasise the character of the Deltabox style frame itself.
The cockpit of the 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP complete with clip-on handlebars, new switchgear, and a 5-inch TFT display. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
A sportier ride
Race-style clip on handlebars
Separate ‘clip on’ handlebars add to the racer-style cockpit and offer a sportier riding experience.
The revised handlebars drastically change the riding position from the XSR900, moving the rider further forward on the machine into a sportier riding position, increasing the load on the front to offer the more precise feeling expected from a race-style machine.
However, since the model is not purely focused on racing or circuit riding, care has been taken to ensure the riding position does not lean forward excessively, instead offering a balance which can be enjoyed on the road without discomfort. The comfort is emphasised via a thicker, more supportive seat.
The aluminium diecast footrests are adjustable to two different positions but come out of the factory set at the upper position to emphasise the sportier riding position.
The 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP comes with a twin-spar aluminum frame and reinforced, bolt-on rear subframe. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
Tuned rigidity
To accommodate the extra load on the front end of the machine, as a result of the more forward riding position, the XSR900 GP areas surrounding the frame have been tuned to optimise stability in turning. The subframe has also been reinforced over the one found on the XSR900.
To further correspond with this front end-led riding style, the XSR900 is the only CP3 model to feature an aluminium steering stem shaft, adjusting rigidity in the steering area to better balance the often conflicting feelings of lightness and stability when changing direction or under rapid deceleration.
In conjunction with the lightweight Spinforged wheels and new Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tyres the rider can have precise confidence in placing the XSR900 GP exactly where they wish.
The front end of a 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
Cutting edge technology
High performance brakes and suspension
In line with the mantra of blending yesterday’s style with modern technology, the XSR900 GP boasts the latest in suspension and braking components.
The KYB upside down front forks are fully adjustable for Preload and compression damping as well as rebound damping, so the ideal setup can be found for front end feel. The link-type rear suspension actuates a forward-inclined fully adjustable KYB, shock virtually hidden from sight to maintain the slim and sporty performance at the rear. Remote pre-load adjustment makes customising the ride a simple task.
A Brembo radial front master cylinder underlines the bike’s cutting-edge specification and backs up its sporty potential, while the brake hoses have been optimised to improve braking control in sportier riding, especially under harder stopping forces.
Yamaha Ride Control (YRC)
Further maintaining the mix of nostalgic style with the latest in high performance technology, XSR900 GP riders can customise their riding experience via Yamaha Ride Control (YRC). For simpler use, engine power characteristics and rider aids are integrated to quickly allow changes to the level of electronic intervention depending on rider preferences and road conditions.
Three pre-set integrated riding modes, ‘SPORT’, ‘STREET’ and ‘RAIN’ feature factory settings with different intervention levels to suit different conditions. These are complemented by two Custom settings, which enable the rider to manually select their own power and intervention settings for the various electronically controlled, lean-sensitive rider aids – all of which can be set using a smartphone via the MyRide app.
5″ TFT meter with full connectivity
A new five-inch full colour TFT display is housed in the retro-styled cockpit. While riders can choose from four different themes to suit a range of mindsets, a traditional analogue-style tachometer theme, inspired by race bikes of yesteryear truly enhances the period riding experience.
For an enriched riding experience, smart phone connectivity comes as standard on the XSR900 GP via a built-in Communication Control Unit (CCU), ensuring riders can stay connected while riding by linking their smart phone with their machine via the free MyRide Link app. As well as seeing call and message notifications on the 5” TFT display, a new dimension is added to the ride by the possibility of taking calls and listening to music via a Bluetooth headset*. Once connected, riders can also make use of the integrated Garmin StreetCross navigation system which will display Turn-By-Turn navigation on the 5” TFT dashboard.
There is also the option to provide power to external devices by the new USB Type C socket located near the dashboard.
*Bluetooth headset not included with bike
New ergonomic switchgear
New integrated handlebar switch assemblies enable the rider to operate the wider range of functions of the new XSR900 GP including smart phone connectivity, navigation and riding modes as well as interrogating the various menu options.
Featuring a clear, logical and simple design – the shape, movement and ergonomic layout of the buttons have been designed with intuitive movement in mind, meaning riders can cycle through the different functions with ease.
To aid navigation of busy road environments, a soft-click of the indicator switch will flash the turn signals three times for use when lane-changing or when only brief indication is required. A full-click of the switch will result in continuous flashing until 15 seconds has passed and when the machine has travelled more than 150 metres.
A new Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) function reacts to sudden braking by engaging the hazard lights to warn road users behind the vehicle is stopping at speed in an emergency situation.
Extra support from advanced six-axis IMU with lean sensitive rider aids
Developed directly from the electronic systems on the R1, the XSR900 GP’s high-tech six-axis IMU constantly measures acceleration in the forward-backward, up-down and left-right directions – as well as the angular velocity in the machine’s pitch, roll and yaw directions.
The six-axis IMU is able to send data in real time to the ECU which controls the suite of electronic rider aids, including the lean sensitive Traction Control System (TCS), Slide Control System (SCS) as well as a front wheel Lift Control System (LIF) and Brake Control System (BC).
XSR900 GP also becomes the first Sport Heritage model to be equipped with the third-generation quick shift system, enhancing the ride by enabling clutchless downshifts while accelerating and clutchless upshifts under deceleration in addition to the standard functionality.
Technical Highlights
Distinctive design evocative of Grand Prix racers of 80s and 90s
New 5-inch full colour TFT display with connectivity
High grade fully adjustable front and rear KYB suspension
Newly designed clip-on handlebars and handlebar switches
Deltabox-style chassis with optimised rigidity
Comfortable main seat, new side covers and removable seat cover
New footpeg style and positioning
Yamaha Ride Control YRC and 6-axis IMU
Cruise control, third generation Quick Shift System and A&S Clutch
Yamaha Spinforged wheels fitted with Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23
Colours, availability and price
The new XSR900 GP will be available in two colours, Legend Red and Power Grey. Delivery dates to European dealers and prices vary per region, so please contact the national Yamaha distributor for full information.
Yamaha Genuine Accessories and Faster Sons Clothing
Yamaha has developed a range of packs and individual Genuine Accessories that enable the XSR900 GP owner to easily personalise their motorcycle.
Customers can order the packs and accessories before collecting their new XSR900 GP and have them fitted by their Yamaha dealer. All of the items in the packs can also be purchased individually and in addition to the kit items, the genuine Accessory list for the XSR900 GP also includes a Lower Fairing, a License Plate Holder, a Tinted Screen and an Akrapovič Exhaust System.
Developed to complement the Sport Heritage range of motorcycles, Yamaha’s Faster Sons clothing line includes stylish t-shirts, jumpers, leather jackets, baseball caps, patches and more that are designed to match the timeless looks of the XSR.
MyGarage app
Yamaha customers can build their dream Sport Heritage model from the comfort of their own home with the quick and easy to use MyGarage app. The free app allows users to add and remove Genuine Accessories to their chosen model to create their ideal XSR on their smartphone or laptop.
MyGarage makes it easier to choose which accessories to add to your XSR with the finished result available to view in 3D from every angle. And to make things even easier, the finished item can also be emailed directly to the customer’s chosen Yamaha dealer who can then provide further information.
For full information on Yamaha Genuine Accessories and Apparel or MyGarage please visit www.yamaha-motor.eu/gb
MyRide app
Yamaha’s free MyRide app offers all XSR riders the chance to get more out of their riding experience with route tracking and creation, riding information such as lean angle, distance covered and more. Plus, users can create their own story, add pictures and share to social media and the MyRide community.
EIGHT TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE STEALTH EDITIONS FOR 2024
DRAMATIC NEW CUSTOM-STYLE PAINT FINISH
Innovative new technique from Triumph’s world-class paint team
Stunning new Stealth Editions are available for one year only
The world will soon be seeing the Triumph Bonneville range in a new light, thanks to a dramatic new custom-style paint finish which makes its debut on eight Modern Classics for 2024.
Available for one year only, the new Stealth Edition models are an exclusive collection of eight beautiful Bonneville motorcycles. Each model features its own unique tank design which showcases a dramatic hand-painted finish that intensifies in the light to reveal vivid color.
The fuel tank on a Triumph Bonneville Bobber Purple Stealth Edition. Photo courtesy Triumph.
The process starts with a base layer of mirror-finish metallic ‘Silver Ice’ being applied to each tank, followed by a precisely placed dark to light ‘Sapphire Black’ graphite vignette. Finally, a translucent tinted lacquer is applied in multiple layers, to build a deep and rich topcoat.
The transition from dark tinted graphite to vibrant color, springs to life when exposed to light, varying in hue and tone under different conditions and appearing different from every angle. The hand-painted finish ensures subtle variations, making every motorcycle truly unique.
EIGHT TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE STEALTH EDITIONS
The eight Triumph Stealth Editions include the Bonneville Speedmaster in red, the stripped-back Bobber in purple, the T100 and T120 in a striking blue, the popular Speed Twin 1200 in red, the agile Speed Twin 900 in green, the Scrambler 900 in an eye-catching orange, and finally, the T120 Black features a sophisticated matte silver finish.
Bonneville Speedmaster Red Stealth Edition
A stunning and beautiful reimagination of the British custom classic icon, the Stealth Edition has an intense new red design that amplifies the attitude and confidence of the Speedmaster in the sunlight.
The paint finish enhances the Speedmaster’s laid-back attitude and custom style, which marries with a smooth torquey 1200cc Bonneville engine to result in enhanced performance and handling, with a relaxed and comfortable ride.
The 1200cc high torque twin engine delivers a responsive ride, with a tune specifically developed to deliver high torque and high-power down low and through the rev range. The Speedmaster features high specification 1.85” (47mm) Showa cartridge forks, which combined with the preload adjustable hidden monoshock rear suspension unit, provide the rider with great maneuverability, comfort, and control, with and without a pillion.
Bonneville Bobber Purple Stealth Edition
The world-famous Bonneville Bobber has a stripped back, custom style that is born to become a Stealth Edition, exposing a deep, vibrant purple color that catches the eye.
With all the performance and capability of the latest generation, the Bonneville Bobber Purple Stealth Edition delivers an incredible 78 LBFT (106 Nm) of torque at 4,000 rpm, while the torque assist clutch provides a smoother operation, making the Bobber an easy and comfortable bike to ride.
With its unmistakable 16” fat front wheel, and chunky 1.85” (47mm) front forks, giving a muscular and imposing front end presence.
Bonneville T100 Blue Stealth Edition
Accessible and easy to handle, yet still with thrilling Bonneville performance, the Bonneville T100 Blue Stealth Edition is available for one year only.
All the looks and style, plus a confidence-inspiring ride. The torque-rich, low-inertia Bonneville 900cc engine delivers 64 HP (65PS) at 7,400 rpm with peak torque of 59 LBFT (80 Nm) at 3,750 rpm. This equates to a responsive engine character with easy-going, tractable power at low revs and plenty of top-end punch for an exhilarating fun ride.
The high specification cartridge front forks, combined with the twin rear shocks and the 32-spoke classically styled wheels, further enhance the T100’s agile and easy-handling feel. The latest generation ABS and switchable traction control are sensitively and unobtrusively incorporated to maximize the rider’s safety and to ensure a smooth riding experience.
Bonneville T120 Blue Stealth Edition
The Bonneville T120 is one of the most distinctive motorcycles in the world, and with this vibrant blue finish it adds contemporary custom style to a true Modern Classic.
Not just a beauty, this Bonneville T120 Blue Stealth Edition is just as technologically advanced and packed with modern capability as you’d expect, with a high specification that includes 1.61” (41mm) cartridge forks, preload-adjustable twin rear suspension units and twin Brembo front brake calipers with ABS.
The T120 has been specifically tuned to deliver high torque, from low down in the rev range all the way through the mid-range, giving exhilarating performance throughout. The 1200cc twin engine delivers 77.44 LBFT (105 Nm) of peak torque at a very low 3500 rpm and its power peaks 79 HP (80 PS) at 6,550 rpm.
Bonneville T120 Black Stealth Edition
The Bonneville T120 Black Stealth Edition features a different finish to the rest of the collection – a beautiful silver matte finish that adds to its standout appeal.
With the mean style of the Bonneville T120 Black you get a host of premium blacked-out details and components, including wheel rims, matte mudguards, engine covers, mirrors, handlebars, headlamp bezel, indicators, and exhaust, plus a stylish brown bench seat with embossed Triumph logo.
Beautifully torque-rich, the 1200cc low-inertia Bonneville engine offers an impressive mix of low-end torque and top-end power, with incredible custom style, making the Stealth Edition a head-turning choice for a Sunday morning run or the daily commute.
Speed Twin 1200Red Stealth Edition
The timeless Bonneville DNA of the classic Speed Twin 1200 is the perfect match for this peerless paint finish, rewarding closer inspection with a vivid candy red that gleams in the light.
The Speed Twin 1200 Red Stealth Edition also enjoys dynamic riding capability, engaging ergonomics, and dedicated roadster-focused chassis, as well as high specification suspension and tires that deliver confidence-inspiring, agile, and intuitive handling.
Already an award-winning motorcycle, the Speed Twin 1200 has been a great success and a customer favorite. Its characterful 1200cc high power Bonneville twin delivers an incredibly strong and linear power delivery, with 99 HP (100PS) at 7,250rpm. The distinctive sound of this Bonneville Twin is amplified by the brushed stainless steel megaphone twin upswept sports silencers, that have been carefully crafted for a deep, throaty roar.
Speed Twin 900 Green Stealth Edition
This Triumph Stealth Edition model stands out with a rich, deep green tank design, reminiscent of the iconic British racing green and makes the Speed Twin 900 a head turner.
Powered by the torque-rich, 900cc Bonneville twin engine, the Speed Twin 900 Green Stealth Edition packs a punch delivering an exciting, comfortable ride as well as an appealing custom-inspired classic look.
The new Stealth Edition incorporates all the Speed Twin 900’s best loved features, including its powerful engine, cast wheels, and brushed aluminum detailing, as well as enhanced comfort and style. Add to that its confidence inspiring light and agile ride, low 765mm seat height, Brembo front brake, two riding modes, ABS, and switchable traction control, and you get a truly special edition of Triumph’s most successful modern classic.
Scrambler 900 Orange Stealth Edition
Known for its custom style and rugged good looks, the Scrambler 900 now has an intriguing, deep orange glint in its eye for 2024.
The Scrambler 900 Orange Stealth Edition is the bike to be seen riding, on all roads, enjoying its high-torque 900cc Bonneville engine which is tuned to give you plenty of tractable power, while the ride-by-wire throttle delivers superb rideability and control.
The dedicated chassis set-up of the Scrambler 900 delivers its commanding riding position with a unique frame, wide aluminum handlebars and mid-position foot pegs – a combination that inspires confidence and gives great visibility when tackling light off-road trails or in traffic. Its 19” front and 17” rear blacked-out wire-spoked wheel and low 31” (790mm) seat height adds to the confident feel and is complimented by a narrow stand-over width, enabling riders to comfortably reach the ground when stationary, making this model extremely accessible, easy to maneuver and fun for every type of rider.
ARRIVING IN DEALERS
Triumph Motorcycles’ Chief Commercial Officer Paul Stroud said: “The Stealth Editions are simply stunning, and a brilliant demonstration of the skill and innovation of our paint team. It is a challenging, hand-crafted technique that gives each motorcycle a sophisticated and unique finish. For fans of our Bonneville motorcycles, these Stealth Editions will be hard to resist.”
Pricing for the Triumph Stealth Editions represents great value for fans of custom style.
USD Stealth
CAD Stealth
Bonneville Speedmaster Red Stealth Edition
$14,595
$16,495
Bonneville Bobber Purple Stealth Edition
$14,595
$16,495
Bonneville T100 Blue Stealth Edition
$11,745
$12,945
Bonneville T120 Blue Stealth Edition
$13,495
$14,995
Bonneville T120 Black Stealth Edition
$14,295
$14,995
Speed Twin 1200 Red Stealth Edition
$13,695
$15,095
Speed Twin 900 Green Stealth Edition
$10,645
$11,945
Scrambler 900 Orange Stealth Edition
$12,245
$13,845
Stealth Editions will be model year 2024. Orders can be placed now at Triumph dealers, with bikes arriving in dealers beginning Spring 2024.
Army Of Darkness Wins: Overall Race, Heavyweight Race, Overall Championship, Heavyweight Championship at WERA/N2 National Endurance Race by Dunlop at Barber Motorsports Park.
Josh Hayes, Taylor Knapp, and Hunter Dunham piloted the Army of Darkness (AOD) 1000 “Gaijin” to a sixth consecutive class win and a fifth consecutive overall win to secure the 2023 Overall and Heavyweight Championships.
Road racing legend Josh Hayes (99) abides Gaijin’s fuel capacity to add another national championship to his prodigious tally. Photo by Raul Jerez/Highside Photo, LLC, courtesy AOD.
The team led the race from green to checkered. Although red flags kept erasing the leads the team built up, AOD was able to couple fast riding and well-timed pit stops to capitalize on a consecutive 90 minutes of racing to secure a red-flag-resistant one-lap lead. Other top-running teams suffered with mechanical issues, allowing AOD to stretch that lead to the end.
Hunter Dunham (99) tests the Dunlops’ edge grip on the way to the top of the podium. Photo by Raul Jerez/Highside Photo, LLC, courtesy AOD.
Over the season’s six races, AOD was able to successfully dodge the slings and arrows of misfortune and make appropriate sacrifices of time and treasure to the racing gods to emerge with an astonishing seventh consecutive Heavyweight championship and sixth consecutive Overall championship. Adding to their tally of endurance championships won over three decades of competition, AOD has now won an astonishing 21 national championships on three different brands of bikes with three different brands of tires.
Josh Hayes: “The season was everything I had anticipated. We started the season with some team building single track enduro riding, and I’m glad we’d built up that camaraderie so they didn’t kick me off the team when I lowsided the endurance bike at the first race. I’m glad they kept me on because I have so much fun riding with these guys. The whole AOD crew is volunteer, but they all know their stuff and are all expert riders in their own right. We came into Barber with a 35-point lead and our practice lap times were good enough to win, but they heard me talking about how the shock was a little lively so they pulled it off and asked Mike Fitzgerald of Thermosman Suspensions to re-valve it for us at the track. Melissa and Tim were re-installing it in the dark and going to dinner late just because they thought we might be more comfortable on the bike for the race. AOD crew just grinds it out! I’m just hoping they keep me on for next year!”
Taylor Knapp (99) samples the fruits of his Dunlop tire development labors by winning his first championships with Army Of Darkness, since 2014. Photo by Raul Jerez/Highside Photo, LLC, courtesy AOD.
Crew Chief Tim Gooding: “One blown motor, one drowned motorcycle, one countershaft seal, two sets of bodywork, two crashes, three oil changes, three chains, six sets of brake pads, 28 rear tires, 12 front tires, 620 gallons of diesel, two clips-ons, an exhaust system, a clutch cover gasket, and a bunch of late nights wrenching or driving. For endurance racing, you really need to embrace the process of racing because there is a lot of it! Endurance racing you need to beat the competition but you also need to beat all the gremlins: the loosening countershaft nut, the chaffing wiring harness, the factory installed gasket with a fold in it. A lot of times Sam, Melissa, and I just stare at the bike to try to figure out what is going to get us! I gotta say though, having riders like Hunter Dunham, Cody Wyman, Josh Hayes, Chris Peris, Taylor Knapp and Ben Walters is both really motivating and rewarding. And the Dunlop tires this year were amazing. We could set the chassis and engine up to go as fast as we wanted and never had to worry about tire wear and tear.”
AOD is sponsored by: Army of Darkness, Dunlop, Yamaha Champions Riding School, Industry 13, Woodcraft, Hindle, Supersprox, Thermosman, N2, WERA, Roadracing World, Yamaha.
Trenton Keesee, a 16-year-old from Melbourne, Florida, has won the 2023 Nicky Hayden AMA Road Race Horizon Award. Keesee earned the award based on his performance during the AMA Road Race Grand Championships, held in conjunction with the ASRA Race of Champions October 20-22 at Daytona International Speedway.
Keesee won the ASRA 400 National and finished a close second in the AMA 400 Grand Championship race.
Keesee posted the following on his Instagram profile:
In addition to an awesome weekend here at Daytona International Speedway, I am honored to have received this year’s “Nicky Hayden” Horizon Award. This is an amazing honor and I would like to give a huge thank you to the AMA and CCS/ASRA for choosing me for this prestigious award. I would also like to thank all of my sponsors and everybody that has supported me this season.
A special thank you to Ken Saillant at AMA as well as Phil Sberna at ASRA.
A huge thank you goes out to all of my sponsors for this season!
@floridanativeroofing
@ebcbrakes
@officialvortexek
@rktakasagochain
@araiamericas
@envy_racing_apparel
@marktennmotors
@brevardsuperbike
@pellegrinojerry
@kevinsmith7473
@spearsracing
@pit_viper
screamin mimis pizza
CJ Cohen
@ltdracingteam
Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport ready for the 2023 WorldSBK season finale at Jerez de la Frontera.
FIM Superbike World Championship 2023 draws to a close in southern Spain at the weekend.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport eager to build on strong performance at penultimate round of the season at Portimão.
Last event for Loris Baz as a BMW Motorrad WorldSBK factory rider.
Munich. This weekend (27th to 29th October) sees the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) draw to a close with the twelfth and final event of the season. BMW Motorrad Motorsport is eager to build on the good results of previous rounds at the finale at Jerez de la Frontera (ESP). Garrett Gerloff (USA / Bonovo action BMW Racing Team) finished in fourth place in both the main races at the penultimate round of the season at Portimão (POR), trailing first place by less than three seconds. Michael van der Mark (NED / ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) returned to the top ten there after an injury-enforced break.
Scott Redding (GBR / ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is also hoping to round off the season with strong results after recent difficult races, and the same is true of Loris Baz (FRA / Bonovo action BMW Racing Team), who will be contesting his final races as a BMW Motorrad WorldSBK factory rider at Jerez de la Frontera.
The season was originally due to end in San Juan, Argentina, but changes were made to the calendar and Jerez de la Frontera became the new venue for the finale. The Andalusia track has hosted the WorldSBK many times previously, the most recent time being in 2021.
Quotes ahead of the Jerez de la Frontera season finale.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “It feels like we only just kicked off the 2023 WorldSBK season in Australia and now we’re already at the final races of the year. The season hasn’t gone quite the way we would have hoped for various reasons, including our bad luck with injuries. However, even if we couldn’t always secure the results, from mid-season onwards, we repeatedly demonstrated strength and pace, as we could confirm most recently at Magny-Cours with Garrett and at Portimão with Garrett and Michael. This shows that we have taken the right path. We are confident that we will be able to build on this at Jerez. Scott will be focussing on regaining his feel for the BMW M 1000 RR and we want Loris to bring home strong results once again in his final WorldSBK races for us. We are all familiar with Jerez from previous years and from test rides, and we need to translate our knowledge into performance. We’re all looking forward to the finale in front of the enthusiastic Spanish motorcycle fans.”
Garrett Gerloff, #31 BMW M 1000 RR, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “I’m really looking forward to going into this last weekend of the year. I feel like the team and I are in a really good place. If we could have a solid weekend to finish off the year, this would be really good for us going into winter testing and into 2024. Our focus and our heads are set to try to finish the year off with a bang.”
Scott Redding (45). Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Scott Redding, #45 BMW M 1000 RR, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “We’re already heading into the final round of the season. It’s different to what was initially planned but Jerez is a circuit that a lot of riders know very well. I’m looking forward to the last round of the season. Hopefully we can have a good weekend.”
Michael van der Mark (60). Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Michael van der Mark, #60 BMW M 1000 RR, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “It’s nice to go to Jerez, especially after Portimão. We had such a good weekend there and I gained a lot of confidence. Jerez is a very nice track, I really enjoy riding there. So with the improvements on the bike I cannot wait to see how it turns out there. Keep building, keep making progress and have a good end to the season – that’s the plan. Obviously it has not been the season I had hoped for but let’s end it on a high and get ready for the winter.”
Loris Baz (76). Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Loris Baz, #76 BMW M 1000 RR, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “It’s going be a special weekend for me, the last race with the team. I still don’t know how to feel about it, it will be strange. It has been two years, which were difficult, but we had some highlights last year. This season, it was tricky with the injury, but I always had a great group of guys around me. I want to push hard until the last lap for them. I really hope we can have a good and clean last weekend together, especially for the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team. I hope we can have a strong last race and some good moments. I am looking forward to it. It’s hard at the moment, but I want to be the best I can be for them and have a great party with them on Sunday.”
Stefano Mesa (37). Photo by Noiseless Productions, courtesy Pirelli.
Pirelli and Stefano Mesa Set New Motorcycle Track Record at Daytona International Speedway
With the New Lap Record of 1:44.046 Mesa Goes a Full Second and a Half Quicker Aboard his BMW M 1000 RR, Equipped with Pirelli DIABLO Superbike Slick Tires
ATLANTA (October 24, 2023) – Pirelli congratulates Stefano Mesa on setting the new absolute motorcycle track record at Daytona International Speedway during last weekend’s American Superbike Racing Association (ASRA) and Championship Cup Series (CCS) event. Mesa’s incredible performance saw him topple the previous track record by 1.5 seconds aboard his Tytlers Racing BMW M 1000 RR machine, equipped with Pirelli DIABLO Superbike slick tires.
“What a weekend at Daytona,” said Mesa. “I did not expect to do what we did this weekend by lowering the lap time a full second and a half. Pirelli has done its homework when it comes to racing at the legendary speedway, and that has shown with its success over the past several years here. The level of comfort that I had this weekend was something I had not felt in quite some time. Thank you, Pirelli!”
The new lap record of 1:44.046 easily surpassed the previous best time of 1:45.538 and relied on the performance of Pirelli’s DIABLO Superbike 120/70 R17 SC2 front and 200/65 R17 development “Daytona spec” rear tires.
“Time and time again, Stefano raises the bar,” said Oscar Solis, Senior Racing Manager, Pirelli. “Track records are typically broken by small margins, especially at a historic track like Daytona, so what Stefano did this weekend was special. Everyone at Pirelli has worked incredibly hard to find the perfect setup, and that really showed today. We can’t wait to carry this momentum into the Daytona 200.”
Shane Narbonne (64). Photo by Noiseless Productions, courtesy Pirelli.
The weekend served as an early test and preparation for the iconic 2024 Daytona 200, with Mesa and fellow Pirelli rider Shane Narbonne also setting the fastest 600cc times of the weekend with a 1:49.227 and 1:49.282, respectively.
DIABLO™ is a registered trademark of Pirelli Tyre S.p.A
More, from a press release issued by Bagger Racing League:
Bagger Racing League Continues 2023 Race Season as Arnie Wells Takes the Checkered Flag in Thrilling Finish at Daytona
Michael Wells (69) leads Bryan Shields (17) at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by Scott Odell, courtesy Bagger Racing League.
October 24, 2023 | Boardman, OH | BRL Newswire: Bagger Racing League’s Fall Brawl in Daytona was an absolute barn burner! The thrilling race saw Arnie Wells of Team SLYFOX Performance and Suburban Harley-Davidson take the #1 plate with Bryan Shields and Craig Braymiller rounding out the podium. The American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) hosted the special AMA Championship class at the iconic Daytona International Speedway on October 20th and 21st.
The Harley-Davidson-dominated class fielded 11 racers who were ready to bring an intense bagger brawl to the historic high banks of Daytona and it didn’t disappoint. Wells started out fast and secured the lead on Bryan Shields out of the gate. Yet Bryan put on a show and battled back to make a pass going into turn one on the final lap. Arnie, knowing it was now or never, put his head down and battled back to make the pass by Bryan on the last lap, the last bank to take the win!
“I’m so proud of Arnie and our entire team,” said Joe Houpt, team owner of Suburban Harley-Davidson. “We are grateful to both American Motorcycle Association and Bagger Racing League to offer an opportunity to race for a historic #1 plate at the iconic Daytona International Speedway. Special thanks to Alex at SLYFOX Performance as well as the rest of our sponsors NAMZ Custom Cycle, Alloy Art, Hayes, Performance Machine, Regina Chain, G2, BST, Shock’s Auto Body, Midwestern Anodizing.”
The next stop for the Bagger Racing League is the championship race at Willow Springs International Raceway, Nov 18th and 19th. Fans can purchase tickets, camping and VIP upgrades online at www.baggerracingleague.com. Fans can also be entered to win a one of a kind 2023 race series poster signed by all the racers by subscribing to BRL’s official newsletter.
“We are excited to see what our teams and racers bring to our championship race in Willow Springs,” said Rob Buydos, Bagger Racing League’s founder and president. “With the great success of the 2023 BRL Fall Brawl in Daytona, fans of the BRL are going to be treated to epic amounts of championship racing action.”
Kawasaki Racing Team riders Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes will take part in the final round of the 2023 WorldSBK season this coming weekend, at the Circuito de Jerez in southern Spain. This event, to be held between 27-29 October, will be Rea’s final one in KRT colours after securing six championships on Ninja ZX-10R or ZX-10RR machinery since he joined the team in 2015.
There has been a significant break in the calendar since the penultimate round was held in Portugal in late September, giving all inside the KRT squad time to work on their combined strategy to take on the originally unplanned – but now very welcome – inclusion of Jerez as the venue for the final round.
The team has already tested at Jerez in 2023, way back in January. Because of this on-track experience the team can start the final competitive weekend with data that is relevant to the latest iteration of the Ninja ZX-10RR. This specific knowledge of the circuit will be added to the wealth of experience gained across the previous 11 championship rounds and other numerous track-based test sessions.
This weekend is, of course, of great significance for six times world champion Rea, his crew and all inside KRT. Foremost in everyone’s mind, however, is working towards ending their peerlessly successful working relationship on as high a note as possible.
Rea has won a race already in 2023, despite a relatively tough start to the season, and has been building momentum – and his podium count – as the year has progressed. He has now taken seventeen podiums, including that race win at Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic, in late July.
Jonathan is third in the championship standings on the eve of the final round, some 50 points clear of the rider in fourth place.
Lowes is returning to action after hurting his previously injured left knee at the Portimao round, but he is feeling fit and ready to fight for the podium places again. He is currently ninth in the championship rankings.
Alex will, as has been previously confirmed, remain with KRT for the 2024 WorldSBK season, riding alongside new signing Axel Bassani.
The 4.423km long asphalt ribbon that forms Jerez’s layout has been the scene of several key moments in WorldSBK history. It is somehow fitting that Rea will end his KRT years here, as Jerez was the venue that confirmed Jonathan’s first WorldSBK title win with Kawasaki, in 2015.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “It is a strange feeling going to Jerez knowing that it is my last round with KRT and I am sure it is going to be an emotional weekend together with the staff. On track we will try to do the best job we can. It is a track that perhaps has been a difficult one for us but we have also shared some great times there, winning races. It was also the scene of winning my first World Championship for Kawasaki. We do a lot of laps there in the winter tests so we have a good idea of set-up. Of course, the Ninja ZX-10RR has evolved throughout the year and we have made steps in a positive direction. I really want to finish the year strongly for my team. We are still fighting for third place in the championship. The big target of the weekend is to enjoy riding the bike and do the best job we can but also to ensure we deliver that top three in the World Championship. I want to really try to enjoy the weekend with my team. All the build up to the weekend, all the weekend, and of course post-race, reflecting on what an amazing partnership it has been – I am sure it is going to be an emotional one. I hope I can give a good account of myself and do the team proud.”
Alex Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Alex Lowes, stated: “I feel like this may be more of a first ‘race’ of winter testing and then next season for me, rather than the last race of the year. Since the summer break I have basically been injured for a couple of months. I have had a nice few weekends off, working hard and training hard. I am looking forward to finishing the year strongly in Jerez. It is a track that everybody knows well, and that the Kawasaki has gone well at in the past. The sad part of the weekend is that it will be Jonathan’s last ride with Kawasaki. I has been a pleasure to share the garage with him for the four years I have been at Kawasaki. We all know how good a rider he is, and the stats speak for themselves. He has been the best of certainly my generation in WorldSBK, and one of the best ever. But what has been almost better than that is off the bike and how much of a good bloke he is. I knew him a little bit before he was a team-mate but since spending a lot of time with him, in the garage, at events, away from the track, I would say that we have become friends. He has certainly made the four years more enjoyable for me. A great rider, an even better bloke and honestly I will miss not being on the other side of the garage to him. All the best to him in his last round with Kawasaki and well done to them for all they achieved together. Hopefully we can share the podium this weekend and finish our KRT relationship as team-mates in style. I am feeling good, looking forward to the race and I cannot wait to get down there, to be honest.”
Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) will complete his somewhat unexpected WorldSBK season at Jerez, with regular WorldSBK rider Oliver König (Orelac Racing Movisio Kawasaki) also competing at the Andalusian finale.
Antonio Cairoli test riding Ducati's new motocross prototype. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Editorial Note: Scroll down to watch the short video.
A new, historic chapter opens for Ducati: the red from Borgo Panigale enters motocross
Nine-time MX World Champion Antonio Cairoli will join Ducati as high-performance test rider for the new racing program
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 24 October 2023 – The Bologna-based manufacturer has been working for two years on a prototype that will make its debut next season in the Italian Motocross Championship, with the aim of validating the technical solutions made on the bike on the track. This strategy confirms the approach that distinguishes Ducati in the development of its sportiest and most high-performance models, i.e. starting from racing competition and then creating series products capable of exceptional performance for the delight of its enthusiasts.
This is a multi-year project that will see the creation of a complete range of off-road engines and motorcycles. The models will gradually become part of a family of knobby motorcycles branded Ducati, starting with motocross.
The Bologna-based company has signed an agreement with nine-time Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli as a high-performance test rider for the new project and, thanks to his talent, speed and experience, he will give important input for the development of the new motorcycle.
Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, commented: ”I am proud to announce Ducati’s entry into Motocross. A totally new world for Ducati in which we want to bring our talent in designing lightweight motorcycles, with excellent components and high performance and – above all – which can excite more and more motorcyclists. Just as we believe that the track is the best laboratory to develop and test the bikes that will then be available to customers and enthusiasts. This is why we have decided to cooperate with an undisputed champion like Tony Cairoli who, together with the passion and dedication of many of us here in Borgo Panigale, will contribute to making Ducati in off-road as capable in offering very high-performance products to its passionate customers as we have proven on the asphalt. The project is possible thanks to the company’s excellent results in recent years and confirms our desire to extend our presence into new worlds, speak to new motorcyclists and therefore grow the Ducati Community.”
Antonio Cairoli added: “I am extremely happy to become part of the universe of Ducati, which has always been a symbol of Italian spirit throughout the world, and to begin this exciting new adventure, in an all-Italian project. Being able to make my contribution to the development of the Borgo Panigale motocross bike is a dream come true and a source of great pride for me.”
Ducati has also signed a multi-year agreement with Maddii Racing, one of the most experienced teams in the motocross paddock, which will be the reference structure for the MX racing activities and will take part in the 2024 Italian Motocross Championship with Alessandro Lupino, eight-time Italian Champion and 2021 MXoN winner, also contracted to Ducati as racing and test rider.
The focus of the Ducati off-road project is a combination of the search for lightness pushed to the extreme, top-of-the-line components and engines characterized by a very broad power delivery curve. The latter is obtained thanks to the use of the Desmodromic system, used on all the sports bikes of the Bologna based company starting from MotoGP. Ducati is in fact the only company in the world that uses the same valve return system on its highest performing production motorcycles as it does on racing prototypes.
Entering the specialist off-road sector represents a very important and challenging strategic choice for Ducati, made possible thanks to the excellent results achieved in recent years. A decision that confirms the desire to expand the brand’s presence into unexplored terrain today. New young motorcyclists will be able to get close to the Borgo Panigale brand and thus enter the large community of Ducatisti.
Performance is one of the three core values of the brand, together with Style and Sophistication. In Borgo Panigale there are many off-road lovers and we can’t wait to see the Desmo in all its potential at work off the asphalt!
Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto, in Spain. Photo courtesy Dorna.
WorldSBK Season Finale: a champion’s coronation & farewells aplenty at Jerez
The Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, a staple in the WorldSBK calendar since 1990, has consistently delivered thrilling Superbike action. This year marks the first time since 2013 that the venue is hosting the season’s title-deciding and closing round.
Spain’s rich motorcycling heritage includes luminaries like Carlos Checa, the 2011 WorldSBK Champion, and Alvaro Bautista, the 2022 WorldSBK Champion and the current Championship leader, making Jerez a place where tradition and excellence converge.
JEREZ HOT SPOTS WITH AXEL BASSANI
T1/ « T1 is a nice first corner because in part of the braking zone you go uphill. It is a strong point of the track and also a good place for an overtake. It is an important corner to do correctly because immediately afterwards you have a little straight of 100 metres before the second corner and then you are on the brakes again. But you have to do T1 properly to have good speed arriving at T2.”
T6/ « You have to come out of T5 with a lot of speed to arrive at T6. You go downhill a bit to you have to concentrate where you start to brake. But it is like coming out of a hill, so the bike likes to wheelie. So, you have to manage that with the rear brake and still take good speed down the straight. T6 is a little, little corner – flat – where you have to brake hard, It is another good opportunity to overtake.”
T13/ « The last corner – I think it is the Jorge Lorenzo corner now? Very difficult because it is not easy to pick your point in the corner to close the throttle and brake. Why? You arrive from the previous right hand corner fast and you have to change direction. When you do that you also have to brake, so it is very easy to make a mistake. In the last lap of the race it is really important to stay inside the corner because if you have a rider behind you it is a good point for overtaking. So you have to manage the distance if you are in front, or you have the chance to overtake if you are behind. A really important corner. Sometimes you see a lot of crashes there, because there is a bump in the entry. So, it is again easy to lose the front. I think Jerez is a really good track, a lot of racing history and when you ride neatly there it is always nice.”
WorldSBK | KEY STAT
18
This year, Razgatlioglu has finished in 2nd place 18 times, setting a new season record, surpassing Jonathan Rea’s 16 times in 2019. In 2019, Rea finished second to Bautista 12 times, while this year, the Turkish rider finished second 16 times.
What to look out for in Jerez
As the 2023 World Superbike Championship season reaches its grand finale at Jerez, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. The stage is set for a thrilling climax, featuring the crowning of a Champion and bittersweet farewells. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), renowned for his remarkable history at Jerez with Ducati, including two wins in 2019, is merely two points away from securing the title. The Prometeon Spanish Round offers him a golden opportunity to be crowned as the Champion, with Saturday’s Race 1 holding the promise of glory.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), currently second in the Championship, and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), in third place, are prepared to challenge the Championship leader’s dominance. With two victories for Razgatlioglu and three wins for Rea on this historic circuit, their past performances at Jerez suggest that this race could yield the unexpected.
However, this Round isn’t just about titles; it’s also a poignant moment for several riders who are bidding farewell to their current teams. Toprak Razgatlioglu is set to make a switch to BMW in 2024, leaving his mark at Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK. Jonathan Rea is also embarking on a new adventure with Yamaha, leaving behind a remarkable legacy with the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK, where the pair clinched six WorldSBK titles together. Additionally, Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing), and Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) are all in the midst of transitions on the eve of the 2024 season.
This season finale at Jerez promises a blend of high-stakes racing, farewells, and a shot at Championship glory, making it an unforgettable event for WorldSBK fans.
KYT-sponsored MotoAmerica Supersport racer Carl Soltisz (60). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy KYT Americas.
KYT Americas Announces Sponsorship Application Period Open for Active Professional & Amateur Racers in the United States
October 2023 – KYT Helmets, a leading name in motorsports, is excited to announce the opening of our sponsorship application period for active professional and amateur racers in the United States. We are dedicated to supporting talented and passionate racers in their pursuit of excellence, and this initiative aligns with our commitment to fostering talent in the motorsports community.
Sponsorship Application Period Details:
– Application Period: October 20th, 2023, to December 31st, 2023
– Eligibility: Active professional or amateur racers in the United States with current social media account(s)
– How to Apply: Racers interested in securing sponsorship from KYT Americas are encouraged to submit their applications through our website during the application period. The online application can be found at: https://kytamericas.com/pages/sponsorship
“At KYT Helmets, we believe in supporting dedicated racers who continually push their limits and strive for excellence,” said Brandon Cretu, CEO at KYT Americas. “Our sponsorship program is designed to assist talented racers in the United States in their journey towards success, offering them access to high-quality helmets that can make a real difference on the track.”
KYT Helmets has a strong history of providing world class helmets to motorsports’ top racers. This sponsorship program aims to extend our support to promising racers who demonstrate a commitment to their craft, sportsmanship, and a desire to excel in their chosen discipline.
Application Process:
Interested and eligible racers can visit our website at https://kytamericas.com/pages/sponsorship during the application period. The online application will guide racers through the process, allowing them to submit essential information, including their racing achievements, goals, and the reasons they seek sponsorship from KYT Americas.
The applications will be thoroughly reviewed, and recipients will be selected based on their demonstrated dedication, potential, and alignment with KYT Americas’ values.
KYT Americas looks forward to receiving applications from dedicated racers and, through this sponsorship initiative, continuing our support for the motorsports community.
About KYT Americas
At KYT, we incorporate over two decades of experience in world-class competition into sleek, race-engineered helmets designed to protect and perform. Our designs offer optimal ventilation and aerodynamics while maintaining the highest level of crash protection. Since 1998, KYT’s intense focus on the competitive environment allows us to produce a helmet with quality and function designed to perform at the highest level of motorsports and performance. KYT America now brings its industry leading safety, style, and service to one of the most innovative motorcycle markets in the world.
A 2024-model Yamaha XSR900 GP at speed. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
Born Iconic: The New XSR900 GP
The embodiment of Yamaha Racing history
A 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP at rest. The exhaust system exits downward. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
Blending nostalgic design with the latest technology
The Sport Heritage range pays tribute to some of the most iconic motorcycles from Yamaha’s rich history by blending nostalgic design with the very latest in high performance engine and chassis technology.
Each XSR model takes inspiration and design cues from some of the most significant bikes built by Yamaha in its 68-year history but sees no compromise in modern day performance by bonding this timeless beauty with cutting edge riding technology.
Racing is in Yamaha’s DNA. Yamaha Motor Company has been competing in, and winning, motorcycle races since its inception – pushing the limits of both man and machine. Yamaha’s first ever motorcycle, the YA-1, won the Mount Fuji Ascent Race in 1955 shortly after the company was founded.
Since then, Yamaha has amassed countless victories at all levels from local grassroots amateur racing to the premier class of Grand Prix.
First released in 2016, the XSR900 has long featured subtle hints to Yamaha’s racing pedigree and in 2021, the latest generation XSR900 went one step further with clear design cues taken from race machines of the 1980s and 1990s while maintaining its position as a heritage roadster.
For 2024, the nod to Yamaha’s racing tradition takes another leap with the introduction of the new XSR900 GP, which pays homage to some of the most celebrated race machines from Yamaha’s illustrious past in a way never seen before in the Sports Heritage range.
Combining a sense of 1980s Grand Prix nostalgia with the very latest technology including the iconic, torque-rich 890cc CP3 engine, R1-derived six-axis IMU and lean sensitive rider aids, the XSR900 GP embodies Yamaha’s Racing history without sacrificing modern day performance.
The solo tail section of the 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
The ‘Golden Era’ of Grand Prix racing
Yamaha first entered a road racing world championship event at the Grand Prix of France.
The first premier class title came for Yamaha in the 1970s, with Giacomo Agostini, and further championship crowns followed later in the decade.
But it was in the 1980s that Yamaha secured its legacy in what would become known as the ‘Golden Era’ for Grand Prix racing. ‘King’ Kenny Roberts rode his YZR500 to a third consecutive title in 1980 but, following that success, Yamaha endured a tough few seasons battling for supremacy with its rivals.
This led to a re-think in approach, with a change in focus to developing race bikes with a priority on a rider’s feeling with the machine.
Not only would this new strategy lay the groundwork for further Grand Prix success (Yamaha won six 500cc Grand Prix titles between 1984 and 1992), but technology developed during this period went on to shape the future of the production sport motorcycle to this day.
Having moved to a slimmer V4 engine in 1982, Yamaha’s engineers turned to developing a frame in which to house this powerplant. The idea was to produce a frame the same width of the V4 motor that would envelop it, like a cage.
This marked the birth of what would become the iconic Deltabox frame, which first featured in the 1982 YZR500 OW61 Grand Prix machine. Offering outstanding rigidity and feedback, just where a rider needed it most, the Deltabox posed such a significant step forward that just three years later Yamaha introduced it to a production model for the first time, with the TZR250 bringing the characteristics of the YZR factory race machine to the road.
And now, 40 years on, the Deltabox style frame remains at the heart of many Yamaha motorcycles, including the new XSR900 GP.
Born out of respect
The English proverb ‘Manners Maketh Man’ derives from a shared understanding that courtesy, good manners and respect are essential to the preservation of good human interaction and relationships.
It is this concept which formed the starting point for the design of XSR900 GP, in harmony with the Faster Sons philosophy of respecting the origin, learning from the past and creating a better machine for the modern-day rider.
The aim was not to create a replica, but instead release a model that pays the utmost respect to the past, while holding its own with the latest in performance and technology. That is the XSR900 GP.
The nose of the 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
A sense of nostalgia in every detail
1980s inspired cowling
Aesthetically, Grand Prix bikes took a significant step in the 1980s, moving from the curvaceous bodywork of the 1970s towards the ‘boxier’ design seen from the mid-80s onwards. These squarer fairings would set the trend for the next decade not only at Grand Prix level but in production bikes too.
The XSR900 GP features an upper cowling reminiscent of this era, not only with a clear influence from the 1980s YZR Grand Prix bikes but also with notes of the FZR and TZR production sports machines of the late 1980s and early 1990s. To maintain the race-bike look, the XSR900’s round LED headlamp is replaced by a compact lens module, neatly hidden in the front cowling, creating a sense of unity with the front fairing while maintaining excellent illumination.
The bodywork is not only a symbol of the past in looks alone, but the method in which it is fixed in position is also inspired by the 1980s, with a tubed structure connecting the cowling to the frame and straight brackets supporting the dash creating a rider’s view with a genuine golden era feel.
To emphasise the classic cockpit feeling, the upper fairing stay is supported by a nut structure identical to that used for the original TZ250. In true racing style, this structure is fastened with a beta pin, marking the first time Yamaha has used such a fastening on a mass-produced production model for public road use.
The function behind the move from the curvaceous cowlings of the 1970s to the more squared off style of the 1980s was to both improve aerodynamic efficiency and protect the rider from the wind coming from higher performance; and this is no different with the XSR900 GP.
While the windscreen and individual knuckle guards incorporate a taste of the 1980s; it’s not solely about looks. The power output and gear ratio of the 890cc CP3 engine are identical to that of the XSR900, but the front cowling structure of the XSR900 GP increases both acceleration and top speed while the ducts on the side panels efficiently discharge heart from the radiator to maximise cooling performance.
The colour-matched seat cover fits over the passenger seat to complete the racer look with a boxy 1980s style rear end hiding the rear light, while a seat stopper on top of the seat cowling keeps the rider in position to enhance the feeling of acceleration.
Colours reminiscent of the Rainey years
Adorned in one of the most iconic Yamaha Grand Prix colours of all time, the XSR900 GP is available in a heritage livery inspired by the machines ridden by riders such as Wayne Rainey to multiple 500cc Grand Prix World Championships in the 1980s and early 1990s, complete with authentic yellow number boards on both front and rear cowlings.
The Deltabox-style chassis and swing arm are finished in silver to better evoke the era of the 1980s prototypes and emphasise the character of the Deltabox style frame itself.
The cockpit of the 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP complete with clip-on handlebars, new switchgear, and a 5-inch TFT display. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
A sportier ride
Race-style clip on handlebars
Separate ‘clip on’ handlebars add to the racer-style cockpit and offer a sportier riding experience.
The revised handlebars drastically change the riding position from the XSR900, moving the rider further forward on the machine into a sportier riding position, increasing the load on the front to offer the more precise feeling expected from a race-style machine.
However, since the model is not purely focused on racing or circuit riding, care has been taken to ensure the riding position does not lean forward excessively, instead offering a balance which can be enjoyed on the road without discomfort. The comfort is emphasised via a thicker, more supportive seat.
The aluminium diecast footrests are adjustable to two different positions but come out of the factory set at the upper position to emphasise the sportier riding position.
The 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP comes with a twin-spar aluminum frame and reinforced, bolt-on rear subframe. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
Tuned rigidity
To accommodate the extra load on the front end of the machine, as a result of the more forward riding position, the XSR900 GP areas surrounding the frame have been tuned to optimise stability in turning. The subframe has also been reinforced over the one found on the XSR900.
To further correspond with this front end-led riding style, the XSR900 is the only CP3 model to feature an aluminium steering stem shaft, adjusting rigidity in the steering area to better balance the often conflicting feelings of lightness and stability when changing direction or under rapid deceleration.
In conjunction with the lightweight Spinforged wheels and new Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tyres the rider can have precise confidence in placing the XSR900 GP exactly where they wish.
The front end of a 2024 Yamaha XSR900 GP. Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Europe.
Cutting edge technology
High performance brakes and suspension
In line with the mantra of blending yesterday’s style with modern technology, the XSR900 GP boasts the latest in suspension and braking components.
The KYB upside down front forks are fully adjustable for Preload and compression damping as well as rebound damping, so the ideal setup can be found for front end feel. The link-type rear suspension actuates a forward-inclined fully adjustable KYB, shock virtually hidden from sight to maintain the slim and sporty performance at the rear. Remote pre-load adjustment makes customising the ride a simple task.
A Brembo radial front master cylinder underlines the bike’s cutting-edge specification and backs up its sporty potential, while the brake hoses have been optimised to improve braking control in sportier riding, especially under harder stopping forces.
Yamaha Ride Control (YRC)
Further maintaining the mix of nostalgic style with the latest in high performance technology, XSR900 GP riders can customise their riding experience via Yamaha Ride Control (YRC). For simpler use, engine power characteristics and rider aids are integrated to quickly allow changes to the level of electronic intervention depending on rider preferences and road conditions.
Three pre-set integrated riding modes, ‘SPORT’, ‘STREET’ and ‘RAIN’ feature factory settings with different intervention levels to suit different conditions. These are complemented by two Custom settings, which enable the rider to manually select their own power and intervention settings for the various electronically controlled, lean-sensitive rider aids – all of which can be set using a smartphone via the MyRide app.
5″ TFT meter with full connectivity
A new five-inch full colour TFT display is housed in the retro-styled cockpit. While riders can choose from four different themes to suit a range of mindsets, a traditional analogue-style tachometer theme, inspired by race bikes of yesteryear truly enhances the period riding experience.
For an enriched riding experience, smart phone connectivity comes as standard on the XSR900 GP via a built-in Communication Control Unit (CCU), ensuring riders can stay connected while riding by linking their smart phone with their machine via the free MyRide Link app. As well as seeing call and message notifications on the 5” TFT display, a new dimension is added to the ride by the possibility of taking calls and listening to music via a Bluetooth headset*. Once connected, riders can also make use of the integrated Garmin StreetCross navigation system which will display Turn-By-Turn navigation on the 5” TFT dashboard.
There is also the option to provide power to external devices by the new USB Type C socket located near the dashboard.
*Bluetooth headset not included with bike
New ergonomic switchgear
New integrated handlebar switch assemblies enable the rider to operate the wider range of functions of the new XSR900 GP including smart phone connectivity, navigation and riding modes as well as interrogating the various menu options.
Featuring a clear, logical and simple design – the shape, movement and ergonomic layout of the buttons have been designed with intuitive movement in mind, meaning riders can cycle through the different functions with ease.
To aid navigation of busy road environments, a soft-click of the indicator switch will flash the turn signals three times for use when lane-changing or when only brief indication is required. A full-click of the switch will result in continuous flashing until 15 seconds has passed and when the machine has travelled more than 150 metres.
A new Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) function reacts to sudden braking by engaging the hazard lights to warn road users behind the vehicle is stopping at speed in an emergency situation.
Extra support from advanced six-axis IMU with lean sensitive rider aids
Developed directly from the electronic systems on the R1, the XSR900 GP’s high-tech six-axis IMU constantly measures acceleration in the forward-backward, up-down and left-right directions – as well as the angular velocity in the machine’s pitch, roll and yaw directions.
The six-axis IMU is able to send data in real time to the ECU which controls the suite of electronic rider aids, including the lean sensitive Traction Control System (TCS), Slide Control System (SCS) as well as a front wheel Lift Control System (LIF) and Brake Control System (BC).
XSR900 GP also becomes the first Sport Heritage model to be equipped with the third-generation quick shift system, enhancing the ride by enabling clutchless downshifts while accelerating and clutchless upshifts under deceleration in addition to the standard functionality.
Technical Highlights
Distinctive design evocative of Grand Prix racers of 80s and 90s
New 5-inch full colour TFT display with connectivity
High grade fully adjustable front and rear KYB suspension
Newly designed clip-on handlebars and handlebar switches
Deltabox-style chassis with optimised rigidity
Comfortable main seat, new side covers and removable seat cover
New footpeg style and positioning
Yamaha Ride Control YRC and 6-axis IMU
Cruise control, third generation Quick Shift System and A&S Clutch
Yamaha Spinforged wheels fitted with Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23
Colours, availability and price
The new XSR900 GP will be available in two colours, Legend Red and Power Grey. Delivery dates to European dealers and prices vary per region, so please contact the national Yamaha distributor for full information.
Yamaha Genuine Accessories and Faster Sons Clothing
Yamaha has developed a range of packs and individual Genuine Accessories that enable the XSR900 GP owner to easily personalise their motorcycle.
Customers can order the packs and accessories before collecting their new XSR900 GP and have them fitted by their Yamaha dealer. All of the items in the packs can also be purchased individually and in addition to the kit items, the genuine Accessory list for the XSR900 GP also includes a Lower Fairing, a License Plate Holder, a Tinted Screen and an Akrapovič Exhaust System.
Developed to complement the Sport Heritage range of motorcycles, Yamaha’s Faster Sons clothing line includes stylish t-shirts, jumpers, leather jackets, baseball caps, patches and more that are designed to match the timeless looks of the XSR.
MyGarage app
Yamaha customers can build their dream Sport Heritage model from the comfort of their own home with the quick and easy to use MyGarage app. The free app allows users to add and remove Genuine Accessories to their chosen model to create their ideal XSR on their smartphone or laptop.
MyGarage makes it easier to choose which accessories to add to your XSR with the finished result available to view in 3D from every angle. And to make things even easier, the finished item can also be emailed directly to the customer’s chosen Yamaha dealer who can then provide further information.
For full information on Yamaha Genuine Accessories and Apparel or MyGarage please visit www.yamaha-motor.eu/gb
MyRide app
Yamaha’s free MyRide app offers all XSR riders the chance to get more out of their riding experience with route tracking and creation, riding information such as lean angle, distance covered and more. Plus, users can create their own story, add pictures and share to social media and the MyRide community.
Triumph is releasing eight different Bonneville Stealth Edition models with high-end paint jobs. A Bonneville T120 is closest to the camera. Photo courtesy Triumph.
EIGHT TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE STEALTH EDITIONS FOR 2024
DRAMATIC NEW CUSTOM-STYLE PAINT FINISH
Innovative new technique from Triumph’s world-class paint team
Stunning new Stealth Editions are available for one year only
The world will soon be seeing the Triumph Bonneville range in a new light, thanks to a dramatic new custom-style paint finish which makes its debut on eight Modern Classics for 2024.
Available for one year only, the new Stealth Edition models are an exclusive collection of eight beautiful Bonneville motorcycles. Each model features its own unique tank design which showcases a dramatic hand-painted finish that intensifies in the light to reveal vivid color.
The fuel tank on a Triumph Bonneville Bobber Purple Stealth Edition. Photo courtesy Triumph.
The process starts with a base layer of mirror-finish metallic ‘Silver Ice’ being applied to each tank, followed by a precisely placed dark to light ‘Sapphire Black’ graphite vignette. Finally, a translucent tinted lacquer is applied in multiple layers, to build a deep and rich topcoat.
The transition from dark tinted graphite to vibrant color, springs to life when exposed to light, varying in hue and tone under different conditions and appearing different from every angle. The hand-painted finish ensures subtle variations, making every motorcycle truly unique.
EIGHT TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE STEALTH EDITIONS
The eight Triumph Stealth Editions include the Bonneville Speedmaster in red, the stripped-back Bobber in purple, the T100 and T120 in a striking blue, the popular Speed Twin 1200 in red, the agile Speed Twin 900 in green, the Scrambler 900 in an eye-catching orange, and finally, the T120 Black features a sophisticated matte silver finish.
Bonneville Speedmaster Red Stealth Edition
A stunning and beautiful reimagination of the British custom classic icon, the Stealth Edition has an intense new red design that amplifies the attitude and confidence of the Speedmaster in the sunlight.
The paint finish enhances the Speedmaster’s laid-back attitude and custom style, which marries with a smooth torquey 1200cc Bonneville engine to result in enhanced performance and handling, with a relaxed and comfortable ride.
The 1200cc high torque twin engine delivers a responsive ride, with a tune specifically developed to deliver high torque and high-power down low and through the rev range. The Speedmaster features high specification 1.85” (47mm) Showa cartridge forks, which combined with the preload adjustable hidden monoshock rear suspension unit, provide the rider with great maneuverability, comfort, and control, with and without a pillion.
Bonneville Bobber Purple Stealth Edition
The world-famous Bonneville Bobber has a stripped back, custom style that is born to become a Stealth Edition, exposing a deep, vibrant purple color that catches the eye.
With all the performance and capability of the latest generation, the Bonneville Bobber Purple Stealth Edition delivers an incredible 78 LBFT (106 Nm) of torque at 4,000 rpm, while the torque assist clutch provides a smoother operation, making the Bobber an easy and comfortable bike to ride.
With its unmistakable 16” fat front wheel, and chunky 1.85” (47mm) front forks, giving a muscular and imposing front end presence.
Bonneville T100 Blue Stealth Edition
Accessible and easy to handle, yet still with thrilling Bonneville performance, the Bonneville T100 Blue Stealth Edition is available for one year only.
All the looks and style, plus a confidence-inspiring ride. The torque-rich, low-inertia Bonneville 900cc engine delivers 64 HP (65PS) at 7,400 rpm with peak torque of 59 LBFT (80 Nm) at 3,750 rpm. This equates to a responsive engine character with easy-going, tractable power at low revs and plenty of top-end punch for an exhilarating fun ride.
The high specification cartridge front forks, combined with the twin rear shocks and the 32-spoke classically styled wheels, further enhance the T100’s agile and easy-handling feel. The latest generation ABS and switchable traction control are sensitively and unobtrusively incorporated to maximize the rider’s safety and to ensure a smooth riding experience.
Bonneville T120 Blue Stealth Edition
The Bonneville T120 is one of the most distinctive motorcycles in the world, and with this vibrant blue finish it adds contemporary custom style to a true Modern Classic.
Not just a beauty, this Bonneville T120 Blue Stealth Edition is just as technologically advanced and packed with modern capability as you’d expect, with a high specification that includes 1.61” (41mm) cartridge forks, preload-adjustable twin rear suspension units and twin Brembo front brake calipers with ABS.
The T120 has been specifically tuned to deliver high torque, from low down in the rev range all the way through the mid-range, giving exhilarating performance throughout. The 1200cc twin engine delivers 77.44 LBFT (105 Nm) of peak torque at a very low 3500 rpm and its power peaks 79 HP (80 PS) at 6,550 rpm.
Bonneville T120 Black Stealth Edition
The Bonneville T120 Black Stealth Edition features a different finish to the rest of the collection – a beautiful silver matte finish that adds to its standout appeal.
With the mean style of the Bonneville T120 Black you get a host of premium blacked-out details and components, including wheel rims, matte mudguards, engine covers, mirrors, handlebars, headlamp bezel, indicators, and exhaust, plus a stylish brown bench seat with embossed Triumph logo.
Beautifully torque-rich, the 1200cc low-inertia Bonneville engine offers an impressive mix of low-end torque and top-end power, with incredible custom style, making the Stealth Edition a head-turning choice for a Sunday morning run or the daily commute.
Speed Twin 1200Red Stealth Edition
The timeless Bonneville DNA of the classic Speed Twin 1200 is the perfect match for this peerless paint finish, rewarding closer inspection with a vivid candy red that gleams in the light.
The Speed Twin 1200 Red Stealth Edition also enjoys dynamic riding capability, engaging ergonomics, and dedicated roadster-focused chassis, as well as high specification suspension and tires that deliver confidence-inspiring, agile, and intuitive handling.
Already an award-winning motorcycle, the Speed Twin 1200 has been a great success and a customer favorite. Its characterful 1200cc high power Bonneville twin delivers an incredibly strong and linear power delivery, with 99 HP (100PS) at 7,250rpm. The distinctive sound of this Bonneville Twin is amplified by the brushed stainless steel megaphone twin upswept sports silencers, that have been carefully crafted for a deep, throaty roar.
Speed Twin 900 Green Stealth Edition
This Triumph Stealth Edition model stands out with a rich, deep green tank design, reminiscent of the iconic British racing green and makes the Speed Twin 900 a head turner.
Powered by the torque-rich, 900cc Bonneville twin engine, the Speed Twin 900 Green Stealth Edition packs a punch delivering an exciting, comfortable ride as well as an appealing custom-inspired classic look.
The new Stealth Edition incorporates all the Speed Twin 900’s best loved features, including its powerful engine, cast wheels, and brushed aluminum detailing, as well as enhanced comfort and style. Add to that its confidence inspiring light and agile ride, low 765mm seat height, Brembo front brake, two riding modes, ABS, and switchable traction control, and you get a truly special edition of Triumph’s most successful modern classic.
Scrambler 900 Orange Stealth Edition
Known for its custom style and rugged good looks, the Scrambler 900 now has an intriguing, deep orange glint in its eye for 2024.
The Scrambler 900 Orange Stealth Edition is the bike to be seen riding, on all roads, enjoying its high-torque 900cc Bonneville engine which is tuned to give you plenty of tractable power, while the ride-by-wire throttle delivers superb rideability and control.
The dedicated chassis set-up of the Scrambler 900 delivers its commanding riding position with a unique frame, wide aluminum handlebars and mid-position foot pegs – a combination that inspires confidence and gives great visibility when tackling light off-road trails or in traffic. Its 19” front and 17” rear blacked-out wire-spoked wheel and low 31” (790mm) seat height adds to the confident feel and is complimented by a narrow stand-over width, enabling riders to comfortably reach the ground when stationary, making this model extremely accessible, easy to maneuver and fun for every type of rider.
ARRIVING IN DEALERS
Triumph Motorcycles’ Chief Commercial Officer Paul Stroud said: “The Stealth Editions are simply stunning, and a brilliant demonstration of the skill and innovation of our paint team. It is a challenging, hand-crafted technique that gives each motorcycle a sophisticated and unique finish. For fans of our Bonneville motorcycles, these Stealth Editions will be hard to resist.”
Pricing for the Triumph Stealth Editions represents great value for fans of custom style.
USD Stealth
CAD Stealth
Bonneville Speedmaster Red Stealth Edition
$14,595
$16,495
Bonneville Bobber Purple Stealth Edition
$14,595
$16,495
Bonneville T100 Blue Stealth Edition
$11,745
$12,945
Bonneville T120 Blue Stealth Edition
$13,495
$14,995
Bonneville T120 Black Stealth Edition
$14,295
$14,995
Speed Twin 1200 Red Stealth Edition
$13,695
$15,095
Speed Twin 900 Green Stealth Edition
$10,645
$11,945
Scrambler 900 Orange Stealth Edition
$12,245
$13,845
Stealth Editions will be model year 2024. Orders can be placed now at Triumph dealers, with bikes arriving in dealers beginning Spring 2024.
(From Left) Wataru Isaka, YT Lechner, Steve Brunton, Melissa Berkoff, Sam Fleming, Hunter Dunham, Tim Gooding, Josh Hayes, Chris Manfrin, Taylor Knapp, Tony Romo, and Anthony Consorte. AOD team members not pictured because they weren’t at Barber include Cody Wyman, Chris Peris, and Ben Walters. Photo courtesy Army of Darkness.
Army Of Darkness Wins: Overall Race, Heavyweight Race, Overall Championship, Heavyweight Championship at WERA/N2 National Endurance Race by Dunlop at Barber Motorsports Park.
Josh Hayes, Taylor Knapp, and Hunter Dunham piloted the Army of Darkness (AOD) 1000 “Gaijin” to a sixth consecutive class win and a fifth consecutive overall win to secure the 2023 Overall and Heavyweight Championships.
Road racing legend Josh Hayes (99) abides Gaijin’s fuel capacity to add another national championship to his prodigious tally. Photo by Raul Jerez/Highside Photo, LLC, courtesy AOD.
The team led the race from green to checkered. Although red flags kept erasing the leads the team built up, AOD was able to couple fast riding and well-timed pit stops to capitalize on a consecutive 90 minutes of racing to secure a red-flag-resistant one-lap lead. Other top-running teams suffered with mechanical issues, allowing AOD to stretch that lead to the end.
Hunter Dunham (99) tests the Dunlops’ edge grip on the way to the top of the podium. Photo by Raul Jerez/Highside Photo, LLC, courtesy AOD.
Over the season’s six races, AOD was able to successfully dodge the slings and arrows of misfortune and make appropriate sacrifices of time and treasure to the racing gods to emerge with an astonishing seventh consecutive Heavyweight championship and sixth consecutive Overall championship. Adding to their tally of endurance championships won over three decades of competition, AOD has now won an astonishing 21 national championships on three different brands of bikes with three different brands of tires.
Josh Hayes: “The season was everything I had anticipated. We started the season with some team building single track enduro riding, and I’m glad we’d built up that camaraderie so they didn’t kick me off the team when I lowsided the endurance bike at the first race. I’m glad they kept me on because I have so much fun riding with these guys. The whole AOD crew is volunteer, but they all know their stuff and are all expert riders in their own right. We came into Barber with a 35-point lead and our practice lap times were good enough to win, but they heard me talking about how the shock was a little lively so they pulled it off and asked Mike Fitzgerald of Thermosman Suspensions to re-valve it for us at the track. Melissa and Tim were re-installing it in the dark and going to dinner late just because they thought we might be more comfortable on the bike for the race. AOD crew just grinds it out! I’m just hoping they keep me on for next year!”
Taylor Knapp (99) samples the fruits of his Dunlop tire development labors by winning his first championships with Army Of Darkness, since 2014. Photo by Raul Jerez/Highside Photo, LLC, courtesy AOD.
Crew Chief Tim Gooding: “One blown motor, one drowned motorcycle, one countershaft seal, two sets of bodywork, two crashes, three oil changes, three chains, six sets of brake pads, 28 rear tires, 12 front tires, 620 gallons of diesel, two clips-ons, an exhaust system, a clutch cover gasket, and a bunch of late nights wrenching or driving. For endurance racing, you really need to embrace the process of racing because there is a lot of it! Endurance racing you need to beat the competition but you also need to beat all the gremlins: the loosening countershaft nut, the chaffing wiring harness, the factory installed gasket with a fold in it. A lot of times Sam, Melissa, and I just stare at the bike to try to figure out what is going to get us! I gotta say though, having riders like Hunter Dunham, Cody Wyman, Josh Hayes, Chris Peris, Taylor Knapp and Ben Walters is both really motivating and rewarding. And the Dunlop tires this year were amazing. We could set the chassis and engine up to go as fast as we wanted and never had to worry about tire wear and tear.”
AOD is sponsored by: Army of Darkness, Dunlop, Yamaha Champions Riding School, Industry 13, Woodcraft, Hindle, Supersprox, Thermosman, N2, WERA, Roadracing World, Yamaha.
Trenton Keesee (center) after winning the ASRA 400 National at Daytona over runner-up Alex Ferreira (left) and third-place finisher Elisa Gendron-Belen (right). Photo courtesy Bruce Gendron.
Trenton Keesee, a 16-year-old from Melbourne, Florida, has won the 2023 Nicky Hayden AMA Road Race Horizon Award. Keesee earned the award based on his performance during the AMA Road Race Grand Championships, held in conjunction with the ASRA Race of Champions October 20-22 at Daytona International Speedway.
Keesee won the ASRA 400 National and finished a close second in the AMA 400 Grand Championship race.
Keesee posted the following on his Instagram profile:
In addition to an awesome weekend here at Daytona International Speedway, I am honored to have received this year’s “Nicky Hayden” Horizon Award. This is an amazing honor and I would like to give a huge thank you to the AMA and CCS/ASRA for choosing me for this prestigious award. I would also like to thank all of my sponsors and everybody that has supported me this season.
A special thank you to Ken Saillant at AMA as well as Phil Sberna at ASRA.
A huge thank you goes out to all of my sponsors for this season!
@floridanativeroofing
@ebcbrakes
@officialvortexek
@rktakasagochain
@araiamericas
@envy_racing_apparel
@marktennmotors
@brevardsuperbike
@pellegrinojerry
@kevinsmith7473
@spearsracing
@pit_viper
screamin mimis pizza
CJ Cohen
@ltdracingteam
A “press release” is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to inform
the public about an event, product, or service from the issuer’s own point of view, and if deemed
to have news value, may be placed on roadracingworld.com as a service to our readers.
A press release is not an article written by Roadracingworld.com staffers. When a post is labeled with the words “press release”, it means that Roadracingworld.com is not responsible for its content and that Roadracingworld.com makes no guarantee that it is accurate. Not all press releases are posted and Roadracingworld.com may reject press releases if the content is too heavy on commercial promotion with little or no news value or if the press release contains obvious errors.
Accessibility
Accessibility modes
Epilepsy Safe Mode
Dampens color and removes blinks
This mode enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode
Improves website's visuals
This mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode
Helps to focus on specific content
This mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode
Reduces distractions and improve focus
This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Online Dictionary
Readable Experience
Content Scaling
Default
Text Magnifier
Readable Font
Dyslexia Friendly
Highlight Titles
Highlight Links
Font Sizing
Default
Line Height
Default
Letter Spacing
Default
Left Aligned
Center Aligned
Right Aligned
Visually Pleasing Experience
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Monochrome
High Contrast
High Saturation
Low Saturation
Adjust Text Colors
Adjust Title Colors
Adjust Background Colors
Easy Orientation
Mute Sounds
Hide Images
Hide Emoji
Reading Guide
Stop Animations
Reading Mask
Highlight Hover
Highlight Focus
Big Dark Cursor
Big Light Cursor
Cognitive Reading
Virtual Keyboard
Navigation Keys
Voice Navigation
Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
November 11, 2026
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
