World Premier New 2017 Fast Dates Calendar!
Our official SBK Podiumand Grid Kittens Sara, Alena S and Alena P gets up close and personal with Jonthan Rea's 2015 SBK World Championship winning Motocard Kawasaki ZX10R at Laguna Seca USA World Superbike. FastDates.com Calendars are highest quality full color 15 x 15" wire spiral bound printed on heavy art stock revealing 16 months beginning with September.

Order the New 2016 and 2017 FastDates.com Calendars...
Click on the Calendar Picture Above or Here to Order

See More of the Bikes and Beautiful Calendar Kittens in -
Calendar Bike Garageand Members Corner and Meet the Models

This Month in the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar
Now a part of Superbike history, Matt Maladin's Eric Buell Racing 1240 V-Twin Superbike raced for 2 World Superbike seasons in 2014 and 2015 with Larry Pegram and Niccolo Canepa before business partner HERO of India pulled its funding and Eric Buell Racing went bankrupt. Pictured with our beautiful SBK Fast Dates Calendar Kittens Petra Ruzickova and Jitunka Pralinka from the Czech Republic.
Order the Fast Dates Calendars HERE.

See more of our beautiful Kittens and Calendar Bikes in the
Calendar Bike Garage and in Members Corner.

We're Back! Riding Edelweiss Motorcycle Tour - From Paris to Omaha, France
Versailles, France, August 2016 - How we spent our summer vacation! On the exciting Edelweiss Bike Travel 2016 Paris to Omaha Beach 10-day motorcycle tour across western France visiting the histroric battle sites of World War II where editor Jim Ginatsis father, B26 bomber pilot Capt. James Gianatsi played a pivital role in te D-say invasion and liberating France. We rode 2-up two-up with awesome FastDates.com SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Kaustin "Kaussie" Rose in a story for the FastDates.com Website. Our bike of choice would be the newly introduced BMW R 1000 XR Sport Tourer, based on the potent BMW R 1000 RR Superbike. For the Complete Story Click on the Photos or Check Out the Complete Story Here

Kaustin Rose (aka Blake Eden) is from Phoenix, Arizona, and is a huge motorsports enthusiast. She grew up working in her father's business of buying, repairing and selling cars and motorcycles. Having motorcycles parked in the house was just part of the norm for her, and she was always rebuilding car motors with her dad. Caustin rode a KTM dirt bike in the desert, and got heavily into building up and driving cars in Drifting competition. But after destroying her Nissan drift car into a wall, and then her new 2012 BMW M3, she tell us she's taking a break from owning cars for a while to "settle down". Kaustin moved to Los Angeles just a year ago to get into glamour and fashion modeling. Her credits include magazine covers like Penthouse March 2016. Kaustin's exciting and busy first month of FastDates.com Calendar shoots began with the drive from Los Angeles up Pacific Coast on Highway 1 to Monterrey for the 2016 Laguna Seca USA World SBK & AMA Superbike round July 8-10th to shoot the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar and will join other Umbrella Girls USA models to serve as official SBK Podium and Gird Girls at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Following the Laguna Seca Superbike weekend, Kaustin returned to Los Angeles for the the Saturday July 23rd LA Calendar Motorcycle Show to help premier the new 2017 FastDates.com Calendars and help with the Calendar Bike Building Championship awards. Then the following day she was at photographer Jim Gianatsis home studio to shoot with all the the top custom motorcycles from the Show for the next 2018 Iron & Lace Custom Motorcycle Calendar - http://www.FastDates.com/BIKESHOW.HTM

For complete Pricing, Bikes, and Booking Information visit the Edelweiss Website Here

From the left: Builder Hirokai Takai, Calendar Show producer Jim Gianatsis, Calendar Kitten Kaustin Rose, Best of Show winner Yuichiti Yoshizkwa, Kittens Alissa Bourne and Daria Dali.

We Have a Winner!
Yuichiti Yoshizkwa takes 2016 LA Calendar Motorcycle Best of Show
Calabasas, CA, July 23rd, 2016 - Yuichiti Yoshizkwa / Custom Works Zou, flew his bike in from Japan to take Best of Show at the 2016 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show. This was the 5th year in a row that Asian Builders had claimed the top spot at America's premier custom motorcyce show with their unique had craft builds. Yuichiti's Cafe Racer themed bike features a front swingarm suspension with its Amrican V-Twin replica Shovel Head fed by a exhaust driver turbocharger!

Complete coverage if this year's 2016 LA Calendar Motocycle Show HERE

Legendary custom bike builder Ron Simms (seated right) shows off 2 of his newest custom bikes featured in the new
2017 Iron & Lace Calendar which premiered at the Show.

Fast Dates Calendar Celebrates 22 years of SBK World Superbike in America
California, USA, July 17-20th 2016 - For the 22nd year since SBK World Superbike first came to America at Laguna Seca Raceway in 1995, the FastDates.com Calendars and myself, producer / photographer Jim Gianatsis were excited to continue
our ongoing association with SBK World Superbike and the UmbrellaGirlsUSA.com to bring 2 more beautiful FastDates.com Calendar Kittens; Kaustin Lanae and Alissa Bourne to shoot with me at the 2016 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca United States SBK World Superbike and AMA National race weekend July 8-10th. There they served as the official SBK Podium Girls and helped me shoot the next Fast Dates World & AMA Superbike Calendar. Then, two weekends later they both would work the
26th annual LA Calendar Motorcycle Show and Calendar shoot in Los Angeles on July 23-24th. Continued Here

SBK Motul World Superbike Championship Round 12 of 14, Magny Cours France

Chaz Serves up Duck on the Menu in France
Magny Cours, France, Oct 1-2nd 2017 - The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team took its sixth win of the season in Magny-Cours (France), home of the third-to-last round of the WorldSBK championship, thanks to Chaz Davies’ triumph in Race 1.

Chaz Davies sets the best time on Friday at Magny-Cours; Davide Giugliano is 15th, hindered by right-shoulder issues
The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team took it to the track in Magny-Cours (France) for the third-to-last round of the WorldSBK championship, scheduled for September 30 - October 2. At the end of the first two free-practice sessions, Chaz Davies stands firmly at the top of the time sheets. After posting the best time in FP1, the Welshman took four tenths of a second off during FP2 to clock a 1:37.836, a tenth faster than the previous best lap. 

Chaz Davies suffered in the first half of the Race One with Intermediate grooved tires on the slow dryng track, but by mid race he was able to pick up the pace, and as the race leaders lost time mid race pitting for slicks, Chaz found himself with a lead that held to the finish line.

Saturday's Wet Race Start sees Chaz gamble on an Intermediate Tires
RACE ONE Saturday Oct 1st 2017 - At 13:00 local time in France, the stars of WorldSBK took to the track for Round 11 of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship with points leader Jonathan Rea from Kawasaki Racing Team starting from pole after a wet Superpole earlier that morning.

With a wet track at the start of the race, Chaz Davies (who finished Superpole in third position) opted for intermediate tyres. The Welshman’s choice was nonconformist, as most riders chose wet compounds, but eventually proved to be the most ideal. Davies had to play defense early on as the track was slippery, and was momentarily pushed out of the top ten, but soon mounted an incredible comeback that – as his opponents were forced to pit-in – saw him win with a ten-second advantage. It was Davies’ sixth victory of the year, a personal record. 

It was Rea who took the holeshot, leading into the first corner with teammate Tom Sykes hot on his tail, as the sun shone down at Magny-Cours. Honda World Superbike Team’s Michael van der Mark showed his prowess in the mixed conditions finding grip on the outside where no one else could to make up two positions, as his teammate Nicky Hayden followed his lead close behind. By the end of the first lap Sykes had taken the advantage from his teammate as the two Honda’s closed in.

As the battle heated up at the front between the two Kawasakis and the two Honda’s, MV Agusta Reparto Corse rider Leon Camier silently closed in. With his MV Agusta running at its peak Camier became relentless, hunting down the leaders within a couple of laps and easily pulled away in the lead.

By lap 7 the track was almost dry and the Kentucky Kid was the first man into the pits for a tyre change, followed a few laps later by the KRT duo who struggled with grip on the drying track. The riders who had started on wet tires and would have to piit for dry tires as the track driend out, would eventually be handicapped by their time spent in the pits.

Camier’s stint at the top was short lived as Ioda Racing’s Lorenzo Savadori was first to catch him before a rush of activity in the closing laps saw Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Chaz Davies eventually catch up to steal the lead from the young Italian. Once in front, Davies was unstoppable and went on to win nine seconds clear of second placed Michael van der Mark, who stayed consistent throughout the race. KRT duo Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea pushed to make up for lost time spent changing tires to finally finish in third and fourth respectively.

Savadori eventually finished in fifth ahead of first Frenchman home, Mattieu Lagrive for Pedercini Racing in sixth. Leon Camier came home in seventh after his intermediate tires eventually lost their grip on the dry track. His impressive race will be fueling his fire in race 2 to see his performance through to finish on the podium.

Barni Racing’s Xavi Fores ended the day in eighth ahead of Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team’s Sylvain Guintoli in ninth, who will also be aiming for the podium on Sunday, while IodaRacing Team’s Alex De Angelis locked out the top 10.
Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team’s Alex Lowes gave a solid effort to finish in P11 after his crash in yesterday’s practice saw him limping to ad from his bike today. Milwaukee BMW’s Josh Brooke’s finished in P12 while Roman Ramos rode a consistent race to finish in P13. Althea BMW Racing Team’s Jordi Torres and Luca Scassa (VFT Racing) locked out the last of the points places in P14 and P15.

Davide Giugliano did not race as his crash in Free Practice yesterday injured his shoulder. The Italian crashed again in the morning session before Race 1 and finally decided it was best to sit out of the race to recover fully ahead of Round 12 in Jerez.

Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati #7) 1st - “I tried to make an educated guess on tyres, as in the past we haven’t always opted for the best strategy in these conditions. Still, it was somewhat of a gamble and I knew that early on it was just a matter of survival but the reward could be great. At first, I just tried to stay on the bike as in some points it felt like riding on ice, but when I saw the gap from the front after the first few laps I realized we could pull it off. It was fun to come back through the field. Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be dry and we have a good chance, but we still have room for improvement.”

Michael van der Mark 2nd - What a crazy race! The track started to dry before the race started and that made the tyre choice a quite difficult one. I decided to stay on wet tyres after the sighting lap because I wasn’t sure if it was dry enough for intermediates. I had a good start and battled at the front in the first laps, but after that I couldn’t get up to speed on the straights and that was quite frustrating. I decided to calm down, wait one lap and then go back to the pits for a tyre change. It proved to be the right decision and especially at the right time. In the end Chaz was the one who got it perfect and congratulations to him for the win. I’m extremely happy with my second place; it’s nice to get back on the podium and to consolidate my fourth place in the standings.

Tom Sykes 3rd: “That was a really tricky race. Some riders went on intermediates and some on wets. I was one of those on full wets, as I wanted to be a bit safer in the early laps. Chaz went on intermediates, and it paid off for him in the end. I think we had a good race, considering we had a pit stop. After that it was definitely a good comeback through the field. The lap times were really competitive compared to the others guys. We just ran out of time, but that is racing. I am grateful to be on the podium in such tricky conditions, which could have easily gone another way. Tomorrow I hope it is fully dry and we can improve the result. In fully wet conditions we were good, also in dry conditions, so we are prepared for any of those. It is just that you can’t really make a perfect set-up for those ‘in between’ conditions. Tomorrow we will be prepared in any case.”

Jonathan Rea 4th: “It was a race of strategy today and unfortunately we were not on the winning one. The bike was working OK and in the first part of the race I was patient, just marking time behind Tom. Our main opposition right now is Tom so when he was on rain tyres it made the decision of when to come into the pits much easier. I am just a little bit disappointed in myself for not being clear to ask for slick tyres at the pit stop. I did not have complete confidence and I expected the intermediate would last much longer, as the track was taking a long time to dry. When I saw that he had exited from the pit stop with slick tyres it was very difficult to find the same edge grip as the slick tyres had. All in all, I am happy, because we made some mistakes today but we finished fourth in the race and did not lose too many points. Being the championship leader we had to adopt the more conservative option today, rather than the more aggressive one.”

SUPERBIKE RACE 1 RESULTS - Complete Resuls Here
1 CHAZ DAVIES 7 GBR 25 ARUBA.IT RACING DUCATI 38'51.932
2 MICHAEL VAN DER MARK 60 NDL 20 HONDA WORLDSBK HONDA +9.871
3 TOM SYKES 66 GBR 16 KAWASAKI RACING TEAM KAWASAKI +10.218
4 JONATHAN REA 65 GBR 13 KAWASAKI RACING TEAM KAWASAKI +18.031
5 LORENZO SAVADORI 32 ITA 11 IODARACING TEAM APRILIA +19.974
6 MATTHIEU LAGRIVE 76 FRA 10 TEAM PEDERCINI KAWASAKI +24.661
7 LEON CAMIER 2 GBR 9 MV AGUSTA REPARTO CORSE MV AGUSTA +25.743
8 XAVI FORES 12 SPA 8 BARNI RACING TEAM DUCATI +27.409
9 SYLVAIN GUINTOLI 50 FRA 7 PATA YAMAHA YAMAHA +49.455
10 ALEX DE ANGELIS 15 RSM 6 IODARACING TEAM APRILIA +52.570
11 ALEX LOWES 22 GBR 5 PATA YAMAHA YAMAHA +52.788
12 JOSHUA BROOKES 25 AUS 4 MILWAUKEE BMW BMW +53.947
13 ROMÁN RAMOS 40 SPA 3 TEAM GO ELEVEN KAWASAKI +54.929
14 JORDI TORRES 81 SPA 2 ALTHEA BMW RACING TEAM BMW +1'22.280
15 LUCA SCASSA 99 ITA 1 ARUBA.IT RACING DUCATI +1'27.383
16 KAREL ABRAHAM 17 CZE 0 MILWAUKEE BMW BMW +1 lap
17 MARKUS REITERBERGER 21 GER 0 ALTHEA BMW RACING TEAM BMW +1 lap
18 SAEED AL SULAITI 11 QAT 0 TEAM PEDERCINI KAWASAKI +1 lap
19 PETER SEBESTYEN 56 HUN 0 TEAM TOTH YAMAHA +1 lap
20 MATTHIEU LUSSIANA 94 FRA 0 TEAM ASPI BMW +1 lap

Chaz had the pace on Day 2 with the Panigale 1199RS to runaway from the Kawasakis

Sunday Dry Race Davies Does The Double on Sunday
RACE TWO Sunday Oct 1st 2017 - Race 2 of the 2016 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship got underway at Magny-Cours on Sunday with almost perfect conditions setting the scene for a magnificent day of racing. Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Chaz Davies stole the show once again to take the double for a fifth time in his career. Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes put on an incredible show battling for the podium to finish in second and third.
 
The opening lap saw pole man Jonathan Rea rush ahead to lead into the first corner, with Chaz Davies right behind. Tom Sykes swooped around on the second corner to steal the lead and pull away while Davies took second. With a three way English fight out the front, MV Agusta Reparto Corse rider Leon Camier and Honda World Superbike Team’s Michael van der Mark were left behind to fight it out for fourth.
 
Sykes was unbeatable setting a new lap record early on as he took his Kawasaki to its limit, putting seconds between Davies and teammate Rea. But it wasn’t long before Rea slipped passed Davies to begin the hunt for Sykes.
 
The last five laps of the race saw an intense battle break out between the two Kawasakis as the lead alternated between Rea and Sykes, with many tight overtaking moves keeping French fans on the edge of their seats. An almost impossible overtake attempt by Sykes on Rea saw Davies take advantage of the opening and shoot ahead with a couple of laps to go. Once in front the Welshman didn’t look back until the chequered flag saw him secure his second win at the Fassi French Round.
 
Leon Camier eventually beat van der Mark to fourth with the Dutchman taking fifth ahead of IodaRacing Team’s Lorenzo Savadori. While further down the order PATA Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team’s Sylvain Guintoli tried to hold off Honda World Superbike Team’s Nicky Hayden, Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) and Althea BMW Racing Team’s Jordi Torres in a battle of their own, but eventually lost the fight and finished in eighth. Torres finished ahead of the Frenchman in seventh. Hayden ended the battle in ninth with Fores rounding out the top ten.
 
Josh Brookes (Milwaukee BMW) came home in P11 with Markus Reiterberger (Althea BMW Racing Team) drastically improving his weekend to finish in P12. Roman Ramos (Team GOELEVEN) picked up important points in P13 with Alex De Angelis (IodaRacing Team) and Frenchman Matthieu Lagrive (Pedercini Racing) rounding out the points in P14 and P15 respectively.
 
With Sykes taking away important points from teammate Jonathan Rea, the 2016 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship fight goes to Round 12 in Jerez on the 14-16th of October, with only 48 points separating them.

Quotes from the top three riders:
Chaz Davies (Ducati), 1st place: “That was one of the best wins of my career. Just to hang on from the start I really struggled. The pace was decent but I couldn’t make those few tenths to follow Tom. Then Jonny came by and I couldn’t see where I could make the time up. I was kind of relying on them dropping off which at the end they did. I stayed consistent. I was a little bit lucky with the mistake from both of them at the hairpin. I couldn’t see an opportunity to pass apart from forcing one. That opened the door for me and then I knew it was a case of hammer down for a few laps and make sure I have got a gap to give them no chance to come back at me. Incredible and definitely one of the sweetest wins of my career.”

Jonthan Rea (Kawasaki), 2nd Place: “Tom is riding at such a good level that it is so hard to pass somebody who is riding really well. I spent so much energy trying to get back into the group. I led going into T6 and Tom stopped me, then Chaz got back underneath and I lost a lot of momentum there and it took so much energy, physical energy and concentration to get back into the group. At that part of the race my pace was quite good, Tom was away and then I put myself in between Chaz and Tom, I caught Tom, but when I made the pass I left the door open for Chaz. So congratulations to Chaz, I had nothing for him in the end. But I did my best and I put everything I could into the race. I’m really happy with second place because it is the best I could do today.”

Tom Sykes (Kawasaki), 3rd Place: “The good thing is we have been consistent all weekend in all conditions, but it is a big shame to miss out and to be third today. I found it very difficult trying to get into the corners. I lost the front twice up in the top hairpin. That’s no excuse, the two guys in front had great speed. We need to learn from this. Ultimately I feel more comfortable on the bike this weekend in general and that’s a positive. It’s just a bit late in the season, at least we are getting there. We have still got a lot of points and four races to come.”

SUPERBIKE RACE 2 RESULTS - Complete Results Here
1 CHAZ DAVIES 7 GBR 25 ARUBA.IT RACING DUCATI 34'29.197
2 JONATHAN REA 65 GBR 20 KAWASAKI RACING TEAM KAWASAKI +2.091
3 TOM SYKES 66 GBR 16 KAWASAKI RACING TEAM KAWASAKI +2.586
4 LEON CAMIER 2 GBR 13 MV AGUSTA REPARTO CORSE MV AGUSTA +9.154
5 MICHAEL VAN DER MARK 60 NDL 11 HONDA WORLDSBK HONDA +11.020
6 LORENZO SAVADORI 32 ITA 10 IODARACING TEAM APRILIA +16.062
7 JORDI TORRES 81 SPA 9 ALTHEA BMW RACING TEAM BMW +18.242
8 SYLVAIN GUINTOLI 50 FRA 8 PATA YAMAHA YAMAHA +18.951
9 NICKY HAYDEN 69 USA 7 HONDA WORLDSBK HONDA +19.099
10 XAVI FORES 12 SPA 6 BARNI RACING TEAM DUCATI +24.627
11 JOSHUA BROOKES 25 AUS 5 MILWAUKEE BMW BMW +31.514
12 MARKUS REITERBERGER 21 GER 4 ALTHEA BMW RACING TEAM BMW +35.665
13 ROMÁN RAMOS 40 SPA 3 TEAM GO ELEVEN KAWASAKI +51.053
14 ALEX DE ANGELIS 15 RSM 2 IODARACING TEAM APRILIA +54.239
15 MATTHIEU LAGRIVE 76 FRA 1 TEAM PEDERCINI KAWASAKI +59.954
16 KAREL ABRAHAM 17 CZE 0 MILWAUKEE BMW BMW +72.959
17 GIANLUCA VIZZIELLO 4 ITA 0 TEAM GO ELEVEN KAWASAKI +78.008
18 PETER SEBESTYEN 56 HUN 0 TEAM TOTH YAMAHA +79.245
19 ALEX LOWES 22 GBR 0 PATA YAMAHA YAMAHA +87.462
20 ALEX PLANCASSAGNE 57 FRA 0 3ART YAMAHA +1 lap

The new Base model Ducati Supersport will retail for just $12,995 USD. Click on any picture to enlarge.

New Sport Bike Introductons at Intermot 2016
Cologne, Germany, October 4, 2016 – A few majort motorccyle manufacturers unveiled their long awaited new generation Superbikes at the Intermot 2016 Motorcycle Show in Colone Germany this month. The most anticipated were Honda and Suzuki who unveiled all new generation CBR1000RR and GSXR1000 bikes respectiverly, both significantly ligher and producing close to 200hp in stock form, with all the latestest electornic aids. Disappointing is the fact they just caught up with the major European brands Ducati, Aprilia and BMW who introduced these updates on their current generation Superbike some 3 years ago.

Most disapointing was Honda, who was expected to replace their in-line four cylinder CBR1000R with an affordable version of their MotoGP V-4 derived 2016 Honda RC213V-S Superbike introduced last June 2015 at a price of $184,000. No trickle down tchnology for the once industry leading Japanese manufacturer.

Ducati, on the otherhand, certainly stole the show at Intermot with the re-introduction of an all new SuperSport, the model which they stopped updating and tookout of producton some 10 years ago, leaving a big gaping gap in their model lineup between their around town Monster playbike, and their hard edged Panigale Superbike. The new Supersport enplys the previous generation Testastretta Superbike eing in a smaller 937cc displacement, their trademark trellsi fame, and more comfortable higher position handlebars for both sport and town riding. The low prices for the two Supersportmodels will put it right in competion with Ducati's own Monster modls, the BMW 90T, and Triump's new watercooled Bonneville and Thruxton models. Expect the new Ducati Supersport to be a huge hit!


The new Ducati Supersport S model upgrades to Ohlins suspension front and rear for just $14,995 USD.

Ducati SuperSport
Ducati took advantage of the special press-only day at INTERMOT 2016 to unveil the first of a series of new bikes for 2017. At the Cologne motorcycle fair, Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali took to the stage to present the SuperSport, the company's latest sport motorcycle.

The Ducati SuperSport is designed for those who want a sport-inspired bike that still provides comfort and easy handling on everyday roads. A fun bike that's versatile and accessible, with the style and soul of a real Ducati thoroughbred .A lean and mean road machine with a decidedly approachable feel thanks to easy handling, the confidence-inspiring Ducati Safety Pack (Bosch ABS + Ducati Traction Control), the awesome price-quality ratio of the equipment and the long maintenance intervals.

A lean and mean road machine with a decidedly approachable feel thanks to easy handling, the confidence-inspiring Ducati Safety Pack (Bosch ABS + Ducati Traction Control), the awesome price-quality ratio of the equipment and the long maintenance intervals.

Powering the SuperSport is a twin-cylinder 937 cm³ Testastretta 11° engine, delivering 113 hp and a full yet linear torque curve. Thanks to the three Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, and Urban), the SuperSport's temperament can be adapted to maximize enjoyment whatever the riding conditions. Agile on city streets, comfortable on the motorway and superlative on twisting country roads, the SuperSport is super-versatile. Relaxed rider and passenger positions, good airflow deflection from the height-adjustable screen and the mileage provided by the 16-litre fuel tank also make the new Ducati SuperSport a cool companion on medium-distance rides.

The Base Ducati SuperSport MSRP is $12,995. The SuperSport S version featuring fully adjustable Öhlins suspension, the Ducati Quick Shift up/down system and a rear seat cover: the latter are also available as accessories for the SuperSport. SuperSport S MSRP is starting from $14,795, First USA deliveries begin in April.

Honda's new 2017 CBR1000RR SP and SP2 Fireblades both feature Ohlins Suspension.

New Honda CBR100RR, CB1100
Twenty-five years since the launch of the original CBR900RR Fireblade, the 25th anniversary of the ground-breaking machine sees the introduction of two new versions: the comprehensively upgraded CBR1000RR Fireblade SP and new CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.

Since its introduction, the Fireblade has always placed weight, handling and agility at the top of the Super Sports agenda. In keeping with this tradition of ‘Total Control’, the 2017 year model Fireblade SP places the focus squarely on power to weight ratio, with a 15kg weight reduction and 8kW top end power boost. The resultant 14% improvement in the power to weight ratio brings it to a level hitherto unseen in the Fireblade’s history.

For 2017, the Fireblade SP and SP2 move into ‘Next Stage Total Control’ with a comprehensive electronic control package, developed with reference to the RC213V-S street legal version of Honda’s MotoGP machine, that supports the rider in all situations. Multiple power modes, engine braking settings and Honda Selectable Torque Control are available, plus Quickshifter, Downshift Assist and new ABS. The Öhlins Electronic Control Suspension can be programmed to unrivalled levels of precision.

In a first for the Fireblade, also available in 2017 will be the Fireblade SP2. The SP2 features lightweight Marchesini wheels and redesigned valves, combustion chamber and pistons; a kit will be available to make it ready for circuit use for racing and leisure.

Also unveiled at Intermot were the upgraded CB1100 EX and new CB1100 RS, two examples of beautifully crafted Honda engineering. The fuel tank has been reshaped and now has no visible welding seams. Side covers, seats, rear fender and footpegs have all been reworked to give even stronger, authentic CB character. New LED lights add a more modern touch to the retro design; the shorter exhaust muffler creates a more characterful engine note.

Whereas the CB1100 EX has even more classic appeal from its 40-spoke 18” zinc-coated stainless steel wheels, the new CB1100 RS has a more sporty, café racer style, with new cast 17” aluminium wheels fitted with wide, sporty tyres and a more upright caster angle and lower handlebars.

Suzuki GSX-R 750, 1000
October 4th 2016) - The GSX-R line is the heart and soul of Suzuki. For 2017, the heartbeat is quicker and stronger, pumped up by the all-new 2017 GSX-R1000. With significant influence from Suzuki’s MotoGP racing program, the new GSX-R1000 is ready to set a higher performance level for racers and for street riders. A new engine, new chassis and a spectrum of advanced electronics features make this GSX-R1000 the king of sportbikes.

The Suzuki sportbike family includes another trio of top performers. The GSX-R750 – the original racer-replica sportbike – returns with a reputation for delivering an ideal combination of power and lightweight handling performance. The GSX-R600 continues to prove itself on the street and on the racetrack as a middleweight sportbike leader. With an attitude and character like no other sportbike, the Suzuki Hayabusa returns to deliver unmatched power and endless rider satisfaction.

New aluminum, twin-spar frame is narrower and positions the engine angle backwards 6-degrees to help increased chassis stability and improve aerodynamics

2017 GSX-R1000, GSX-R1000 ABS & GSX-R1000R ABS
The King of the Sportbikes has returned to own the racetrack, and dominate the streets. The 2017 GSX-R1000 models effectively blend Suzuki design philosophies with advanced electronics to deliver motorcycles that can adjust themselves to their environment and fine tune performance to suit a rider’s intentions. To make sure any rider can enjoy the benefits of GSX-R ownership, Suzuki has developed three models with graduated levels of performance features; starting with a base GSX-R1000, a GSX-R1000 ABS, or the consummate GSX-R1000R ABS.
 
The GSX-R1000 renaissance begins with an all-new 999.8cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline-four cylinder engine that produces exceptionally high top-end power without sacrificing low to mid-range power thanks to innovations such as Suzuki’s exclusive Variable Valve Train (VVT) system. Proven in MotoGP competition, VVT uses centrifugal forces to rotate the intake camshaft’s drive sprocket so valve timing is optimal at any engine’s speed.  Complementing the VVT are Suzuki’s Racing Finger Followers which increase valve response at higher engine speeds that can reach up to 14,500 RPM.
 
This GSX-R1000 debuts Suzuki’s Ride-by-Wire throttle bodies which are precisely controlled by the new, 32-bit dual-processor ECM to match the throttle grip rotation of the rider’s hand. The result is a strong, seamless engine power delivery from idle to redline. Complementing the four, primary fuel injectors mounted in the new throttle bodies are four Suzuki Top Feed Injectors (S-TFI) that spray fuel from the top of the air box directly into the intake funnels for higher peak power, more efficient combustion, and a higher level of fueling control.
 
Using race-winning MotoGP knowledge, Suzuki has fitted an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) on the new GSX-R1000. The BOSCH, six-axis IMU lets the GSX-R1000 recognize its position on the street or race track to help the rider achieve an extraordinary level of riding performance via  instantaneous adjustments made electronically to the engine and chassis components.

Depending upon which GSX-R1000 a rider has chosen, the IMU supports a wide menu of new performance features. These features include the ten-mode Motion Track Traction Control System* (MT-TCS), three mode Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS), the Motion Track Anti-Lock Braking System**, the Suzuki Launch Control System and the Suzuki Bi-directional Quick-shift System. Other electronic features new to the GSX-R1000 include the Suzuki Easy Start System and the Low RPM Assist feature.
 
The new aluminum, twin-spar frame is narrower and positions the engine angle backwards 6-degrees to help increased chassis stability and improve aerodynamics. The new swingarm has equalized bracing to the main beams to provide balanced support and movement to the shock absorber to improve racetrack handling while conveying a consistent suspension feel to the rider. The GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000 ABS models employ SHOWA’s renowned Big Piston Fork (BPF) and complementary remote-reservoir rear shock for superb handling. The GSX-R1000R ABS uses race-level technology to bring a new standard of damping force responsiveness to a SuperSport motorcycle with the SHOWA’s Balance Free Fork (BFF) and Balance Free Rear Cushion lite (BFRC-lite) shock.
 
The innovation of the GSX-R1000 extends further into its chassis with the 320mm front BREMBO T-drive Brake Rotors that have five conventional floating rotor spools and five new-design T-drive fasteners that enable the rotor to absorb more braking energy than a disc with conventional spools alone. Combined with the BREMBO Radial Mount Brake Calipers the new GSX-R1000 has more braking force available to the rider than ever before.

Race-worthy bodywork has always been a trademark of the GSX-R line, so new aerodynamic bodywork was created by Suzuki styling designers and engineers using numerous wind tunnel tests to achieve a slippery shape with a compelling appearance.  Narrower than ever before, the GSX-R1000’s shape directly aids performance by improved handling and top speed on the racetrack. The new Suzuki Ram Air Direct (SRAD) intake ducts are positioned closer to the center of the fairing nose, where air pressure is highest to boost top speed performance. These intake ducts are also larger, thanks to the compact LED headlight and are accented by arching LED position lights on the GSX-R1000R ABS model..
 
Color and Pricing for the GSX-R1000, GSX-R1000 ABS and GSX-R1000R are TBA with the GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000R hitting dealership floors on May 2017 and the GSX-R1000 ABS hitting dealership floors on June 2017.

SBK Motul World Superbike Championship Round 11 of 14, Lausitzring Germany

Davies and Rea Trade SBK Wins in Germany
Lausitz, Germany September 16-18th 2016 - Ducati team took the top step of the podium in Race 1 at EuroSpeedway Lausitz (Germany) with Chaz Davies. The Welshman, who earlier in the morning claimed his second pole position of 2016, secured the lead after a strong start and then imposed an unequaled pace to win the race with a ten-second advantage over his closest opponent. Davies thus collected his fifth win of the year after the doubles achieved in Aragon (Spain) and Imola (Italy), while also posting the fastest lap with a 1’37.357.

After experiencing very different fortunes on the first race day at the Lausitzring. Team Kawasaki's Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes once again posted a contrasting set of results on Sunday. Rea convincingly won a wet 16-lap race this time around but Sykes finished 12th, after falling and then restarting from the back of the field.

Tom Sykes closed the Championhip points gap to team mate Jonthan Rea in Race One when Jonthan DNFed with a broken gearbox.

Chaz Davies and Ducati Dominate in the Dry at at Round 10
Makes history with 10.5 second lead, Point leader Rae out with broken Transmission
RACE ONE Saturday, 17 September 2016 - Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Chaz Davies won Race 1 at the Pirelli German Round with a 10.5 second lead in a flawless performance, beating Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tom Sykes into second ahead of Honda World Superbike Team’s Nicky Hayden completing the top three. Davies led from pole into the first corner, before charging ahead to create a gap to his nearest rival Sykes. By lap five Davies was 3 seconds ahead with Sykes, teammate Jonathan Rea and Lorenzo Savadori (IodaRacing Team) fighting for second position.
 
“I didn’t think it would go like that to be honest, I thought it would be a bit of a lottery in the opening laps," revealed Davies after the race. "I didn’t know with this harder tyre that we all had to run due to the conditions, well I didn’t put a lot of time on it yesterday. I had to just feel it out. Then when I saw the lap time from the first flying lap I was quite impressed with myself. Then I just kept the hammer down. I wanted to try and break away from the other guys nice and early and that’s pretty much how it went. The bike was mint for the whole race, it has really felt pretty dialed in since the test here.”

"For the championship it is awesome, so we’ll see," said Sykes after the race results. "Today we rode in tricky conditions, yesterday we had great pace when the track was bedded in nicely with a lot of rubber. But today it was fresh again and Chaz had great pace in this condition. There was no way we could fight with him. His bike was turning so well and he was riding really well, so it wasn’t to be. Second is acceptable. We had a lot of pressure from some guys, especially Nicky all race, so it was a really nice race from this point of view. For tomorrow we need to try and improve. If we can close the gap to Chaz then that is fantastic but there are certainly a few little problems to iron out. Overall it is an acceptable Saturday. Now we can have a long time to socialise and find a better set-up for the ZX-10R for tomorrow.”

“Racing can be like that, up and down in the same day," exclaimed Hayden after his third position. "You start the day on the ground and with the mechanical (issues), but the team did a great job. Also they came here and tested and made a big effort. I got pushed a little wide in turn 1 and got roughed up and got dropped back. But I had a good pace, the bike was really good on the brakes, so I could make some passes. I really wanted to beat Tom, I saw the fans and I thought lets give them something, so I tried to push after him but he had enough in reserve.”
 
Drama struck early when reigning Champion Jonathan Rea crashed out on lap 8. The Northern Irishman walked away uninjured, but furious after a tough weekend so far. Rea’s retirement means the gap in the overall standings stands with only 26 points separating him from Championship rival and teammate Tom Sykes. Friday’s fastest Lorenzo Savadori crashed out of podium contention just after Rea, and local hero Althea BMW’s Markus Reiterberger was forced to retire early on lap 9 due to technical problems. With Rea and Savadori out, Hayden was able to focus on chasing down Sykes but couldn’t catch him and had to settle for third.
 
Davies crossed the finish line 10.5 seconds ahead of Sykes. The dominant win making him the third rider in WorldSBK history to win with three different manufacturers in the same country; Davies won in Nurburgring with BMW and Aprilia and can finally cross the Lausitzring off the list on a Ducati.

Althea BMW Racing Team’s Jordi Torres came home in fourth after battling with Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and Michael van der Mark (Honda World Superbike Team) for the finish. After battling it out for some laps, Camier and van der Mark finally finished in fifth and sixth place.

 
Davies’ teammate Davide Giugliano finished in seventh position ahead of Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team’s Alex Lowes, who came home in eighth after starting from P12 on the grid after crashing out in the morning's warm up and sitting out Tissot-Superpole 2. Lowes’ teammate Sylvain Guintoli gave a solid performance in his first race back from injury, leading Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) and Anthony West (Pedercini Racing) home to ninth position. Alex De Angelis brought his Aprilia home in P12 ahead of Roman Ramos on Team GOELEVEN in P13. Australian Josh Brookes (Milwaukee BMW) and Luca Scassa (VFT Racing) rounded out the top 15.
 
Results Superbike Race One - Complete Qualifying & Race Results
1. Chaz Davies, Ducati 1199RS  Aruba.it Racing - Ducati 
2. Tom Sykes, Kawasaki ZX10R Kawasaki Racing Team +10.561 (GAP to P1)
3. Nicky Hayden, Honda CBR1000RR  Honda World Superbike Team +11.536

Some of our favorite Czch SBK Umbrella Girls worked the racegrid and podium at Lausitzring.

Championshiop Leader Rea Rules in Dramatic Sunday Wet Race
New riders join the Champion on the podium
RACE TWO Sunday, 18 September 2016 - Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jonathan Rea found redemption in Race 2 on Sunday at the Lausitzring in a dominant performance, seeing him win by a 9.3 second margin ahead of newcomers to the WordSBK podium Ioda Racing Team’s Alex De Angelis and Barni Racing Team’s Xavi Fores.

 
Rain began to fall during the German National Anthem as riders were lined up on the grid, delaying the start of the race twice as the rain gradually came down heavier after every warm up lap attempt. Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tom Sykes got the holeshot and lead into the first corner ahead of Race 1 winner Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Sykes' teammate Jonathan Rea. Sykes ran wide allowing Rea to take advantage and shoot ahead. Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team) got off to a bad start with a wheelie off the line before he got caught up in the first corner and dropped back to P17.
 
Sykes was the first victim of the weather and crashed out before the end of the first lap, leaving Rea to extend his lead ahead of both the rest of the field and in the overall standings. Sykes later rejoined and was able to salvage four points, finishing in P12. IodaRacing’s Lorenzo Savadori, and Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Davide Giugliano, closely followed by MV Agusta Reparto Corse rider Leon Camier and De Angelis all had good pace in the wet and were all hunting down Davies. Giugliano charged ahead into second before a highside saw his chances of a podium finish disappear on lap five, one lap after Savadori crashed out after setting the fastest lap time.
 
Even though Sykes was out of podium contention, the reigning World Champion continued to charge ahead to secure the important 25 points to add to his title defence campaign. Leon Camier put in another incredible ride into the top four for MV Agusta Reparto Corse, trying to catch Fores for P3 before crossing the line just off the podium and equalling his best result of the year once again. Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team’s Sylvain Guintoli showed he’s back in form after battling with Chaz Davies to finish ahead of him in fifth.

Karel Abraham on the Milwaukee BMW struggles to card 15tth in the rain.
 
Milwaukee BMW rider Josh Brookes showed his wet weather quality by finishing the treacherous race in seventh. After sliding out of the race in the closing laps, Honda World Superbike Team’s Michael van der Mark rejoined in an impressive push to the line on his battered Fireblade in eighth, ahead of Roman Ramos (Team GOELEVEN) in ninth and his teammate Nicky Hayden finishing in tenth.
 
VFT Racing’s Luca Scassa overcame the slippery conditions to finish in P11, while Grillini Racing Teams’ Gianluca Vizziello finished in P13. Team Toth's Pawel Szkopek looked hopeful moving into the top ten before a minor crash relegated him to P14 ahead of Milwaukee BMW’s Karel Abraham who picked up one point in P15.
 
Pedercini Racing’s Anthony West, Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team’s Alex Lowes, both Althea BMW riders Jordi Torres and Markus Reiterberger, Saeed Al Sulaiti (Pedercini Racing Team) and Dominic Schmitter (Grillini Racing Team) were all wet weather casualties, not finishing the race.
 

Rea: “I’m so happy. Our backs were against the wall yesterday with what happened. We came out fighting today. There was no other option. I really want to thank all my mechanics because they turned the bike around after yesterday’s crash. They gave me pretty much a new bike. This is for the whole team because we are really working hard for our goal. It seems like we gave some food to our rivals but it was time to take back the result today which I really wanted. It was so difficult in the wet conditions but I had a really good feeling with the bike.”
 
De Angelis: “Of course to be on the podium is something amazing. Especially for me because it is my first one in this championship and also because I’m coming back from a very bad accident last year in Japan. It was really a long winter, doing a lot of rehabilitation. I am still not good but it was a really nice race and I’m very happy and I never gave up.”
 
Fores: “I’m really happy with this as it’s my first podium in WorldSBK, especially because during the weekend we have had a lot of problems in dry conditions with trying to find a good set-up for the bike. I was looking forward to a wet race all through the weekend because I felt good on the bike. So I want to enjoy this result with my team. I want to say a special thanks to Barni (Team Principal Marco Barnabò) as he came back from yesterday as his father passed away, so this result is for him.”

Aruba.it Racing - Ducati rider Chaz Davies took an incredible victory in a dry Race 1 in the Pirelli German Round on Saturday, with teammate Giugliano putting in a solid top ten performance - but Sunday dawned grey and the skies soon turned to rain. With a delayed start, Race 2 got underway in torrential conditions and Davies especially was notably more cautious, having blitzed the field in the early stages of Race 1 to pull out a substantial gap. On Sunday however it was teammate Giugliano who shone first, the only man able to stay with leader Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team), until the Italian lost the rear with no warning and highsided out. Attrition rates were high and the Ducati rider was in top quality company in the unlucky lottery at the Lausitzring, with Kawasaki Racing Team's Tom Sykes another of those who took a tumble.

Chaz Davies kept his head down and bike on the road in a more cautious mission to come home with good points, battling with some spectacular style with MV Agusta Reparto Corse rider Leon Camier in particular. Now focused on P2 in the title and content with the solid finish, the Welshman will be looking ahead to the French Round for his next chance to score another win and get some more momentum going into the final Rounds of the season.

“Track conditions were tricky today," said Davies. "It took me a while to get up to speed, but the priority was to stay upright and I was happy to finish the race since I didn’t have the best feeling on the front. It’s a shame the weather turned its back on us, but it was the same for everyone. The positive thing is that we’ve kept a good form ever since the summer tests. Had the weather stayed dry, we would have had another chance to win. We’ll try again in Magny Cours in two weeks’ time with the second place in the championship in our mind.”

“I didn’t expect the crash, because I quickly realized Rea and I could make a difference in the wet and I wasn’t on the limit," explained Giugliano, who also shone in the wet in Sepang. "The plan was to wait until the last few laps to attack. I was cautious with the throttle, but wet races are always a lottery and all of a sudden the rear lost grip. It’s a shame because I really wanted to give the team another good result after Chaz’s win. The good thing is that we’ve made a big step forward in dry conditions as well today, showing a promising pace during warm-up. We’ll bounce back in Magny Cours, a track that I like much better.”

Jonathan Rea will now take his Championship defense to Round 11 of the FIM MOTUL World Superbike Championship at Magny-Cours in two weeks time. 

Results Superbike Race Two - Complete Qualifying & Race Results
1. Jonathan Rea, Kawasaki ZX10R Kawasaki Racing Team  
2. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia RSV4R  IodaRacing Team (+9.396)
3, Xavi Fores, Ducati 1199RS Barni Racing Team (13.041)

FastDates.com Calendar Kitten Denisa Rosinska was one of the SBK Proscecco girls at Lausitzring.
Denisa is featured in the 2017 Garage Girls Calendar AVAILABLE HERE.

FIM 2016 MotoGP World Championhip, Round 14 of 18 Gran Premio Movistar de Aragon

Championship leader Marquez stuns on home turf as Lorenzo fights off Rossi
Motorland, Aragon Sunday, 25 September 2016 - Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) has taken a stunning win at MotorLand Aragon to extend his championship lead ahead of the flyways, with Movistar Yamaha MotoGP duo Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi dueling it out to complete the podium. After re-taking his teammate and defending P2, the Mallorcan held off Rossi before the Italian ran wide, forced to settle for P3 in an expensive day in the title fight.

After a scuffle off the line through Turns 1 and 2 at a dry but cool MotorLand Aragon, it was Team Suzuki Ecstar rider Maverick Viñales who emerged from the melee to turn his front row start into the early lead in the race. With the front group close all the way down through the top ten, Marquez soon struck to take the lead before a wobble through Turn 7 saw the championship leader drop back into the group slightly, down to P5. Lorenzo was the man on the chase behind new leader Viñales, with the number 99's teammate Valentino Rossi in very close company.

The lead began to stretch for Silverstone winner Viñales, before it was Rossi tagged onto the back of the Suzuki rider and looking for a way past, finally making a clever but aggressive move to take the lead with 15 to go and sit the younger Spaniard up. Viñales, pushing to find a way back through, then ran wide and let Marquez through to hunt down his championship rival. With Lorenzo then on the scene, the front group divided into two duels.

Lorenzo (99) and Rossi (46) enganged in a heated battle for the top 3 spots on the podium.

Once with rider from Tavullia, former apprentice Marquez moved quickly to overtake the master, through on the inside on the 'Aragon Corkscrew' and making it stick. The championship leader then had the pressure of 9 world titles close behind and trying to hang on, but Marquez kept his head down and the pace up to begin to get the better of the Italian and create a gap. The pace shown by the 2013 and 2014 MotoGP™ World Champion throughout the weekend on home turf proved to have survived the trip to Sunday, as the number 93 bike started to get smaller and smaller in front of the 46 plated Yamaha - with Rossi then forced to start looking over his shoulder instead as Lorenzo and Viñales threatened.

As the laps ticked on, Lorenzo left Viñales and caught Rossi, with the Movistar Yamahas then locked together in a fight for P2 and the 'Spartan' holding off the 'Doctor' - until the Italian ran wide in the final laps. For Rossi, the missed opportunity is a big one as he fights to close on title leader Marquez - dropping 9 points with the championship leader taking the win. Lorenzo, after a difficult weekend until a last minute front row, recovered well from a crash in morning Warm Up to cross the line in an impressive P2.

Viñales kept his Suzuki in fourth after dropping back in the latter stages of the race, earning another top five for the impressive Spaniard in only his second season. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) had a solid ride to prove top Independent Team rider in fifth, just ahead of Misano winner Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) - who had a more difficult race at MotorLand but crossed the line in sixth to beat Aleix Espargaro (Team Suzuki Ecstar) in the final stages, with brother Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) behind the Suzuki in P8.

Ducati Team's Andrea Dovizioso had a tough race despite being a frontrunner in the early stages, and was one of the only bikes in the initial group of frontrunners to have chosen both medium compound tyres. With six laps to go the Italian veteran was under fire from Aprilia Racing Team Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista, with Bautista taking the Ducati to finish in an impressive P9. 'DesmoDovi' then found himself taken by the second Aprilia of Stefan Bradl, and ended the race just outside the top ten in P11.

Nicky Hayden's (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) one off return from WorldSBK to sub for injured Jack Miller was a success for the 'Kentucky Kid', as the American scored points in P15 despite never having ridden the bike, tyres or electronics.

The land of the rising sun is the next stop for the 2016 MotoGP™ World Championship, as the Twin Ring Motegi beckons Marquez back to the scene of his 2014 title win - now 52 points clear at the top.

MotoGP Race Results - Complete Results Here
1- Marc Márquez (SPA) HONDA 41'57.678
2 - Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) YAMAHA +2.740
3 - Valentino Rossi (ITA) YAMAHA  +5.983

KTM Unveils Its New MotoGP Bike to Race in 2017
August 2016 - The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, at the Austrian round of MotoGP Championsgip, saw KTM officially present its MotoGP project, the KTM RC16. There had been months of testing, with press releases and photos issued. There had been KTM's participation in the private MotoGP test at the Red Bull Ring in July, alongside the rest of the MotoGP teams. But at the Austrian GP, the fans and media got their first chance to see the bike close up.

There are few surprises: 1000cc V4 engine, using pneumatic valves, housed in a tubular steel trellis frame and an aluminum swing arm. Suspension is by WP, while brakes are by Brembo, and exhaust by Akrapovic. Electronics are the spec MotoGP Magneti Marelli ECU.

Big Horsepower Numbers
Really interesting are the numbers for maximum engine revs and horsepower. Like all official numbers on values such as torque, horsepower, and revs, they are not to be trusted, but these both seem highly inaccurate. KTM claims the RC16 makes 250hp. It certainly makes that, and probably 10% more, given that most MotoGP engines are believed to make somewhere between 260 and 275 horsepower.

Reports from the track said that the KTM was not short of top speed, though test rider Mika Kallio told a group of reporters that he believed they were still down a little on the Ducati. "On the engine side, we are on the good level," the Finnish test rider told us. "There is still room to improve, at the moment the Ducati is still the fastest bike on the straight, so we are not there, but we are close to the other bikes." Those who saw the speeds through the speed traps reported KTM as being very fast indeed, though no one would be drawn into revealing actual speeds.

19,000 RPM?!
Where does that horsepower come from? On the corporate blog, KTM report the maximum revs as being 19,000 RPM. If that number is accurate, it is insanely high: MotoGP adopted the engine bore limit of 81mm precisely to limit engine speeds, after the manufacturers rejected a mandatory rev limit. Conventional engineering wisdom had it that reliable engines would not be able to rev much above 16,000 RPM, as engine speeds above that would place too much stress on pistons and conrods, causing them to fall apart. A mean piston speed (MPS) (link is external) of 26 m/s was believed to be a fairly firm limit.

That has not turned out to be the case. The bikes were soon revving well up towards 17,000 RPM, and making further inroads into the laws of physics. According to our research, the Ducatis can rev to 18,000 RPM, the Hondas to 17,750 RPM, the Yamahas to 17,250 RPM (with satellite bikes having engine limits set several hundred RPM below the max revs of the factory machines). Ducati was already achieving an MPS of 29.1 m/s, a seemingly impossibly high number. If KTM really are revving to 19,000 RPM, that would be an MPS of 30.7 m/s, which is up in drag engine territory. Dragsters have to cover around 1200 meters between engine rebuilds. MotoGP bikes have to hang together for close to 2000 kilometers.

How do KTM – or Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha, for that matter – achieve such engine speeds? MPS – mean piston speed – is a rough approximation, but it is not an accurate reflection of the stresses placed on the engine. What matters is the amount of acceleration and deceleration which the piston and connecting rod undergo as they slow down for bottom and top dead center, then speed up again towards the middle of the stroke. The weight of components such as pistons, wrist pins and conrods is a factor here, as force is acceleration times mass, and force is stress.

Clearly, the factories are working to find clever ways of reducing stress, which will include lighter weight components, paying close attention to mass distribution, the location of the wrist pin, and smoothing the transition between acceleration and deceleration as much as possible. What they are doing is impossible to know, nor how they are doing it. But the lessons learned will at some point pass down into production vehicles, though we may have to wait a few years to find out.

The KTM V-Four
What we do know about the engine is layout of the engine. Though KTM Technical Director Sebastian Risse was cagey when asked directly what layout the engine used, he tacitly acknowledged it was a 90° V4. When I put it to him that the aim of running the bike without a balance shaft had implications for engine design, he replied, "This is true, yes." Not an admission as such, but as close as you might expect from a factory engineer.

The engine firing order is also not yet fixed. When asked whether the engine would have a big bang (cylinders firing together) or screamer (each cylinder firing separately) firing order, Risse answered that KTM had not yet made up their minds. "We are still doing some investigations about this," Risse said. "Especially now with the electronics, there's not just the mechanical firing order, there's more about it, and you can play a lot with it." What he is implying is that although two pistons may reach TDC at the same time, the charges in the cylinders can be ignited a degree or so apart. That can help smooth the power delivery, and reduce the load placed on the crankshaft.

A Different Chassis and Suspension
While we may never know details of the engine internals, there are a couple of things which KTM cannot hide. The two biggest differences between the KTM and the other bikes on the grid are the suspension and the chassis. KTM will be the only bike on the grid to use WP suspension rather than the Öhlins used by everyone else. And it is the only bike on the grid to choose a tubular steel frame over an aluminum beam frame.

Will this be a disadvantage for KTM over the rest of the field? After all, the other factories are all using the same suspension and chassis design for a reason, right? And Ducati dropped the trellis frame, for a carbon fiber frameless design, and then swapped that for an aluminum beam frame, and now they are starting to become competitive.

In an informal conversation, a senior member of a rival factory was impressed by the way the bike looked during the test. "The bike doesn't move at all in the corners," they said. "It's much more stable than we expected." The fact that the KTM RC16 was a second off the Yamahas, and 1.9 seconds off the fastest Ducati, proved it was already a competitive package. Mika Kallio was just five hundredths of a second behind Ducati test rider Michele Pirro.

Full factory WP Suspension
Choosing WP over Öhlins is a logical choice for KTM. WP is a subsidiary of KTM, and the two have worked closely in every motorcycle racing discipline they have been involved in. WP supply the factory KTM machines in Moto3, and will be the official name of KTM's Moto2 project. They have gained a lot of experience in Moto2 – so much so that some teams using WP in Moto2 have started referring to the Ajo squad as the "WP factory Moto2 team" – which will be applicable in MotoGP.

Above all, KTM will have the full support of WP. "This will be a full factory effort," one source close to KTM told me privately. The two factories are just a short cycle ride away in Mattighofen, Austria, so communication is extremely direct. Updates will be fast and frequent.

A Trellis Frame!
Pol Espargaro, who will race for KTM in MotoGP next season, was more concerned about the trellis frame. "We need to check if the tubular chassis works," he told us at Barcelona. "If the tubular chassis is not working we will struggle so much. I prefer a slow bike that is good in the corners than a fast bike on the straight and impossible to manage. I think [the chassis] will be harder than we are used to do with Yamaha. It’s a different system."

So far, the performance of the KTM RC16 has not given much cause for concern, though there are still areas that need work. "We need to improve the rear grip somehow on the exit," Mika Kallio told us at the launch. "We have a lot of power in the engine, but on the exit side, we can't really use everything, all of the potential. So we need to find some way to do this. Everyone can see Ducati are really good on that side."

But a lack of rear grip is not unique to the KTM. Both Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaro have complained of exactly the same thing, especially once temperatures rise. The Honda suffers even worse problems, either spinning the rear wheel or wanting to wheelie out of corners. The Yamaha is much better, but still lacks grip compared to the Ducati.

The Ducati gets a lot of its advantage from its aerodynamics, however. The vast array of winglets make a big difference in keeping the front wheel down and providing drive to the rear wheel. Those winglets are banned from next year, so the difference between the KTM and the Ducati could be much smaller in 2017. With KTM currently working hard on a bike without winglets, they may well get an advantage. Sources familiar with the situation report that Ducati have been testing without winglets for next year, and suffering real problems with wheelie. Part of their advantage will be gone.

The tubular steel frame will pose a set of challenges for both Pol Espargaro and current and future teammate Bradley Smith when they switch to KTM. Having spent all their lives racing an aluminum beam frame, they have an intimate understanding of how that frame feels and responds. A trellis frame, such as the KTM RC16 uses, responds differently.

I asked Mika Kallio if he could feel the difference with the tubular steel frame. "Yes," he responded. "Also for the rider, it was not easy to jump to this bike. It gives you a different feeling, this frame, and I needed to learn first how I felt with this bike, and then I needed to make a lot of laps to see exactly how to give the right comments on which way we need to go on the development. It has also been a big challenge for me, to learn the bike and this feeling that this frame gives."

Would it take Espargaro and Smith some time to get to grips with the different frame? "I believe it will take a few laps more to understand, but there's no problem, anyway. We have been testing many different kind of frames, about the stiffness and that kind of thing, and there were some interesting things that we could find."

The reason for choosing a tubular steel frame over an aluminum beam frame was simple: KTM has a vast amount of knowledge and experience with this kind of frame, which they would be throwing away if they went with an aluminum chassis. "KTM has a lot of history with this tubular frame," Kallio said. "I think they know what they are doing, so I believe that there is something how we can be better than the competitors. Like we saw in the other races in the past, Ducati was using a same kind of tubular frame and they were fast. So I don't see any problem why we can't be OK with that."

The fear of using a tubular steel frame was that the many different components and welds would make it difficult to produce two identical frames. Kallio told us he had never noticed that problem. "I was impressed that all the bikes that I tested, I felt different, and then if there were two similar frames, I couldn't feel the difference between the bikes."

That is not to say that KTM did not consider an aluminum beam frame. "Already in past projects, like Moto3, of course we were considering it," KTM Technical Director Sebastian Risse told me. "There we also had the experience from 125 and 250. So it was a decision which was really well thought through. We even had some aluminum frames running, but in the end, it was a conscious decision. We know more about the steel frame, we didn't find any disadvantages, we knew our strong points and can use them, and we know also what to work on to reach the similar level to aluminum."

Winning by being different?
Can the KTM RC16 be a competitive package in MotoGP? Given the Austrian company's approach and success in other areas, there is no reason they will not succeed in the premier class. They have dominated almost every series they have entered, first in off-road disciplines, and now in road racing. As KTM continues to grow, they have the budget and the knowhow to build competitive motorcycles. They have the backing of Red Bull, and a healthy balance sheet to invest.

KTM wants to make a mark as the premier European sports motorcycle brand. Success in MotoGP has become a cornerstone of that objective. They have learned from previous failed projects, and from success in Moto3. They are doing so while trying to retain their identity, sticking to steel tubular frames and WP suspension rather than just copying others. That, in itself, is to be applauded. Expected to se the new KTM RC run at a few remaining rounds of the 2106 season as a wild card entry, with a full-on 4-year commitment to Dorna having just been signed to field a full 2-riderKYM factory team beginning in 2107

Aerodynamic Wings in the MotoGP Class
 The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Ignacio Verneda (FIM CEO), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) in the presence of Javier Alonso (Dorna) and Mike Trimby (IRTA, Secretary of the meeting), in a meeting held on 25th. June at Assen, made the following decisions:

The Commission unanimously agreed that, with effect from the 2017, the use of aerodynamic wings in the MotoGP class will be banned. The actual regulation will replicate those for the Moto3 and Moto2 classes where the use of wings is already prohibited.
 
Wings that comply with current technical regulations may continue to be used for the remainder of the 2016 season.

Post-Race Noise Tests
 Since the introduction of four-stroke machinery in all classes, no machine has ever failed the mandatory post-race noise checks. Accordingly, the requirement for the first three machines to be routinely checked after the race is cancelled with immediate effect. The Technical Director may still decide to carry out noise tests at his discretion.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON UNVEILS XG750R FLAT TRACKER
Next Generation, Liquid-Cooled Factory Harley-Davidson XG750R Flat Track Bike based off new water-cooled Street 500/750 platform Breaks Cover at AMA Pro Springfield Mile

MILWAUKEE (May 26, 2016) – A new-generation Harley-Davidson® flat-track motorcycle is ready to race. The Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle® Factory Team is unleashing the XG750R, its first all-new flat track race bike in 44 years, to battle in fierce, adrenaline-filled competition on dirt ovals across the U.S. The XG750R will make its official competition debut Sunday, May 29, at the AMA Pro Flat Track Springfield Mile in Illinois.

Powered by the fuel-injected, liquid-cooled Harley-Davidson Revolution X™ V-Twin engine, the XG750R will be raced by Factory Team rider Davis Fisher on the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines flat track series. The new XG750R motorcycle is strictly for race competition and will not be offered for sale at this time.

The new flat tracker is powered by the 750cc Revolution X™ V-Twin engine designed for the Harley-Davidson Street® 750, a motorcycle built for maximum urban maneuverability with rebellious Dark Custom™ attitude. Tuned for the track, this modified Revolution X engine will power the new XG750R in the extreme heat of competition as it fights to be first to the finish line.

The race-modified Revolution X engine and a racing frame for the XG750R were developed by Vance & Hines Motorsports. Vance & Hines also is the partner for the factory Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle®/Vance & Hines drag racing program where V-Rod® motorcycles have won eight of the past 12 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle drag racing championships.

“After decades of flat-track racing success behind the Harley-Davidson XR750 flat track motorcycle, we knew it was time to develop the next-generation Harley-Davidson to compete in one of the best spectator racing sports out there today,” said Kris Schoonover, Harley-Davidson racing manager. Fisher, in his first season racing with the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Factory Team and a rookie on the GNC1 series, will be the first racer aboard the XG750R. The 18-year-old racer from Warren, Ore., won the 2015 AMA Pro GNC2 championship.

“We wanted a young rider with plenty of raw ability for the XG750R program, and Davis proved himself in the GNC2 class,” said Schoonover. “We are excited to have the opportunity to bring an emerging talent like Davis up to the GNC1 series to develop the new bike alongside an experienced champion like Brad Baker.”

Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Factory Team rider Brad Baker, 23 years old and the 2013 AMA Pro Grand National Champion, will continue to race aboard the proven Harley-Davidson XR750 motorcycle while Fisher races the XG750R through its developmental stage.

At the May 29th 2016 Springfield Mile, H-D factory rider Davis Fisher finished 8th on the new Harley XG750R, behind behind a slew of Kawasaki Ninja 650 in-line twins, and 9 seconds down behind podium finishers factory Harley Rider Brad Baker in 3rd on the old XR750, privateer Jared Mees also on an XR750, with Bryan Smith on a Kawasaki Ninja 650 taking the race win. The more advanced design of the 4-valve DOHC Kawasaki engine proving highly competitive despiteits smaller displacement.

“The XG750R has shown great potential in testing and the first few races this season,” said Schoonover. “But as with any new racing motorcycle, there will be work to do. We’re excited to continue testing the XG750R in real world competition, and as we make our way through the season, we will evaluate the performance of the bike and our factory riders to see if Baker might switch to the new bike.”

Check Harley-Davidson.com for a full listing of this season’s races; also follow Harley-Davidson on Facebook for racing updates.

      All Three Editions of this new 2017 FastDates.com Calendars feature our official SBK Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar Kittens Sara Horvath, Alena Pyshnaya from the Ukraine, and Alena Sovostikova from Russia, who spent the summer in America with Calendar photographer Jim Gianatsis to shoot and work at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca USA World and AMA Superbike, and the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show. Follow the action behind the scrnes at the link above, and in our FAST 2017 Digital Magazine Yearbook in Members Corner.

FAST 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 Digital Calendar Magazines
Go Behind the Scenes for the Making of the FastDates.com Calendars!
Each year's FastDates.com Calendar Digital Yearbook features 120 pages of exciting hi-resolution digital photography that takes you with us behind the scenes to our photo shoots at SBK World and AMA Superbike, the LA Calendar Motorcyle Show, and in our photo studio. You'll meet the beautiful Calendar Kitttens in sexy biography pictorials, the top Factory Racers and Custom Bike Builders,and see detailed photo features on the top calendar and race bikes. Take a track day with World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss at Misano, take an Edelsweiss Ducati World Superbike tour of the Ducati Factory & Museum and across Italy, ride a Vespa scooter around Paris and party at the Crazy Horse and the Moulon Rouge. Hang with beautiful teen rock star Taylor Momsen of the Pretty Reckless. Did we forget anything?

Oh yes, and you'll see every page in the new Fast Dates, Garage Girls, Iron & Lace Calendars!.

      All three Editions of this new 2016 FastDates.com Calendars feature our official SBK Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar Kittens Jitka Pralinka and Petra Ruzickova from the Czech Republic, who spent the summer in America with Calendar photographer Jim Gianatsis to shoot and work at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca USA World and AMA Superbike, and the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show. Follow the action behind the scrnes at the link above, and in our FAST 2017 Digital Magazine Yearbook in Members Corner.

2016 AMA Superbike MotoAmerica Championship Season Finale Round 8 of 8

Beaubier, Gerloff Crowned Champions In New Jersey Motorsports Park Finale
Suspenseful Day Ends Season Two Of MotoAmerica
Cameron Beaubier wrapped up his second straight MotoAmerica Superbike Championship
at New Jersey Motorsports Park on Sunday. Photography by Brian J. Nelson.

MILLVIILLE, NJ, SEPT. 11 - Monster Energy/Graves Yamaha's Cameron Beaubier sat on the outside of New Jersey Motorsports Park's turn four for eight agonizing laps in the second of two Superbike races at New Jersey Motorsports Park, hoping the hard work put in over the previous 17 races would be enough to earn him his second successive MotoAmerica Superbike crown. When Yoshimura Suzuki's Toni Elias barely bested his teammate Roger Hayden by .104 of a second on Sunday afternoon and Beaubier's teammate Josh Hayes crossed the line in third, he could finally lift his head. Ten minutes later, a relieved Beaubier was lifting the championship plate above his head.
 
And that was how the 2016 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Race Series concluded. Beaubier had finished fourth in race one to extend his lead to 22 points going into race two. When his bike coasted to a stop on the 17th lap, all Beaubier could do was watch. With Elias besting Hayden and Hayes, Beaubier was champion by just six points over Hayes and seven points over Elias after nine rounds and 18 races.
 
Until things settle down on Sunday night, a shell-shocked Beaubier will be more relieved than happy. The 23-year-old Californian won eight races on the season and finished on the podium a total of 13 times.
 
"I honestly didn't know exactly how many laps were left because I didn't have any live feed or any live timing out there or anything," Beaubier said of his agonizing eight-lap wait. "I was just kind of sitting there. Honestly, I was so nervous I didn't even want to watch the race because I was like, 'I can't believe that just happened to me.' I know how strong Josh (Hayes) has been all weekend, along with Roger (Hayden) and Tony (Elias). Man, I don't ever want to root against my teammate but when I saw Tony and Roger ahead of Josh, I wasn't bummed. I will say that. I love you, Josh, but I'm sorry.
 
"I was pretty speechless up there on the podium. I didn't really know what to say just because there were just so many emotions going through my mind. I was so pissed off right when it happened, then got upset and then kind of just a big thing of joy. It was just a big emotion swing. No matter what happened with the bike, I think that was just an unlucky thing. I know how good those guys are and how hard they work. I think the bottom line was it was just pretty dramatic. I had so much fun racing all these guys this year. Growing up looking up to all three of these guys and being able to fight with them every weekend and be able to beat them - it's just the best feeling in the world. Like I said, I looked up to these guys coming up racing motocross and racing supermoto and getting my feet wet in road racing. It's the best feeling in the world."
 
Race one was also a thriller with Hayden topping Hayes by just .104 of a second for his second win of the season. Elias was a charging third after a poor start left him lagging. A careful Beaubier was fourth, setting himself up for what should have been a relatively relaxing race two. But that wasn't to be as his bike had a rare mechanical failure and he was left holding his breath on the sidelines.
 
"Friday I had really good pace right away and then I crashed and kind of lost my mojo a little bit," Hayden said after winning race one. "I've really been working hard on the last 10 laps of the races - where I'm always there, but I can't close them out. This morning I went out on a tire that had 12 laps on it and did a 21.6 and I thought, 'okay, I think I have a pretty good chance, or as good a chance as anybody.' I wanted to do something different. I usually follow, and today I wanted to lead and try to set the pace. I actually had the speed. I saw .8 and then I saw .0 and I was just thinking, 'not again.' The last lap I didn't know if I was going to make turn one because I had the thing locked up. After I got through there I kind of knew some places where I needed to block, but I didn't want to over block and kill my speed. So I'm just happy for the team, happy for myself. We all work hard. This guy's (Hayes) got the best of me many, many, many a time so finally it was my turn. Like I said on the podium, he's beat me a lot, and when you beat a guy like Josh, to me, for the win is a little more special because I've been racing him my whole career and he's always got the best of me. So today I actually got the best of him for a win, so it's a little more special."

Toni Elias (24) and Roger Hayden (95) split wins in the two Superbike races. Josh Hayes (4) was second and third, but despit beating team mate Beaubier in both races, Josh lost the Championship to Cameron by just 6 points over his team mate. Bobby Fong (5) was the top Superstock 1000 racer. 
 
Despite his best effort in the final corner of race two, Hayden lost out to his teammate Elias at the line. It was Elias' sixth win in his rookie MotoAmerica season and the Spaniard vowed to be back for more in 2017.
 
"I felt very comfortable since the beginning," Elias said. "I could arrive quickly to the top of the race. I would like to fight more for the championship, but 35 points was a lot. Cameron (Beaubier) was too far (ahead). After the first race he stayed there in third position. He has been really smart and that's why he's the champion. I still think (back on) the rain race we had here in April because I lost 47 points in one day and said, 'maybe this will be the key of the championship.' And finally it's like this. Anyway I led a lot. We had great battles. They are really strong. We work with Suzuki with my team hard to improve this bike. Here we make a step. We will try to make more steps for the next season. We will see. Thank you, everybody, my team to give me this opportunity, the MotoAmerica staff and all the people of this paddock because everybody treat me really well. I feel like home."
 
The top Bazzaz Superstock 1000 in both races was Quicksilver/Latus Motors Racing's Bobby Fong, the Californian winning both and finishing fifth and fourth overall in the two Superbike races in the process. Fong was scheduled to fly to Germany on Sunday night where he will compete next weekend in the World Superstock Cup round.
 
Fong topped Yamalube/Westby Racing's Mathew Scholtz and TOBC Racing's Danny Eslick in race one before beating Wheels In Motion/Meen Motorsports' Josh Herrin and Aprilia HSBK Racing's Claudio Corti in race two.
 
The first champion crowned on Sunday was Y.E.S. Graves Yamaha's Garrett Gerloff, the 21-year-old Texan taking the 2016 Supersport title by just four points over his teammate JD Beach after 16 races. Beach did all he could at NJMP, winning his eighth race of the season and his seventh in a row. But it wasn't enough. Both riders had incredible seasons, but Gerloff, with 15 podiums and six race wins, was four points better to fulfill a near life-long dream of winning a professional road racing championship in what was his fifth season as a pro.
 
"It feels so good," Gerloff said. "I saw myself with a number-one plate back a long time ago when I was, like, 12 years old with my first-ever road race bike and to finally get there and do what I always knew I could do... it was amazing. This year has been so awesome. I rediscovered my love for motorcycles, which I don't want to say has been missing, but I just needed some time to grow up a little bit. I love racing. I love riding my bike. Really this year has been awesome. I had my head get in the way a few times this year towards the end of the season. I was definitely a head case out there this last race. It was the longest 23 laps of my life. To be able to finish behind a champion like JD (Beach) in the race and to have a gap over third, it made my life a lot easier. I was pretty lucky to be able to just kind of cruise home and come across the line in second place, which was what I needed. I'm just happy that everything worked out and so thankful for all the hard work the team has put into the bikes and me and JD and for putting together one of the best teams in the paddock. I just can't thank them enough, Yamaha, all my personal sponsors, my family, everybody that's done something for me over the years to get me where I am."
 
M4 SportbikeTrackGear.com Suzuki's Valentin Debise finished third in the Supersport race on Sunday with Galfer USA/Team H35 Honda's Benny Solis Jr. and Debise's teammate Cameron Petersen rounding out the top five.
 
Class champion Bryce Prince, won the Superstock 600 race on his Riders Discount/Tuned Racing Yamaha. The Californian was sixth overall on his Yamaha R6. HB Racing/Meen Yamaha's Richie Escalante, Saturday's winner, was second in class with Travis Wyman third on his Kyle Wyman Racing Yamaha. Escalante ended up second in the championship despite missing the first four races with a knee injury.
 
The second of two KTM RC Cup races was held on Sunday with Double B Racing's Jody Barry beating AXcess Racing's Brandon Paasch by just .178 of a second after 13 laps of the 2.250-mile NJMP racetrack. It was Barry's second win of the season. Yates Racing's Ashton Yates finished third.
 
Championship runner-up Anthony Mazziotto III, sixth on Sunday, and Yates will join MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion Paasch in taking on the world in the KTM RC Cup World Final in Assen, Holland in three weeks, the trio being rewarded for taking the top three spots in the championship.
 
 
SUPERBIKE RACE 1: 1. Roger Hayden (Suzuki); 2. Josh Hayes (Yamaha); 3. Toni Elias (Suzuki); 4. Cameron Beaubier (Yamaha); 5. Bobby Fong (Kawasaki); 6. Jake Gagne (Yamaha); 7. Mathew Scholtz (Yamaha); 8. Danny Eslick (Yamaha); 9. Taylor Knapp (Yamaha); 10. Hayden Gillim (Suzuki).
 
SUPERBIKE RACE 2: 1. Toni Elias (Suzuki); 2. Roger Hayden (Suzuki); 3. Josh Hayes (Yamaha); 4. Bobby Fong (Kawasaki); 5. Josh Herrin (Yamaha); 6. Claudio Corti (Aprilia); 7. Kyle Wyman (Yamaha); 8. Danny Eslick (Yamaha); 9. Taylor Knapp (Yamaha); 10. Hayden Gillim (Suzuki).
 
SUPERSPORT RACE 2: JD Beach (Yamaha); 2. Garrett Gerloff (Yamaha); 3. Valentin Debise (Suzuki); 4. Benny Solis (Honda); 5. Cameron Petersen (Suzuki); 6. Bryce Prince (Yamaha); 7. Richie Escalante (Yamaha); 8. Travis Wyman (Yamaha); 9. Dakota Mamola (Yamaha); 10. JC Camacho (Yamaha).
 
SUPERSTOCK 600 RACE 2: 1. Bryce Prince (Yamaha); 2. Richie Escalante (Yamaha); 3. Travis Wyman (Yamaha); 4. Dakota Mamola (Yamaha); 5. JC Camacho (Yamaha); 6. Anthony Mazziotto III (Yamaha); 7. Nick McFadden (Yamaha); 8. Rigo Salazar (Yamaha); 9. Michael Gilbert (Yamaha); 10. Conner Blevins (Kawasaki).
 
KTM CUP RACE 2: 1. Jody Barry; 2. Brandon Paasch; 3. Ashton Yates; 4. Benjamin Smith; 5. Jackson Blackmon; 6. Anthony Mazziotto III; 7. Renzo Ferreira; 8. Dominic Doyle; 9. Cory Ventura; 10. Draik Beauchamp.
 
FINAL SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS: 1. Cameron Beaubier (311); 2. Josh Hayes (305); 3. Toni Elias (304); 4. Roger Hayden (284); 5. Josh Herrin (163); 6. Claudio Corti (146); 7. Bobby Fong (144); 8. Danny Eslick (110); 9. Hayden Gillim (105); 10. Jake Gagne (84).
 
FINAL BAZZAZ SUPERSTOCK 1000 CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS: 1. Josh Herrin (335); 2. Bobby Fong (287); 3. Claudio Corti (272); 4. Danny Eslick (214); 5. Hayden Gillim (192); 6. Taylor Knapp (143); 7. Mathew Scholtz (139); 8. Max Flinders (113); 9. Jake Lewis (111); 10. Sheridan Morais (85).
 
FINAL SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS: 1. Garrett Gerloff (326); 2. JD Beach (322); 3. Valentin Debise (246); 4. Cameron Petersen (189); 5. Benny Solis Jr. (147); 6. Joe Roberts (142); 7. Bryce Prince (141); 8. Dakota Mamola (94); 10. Richie Escalante (86).
 
FINAL SUPERSTOCK 600 CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS: 1. Bryce Prince (332); 2. Richie Escalante (200); 3. Travis Wyman (185); 4. Dakota Mamola (177); 5. JC Camacho (159); 6. Conner Blevins (145); 7. Michael Gilbert (128); 8. Andy DiBrino (106); 9. Nick McFadden (98); 10. Deion Campbell (93).
 
FINAL KTM RC CUP POINT STANDINGS: 1. Brandon Paasch (311); 2. Anthony Mazziotto III (266); 3. Ashton Yates (239); 4. Jody Barry (195); 5. Alejandro Gutierrez (142); 6. Josh Serne (116); 7. Jackson Blackmon (113); 8. Benjamin Smith (90); 9. Renzo Ferreira (79); 10. Brandon Altmeyer (77).

MV Agusta and Pirelli, the new DIABLO ROSSO™ III and new Brutale 800:
a special project to celebrate ‘Made in Italy’
The two Italian brands created a special version of the latest naked from the Schiranna-based company which selected the brand new Pirelli tyres as original equipment for this model

"Diablo Brutale", as this single unit has been renamed, is a tribute to design, craftsmanship, sportiveness and high technology of the latest supersport tyre of the DIABLO™ family

Varese/Milano, 17 May 2016 – MV Agusta and Pirelli have been working together for several decades and, since 2011, the
historic Italian motorcycle manufacturer has decided to rely only on the brand of the elongated P symbol to equip all its
models. MV Agusta and Pirelli are both well-known and appreciated brands all over the world: they have managed to make design and showcase ‘Made in Italy’. They combine maximum sportiveness and innovation, their core values which are recognised by all motor fans and, in this specific case, by motorcycle lovers.

On the one hand, the last technological evolution of the DIABLO™ range, the DIABLO ROSSO™ III, which is the new supersport
tyre from Pirelli, born from the track to the road, redefining the concept of sports riding taking it to the new level. Its strong
points are sports handling, a high level of grip also in the wet and with long lasting performance.

On the other hand the Brutale 800, a motorcycle whose original project dates back to 2001 and that – year after year – was
renovated in its style and spirit, to remain loyal to itself, and to its ability to amaze and conquer new generations of
enthusiasts. The new Brutale 800 is an example of Made in Italy technology that has dictated new design guidelines in its
segment.

The Diablo Brutale is a single unit of the new MV Agusta Brutale 800 which was born as a tribute to design, sportiveness and
high technology of the last supersport tyre of the Pirelli DIABLO™ family, which was chosen as original equipment for this
machine. It also celebrates the historical partnership between MV Agusta and Pirelli, two companies which have long and
worldwide appreciated traditions in the motorcycling world.

Diablo Brutale presents an attractive matt black color which is interrupted only by a luminous red as a reference to the tyre
logo. MV Agusta has decided to pay homage to the new Pirelli tyre through some graphical elements. The DIABLO ROSSO™ III
logo appears on the tank’s side, while the typical ‘thunder’ groove of the tread pattern, which represents a tyre’s trademark,
appears on the tank as well as on the front fender plus both sides of the tail. Both the Pirelli logo and the red “D” of DIABLO™
appear next to the MV Agusta logo on the top of the tank.

Pirelli has decided to equip this special with a set of DIABLO ROSSO™ III with a red color dedicated graphic, just like the details
that give the Brutale the unique spirit of the Diablo.

With the new Brutale 800, MV Agusta questioned the style, engine, equipment and chassis of the previous model with a
unique goal: giving birth to the best Brutale ever. The same goal achieved by Pirelli with the development of the DIABLO
ROSSO™ III, the direct descendent of the renowned and highly rated DIABLO ROSSO™ II, which raises the bar of sport riding
even higher than the previous model and extends the qualities of its predecessor, strengthening its features in terms of
handling and grip, with long lasting performance.

The Brutale 800 has DIABLO ROSSO™ III tyres as original equipment with the following sizes: 120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W) TL front,
180/55 ZR17 M/C (73W) TL rear.

Now in the Calendar Bike Garage...   The World's Coolest Naked Ducati!
Beauitful FastDates.com Calendar Kitten Sara takes us for a ride on the world's most exotic and expensive Ducati streetbike
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Now in the Calendar Bike Garage...     Sam Kao's LA Calendar Show Winner
Beauitful FastDates.com SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Petra looks fantastic with Samuel Kao's JSK Desgn Sportster
featured in the Calendar Bike Garage / Members Corner and in the new 2016 Iron & Lace Calendar

Now in the Calendar Bike Garage...
Samuel Kao's Calendar Bike Show class winning BMW R 90T Bar Hopper with beauitful FastDates.com SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Sara featured in the Calendar Bike Garage / Members Corner and in the new 2016 Iron & Lace Calendar

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