Two giants in the South African motorcycle industry have just joined forces and become one. Jonway/Gomoto and Big Boy have now become a single company in the tempting world of affordable motorcycle transport.

The Company set to transform this market is SAM (South African Motorcycles), who also distribute well-known market place names like Regal Raptor, CF Moto, Piaggio Commercial, Bashan and Baja, so their extensive knowledge in this sector will most certainly benefit new and old clientele.

If you already own a Big Boy product SAM would like to enforce that they will take care of all existing customers in a professional manner regarding readily attainable spares and full factory support.

SAM says they’ll endeavour to provide an even greater and exciting range in the near future with new models supporting the names of these famous household brands, offering effective transport solutions for the South African masses, which undoubtedly has to be a good thing for all concerned.

For full model range and news go to www.jonway.co.za

“The mother of hard enduro”, the Roof of Africa, had its forty sixth running in the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho this past weekend, and for what has now become synonymous with the local Basotho, the race brought the rain that the drought stricken country so badly needed. But what was a blessing for the Basotho farmers, was a curse for the 410 entrants into the Roof as they tackled the 360km race over the three days of the event. 

With riders well prepared to tackle the rocky and mountainous course, another dimension was added by the rain – and that was slick and super slippery MUD! 

As has now become tradition, Yamaha supported every Yamaha entrant in the race via the Yamaha Roof of Africa Support Programme. This provides the Yamaha Roof pilot with service like a factory racer. At the end of each day, all the rider has to do is check his bike in to the Yamaha pits based at the Maseru Sun, and Steve Thompson and his crew take over from there. Bikes are cleaned, lubed, repaired, tyres are changed etc. – and all for no charge, other than the cost of spare parts!

This service is truly welcomed by the riders who, after a exhausting day riding the race, can relax and only  have to worry about getting their bodies enough nutrition and rest for the next days onslaught, safe in the knowledge that their bike will be perfectly race ready by the morning’s 6am start.

With 24 Gold entries, 15 Silver entries and 5 bronze entries, the Yamaha Support Team worked late into each night to ensure that all the race bikes were in perfect running order for each race day’s start.

The Turismo Veloce celebrates the unique pleasure of Grand Tourismo with two models of MV Agusta: the first for traveling through time and space with the feeling of agility that only a complete but essential motorcycle can provide.

The second is the Turismo Veloce Lusso whose very name suggests things that seem to have been forgotten in time. Lusso stands for an extraordinary level of accessories and technical solutions which include the innovative MVCSC system (MV Agusta Chassis Stability Control) electronic stability control through the use of semi-active suspension, less bulky saddle bags which nevertheless can carry an astounding 60 litres and the new generation MVICS 2.0 (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System) inertial platform which includes the up&down EAS 2.0 electronic gear change system as well as the Anti Wheelie System. These features have never before been offered to a Touring bike.

The standard equipment also includes an immobiliser, heated handle grips, Bluetooth connection and integrated GPS.

Engine and Electronics:

The perfect blend of agility and performance. The Turismo Veloce is a perfect example of this: its three-cylinder 800cc engine is a new interpretation of the advanced engine on which MV Agusta has based the expansion of its model range. Its size would lead you to believe it's a smaller engine thanks to the layout, and the three cylinders ensure excellent power output from low and medium revs then all the way up to the top of the rev range. This three-cylinder engine has many characteristics which make it a milestone for MV in terms of the technology applied to a standard production bike. The oil and water cooling systems have been integrated into the casting of the engine and this particular feature of the three-cylinder engine that gives it such an exceptional aesthetic impact and which allows it to blend in perfectly with the flowing lines of the Turismo Veloce. Under the cast and forged aluminium surfaces lies a counterrotating crankshaft derived directly from MotoGP. This was introduced as standard on the F3 675 and characterises the MV Agusta three-cylinder engine, not to mention the considerable impact it has on riding dynamics by significantly deceasing the effects of inertia when the bike changes direction. The precise application of fluid dynamic and thermodynamic principles, along with evolved electronic engine management systems have permitted specific fuel mapping settings to be designed to ideally suit both Tourismo and Sport riding modes on the new Turismo Veloce.

available from www.mvagusta.co.za at the bottom

The brand with the blue elephant will fit the new Honda CRF450 RALLY of riders Helder Rodrigues, Sam Sunderland and Javier Pizzolito with KAROO™ Extreme prototype tyres in sizes- 90/90-21 front and 140/80-18 rear

Munich (Germany), 13 October 2013 – Metzeler has been chosen by Team HRC Rally, the Honda works motorcycle rally team, as tyre supplier and technical partner to face the toughest raids and rally competitions in the world, among them the 2014 edition of the prestigious Dakar.

The new Honda CRF450 RALLY of the riders Helder Rodrigues, Sam Sunderland and Javier Pizzolito will be fitted with KAROO™ Extreme prototype tyres in sizes- 90/90-21 front and 140/80-18 rear.

The product used in the competitions in which Team HRC Rally will take part, the Metzeler KAROO™ Extreme, is a prototype tyre not available for sale because it is specifically developed for competitions in collaboration with Team HRC Rally and will be used in different competitions, including the challenging Dakar.

With the name KAROO™ Extreme the goal was to emphasize two important aspects behind the development of this product that combines the heritage and experience of the KAROO™ in Enduro on/off use and the "extreme" experience of Metzeler in the international Enduro competitions with the MCE 6 Days Extreme, the 22 times Enduro World Championship winner tyre. This product for rally raid competitions is therefore the natural evolution of Metzeler in Offroad activities.

The rear tyre has been specifically developed to provide a 0 degrees steel belt together with a 4-ply carcass and a new generation of compounds featuring Metzeler’s exclusive mixing process: all these elements combined together are able to ensure excellent durability and resistance for the tyre and to offer top performance throughout the entire race.

The front tyre is available in two different versions to cope with all types of soils, from those hard and rocky to those softer and with sand. Team HRC and its riders will thus be able to choose, with the help of Metzeler technicians present onsite, the best solution depending on the type of stage they have to face.

The 36th edition of the Dakar will take place from 5 to 18 of January 2014 on the varied lands of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.

“In the 2014 Dakar we have our top two brands Metzeler and Motul partnering this exciting Honda HRC team” said Graeme Leach GM for AMP (After Market Products) both products have a huge track record in racing, locally and internationally and would certainly be the ideal choice for any team looking for a major victory. The Dakar has to be the toughest tests for both man and machine and breaking down on this event could be the end for any rider as there are no pit teams immediately on hand. A total breakdown would mean waiting for the sweep vehicles.” So reliable, proven hard core products are crucial in this event, we are proud to be associated with this Honda HRC Team for the 2014.” he went on to say.

BMW has announced the 2014 BMW S1000R, a new naked motorcycle based on its popular S1000RR superbike. Sourcing the S1000RR’s 999cc Inline Four, BMW engineers revamped the powerplant to provide more low-and mid-range punch to suit “everyday use.” The cylinder head is redesigned, valve lift curves changed, cam profiles modified and a new BMS-X engine management system (which also supports a ‘throttle-by-wire’ system) was added to achieve the claimed 160 horsepower and 83 lb-ft of torque. Our 2012 S1000RR posted 175 horsepower at a 13,000 rpm and 74 lb-ft of torque so the assumption will be that the S1000R 'everyday use' power will arrive sooner in the revs.

The claimed 456-pound S1000R comes with two riding modes (Rain and Road), Automatic Stability Control and BMW Motorrad Race ABS standard. Dynamic Traction Control with lean angle sensor is optional, as is a Pro Mode which includes two additional riding modes, Dynamic and Dynamic Pro, suited for both road and track use.

The S1000R uses an aluminum alloy perimeter frame and the 32-degree, forward inclined engine is a load-bearing member of the set-up. The 46mm front fork allows for compression and rebound adjustments and if equipped with the optional Dynamic Damping Control (DDC), spring preload can be adjusted as well. The central spring out back comes with adjustable preload and compression damping. Alterations to the rake, trail and wheelbase promise to optimize handling and stability.

The 2014 BMW S 1000 R produces a claimed 160 horsepower and 83 lb-ft of torque.

Front braking is handled by two radial-mount, four-piston calipers gripping twin 320mm discs. The rear stopper is a single piston floating caliper that bites a 220mm disc. Steel-mesh wrapped brake lines connect both front and rear to the controls.

The instrument cluster features a gear position indicator, analog tachometer, ride mode information, speedometer, engine temperature, fuel level, fuel consumption, shift indicator light and more.

Design features have been stripped down for the naked bike, though it retains some hallmarks of the S1000RR. Asymmetrical headlights and a large central air intake are some features the company press highlights as sourced from the superbike. 

The S1000R has a 32-inch seat height, wide tapered handlebars and foot pegs mounted to provide riders with a more relaxed upper body posture. The S1000R will be available in Racing red non-metallic, Frozen dark blue metallic and Light white non-metallic colorways. There’s no indication yet of price or availability. 

For more go have a look at www.motorcycle-usa.com

The Caterham Group, a British sports car company that also has its hands in Formula One Grand Prix racing, recently announced the creation of a new motorcycle division. Caterham Bikes, the name of the new branch, launched three prototype motorcycles at the recent EICMA show in support of its two-wheeled efforts, the Brutus 750, Classic E-Bike (an all-electric bike with retro styling), and the Carbon E-Bike (a premium electric bike said to be inspired by F1 technology). Caterham will also be fielding a Moto2 race team in 2014, the announcement reinforcing Caterham’s commitment to the two-wheeled realm. Production of the Caterham bikes will begin in the spring of 2014. 

The team of Texas-based Revival Cycles believes that the motorcycle should be more than a machine; it is an aesthetic expression that demonstrates the beauty of purposeful form. This firm belief has given shape to yet another fantastic makeover of the retro styled Ducati SportClassic. Revival Cycle’s founder Alan Stlurberg recollects receiving the motorcycle in their workshop ‘battered and bruised’. “The owner is 6’5? and loved the bike, but wished it would fit his tall frame a bit better—and of course, quit catching fire!” – says Alan Stlurberg.

To begin with, the team created a new subframe and seat, and began designing a stretched-out aluminium tank. The new rear subframe is over 6 inch thinner than the previous seat and tail. The seat was moved back over 5 inch which works great for the owner. The bike also features a customized alloy tank, tail section, fenders, mounts, exhaust and much more. The wheels are Alpina carbon fiber with new Michelin Pilot racing wet-weather tires and Discacciati braking system from JC/Pakbikes. A custom ECU generates the maximum power from the engine and the bike has been rewired around a Motogadget M-unit. The suspension setup consists of a full Öhlins front and rear and custom triple trees. The charcoal grey body and the luxurious brown leather saddle with matching handlebar grips compliment the powerful mechanism of this bike…A bike makeover with classic style and modern performance!!

To read and see more visit: http://revivalcycles.com/

Stay with this- even if you aren't a 'car nut', this is incredible

* One Top Fuel dragster outfitted with a 500 cubic-inch replica Dodge (actually Keith Black, etc.) Hemi engine makes more horsepower (8,000 HP) than the first 4 rows of cars at NASCAR's Daytona 500.

* Under full throttle, a dragster engine will consume 11.2 gallons of nitro methane per second;

* A fully loaded Boeing 747 consumes jet fuel at the same rate but with 25% less energy being produced.

* A stock Dodge Hemi V8 engine cannot produce enough power to merely drive the dragster's supercharger.

* With 3000 CFM of air being rammed in by the supercharger on overdrive, the fuel mixture is compressed into a near-solid form before ignition. Cylinders run on the verge of hydraulic lockup at full throttle.

* At the stoichio metric 1.7:1 air/fuel mixture for nitro methane the flame front temperature measures 7050 degrees F.

* Nitro methane burns yellow. The spectacular white flame seen above the stacks at night is raw burning hydrogen, dissociated from atmospheric water vapour by the searing exhaust gases.

* Dual magnetos supply 44 amps to each spark plug. This is typically the output of an electric arc welder in each cylinder.

* Spark plug electrodes are totally consumed during a pass. After 1/2 way thru the run, the engine is 'dieseling' from compression and the glow of the exhaust valves at 1400 degrees F. The engine can only be shut down by cutting the fuel flow.

* If spark momentarily fails early in the run, unburned nitro builds up in the affected cylinders and then explodes with enough sufficient force to blow the cylinder heads off the block in pieces or split the block in half!!

* Dragsters reach over 480 KMH +... before you have completed reading this sentence.

* In order to exceed 480 KMH in 4.5 seconds, a dragster must accelerate an average of over 4 G's.

* In order to reach 320 KMH well before reaching half-track, at launch the acceleration approaches 8 G's.

* Top Fuel engines turn approximately 540 revolutions from light to light 

* Including the burnout, the engine must only survive 900 revolutions under load.

* The redline is actually quite high at 9500 RPM.

* THE BOTTOM LINE: Assuming all the equipment is paid for, the pit crew is working for free,

   & NOTHING BLOWS UP, each run will cost an estimated $1,000 per second.

0 to 160 KMH in .8 seconds (the first 60 feet of the run)

0 to 320 KMH in 2.2 seconds (the first 350 feet of the run)

6 g-forces at the starting line (nothing accelerates faster on land)

6 negative g-forces upon deployment of twin 'chutes at 480 KMH

An NHRA Top Fuel Dragster accelerates quicker than any other land vehicle on earth…

Quicker than a jet fighter plane… quicker than the space shuttle… or snapping your fingers!!

The current Top Fuel dragster elapsed time record is 4.420 seconds for the quarter-mile

(2004, Doug Kalitta). 

The top speed record is 540.128 KMH as measured over the last 66' of the run

(2005, Tony Schumacher).

Let's now put this all into perspective:

Imagine this…

You are driving a new $140,000 Lingenfelter twin-turbo powered Corvette Z-06.

Over a mile up the road, a Top Fuel dragster is staged & ready to 'launch' down a quarter-mile strip as you pass. You have the advantage of a flying start. You run the 'Vette hard, on up through the gears and blast across the starting line & pass the dragster at an honest 320 KMH.... The 'tree' goes green for both of you at that exact moment. The dragster departs & starts after you. You keep your foot buried hard to the floor, and suddenly you hear an incredibly brutally screaming whine that sears and pummels your eardrums & within a mere 3 seconds the dragster effortlessly catches & passes you.  He beats you to the finish line, a quarter-mile away from where you just passed him.

Think about it – from a standing start, the dragster had spotted you 320 KMH… and it not only caught, but nearly blasted you off the planet when he passed you within a mere 1320 foot long race!

That, my friends.....is acceleration.

Shortly before completion of another record year, including the launch of the revolutionary MY2014 1190 ADVENTURE and the brute 1290 SUPER DUKE R, KTM presents as a world premiere the three fully-faired RC model range for model year 2014 at EICMA (I).

RC125, RC200, RC390

Based on the same engine, three supersport bikes follow on from the small DUKE range which was globally presented in the last three years. With a completely new frame and chassis geometry and a racing oriented design, the RC125, RC200 and RC390 represent the affordable production version and the shining example of the Moto3 world championship bike. No matter who the rider is, a racing enthusiastic novice rider in Europe, a fast city racer in Asia or a true motorsport rookie in the ADAC Junior Cup, the three supersport bikes are the first choice for all, who are really into serious technology and are READY TO RACE!

1290 SUPER DUKE R

Already one year ago the prototype of the 1290 SUPER DUKE R stole the attention of thousands of journalists and visitors at EICMA Show in Milan. One year later, the production version of the “Beast” reveals itself as an incredibly rideable Naked Bike with almost infinite possibilities and hitherto unprecedented power and torque.

Hubert Trunkenpolz (KTM CSO): “As the largest European motorcycle manufacturer the 1290 SUPER DUKE R gave us the chance to once again substantiate our technical knowhow on asphalt and expand our leading position in the Naked Bike segment with the presentation of an entire model range. KTM´s most potent Naked Bike is once again a highlight at EICMA Show in Milan and will be rideable by the public for the first time. Just before Christmas, the 1290 SUPER DUKE R will be available at KTM dealers. Regarding the supersport RC models we look ahead with great confidence. With a range of in total six attractive models between 125 and 390cc, we are all set to show on a global base that highly attractive supersport bikes are also available at favourable prices.“

1190 ADVENTURE / R

The MY14 1190 ADVENTURE sets the benchmark in the segment of big travel enduros as well as the 1290 SUPER DUKE R. The 1190 ADVENTURE / R models are the first and unique motorcycles in the world which are equipped with MSC (Motorcycle Stability Control) developed by Bosch – an ABS that works even while cornering and thereby guarantees more safety. Both MY13 1190 ADVENTURE models can be retrofitted with MSC.

As the world´s leading manufacturer in Offroad competition, KTM is also deeply entrenched in the Offroad segment. The impressive Motocross, Enduro and Freeride 2014 model range was presented as always around midyear and was a crucial factor for the majority of the currently 19 world championship titles in 2013. In addition to the already reaped 2013 Moto3 Constructor´s Championship, the Rider´s Championship will definitely be sealed by a KTM rider for the second time in succession after 2012. In January KTM enters the Rally Dakar with a completely new rally bike and will fight for another Dakar victory in 2014 following on from 12 consecutive wins.      

www.ktm.com

www.ktmimages.com

Álex Márquez of Spain emerged the winner in the final meters of the Moto3 Grand Prix of Japan at the Motegi circuit to give KTM its 20th consecutive victory – the new record in the small class of the FIM Motorcycle World Championship!  

The series started at the same place one year ago by former and future Red Bull Ajo KTM rider Danny Kent (UK), who also won three rounds later at Valencia. The Spaniard Luis Salom is with seven victories onboard the KTM RC250 GP Moto3 bike the most successful rider in this period, followed by Alex Rins with six wins and Moto3 World Champion 2012 Sandro Cortese (D) and Maverick Viñales with two victories each.

26 victories in 33 races

Since the comeback of KTM in the new Moto3 category at the beginning of the 2012 season overall 26 victories out of 33 races went to riders sitting on KTM driven bikes. Cortese took three more wins in his World Championship season furthermore Luis Salom and Jonas Folger scored two and one victory on their KALEX-KTM bikes.

The championship now goes to the final round in Valencia (E) on a knife’s edge with Salom still in the lead by two points from Viñales with Rins five points behind the leader. Everything points to a great race for the sport, the Spanish fans and for KTM, who already won the constructors championship a few rounds ago and are in line to take their second World Championship title after Cortese of the Red Bull Ajo KTM team won the first ever Moto3 title in 2012.  

KTM’s 20 consecutive Moto3 winners

1st        Danny Kent (UK)           Motegi (J) 2012

2nd       Sandro Cortese (D)       Sepang (MAL) 2012

3rd       Sandro Cortese (D)       Phillip Island (AUS) 2012

4th        Danny Kent (UK)           Valencia (E) 2012

5th        Luis Salom (E)              Doha (QAT) 2013

6th        Alex Rins (E)                 Austin (USA) 2013

7th        Maverick Viñales (E)      Jerez (E) 2013

8th        Maverick Viñales (E)      Le Mans (F) 2013

9th        Luis Salom (E)              Mugello (I) 2013

10th      Luis Salom (E)              Cataluña (E) 2013

11th      Luis Salom (E)              Assen (NL) 2013

12th      Alex Rins (E)                 Sachsenring (D) 2013

13th      Alex Rins (E)                 Indianapolis (USA) 2013

14th      Luis Salom (E)              Brno (CZ) 2013

15th      Luis Salom (E)              Silverstone (GB) 2013

16th      Alex Rins (E)                 Misano (I) 2013

17th      Alex Rins (E)                 Aragón (E) 2013

18th      Luis Salom (E)              Sepang (MAL) 2013

19th      Alex Rins (E)                 Phillip Island (AUS) 2013

20th      Álex Márquez (E)           Motegi (J) 2013

www.ktm.com