Red Bull KTM Factory racers Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings both delivered double moto wins in the MXGP and MX2 classes at the MXGP of Thailand on Sunday to take their respective GP victories and the red plates as championship points leaders.
While it is early days in the 17-round championship, KTM’s two reigning world champions signaled their intentions in the second round of the championship with the kind of flair that has allowed them, and KTM, to dominate their classes in previous seasons.
Both Cairoli and Herlings laid down the marker of their intentions in their opening motos on the Si Racha circuit with Herlings getting the action underway in the opening MX2 moto. His second place in qualifying earned him a place next to Dylan Ferrandis on the starting line and their recent rivalry was evident with a touch of wheels as they launched out of the gates.
But Herlings, who returned to racing last week in
The Diamond Route 400, the opening round of the South African National Offroad championship, took place this past weekend in Wolmaransstad in the North West province, 2hrs 30min outside of Johannesburg. Recent rain saw competitors preparing for a wet and muddy race but the weather gods were in a good mood this past Saturday when they stopped the rain the day before the race and sunshine awaited riders and spectators alike on race day.
All eyes were on the Brother KTM team at this opening round of the National Offroad championship and on two men in particular, namely Ross Branch who dominated the seeding event earlier this year and his team mate Louwrens Mahoney. Would they be able to run at the front at the Wolmaransstad National and would the multiple champion Mahoney be able to claim back the number one plate after his injuries suffered last year? The outcome of this race would certainly give an indication of where the 2014 Offroad championship could be going.
The race format for the Diamond Route 400 saw a six lap race which consisted of two different loops of approx. 60 km’s that competitors had to complete three times each. After three laps a 15min de control gave competitors enough time to refuel themselves and their machines while carrying out necessary tyre changes, etc. Brother KTM’s Louwrens Mahoney quickly set the pace onboard his KTM 500 XC-W and found his rhythm. He knew he still had the pace after he had been out of the racing environment for nearly seven months and put the hammer down, keeping the lead all the way to the chequered flag, taking overall victory and winning the highly contended OR1 (open) class.
“The morning pace was extremely fast from the beginning, both Ross (Branch) and Timmy (Young) were racing each other MX style but they got lost and kept overshooting corners, so I caught them. My bike handled like a dream after we made some small changes to my suspension and from then I could start charging even more and extended my lead. I didn’t want to make mistakes, but I knew I had to push hard which all paid off at the end. I couldn’t be happier with my first victory for the year and I’m looking forward to the remainder of the season.”, said Mahoney.
Mahoney had to keep an eye out for Kargo Racing’s Timothy Young as well as Brother KTM team mate Ross Branch earlier in the race, problems however moved Young further back in the field, while Branch started chasing his team mate onboard his KTM 450 XC-F.
“I had a good day and tried to learn as much as I could from the front runners. Louwrens (Mahoney) managed to pull away from us and my timing and strategy weren’t the best earlier in the race, but I put the hammer down on the last lap when I realized that I had fallen back to fourth place overall on corrected time, only a few seconds off second and third place. I managed to make up time and I’m extremely happy with my second place overall.”, said Branch
In the OR2 (250cc) class it was Brother KTM’s Tyron Miller who impressed onboard his KTM 350 XC-F. Miller took the OR2 class win and finished the race in 7th place overall. “My first lap was slow, I got caught up in traffic, but my second and third laps were much better and once we changed to the second loop for the last three laps I could start charging as the course was a lot faster and less technical, which was to the advantage of the bigger bikes, but I managed to keep up. All in all I had a good day and I’m happy with my result.”, said Miller. Miller’s team mate Jonathan van Wyk finished in 5th place in the OR2 class
Louw Schmidt, Brother KTM’s youngest rider on the team, did not disappoint when he crossed the finish line in an impressive 8th place onboard his KTM 250 XC-F, being the first OR3 (200cc) rider home. A phenomenal ride from the 2013 OR4 champion and certainly a rider to watch out for in 2014 and seasons to come.
“I got to know the track during the first lap and started enjoying the course. The track got rutted out a bit however and there were a couple of braking bumps to watch out for. The marking of the course was great and I enjoyed changing over to the faster second loop as it was a lot more open and I could start pushing. My bike was great and I am very happy with my result. I was looking for a top 10 overall and that’s what I achieved.”, said Schmidt.
Senior class rider Juan ‘Bollie’ van Rooyen was looking forward to the first National Offroad and had changed to the 300 XC-W 2-stroke machine for 2014. The seasoned rider from Port Elizabeth enjoyed the much lighter and nimble 2-stroke machine and had a great time out amongst all the youngsters. Van Rooyen took top honours in the Senior class and is the top title contender for 2014.
The Brother KTM team could not have asked for more, taking home the overall win, OR1, OR2, OR3 and Senior class wins as well as the manufacturer’s trophy. All competitors are now looking forward to round two of the National Offroad championship taking place in Windsorton near Kimberley on 12 April. 
Red Bull KTM Factory Team riders Ken Roczen and Ryan Dungey both scored a podium finish at the tenth round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series held at Daytona International Speedway.
The two teammates and rivals are now 2-3 in the championship points with Dungey in second at 181 and Roczen of Germany in third just one point behind. Both ride the KTM 450 SX-F. 
Dungey put together a solid heat race finishing fourth in the first 450 SX heat to transfer into the main event while Roczen was able to pull off a third place finish in heat number two.
Take a wild guess what the Daytona track was like. Answer: Rough! Florida had taken on a solid bit of rain in the days leading up to the race, so while the track looked smooth at first, the dirt underneath was soft, which led to huge ruts. Some riders commented on the general similarity to last weekend’s race in Indy due to the technical challenge. Lap times were over a minute, which still makes it the longest race in the Monster Energy Supercross Championship.
450SX Overall
- Ryan Villopoto
- Ken Roczen
- Ryan Dungey
- Broc Tickle
- Andrew Short
- Wil Hahn
- Dean Wilson
- Matt Goerke
- Justin Brayton
- Josh Grant
250SX Overall
- Blake Baggett
- Adam Cianciarulo
- Martin Davalos
- Blake Wharton
- Justin Bogle
- Jeremy Martin
- Matt Bisceglia
- Vince Friese
- Kyle Cunningham
- Matt Lemoine
For more info logon to
http://racerxonline.com/2014/03/09/saturday-night-live
Harley-Davidson is at it again. Fresh off the back of unveiling the new H-D Street 750 and the launch of Project RUSHMORE, America’s leading motorcycle manufacturer unleashed today three new motorcycles that expand its diverse line-up of street bikes, and put more models for more riders on the showroom floor of each Harley-Davidson dealer.
The mid-year release of the retro-cool Low Rider, nimble SuperLow 1200T and mean Street Bob Special Edition completes the largest new-model launch in Harley-Davidson’s 110-year history and keeps the throttle pinned on the company’s accelerated, customer-led product-development process.
“It’s been an incredible year,” said Rob Lindley, Vice-President and Managing Director, EMEA. “First Project RUSHMORE, then H-D Street, and now the new Street Bob Special Edition, SuperLow 1200T and Low Rider, all the result of riding with our customers and delivering what they want, each executed with the technical prowess and rebellious spirit that we infuse in each and every new Harley.”
Low Rider
In 1977 Harley-Davidson created a ride-it-hard, put-it-away dirty, make-your-own-boundaries custom motorcycle that became an icon – the Low Rider.
Today that defiant attitude returns with a vengeance as the legendary Low Rider model name is reprised for an all-new cruiser that rolls with old-school class and exciting new performance. A polished headlamp visor and wrinkle black trim are touchstone styling elements from the original Low Rider model. The unrelenting thrust of the Twin Cam 103 powertrain signals departure with a satisfying, throaty tone through twisting header pipes feeding a 2-into-1 exhaust. Suspension is calibrated for all-day comfort and precise handling, while dual-front disc brakes deliver capable stopping power. The new adjustable seat and handlebar risers enable a perfect fit for more riders. Ample Genuine Motor Accessories offer endless possibilities for self-expression, so any rider can own the look and own the road.
SuperLow 1200T
Harley-Davidson opens the door to touring adventure further with the introduction of the new SuperLow 1200T, a motorcycle that combines a nimble chassis with essential touring features and the power to ride to the horizon. A detachable windshield, locking saddlebags and Michelin Scorcher 11T touring tyres are standard equipment. Docking points accommodate detachable accessory racks and backrests for ease of customization. A new seat and control ergonomics are shaped specifically to give more riders long-distance comfort. The SuperLow 1200T can run with the pack thanks to the power of a 1200cc Evolution V-Twin engine. Also weighing in at 53.5kg less than the lightest Harley-Davidson Big Twin touring motorcycle, it is the lightest touring bike in our line-up. The finish is premium Harley-Davidson with aluminum wheels, optional two-tone paint scheme and plenty of brilliant chrome.
Street Bob Special Edition
The new Street Bob Special Edition, a custom model that retains the stripped-down and undistilled essence of a Big Twin Street Bob, returns for 2014 with a raft of new eye-catching features that pack in even more power and style for Harley-Davidson riders around the world. Inspired by Harley-Davidson’s Factory Customization programme, this new motorcycle is only available in select markets, including those in the European, Middle East and African regions.
The Street Bob Special Edition takes rebellious Harley-Davidson customization to the max and gets some seriously special treatment with a powerful 1690cc engine, 5-spoke cast wheels, and a unique two-tone paint job with graphics. The added ever-popular and stylish Badlander two-up saddle, forward controls and drag handlebars give this rowdy bobber an even meaner, leaner attitude for riders who appreciate the pure essence of motorcycling.
The new model also retains all the key styling features of the stripped-back Big Twin, which include the chopped rear fender, Fat Bob fuel tank, and blacked-out powertrain. Broken down feature-by-feature, the model begins with Split Five Spoke cast aluminium wheels, finished in black with contrast cut highlights. A flat Drag-style handlebar replaces the stock mini-ape bar and lowers the bike’s profile while the two-up Badlander seat replaces the stock solo seat and offers a smooth, clean line from the fuel tank all the way to the rear fender.
The Cayenne Group has chalked up yet another exciting, blue chip brand for South African motorcycle enthusiasts. Gracing Cayenne’s showrooms countrywide are the hugely popular Johnny Pag Custom built Choppers are already a talking point in the local motorcycle community.
“The new USA-built Johnny Pag machines, are the most affordable custom-built choppers available here we are initially featuring two models in their range, the Ventura and the Malibu” said Cayenne Group’s Craig Langton.
The Malibu, a Softail chopper, and the Ventura Hardtail, will both retail for R 39 900 including VAT. “We could well extend this range later on with additional models”, said Langton. “Right now our sales team and dealers are delighted by the initial response from the market, and we are asking customers to reserve their Johnny Pags as only limited stock is available from our first shipment”.
In 1967, a plumber doing renovations of an apartment building outside Chicago tore down a brick wall and found what would prove to be a baffling mystery to vintage motorcycle enthusiasts - a one-of-a-kind motorcycle bearing 1917 plates and the name "Traub". The building’s elderly owner admitted that his son had stolen the bike before going off to WWI, never to return. But where the bike came from and who made it remains a unknown to this day.
Currently residing in the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, the Traub is considered by many to not only be the rarest motorcycle in their collection, but in the world.
The Energica Ego, a 100kW first electric superbike, has been delayed for a year. Due to be released in 2014, the bike maker reports that its Ego EV will be launched in 2015.
The 258kg bike is 2.1m long, 1.1m tall and 0.7m wide with a wheelbase of 1.4m and seat height of 0.8m.
Beta/Purvines Racing's Nick Burson kicked a monkey off his back after winning round two of the AMA National Hare and Hound Championship held in Ridgecrest, California on Sunday. Burson raced all the way to the finish line ahead of KTM rider Ivan Ramirez claiming his first win in the series. This also marks Beta's first AMA National Hare and Hound win.
Just when we thought we'd heard about all the new 2014 models, out comes the tease/announcement of a surprise new 'bobber' from Victory motorcycles which is set to be unveiled in February.
Little is known about the new machine so far apart from its name – the 'Gunner' – this logo and Victory's description of it as "a 106ci full-size urban cruiser that outclasses the competition by handling itself as well on the highway as it does downtown."
More info as soon as we have it.
http://www.victorymotorcycles.co.za/
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