Category: Motorcycles

1. Leon Haslam joins Team Green and signs for official Kawasaki BSB team, JG Speedfit Kawasaki‏

   Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 22nd Dec 2015

   Speedfit Kawasaki has signed Leon Haslam in an exciting deal to race the brand new Ninja ZX-10R in the British Superbike Championship.

   After a successful season finishing in fourth place in the 2015 World Superbike Championship, including nine podium finishes and with two race wins, Haslam will return to the hotly contested 12-round British Championship, where he’s enjoyed much success previously.

   The JG Speedfit Kawasaki team will be entering their third season with Kawasaki UK and are looking to build on the success of last year with a plethora of podium finishes and race wins under their belt.

   Partnering Haslam will be race winner and last year’s Showdown contender, James Ellison and team mate Peter Hickman – forming a trio of riders that the team hopes will be a formula for success in the 2016 season.

   Returning to the British Superbike Championship with one goal, Leon Haslam said, “I’m super excited to be coming back to BSB! It’s one of the most competitive series in the world and has a huge fan base and following, so I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and racing in front of the British crowd.

   “I made the decision that I wanted to come back a few months ago and began looking at different options. I’ve known Mark for quite a while and I’ve seen how quickly and professionally the team has grown so they were my first option really. I’ve seen first-hand how dominant the old ZX-10R still was, so with this new one already proving faster in testing I can’t wait to get out there next month and try the JG Speedfit Kawasaki for the first time. It will also be my first time competing in the Showdown format so I’m looking forward to that, but our goal from the start of the year is to come back and be challenging at the front from the start!”

   JG Speedfit Kawasaki Team Principal, Mark Smith-Halvorsen, added, “Everyone in the team is excited to be welcoming Leon for 2016. He has proven to be one of the most successful riders within Superbike racing and we know that he won’t be returning to make up the numbers!

   “Although behind the scenes the signing has been a very quick deal, we’re already in the process of building a third ZX-10R Superbike which Leon will get to experience when he joins James and Peter next month. With a combination of the new Kawasaki and three of the strongest riders on the grid, I truly believe we have the right package to win our debut MCE British Superbike Championship title. It’s up to us now, to turn that into a reality”

   Ross Burridge, Kawasaki UK Senior Racing Co-ordinator, said: “The British Superbike Championship is certainly a tough one and you have to make sure everything aligns in order to even be in with a shout at success. I truly believe GBMoto have achieved this for the 2016 season. Their rider lineup is phenomenal, the factory support we’re providing is working wonders and the team’s sheer determination to win is second to none. I really believe that 2016 could be the year for them to bring home the British Superbike Championship. I wish them the best of luck and can’t wait for round one at Silverstone in April.”

   To find out more about the JG Speedfit British Superbike team and all of Team Green, visit the all new website at www.teamgreenracing.co.uk or like the Facebook page - Kawasaki Team Green
   

2. Charley Boorman and Triumph Motorcycles - A new Ambassadorial role for Charley

   Posted on 11:00am Monday 7th Dec 2015

   Charley Boorman, renowned adventure motorcyclist, TV presenter and documentary maker has agreed to join Triumph Motorcycles as one of their global ambassadors.

   Charley has always been a biker whose garage was filled with a range of brands and styles, even through his memorable TV documentaries, Long Way Round and Long Way Down, were supported by BMW, his love of all thing two wheels is of no secret!

   “I’ve always seen change as a good thing. Sometimes it’s not easy to change, but afterwards you see the benefits. I’ve had a great time working with BMW over the years and the Long Way documentaries have been a massively positive part of my life. Change is good, it’s refreshing and we all need to do it as we open our minds up to new ideas and new horizons.”

   Charleys involvement with the UK 'retro' motorcycle genre, his enthusiasm for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Motorcycle Ride and his association with the new hipster motorcycle emporium based in London – The Bike Shed, has shown that Boorman is not a one brand player, yet open to all things bike, from adventure touring to cruisers and sports to modern classics.

   “I’m so excited with the Triumph range of bikes. I love the retro look of their modern classics, especially the Thruxton with it’s café racer history. I’ve always said you should have a bike for each mood – I think Triumph have it covered! Oh, and hey, the whole ‘it’s British’ thing is pretty cool as we see historic British bike brands in the ascendance. I haven’t forgotten my adventure roots and so I’m desperate to try out the new Triumph Explorer on my 2016 adventure rides in Australia and South America.”

   Triumph added: “We are delighted to have Charley on board as a member of the team. It's great to be working with such a passionate, enthusiastic and experienced biker as one of our global ambassadors. We look forward to many exciting adventures together.”
   
   

   www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk
   
   www.charleyboorman.com
   

3. Triumph Motorcycles unveils new Explorer, Speed Triple and complete new Bonneville range at Motorcycle Live 2015

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 26th Nov 2015

   The launch of the all-new Bonneville family, which has taken four years of development to create, opens a new chapter in the story of the most famous name in motorcycling. From the fun and accessible Street Twin, to the timeless style of the Bonneville T120 and T120 Black, through to the race-inspired Thruxton R, the new range is more powerful, more capable and more beautiful than ever before.

   Visitors to the Triumph stand will also get the chance to see the latest additions to the adventure range, the new Tiger Explorer as well as the all new Speed Triple.

   Triumph Motorcycles are also displaying a complete range of inspiration kits for the new Bonneville range, accessories and clothing.

   The Triumph stand will be manned by our very own Hinckley factory staff. These highly knowledgeable bike enthusiasts will be on hand to answer all your questions.

   We look forward to welcoming you to Motorcycle Live 2015

   

   Click here for more information

4. Jason Kenny OBE, swaps pedal power for horsepower with Kawasaki Z1000SX

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 25th Nov 2015

   Track cyclist and three-time Olympic Champion, Jason Kenny OBE is the proud owner of a brand new 2016 Kawasaki Z1000SX.

   Jason collected his ‘65 plate two-wheeled green machine from Bolton Motorcycles and was handed over the keys by Salesman, Michael Powell – this is his second purchase from the Lancashire-based dealership.

   “I decided it was time for a change of bike as my trusty BMW was due for it’s first MOT and out of warranty – that’s how I justified it to myself anyway! After reading 37,000 reviews online while away racing, I decided on the Z1000SX. It seemed to tick all the boxes for me. After a couple of emails to Bolton motorcycles it was organised for when I got back in the UK. Easy as that, top service as always from from those guys.

   “I’ve done a couple of hundred miles on the bike now and it’s getting better everyday. I’m absolutely over the moon with it, a real pleasure to ride. I’ve got the first service just booked and Jonathan knows I want a track bike after Rio 2016, so he’s lending me a Kawasaki ZX636 to have a bit of fun on, I can’t wait…”, said Jason.

   Since its launch, the Z1000SX has dominated the sports touring segment and it Kawasaki Motor UK’s number one best seller.

   The 2016 Kawasaki Z1000SX now comes with a race-inspired FCC assist and slipper clutch – with 30% lighter feel at the level, the Slipper Clutch will appeal to both sports bike riders and those adjusting to the weight of a pillion and luggage. It also comes with ABS as standard and in new colour options – all with the added bonus of no price increase for 2016.

   Jonathan Hughes, General Manager of Bolton Motorcycles, said: “It’s always a pleasure when Jason comes into the dealership for a catch up. Jason has added the Z1000SX to the Royal Enfield which he also loves to ride. Thanks again for your business and good luck for next year and hopefully Rio.”

   Craig Watson, UK Sales Manager for Kawasaki UK, said: “We’re really pleased that Jason chose the Z1000SX – and with the new upgrades on the 2016 model, it’s great timing for him to buy one. We’ve invited him to join us for one of the British Superbike rounds to see the guys in action and introduce him to our race teams. Maybe after Rio, we can get him on track day!”

   

   Jason Kenny OBE, swaps pedal power for horsepower with Kawasaki Z1000SX

5. MICHELIN RIDER, DALEY MATHISON, WINS MOTO E CHAMPIONSHIP

   Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 20th Oct 2015

   Michelin-sponsored racer, Daley Mathison, has been crowned champion of the 2015 MotoE series with his electric motorcycle, UoN-01, built by an expert team from the University of Nottingham. Having competed at rounds across Europe, Mathison, famous for his road-racing success, took the final win of the championship at the Portimão circuit.
   
   The MotoE series is a five-round European Championship Cup for electric motorcycle racers with teams from across the globe competing against each other. Constructors come from a variety of different backgrounds, from technical colleges to commercial engineering specialists, and traditional motorsports professionals to privateer inventors.
   
   The bike that Mathison rode to victory was designed and built by a small, highly-talented team within the University of Nottingham’s Power Electronics, Machine and Control Research Group, part of the university’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Daley Mathison was appointed as the team's rider, based on the recommendation of senior officials from the Isle of Man TT.
   
   With a maximum speed of over 180mph and power in excess of 265hp (200kw), the UoN-01, is certainly not your average motorcycle, although it does share some standard superbike parts such as Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes that sit alongside a purpose-built frame and swing arm.
   
   Riding on Michelin tyres, Daley admits that the demands of racing an electric motorcycle are different to a petrol bike: “The electric bike performed fantastically for me throughout this championship. A lot of it is down to the fact there is not as much to do whilst you are on the bike. With a petrol machine you’re constantly thinking about gears and engine braking, while on the electric bike you’ve just got to brake and accelerate, which allows you to really concentrate on hitting the apex and getting the drive out of the corner.”
   
   Daley’s team had a range of Michelin’s high-quality performance tyres to choose from such as the new Power Slick Evo, Power Cup Evo and Power Rain. The Power Slick Evo is designed to provide optimum power on the track, and when racing in the heat of Portugal’s Portimão Circuit, having rubber you can rely on makes a big difference.
   
   For more information about Michelin’s range of motorcycle tyres visit moto.michelin.co.uk or to follow Daley’s racing success check out www.daleymathisonracing.co.uk