Is motorcycling allowed?

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

I have read the post test interviews and something to keep in mind, and yes it may be racers excuses, is that this is Alvaro's first time at Portimao and on a new bike.

To say the track is tricky with its elevation changes, is an understatement.

 

It also turns out Rea's time was on a new Superpole tyre so he was going for an out and out fast time while others are concentrating on development and race pace.

 

Interesting reading Syke's interviews, seems things were really sour in that garage. Team not giving him the support he felt he needed, ALL development going Rea's way.

 

I am trying to be positive, I think come race day Rea won't have it all his own way. As unlikely as that may sound........

 

If they want proper racing in WSBK, they need to adopt the BSB rules 100%!!!

[bertusras]

Not quite

 

 

Rea tried out a qualifying rear tyre to set a best lap earlier today and then went out again and bettered it, to leave with an untouchable 1’40.885 lap time. He was almost a second faster than the second quickest rider Alex Lowes. A late fall on his very last lap, shortly after performing a practice start, left Rea uninjured and fully ready to take on the next challenges in Australia.

 

Haslam’s best lap of the test was a 1’42.144, set on a qualifying tyre. His impressive best time on a race tyre was only just 0.1 seconds slower, after he got interrupted when going for a final quick lap on a Q tyre.

 

Rea and Haslam also had the first chance to use the new Pirelli SCX rear tyre, designed for the new initiative of a ten lap Sunday morning ‘sprint’ race in WorldSBK, which will feature in addition to the traditional full distance races on Saturday and Sunday.

 

 

"We started to work on our race performance. I was really happy with how I felt with a lot of laps on the tyre compared to last this time last year. I got to try a qualifier at the end of the day and that felt quite good and I was really fast with it. This test ticked every box, just a couple of little items we could have re-checked and gone over. But the priorities were done and we got to try some new Pirelli tyres as well.” - JR65

 

 

"It's been a really positive test for me here in Portimão, a track at which I've struggled a little previously on the Yamaha. During this test we've found some strong, consistent pace and my fastest lap came on the sprint race tyre as I ran into traffic on the qualifier, so I know there's more to come. But it's not the one-off fast lap time that's important. What's made me happy is the fact that I posted a lot of fast and consistent laps on every run, we managed to complete the whole test program and we're now in a good position ahead of the test and race in Phillip Island. We've had a really strong winter, put the hard work in, made no mistakes and, hopefully, we can reap the reward with a strong start to the season in Phillip Island next month." - Alex Lowes

 

Touching on fast and consistent times

 

 

 

 

Apart from Lowes, Rea had more sub-43's than the next 4 riders combined.

 

Moving on to Bautista. He is really showing his class so far, and I fear that Chaz is going to end up on the same trajectory as what Tom Sykes ended up on. Now let's get to Sykes.

 

In 2012 he climbed onto the new, 1-year old ZX-10R platform, and came within half a point of winning the championship. That was really impressive (even though I was rooting for The Emperor). The next year he wiped the floor with everyone despite Eugene Laverty's strong run in the 2nd half of the season. Then came 2014 where Sykes narrowly lost out to Guintoli (GUINTOLI), but hey, his team mate did T-Bone him in turn 2 at Malaysia. Bear in mind that Rea finished 3rd on a 7-Year old Honda, but a long way off the points totals.

 

Then, 2015. Race 1, Philip Island. JR P1, TS P6. Race 2, JR P2, TS P4. Then Rea went on to win the next three races, then second, then won four more. Long story short, at the end of 2015 the points totals were JR P1 548, TS P3 399. 

 

Now I'm expected to believe that in less than one year the bike developed so much in Rea's favour that Sykes managed to score nearly 150 points (6 race wins) less than Rea? The years following I can totally believe that development favoured JR's input, 100%, but why wouldn't it? They're there to win races and championships, and JR was by far their best chance of doing that. 

[Starvin' Marvin]

The BMW S1000RR HP4 on the floor at Donford Motorrad Cape Town has a tag of R1 395 000.

The salemans at Motorrad Bloem says they cost R2m to build.

[patches]

The salemans at Motorrad Bloem says they cost R2m to build.

 

There, fixed it 

[sawystertrance]

The salemans at Motorrad Bloem says they cost R2m to build.

Possible future classic and collectors' item then?

[Spokey]

 

No collectors item, but my humble KLR enjoying a trip to Swartburg Pass via Paardepoort.

[Kranswurm]

A4A43BAB-7EA2-4CB6-B161-CBA052A9FC3E.jpeg 2C31AA3D-1EB7-474B-836F-DF471015E438.jpeg

 

No collectors item, but my humble KLR enjoying a trip to Swartburg Pass via Paardepoort.

Great bike

[BenReaper]

A4A43BAB-7EA2-4CB6-B161-CBA052A9FC3E.jpeg2C31AA3D-1EB7-474B-836F-DF471015E438.jpeg

 

No collectors item, but my humble KLR enjoying a trip to Swartburg Pass via Paardepoort.

I regard those KLR's in the same light as my DR and my Giant XTC, not necessarily the best tool for most jobs but a throw anything at it go anywhere tractor.[emoji123][emoji1690]

 

Hoping to also see Swartberg on my DR in 2019, absolutely beautiful and unique ride.[emoji108]

[RocknRolla]

Great bikes, but they have been bliksemed really hard with he ugly stick.

[Lexx]

A4A43BAB-7EA2-4CB6-B161-CBA052A9FC3E.jpeg2C31AA3D-1EB7-474B-836F-DF471015E438.jpeg

 

No collectors item, but my humble KLR enjoying a trip to Swartburg Pass via Paardepoort.

So jealous right now. Also need to do a trip asap. Missing the gravel roads.

[Spokey]

Great bikes, but they have been bliksemed really hard with he ugly stick.

Ha ha, yeah, a reason why they are called Fuglies!

[BSG]

Saw this BMW at Garden Route Mall, George today.

[BenReaper]

Saw this BMW at Garden Route Mall, George today.

That is beautiful, I'm planning on building something later this year towards next year, but stuck between a caferacer/brat bike, similar to this, or a hooligan streetfighter. Best to sleep over such an decision.....[emoji848]

[patches]

Is there a big Deus ex Machina following in SA?

I have been to a few of their stores in Sydney. Pretty cool! The clothing line has a cult following.

They have done some awesome custom builds too

 

http://deuscustoms.com/bikes/models/

 

This being one of my favourites (based on a 2014 - 2016 Husky FE501)

 

http://deuscustoms.com/bikes/model/ranger/

 

http://cdn.deuscustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DeusHusky2_WebRes-2.jpg

 

http://cdn.deuscustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DeusHusky2_WebRes-6.jpg

 

http://cdn.deuscustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DeusHusky2_WebRes-4.jpg

Edited February 3, 2019 by patches

[Hairy]

This little 150 has my attention for some reason!

 

http://deuscustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/rightboard-580x387.jpg

Is there a big Deus ex Machina following in SA?

I have been to a few of their stores in Sydney. Pretty cool! The clothing line has a cult following.

They have done some awesome custom builds too

 

http://deuscustoms.com/bikes/models/

 

This being one of my favourites (based on a 2014 - 2016 Husky FE501)

 

http://deuscustoms.com/bikes/model/ranger/

 

http://cdn.deuscustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DeusHusky2_WebRes-2.jpg

 

http://cdn.deuscustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DeusHusky2_WebRes-6.jpg

 

http://cdn.deuscustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DeusHusky2_WebRes-4.jpg

[Hairy]

Just a lekker read on making a rear fender

 

http://www.chopcult.com/news/articles/how-to-make-a-rear-fender-with-cry-baby-cycles.html