Seat Concepts
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 2:43PM Jeremy Seewer enjoyed a successful outing in his first race aboard the bigger bike, but does not have the results to show for it. Seewer, who was running a strong seventh in race two, had a spectacular crash that left him a little rattled. Twenty-fourth was the result that he garnered in this moto.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 2:16PM 
The Italian electric bike manufacturer Tacita has announced details for its 2018 T-Race Enduro bike - one of the few enduro-specific electric bikes to emerge.
Now in its fourth year manufacturing, Tacita is claiming improvements to the 2018 model with a new power train, controller, clutch and batteries.
A new 9 kWh battery pack weighs the same as previous model but doubles the range to covers a claimed 100km (3hrs) of off-road riding. It also has a completely new controller and hardware to match.
The new power train developed exclusively for Tacita, claims greater efficiency plus a weight reduction: 12kg less for the 11 and 27kW engines, 7kg less for the 34kW power unit.
The new engine has a better response to intermediate and high revs to deliver better performance and a more exciting sound for the rider.
A five-speed transmission with a new first gear ratio allows different output in eco or power mode.
There’s a new, lighter clutch also with a Brembo master cylinder.
An integrated battery charger means you can fill up on energy from any power plug including domestic use sockets.
As in all Tacita motorcycles there is a reserve function, which allows to ride for other 10 kms at reduced speed to reach the nearest electrical outlet.
The T-Race Enduro 2018 maintains two power maps, ‘eco’ and ‘power’ maps plus they have the ability to engaged or disengaged an engine brake (for long descents), both selectable while riding.
Eco maximizes efficiency and works better on slippery terrain, Power is “dedicated to brilliant riding” says Tactita!
The T-Race Enduro keeps the same single-shell chrome-molybdenum frame. The electric motor is repositioned slightly for 2018 by 20mm, to aid handling.
The T-race Enduro is available in a 34kW version with 85Nm of torque and a 27kW version with 60Nm of torque. Depending on your driving licence you could also opt for the 11kW version.
The colours of the new T-Race are red / black and full kevlar / carbon.
Prices starting from € 14,098 ex works VAT, roadside and local taxes excluded.
Electric motor: PMAC
Mappings: Eco and Sport
Transmission: 5-speed gearbox with Brembo master cylinder hydraulic clutch incl. reverse gear
Cooling system: liquid type, with circuits for electric motor and controller
Traction battery: LI-PO Lithium Polymer battery 8,705 kWh
Battery life: 185,000km or over 2000 cycles to 80% initial capacity
Batteries warranty: five years
Max power: 34kW with 85Nm, 27 kW standard motor with 60Nm torque or 11kW with 60Nm
Max rpm: 8000
Chassis: single-shell frame split in chrome-molybdenum
Ground clearance: 330mm
Wheel base: 1490mm
Front suspension: upside-down Mupo telescopic hydraulic fork, 300 mm travel
Rear suspension: progressive link with Ohlins fully adjustable suspension unit, 280 mm travel
Front wheel: 90/90-21
Front brake: floating disk 300mm diameter with Brembo caliper and master cylinder
Rear wheel: 140/80-18
Rear brake: 220 mm with Brembo caliper
Regenerative braking: 2 maps of engine brake. No engine brake (2-stroke engine style) and regenerative braking (4-stroke engine style)
Body: fiberglass or optional Kevlar/carbon
Range: 100km estimated riding off road recreational trail + reserve power
Reserve Power: automatically activated at 10% of remaining charge, reducing performance to reach the nearest charging point
Charger: integrated on-board 10A to be used with standard sockets or off board for racing use
Charging time: 4 hours from “reserve power” level to 80% at 220 V with the on-board charger from any socket. Reduces to 40min with the off-board max charging power unit
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 2:12PM
Ride along with Stew Baylor for the first 15 minutes of the 2018 Big Buck GNCC
Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 12:25PM
Cody Webb’s 2018 SuperEnduro season has been a model of constancy. Results have come his way through speed and mistake-free racing.
He’s leading the championship because he has ridden better than his rivals.
Sure, a mighty crash at the start of race three in Malaga blotted the copybook but that one was out of Webb’s hands.
All was looking good at round four in Bilbao last weekend too. Cody took two moto wins in the opening two Euskadi races and it looked like things were heading the way they had all season.
But instead of a Webb whitewash we got an uncharacteristic Webb wipeout in moto three! We’ll let Cody take up the story…
“The first two races went really well. I felt like I was riding smooth and consistent. In the third race though I was riding good and in contention in second or third. then in the matrix I just didn’t get the front wheel lifted enough, hit the angel log and fell off the track.
“Then I just panicked a little bit when I got back on the track. I didn’t lose a position but Jonny [Walker] and Mani [Lettenbichler] were there and so when I pushed to keep ahead of them the dirt was so slippery I washed the front end.
“I got back on but then had a huge crash and when I got back on it that time everything was so bent and crooked. I should have stopped really but I just went backwards from there.
It was really disappointing for me because I felt like I had a good presence and then just threw it all away.”
What many people won’t have seen but which is evident from the video here is that Cody clearly did have the marshall on his mind. Immediately after the race Cody went around to try and find the marshall and see how she was.
Webb eventually brought it home in eighth on a very secondhand bike. Cody was thankful to have a race like that but still end the night on the overall podium. If you win championships on your bad nights this was definitely a bad one.
One thing’s for sure, being a marshall at SuperEnduro ain’t an easy job but Cody met up with the marshall a couple of days later and said on his Instagram feed:
"Was a very special moment to see @goiurit during our team activities yesterday. I only briefly got to speak to her after the race to make sure she was okay. Luckily, she was just more shook up than anything with a couple bruises. I’m very glad she wasn’t injured during the frightening incident."
Sunday, March 4, 2018 at 4:05PM Posted on March 04, 2018
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings went 2-1 to win the MXGP class at the Grand Prix of Argentina. In a sensational performance the Dutchman caught and passed Antonio Cairoli in the second moto in what seemed at one stage an impossible situation.
“It was tough man, KTM did a great job and I couldn’t get out of the first turn, and I was sick all week, you can probably hear it, and to come back, that’s awesome. Never give up, we worked all winter and it pays off.
Second overall was Antonio Cairoli with 1-2 results and third was Clement Desalle with 3-3 results.
For Herlings it was a Cairoli like effort to win the Grand Prix, and as mentioned previously, the Dutchman has learnt from the best in the business. His quickest lap of the race came in that very last lap of the moto. Clocking 1:43.9 and 143.3 for the final two laps, just amazing.
Cairoli took the holeshot in the opening MXGP moto, followed by Lieber, Paulin, Herlings, Febvre, Simpson, Van Horebeek, Desalle, Searle, Nagl, Bobryshev, Coldenhoff, Seewer, Anstie, Salazar.
Herlings a brilliant pass on Paulin to move into fourth, and Febvre in third. Cairoli quickly getting away from Lieber, and Febvre all over the Belgian. Herlings not making an impression on the front three.
Desalle and Paulin in a nice battle, and Herlings suddenly all over Lieber and Febvre, first passing Leiber and onto Febvre. Desalle also on the charge as he passed Lieber.
Herlings on fire as he makes a great pass on Febvre for second place and quickly got away. The Dutchman is the fastest rider on the track at present.
After three laps it was Cairoli, Herlings, Febvre, Desalle, Lieber, Paulin, Van Horebeek, Simpson, Seewer and Searle.
Cairoli turns it up a little to remain around four seconds ahead and after seven laps it was Cairoli, Herlings, Febvre, Desalle, Van Horebeek, Paulin, Lieber, Seewer, Searle and Coldenhoff. Anstie in 11th, Nagl 12th, Bobryshev 13th, Simpson 14th and Jaskonis 15th.
Herlings clocks the quickest lap of the race and moves to two seconds behind Cairoli, and Febvre also making ground on Herlings.
Herlings turned it up and moves even closer to Cairoli. Cairoli looks back and sees Herlings on his back wheel. Less than a second in it. After 12 laps Anstie moved back into the top ten as Coldenhoff drops to 11th.
Desalle and Febvre in a dogfight with each other for third place, and Van Horebeek closing on those two. Desalle does a little block pass as he passed Fevbre.
Herlings all over Cairoli, this is motocross at its best as the King and Prince fight for the lead. Cairoli suddenly gets away from Herlings in this cat and mouse contest.
Two laps to go and Herlings closed up a little, but Cairoli still has the advantage. Lappers everywhere with a lap to go. Amazing battle to the end.
What a brilliant start to the MXGP season as Cairoli gets the moto win from Herlings, brilliant racing as the two KTM riders congratulate each other. Third is Desalle.
Cairoli took the holeshot again in the second MXGP moto, followed by Desalle, Van Horebeek, Febvre, Simpson, Herlings, Paulin., Coldenhoff, Strijbos, and Bobryshev 10th. Bad start for the Brits with Searle and Anstie last and second last after a turn one accident. Lieber also down.
Cairoli quickly had a two second lead over Desalle. Herlings made a pass on Febvre just as the Frenchman made a small mistake. Seewer went down hard in a crash, and dropped out of seventh place.
After two laps it was Cairoli, Desalle, Van Horebeek, Herlings, Febvre, Paulin, Simpson, Coldenhoff, Nagl, and Bobryshev. Febvre all over Herlings in a great battle, with the Dutchman having the best of it.
Herlings on fire as he made great passes on Van Horebeek and Desall, but Cairoli was still clicking off great lap times.
Amazing watching the lap times in this race how Herlings would pick up a little on Cairoli, then the Italian would extend his lead.
After a rather uneventful period in the race Herlings started making time on Cairoli and with two laps to go, Herlings was onto the Italian.
Herlings is sensational as he passed Cairoli and just took off.
Ray Archer image
MXGP - Overall Classification
1 84 Herlings, Jeffrey 22 25 47
2 222 Cairoli, Antonio 25 22 47
3 25 Desalle, Clement 20 20 40
4 89 Van Horebeek, Jeremy 16 18 34
5 461 Febvre, Romain 18 16 34
6 21 Paulin, Gautier 15 15 30
7 24 Simpson, Shaun 10 14 24
8 33 Lieber, Julien 13 9 22
9 12 Nagl, Maximilian 8 13 21
10 259 Coldenhoff, Glenn 11 10 21
Sunday, March 4, 2018 at 10:43AM 
In our recent opinion piece, we noted that Harley-Davidson has a strategy to become a world leader in electric motorcycle production. Earlier today, Harley announced that it has made an investment in Alta Motors, which it describes as “a leader and innovator in lightweight electric vehicles”. Alta Motors, apparently, has principals affiliated with the founding of Tesla, the electric car manufacturer. Thus far, Alta Motors has focused on off-road and supermoto bikes.
Here is the press release from Harley-Davidson:
MILWAUKEE (March 1, 2018) – Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) announced today that it has made an equity investment in Alta Motors, a leader and innovator in lightweight electric vehicles, and that the two companies will collaborate on electric motorcycle technology and new product development.
“Earlier this year, as part of our 10-year strategy, we reiterated our commitment to build the next generation of Harley-Davidson riders, in part, by aggressively investing in electric vehicle (EV) technology,” said Harley-Davidson President and CEO Matt Levatich. “Alta has demonstrated innovation and expertise in EV and their objectives align closely with ours. We each have strengths and capabilities that will be mutually beneficial as we work together to develop cutting-edge electric motorcycles.”
Harley-Davidson has already announced the planned launch of its first electric motorcycle, informed by Project LiveWire™. That motorcycle is on track for release in 2019.
Since its inception, Alta Motors has designed and commercialized the world’s most advanced electric motorcycles, enabling everyone from pro riders to new riders to experience “the future of fast.”
“Riders are just beginning to understand the combined benefits of EV today, and our technology continues to progress,” said Alta Motors Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder, Marc Fenigstein. “We believe electric motorcycles are the future, and that American companies have an opportunity to lead that future. It’s incredibly exciting that Harley-Davidson, synonymous with motorcycle leadership, shares that vision and we’re thrilled to collaborate with them.”
As electric-drive innovation brings new levels of ease, accessibility and control, Harley-Davidson and Alta Motors aim to attract new audiences who are inspired by motorcycles and drawn to the “twist-and-go” ease and exhilaration of an electric motorcycle with no gears or clutch.
“We believe that EV is where global mobility is headed and holds great appeal for existing riders as well as opportunity to bring new riders into the sport,” said Levatich. “We intend to be the world leader in the electrification of motorcycles and, at the same time, remain true to our gas and oil roots by continuing to produce a broad portfolio of motorcycles that appeal to all types of riders around the world.”
Sunday, March 4, 2018 at 10:39AM Posted on March 04, 2018
Under beautiful weather conditions and in front of a massive crowd, Red Bull KTM Factory rider Antonio Cairoli has won a thrilling opening MXGP moto with a battle royal with Jeffrey Herlings. Third was Clement Desalle.
“It was a good start and I had a good rhythm, but I got some arm pump and Jeffrey came closer. Its isn’t a track I have good memories, but I did good.”
Cairoli took the holeshot in the opening MXGP moto, followed by Lieber, Paulin, Herlings, Febvre, Simpson, Van Horebeek, Desalle, Searle, Nagl, Bobryshev, Coldenhoff, Seewer, Anstie, Salazar.
Herlings a brilliant pass on Paulin to move into fourth, and Febvre in third. Cairoli quickly getting away from Lieber, and Febvre all over the Belgian. Herlings not making an impression on the front three.
Desalle and Paulin in a nice battle, and Herlings suddenly all over Lieber and Febvre, first passing Leiber and onto Febvre. Desalle also on the charge as he passed Lieber.
Herlings on fire as he makes a great pass on Febvre for second place and quickly got away. The Dutchman is the fastest rider on the track at present.
After three laps it was Cairoli, Herlings, Febvre, Desalle, Lieber, Paulin, Van Horebeek, Simpson, Seewer and Searle.
Cairoli turns it up a little to remain around four seconds ahead and after seven laps it was Cairoli, Herlings, Febvre, Desalle, Van Horebeek, Paulin, Lieber, Seewer, Searle and Coldenhoff. Anstie in 11th, Nagl 12th, Bobryshev 13th, Simpson 14th and Jaskonis 15th.
Herlings clocks the quickest lap of the race and moves to two seconds behind Cairoli, and Febvre also making ground on Herlings.
Herlings turned it up and moves even closer to Cairoli. Cairoli looks back and sees Herlings on his back wheel. Less than a second in it. After 12 laps Anstie moved back into the top ten as Coldenhoff drops to 11th.
Desalle and Febvre in a dogfight with each other for third place, and Van Horebeek closing on those two. Desalle does a little block pass as he passed Fevbre.
Herlings all over Cairoli, this is motocross at its best as the King and Prince fight for the lead. Cairoli suddenly gets away from Herlings in this cat and mouse contest.
Two laps to go and Herlings closed up a little, but Cairoli still has the advantage. Lappers everywhere with a lap to go. Amazing battle to the end.
What a brilliant start to the MXGP season as Cairoli gets the moto win from Herlings, brilliant racing as the two KTM riders congratulate each other. Third is Desalle.
Ray Archer image
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Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 12:36PM Posted on March 03, 2018
Red Bull KTM factory rider Antonio Cairoli has won the opening MXGP qualification with a brilliant ride in front of the large crowd in attendance. Second was Jeremy Van Horebeek and third Clement Desalle.
The MXGP qualifier started with Cairoli taking the lead into the first corner and then Herlings sweeping up the inside to take the lead. After a handful of corners leading Herlings was passed by Cairoli and then the Dutchman slide down and lost a bunch of places. Cairoli the master of mind games had won the first confrontation hands down.
Back in sixth place you can be sure Herlings had one thing on his mind now and that was to get back in the top spot. Top ten after two laps was Cairoli, Desalle, Van Horebeek, Lieber, Seewer, Herlings, Febvre, Paulin, Anstie and Simpson.
Bobryshev was riding well in 11th plac and then came Coldenhoff, Strijbos, Searle and Salazar.
Febvre passed Herlings who dropped back to seventh place, and Jasikonis was back in 25th. A lot went on as Febvre moved into fourth, Seewer dropped to fifth, Herlings was sixth and Lieber was seventh.
Coldenhoff has a massive crash, but got up quickly and was ok. Top ten after six laps was Cairoli, Desalle, Van Horebeek, Febvre, Seewer, Herlings, Anstie, Paulin, Simpson and Leiber.
With a seven second lead, it was obvious that Cairoli was in complete control, and showing us all again why he is so great.
After nine laps and its Cairoli by eight seconds then Van Horebeek, Desalle, Febvre, Herlings, Seewer, Paulin and Lieber. Both Anstie and Simpson went past Herlings, and Seewer was all over the Dutchman.
Simpson is riding well and goes past Anstie. After 11 laps Cairoli has an eight second lead and Seewer goes past Herlings to drop the KTM rider to 8th place.
Cairoli wins it from Van Horebeek and Desalle and Herlings repassed Seewer for 7th spot.
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