This is the MD250H by Moriwaki Engineering currently being used by Schwantz School.This pre- Moto3 racer was developed by Moriwaki for aspiring young racers to develop racing skills and probably was also to test the waters knowing the eventual phasing out of the then current 125cc 2-strokes.It sports a 48.4 inch wheelbase which is roughly 8 inches shorter than any current 600 supersport.At 194 lbs. it is also at least150 lbs. less than any current supersport motorcycle.With a CRF250X 5 speed engine churning out 32.6 bhp @ 11,000rpm, the little MD outguns a CBR250R by about 8 horsepower. Moriwaki frame and Honda RS125 suspension and bodywork complete the package to create a GP replica that looks very similar to the Honda Moto3 racer currently being flogged all over Europe.Although at $12,699 I might be inclined to buy the $4000 CBR  and spend the extra money tuning it up and on riding schools. Or one could go the the Gavin Trippe route and buy the CRF250X and convert it to roadracing and still save a lot of coin.

Besides the swingarm the NSF is eerily similar to the MD250H

This is GP Tech's answer to Moriwaki. I think a comparo is in order.

ROSSI AND MOTO GP SILLY SEASON

Yesterday Jorge Lorenzo signed a two year deal with Yamaha that puts an end to much conjecture about a deal with HRC and the uncertain future of many top level riders. The early retirement of Casey Stoner has thrown the MOTO GP world into a frenzy as to who will sign where and the eventual question of where will Valentino Rossi end up once the music stops. The addition of Marc Marquez adds further complication to an already huge mess. It has been no secret that Repsol has been grooming Marquez for a ride on the factory team which could happen in 2013 or 2014 depending on negotiations with Dorna.The rookie rule was introduced in order to help satellite teams gain some exposure by showcasing new and up and coming talent which also boosts thie sponsorship.

A newly proposed rule that would allow only four motorcycles per factory compounded with the already in place rookie rule would leave Rossi's only avenue into a factory Honda to be through Dani Pedrosa as Rossi would want more than a one year contract and Repsol will want Marquez in a top spot. HRC is still not happy with Rossi's departure to Yamaha in 2004 and would probably not allow him on the factory team anyway. This now swings his fortunes towards the satellite teams , which will only allow a rider and not his entire crew to enter their garages, as they have slowly built their relationships with crew and sponsors over many years and do not have the budgets to make huge changes for only a season or two.

The proposed new rule would also not allow a newly formed team to exist with any satellite bikes unless Rossi can convince Ezpeleta to pospone this rule ( which I'm sure Repsol will also support in order to circumvent the rookie rule for Marquez's sake) until Dorna can come to an agreement with the factories. This leaves a factory Ducati ride or a CRT ride as his only clear options and I'm sure we all know which he would choose were that the case. Ducati on the other hand is the smallest of the factories in MOTO GP and cannot afford to pay Rossi his huge salary and develop their GP bike at the same pace as Honda or Yamaha. Either way, if I were Dani Pedrosa right now, I'd be sweating.

Dirtbag Challenge

San Francisco is one of the most bike friendly big cities in America and I think this video made it seem even cooler. I first read about this event in Cafe Racer magazine and was not aware of a documentary until browsing around on the interweb. Check out their Facebook page for more info.

Deus Ex Machina

I'm sure you've already heard of these guys, but I just wanted to show my dream job. If I won a million dollars tomorrow, this is what I would do with it. I would create a place like this. They build awesome bikes, have great bike shows, surf, and have beautiful girls always hanging around their shop. I couldn't be more jealous.

David Edwards Returns

Actually he never left, but has been contributing to Bike Exif and now has a new magazine that looks to be pretty cool. For a long time my favorite part of Cycle World was their American Flyers series which highlighted bikes built by individuals and small custom shops. Now Edwards has created a whole magazine dedicated to this same scene. I still love seeing all the newest latest and greatest, but there aren't many magazines that cater to the motorcyclist who isn't planning on buying a new bike (especially in this economy) but would maybe like to spruce up their current ride or just read about other people who have. With contributors like Neale Bayly I'm sure it will be a success. Please check out Mr. Edwards at  http://www.bikecraftmagazine.com/

Ducati Pantah

At the top is a Ducati 650sl or Cagiva 650 Alazzurra from the early 80's that has been turned into a racebike for the Historic Moto Gran Prix at Road Atlanta. Originally these motorcycles were good for almost 60HP at the rear wheel and could be tuned into the high 70's with careful assembly and much money. Below that is the Radical Ducati Pantahstica which is the ultimate expression of the old Pantah . I think it is amazing that the newer  Ducatis are all just evolutions from the original Pantah 500, including the 1198 which shares many aspects of its design and just won the World Superbike Championship last season. If you look closely I believe even the frame mounting points on the engine are the same.The new Panigale is the first all new design since that late 70's replacement for the old bevel drive Ducatis.       Photo source: Radical Ducati, Ducati.com

New Blog

Trying out the blog thing. Never done this before, but a friend of mine came up with this idea, so hopefully you will find it entertaining.