Roundstone

BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T30

2013-01-25T23:29:00.004+08:00

Bridgestone launches new motorcycle tyre

Bridgestone has announced the worldwide introduction of the BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T30 motorcycle tyre on 15th December 2012, with a European launch on 1st March 2013. The SPORT TOURING T30 is the latest tyre to join the BATTLAX line-up with technology based on Bridgestone’s development of MotoGP™ racing tyres.

The development concept of the new T30 is to give riders the real pleasure of touring, with improved handling and dry grip compared to the predecessor BT023 tyre. To achieve this, Bridgestone has developed a new compound, construction and tread pattern, all optimized for better rigidity and contact patch grip.

The T30 is the first Battlax tyre in the touring segment named “T”. Bridgestone now uses T for “Touring”, S for “Sport” and R for “Race” to more clearly position its extensive range of Battlax tyres.

“The new BATTLAX T30 helps riders find the real pleasure of touring: it gives them quick responsive handling, lets them hold the line they want and gives them the confidence to lean” says Vincent Van Houtte, Senior Manager Motorcycle Tyre Products, Bridgestone Europe.

Bridgestone designed the new T30 compound the way it does for MotoGP™ racing tyres: measuring the range of temperature in which the tyre should operate, and then developing the optimum compound to match the working range. This led to the development of RC polymers (MC tyre use), a compound that builds on the company's exclusive "NanoPro-Tech" technology. This revolutionary technology delivers improved grip and performance in actual use temperature applications.

For the tread pattern, Bridgestone has designed the front with “T-Cross” shaped grooves – straight on the centre and slanted towards the shoulder – giving quick and responsive handling. The rear pattern combines slicker shoulders with “swirled-shape” grooves, providing better contact on the lean in corners.

In-house testing against the BATTLAX BT023 predecessor shows the improved maneuverability and easy handling of the T30, giving riders the real pleasure of touring. Dry handling, grip and cornering all show improvement, with no loss of performance in the wet.

The BATTLAX series is Bridgestone's premium brand of on-road motorcycle tyres. Top of the line BATTLAX tyres race in the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) MotoGP, the premier motorcycle racing world championship series, for which Bridgestone is the official tyre supplier.

Bridgestone offers a wide range of BATTLAX tyres: from touring to racing, and for small motorcycles through to the largest machines. With a comprehensive line-up of motorcycle tyres, including the BATTLAX series, Bridgestone will strive to continue to support comfortable and enjoyable riding for motorcycle enthusiasts in the years ahead.

New CBR500R

2012-11-14T15:46:00.002+08:00

So, what's new about this bike ?

With the debut of the 2013 Honda CBR500R street bike, Honda has somehow managed to get the 500cc parallel twin budget bike to be the weapon of choice in the European Junior Cup — displacing the KTM 690 Duke from its racing duty. A grooming series for World Superbike Racing, the EJC series is a cost-effective way to get young future stars on bikes and in front of the people that could make or break their careers.

Hoping to give the CBR500R a bit more performance cred, something the 47hp machine might need to appeal to new riders who have to adhere to the A2 License requirements, but still want a proper “sport bike” for their first ride. As such, the Honda CBR500R race bike was debuted at EICMA today, and even got a little star power from one Jonathan Rea.

Singapore Apache

2012-08-14T12:37:00.003+08:00

My friend from Singapore sent me this photos ... he claim it happened in 2010..

he claim that the pilot manage to land this apache.

Johore Grand Prix

2012-07-18T14:25:00.002+08:00

Do you know ? That once Johore, here in Malaysia. Once, host the most famous Johore Grand Prix ..

The Grand Prix was first held by the late Sir Sultan Ismail, son of the late Sultan Sir Ibrahim in 1940, who was then still called the Tunku Mahkota of Johor.The race is to raise funds for the war. 4 races released in the event that lasted for 2 days. Participation is open only to invited participants only. These invitations are sent to all districts in Johor, including Singapore, Bangkok, Penang and Malacca. The second Grand Prix was organized in 1948.This time the Singapore Motor Club is a newly established at that time was the organizer and receive support from the Tunku Mahkota own.Grand Prix in 1948, lasted only for a day with 4 race is released, 2 to category of motorcycles and 2 for category cars. Second category is for motorcycle below 350cc and the other is 351cc and above. Both categories of motorcycle racing 5 rounds each. The Car is to cars below 1,500 cc, held 5 rounds. While another category was for Formula One cars, supercharged 1,500 cc and 4,500 cc supercharge and took a total of 10 laps. A total of 88 entries recorded in 1950 and 101 entries in 1952.

The total audience is no less than it was then, and the largest viewership recorded in 1952 with a total of 35,000 audience witnessed the race live.Total overall length of the circuit for one round is as far as 3.7 kilometers. It is also a circuit around the city of Johor Bahru area with a combination of straights and slow corners. The race started in front of the Post Office Johor Bahru with a straight shoreline of Lido Road called Jalan Tai Heng or now the route known as Jalan Sultan Ibrahim. Racers will then turn right towards the Johor Zoo beside Abu Bakar Mosque and next to a hill at the Jalan Gertak Merah. Then the riders will sprint down the hill before once again turn right in front of Ayer Molek Prison.
Straight along Jalan Ayer Molek also allows each rider to make the acceleration up to the line start / finish in front of the Johor Bahru Post Office. The ticket price is fixed at 5 Straits Dollars and the ticket can be purchased in Singapore and Johor Bahru. Most of the race were participated from the wealthy peoples from Singapore and Malaysia.
p/s- may be we need to revive back the racing spirit in Johore as the Royal Highness loves sports car.

Selling my K6 fully loaded Gixxer

2012-06-26T16:33:00.003+08:00

Hi all... time passes by.. looking for a great touring bike ..
Selling my fully loaded 1 litre K6 gixxer..
location : Johore, Malaysia

Caberg Hyper X Helmet

2012-05-15T06:14:00.004+08:00

Caberg is an English motorcycle helmet manufacturer attempting to make waves in the lucrative, but crowded US market. The company comes to the US with a new design, the Hyper X helmet. It features a clear visor that virtually wraps around the entire helmet.

The Caberg Hyper X looks like something you will see in a Sci Fi movie, or to be specific it looks like something from the prop shop of Ridley Scotts Alien prequel "Prometheus".

The Caberg Hyper X is a unique convertible helmet in that the chin section is removable which transforms it into an open face helmet. It's Bluetooth ready with seating pads for glasses or sunglass.

Speaking of sun, there is also a retractable sun visor that is operated by a single button placed atop the helmet. This helmet can be operated with one hand and with gloves one. The Caberg Hyper X also features a fully removable and washable inner liner. There is also a second large, textured button atop the helmet that opens and closes the vents for air circulation.

50 Years History Of FIM World Grand Prix

2012-04-05T22:48:00.000+08:00

Perhaps Hong Leong Yamaha can manage one here in Malaysia... but will they ??

HLY isn't true sportbike fan... well, if you visiting these country, perhaps you can join the celebration..

Here are the Celebration Event Calendar :-

Location	Date	Event
France, Coupes Moto Legende, circuit Dijon-Prenois	May 28-29	Yamaha Classic Racing Team parade
UK, Isle of Man TT	June 8-10	Yamaha Classic Racing Team parade
Netherlands, Assen	June 23-27	Yamaha Anniversary Expo
Netherlands, TT circuit Assen	June 25	Yamaha Anniversary Parade (at MotoGP Assen round)
Belgium, Bikers Classics, Spa-Francorchamps	July 1-3	Yamaha Classic Racing Team parade Yamaha Anniversary Expo
UK, Festival of 1000 Bikes, Mallory Park	July 8-10	Yamaha Classic Racing Team parade
Netherlands, Motor GP Eext, Oldenbroek	August 27-28	Yamaha Classic Racing Team parade
Italy, 200 Miglia revival, Imola	September 30-October 2	Yamaha Classic Racing Team parade Yamaha Anniversary Expo
UK, Motorcycle Live, NEC, Birmingham	November 19-27	Yamaha Anniversary Expo
France, Paris Motor Show	November 30-December 4	Yamaha Anniversary Expo

An Example Of Hot Press Forming (HPF)

2012-04-05T22:41:00.001+08:00

Hyundai Elantra proves it...

New Proton Flagship

2012-04-05T13:56:00.000+08:00

So.. they say it's coming..

2012-03-25T22:38:00.000+08:00

1000cc Honda Moto GP Bike Puts Out More Than 250hp

LCR Honda released specs (see below) for the 2012 Honda RC213v yesterday, claiming that Big Red has delivered more than 250 hp to satellite teams for 2012! By comparison, Ducati claims “only” 230+ horsepower from its new Moto GP bike.

Interestingly, despite the relatively long stroke design of its new bike (dictated by the new rule limiting bore size), Honda has fitted pneumatic valves to its new race bike. RPM limits (red line) will be dramatically lower than last year given the displacement increase (from 800cc to 1,000cc) and the new bore/stroke configuration, but Honda saw benefit from pneumatic valves, nonetheless.

LCR’s Stefan Bradl rode this machine to the 10th quickest time (within 1/10 of a second of Valentino Rossi’s time on his new Ducati) on the opening day of the final MotoGP test at Jerez. We will give you the full rundown on the final test when it concludes this Sunday.

Interestingly, LCR Honda has produced a superb “white book”, which you can see here. It is an elegant and interesting presentation of their racing team, sprinkled with quotes from Honda founder Soichiro Honda. Definitely worth taking a look.

LCR Honda RC213v

Engine features: Four stroke liquid cooled pneumatic valve engine, V4 ,DOHC 4

Displacement: Up to 1000 cc

Maximum Power: Over 250 HP

Maximum Speed: Over 350 km/H

Gearbox: Six speed “seamless” cassette type gearbox with alternative optional ratio

Clutch: Fully adjustable multi plate slipper clutch

Exhaust: Arrow Titanium line

Overall length: 2050mm to 2070mm up to circuit lay out and specification

Overall height: 1125mm

Overall width: 645mm

Weight: 157kg

Fuel: 21 litres capacity ELF

Oil: ELF

Chassis Features: Aluminium twin spare frame

Fully adjustable steering and geometry

Fully adjustable HRC magnesium triple clamp

Front Forks: Fully adjustable Öhlins TRVP25 diam 48mm upside down

Rear Suspension: Fully adjustable Öhlins TRSP44

Tyres: Bridgestone

Wheel: OZ

Front Brakes: Nissin 4 pistons caliper, 320mm Nissin carbon disc

Rear Brake: Nissin Twin piston caliper, 196mm Yutaka steel disc

Screen : Rama

Grip: ProGrip

Sprockets: PBR

All accessory: Rizoma

p/s - can't wait for Motogp 2012

DUCATI - NOW FOR SALE

2012-02-17T23:29:00.000+08:00

Yup.... DUCATI is up for sale. So do you have some extra 10 to 11 figure. Perhaps, this is the company you should buy.

According to the Financial Times, the 86-year-old company is for sale, just six years after its purchase by private equity group Investindustrial.

Investindustrial’s Chairman Andrea Bonomi told the Times “Ducati is now a perfect company but the further growth it requires needs the support of a world-class industrial partner…this year, we will work towards that partner.” In 2011, the group looked into taking the company public, but the story posits selling it to a rival manufacturer or automotive group would be the “more likely way to internationalize the brand further.” Is “internationalize” another way of saying “we can’t raise a billion Euros with an IPO?” Whatever it means, Bonomi told the Times he expects his family-owned group to realize three times its investment in the company.

So who has that kind of dough? Various sources report Volkswagen would like to enter the motorcycle market, Indian industrial giant Mahindra may prick up its ears, and of course BMW is always a suspect in this kind of thing, although BMW firmly stated it isn’t interested in buying other brands when the Italian financial newspaper Il Solo 24 Ore asked. We can also rule out Harley-Davidson. Bonomi said a “handful” of industrial groups in Asia, Europe and the U.S. were interested, but he wouldn’t name names.

Would it be a good investment? According to Ducati and Bonomi, of course. It has very low debt for this kind of company—just 1.7 times it earnings of 480 million Euros a year—has been experiencing sales growth in a global recession, and enjoys 9 percent of the world sportbike market (I couldn’t confirm those numbers, or get an explanation of what Ducati meant by sportbikes; I assume that means sportbikes over 600cc). I wouldn’t be surprised if a large Chinese or Indian company snapped it up, but we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for the storied brand.

350km/h is the top speed for MOTOGP 2012 !!!!!

2012-02-10T22:42:00.000+08:00

We have to watch this live on circuit, especially on straight track line. However, Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo has been quoted as being concerned about the safety issues posed by the top of speed of the new 1000s.

Specifically referencing 350 kilometers per hour (218 mph) as expected speed on some of the MotoGP tracks with long straightaways. He seems to be concerned about a flat tire or other mechanical issue causing a rider to go down at these speeds. He has suggested a top speed limit (which could be enforced by an ECU standard).

What do you think? It should be noted that Valentino Rossi (Ducati) does not seemed concerned with any safety issues relating to the more powerful bikes this year.

Nah... for me be it... either you got ball's or not..

Make No Mistake about the 2012 Gixxer

2012-02-10T22:31:00.000+08:00

Can't wait for the fun to start again...

2012-01-28T22:43:00.000+08:00

Approx, 26 days to go for SBK to happen in Philips Island..

Enjoy....

Andrea Dovizioso to join Cal Crutchlow at Tech 3 Yamaha

2011-10-10T23:20:00.000+08:00

Andrea Dovizioso has signed a one-year contract to ride for the Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP team in 2012.

The 25-year-old is currently third in the championship standings but had already been told he would not be kept on by his Repsol Honda team.

The Italian will partner Cal Crutchlow next season with fellow Brit Bradley Smith set to join the team in 2013.

Dovizioso said: "I am excited to become part of the squad and to be teamed with Cal. This is a new challenge."

He added: "Now that 2012 is sorted, I want to focus on finishing the season in the best possible way."

Dovizioso will replace Colin Edwards and his signing leaves Crutchlow's longer-term future in MotoGP unclear.

The Coventry-born rider is contracted for 2012 but with Smith tied up for 2013, only one spot in the team will be available after next season.

Tech 3 team manager Herve Poncharal said: "Andrea is without doubt one of the fastest riders in the world who has proven on a regular basis that he is capable of challenging for the podium in MotoGP.

"I am convinced that with Andrea and Cal we have one of the strongest line-ups on the grid in 2012 and both of them will demonstrate the potential of Yamaha's new 1000cc machine."

Another Kawasaki victory at Le Mans 24 Hours Moto

2011-09-30T23:39:00.001+08:00

The second win in a row for Kawasaki and the trio of Four, Da Costa and Leblanc. The Japanese marque has now equalled Suzuki's record of ten wins.

What a fight! The 24 Hours of Le Mans was a thrilling confrontation of four machines, and for the victors Kawasaki, it only emerged on Sunday morning. The frantic pace of this event in front of 82,200 spectators allowed the winners to beat the record distance of the event, dating back to 2005 with 834 laps (490.29 km 3), four more than six years ago.

In addition, Julien Da Costa, Gregory Leblanc and Olivier Four go into the history books of the Le Mans 24 Hours as the first crew to win two consecutive editions of this legendary race on the same bike and with the same number.

After an eventful night, the battle between Suzuki #1 (Delhalle / Sakai / Guittet) and the #11 Kawasaki continued during most of the morning. The two teams exchanged the top spot at each pit stop, and both ran the same strategy. Indeed, the two fastest drivers from each of the two teams took turns to try to obtain an advance sufficient to retain the lead after a stop. But at 10:40 Daisaku Sakai (Suzuki) returned prematurely to the pits with a mechanical problem. Although rectified quickly, the delay was enough to give Kawasaki an unassailable lead. Behind was the Yamaha YART #7 (Jerman / Martin / Baz) who secured the third place. The Austrian team had enough of a gap to slightly ease their pace towards the finish.

The Kawasaki Racing Team's Bolliger (Saiger / Stamm / Tangre) finished fourth. Big disappointment for BMW. Team BMW Motorrad 99 France leads the world championship of endurance but could not do better than seventh after a multitude of small technical problems set them back. It will not be until the 8 Hours of Doha (Qatar) on the 12th of November when the world champion team in 2011 will be determined.

After many changes of fortune between the three leadng teams in Superstock, finally the Events Team Motors, Suzuki is driven by Bocquet, Gines and Grarre prevailed despite a major technical problem. The Suzuki #50 had to pit because of a problem with a wheel but was able to make up lost time, relegating the #83 of Maccio Racing (Kawasaki Maurin, Richier, Moreira) to second. The #72 Junior Team Suzuki LMS lost time in the pits and finished third in Superstock with Tangre, Enjolras and Napoleone. These three bikes also complete the overall top 10.

Winners of the Open category was the Metiss JLC Moto #45 (Michael, Cheron and Huvier) that finished in twelfth position overall.

This 34th edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours Moto has delivered both a sporting and festive with 82 200 spectators gathered around a new date for this race.

2012 FIreblade Revealed

2011-09-25T22:55:00.000+08:00

So its true...

Hong Kong bikers already knew the bike look.. yet it just launch at Imola 2 days ago...

No more Cute Rabbit....

Two Honda race teams - Castrol Honda World Superbike and the Honda TT Legends - simultaneously unveil the 2012 Honda CBR1000RR in Imola, Italy and Le Mans, France on 23 September 2011.

2012 FIM Superbike World Championship – Provisional calendar

2011-09-25T22:50:00.000+08:00

The FIM has issued the provisional calendar for the 2012 Superbike World Championship season.

Click here for the pdf.

p/s - why still no race at sepang ?? remember 2010 .. SIC CEO wants this race to happen in Malaysia...

Launch of the NSF250R Commercial Road Racing Machine

2011-06-03T03:42:00.000+08:00

TOKYO, Japan, June 2, 2011 — Honda Racing Corporation will launch the NSF250R, a newly developed machine for the Moto3 class that will be added to the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix (WGP) in 2012. Sales of the new vehicle are planned to start in December 2011.

In developing the NSF250R, Honda took the “Next Racing Standard” as its development concept and reaped the benefits of racing technology cultivated in the RS125R, thereby achieving a high-level combination of outstanding controllability and racing competitiveness.
The liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 249 cc engine was specifically designed for Moto3 to be lightweight and compact while delivering high output. To achieve this high output together with excellent responsiveness, the machine incorporates a front-intake/rear-exhaust configuration with high charging efficiency, while adopting a layout with the cylinder tilted back 15° to concentrate mass.

To ensure power delivery all the way through to the high rpm range, the NSF250R adopts titanium valves for both the intake and exhaust to reduce friction. Furthermore, the design reduces friction between piston and cylinder and improves durability by offsetting the cylinder centerline and applying nickel silicon carbide (Ni-SiC) for the cylinder surface treatment. The easily replaceable cassette design selected for the close-ratio 6-speed transmission, allows gear selection to be optimized over a large variety of racing circuits.

The frame ensures a degree of freedom in cornering and nimbleness that matches and goes beyond the RS125R by revising the rigidity balance and the shape while inheriting the compactness of the RS125R. Even though the basic structure of the front and rear suspension is the same as the RS125R, the NSF250R-exclusive settings produce a machine with excellent riding stability.

The cowling makes the NSF250R the equal of the RS125R in aerodynamic performance, while a cooling duct on the under cowl improves the engine’s cooling performance.

As a new-generation road racing machine that complies with Moto3 regulations, the NSF250R will help revitalize road racing while meeting the expectations of road racers.

(Coloring shown for body and stickers is for photographic purposes only. The body color is all white.)

Fireblade lovers gonna hate this...

2011-05-11T00:46:00.000+08:00

Honda launches Casey Stoner replica Fireblade

Honda Australia has announced a special edition of the CBR1000RR 2011 Repsol Honda Fireblade in Casey Stoner colours and trim – sadly it’s only for the Aussie market but they have made a great video to promote the bike.

Star of the video is Australian Honda MotoGP rider Stoner who gets to put one of his own replica bikes through its paces.

The bikes will be limited to just 170 and are due into dealerships in Australia at the end of February.

Each Stoner special edition will come with a plaque of authenticity, a Repsol seat cowl and Stoner decals mounted on the motorcycle.

Purchasers of the bike will have Casey Stoner’s racing number 27, his signature and branding on the bike.

Honda's MotoGP gearbox explained

2011-04-06T04:48:00.000+08:00

Patent drawings reveal the workings of the new gearbox that has caused a stir in MotoGP

Recently acquired patent drawings have allowed us to examine the workings of Honda’s new MotoGP gearbox. It’s clever. Very clever.

It uses gears that spin freely on the output shaft when they’re not engaged, with internal ratchet mechanisms in each gear. There are four pawls on each ratchet – two take drive loads when the ratchet is engaged and the other two are used to limit backlash. During engine braking, the backlash-limiting pawls take the load.

These pawls are normally held in the “neutral” position, so the gear isn’t engaged, by sliding rods inside the output shaft. These rods have indentations in them, so when they’re slid into a particular position, they allow the pawls for one gear to engage (the pawls are sprung, so they will pop out and try to engage the ratchets on the inner circumference of each gear as soon as the selector shaft allows them to). Honda’s DCT twin-clutch system (banned by MotoGP rules) uses hollow output shaft technology to run one shaft within another to drive both clutch baskets.

On changing up to the next gear, first the backlash pawls in the first gear are disengaged (but not the drive ones) and the drive pawls in the second ratio are engaged. As the 2nd gear pawls connect with the ratchet inside 2nd gear, they take the load and accelerate the output shaft. Because the ones in 1st gear act as a ratchet, they can remain engaged right up to that moment – when the output shaft starts spinning faster than the 1st gear output ratio, the pawls will get pushed out of the way. Then, in the second stage of engagement, the backlash pawls in 2nd gear will be released and slot into place while the drive pawls in 1st gear are locked out of the way.

This new take on gear engagement has a couple of key advantages: First, it’s a seamless-shift arrangement (1st will be driving right until the moment 2nd gear takes over, and so on) so there’s no loss of drive. Second, there’s no conventional selector forks or gearshift drum, so it’s ultra-compact (the selection process is done via the rods inside the hollow output shaft). A corollary of that is that the gears themselves can be wider, and therefore stronger.

Finally, whenever you’re changing gear, the parts are moved in a sequence that means you’re never moving a part that’s under load. That means it’s easy to shift gear and doesn’t need powerful hydraulics (which MotoGP prohibits anyway).

The downsides are that it could really do with an electronically-controlled clutch to make the most of the system – allowing a modicum of slip as the gears are shifted to smooth the transition from gear to gear. Downshifts will rely totally on the slipper clutch to soften the torque loadings.

At the recent Jerez MotoGP race, several Honda riders did mention that downshifts were sometimes a problem. This system, as far as we know, is in its development infancy but the potential appears to be huge and for such a revolutionary departure the bugs appear to be minimal.

2011-03-18T19:05:00.000+08:00

JAPAN/EARTHQUAKE DONATION

The FIM supports the Japanese Red Cross and relays the following message:

The Japenese Red Cross heartily appreciate your kind offer of donation.

If you want to donate money to the affected population of earthquake and tsunami, please contact your national Red Cross/Crescent society, which may have already launched fundraising campaign within your country.

If your national society doesn’t collect donation or you wish to send your donations directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society, please direct your fund to the following bank account. If you need the receipt of your fund, please state so clearly in the comment section of the bank transfer order. All the fund received under this account will be transferred to the Distribution Committee, which is formed around the local government of the disaster-affected prefecture and to be distributed directly among the affected population of earthquake and tsunami,

Name of Bank: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Name of Branch: Ginza
Account No.: 8047670 (Ordinary Account)
SWIFT Code: SMBC JP JT
Payee Name: The Japanese Red Cross Society
Payee Address: 1-1-3 Shiba-Daimon Minato-ku, Tokyo JAPAN

Thank you once again for your generous offer. It is surely the source of encouragement for the affected population in Japan.

SBK 2011 Season has started

2011-03-06T16:44:00.001+08:00

So... the SBK 2011 season season has started.... well this post might seems a little behind... but since Ducati has won the first race... they might want to defend the ranking in this second round..... Donington Park UK... will be the next battle for these gladiators.... don't miss it...

last year championship...

What's happened to the VFR1200 tourer?

2011-02-17T18:43:00.000+08:00

Honda's missing bike that never was, but has it been replaced? The mystery continues

Yamaha World Superbike Team unveil 2011 livery

2011-02-17T18:34:00.000+08:00

The 2011 Yamaha World Superbike Team has unveiled the livery they will run for the upcoming World Superbike season. The new design features a Yamaha blue corporate racing colour scheme. The livery takes its inspiration from both the famous Yamaha speed block design and also one of the colours of the current production model YZF-R1, giving the bike a modern sleek appearance whilst emphasizing Yamaha’s racing image.

The team features an all new rider line up for the 2011 championship with 28yr old Italian rider Marco Melandri, a previous 250cc World Champion, stepping across from MotoGP to partner 24yr old rider Eugene Laverty from Northern Ireland who steps up from the World Supersport Championship. The new livery will feature prominently on the leathers of both riders.

The team continues its winter testing schedule on the 21st and 22nd February at the Phillip Island circuit in advance of the opening round of the championship in Australia on 27th February.