Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128145
o o o o Continued {rum page 3 how things pan out during practice and qualifying." The altered circuit layout remained the same for today's test as it 8 o was for the previous test, which was attended by a number of the leading AMA Superbike teams. No lap times were available from today's test. o o o o o o In its latest press release, Shark Plano Honda proVided an update on the condition of Justin Smith, who was badly injured in the opening round of the EA Sports Supercross Series. According to the release, Smith is doing "amazing" and is gaining strength every day. Smith is currently at home and is undergoing six hours of rehabilitation therapy per day. Doctors are working with Smith on his reading, memory and comprehension skills. He is now walking, talking and has been very upbeat, and Plano Honda wished to thank those who had offered their moral support. In the same release. the injury-plagued Shark Plano Honda explained its low profile at the recent Atlanta Supercross: • Again, injuries were rearing their heads this weekend. Billy Payne suffered minor injuries to his hand in a practice collision on Friday afternoon. Payne was landed on by another rider, causing lacerations to his hand. Unable to ride, Payne and teammate Scott Sheak were on hand signing autographs and talking to the thousands of fans in the pits on Saturday. Payne should be back in action at the next round in Daytona Beach, Florida." 8 o o o o o o o c o o o o o o o B Buell Motorcycle Company recently revealed its professional racing programs for the 2002 season, announcing support for the five-round national AMA Buell Pro Thunder series and the eightround national Formula USA Buell Ughtning Series, presented by Buell Pro Series Accessories .• Both Buell customers and dealers are actively involved in amateur-level racing around the world, and we're excited to add to that involve- ment by once again sponsoring programs that give our customers and our dealers an opportunity to compete at the national level in professional road racing,' said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer of Buell Motorcycle Company, in a press release. The AMA Buell Pro Thunder series, which pits Buell racers against twin-cylinder, triplecylinder and single-cylinder motorcycles from many other manufacturers, will be a featured event at select AMA Superbike rounds. 8 o o o o Another congressman has added his voice to those of motorcyclists who fear the federal government plans to overregulate motorcycle apparel, according to the AMA. U.S. Rep. Jim Shimkus (R-IU expressed his concerns to Dr. Jeffrey Runge. administrator of the National Highway TraffiC Safety Administration (NHTSA), dUring a hear- 8 o 8 108 MARCH 13,2002' c u e I • After gracing European shores for almost two years, Yamaha has finally decided to bring the FJR1300 sport-touring bike to the U.S. market. The bike is new from the ground up and features what Yamaha hopes will represent the perfect combination of supersport performance and first-class rider/passenger comfort with superb luggage-carrying capability. The FJR's aU-new 1298cc powerplant is the largest-capacity mill ever produced for a sport-touring motorcycle, according to Yamaha. They also claim that it pumps out more torque than anything else in Its class. Drawing upon the state-of-the-art engine technology found inside both the R1 and FZ1, Yamaha engineers created the FJR's liquid-cooled, 1298cc, 16-valve, fuel-injected DOHC inline four to serve up a huge spread of power over a wide rpm range. In addition, the FJR features shaft final drive that is silent and virtually maintenance-free The FJR's chassis features an all-new cast-aluminum frame for both superior rigidity and light weight. Constructed of massive, widely spaced twin spars that use the engine as a stressed member, the frame allows the engine's rigid one-piece cylinder/crankcase design to increase overall chassis -strength. Up front, suspension is handled by a massive 48mm conventional cartridge fork that is fully adjustable for spring preload, compression and rebound damping. Out back is a link-type, coilover shock setup, adjustable for both preload and rebound damping. The FJR features new one-piece, four-piston calipers, grabbing dual 298mm floating-disc setup similar to that found on the R1. At the rear is a slide·type caliper and a single 282mm disc with sintered pads. The FJR features plenty of creature comforts for long-distance comfort. Start with the electrically adjustable windscreen, which permits custom-shaping your very own wind-protection pocket from the comfort of a handlebar-mounted switch. A comprehensive instrument cluster h.ouses an electric analog tachometer and speedometer with an LCD display that includes an odometer, dual tripmeters, fuel and water-temperature gauges, and clock. The usual indicator lights complete the cockpit. High-rise aluminum handlebars deliver a comfortably upright seating position, while adjustable brake and clutch levers are an added touch of versatility. A large-capacity steel (good for magnetic tank bags, naturally) fuel tank provides long-range capability, while color-matched accessory saddlebags, which come as standard equipment, feature removable Inner bags that let you pack for the long haul. The 2003 FJR1300 will be available In sliver at Yamaha dealerships nationwide as an early-release 2003 model in late summer. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $ J 1,499. ing of the U.S. House Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee on February 28. The federal government is considering a proposal to require motorcycle-apparei manufacturers to report clothing defects to the NHTSA. The proposal is included in the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREADl Act. Shimkus said after the hearing that he is concerned • that the proposal is extending the intent of Congress too far. I do not believe we ever reporting requirements appears to go beyond what Congress intended in approving the TREAD Act, and that such a requirement appears to be • impracti- intended motorcycle apparel to come under the scrutiny of reporting defective tires or studying child-safety seats.' Shimkus has been working on the issue with the AMA and ABATE of Illinois. His comments came less than three weeks after U.S. Rep. C.L. • Butch' Otter (RID) expressed similar concerns to Runge in a hearing of the U.S. House Highways and Transit Subcommittee. Otter became aware of the issue throug~ let- Clear Channel Entertainment announced last week three changes to the 2002 ters from the Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety and the AMA. The proposal is part of a package the federal government has drafted that would, if approved by Congress, require motor-vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers to report customer satisfaction and other information to the federal government to help the NHTSA identify defects related to motor-vehicle safety. The AMA had previously told NHTSA officials that including motorcycle-ri€ler apparel in the n _ _ !IS cal and unworkable." Although the AMA supports improvements in rider-safety apparel, the Association notes that bringing federal bureaucracy into the marketplace could cripple an industry that has, on its own. made tremendous advances stretching back several decades. indoor facilities we do business with, Saturday night will draw even more spectators and we have been flooded by calls of support already," said Mike Kidd, vice president of dirt track for Clear Channel Entertainment. EI Cajon Motocross Park in EI Cajon, California, will hold its second race ever on March 9. The gates are scheduled to open at 11 a.m, with signups to follow. Practice will begin at 1, with racing to start at 3 p.m. No license Formula USA National Dirt Track Series, sanctioned by Formula USA. The originally planned Portland event has been removed from the schedule due to the city-owned Portland Speedway closing down and the track being dismantled. The Boise event originally scheduled for early September has been changed to September 28th. Lastly, the Tacoma event remains on the same weekend as originally scheduled, but has been upgraded to a Saturday-night event, with Sunday's event becoming a dirt-track motor sports spectacular featuring motorcycles, speedway karts and ATV quads. 'While we're disappointed with Portland closing down. the upper Northwest region is going to benefit tremendously from the Tacoma Dome event on Saturday night. This creates a weekend of racing inside one of the best or membership is required. Race fees are $25 for the first class and $15 for each additional class. The gate fee is $5, with kids five and under admitted for free. For more information, call 85817598619 or visit www.elcajonmx.com. Spectrum Motorsports the Ho~da Aprilia dealer in Lake Forest, Califomia, will begin its Summer Bike Nights on March 12 at 6 p.m .. with Spidi Clothing stepping up as the event sponsor. Future bike nights will be held on the second Tuesday of each month through October. July will be Spectrum's open house in its new building with special guest Noriyukl Haga. The guests for future events will include Kurtis Roberts. Miguel DuHamel and Freddie Spencer. and other Bike Night sponsors will include Arai, Shoei. Alpinestars. Dianese, according to Spectrum. CN