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/128224
Leigh Adams won the Final at the Sloven ian Speedway Grand Prix. round L C five of the FIM World Speedway Championship Series. at Krsko Stadium in C Krsko. Slovenia. on July 12. Nicki Pedersen finished second. placing him [ in a first-place tie in the overall standings. 89-89. with reigning champion C Tony Rickardsson. who failed to C C reach the Final. as did Greg Hancock. Scott Nicholls was third in the Final. o Chuck Woodford (Kaw) nabbed the overall win in round six of the AMA o National Hare Scrambles Series at Dutch Sport Park in Bloomingdale. Michigan. on July 13. Jason Raines 8 o (Yam) finished second. Aaron Weg- ner (Yam) finished third. Doug Lampkin (Mon) and Takahisa c c c c c c c c ·C o o o o o Fujinami (Hon) split wins in the Italian round of the World Trials Championship in Sestriere. Italy. July 12-13. On day Buell introduced two new models to its lineup of American-made sportrod motorcycles during its annual dealer meeting today, the 2004 Firebalt XB12R (pictured) and Lightning XB125. Both machines baast a 24-percent increase in torque and horsepower thanks to a new XB 1200 engine, which actually displaces 1203cc. The XB1200 utilizes the same lightweight 45-degree vtwin, with Buell's air/fan and oil-cooled systems and electronic fuelinjection. It is based on the 9B4cc engine that debuted in the Firebalt XB9R. The XB 12R achieves its extra displacement via a longer stroke, up from 3.125 inches to 3.812 inches. Both engines have a bare of 3.5 inches. The compression ratio is 10.0:). The XB 1200 sports new trickery in the form of the Buell InterActive Exhaust. An electronic actuator activates a butterfly valve housed in the muffler to adjust back pressure by altemating between two gas flow paths. The engine ECM monitors engine speed and throttle position while activating the valve to optimize torque and horsepower for the riding condition. At wide-open throttle, for example, the valve is operied at low rpm to reduce back pressure so the engine can gain rpm quickly. The valve closes in the midrange to increase acceleration torque and then opens again at high rpm to maximize horsepower. The system all adds more rumble to the XB 12's exhaust note. As part of the system, header pipe diameter is increased from).50 inches to ) .75 inches. The intake throttle body diameter is increased from 45mm to 49mm, and a stiffer clutch spring and new ) 4mm pitch, aramidreinforced Hibrex drive belt are fitted to handle the torque demands of the 1203cc engine. The primary drive ratio is lowered from 1.68:1 to 1.50: I. The gearbox ratios are the same as that on the XB9 models. The XB 1200 engine is the same physical size as the XB9B4 engine and thus offers a better power-to-weight ratio. High-flow heads and lightweight valvetrain are said to give the engine crisp throttle response, but power delivery is smooth, thanks to the engine's broad torque band. Buell InterActive Exhaust, and lash-free belt drive. Enhancing the look of bath XB12 models are new finishes, which give the machines a more finished appearance. Both machines bear a new Magnesium Tone engine case, clutch and cam covers and a Graphite Grey frame. The Surlyn bodywork is offered in either Midnight Black or Racing Red; the XB12R features a Graphite Grey frame and swingarm, Black-and-Amber tail and airbox graphics, Magnesium Tone dutch and cam covers, and a wild Amber wind· screen on the XB 12R. The cast aluminum wheels now baast an exclusive, new high-gloss translucent paint process that is Amber in color with natural variations and depth that give off a sort of wet candy apple appearance. The perforated seat cover completes the look. MSRP for both the Firebolt XB 12R and Lightning XB 125 is $10,995. The Firebalt XB9R and Lightning XB9S return this year at price of $9195, reduced from $9995. For more information, see your local Buell dealer or check out www.buell.com. one. Lampkin topped Fujinami and Marc Freixa (Mon). but Fujinami came Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexing- throughout the weekend. On the track. back the follOWing day to reverse the ton. Ohio. has hosted an AMA Super- the AHRMA vintage motorcycles will decision. beating Lampkin and Albert bike event since 19B3. Many of the power through Thunder Valley and dance Cabestany eBetl. Lampkin leads the same bikes that raced during the early through the" esses." Vintage Motocross World Championship over Fujinami. 239- years of that event will return for Vin- will once again take place over Mid- 231. with Freixa third on 202. The next tage Motorcycle Days. July 18-20. Ohio's rolling hills. The Vintage Time Tri- round is in France. July 19-20. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is a one- als snake over and around Mid-Ohio's of-a-kind event in the United States. cel- terrain in an off-road adventure. For John Hlebo III (Hon) won the Open ebrating the people and machines that event information and tickets. call 1-800- Pro main event at round three of Gene make up motorcycling's rich heritage. MID-OHIO or visit www.midohio.com. Romero's West Coast Flat Track Series. First held in 1992. the event has grown Charlie Roberts and the rest of the staff at the TIC. "Besides being one of the top riders in North America. Peters is well known as an excellent teacher and a very analytical rider. and he will be a great asset to our guests and to the sport of trials as a full-time instructor at TIC." a release from TIC said. "He will also work with our guests and customers on bike setup and maintenance for all brands. as TIC is a full-service dealer for Gas Gas. Sherco. Beta and Montesa. Ray will teach advanced trial the Watsonville TT at Watsonville into a complete weekend hosting hun- The FIM has announced the provisional Speedway in Watsonville. California. on dreds of competitors. more than 900 calendar for the 2004 Trial World July 12. Rick Hocking (Yam) won the schools and off-road riding skills and will vendors at the Will Stoner Swap Meet. Championships. The Indoor World Saddlemen Open Vintage main event. Chris Canepa (Hon) won the Honda and vintage motorcyclists of all ages. Championship schedule is as follows: Harley-Davidson will be the Featured November 29. 2003 - Monza. Italy; continue to compete on his Beta as one of the top contenders in the AMAINATC National Championships." The Trials Top Gun 450 main event. Mike Van- Marque at AMA Vintage Motorcycle December 12, 2003 - Hong Kong; Janu- Lienden (BSA) won the Classic Vin- Days 2003. celebrating the 100th ary 1. 2004 - Sheffield, England; January tage main event. Anniversary of the founding of Harley- 10 - Koblenz. Germany; January 17 - Davidson Motor Company and featuring Marseille. France; January 22 - Qatar; ~ Round five of the West Coast Flat Track an exhibit of classic motorcycles and February 1 - Barcelona. Spain; February Series. the Salinas TT at the Salinas memorabilia. Harley riders will be able to f \ Sports Complex in Salinas. California. L originally scheduled for Saturday. park their bikes in a Harley-Davidson- 14 - Pesaro. Italy; February 28 - St. Petersburg. Russia; March 6 . Madrid. only parking area located in Mid-Ohio's Spain; March 13 - Paris. France: March f\ August 2. has been rescheduled for infield. The AMA Museum will have a 20 - Riesa. Germany. The Indoor Trial Sunday August 3. At the event. Honda traveling history of Harley-Davidson on des Nations will take place in Paris. Top Gun 450 class - and only the Top display at Mid-Ohio. and Harley-David- France on October 20, 2004. The out- Gun 450 class - will be revised to allow son (along with Buell. BMW. Triumph door World Championship schedule for open traction event. Motorcycle track and Moto-Guzzil will have new models 2004 is as follows: April 3-4 - Bangor. Ireland; April 17-18 - Goveia. Portugal; Training Center is a motorcycle vacation resort specializing in trials and off-road riding skills. TIC provides guests with a full-service trials dealership. lodge. specialist and former AMA Grand May 22-23 - Motegi. Japan: June 12-13 Swap Meet has grown from what was - Duluth. Minnesota: June 19-20 - Eng- more information. call 714/529-6054. J located in the paddock. The Will Stoner and construct the racing surface. For L available in the Demo Ride compound National Expert Ricky Smith will design originally a 150-foot by 400-foot space land (tba); June 26-27 - Valdeblore. into this year's 35-acre area with over France; July 3·4· Aprica. Italy: July 17- rental bikes and equipment. cabins, campground and a 650-acre mountain riding area. For more information. visit www.trialstrainingcenter.com. After taking on the Supercross-style track of Glen Helen and the muddy hills of Mount Morris. the riders in the MPN Minibike Nationals presented by the Motorcycle Product News MotoBusiness Off-Road Expo and Motonews.com have had a month off to prepare for the series' home stretch. At all of the remaining rounds of the U.S. Chevy Trucks Outdoor Nationals Series. the Kevin Curtain (Yam) wrapped up his 900 vendors hawking everything from 18 - Encamp, Andorra; July 24·25 - fifth Yamaha Formula Xtreme title in the fully running bikes to pieces and parts Puerto Pajares, Spain; September 4-5 - industry minibike riders will race on Sat· urday night in pursuit of the inaugural o o o c o o seven-year history of the series after a for those classic machines and every- Moutier, Switzerland. The Trials des MPN Minibike National Championship. frantic final round battle at Eastern thing in between. Seminars, shows, live Nations will be held on September 11· Champions will be crowned in three dif· Creek Raceway in Sydney. Australia, music, and Rhett Rotten's Wall of Death 12 at a site that has yet to be deter- ferent classes - 50cc. Midsize and with his Nikon Yamaha teammate will provide entertainment off the track. mined. Clutch. The races have seen support from riders such as former SX race winner Tallon Vohland of Acerbis. Pro Cir- Daniel Stauffer. To add to his Xtreme and two motorcycles - a 1941 FL success. Curtain took the FX Super- .. Knucklehead" and a 2003 100th The Trials Training Center in Sequatchie. sport title. giving him unprecedented Anniversary Heritage Softail autographed Tennessee. has announced that effec- back-to-back wins in each class. by Willie G. Davidson - will be raffled off tive July 21. 2 JULY 23,2003' c u e I e ne1lVs Ray Peters will join cuit general manager Travis Wicks. Michelin's Randy Richardson. photo ace