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/307350
IN THE WIND P24 said Andrea Dovizioso. The new tires will coincide with new technical rules for 2016, in- cluding stock electronics. "Different tires will be the big- gest point," said the Ducati rider; "much bigger than the change in the rules. I have used Michelin in the past, and the different [riding] experience between Michelin and Bridgestone is so big." Bridgestone's current three- year contract expires at the end of this season, but they agreed to continue to supply tires to 2015, pledging the same level of sup- port to the bitter end. Who will take Bridgestone's place? There was already one clear favorite – Michelin, whose long tenure and 26 World Cham- pionships was brought to an abrupt end by the introduction of spec tires in 2009. The new contract was put out to tender directly after the an- nouncement, but with a short deadline of 22 days, suggesting that the matter has already been agreed behind the scenes. This follows rumors of Michelin's re- turn at only the second race of this year. The French manufacturer has been involved with motorcycle GP racing since the 1970s, num- bering the introduction of radial tires among several important innovations; and achieving domi- nance for some years before and after the turn of the century. The success of Bridgestones and a few errors caught the French company on the back foot, leading to a number of top riders forcing a switch to the Jap- anese tires after Casey Stoner won the title on a Bridgestone- shod Ducati in 2006. Sensa- tionally Dani Pedrosa switched mid-season, causing shock and friction and ultimately triggering Dorna's decision to adopt control tires. Michelin withdrew, preferring an open competition. Currently Michelin are the spec-tire of the Spanish CEV championship. Michael Scott OLD SCHOOL SUZUKI S uzuki has gone a little old school with its release of the all-new TU250X that's slated to arrive in dealerships this month – except if you live in California. The 2015 Suzuki TU250X is definitely a modern motorcycle dressed in retro style with its little 250cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine, a throwback to the old days (only with fuel injection) and wrapped in a classic steel frame. Throw in a disc brake on the front and a drum on the rear, a low seat height of 30.3 inches, a low-slung chrome exhaust and a price tag of just $4399, and Suzuki might have a winner on its hands. The TU250X comes with a 3.2-gallon fuel tank, an old- school round headlight and a pol- ished side cover, and is available in one color: Metallic Silver and Glass Black. Unfortunately, Suzuki says the bike won't be available in Califor- nia.