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/926976
VOL. 55 ISSUE 2 JANUARY 16, 2018 P95 torcycle are available, but less alliteratively.) I – Idiot. None of whom are involved in this sensible sport. And also Ignition. Part of the electronic package that makes it possible to ride MotoGP bikes with so much power that they would otherwise dig big holes in the scenery. J – Japan. Where the mo- torbikes come from. Except for Ducati. And KTM. And Moto2's forthcoming Triumph engines. And (formerly) Mahindra, Pro- ton and Ilmor. So, not for Japan then, but maybe for "Jeneral." K – Klichés. Usually spelled with a "C", but heavy- duty use by TV commentators wore that letter out, and a beef- ier "K" was installed instead. L – Loitering. And impor- tant technique for Moto3 rid- ers, looking for a tow in qualify- ing. Needs to be done without officials noticing. Different from dawdling, because there is at least the intent to go faster. Eventually. M – Marquez. The riski- est champion since … well, it's hard to say, but Kevin Schwantz comes to mind. But, thanks to four-stroke engines, modern tires and clever elec- tronics, Marquez avoids injury more easily than his illustrious forebearer. N – Naughtiness and nudity. Generally practiced inside the motorhome. Al- though not always your own motorhome. O – Over-revving. Hard to do with all the electronic controls, but theoretically pos- sible on the over-run. Unless the slipper clutch saves you. No wonder race bikes are so reliable nowadays. P – Pit stops. Changes in conditions give riders the chance to show their terpsicho- rean skills. The best dancer? Marquez, of course. Q – Quotes. Always bland, never informative, often mean- ingless. Like: "I'm going to give my 100 percent." Nonetheless, the essential currency of mod- ern journalism. And Questionable Tactics. Vital in Moto2, on identical bikes bumping is often the only way to overtake. When Mar- quez and Zarco brought the technique to the big class, their rivals enjoy it less than the fans. R – Phillip Island. Well, R is for Racetrack, really, but Phillip Island is the best in the world, and closer alphabetically than the runners-up Brno, Mug- ello and Termas de Rio Hondo. S – Superbikes, racing's poor relation. How irritating that the humble production-based clunkers went as fast as the MotoGP prototypes at post- season tests. T – Testing. What they're not allowed to do. Only xxx tests next year, and even fewer in years to come. Small wonder that so many riders get hurt riding off-road or dirt-tracking, when there's not the chance to ride their own bikes between races. U – Underbones. The nickname for step-thru mopeds still used for low-level learner racers in South-East Asia. With predictably hilarious results. V – Valentino. He owns the letter, much of the paddock, a growing number of teams, the number 46, the attention of all the fans. Does he own racing? We'll find out when (or maybe if) he ever quits. W – Weather. Something that happens, often at inconve- nient times. But bad conditions almost invariably make for the most interesting racing. X – X-rays. Often the precursor to CAT-scans and crutches (see "C"). Y – for Why? What is the point of starting at one point, then risking everything at enor- mous expense to get back to the same place before anyone else? Why not just stay there? Z – Zarco. Otherwise what? CN