The previous Wordpress.com version of this Web site had earned very high rankings in Google— at least compared to similar Web sites, but it’s not facebook. I really depended on that Google ranking. There are only two ways to take your Google ranking with you:
Don’t let your URLs change. If you want this one to work for your Wordpress.com Web site, then you really need to pay Wordpress.com to use your domain name from day one.
Use a 301 redirect to prove to Google, that yes, you really are moving, and that the new site really is yours. Unfortunately Wordpress.com would not allow me to do this.
Needless to say, my traffic here was devastated. People reading my words is what motivates me, and the lack of traffic indicates that people aren’t.
Why the ads? A number of organizations were satisfied that this is a valid form of media. (Thank you Ducati, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, DMG/AMA Pro, the AMA, and the rest!) But the Dorna rep said that they weren’t interested in helping anyone with a personal Web site. Those ads were an attempt to be more professional-looking.
Other reasons why my posting slowed down?
The 2009 racing season ended.
Most of my favorite racers, and their fans, are on facebook and willing to “friend” me.
Number two is the kicker. My readers are on facebook, so I have been posting to facebook.
There is only one way out of this mess. Move to facebook. Facebook apps are actually hosted on non-facebook servers, so I might be able to tweak this puppy so that it exists both as my Web site, and as a facebook app simultaneously.
The red line marks the point where I moved the content from http://dangerismymiddlename.wordpress.com to http://dangerismymiddlename.com. These are monthly statistics. Both axis on both graphs are different. The site reached 2,661 hits the month that it was ended, and topped-out at 4,742 hits the month afterwards.
These are weekly stats for the new site. Yes, moving without 301 redirects is that bad. Note: both axis on both graphs are different. The week that we reached 2,130 hits was a week where many people gave this page a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon.com: http://dangerismymiddlename.com/archives/3979
You heard it here first folks… Unless you didn’t. Scott Harwood— ASRA National Endurance Champion and AMA Pro Racer— is looking for an ride in the 2010 Isle of Man TT and the 2010 Isle of Man TTXGP (alternative fuels: hydrogen, electric, etc.) He will be eligible for all classes (TT SBK, TT STK, SeniorTT, TTXGP, etc.)
We wish Scott all the luck, and hope to be there when he rides the TT!
Don Emde shared this beautiful Isle of Man TT video with us on facebook, and mentioned that he wants to go next year as a spectator. The music is “Now we are free” by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, from the movie Gladiator. It was uploaded by Mirko Guzetta. Thank you Don and Mirko!
Isle of Man Tourist Trophy 2009 Steve Plater Onboard:
Scott Harwood shared this 2009 Isle of Man TT video with us:
Scott also shared a video from this year’s TTX with us:
Having stunned the motorcycling world with the Crosscage fuel-cell bike at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki applied the technologies to a more practical and accessible form of two-wheel transportation: a scooter. The result is the Burgman Fuel-Cell Scooter. The fuel cell is air-cooled and concomitantly light, compact, and structurally simple. A 70MPa hydrogen tank (the highest-pressure tank used on a bike thus far) allows a usable riding range. And the tank is mounted within a robust frame for safety.
Gladius 400 ABS
The Gladius 400 ABS is a stylish naked bike with a 400cm3 V-twin engine. It features a truss frame that combines rigidity with great looks. And its newly designed V-twin engine delivers plenty of power in a rider-friendly way. All told, the Gladius 400 ABS is great way to experience the nimble performance and classic throb of a V-twin machine.
Boulevard 400
Boulevard 400
The Boulevard 400 is a performance cruiser with aggressive bikini-cowled looks and a 400cm3 engine. Low, flowing body lines that give an unmistakable sense of performance are combined with inverted front forks and stylish cast wheels. The engine is a narrow-angle (45°), liquid-cooled V-twin with fuel injection.
Bandit 1250F ABS
The Bandit 1250F ABS is a fully faired tourer. Together with the compact body and torquey performance that make touring so enjoyable on the Bandit series, it has a sharply styled full fairing for heightened comfort.
Other Exhibition Model
Suzuki will also be showing a GSV-R racebike.
Production Models
The Suzuki booth will feature the following production models: Gemma; Skywave 250 Type M; DR-Z50; and Love SNA26.
Mavizen was created to support electric-vehicle motorcycle racing teams. (I believe that Mavizen is also the name of Azhar Hussain’s iPod accessory company.) Mr. Hussain founded TTXGP: a motorcycle race that took place at the Isle of Man TT in 2009.
Mavizen will be producing the Mavizen TTX02 electric racing motorcycle. The powertrain includes twin Agni motors, and a computer (Linux or Windows). The motorcycle will cost £25,000 (about $41,500 USD) with the Circuit Pack battery pack. Here are the battery pack options:
Circuit Pack: 6kw/h, 25 miles track use, 38/60 miles hard/gentle road use
Snaefell Pack: 11kw/h pack, 40 miles road racing, 75/130 miles hard/gentle road use, hot swappable power packs
Sprint Pack TBA. 3kw/h, 6 miles track use.
Click on the thumbnail images to see larger versions. Click on the larger versions to close them.
This looks like a great project, and we hope for this company’s success. We are suspicious about some of the claims though:
The winning bike, the AGNI X01, was produced by Agni Motors. The AGNI X01 was a converted Suzuki GSX-R 600. The Mavizen TTX02 is a converted KTM RC8 1190. Claims that the TTX02 is based on the winning-bike are potentially unfair to Suzuki and KTM. Apparently Mr. Hussain is making the claim based on the fact that both bikes have twin Agni motors. (sources: mavizen.com, egrandprix.com, agnimotors.com)
Mr. Hussain claimed that the bike makes 90 horsepower. Agni Motors claims that the twin-motor AGNI X01 made less-than 50 HP max, and only 12HP-per-motor at peak efficiency (source: agnimotors.com).
Top speed is claimed to be 130+MPH. Rob Barber, the TTXGP winner, and an experienced racer, only averaged 85 MPH at the TTXGP. He was clocked at 102MPH at the end of a downhill segment. We have to assume that Mavizen’s 130+MPH claims are based on a very different gearing ratio. EVs are not geared for high speeds, because that would either make them too difficult to control at lower speeds, or make them too inefficient to reach their destination. Speeds over 100MPH could be obtained via a transmission that was designed to keep RPMs relatively low. Modern motorcycle and automotive engines are designed to keep RPMs relatively high. This motorcycle does not have a transmission.
Here are eGrandPrix’s goals for 2010:
TTXGP UK Championship 2010 (four round goal)
TTXGP at the Isle of Man TT, May 29 2010 – June 11 2010
TTXGP USA Championship 2010 (four round goal): May 14-16, 2010 (AMA Pro weekend)
The much heralded Mavizen TTX02 came out from under the covers today to meet the brave new world
The bike has been nicknamed a ‘laptop on wheels’ and is being produced by TTXGP founder, Azhar Hussain, an entrepreneur with a background in consumer electronics. “We are living in a click culture and connectivity is the key, across the board. Our approach was to find how we could make a laptop go racing. We think electric vehicles have more in common with consumer electronics than traditional automotive.”
TTX02 is the first factory production vehicle to be delivered with a dedicated IP access and connectivity to the network. Each bike can be connected from any browser through an on board web server and WiFi.
Hussain continued, “By building on the open standards of the internet and the PC, we unlock the creativity and lower the costs of innovation for teams, enthusiasts and riders. TTX02 is a development platform that invites the potential for success previously seen in electronic hardware and software, into the automotive industry. We need to pick up the pace of innovation and make it real fast; TTX02 is a key marker in that journey”
Azhar Hussain founded TTXGP, the world’s first zero carbon, zero emission motorcycle race which took place at the Isle of Man TT in June this year. The TTX02 is inspired by the winning bike, the Agni X01. It has been built by TTXGP’s manufacturing arm, Mavizen, on a chassis supplied from the factory of one the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers.
Hussain continued, “The limited production bike, the Mavizen TTX02, gives potential participants a chance to acquire a bike that they can develop themselves to make it competitive and unique to them. Racing is brutal but at least with the Mavizen TTX02, the racers can start with a proven platform. Mavizen is about growing the grid by being an enabler by those who want to take part.”
The Mavizen TTX02 uses the rolling chassis of an FIM homologated and road legal bike. A world class manufacturer is supporting Mavizen by supplying direct from the factory, frames ready to be worked over by the Mavizen engineers.
Every owner will have the option to apply to their national vehicle licensing agency under various single vehicle type approval regimes.
Mavizen TTX02 will be available for delivery in Q1/2010 with a limited production of 50 units. Target price for complete bike with a Circuit Pack is £25,000. This will be a complete platform to take part in any national or FIM championship. To place your deposit and discuss options, please log onto www.mavizen.com.
His responsibilities will be handled by David Atlas, Tom Bledsoe, and Chris Harris.
According to David Atlas COO: “Roger’s health is first and foremost in our minds. Roger’s significant, multi-decade contribution to motorcycle racing is well known but nothing is more important than his health.”
Originally published 2009-10-12, edited 2009-12-26, content by Joe Salas and Paul Danger Kile.
Supermoto is a form of racing that combines on-road, and off-road, within the same track. The racers typically ride dirt bikes with road-racing parts added. What if one were to take an SV650 bike to a Supermoto race? It’s too big, right?
The photographer, Joe Salas, gave us permission to use the images here. Joe photographs track days, and races, and makes the photos available at 4theriders.com.
These tweets are being read from their publicly-available-rss-feeds at the moment that you load this Web page. We will never copy a protected Twitter feed to this, or any other, location. I did ask each rider, but only two chose to comment.
Scott Harwood had this to say about finding his tweets here:
"Btw I also like how you post tweets from racers on your site-- cool idea to get a more personal connection between race fan and racer-- keep up the good work :-)".
Paul James had this to say about finding his tweets here:
"...thanks for including my tweets on your website. Meat in the sandwich between Hayes and Mladin! I'm not worthy!!".
@JamesGangRacing ... Good luck Paul- this is what it's all about! Have some fun out there 6 days ago
@tinribster The American's- namely myself- must have missed the email on that one! No worries I have YouTube all day long haha! 1 week ago
My daughter Keira helps Team Go-Scooter-Go's TT mechanic Drew Hansen work on the GSX-R600! It's a family effort! http://twitpic.com/153rv42 weeks ago
Everyone has one moment in life while pursuing their dream- a DEFINING MOMENT. Next week will be OURS- Team Go-Scooter-Go's defining moment! 2 weeks ago
GOAAAAAAL TEAM USA hockey!!! Awesome game USA beats Team Canada 5-3!!!!! 2 weeks ago
@TheKingDre True dat! @dmcii Probably the Road America round. @twowheel253 I think it's going to provide some close racing and great sounds! 20 hours ago
@CW1Miles and @eiksbmr Thank you for the kind words! @dmcii We made it home and now the work begins to get ready for the next round. 1 day ago
We're adding a bike to our stable and searching for sponsors to take on the new Vance & Hines XR1200 spec class. http://tinyurl.com/yl2y3lz1 day ago
Daytona dream achieved. Thank you Amy, Mike, John D., Alex, Zach, John B., J., Dana and Stephanie. http://tinyurl.com/yfdwqgs What's next? 2 days ago
Excellent pit stop by JG/HB Racing crew. These guys did 4 great stops between Higbee and me. Owe it all to them! http://tinyurl.com/ydwv8qk4 days ago
On this episode of Cycle World Radio: RoadRacer Jason DiSalvo talks about leaving the USA's AMA ProRacing series behind and heading overseas to race a Triumph 675 in the international World Supersport Class. We find out about his early years, both successes and setbacks, and we get a good feeling for what makes this affable young racer tick. He talks ab […]
Steve broadcasts from our studio at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Steve talks about his current rides: his Buell 1125CR and the Kymco Xciting 500i. His main guest is Pro Motorycle Roadracer Steve Rapp (AMA #15). They discuss Rapp's career, his personality and a riding style, as well as his recent transition from teams using Kawasaki, then Yamaha and n […]
Steve talks about the MotoGuzzi Stelvio 1200ABS he is currently riding/testing, For the rest of the hour, Steve talks riding and racing with Chuck Graves. Chuck talks with Steve about his early days of motorcycle culture. He's the "Yoshimura of Yamaha". Steve and Chuck talk injuries, Willow Springs, following the money, the golden days of bike […]
Buell Motorcycle Company was shut down in October of '09 by Harley-Davidson. But Erik Buell is back with Erik Buell Racing. Steve welcomes Dave McGrath of EBR and they discuss Dave's background, his journey to EBR, his personal racing career, how he met Erik Buell, etc. Dave talks in depth about the Eurospec motor. Then Steve welcomes Twisted Throt […]
This week Steve has several bikes in his stable to review like the Victory CrossRoads. His first guest by phone is Gary LaPlante of about MotoVentures. We learn about Gary LaPlante as a teacher/instructor, his transition from racing, and how MotoVentures is a unique tour/training business model. Steve talks about having his 2 daughters take part in first tim […]
Steve broadcasts from the Cycle World International Motorcycle Tour in Long Beach CA. This is the third of three CWRadio episodes from this event. Steve begins in the Cycle World Magazine booth to talk about the Ride For Kids charity benefitting pediatric brain tumor foundation. The hot 2008 RSD Honda CBR 1000RR called "the Good Fight" that'll […]
Steve recorded this show on location at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach CA. This is the second of three CWRadio episodes from this event. He begins out in the Demo Ride Area where consumers test drive of several brands of bikes. Then he goes into the show to meet builder Edward West of Mission Motors and check out his Mission One […]
Steve recorded this show on location at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach CA. This is the first of three CWRadio episodes from this event. Steve begins with "the media tour," walking from booth to booth before the show opens to the public. First off is Victory Motorcycles. Mark Blackwell talks about featuring like Polaris […]
Segment 1: Aprilia Dorsoduro 750, Segment 2: International Motorcycle Show and charities, Yamaha R1 charity bike, Segment 3: Director of the Petersen Automotive Museum, Dick Messer, Segment 4:The physical toll of drag racing motorcycles, Segment 5: Daytona bike week and street racing, racing for money and what it leads to, starting out in moto drag racing, p […]
Segment 1: Steve broadcasts from the historic El Rey Theatre, Segment 2: The Bouncing Souls and their music, Segment 3: Dynofan and Harleys, sport bikes, Segment 4: The song Night Train and the bike that inspired it, Segment 5: Mike looses his voice test riding a new Aprilia Dorsoduro, Segment 6: The new dual clutch transmission on the Honda VFR 1200, best o […]
Former world champion and current factory Ducati MotoGP rider Nick Hayden files an audio column for SoupKast, catching you up on his recent activities, which include having surgery and going fast. Also, he confesses to moments of introspection, like, for instance, when he asked himself, "Why the %&@* am I going to Daytona, anyway?". […]
SoupKast by Honda 100 is a continuation of SoupKast by Honda 99. Subjects discussed are Moto2, John Hopkins' return to the US, James Toseland, and why some feel the new Mladin is a chap named Cal Crutchlow. […]
Okay, fine; you're right! While Soupkast 99 may be titled "The 81mm Bore" and those words may lead one to believe that this Soupkast is about the new 2012 MotoGP rules, this 'kast is actually more about Moto2. We just could not help ourselves from using that juicy and low-hanging title. Jim 'Jimola' makes a comeback on this Soup […]
Racer Jason DiSalvo woke up one day last week to a nice piece of providence. He learned that he would be a Triumph rider in World Supersport in 2010 and that he'd be testing the triple this week in Portugal. Afterwards, SoupKast spoke to him while he waited for his return flight in Lisbon. […]
A short Soup-o-kast with American GP rookie Ben Spies, who hits the MotoGP series in 2010 with his eyes wide open. He talks about MotoGP bikes and WSBK bikes and how they're really so different they can't be compared, how the lack of a dirt track background may not be a hindrance in 2010 MotoGP and the Texan also gives an impromptu riding tip for t […]
In this, the first Soupkast of Twenty-Ten, or the last one of 2009, we begin by looking back. Your intrepid Soupsters name their Top Ten Stories of 2009. We leave no stone (or Stoner) unturned as we reminisce about the past 12 months and all that happened in motorcycle roadracing around the globe. Rookie sensations, mysterious illnesses, and the devilish mac […]
Soupkast by Honda 95 features Julian Ryder giving his thoughts on the Valenica MotoGP race, with a focus on Ben Spies, who he said "rattled the cages of a few aliens". Other topics discussed: Valentino Rossi impressed by Ben Spies at Valencia. Pedrosa wins from the non-pole at V-town. And where Casey landed. Pre-race betting favored Ben Spies, and […]
A passing thought that we've had is that we could have Ron ten Kate as a guest on every Soupkast and all would be well. The Honda WSBK Team Manager is articulate, honest and a great interview - this is at least his second Soupkast audio appearance. We got him off truck-loading duty Sunday night at Imola and asked him a variety of questions, including […]
Ten minutes with newly-crowned World Superbike champion Ben Spies' crewchief, Tom Houseworth, on the morning after he and Spies won the WSBK title. Soup' thanks Tom Houseworth's sympathetic to the Soup cause wife Suzie, who instead of enjoying a morning walking around the Algarve with her rarely-seen this season husband, had to instead walk ar […]
Submitted for your approval: a short Troy Bayliss interview, recorded at Autodromo Enzo & Dino Ferrari, one interspersed with various sounds from Imola World Superbike 2009. […]