Trudy Ulrich, Author at Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News

February 2025

Trudy Ulrich — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 02:04:22 +0000

On the Front Cover: Bobby Fong, 34, started racing as a little kid. He re-ignited his career in 2019, when he won the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship. Now, five years later,
he has earned the Superbike ride of his dreams. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

—

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Log in HERE to read the February 2025 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.

FEBRUARY 2025 ISSUE

FEATURES

Inside Info: 1160cc Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS; KTM 390 SMC R
and 390 Enduro; 1890cc Indian Sport Chief RT; KTM sells stake in MV;
Loudon Classis gets a $400,000 purse and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1971 Norvil Production Racer

Quick Look: The 2025 Aprilia RS 457 May Be A Game Changer

Intro: The 2025 Husqvarna 801 Vitpilen, A Bigger & Badder Roadster

RACING

MotoGP Analysis: Moving MotoGP Takes 200 Semi-Trucks

Superbike World Champion: Toprak On How He Rides Like That

MotoGP Analysis: Pedro Acosta Just Wants To ‘Go Flat-Out’

Hanging With: MotoAmerica Superbike Winner Bobby Fong

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: Putting Wings On A Yamaha TZ750 In The 1970s

10 Years Ago, February 2015: 10 Years Ago: American Kenny Noyes was the new Spanish Superbike Champion and was on the cover; Nova Racing Transmissions was featured; we profiled the Monlau Competition Technical School (a.k.a. “MotoGP University”) for future racing mechanics; MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley looked back at the career of 250cc World Champion Carlos Lavado.

New Products: Racebike Chain Adjusters, Subframes, Brake Discs, and more…

The Crash Page: Corey Alexander Airborne At Chuckwalla

The Kids’ Page: Kendall Leonard

2025 Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Reuniting With SDK

*******************************************************************

Click here to receive a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine (print edition). One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.

The post February 2025 appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

January 2025

Trudy Ulrich — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 00:38:58 +0000

On the Front Cover: Fabio Di Giannantonio’s MotoGP career looked like it was over at the end of 2023 and again at the end of 2024. Now he’s one of only three riders with a contract to race a Ducati GP25. Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media Photo.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

—

Log in HERE to read the January 2025 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.

JANUARY 2025 ISSUE

FEATURES

Inside Info: KTM Vows To Continue Racing, Ducati Introduces Panigale
V4 Tricolore, FIM Sanctions Bagger Racing In Europe, and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1956 DKW 350 Triple

Intro: Triumph Speed Twin 1200 and Speed Twin 1200 RS

Shops: The Renaissance Of Fantic And Minarelli

RACING

Racer Profile: Garrett Gerloff’s World Superbike Adventure

Racing History: Shooting Star Johnny Cecotto

MotoGP Analysis: Marc Marquez Tells (Almost) All

MotoGP Analysis: Fabio Di Giannantonio Is A Survivor

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: R.I.P. Bob MacLean; 98cc 111-mph 1950s Streamliner;
Outing Cherohala Skyway; Aero In The USA, Back In The Day

10 Years Ago, January 2015: Racing Editor Chris Ulrich rides the 2015 BMW S 1000;
Yamaha introduces the limited-edition YZF-R1M ; Shops Visits Sportbike Track Gear; Marc Marquez wins MotoGP races; Sylvain Guintoli’s Superbike World Champ on an Aprilia; and BEi Racing beats AOD to win the WERA Endurance Championship by 0.66-point!

The Crash Page: Marc Marquez Crashed Less In 2024!

2025 Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: On Track With Van

*******************************************************************

Click here to receive a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine (print edition). One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.

The post January 2025 appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

December 2024

Trudy Ulrich — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 02:06:02 +0000

On the Front Cover: It’ll take more than the many wings and aero devices on Pedro Acosta’s 2024 GasGas-branded KTM RC16 MotoGP racebike to keep financially-challenged KTM AG on two wheels. Photo by Gigi Soldano/DPPI Media.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

—

Log in HERE to read the December 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.

DECEMBER 2024 ISSUE

FEATURES

Inside Info: Bimota KB998 Rimini, BMW’s R 12 S and F 900 R and RX, Triumph Tiger Sport 660, Honda’s Supercharged V3 and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 75 Years Of Grand Prix Racing

Intro: Royal Enfield Shotgun 650

MotoGP Analysis: It’s All About Rear Grip

Racer Profile: MotoAmerica’s Sonya Lloyd Goes International

Shops: Dancing On Pavement With ChaChaCha Motorsports

RACING

MotoGP: Martin vs. Bagnaia In 2024’s Final Swing

MotoGP Notes: Espargaró Bows Out, Alonso Wins 14

MotoGP: Post-Season Tests With New Riders, Teams, and Tech

Baggers Invade Spain: MotoGP Hosts Harley-Davidson Baggers

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: An Open Letter From MV Agusta; Attention For Cornerworkers

10 Years Ago: Racing Editor Chris Ulrich rides a factory KTM RC8R AMA Pro Superbike on the cover of the December 2014 issue. Mat Oxley looks at the KTM versus Honda battle in Moto3. Inventor, bike builder, and racer Dan Hanebrink talked about his 1970s monocoque-chassis Monotrack, powered by a three-cylinder two-stroke snowmobile engine with a belt-drive continuously variable transmission

The Crash Page: Miller, Binder, Quartararo Pile Up In Malaysia

2025 Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: A Good Lap At VIR

*******************************************************************

Click here to receive a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine (print edition). One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.

The post December 2024 appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

MotoAmerica’s Weird & Wild Super Hooligans, In the October Issue

Trudy Ulrich — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 15:07:25 +0000

Featured in the October Issue of Roadracing World:

A Ducati Streetfighter’s Journey from Showroom to Racetrack

Roland Sands is the son of a custom bike builder, won the AMA 250cc Grand Prix national championship in 1998, is an entrepreneur and designer, and is also very energetic. Take Roland’s aesthetic, mix it with his philosophic synthesis of custom bike culture, punk rock, and road racing, and you get his racing class: Super Hooligan.

As Roland explains: “My dad’s always been into motorcycles but he started as a chopper guy. He was building springer front ends out of Long Beach, California, and started a company called Performance Machine. I was racing grand prix 250 bikes and at the same time, I was the head of design of Performance Machine. That’s where the genetics of racing and outlaw chopper design came together. It was a really cool time because I would come out, I’d race motorcycles, and then I’d go home and I’d design motorcycle parts…”

“What the **** Is A Super Hooligan?” By Sam Q. Fleming

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.

Click here for a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine. (Print Edition, one sample issue per household, U.S. address only.)

PREVIEW October 2024 Issue of Roadracing World

Click to SUBSCRIBE NOW ! Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

—Read the October 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.

Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld

The post MotoAmerica’s Weird & Wild Super Hooligans, In the October Issue appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Quick Look: Long-Travel 2024 Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+

Trudy Ulrich — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 14:03:32 +0000

Featured in the October 2024 Issue of Roadracing World:

They Call It A Sport Crossover!

Suzuki has bridged the gap between its sport touring GSXS1000GT+ and its V-STROM 1050 adventure machines with what it calls its new “Sport Crossover” model, the GSX-S1000GX+.

The GX+ is closely related to the GSX-S1000GT+. They share the same fuel-injected, liquid-cooled 999cc inline four-cylinder engine from the 2005 GSX-R1000. Compared to the GSX-R, the GX+ engine has less compression (12.2:1 versus 12.5:1); steel valves in place of titanium valves; and a lower redline (11,700 rpm vs. 13,000 rpm) to match. It also has different camshaft profiles, and modified power delivery. Suzuki claims the engine produces 151 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and 78.2 lbs.-ft. of torque at 9,250 rpm. When strapped to a dynamometer and measured at the rear wheel, that works out to be 133.69 horsepower @10,230 rpm and 72.2 lbs.-ft. of torque at 9,030 rpm…

“Quick Look: 2024 Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+” By David Swarts

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.

Click here for a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine. (Print Edition, one sample issue per household, U.S. address only.)

PREVIEW October 2024 Issue of Roadracing World

Click to SUBSCRIBE NOW ! Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

—Read the October 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.

Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld

The post Quick Look: Long-Travel 2024 Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1957 Moto Guzzi 350, In the October Issue

Trudy Ulrich — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 16:04:59 +0000

Featured In the October 2024 Issue of Roadracing World:

Everyone loves a David versus Goliath story or even simplicity beating complexity. Back in the 1930s and 1940s Moto Guzzi developed both 250cc and 500cc single-cylinder machines. The 250cc Single was so successful, it won the 250cc World Championship from 1949 through 1952! After 1952, competition pushed Moto Guzzi down the championship results table.

In 1953 the 250’s bore and stroke were stretched from 68mm x 68mm to 72mm x 80mm as a SOHC 320cc racebike to compete in the 350cc World Championships. Later that year the engine became a DOHC with bore and stroke of 75mm x 79mm, for 348cc. This configuration proved very successful with Fergus Anderson winning the 1953 350cc World Championship, with Enrico Lorenzetti finishing second on a similar machine. Continual development by a smart engineer named Giulio Carcano resulted in Moto Guzzi Singles winning the 350cc World Championship from 1953 thru 1957! So, what made this rather antique-looking machine so successful?

“Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1957 Moto Guzzi 350,” by Mick Ofield

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.

Click here for a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine. (Print Edition, one sample issue per household, U.S. address only.)

PREVIEW October 2024 Issue of Roadracing World

Click to SUBSCRIBE NOW ! Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

—Read the October 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.

Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld

The post Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1957 Moto Guzzi 350, In the October Issue appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

November 2024

Trudy Ulrich — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 23:38:16 +0000

On the Front Cover: Toprak Ratzgatlioğlu (54) won the 2024 Superbike World
Championship after coming back from injury. He then rode BMW’s latest M 1000 RR for PR photos, seen here with teammate Michael van der Mark (60). Photo courtesy BMW.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

—

Log in HERE to read the November 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.

NOVEMBER 2024 ISSUE

FEATURES

Inside Info: : BMW M 1000 RR, S 1000 RR, M 1000 R, S 1000 R;
Triumph Tiger Sport 800; Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1973-1974 Yamaha TZ250A

Intro: 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 & Vitpilen 401

Intro: 2025 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Gets Muddy

Hanging With: Racing Prodigal Son Andrea Iannone

Baby On A Strider, Superbike Book, More From Barber

RACING

MotoGP Analysis: Tom O’Kane Is The Godfather Of Traction Control

MotoAmerica Superbike: Josh Herrin Is Now A Two-Time Superbike Champion

-MotoAmerica Inside Info: Mat Mladin’s Return To The USA

MotoGP: Ducati Dominates With Martin & Bagnaia

-MotoGP Notes: 2026 Engine Specs, Joe Roberts Out

World Superbike: Toprak Razgatlioğlu & BMW Are Champions

-World Superbike Notes: Ducati Wins Constructor’s Championship

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: Survivors Re-Connect; KTM 790 Duke’s Lower Pricing

10 Years Ago, November 2014: Racing Editor Chris Ulrich was on the cover of November
2014 issue after test-riding seven S 1000 RR racebikes from racing series around the world; his favorite was a World Superbike Evo S 1000 RR from BMW Italia.

The Crash Page: Last-lap Fall Ends Maria Herrera ‘s Women’s Championship Bid

Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Good Times At Daytona

*******************************************************************

Click here to receive a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine (print edition). One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.

The post November 2024 appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

MotoGP Analysis: How MotoGP Tires Work, In The October Issue

Trudy Ulrich — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:00:42 +0000

Featured in the October Issue of Roadracing World:

From the sidelines it can be difficult to find tires exciting and interesting, but believe me, they are the biggest key to success in MotoGP. Race teams that design and set up their bikes in a way that enables them to extract the best out of the available tires already have one hand on the prize before the race even starts. But how do teams choose the right tires, and what should the riders pay attention to? We spoke with Michelin Two-Wheel Motorsport Manager Pierro Taramasso to find out how current MotoGP tires work…

Slip Is Grip! In addition to a higher dynamic coefficient of friction (grip x wheel pressure), a certain degree of wheel spin also increases the level of grip between the tire and the road surface. Really: If the tire starts to slip, it actually increases its grip level!

Pierro explains: “For a tire to work well, you need the correct air pressure that allows some movement in the carcass to create some heat, but you also need to generate some spin. Not enough (spin) and the grip drops, too much spin and you overheat the tire and see the grip drop.” But what is enough spin, and when is it too much?

“How MotoGP Tires Work,” By Peter Bom

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.

Click here for a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine. (Print Edition, one sample issue per household, U.S. address only.)

PREVIEW October 2024 Issue of Roadracing World

Click to SUBSCRIBE NOW ! Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

—Read the October 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.

Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld

The post MotoGP Analysis: How MotoGP Tires Work, In The October Issue appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Racing History: The Slippery Tale of Aerodynamics, In the October Issue

Trudy Ulrich — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 03:19:44 +0000

Featured in the October Issue of Roadracing World

Enzo Ferrari allegedly once said, “Aerodynamics are for people who can’t build engines.” Physics says Ferrari was wrong, because drag increases with the square of speed, so the faster you go, the more important aerodynamics become. Therefore, no one thought about reducing drag by making the motorcycle and rider more streamlined in early days, because the bikes weren’t fast enough. Only in the 1920s did racers and record-breakers start thinking about how to make their motorcycles slip through the air more easily.

When World War I fighter ace Owen Baldwin established a new motorcycle land-speed record in 1928, his 60-horsepower Zenith-JAP was equipped with small, dished fairings on either side of the front wheel. He copied these from the Sopwith Camel he flew in the war.

Baldwin improved his own aerodynamics by wrapping a car inner tube and sticky tape around his torso, to stop his overalls from flapping around. Another competitor wore women’s stockings for the same reason. Baldwin’s rudimentary aero thinking took the record to 124.55 mph. That was the start of it. Within 10 years the record had been pushed to 173 mph, with the fastest machines wearing full streamlining, like war planes without wings. Rapid engine development during World War II increased the need for reduced drag when racing resumed. So-called dustbin fairings transformed the look of Grand Prix racing in the 1950s but were considered dangerous, especially in side winds, so they were banned. Aerodynamics became a lesser science in motorcycle racing until recently, when Ducati introduced downforce aerodynamics to Moto GP. This is a different science, not decreasing drag for improved straight-line speed but turning drag into grip by pushing the tires into the asphalt…

“The Slippery History of Aerodynamics,” by Mat Oxley

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.

Click here for a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine. (Print Edition, one sample issue per household, U.S. address only.)

PREVIEW October 2024 Issue of Roadracing World

Click to SUBSCRIBE NOW ! Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

—Read the October 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.

Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld

The post Racing History: The Slippery Tale of Aerodynamics, In the October Issue appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

October 2024

Trudy Ulrich — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 20:28:40 +0000

On the Front Cover: Hunter Dunham (170) raced a Ducati Streetfighter in a
2025-eligibility-test for the performance-balanced Super Hooligan class. Sam Fleming joined the Tampa Ducati crew for races at COTA and rode the bike afterwards. Brian J. Nelson photo.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

—

Log in HERE to read the October 2024 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.

OCTOBER 2024 ISSUE

FEATURES

Inside Info: The limited-edition Aprilia RSV4 X ex3ma comes with ground-effect aerodynamics; Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak; Yamaha YZF-R1 for street use in the USA and track-use-only in Europe; and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1957 Moto Guzzi 350

Quick Look: Long-Travel 2024 Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+

MotoAmerica’s Weird & Wild Super Hooligan Class

Tried & Tested: Alpinestars Missile Ward V2 Suit & SMX-6 V3 Boots

MotoGP Analysis: How MotoGP Tires Work

RACING

Racing History: The Slippery Tale Of Aerodynamics

MotoGP: Marc Marquez Attacks At Aragon And Misano

MotoAmerica Superbike: Beaubier & Kelly Win At COTA

World Superbike: With Toprak Out, Petrucci Wins!

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: What Happened To Pilot USA, And Kobas 250s Racing At Daytona In 1984

10 Years Ago, October 2014: Cory West was airborne on an EBR 1190SX streetbike on
the October 2014 cover. Marc Marquez ran rampant, winning his 10th straight MotoGP race, which was held at Indianapolis. We looked at Honda Grom racing in Texas, and Shops visited Baxley by Providence, creators of the wheel chock seen in paddocks nationwide.

The Crash Page: Phillip Hranicka at Portland International Raceway

Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: 2024 Season Wrap-Up

*******************************************************************

Click here to receive a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine (print edition). One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.

The post October 2024 appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.