Bicoastal Bull: Honda Motorcycle and Honda Truck to Star in New Year's Eve Jump Feats.
Maverick - Dec 2, 2007

Bicoastal Bull: Honda Motorcycle and Honda Truck to Star in New Year's Eve Jump Feats.  When the ball drops on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas, Honda Australia motorcycle racer Robbie Maddison will try to get on the Guinness World Records list by setting a 300-foot-plus motorcycle distance-jumping record. A few hours earlier — at the stroke of midnight in the Eastern Time zone, in a location as yet unadvertised — Rhys Millen of the New Zealand auto-rally dynasty will attempt to do a never-before-seen back flip with an off-road racing truck.

 

Maddison will carry out his stunt at the Rio Hotel and Casino as the West Coast half of what's billed as The Red Bull Experiment. "I have ridden dirt bikes for over 20 years; this is what I do," commented Maddison, already the holder of "longest jump with a trick" honors for a motorcycle.

 

Leno receives the first cycle made with “Performance Cruiser Kit” and Mobil 1. Leno is not easily impressed by many of the new motorcycle models on the market. But when he climbed onto the brand-new motorcycle presented to him by S&S Cycle and ExxonMobil, Leno was clearly thrilled.

 

“Having ridden a variety of bikes, I can tell you that this motorcycle is really impressive. It represents the next generation of engineering and also meets 2008 California Tier II emission standards, so you can feel good about riding it,” Leno said. “S&S and ExxonMobil represent some of the most leading edge engineering and technology in their respective fields; it’s about American ingenuity.”

 

This motorcycle is the first to include the third-generation “performance cruiser” chassis/powertrain kit. The powertrain kit features the much anticipated X-Wedge™ engine and ExxonMobil’s flagship Mobil 1 motorcycle oil. A fitting pair, considering that each new S&S engine is not only end-of-line tested with Mobil 1, but also the initial fill for each completed engine.

 

The motorcycle also features high end components and controls. The special edition paint job, created by Dougz Custom Paint, features Mobil 1 and highlights the S&S 50th Anniversary, which will be celebrated at an event in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in June 2008. Leno’s bike will also be displayed at the 2008 Sturgis Rally and a select number of events throughout the year.

 

The X-Wedge™ engine is not only powerful and looks great, but also meets new 2008 CARB and 2010 EPA emissions standards, providing significant reduction in noise and gaseous emissions. This next generation v-twin is a departure from S&S' traditional engine design and a step toward the future of air-cooled, pushrod operated v-twins.

 

“For me this is the only air cooled motor that feels as tight and quiet as one that is liquid cooled, and that’s saying a lot. It’s got everything a guy could ask for, especially in an era when motorcycle manufacturers are getting away from air cooled engines. This bike has performance, power and a comfortable ride, which is especially important at my age,” said Leno.

 

The motorcycle itself weighs less than 550 pounds, has a wheelbase around 60 inches, rake of 28 degrees, and trail of 5.2 inches. The chassis is TIG welded, 1020 DOM steel tubular frame with a modular rear sub-frame. The build also includes 17” Michelin Pilot tires, Brembo radial binders, and Ohlins front and rear suspension.

The AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days roars into town on July 25-27, bringing with it the history and grandeur of featured marque Triumph. The following weekend, the fast and furious of the two-wheeled variety roll in with the Honda Super Cycle Weekend presented by Dunlop Tire, one of the AMA Superbike Championship Series’ most popular stops.

 

Mid-Ohio welcomes the AMA Road Race Grand Championships / Motocross Manufacturers Cup, September 19-21.

 

“We’re proud to have one of the strongest schedules in North American road racing,” said Michelle Trueman Gajoch, president of TrueSports, Inc. owner and operator of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. 

 

Season passes and individual race tickets are now available by calling 1-800-MID-OHIO or by logging on to www.midohio.com. 

 

Complete 2008 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Schedule:

·         June 20-22 - EMCO Gears Classic presented by Key Bank /Triple Crown Tuner Challenge

·         June 27-29 - Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio

·         July 18-20 - Acura Sports Car Challenge , The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance

·         September 12-14 - National Auto Sport Association Championships presented by Toyo Tires

 

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