Honda Motorcycle Supercross Arlington Texas – Barcia Scores a Podium Finish in Texas

Nearly 54,500 fans filled AT&T Stadium—home of the Dallas Cowboys—Saturday night in Arlington, TX to watch not only the seventh round of the Supercross series, but also the opening round of the Eastern Regional 250SX class. It was an exciting night for Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Barcia who landed on the podium with a solid third-place finish.

450 Class

Barcia had a strong showing all day, finishing fourth overall in timed qualifying practice and battling his way to a second-place finish in his heat race. In the main event, Barcia didn’t get the greatest jump off the line but was able to slip to the inside of the first turn and come out in the top five. By the conclusion of the opening lap, Barcia had moved into third. At one point in the 20-lap race he was briefly passed, but countered back to reclaim third position.

“It was a good night of racing. Obviously I always want to win but third is great for me, especially since I haven’t had the best results so far,” explained Barcia. “Mentally this season has been a challenge so it feels really awesome to be back up on the podium. I wish I rode in the main how I did in the heat race. I felt really solid and think I could have caught James [Stewart] if there were a few more laps, but in the main I got pretty tight towards the end and was just trying not to make any mistakes. I am really looking forward to next weekend. I love Atlanta. It’s kind of like a home race for me, so I have a lot of friends and family coming, which is exciting. Hopefully I can get on the podium again.”

Team Manager Dan Betley said, “Tonight was a good night for the team. Justin rode strong all day and was up front and competitive in the main event, which is where he belongs. I think this gives us a lot of momentum heading into next week, so hopefully we can build off it and get another podium.”

After hurting his hand two weeks ago in Anaheim, it was uncertain if Muscle Milk-backed GEICO Honda’s Wil Hahn would even be able to compete this weekend. The Texas native proved otherwise by putting in an impressive effort, duplicating his best finish of the season in Oakland with another eighth-place.

“It’s been two weeks off the bike for me, which is a long time in the middle of a season,” said Hahn. “I took last week off because my hand just wasn’t ready and I wasn’t even sure if I could ride tonight. Two weeks without riding a dirt bike and then come in here and have the same finish I had in Oakland was pretty good considering the cards I’ve been dealt.”

Teammate Eli Tomac missed transferring to the main event by one position in his heat race, forcing him to the semi-qualifying round. Following a fifth in the semi, he moved to the main event where he finished 11th.

250 Class

This weekend also showcased round one of the Eastern Regional 250 Supercross class with Muscle Milk sponsored-GEICO Honda’s Blake Wharton, Justin Bogle and Matt Bisceglia taking the stage.

It was a tough start to the night for Bogle, who was forced to transfer into the main event via the Last Chance Qualifier. In the main, he put together a noteworthy ride to finish fifth. “My heat race was horrible, probably one of the worst races I have ever had,” said Bogle.”I just rode so much better in the LCQ, got that win, and that lifted me up mentally. I ended up kind of having another bad start in the main, but I knew the lines I wanted to ride and I ended up in the top five, which was my goal at the start of the race.”

Wharton struggled in the main event, going down in the slippery first turn and again in a corner later in the race. He was able to remount his CRF250R and finish seventh. Bisceglia looked strong throughout practice but like his teammates, he too had some troubles during the evening. Despite going down in his heat race, Bisceglia was able to recover and still score a transfer spot into the main event. Unfortunately he lost his rear brake on the opening lap and had to ride the entire main event without it.

The Focus: Yoshimura RS-9 Exhaust System

As a sponsor and supplier of cutting-edge four-stroke exhaust systems to the Honda racing team, Yoshimura® spends countless hours each year developing race bike exhaust systems and building products for consumers. As the largest motorcycle-aftermarket exhaust manufacturer in the world, the company has been building four-stroke exhaust systems since 1954. Since moving to the dual-exhaust system on the 2013 CRF450R, Team Honda Muscle Milk has used the Yosh RS-9 and switches between the Carbon Muffler for Supercross and the Titanium Muffler for Motocross. The uniquely sculpted Carbon Fiber end-caps feature a Tunable Insert System to fine-tune power delivery to rider preferences.

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Source: 3D CarShows (Ferreira, 2/17)

How to park your bike securely

Because having your motorcycle nicked is about twice as likely as your car being half-inched – and such thefts often occur in temporary parking locations. Of course there’s no guarantee that your bike won’t be stolen – if a professional thief wants your bike he’ll probably get it. But combining as many security measures as reasonably and practically possible can prevent your bike being targeted.

What do I need?

An assortment of measures that collectively secure your bike effectively. It’s easy to recommend using 15 locks but its neither realistic nor going to guarantee security. But a disc lock, U-lock in situ at your regular parking place, a well-chosen parking spot, some security marking and some labels/stickers which make it obvious how your bike has been secured should do the trick.

What about alarms?

Some like ’em, some don’t but every little helps. We’ve not gone into them in depth here as there are so many different types and should be fitted by experts rather than DIY. If you’ve got one, use it and ensure that it’s obvious that an alarm is fitted – this may deter any opportunist thieves from having a go.

Anything else?


You’d be amazed how many bikers neglect to use the main security device – the steering lock – most bikes come with. Do it. Just make sure you don’t leave it in ‘park’ mode (activating the parking light) by accident and drain the battery.

1. U-lock carrier – Safety first! Whichever type of lock you go for make sure you carry them on your bike correctly and safely. Many modern machines have U-lock compartments under the seat. If not, special carriers can be fitted, sometimes behind the number plate, as above.

2. Disc lock bag – Ditto chains and disc locks. Don’t put them in a rucksack. They should either be packed carefully into a pannier (ensuring you balance the weight on the other side) or in special bags which attach to the pillion seat.

3. Motorcycle parking bay – Picking your parking spot is one of the biggest factors in whether your bike becomes another crime statistic. The best places are where it’s busy and with secure poles or railings to lock your bike to. Council bike parks can be located via local council websites. By varying your spot, you’ll prevent thieves ‘casing’ your bike.

4. Lock around a post – Lock your machine to something solid – like a lamp post – as tightly as possible to make it harder for a thief to insert a scaffold pole or similar to lever off the lock. If you regularly park in the same place, leave your lock attached to a post. But remember, parking on a pavement is likely to land you a parking fine.

5. Park it somewhere visible – Parking in winter or at night requires extra vigilance so make sure your machine is left in a well-lit area where it is busy and/or overlooked. If your bike is in constant view and visible it’s much more likely to be left alone. If it’s hidden in the dark it can be tampered with.

6. Disc lock snug to caliper – Fit the lock through the disc snug to the caliper (so that if you forget to remove it before trying to wheel the bike forward it won’t move). Other tips to avoid riding off with the disc lock in place include using a disc lock warning cable and putting a reminder sticker on your top yoke.

7. Chains, it’s preferable to use the lock to secure your machine to an immoveable object. In addition they should be used to make the bike immobile in its own right. Fitting snugly through the rear wheel and swingarm is ideal. Team it up with a disc lock at the front.
8. Brake lever lock – One type of lock often overlooked, but which is almost as portable as a disc lock and can be a good supplement to other security devices, is the brake lever lock, which clamps the front brake lever fully on. Just try riding off with that on...

9. Smartwater – A security marking system based on what they call a ‘forensic fingerprint’ – basically a solution containing minute particles marked with a unique code. The solution, while being virtually invisible to the naked eye, glows under UV light and is practically impossible to remove. A handy way to prove a bike is yours.

10. Ultraviolet pen – Another cheap and quick way of protecting your bike is to mark all the main body panels, commonly with the bike’s registration number or your postcode, with ink only visible under ultraviolet light – although this is only a deterrent if your bike is labelled as being security marked.

11. Datatag – The most commonly used and respected electronic security marking system. Involves both security etching components and inserting scannable microchips into your bike, whose details are then logged on to a central database. Reckon on around £60 for a kit.

12. Security stickers – It sounds obvious but the biggest deterrent is making it obvious to potential thieves that your bike is fitted with various security devices – stickers saying ‘Warning – alarmed’ are a good thing, even if an alarm or suchlike isn’t actually fitted.

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Source: Motorcycle News (11/30, AP)

How to U-Turn a Motorcycle

It may look easy, but a smoothly executed u-turn on a motorcycle is more challenging than you might guess.

How do you perform a u-turn that looks effortless? Consider these tips and practice them in the safety of an empty parking lot, and you'll find yourself more easily turning your bike around on the street:

It's All in the Eyes

The old adage "You'll go where you're looking" holds especially true when it comes to u-turns. That said, don't look down, and keep your line of vision going through the turn, constantly focusing your eyes ahead, where you want to go, rather than towards the pavement below.

Ride Within the Friction Zone

The friction zone is the area where your clutch is slipping enough to transmit some, but not all power from the engine to the rear wheel. Don't try to u-turn in neutral, and don't do with a gear fully engaged, either; riding within the friction zone will give you more control over the bike through the throttle, which helps modulate the motorcycles's lean angle through subtle adjustments.

Drag the Rear Brake

Avoid using the front brakes during u-turns, as the forks are more sensitive to diving at low speeds. Gentle dragging of the rear brake creates stability, enabling better control while you're maneuvering your bike through the turn.

Keep Your Weight Mass Centralized

There's a natural tendency to stick your leg out when you turn (making it ready to break a fall), but your motorcycle will be more manageable when peripheral mass (ie, you!) is closer to the bike. Keep your feet on the pegs; if necessary, you might be helped by putting some weight on the outside peg, in a similar but more subtle way than you would while riding offroad.

Practice Turning Both Ways

For whatever reason, most people find it much easier to make tight left turns than right turns. To develop a more balanced u-turn skill set, practice doing figure 8s in an empty parking lot. The drill will build your muscle memory for both sides of your body. Similarly, try riding in a wide circle and narrowing your path so you're forming an ever-narrowing spiral; once you can't turn any more tightly, exit and try it again the other way. Remember to keep looking where you want to go, especially when you're changing directions.

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Source: About (Wasef, 1/19)

QUICK TIPS: PRETEND YOU ARE INVISIBLE

If you ride a motorcycle, you know that out on the road you might as well be transparent, because car drivers often look right past you. They might notice the car or truck behind you, but you, in all your “narrowness,” may not register in the visual cortex of even the most alert drivers.

Sadly, drivers might behave this way even when they’re not distracted by their cell phone, GPS, satellite radio, or other form of in-car infotainment. So how do you compensate for being “invisible” to drivers?

Be as conspicuous as possible. Wear bright clothing and a light-colored helmet. Always have your headlight on, and use your high beam or an aftermarket headlight modulator during the day (where allowed).

Take an approved rider training course. Learn how to maneuver your motorcycle in normal and emergency situations, and practice braking and swerving maneuvers often. Also understand that safe riding depends as much on the mental skills of awareness and judgment as it does on the physical skill of maneuvering the machine; respond early to possible hazards instead of having to react instantly to an emergency.

Take an approved rider training course. Learn how to maneuver your motorcycle in normal and emergency situations, and practice braking and swerving maneuvers often. Also understand that safe riding depends as much on the mental skills of awareness and judgment as it does on the physical skill of maneuvering the machine; respond early to possible hazards instead of having to react instantly to an emergency.

CAR DRIVERS ONLY SEE WHAT THEY EXPECT TO SEE, AND MOST DON’T EXPECT YOU TO BE PART OF THE TRAFFIC MIX. RIDE WITH THE RIGHT SKILLS, STRATEGIES, AND ATTITUDE. BE SEEN – BE SAFE.

That’s why an oncoming car driver might turn left in front of you at an intersection.

That’s also why a driver in the next lane, even if they turn and look in your direction before changing lanes, might veer into your lane.

Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation

10 Things Every Motorcycle Owner Needs to Know About Insurance

Texas is a highway haven for motorcyclists. From hugging the Gulf Coast through salty Galveston, where the Port Bolivar ferry puts bikers at the head of the line for a fast de-boarding, to the gut wrenching twisties outside of Lajitas along the Rio Grande, and from a Hill Country jaunt after a Bandera breakfast to an afternoon cruise among the wind-blown arroyos past Amarillo. Life is good on a motorcycle taking on a Texas road. Even better when you’ve got effective insurance coverage at an affordable price.

Before you saddle up for your next Texas tour, make sure you’ve reviewed these nine motorcycle insurance tips.

Choose your coverage carefully

Just as with your automobile insurance, you’ll find differing levels of motorcycle coverage. Depending on how valuable your ride is, you may opt for plain-vanilla basic coverage or full-coverage, including comprehensive and liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage. Which is ironic when you realize that most damage occurs to you and your bike — not what you hit. But most states require at least a minimal amount of liability insurance.

The more you ride, the more you save

Experienced riders earn lower rates with some insurance companies, so the longer you ride, the lower your premium will be.

Remember the upgrades

Most motorcycle insurance will cover the basics, but if you’ve bolted on some extensive and expensive options, be sure to price additional accessory coverage.

Consider a mileage cap

In many cases, the fewer miles you ride in a year, the lower your premium will be. Kelley Blue Book, the vehicle appraisal service, estimates annual mileage is about 3,000 miles for sportbikes between 600-900 c.c., while touring bikes accrue an average of about twice that: 5,000 to 6,000 miles a year. Your insurance agent may grant a lower premium for a mileage cap on coverage.

Consider paying annual premiums

You can save a few bucks by paying your premium annually, rather than semi-annually, quarterly or monthly.

Garage your bike

Keeping your motorcycle locked up and in a secure garage can lower your insurance costs, too.

Consider a cruiser rather than a crotch rocket

Riding a twistie-gripping sportsbike rather than a laid-back cruiser will hike your insurance rates. Sure, on a cruiser you sacrifice some style and performance but you are likely to pay less for insurance – as well as for speeding tickets.

Join a riding club

Believe it or not, some insurance companies will give you a premium discount simply for being a member of an approved riding club. Manufacturers often sponsor riders groups and can be a good source for insurance discounts, too.

Advanced riding courses earn discounts

Taking a safety course, such as those offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, can earn you a break on your insurance. A clickable map on the MSF website lists locations of nearby learning events, but if you don’t see one available in your area you can sponsor one of your own. Anyone can order the materials and teach the course.

Let’s ride!

Owning a home can also reduce your cycle coverage cost. And, like automobile insurance, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. Plus, most providers will offer you additional discounts for insuring your home, car, bike and boat with them.

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Source: Neighbors Go, Plano (01/16)