Honda Racer on the mend

American Honda announced on April 13th, that Honda Red Bull Racing star Ben Townley had successfully undergone surgery in Europe to look after a continuing problem with the rider’s right shoulder.

Honda Red Bull Racing team manager Erik Kehoe said in a statement, “Ben elected to have the necessary surgery, which also confirms his decision not to race the outdoor nationals due to the difficulties he was experiencing with his shoulder. We support him in his decision and hope to see him back to full health and racing as soon as possible.”

The Honda racer headed to Belgium for the operation, which was performed by Dr. Toon Claes. Townley, the former MX2 World and SX East Coast Lites champion, commented on his status and immediate plans.

“It’s been an unfortunate two years in my career, but the Honda Red Bull Racing team and all my sponsors have stuck by me. My shoulder was at the point where I could not commit to racing 100 per cent and with further tests and medical opinions we were able to pinpoint the problem. Red Bull will be lending all their support through their athlete performance team and will help me focus on my rehab and getting back to full health. The next step after that will, of course, be getting back on the race track.”

It is believed that Townley will stay in Belgium for about three more weeks, before heading back to America, where he will then begin his shoulder rehabilitation program.

Suzuki Racing News

Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing’s Ryan Dungey was victorious at the AMA Supercross LItes race in Seattle, Washington’s on April 18th.

Dungey got off to a great start on his Suzuki RM-Z250 and gapped the field to take the 15-lap race. He now has a nine point lead in the championship points race going into the final round of the Supercross LItes West Coast series next weekend.

In the Supercross class, Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Mike Alessi got the holeshot on his RM-Z450, led the way for the first few laps and then battled for a podium spot the rest of the way. However, he came of his bike momentarily, but got back on to finish in fourth place. Rockstar Makita Suzuki teammate Chad Reed had a tough time though. The defending, two-time AMA Supercross Champion fell at the beginning of the event and found the going was pretty tough from then on. Reed ended up in seventh place. Michael Byrne is still injured and didn’t compete.

Dungey said, “The track was falling apart out there but everybody stayed focused and worked hard. I was able to get a good start in the main and just took it from there… I’m just really happy with how the race went, the fans were great and now I have some momentum going into next weekend.”

Alessi said he got off to a good start by leading the first seven laps, but ended up paying for his mistake. However he was happy that he made up some points on racers in front of him in the standings.

The disappointed Reed said there are still two races left and anything is possible so he is now focusing on the races in Salt Lake City.

Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing will race again at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 25.

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Sale on Shoei Helmets!

If you haven't taken advantage of our recent motorcycle clothing special offers, you might want to hurry, as stock is quickly selling out! We are already sold out of the Saint Andrews graphic of the AGV Stealth helmet, and all of our reduced price RST Voltage 1pc leather suits have flown off the racks.

New Arrivals in North Harbour Motorcycles Clothing Department:

Wolf have a brand new textile range out called Titanium, we have the mid length jacket and matching trousers in stock. Retail prices are £224.99 and £179.99 respectively.

RST have a new 1pc leather suit called Fusion out. This is now in stock and retails at £399.99. They also have a new Ladies leather jacket called Mayfair and matching trousers that are at present filtering through. The jacket is £159.99 and the trousers £139.99 and finally Blytz have brought out a ladies boot in black/black and black/pink which retails at £60.00 and we have sizes 3-8 in stock.

Visit us today to see what other great deals we have on motorbike clothing and helmets!

Suzuki Racing News

FMF Suzuki Off Road’s Josh Strang won his second race of the season at the Big Buck GNCC, round four of the 2009 Grand National Cross Country series, in Union, South Carolina.

After going at it for a grueling three hours, Strang managed to cross the finish line just seconds ahead of his Suzuki teammate Charlie Mullins, who came in third place.

With the victory, Strang becomes the first repeat winner of the series. "The last two laps were quick," Strang said. "We all three wanted to get in the lead and pull away. It's definitely good to get that second win."

Mullins fired first, earning his third holeshot award and was quickly followed by Strang and the rest of the racers as they headed into the woods. Mullins managed to stay in the lead for the first few laps and then traded the lead with Strang, and others. As they sped through the dusty track, Strang manage to put some distance between himself and Mullins. From that point on, the two teammates went wheel-to-wheel until the finish, when Strang pulled a head by a few seconds to take the tight race.

Mullins said he felt good going into the last lap and was satisfied with his third place finish.

It was Strang’s second win in four rounds and it lifts him up to third place in points total with 87. Mullins, who won the opening contest, has raced consistently and sits in second in spot with 94 points and one win.

Kinetic Powered Motorbike

Ever feel guilty about not getting enough excersise when you take your bike somewhere instead of cycling? A new German company have designed a new motorbike which lets you get the speed and power of a motorcycle while still employing some pedal power:

The Erockit Motorbike is based on a revolutionary technology which connects human power with the electric engine of a motorcycle. The power of the running engine is derived from the muscle power of the rider.

The user rides the Erockit like an ordinary bicycle, but the power he exerts is multiplied electronically through the kinetically powered engine. The power used for the brakes works in the same way.

The Berlin-based company will release the first serial production of the Erockit later this year; a limited edition of 10 bikes is planned.

Source: erockit.net via Trendhunter