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*Liam's Wild Ride*

zx7biker said:
Dude, cool shirt. But if you keep looseing weight, I'm gonna have to pack up some Tamales and send 'em to ya. Those should make some weight stick to ya.

Mike. C..............
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Didn't you hear? Everyone is losing weight this season. . . . . because we're all trying to get closer to Pedrosa!

Nicky, Hopper, Hofmann, and even Checa, are all on the bandwagon, haha. To be honest, I tried to pack on some weight this past Xmas (and even when I'm with my team, I out eat everyone), but I still end up being skinnier than I was. Not sure what to do about that, other than try to eat even more. Mainly, I think that this is what I would be like if I never ate junkfood in the states, because basically I'm riding my BMX around a little bit in BCN, and I don't go to any fastfood places. I eat pizza a lot, some candy and cookies here and there, and lots of soda's (unfortunately). I would think that my beer intake would show, but it doesn't. Actually, this season is going to be so different for me, because I expect to be working through the evenings and back at the hotel wherever I'm at, meaning - No Partying! I don't want anything bad to happen, no mistakes, and now that I'm responsible for a lot of things, I have to remember that. Am I getting older or what?!?
 
MotoLiam said:
- No Partying! I don't want anything bad to happen, no mistakes, and now that I'm responsible for a lot of things, I have to remember that. Am I getting older or what?!?
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Welcome to Adult hood (at least now you can appreciate Strip bars when you get the chance!)
Do you get to pack up your BMX with you for the races? or did Ducati give you a new Red one?
 
I'm working on a way to stash one of my BMX's in the racetruck so I can zip around at the European circuits. No promises, but I've got my fingers crossed. And, no, Ducati did not give me one of these. The street model is automatic, you pedal and as it senses the speed increase, it changes gears for you, electrically. Pretty slick for a bicycle.
 
But no where near as cool looking as your GT Baby!!!
 
Team KR!

Ok, one of the biggest stories in MotoGP this past season was the incredible achievment of Team KR. This has been overlooked by tons of people, and it's pissing me off a little. I've always liked the underdogs, and no team personifies this more than KRSR's crew - unless of couse, you're counting mine, haha. I'm trying to line something up, maybe a nice phone interview with the guys or something similar. What kinds of questions would you guys be interested in asking?

I don't know if this is actually going to happen, but it's a neat though. Speaking of neat, here's a shot of their Motegi chassis, which I believe was used through the end of the season.

Incidently, I picked up these same Alpinestars shoes at MotoStrano and they work great! All day comfy and durable, too. I wish my team was using them in '07, and hopefully I won't have to wear those goofy skateboard shoes I had in '06.


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This is an earlier version, photo taken at Daytona in March, source unknown. Note the plate aluminum brackets for the rearsets. And you think your parts are trick?

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Re: Team KR!

MotoLiam said:
Ok, one of the biggest stories in MotoGP this past season was the incredible achievment of Team KR. This has been overlooked by tons of people, and it's pissing me off a little. I've always liked the underdogs, and no team personifies this more than KRSR's crew - unless of couse, you're counting mine, haha. I'm trying to line something up, maybe a nice phone interview with the guys or something similar. What kinds of questions would you guys be interested in asking?
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That would be really really cool. I'm a fan of theirs as well. I think one reason there hasn't been much hype about them this season is because there's a perception that they're doing better solely because the Honda motor bailed them out and that they were gonna completely tank without it. I realize that it's not that simple and that there's a tremendous amount of work and thought that goes into what they're doing, but I guess there are purists who think that now they're not staying true to their original ideal of doing everything their own way.

While that may be silly, I would like to ask them this. How do they feel about their own chassis development vs Honda's program? Are they trying to leverage their own agility as a company and be quicker to turn designs around? Or is there some kind of chassis development relationship between them and Honda? Do they get any data from Honda that help them or is it the opposite with Honda using them as a small R&D offshoot for themselves? I know that in the past Honda have made statements along the lines of wanting to be mainly an engine development company, right around the time they gave their 990 motors to what-was-their-name that Japanese team.
 
MotoLiam said:
We're off for a couple weeks to Sepang and Phillip Island, and I hope to finally get some surfing in this winter. Any Australian Barfers out there near Melbourne?
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Hey, Liam. I'm not in Melbourne (actually around 1000km north of there), but I'd love to meet you and chew the fat. When will you be in Melbourne, date and time-wise?
 
Hey Liam. Your threads are so addictive. Most people have never even imagined the back stage of MotoGP is this interesting. Hope one day Speed Channel will put out a documentary about your story.

Yes, Euros are very skinny somehow. Is it all the walking? Something in the beer? Non-fast food culture?
 
introspective1 said:


Yes, Euros are very skinny somehow. Is it all the walking? Something in the beer? Non-fast food culture?
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It's all the walking, lack of cars (not every family has a car nor more than one per person), the non-fast food culture and the non-corn, not Genetically Modified supermarket culture. Even the supermarkets are smaller.. At least they used to be.

And finally there is skinny fashion esp. with french or spanish young ladies.
 
Hey Liam I know Barros isn't your 'guy' but I was wondering if you've had a chance to chat him up about being in gp's again?

In regards to KR, I'd like to know if he could see making room for Kurtis at some point?

How long does he think his relationship with Honda will last? What's left on his contract now and is there any reason to believe Honda would choose not to renew? Even if his team started taking considerable points away from the primary Honda riders? (long shot but why not?)

I'd also like you to let him know how great it is to see his team doing well and wish him the best for 2007. Things have never looked better for the team, lets hope it comes together for them. :)
 
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Ok, a little KR news (or not) . The team is looking at adding a second rider, but dont know who is on their list. Alot has to do if they can pick up a corporate sponser to help pay the bills. KR jr (as all can see) is revitalized and ready to go! Just cant see him retireing for a few more years. Next, when I talked with SR last year a possible 'special' road bike is on the back burner . Wouldn't that be cool? Last, and I think this is pretty commen knowledge, that the swing arm that they devloped was used off and on by Honda USA in AMA Superbike (dont know about WSBK). Those guys are pretty amazing for a small team! It was very cool of them to alow me into their pits durring Laguna last year ( I was a guest of one of Jr's friends ) and talk with me and answer my questions when they had a million other things going on!
 
introspective1 said:
KR has some nice bikes.
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Yes, and it's only getting better. At this time last year, their 990 was still under construction, but already the KR212V is in Japan for an HRC inspection.

Here's what I'm talking about: KR212V

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other side. Note the undertail fuel cel, just like the HRC bike, and the accurate rear wheel speed sensor pickups. I'm curious if this bike is running the two stage air intake, like the RC212V, because it would indicate whether or not the electronics package is from HRC, or if KR is using another supplier. Chances are they're using the full HRC goodies. I'll be sure to ask.

Speaking of asking things: Thanks for posting some of your questions. When I have time I'll compile a bunch of them for future use. Some of them I can answer myself, give me a couple minutes to look through everything.

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OK, KRJR isn't likely to retire anytime soon, as long as they have a competitive package. They'd like to add a second rider, but the primary hold-up is sourcing additional HRC engines and parts. This is a huge factor. Sponsorship comes next. From what I remember talking about with the boys, HRC doesn't have too much involvement with the design and set-up of the bike, as in, Team KR is pretty much free to make their own design and stick with it. I don't think HRC is using them as a guinea pig. Actually, there's a great interview on MotoGPod if you do some digging for it. Chuck Aksland describes in pretty good detail what it's like working with HRC on their '06 bike.

Oh, and some special Team KR products in store for you guys? It doesn't really start with the swingarms, but you'll first be able to get your hands on these. . . and then a whole host of products is in the works.

Gotta bounce, talk to you guys soon.

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Oh! I almost forgot! One of the neat things I was able to do while I was back last summer after the USGP was get some riding in out at Stockton. My much publicized crash took place there, and afterwards I had a chance to chat with Paul Giani of MotoStrano and put this little video together. I've been going to 'Strano for years (before Pauly G worked there even!), and they've always helped me out with whatever I've needed. I highly encourage any of you in the Bay Area to check them out or just shoot them a call if you're thinking about getting something for you or your bike. They're total enthusiasts, quite knowlegeable about a variety of riding equipement, and they're always willing to find a way to source what you need. I'm proud to list them as one of my personal sponsors, and I'd also like to send out a huge thanks to everyone involved in making this video: Joe W, Pauly G, and especially Endo (from Barf!).

MotoStrano and MotoLiam - YeeHaa!!!!
 
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