Casey Stoner with Team HRC at Motegi2014 Honda MotoGP TestingDue to rain plaguing the Motegi circuit in Japan Wednesday and Thursday, Casey Stoner’s planned testing aboard the 2014 Honda MotoGP machine were halted.Stoner, who retired from MotoGP following the 2011 season, is helping Team HRC evaluate the prototype that will replace the RC213V machine in 2014.
Speaking of the uncompleted tests, Honda says “wet conditions on both days in Motegi have prevented two-time World Champion, Casey Stoner, from completing his testing duties for HRC. The test team will stay at Motegi with Takumi Takahashi testing in the wet conditions.Rain also affected testing in early August at Motegi. During that test, Stoner re-familiarized himself with the RC213V prototype that Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez currently race. The Australian also got some laps in on the 2014 machine.Stoner, who took the 2007 title with Ducati and the 2011 championship with Repsol Honda, was hired to fulfilled Honda’s full test program, including testing a few items on the current RC213V.Regardless of rumors, Stoner says he will not appear as a wildcard in any round of MotoGP.Honda is now hoping for better weather at the next round of testing at Motegi Oct. 2-3.
Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory + Steve ’Stavros’ Parrish
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
Hello everyone and welcome once again to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly podcast—Motos and Friends. My name is Arthur Coldwells.
Our first segment features the new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory. Senior Editor Nic de Sena brings us his report on the flagship version of Aprilia’s upright middleweight machine. He gives us insight into whether it’s worth spending the extra money on the Factory version, and also of course, whether this sporting Aprilia is really the motorcycle for you.
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The next guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In this segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with (arguably) one of the most interesting Suzuki race riders of all time. the iconic RG500 alongside teammate double World Champion Barry Sheene. The two were almost as famous for their exploits off-track, as for their success on it. Those were the days! Steve also raced the Isle of Man TT for about ten years where he won 13 Silver Replicas, and got a podium finish. His insight into that particular brand of mayhem are fascinating.
But there’s waaay more to Steve Parrish than his motorcycle racing. He is also the most successful Semi-Truck racer ever, and, little known piece of useless trivia—he’s my birthday twin: 24th February. He is a natural entertainer and you can’t miss his recounting of the world’s most entertaining—and arguably terrifying—double-decker bus ride ever. If any of you were actually on that hell-ride then we’d love to hear from you!
