MAY 2016 - Dunlop Motorcycle Tires

MAY 2016
RYANDUNGEY
coNteNts
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DUNlop INtroDUcEs thE All-NEw ElItE 4
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MotoAMErIcA UpDAtE: thE rEstArt
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lAst to fIrst
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DUNGEY GEts It DoNE
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hoolIGANs
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thE orIGINAl toN-Up tIrE
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strANG, rUssEll lEAD GNcc sErIEs
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sIDEwAYs
ON THE COVER:
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DUNlop ExtENDs thE lEGENDArY sportMAx fAMIlY wIth thE Gpr-300
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stEEl BENt cUstoMs
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UpcoMING EVENts
Dunlop’s all-new Elite 4 can get
you across the country six times
before it needs replacement. And it
provides great handling and fits
more than 200 different bikes.
Photo: Matty Fran
@RideDunlop
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Dunlop Download magazine is published for Dunlop Motorcycle Tires by Vreeke & Associates. www.vreeke.com
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DuNlop INtRoDuces
the All-New elIte 4
There are only three things you really need to know about the all-new Dunlop Elite 4: mileage mileage, and
more mileage.
Featuring Dunlop’s MT Multi-Tread™ rear tire technology, the Elite® 4 (E4) is offered in a broad size range that
fits a huge variety of new and existing motorcycle models. In many cases, riders will be able to fit E4s to their
machines and double the mileage compared to the single-compound tires they previously had to choose from.
theRe ARe oNlY thRee thINgs You ReAllY
NeeD to kNow About the All-New DuNlop
elIte 4: mIleAge, mIleAge AND moRe mIleAge.
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wIth the All-New elIte 4, You coulD
cRoss the couNtRY sIx tImes befoRe
NeeDINg to ReplAce YouR tIRes.*
*Test performed in March 2016 with 130/70R18 and 180/60R16 Dunlop Elite 4 tires on a 2007 model
Honda® Gold Wing® GL1800. Mileage results may vary depending on riding style and road conditions.
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bRAND New tReAD DesIgN
THE TREAD IS DESIGNED FOR
EVEN WEAR ACROSS THE SURFACE
SPECIALLY ENGINEERED TO LIMIT ROAD
NOISE FOR A QUIETER RIDE
BRAND NEW TREAD PATTERN PROVIDES
OUTSTANDING GRIP IN WET AND DRY CONDITIONS
INNOVATIVE TREAD DEPTH INDICATORS
IN THE CENTER OF THE TREAD
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multI-tReAD techNologY
mIleAge AND hANDlINg
A COMPLETELY NEW TREAD PATTERN INCORPORATES MULTI-TREAD
TECHNOLOGY INTO ALL REAR TIRES IN THE LINE.
A LONGER-WEARING COMPOUND IN
THE CENTER OF THE TREAD FOR
LONGER TREAD LIFE.
SPECIAL LATERAL COMPOUNDS
ALONG THE OUTSIDE EDGES OF
THE TREAD FOR ENHANCED
CORNERING GRIP.
MULTI-TREAD GIVES RIDERS OUTSTANDING
MILEAGE WITHOUT SACRIFICING HANDLING.
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DuNlop eNgINeeReD A tIRe thAt woRks AcRoss A
veRY bRoAD cRoss-sectIoN of motoRcYcles.
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ELITE 4 BIAS FRONT
Size
Speed Index
130/90B16
73H
130/70-18
63H
100/90-19
57H
110/90-19
62H
80/90-21
48H
ELITE 4 BIAS REAR
Size
Speed Index
170/80B15
77H
150/80B16
77H
160/80B16
80H
ELITE 4 RADIAL FRONT
Size
Speed Index
130/70R18
63H
ELITE 4 RADIAL REAR
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Size
Speed Index
180/60R16
80H
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motoAmeRIcA upDAte
the RestARt
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Toni Elias knows a thing or two about restarting. And we’re not
talking about a red-flagged race. In his career, the Spanish
rider who once won a MotoGP race was the toast of the town;
he beat none other than Valentino Rossi in a MotoGP race and
was a front-runner and podium finisher in the top level of
motorcycle racing, all this in 2006.
After breaking his leg badly, Elias left the MotoGP class and
“I’m not the king,” Elias said, “just winning some races. At
landed in the then new Moto2 championship. In Moto2 he was
the beginning of the race, I was a little bit worried. I didn’t
almost mystically successful, winning the inaugural
have a great feeling, but we start, I try to stay behind Roger
championship in 2010. In 2011, he was ushered back into
and Cameron Beaubier. Finally, I found myself again and
MotoGP on a Honda but found none of his previous success.
try to go away but was impossible. Roger was there all
From there he bounced from Moto2 to MotoGP to World
the time.”
Superbike championship racing. After a short break, Elias and the Yoshimura crew realigned at
Elias has always liked the U.S. He’s done some Superprestigio
Road Atlanta. Lewis remained a reluctant couch surfer waiting
racing in the States and generally enjoys his time here. for his injured shoulder to heal, so Elias was up again. He had
ridden COTA previously as a GP rider, but Atlanta? This was a
Thus when American rider Jake Lewis was injured in a
track he’d only seen in photos before he walked through the
preseason dirt bike training crash, Yoshimura Suzuki had to
paddock gates.
start looking for a replacement for at least a few rounds and
they soon found their man. Suzuki and Yoshimura liked what
That fact didn’t matter much. He qualified second, earning a
they saw in Elias; there’s not a lot of riders in the world who
front row start. He ran fourth in the race. Then Josh Hayes
have on their resume “defeated Valentino Rossi in MotoGP.”
made a slight error trying to pass Beaubier for the lead on lap
So they suited him up as a temporary replacement to Lewis
13, and both riders tumbled into the gravel outside of the
and set sail for Austin, Texas, and the opening round of the
final corner. MotoAmerica Superbike championship.
Elias avoided the carnage, staying on the gas hard enough to
There, an amazing thing happened. In the first race on
stay with teammate Hayden and then passed him a few laps
Saturday at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Suzuki’s Roger
from the end. Elias was three for three in his MotoAmerica debut.
Lee Hayden had blasted to a four-second lead when red flags
flew and stopped the race. The fairy tale ended in race two when Elias crashed out
of contention.
In the restarted race, Elias simply split. Gone—as in a 1.7
second lead at the finish line. He’d won the first MotoAmerica
Beaubier took the win in race two and garnered desperately
Superbike race he entered. Ironically, a restart signaled the
needed points in his quest to defend his number-one plate.
restart of his winning ways.
With all the crashes and Elias’ surprise attack, the
championship is nothing close to the pundits’ predictions.
And he got better on Sunday. He won again, and went from
Hayden leads the championship, showing why cooler heads
being an unknown in America to some calling him the new
often prevail, while Beaubier must claw his way back from
king of MotoAmerica Superbike racing. seventh in the title chase.
toNIElIAs
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RogeR leehAYDEN
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JoshhAYEs
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Garrett Gerloff came into the 2016 season with a new level of mental focus, and it
shows. He’s won every Supersport race this year. At COTA, he took the pole by over a
second, then pounded the opposition to win both races by more than 10 seconds each.
gARRettGErloff
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clAuDIocortI
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bobbYfoNG
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JoshhErrIN
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bRYceprINcE
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bRANDoNpAAsch
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cAmeRoNBEAUBIEr
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supeRstock 1000
supeRspoRt
Josh Herrin
Garrett Gerloff
Bobby Fong
Valentin Debise
Claudio Corti
JD Beach
Taylor Knapp
Joe Roberts
Danny Eslick
Cameron Petersen
Hayden Gillim
Benny Solis
Sheridan Morais
Travis Wyman
David Anthony
Dakota Mamola
Max Flinders
Christian Crosslin
Geoff May
supeRstock 600
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ktm Rc 390 cup
Bryce Prince
Brandon Paasch
Travis Wyman
Anthony Mazziotto III
Dakota Mamola
Brandon Altmeyer
JC Camacho
Jody Barry
Connor Blevins
Jackson Blackmon
Andy DiBrino
Benjamin Smith
Gage McAllister
Josh Serne
Xavier Zayat
Alejandro Gutierrez
Deion Campbell
Ian Champness
Michael Gilbert
Brett Voorhees
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lAst to
fIRst
An extraordinary thing happened at the recent
Spanish GP. After Moto3 rider Brad Binder was
sent to the back of the grid for a technical
infraction during qualifying, he passed the entire
field to take the win by an unbelievable 3.4
seconds. Despite all Moto3 machines being as
equal as the spec rules can possibly make them,
Binder passed all 34 riders as if he were in a
completely different class. More impressive, the
South African had never won a Moto3 race before.
He now leads the championship chase.
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PHOTOS: FOCUS POLLUTION
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DuNgeY
gets It DoNe
RYANDUNGEY
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though DuNgeY’s fouRth-plAce fINIsh
eNDeD hIs RemARkAble stReAk of 31
coNsecutIve poDIum fINIshes, It Also
lockeD up hIs thIRD supeRcRoss tItle.
Yet many people seemed to forget this fact going into the 15th
the race. And that was in spite of tricky, deteriorating
round of the 2016 series, held for the first time ever at Gillette
conditions that saw deep ruts form all around the track.
Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. In the minds of
In fact, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac earned the
many, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey seemed to be the
runner-up spot, while Dungey had to work hard to fend
shoo-in to claim the number-one plate early at Foxborough.
off Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson to
Extensive behind-the-scenes coverage aired during the
make it onto the podium. With that, Dungey extended his
television broadcast set up what seemed to be the sure-bet
record-setting streak to 31 consecutive podiums, a
coronation. But RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s/Suzuki
stellar accomplishment.
Factory Racing’s Ken Roczen didn’t think so. And he spoiled
the celebration plans laid out by many as he hammered
But for at least one more week, Dungey, his team, and his
out a decisive race win in Round 15, delaying the celebrations
many followers had to postpone their championship
by KTM and the legions of Dungey fans for at least one
celebrations. Holding a 43-point advantage, Dungey headed
more week.
to New York determined to lock up the title. There Roczen
dominated again, and Dungey finished fourth to lock up the
It’s easy to forgive all those who assumed Dungey would put
championship. Though his fourth-place finish ended his
away this championship so early in the season. He has been
remarkable streak of 31 consecutive podium finishes, it also
the dominant rider all season long, winning eight races to
locked-up his third Supercross title.
amass a commanding 48-point lead over Roczen. All RD had
to do was place among the top four riders and finish ahead
Meanwhile, the battle for the 250SX East and West
of Roczen in Foxborough to wrap up his second consecutive
Championships saw even hotter competition. At any given
championship, making it a total of three titles.
race, there was no telling who would take the win. It all came
down to the muddy final in Las Vegas, where Team Dunlop
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Dungey had crossed the finish line ahead of Roczen in the
alumni Joey Savatgy did what he had to do to try and take
four previous races, making Foxborough look like a done
the West title away from Cooper Webb. Riding with a wrist
deal. But perhaps that was all the extra incentive the
broken only a few weeks earlier, Webb struggled deep in the
German rider needed; as the race flagged off he quickly
field. He managed to finish eleventh, holding onto his
passed Dungey, who had grabbed the holeshot, on the very
number plate by a single point over Savatgy. Malcolm
first lap and was never seriously challenged for the rest of
Stewart finished third to wrap up the East championship.
RYANDUNGEY
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keNrocZEN
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mAlcolmstEwArt
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chRIstIANcrAIG
JoeYsAVAtGY
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JeRemYMArtIN
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coopeRwEBB
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elItoMAc
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JAsoNANDErsoN
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hoolIgANs
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Who knew that a series of mainly run-
Handbuilt Motorcycle Show, drew a
himself, who rode one of his custom
what-ya-brung motorcycle races could
variety of machines and spawned a
Indian Scout scramblers as did Kopp
garner such attention among the hipsters
lot of fun.
and Aldana.
Hooligan series attracted diverse and
The main event, which took place during
Kopp won the race, Shaun Guardado
enthusiastic participants at this year’s
the AMA Pro National race on the half-
nabbed third, Robinson came in eighth
Circuit of the Americas (COTA) event.
mile at COTA and was viewed by most of
and Aldana ended up crashing out. And
the MotoGP paddock, was a more serious
Sands’ ability to ride fast on just about
The first race, run on a short, ad hoc dirt
affair featuring among others Joe Kopp,
anything was proven once again when the
track in downtown Austin in conjunction
the legendary David Aldana, former Grand
former AMA 250 Grand Prix Champion
with Roland Sands Design and the
Prix racer Jamie Robinson and Sands
finished second.
of Austin, Texas, but once again the Super
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RolAND sANDs JoINeD foRces wIth INDIAN to buIlD A seRIes of
scout scRAmbleRs thAt hAve beeN IN the hANDs of vARIous
RIDeRs IN the hoolIgAN seRIes. the bIkes ARe All subtlY DIffeReNt
AND exceptIoNAllY cool. bIg pRops to INDIAN foR the vIsIoN to
tuRN sANDs AND hIs RsD cRew loose AND foR suppoRtINg the
populAR gRAssRoots-DRIveN hoolIgAN seRIes.
AMA FLAT TRACK RACERS COMPETE ON DUNLOP’S DT3 DIRT TRACK TIRE,
THE SAME TIRE AVAILABLE TO ALL FLAT TRACK RACERS. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.
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the oRIgINAl
toN-up tIRe
The mods and the rockers and café racers of the 1960s and 1970s huddled in the streets
of London, talking bikes and rock and roll. Chances are good a lot of them rolled on
Dunlop tires. Made just up the road in Dunlop’s Birmingham, UK, factory, the TT100 was
the tire of choice back in the day, and for café purists, it still is today.
Dunlop’s TT100 tire was born with another name. But when Malcolm Uphill broke the 100mph-lap barrier on a production bike, a Triumph Thruxton, at the Isle of Man TT in 1969,
Dunlop commemorated the first ton-up lap around the island by renaming the rear tire Mr.
Uphill relied on for his historic record—it became the TT100.
If you are looking for the original, the Dunlop TT100 is it.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TT100
mAlcolmUphIll
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stRANg,
Russell leAD
gNcc seRIes
The 2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series, an AMA National Championship, is all knotted
up at the top of the standings with Josh Strang and Kailub Russell tied for the points lead after four
rounds. Both riders have two wins, a second and third, with Strang dominating the first two rounds and
Russell dominating the last two rounds.
Strang got off to a fast start on his Dunlop-supported Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna; winning the
first two rounds, despite getting a off to a late start with his preparations.
“I was coming into the first round in Florida a little underprepared,” said Strang. “We had some bad
weather; and then with the new bike, and I went home to Australia, I just kind of left it pretty late to get
ready to start racing. But I feel like that’s good because I think we’ve still got more improvements to
make, so it’s definitely good to feel like I started not at 100%.”
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kAIlubrUssEll
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Russell, on the other hand, struggled a bit during the first
round in Florida, where he finished third. Then in Georgia he
bobbled while leading and handed the win to Strang. After the
race, Russell was unable to make the podium celebration due
to dehydration.
“The season started off rough, but the championship chase
still isn’t over and I’ve still got my eyes on it,” said the Dunlopbacked FMF/KTM Russell. “[In Florida], it just took me a while
to get going but I rode well at the end of the race and I felt
good.” In Georgia, the heat just got to Russell.
Ryan Sipes didn’t exactly get off to the start he was hoping for
in 2016, however the Coastal Racing/Rockstar/Husqvarna
rider is gaining ground on the competition and just barely
missed the podium at rounds three and four at Steele Creek in
North Carolina and at the Big Buck GNCC in South Carolina.
Overall StandingS after fOur rOundS
1. Kailub Russell (106)
2. Josh Strang (106)
3. Chris Bach (71)
4. Ryan Sipes (66)
5. Trevor Bollinger (62)
6. Daniel Milner (61)
7. Grant Baylor (50)
8. Steward Baylor Jr. (46)
9. Jordan Ashburn (41)
10. Craig Delong (38)
JoshstrANG
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sIDewAYs
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JAkeJohNsoN
the 2016 AmA pRo flAt tRAck seAsoN puts bAck-tobAck RouNDs IN fRoNt of the most expeRIeNceD
AuDIeNces oN the cIRcuIt.
First, there’s the opening round at Daytona where hard-core
The next night, Jake Johnson took his first win in four years
race fans fill the stands. Next comes the Circuit of the
ahead of Kenny Coolbeth Jr., Halbert, Baker and defending
Americas (COTA) event where the bulk of the audience is
MotoAmerica 600 road racing champ JD Beach, who
made up of the MotoGP paddock—managers, technicians,
posted the fastest qualifying time of the night. Mees struggled
racers—who know a thing or two about racing. If you’re racing
to a ninth-place finish, not doing his championship hopes
the flat track at COTA, you know you’re racing in front of the
any good.
most experienced eyeballs on the planet.
Mees avenged his Daytona results by topping the HarleyThe 2016 flat track season kicked off at Daytona with a
Davidson Lone Star Half-Mile at COTA after early leader Baker
double-header. The short-track races featured the country’s
dropped out with technical difficulties on lap seven. Then
top riders on 450cc machines, and the opener saw tight and
came a red-flag restart that turned the race into a final five-lap
wild racing with familiar names at the front. In the first race,
dash, which Mees won ahead of Robert Pearson (his best
Sammy Halbert took the lead on the second lap and never
career finish), Halbert and Stevie Bonsey. Daytona flat track
looked back. The hard scrapping went on throughout the field,
winner Jake Johnson rounded out the top five. The COTA win
with Brandon Robinson grabbing second ahead of Brad Baker,
launched Mees into third in points, 10 behind championship
defending champ Jared Mees and Bryan Smith.
leader Halbert.
sAmmYhAlBErt
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JAReDMEEs
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DAltoNGAUthIEr
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DuNlop exteNDs
the legeNDARY
spoRtmAx fAmIlY
wIth the gpR-300
A hIgh-peRfoRmANce RADIAl foR smAll-DIsplAcemeNt stReet bIkes
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the gpR-300 Is A peRfoRmANce RADIAl thAt
Allows RIDeRs wIth bIAs tIRes to upgRADe
to A pRemIum peRfoRmANce tIRe.
The proliferation of small-displacement sport bikes in recent years from Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, KTM and
Zero led to Dunlop’s development of the all-new Sportmax GPR-300. A performance radial that allows riders with
bias tires to upgrade to a premium performance tire, the GPR-300 follows in the footsteps of Dunlop’s Sportmax
family, sharing technology and that unique “feel” that sets Dunlop sport tires apart from the competition.
Offering excellent grip in wet and dry conditions, light steering and excellent bump compliance, the GPR-300
also offers extended mileage for commuting and long trips. Available in sizes to fit all the popular smalldisplacement sport bikes, the GPR-300 lets riders get the most out of their machines.
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GPR-300
SPORTMAX GPR-300 FRONT
Size
Speed Index
110/70R17
54H
SPORTMAX GPR-300 REAR
Size
Speed Index
140/70R17
66H
150/60R17
66H
the gpR-300 lets RIDeRs get the
most out of theIR mAchINes.
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PHOTO: SCHEDL R.
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steel beNt
customs
mIchAel muNDY JoINs the RANks of buIlDeRs
tRue to the fuNDAmeNtAlIst IDeAl.
Everybody comes from somewhere. In Michael Mundy’s case, he parked a
successful real estate career in Florida to pursue his passion: building
something with his hands.
Mundy is at the forefront of the café racer/bobber movement that has
captivated so many riders and builders today. Many of his creations are
built around Honda twins and fours of the ’60s and ’70s. He started with a
pair of CB/CL350s, which together with the other Honda 350 variants
topped 600,000 in sales. The bikes were reputedly bulletproof and revved
to an astonishing 10,000 rpm, which makes them favorites among shadetree and professional builders alike today. We caught up with Mundy
recently to find out how he got where he is.
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I stARteD buIlDINg DecADes Ago oN mY owN
peRsoNAl bIkes. we’ve beeN goINg to DAYtoNA
beAch foR bIke week AND bIketobeRfest sINce
the lAte ’90s. I stARteD becAuse I Just wANteD
to cReAte somethINg wIth mY hANDs.
dd: How long have you been riding?
When did you start your company? MM: Since I was 14. My parents allowed my brother and me
I started Steel Bent Customs in 2011. I purchased two Honda
to have a motorcycle when we were old enough to drive but
CB/CL350s for $700, then turned them into café racers and
not a car. My mom said, “You can kill yourself, but you can’t
sold both. Then I bought a CB550 and started building it. The
kill your friends.” company was born.
ever do any racing?
What is your build philosophy?
No. Unless you mean BMX racing, then yes. I look for a line on the bike, its backbone or flow. Often I wait
till the inspiration hits me or spend some time just staring at
What did you do for a living before starting your
the bike on the lift to help get the creative juices flowing. company? I worked as a real estate broker before opening up my own
anybody you look up to and why?
firm and still hold my broker’s license. I’ve always admired Falcon Motorcycles, Ian Barry’s work. He
is a true artist by crafting the machines that create his art.
When and why did you start building?
I started building decades ago on my own personal bikes.
do you have a favorite build?
We’ve been going to Daytona Beach for Bike Week and
One of mine? They all have their place, but the 1971 Honda
Biketoberfest since the late ’90s. I started because I just
CB450 bobber “Seven 1” that is traveling with Dunlop to all
wanted to create something with my hands.
the races and shows has been with me since the beginning
and I’ll never part with her. 88
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upcomINg eveNts
May 13-15
MotoAmerica round 4
Virginia International raceway
Danville, VA
May 21
lucas oil pro Motocross round 1
hangtown Motocross classic
sacramento, cA
June 2-5
x Games
circuit of the Americas
Austin, tx
June 11-12
GNcc round 8
seneca highland
odessa, NY
May 14-15
GNcc round 6
lawrence county recreational park
springville, IN
May 28
lucas oil pro Motocross round 2
Glen helen raceway
san Bernardino, cA
June 3-5
MotoAmerica round 5
road America
Elkhart lake, wI
June 18
lucas oil pro Motocross round 4
high point raceway
Mt. Morris, pA
May 14
AMA flat track round 4
turf paradise
phoenix, AZ
May 28-29
GNcc round 7
sunday creek raceway
Millfield, oh
June 4
lucas oil pro Motocross round 3
thunder Valley Motocross park
lakewood, co
June 18
AMA flat track round 7
remington park
oklahoma city, oK
May 21
AMA flat track round 5
cal Expo fairgrounds
sacramento, cA
May 29
AMA flat track round 6
Illinois state fairgrounds
springfield, Il
June 10-12
MotoAmerica round 6
Barber Motorsports park
Birmingham, Al
June 23-25
MotoAmerica round 7
Utah Motorsports campus
tooele, Ut
©2016 Dunlop • P. O. Box 1109, Buffalo, New York 14240-1109 • 1-800-845-8378 • dunlopmotorcycletires.com