2012 Harley-davidson Street Glide on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Vespa goes back to the future

IT'S been a while coming, but the gorgeous Vespa 946 - EICMA 2012's Best of Show - has finally introduced something to the two-wheeled world that our four-wheeled counterparts have had for a while.  I call this 'reverse retro-futurism' - the art of borrowing lines from models past and imbuing them with a sleek sense of future direction (as opposed to retro-futurism, the pre-1960s design trend of depicting the technology of the future. The term 'decopunk' may come close, but feel free to tell me if there's a more exact term.) It's what the New Mini and the New Beetle (both 1997 and 2012 versions) have done so well, and so successfully: building an all-new model as a tribute to a classic, something that's modern yet already timeless, with a widely-appreciated, inclusive aesthetic (and here we eliminate the Plymouth PT Cruiser from the conversation). The biking world is great at retro, indeed thrives on it, but not so good at adding in a taste of the 21st century.

Best Western Holds Photo Contest for Motorcyclists

Best Western is holding a new contest for motorcyclists to celebrate its 65th anniversary and the launch of its three types of hotels. The Best Western Ride Rewards Photo Contest is open to motorcycle riders and runs until July 15. To enter, riders must submit photos of their motorcycles in front of a Best Western sign from the chain’s 2,200 North American locations to the Best Western Facebook page.

Motorcycle.com Adds a New Editor

While some moto publications are cutting back and constricting, Motorcycle.com is proud to announce the addition of a new editor to our masthead. MO readers, meet Jon Langston, our new Associate Editor. I knew Langston was a cool cat when I first met him at the Harley-Davidson Blackline unveiling in January 2011.