Honda Shadow Motorcycles in Wauconda, page #26

Moto blog

2013 Long Beach International Motorcycle Show Report

Today the motorcycle press descended upon the Long Beach Convention Center to attend media day at the annual International Motorcycle Show. After feasting from a continental breakfast buffet the discerning journalists set to the task of reporting on the bounty of new model motorcycles – most of which has been previously showcased in our November EICMA reporting. If you missed anything from that show here’s a run down of what to look forward to: Triumph Thunderbird LT Suzuki V-Strom 1000 Can-Am Spyder Royal Enfield Continental GT Zero KTM Super Duke R – KTM confirmed the retail price to be $16,999 BMW R NineT Ducati Monster S 1200 Honda Valkyrie Kawasaki Z1000 Husqvarna A cool item of interest included a reproduction TZ750-powered flat tracker King Kenny Roberts made famous.

Small-Displacement Class Considered for 2015 AMA Pro Racing Season

More and more manufacturers are entering the small-displacement sportbike market and AMA Pro Racing has taken notice, opening the possibility of adding a new racing class representing the growing segment. With plans to consolidate the Daytona Sportbike and Supersport classes and the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson series signed through 2015, a spot will open up on race weekends for another racing class to support the premier Superbike Championship. The logical choice is to introduce a new small-displacement class.

Hero MotoCorp Forms Joint Venture with Magneti Marelli

Indian manufacturer Hero MotoCorp is teaming up with electronic fuel injection expert Magneti Marelli in a new joint venture. Hero will hold a 60% share in the company with Magenti Marelli controlling the other 40%. The two companies are initially investing a combined US$8.5 million into the joint venture, with a planned  investment of US$27 million total over the next ten years.

2014 Honda NC750S, NC750X May be Heading to Canada

We were disappointed when American Honda announced it would offer the NC700X in 2014 the very same day its parent company revealed the NC model line was getting upgraded to 750 in other markets. It was bad enough Americans only got the adventure-styled X version and not the NC700S naked standard or Integra scooter in Europe, but for 2014, American Honda will continue offering the 670cc model instead of the new 745cc version. Canada may be another story however, as Honda Canada’s website has pages set up for both the NC750X and NC750S.

46,061 Motorcycles Stolen in US in 2012

An average of 126 motorcycles were stolen in the U.S. every day in 2012, according to a report released by the the National Insurance Crime Bureau. That’s from a total of 46,061 motorcycles reported stolen that year a 1.3% improvement from the 46,667 motorcycles reported stolen in 2011.

2014 Honda CB1100 EX Revealed

Alongside the updated 2014 CB1100, Honda revealed a new variant it calls the CB1100 EX. Both 2014 models were announced at the Tokyo Motor Show but we’re still waiting to hear whether Honda will be coming stateside. The difference between the regular CB1100 and the EX are not that apparent, and at quick glance, it may be difficult to tell them apart.

2014 Honda CB1100 Announced

The Honda CB1100 has only been available here in North America for a year, but for 2014, the retro-styled standard is already getting an update. That’s because the CB1100 has been around for a bit longer overseas, and for nearly everywhere but here, it’s ripe for a modest refresh. For 2014, Honda is replacing the previous version’s five-speed transmission with a six-speed gearbox.

Honda and Yamaha Pledge Support to Typhoon Victims in Philippines

Honda and Yamaha each offered aid to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan which struck the Philippines earlier this month. Initial estimates put the death tool at over 10,000 but Philippine President Benigno Aquino says the actual number maybe closer to 2,500. Still, the United Nations says more than 11 million people were affected by the typhoon, with about 673,000 displaced from their homes.

475cc NS400R. Marquez and Spencer.

Winter may be here but I seem to be as busier than ever, maybe the economy is finally turning around. At my last UK track day of the year I had some fun testing this little beauty.  It’s a late eighties NS400 triple bored out to 475cc and it felt sweet as I zinged round the GP Arena track at Silverstone.   Being stripped bare to reduce weight gives it a very respectable power to weight ratio which means it could live with 600s (on the twisty bits at least).

WSBK Racing Game Announced for Mobile Devices

Italian software developer Digital Tales is producing the first fully-licensed World Superbike Championship video game for mobile devices. The WSBK mobile game for tablet and smartphone devices was introduced at the 2013 EICMA show, with racers such as Pata Honda‘s Michel Fabrizio and two-time defending Superstock 1000 Champion Sylvain Barrier demonstrating the game for EICMA visitors. Digital Tales previously produced a MotoGP game in 2010 and the Ducati Challenge game for iOS devices.