Suzuki Boulevard Motorcycles in Willmar, page #42

Moto blog

Behind the scenes in Qatar

Just because you have the name Jorge Lorenzo on your screen and you've won a world championship doesn't mean you'll get an easy time at scrutineering. In Qatar the technical inspection staff made the factory Yamaha mechanics remove bodywork and unbolt some electrical components in order to get a better look at the guts of the 2011 M1. Everything was in order of course but what a great opportunity for the scrutineers to exercise their power and have a poke around the most high tech Yamaha on the planet.

Japan Needs Your Help

By now, we’ve all seen pictures and video of the devastation in Japan following the March 11 earthquake and the ensuing tsunamis. Japan, of course, has contributed much to motorcycling, with the Big Four of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, as well as tire manufacturer Bridgestone, helmet companies Arai and Shoei and many other motorcycle industry stalwarts all coming from the Land of the Rising Sun. Jon Bekefy and Greg Hatton, two motorcycle enthusiasts, industry employees  and above all, humanitarians, have set up a fundraising campaign benefiting the Red Cross for relief efforts in Japan.

Old boys up front and where are the new 600 Gixers?

As I’ve been gagging for the new race season to kick off so it was almost a pleasure getting up at stupid 0 clock to watch the World Superbike Championship  opener at Phillip Island last weekend. I have to say Messrs Burnicle and Whitham were on form although I was disappointed there were none of the usual verbal attacks on each other that always add to the entertainment.    I’m sure they will put things right soon but the world superbike regulars must have been disheartened that Moto GP veterans nailed five of the six available rostrum slots.

Hang-On Arcade Game Creator Honored

If you grew up in the ’80s and spent some a lot of time in arcades, you’re probably familiar with the game “Hang-On”. Released in 1985 by Sega Enterprises, motorcycle racing game  “Hang-On” broke ground by using a motorcycle-shaped seat as a controller. Players raced a virtual motorcycle on a track, leaning on the plastic motorcycle to steer the in-game bike.

Ducati vs. Honda vs. Suzuki: MotoGP porn

For all you lovers of perfectly welded titanium, amazingly machined aluminium and lovingly crafted fasteners; this blog's for you. These pics were shot at the Sepang MotoGP tests where the bikes were presumably being warmed up, ready for action. Take a look at that Suzuki, it's a work of art.

Ultimate Trackbike 2: Dunlop's GSX-R1000

Occasionally, some seriously trick bikes with a decent pedigree come up for sale on eBay. Here's the first in a small series of bikes that we've dug up for sale on eBay now. Queston is, which one would make the ultimate track bike?

Haslam's first WSB win immortalised in paint

Titled 'Winning Start' this limited edition print illustrates Leon Haslam taking his first ever WSB win. Phillip Island, 2010 will forever be marked as an important race for Haslam, in his first race with Alstare Suzuki the Briton converted a career-first WSB pole position in to his first ever World championship race victory. Only 250 of the prints by Isle of Man artist Alan Perkin are available.

Inside Look at the 2011 Suzuki GSX-R600 [video]

Suzuki boasts that the GSX-R600 has long been America’s top selling sportbike, so when it undergoes a major overhaul everybody takes notice. For 2011 the GSX-R600 underwent a plethora of big changes, all of which resulted in a weight loss of about 20 pounds. Helping this middleweight supersport shed pounds is a new frame, a 41mm Show Big Piston Fork, radially mounted Brembo monoblock brake calipers, as well as smaller axles and wheel hubs.

Xmas gift for Haslam fans

A LIMITED-EDITION Leon Haslam print has gone on sale and captures the moment the Alstare Suzuki rider took his first World Superbike Championship race victory – at Phillip Island, Australia on February 28 this year. Winning Start has been painted by Isle of Man artist Alan Perkin and the limited edition run of 250 prints are already selling on the online store of Leon Haslam’s website; www.leonhaslam.com. All of the prints are signed by Haslam and Perkin and are priced at £39.95. “Alan Perkin has produced a really nice painting and we wanted to get something out there in advance of Christmas and at an affordable price,” said Haslam. He continued: “The print has pride of place in my house, Phillip Island was my first pole position, my debut on the Alstare Suzuki and my first race win – a memorable start to a great year.” The print measures 630mm x 490mm and is available from the Leon Haslam website or by calling 01332 882584.

Laguna Seca Superbike race: 1979

Got to apologise for the mogadon-inspired soundtrack but this 1979 Kawasaki promo vid' is worth watching just for the footage of Freddie Spencer and Wes Cooley. Watch the slo-mo of Cooley's GS1000 Suzuki on the brakes. It's horrendous.