Triumph Thunderbird Motorcycles in Indianapolis, page #19

Moto blog

Riding round the north of Scotland

I’m ashamed to say that until last week, I had no idea what incredible roads and scenery the North West of Scotland had to offer. Starting at Helensburgh just west of Glasgow, ten of us (including ex racers Duffus, MacPherson, Morrison and Simpson,) rode 600 miles round the coast then back down to Inverness. On mostly empty but immaculate roads we lost count of the mountains, lochs and sandy beaches along the way.

Not a fake police biker

So yesterday I was threading my way through London on Triumph's Tiger Explorer 1200 with panniers. Quite a wide load. Up ahead, I see a police biker and reckon on him being able to part the traffic enough for me to have an easier run down by the river.

Go camping with your bike

Keep your bike close to you when you go camping with the MOTOTENT from motorcycle adventurers Lone Rider. Priced at £450, here's a round-up of the features from Lone Rider: The MOTOTENT is spacious enough to shelter a dual sport bike as big a BMW R1200 GSA with all its luggage, to have room to work on it, and to be able to stand in the tent. The tunnel-shaped design allows a very quick setup of the tent when needed.

Estate of Gary Nixon Up For Auction June 16, 2012

The estate of legendary motorcycle racer and all around fun guy, Gary Nixon, will go on auction June 16,2012, in York, PA. Nixon passed in August, 2011, while recovering from heart surgery. A two-time AMA Grand National Champion (1967 – ’68), Nixon was an accomplished flattrack and road racer. He was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.

Craig Vetter Grand Marshall for 2012 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame member and noted designer Craig Vetter — whose contributions to motorcycling range from the iconic Windjammer fairings and the Triumph X-75 Hurricane to the Mystery Ship limited-production high-performance motorcycles and a number of high-profile motorcycle fuel-economy contests — will be honored as this year’s grand marshal at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days featuring Rockers and Mods, July 20-22, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Vetter has been a member of the American Motorcyclist Association and a designer since 1965, and his varied background gives him a unique alliance to both the Rockers and Mods motorcycle subcultures. His design projects over the years have involved café racers — the motorcycles of choice for Rockers — and scooters, which are favored by Mods.

Sulfur Yellow Triumph Daytona 675 Highlights New 2012 Colors

Triumph announced a number of new paint schemes for several of its models. While the new options are for the most part merely cosmetic, the lone exception is the new sulfur yellow 2012 Triumph Daytona 675. We’re not quite sure it’s good marketing for a color scheme that reminds you of the smell of rotten eggs, but the sulfur yellow Daytona 675 also sports a number of upgrades.

EagleRider Introduces Pillion Tour Program for Non-Riders

Motorcycle tour operator EagleRider is launching a new program for non-riders. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, EagleRider offers motorcycle rentals and guided motorcycle tours. Until now however, you had to have a motorcycle license or ride as a passenger with another traveler who does.

Triumph Street Triple Used to Test Rocket Components – Video

California-based aerospace company XCOR is using a Triumph Street Triple to test rocket components for a suborbital spacecraft. Of course, what immediately comes to mind is a giant rocket strapped on to the Triumph, but the truth is much less dramatic, yet still fascinating. XCOR is using the Street Triple for endurance testing of bearings components for the rocket propellant piston pump of the Lynx suborbital spacecraft.

Buddy Holly, Ariel Cyclone, 1958

Above is some fantastic home movie footage of Buddy Holly and the Crickets messing around on motorbikes in 1958. The story behind the bikes in the video starts after Buddy Holly, Joe Mauldin and Jerry Allison came back from a successful tour in 1958, flush with cash. The trio decided to spend their rock and roll dollars on brand new motorcycles.

Triumph to Sponsor Jason DiSalvo Speed Academy

Triumph Motorcycles has signed a sponsorship agreement with Jason DiSalvo‘s riding school. The 2011 Daytona 200 winner rides a Triumph Daytona 675R for the Latus Motors AMA Daytona Sportbike team so it’s no surprise the British manufacturer is sponsoring the Jason DiSalvo Speed Academy. DiSalvo also raced for Triumph-backed BE1 World Supersport team, and though he left the team on rather murky terms, DiSalvo and Triumph enjoy a strong working relationship.