Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

2014 WSBK – Misano Results

Kawasaki‘s Tom Sykes won both races at Misano to stretch his championship lead to 39 points as we pass the halfway mark of the 2014 World Superbike Championship. The reigning champion scored his third double-win round of the season while his teammate Loris Baz added a pair of second-place finishes. David Salom on the Kawasaki’s factory EVO entry was also the top rider in the new sub-class for both races to top off a strong weekend for the Team Green.

MV Agusta Bringing WSBK Racing Effort In-House

MV Agusta is cutting ties with racing partner Yachnich Motorsports to assume complete control over its World Superbike and Supersport racing programs. MV Agusta and Yakhnich first formed their partnership last November, so the decision is a curious one, coming just before the mid-point of the 2014 season. Yakhnich brought a proven winning resume, partnering with MV Agusta after winning the 2013 World Supersport title with Sam Lowes.

2015 Piaggio Beverly 350 SportTouring Announced

Piaggio has updated its Beverly 350 SportTouring scooter for 2015, offering a redesigned seat and some color changes. Expect to see it arrive in North America next year, where it is known as the BV 350. One of the brand’s perennially best-selling scooters, the Piaggio Beverly 350 was last updated in the 2012 model year where it became the first scooter to come equipped with both anti-lock brakes and traction control.

DePuniet Joins Waters On Yoshimura Suzuki For Suzuka 8-Hour

The world of a MotoGP test rider is a little strange. They’re born racers, and yet when they take to the track it’s usually alone, their mission to develop a motorcycle. They don’t get a trophy, nor do they get to battle with other riders.

Straight Rhythm Is The Evolution Of Supercross + Video

The appeal of Supercross is the jumps, whoops, and all-out race to see who can get through them the fastest. However, all that turning left and right can get in the way of a straight-up dogfight. In its infinite wisdom, in 2013 Red Bull introduced the Straight Rhythm concept.

Motocross Pioneer Pierre Karsmakers Elected To AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame

Pierre Karsmakers, one of the first European motocross champions to bring his expertise to America, has been elected to the AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Class of 2014. A three-time motocross champion in his native Holland, Karsmakers came to the United States to gain wider exposure and attract the attention of the Japanese motorcycle makers. “All the Japanese (sponsorship) contracts were going to Belgian riders,” Karsmakers said.

James Stewart Suspended After Positive Drug Test

AMA Supercross and Motocross racer James Stewart has been provisionally suspended by the International Motorcycling Federation after a drug sample tested positive for amphetamines. The positive test was from the April 12 AMA Supercross round in Seattle. The three podium finishes in the 450 class in Seattle were tested.

Harley-Davidson Reveals Project Livewire

Yesterday we published a scoop on what we believed to be a production electric motorcycle by, of all companies, Harley-Davidson, dubbed “Livewire.” Today, H-D officially announced Project LiveWire as the company’s first electric motorcycle.However, it appears as though our speculation about LiveWire going into production was a bit off base. Instead, The Motor Company is continuing with its customer-led product development approach and letting riders decide whether or not LiveWire sees the light of day. Starting next week select consumers across the country will be able to ride and provide feedback on the bike, helping to shape the future of Harley-Davidson’s first-ever electric motorcycle. While not for sale, Project LiveWire is specifically designed for the purpose of getting insight into rider expectations of an electric Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Sturgis Buffalo Chip Legends Ride, August 4, 2014

The seventh annual Sturgis Buffalo Chip Legends Ride is taking place on Monday, August 4th, 2014. The Legends Ride is dedicated to bringing rally goers together to raise significant funds for local charities including the Black Hills Special Olympics and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame. Motorcycle.com went to the event last year, where we filed this report. Having raised over $325,000 for charity since its inception in 2008, the Legends Ride has played host to some of the biggest names in television, film, music and motorcycling along with riders from all corners of the world.

New Sena 20S Headset Boasts Bluetooth 4.0 Technology

Sena Technologies, Inc., today announced the Sena 20S, the latest in Sena’s long line of motorcycle and powersports Bluetooth communication systems. The 20S features several industry firsts, including Bluetooth 4.0 technology with dual Bluetooth communication modules, to create one of the most advanced Bluetooth headsets available on the market. The 20S incorporates Audio Multitasking allowing conversation with others while simultaneously listening to music or GPS, and a multi-way conference intercom giving users the ability to intercom up to eight riders for up to a 1.2 mile radius.

Valentino Rossi #thisforSIC58 Suit Officially Up For Auction

The Dainese D-Air Racing suit worn by Valentino Rossi during the Italian Grand Prix weekend is up for auction on Ebay today, starting at 8:00 a.m. EST. The website can be accessed from Dainese.com.

Ducati Holding Private Viewings of New Scrambler at World Ducati Week

Ducati announced it will offer private preview viewings of its new Scrambler prototype at World Ducati Week, July 18-20. Visitors to the annual Ducatisti festival at Italy’s Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli will get an early look at the Scrambler. Not counting the spy photos that have leaked out, the Scrambler has only been seen in person by Ducati employees who were recently given a sneak peak.

2015 Honda CB300F Gets CARB Approval

The Honda CBR300R will be joined by a naked model, if new certification documents from the California Air Resources Board are any indication. Back in March, we broke the story of a design patent for a new small-displacement naked Honda based on its CBR300R/CBR250R platform. CARB has certified a new model called the 2015 Honda CB300F along with the CBR300R and its ABS-equipped variant.

MotoGP Braking Infographic From Catalunya, Provided By Brembo

With the seventh round of the MotoGP circus now in the books, we can once again take a look at the Brembo-supplied braking infographic for the Catalunya circuit. One of the rare tracks designated a “hard” braking circuit, Catalunya features seven braking zones. Many of which require substantial braking effort before the turn, which puts maximum stress on the braking system.

2015 KTM EXC Enduro Lineup Revealed

KTM revealed its 2015 Enduro range, including both two-stroke and four-stroke EXC models. The updates to the 2015 EXC lineup are mostly minor, as KTM saw little that needed improvement on the machines that won the Enduro World Championship E1 and E3 class, EnduroCross, SuperEnduro, and International Six Days Enduro overall titles, not to mention a number of X-Games gold medals. The 2015 range consists of the four-stroke 250 EXC-F, 350 EXC-F, 450 EXC and 500 EXC while two-stroke engines power the 125 EXC, 200 EXC, 250 EXC and 300 EXC.

The Mick Doohan Story + Video

In Australia, and certainly many other places, Mick Doohan is a motorcycle racing legend. With five consecutive 500cc World Championships under his belt, Doohan was a fierce competitor. However, Doohan’s career wasn’t without some major injuries and accidents, one of which nearly took his life.

Saddlemen Launches New Interactive Website

Saddlemen, a well-known name in high-quality aftermarket seats, luggage and accessories for all types of motorcycles, announced today the launch of its new and improved website, providing consumers with a more custom and interactive experience. The new Saddlemen website includes the following site enhancements: Improved Navigation: Users can now search for products based on the year, make and model of their motorcycle using the new drop down menu feature, allowing for increased accuracy when shopping for products. Enhanced Technology: The new site is formatted for both mobile and desktop use, whether you’re out on the road or relaxing at home, customers can now shop for their favorite Saddlemen products whenever and wherever they like.

Seventh Annual Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club Rally, Sept. 13

If you’re a fan of classics, customs, or cafe racers, then mark you calendars for the seventh Venice Vintage Motorcycle Rally roaring into the streets of historic Venice, California on Saturday Sept 13th. The day will kick off with a morning parade through Venice and Santa Monica before cruising up PCH for a quick ride up the coast. After returning to the event site, spectators will be treated to one of the largest collection of unique motorcycles and people in Southern California.

Hot Laps Around The New Five-Mile Thunderschleife + Video

Northern California trackday enthusiasts should be excited: Thunderhill Raceway Park, a racetrack we’ve gone to a few times for various tests, despite its eight-hour schlep from our SoCal base, has just completed its two-mile track expansion! The new course, officially known as “Thunderhill West,” can be run independently from the main track, as it has its own pit space and entrance. However, the real fun is combining the two courses together to get the five-mile “Thunderschleife” circuit.

Suzuki Unveils New 2015 DR200S

For 2015, Suzuki’s new 2015 DR200S features significant updates to make it a more stylish, more comfortable and more versatile  dual sport motorcycle. For 2015, this 199cc dual sport gets RM-Z-inspired styling, plus cool “Champion Yellow” bodywork. Taillight and indicators have been tweaked to better accommodate the updated styling.

Suzuki DR-Z125L Returns For 2015, RM-Z450/250 To Receive Trackside Support And Contingency

The Suzuki DR-Z125L will return for 2015. Its 124cc four-stroke engine and 19-inch front wheel with front disc brake provides an easy and inviting entryway for riders of all sizes and skill sets to enjoy off-road riding. In Champion Yellow, the DR-Z125L delivers the aggressive style of the RM-Z motocross bikes, with a friendly suggested retail price of $3,199.

Last Dog Standing 2014 – Where Only The Strong Survive + Video

For the fourth year running, the Last Dog Standing has been a true test of how well one man and one motorcycle can overcome obstacles. What is Last Dog Standing? Think motocross, enduro, trials and desert racing all rolled into one action-packed event in Southern California.

This is What a Parade of 10,000 Vespas Look Like

They came from 32 different countries, represented 310 clubs and formed a line 10 km long and they all had one thing in common: a love of Vespas. An estimated 10,000 Vespas scooted across the Italian province of Mantua for Vespa World Days 2014, a celebration of the iconic scooter brand. The Vespa parade traveled from the city of Mantua to San Benedetto Po for the second day of the festival.

New And Improved Dainese Website Now Live

Today the revamped, new and official Dainese website goes live. The site is not changing its URL but its appearance has been completely redesigned from the basic architecture to each individual section. The new Dainese.com was created to be more dynamic and visitor-focused.

2014 Hesketh 24 Officially Launched

British brand Hesketh has officially launched its limited edition tribute to its Formula 1 roots and the start of a new generation of motorcycles. The Hesketh 24 was originally supposed to be ready in February but after encountering some delays, the 1950cc V-Twin is ready to go. Hesketh is only producing 24 units, but the company says it has plans for a two-seat sport-touring model based on the same platform.

2015 WSBK Regulations Refined – Limited Engine Tuning Allowed

The World Superbike Championship has revised the its regulations for the 2015 season when all Superbikes are to adopt the current EVO class standards. The EVO rules, introduced as a sub-category in this season, were designed to reduce the cost of racing and more accessible to smaller teams by restricting engine modifications to Superstock-level regulations. At a meeting June 12 at Spain’s Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, the Superbike Commission made amendments to allow some modifications while also allowing manufacturers to develop their own electronics.

Tickets for West Coast Premier of Penton Go on Sale

On Tuesday, June 17 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA, the West Coast premier of PENTON: The John Penton Story will take place at 7:00 PM. The movie covers the life of AMA Hall of Fame inductee John Penton, who may not have the same name recognition as some other motorcycle legends from the 50s and 60s, but is an essential player in history of US off-road competition. Penton went fromAmherst, OH motorcycle shop owner to International Six Days Trial competitor and competed in just about every off-road series in the eastern United States and Canada.

Energica “Where Is My Ego” Tour Coming Stateside In July

Energica, the Italian electric motorcycle company responsible for the Ego sportbike, will be coming to America in July to continue its “Where Is My Ego” tour, where consumers can give the Ego a test ride. More details are provided below. Modena, Italy, was the site for the first leg of the tour and the momentum from its success is something Energica hopes to carry as the tour moves on to Munich, Germany in June, then stateside the following month.

Vectrix Files Bankruptcy, Assets Set For Auction June 18

On June 18, assets of electric motorcycle startup Vectrix will be on the block at the company’s former headquarters in New Bedford June 18 in a liquidation auction approved by the federal Bankruptcy Court. Items to be auctioned off include 75 complete VX2 motorcycles, about 100 new Lithium Ion batteries and more than 1.6 million dollars’ worth of replacement parts. The sale will also include the company’s intellectual property and other information assets. Vectrix International Limited, a related company based in Hong Kong, holds the businesses’ registered patents and trademarks.

Eugene Laverty Talks Suzuki MotoGP Testing

In this diary entry, Voltcom Crescent Suzuki’s Eugene Laverty reflects on a busy three weeks that saw him visit Suzuki HQ in Hamamatsu in Japan, test the Suzuki MotoGP machine in Okayama and Phillip Island; and then race to a podium position at the Sepang World Superbike round in Malaysia. The past few weeks have been one hell of an adventure. The trip started out in Donington for the British round of the World Superbike Championship and from there I travelled directly to Japan for my debut test on Suzuki’s MotoGP prototype.